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Supercharge Your Workflow: The Essential Odoo Developer Extension for Peak Productivity

Odoo Developer Extension

Are you an Odoo developer or consultant constantly looking for ways to streamline your workflow, debug efficiently, and access crucial technical information with ease? Look no further. In the vast ecosystem of browser tools, one Odoo Developer Extension stands out as an indispensable asset: Odoo Toolbox. This powerful, free, and open-source extension is a game-changer, designed to boost your productivity by automating tedious tasks and providing instant access to vital Odoo backend data.

This comprehensive guide will not only persuade you of the immense value of this Odoo Developer Extension but also provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to leverage its most impactful features. Get ready to transform your Odoo development experience.

(Inspired by and expanding upon insights from the original video guide)

The Ultimate Odoo Developer Extension: Odoo Toolbox Overview

The Odoo Toolbox isn’t just another browser add-on; it’s a meticulously crafted suite of tools that integrates seamlessly with your Odoo environment. From automatically enabling developer mode to providing an insightful technical sidebar, this extension eliminates many common frustrations and time-sinks for Odoo professionals. Its open-source nature means it’s community-driven, continually evolving, and transparent.

Before we dive into the specific features that make this Odoo Developer Extension a must-have, let’s get it installed.

Step-by-Step Installation: Getting Started with Your Odoo Developer Extension

Installing the Odoo Toolbox is straightforward and takes mere moments. Follow these simple steps to integrate this powerful extension into your browser:

  1. Open Your Preferred Browser: Odoo Toolbox is available for both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

  2. Search for “Odoo Toolbox”: Head to your browser’s extension store or simply type “Odoo Toolbox” into your Google search bar.

  3. Click and Install: Once you locate the official Odoo Toolbox extension, click the “Add to Chrome” or “Add to Firefox” button. Confirm any installation prompts.

And that’s it! The Odoo Toolbox icon should now appear in your browser’s toolbar, signifying that this essential Odoo Developer Extension is ready for action.

Unlocking Key Features: A Tutorial on Essential Odoo Toolbox Capabilities

Now that you have the Odoo Toolbox installed, let’s explore its core functionalities through practical, step-by-step examples. These features are designed to save you time and provide invaluable insights during your development and consulting tasks.

1. Always-On Debug Mode: A Permanent Developer Experience

One of the most frequently used features for any Odoo professional is the “Debug Mode,” or “Developer Mode.” Traditionally, you’d have to manually append ?debug=1 to the URL or click a specific button. While extensions like “Odoo Debug Monkey” helped, you often had to re-enable it after refreshing a session or clearing cookies. This Odoo Developer Extension simplifies this process significantly.

Why it’s a Game-Changer:
Constantly reactivating debug mode is a minor but persistent annoyance. By automating this, Odoo Toolbox ensures you’re always operating in a development-ready environment, saving countless clicks and boosting your focus.

How to Configure “Always On” Debug Mode:

  1. Access Toolbox Settings: Click on the Odoo Toolbox icon in your browser’s toolbar. A small menu will appear.

  2. Open Settings: Look for a “Settings” or “Options” link/button within this menu. Click it to open the extension’s configuration page.

  3. Navigate to Debug Mode: On the settings page, find the section labeled “Debug Mode options.”

  4. Select “Always”: Within this section, choose the “Always” option.

  5. Save Changes (if applicable): Some extensions require saving, but Odoo Toolbox settings usually apply immediately.

Verification:
Open any Odoo database backend (e.g., your localhost development instance or a cloud-based Odoo database). You will immediately notice that developer mode is active. The ?debug=1 parameter will automatically be appended to your URL, and you’ll see the developer tools icon in the top right of your Odoo interface. This simple setting makes Odoo Toolbox an invaluable Odoo Developer Extension.

2. Streamlined Technical Print Options: Rapid Report Testing

Testing and iterating on Odoo reports (PDF or HTML) can be cumbersome. The traditional method involves generating and downloading a new PDF every time you make a minor change, quickly cluttering your downloads folder. Odoo Toolbox offers a smarter, more efficient way.

Why it’s a Game-Changer:
This feature is a godsend for report developers. Instead of generating and downloading a new file for every single tweak to a QWeb report, you can simply refresh a browser tab to see your changes reflected instantly. This drastically cuts down development time and keeps your workstation tidy.

How to Use Technical Print Options:

  1. Enable the Feature: First, ensure “Show Technical Print Options” is enabled in the Odoo Toolbox settings (similar to how you enabled “Always On” Debug Mode).

  2. Open a Record: In your Odoo instance, navigate to a record that generates a printable report (e.g., a Sales Order, Invoice, or Purchase Order).

  3. Initiate Print: Click the “Print” button for the desired report (e.g., “Quotation / Order” for a Sales Order).

  4. Click “Open PDF in Browser”: Instead of downloading, Odoo Toolbox will now present an option, typically labeled “Open PDF in Browser,” “Technical Preview,” or similar, alongside the usual print options. Click this.

  5. Live Refresh: The PDF report will open in a new browser tab. Now, make a change to the report’s underlying XML or Python code in your Odoo development environment. Save your changes.

  6. Refresh the Tab: Go back to the browser tab displaying the PDF and simply hit your browser’s refresh button (or F5). The report will regenerate and display your latest changes, all without a single download!

This seamless process makes Odoo Toolbox an unparalleled Odoo Developer Extension for anyone working with Odoo reports.

3. Display Technical Name: Instant Model Identification

Odoo 17.2 and later versions have simplified URLs by removing the explicit model name. While cleaner, this can sometimes make it harder to quickly identify the current model you’re viewing. This Odoo Developer Extension brings that crucial information back to the forefront.

