The End of an Era: Moving from Developer Console to the New Salesforce Web Console
If you've spent any time in the Salesforce ecosystem, the gray-and-white "Developer Console" has been your home for Apex, SOQL, and logs. But as we enter Summer '26, Salesforce has finally launched its successor: the Web Console (Beta).
This isn't just a UI facelift; it’s a modern, browser-based IDE designed to unify the fragmented tools we've used for years (like Workbench and the old Console). Here is everything you need to know to stay ahead of the curve.
Why the Change? (The "Expert" Perspective)
The old Developer Console was built on aging technology that struggled with modern browser security and high-volume logs. The new Web Console is built on the same core as VS Code for the Web, bringing a "Pro-Code" experience directly into your browser without needing to install local extensions.
Key Features You Need to Master in Summer '26
1. Integrated Query Plan Tool
In the old console, you just ran a query. In the new Web Console, you get an integrated Query Plan view that shows you exactly why a query is slow—highlighting missing indexes or non-selective filters before you even hit a governor limit.
2. Modern Log Tailing
No more clicking "Refresh" on the logs list. The Web Console supports Live Streaming Logs, allowing you to see your System.debug statements in real-time as you interact with your Salesforce UI in another tab.
3. Multi-Tab Workflow & Workspace Persistence
The new console actually remembers where you left off. If you close your browser, your open Apex classes and SOQL tabs are saved to your User Workspace, meaning no more lost work.
Quick Comparison: Old vs. New
| Feature | Legacy Developer Console | New Summer '26 Web Console |
| Engine | Custom Legacy Java/JS | VS Code for the Web |
| SOQL | Basic Grid View | Advanced Editor with Autocomplete |
| Logs | Static List (Manual Refresh) | Live Streaming & Intelligent Filtering |
| Mobile Access | Virtually Impossible | Fully Responsive for iPad/Tablet |
| Workbench Replacement | No | Yes (Standard REST/Tooling API Explorer) |
Implementation Tip: Enabling the Web Console
In Summer '26, this feature is often Beta. To enable it for your students or team:
Navigate to Setup → Apex Settings.
Check the box for "Enable Web Console (Beta)".
Grant the "Use Web Console" permission to the relevant profiles or permission sets.