Why it’s a Game-Changer:
Knowing the technical name of the current model (e.g., sale.order, res.partner) is fundamental for developers. It’s the basis for creating custom fields, extending views, writing business logic, and performing data queries. Having it visible instantly saves you from inspecting the URL or digging into developer tools.

How to Display Technical Names:

  1. Enable the Feature: In your Odoo Toolbox settings, toggle “Display Technical Name” to “On.”

  2. Navigate Odoo: As you move between different Odoo screens (e.g., Sales, Purchase, Contacts), you will now see the technical model name displayed prominently in the UI, often near the record’s title or the view’s header.

This small but mighty addition from the Odoo Developer Extension provides immediate context, making navigation and development more intuitive.

4. The Technical Sidebar: Your Integrated Odoo Inspector

Perhaps the most significant recent enhancement to the Odoo Toolbox (introduced in version 1.5) is the Technical Sidebar. This feature is akin to your browser’s “Inspect Element” tool, but specifically tailored for Odoo, revealing deep technical details about fields, models, and records directly within the Odoo interface.

Why it’s a Game-Changer:
Prior to this, inspecting field names, types, domains, and relationships often required significant manual effort: digging through XML views, checking model definitions, or using the developer console. The Technical Sidebar condenses all this into an easily accessible panel, drastically speeding up debugging, customization, and data analysis. It’s the definitive feature that cements Odoo Toolbox as a paramount Odoo Developer Extension.

How to Use the Technical Sidebar:

  1. Access the Sidebar: Once you’re in an Odoo backend session, look for a small developer icon (often a gear or a wrench) in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Click it. The Technical Sidebar will slide open.

  2. Explore Database Information:

    • The sidebar initially displays “Database Information.” This section provides vital details about your current Odoo instance: the Odoo version (e.g., Odoo 18), the database name, server edition, active language, and debug mode status.
    • Pro Tip: Each piece of information is clickable; clicking it automatically copies the value to your clipboard, perfect for sharing details or using them in scripts.

  3. Inspect Record Information (List View):

    • Navigate to a list view in Odoo (e.g., Sales Orders list, Product list).
    • Open the Technical Sidebar. It will now display “Record Information.”
    • You’ll see the current Model Name and View Type (List).
    • Below this, a comprehensive list of all fields present on the screen will appear. For each field, you’ll see its:
      • Technical Name:** The actual field name used in code (e.g., partner_id for Customer).
      • Label:** The human-readable name.
      • Type:** (e.g., many2one, char, float).
      • Domain Filter:** Any filters applied to the field.
      • Related Model:** For relational fields, the model it links to (e.g., res.partner).
      • Context:** Any context applied.
      • Value:** The current value of the field.
    • This provides an instant overview of the data structure.

  4. Inspect Record Information (Form View):

    • Open a specific record in Form View (e.g., open a Sales Order record).
    • Re-open the Technical Sidebar. It will again show “Record Information,” but with even more detail relevant to the form view.
    • All individual fields on the form are listed with their technical names, labels, types, and other attributes.
    • Crucially for Developers:** It also highlights the technical names of one-to-many related tabs (e.g., the “Order Lines” tab on a Sales Order might be order_line). This is incredibly useful for understanding how data is structured and linked.

  5. Utilize the Element Inspector:

    • Within the Technical Sidebar, locate and click the “Element Inspector” icon (often a crosshair or target symbol).
    • Now, hover your mouse over any element on your Odoo screen. As you hover, the sidebar will dynamically update, providing detailed information about the underlying Odoo field or widget.
    • You’ll see the field’s technical name, the widget being used (e.g., user_avatar), the related model, and any domain applied to it.
    • Note on Limitations:** As noted in the original context, the inspector primarily captures elements defined via Python/XML. It may not work on dynamic elements rendered solely via JavaScript, such as certain buttons or labels like “Unpaid” on an invoice.

The Technical Sidebar alone makes Odoo Toolbox an indispensable Odoo Developer Extension. It empowers developers to quickly understand and manipulate Odoo’s intricate data structures without constant context switching or tedious manual inspection.

Beyond the Basics: Why Every Odoo Developer Needs This Extension

The features discussed above are just the tip of the iceberg, demonstrating the core value of this Odoo Developer Extension. Here’s why Odoo Toolbox should be a permanent fixture in your browser:

  • Unparalleled Time Savings:** From automated debug mode to instant field inspection, every feature is designed to cut down on repetitive tasks and reduce the time spent searching for information.
  • Enhanced Debugging & Troubleshooting:** The Technical Sidebar and live PDF refresh capabilities provide immediate feedback, making it easier to pinpoint issues in views, reports, and data.
  • Improved Code Quality:** By quickly seeing technical names and field properties, you can write more accurate and robust code.
  • Accessibility for All Levels:** While incredibly powerful for experienced developers, the intuitive interface also makes it a valuable learning tool for those new to Odoo development, offering a peek behind the curtain.
  • Open Source & Community Driven:** The project’s open-source nature (you can find its code on platforms like GitHub) ensures transparency, allows for community contributions, and promises continuous improvement. This guarantees the Odoo Developer Extension will evolve with Odoo itself.

Final Thoughts: Elevate Your Odoo Development with Odoo Toolbox

In the fast-paced world of Odoo development, efficiency is paramount. The Odoo Toolbox Odoo Developer Extension is more than just a convenience; it’s a strategic tool that empowers you to work smarter, not harder. By automating mundane tasks and putting critical technical information at your fingertips, it frees you to focus on solving complex business challenges and building innovative Odoo solutions.

If you haven’t already integrated this essential Odoo Developer Extension into your daily toolkit, now is the time. Install Odoo Toolbox today and experience a significant boost in your Odoo development productivity.

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