Testing Without JavaScript (Lynx)

The only reliable way to know your site works without JavaScript is to test in an environment where JavaScript doesn't exist.

Lynx is a text-based web browser — no JavaScript engine, no CSS rendering, pure HTML. Everything keyboard-navigated.

# macOS
brew install lynx
 
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install lynx
 
# View a local dev server
lynx http://localhost:8080
 
# View any URL
lynx https://brennan.day

• Does the <noscript> message appear and make sense?
• Are JS-dependent sections hidden (not broken/empty)?
• Is all content still readable?
• Do all links work?
• Is navigation logical in linear order?

Browser DevTools:
Firefox: Settings → Disable JavaScript (less reliable — some JS may still affect state)

NoScript extension:
More granular — block scripts per-domain

Bombadillo / Offpunk:
Terminal browsers that also lack JavaScript — good for seeing how the small web sees your site

Lynx navigation is numbered links, linear content order. It exposes:

• Hidden elements that still take up space
• Missing alt text on images
• Form labels that aren't associated with inputs
• Content that only exists as JavaScript-rendered HTML

• IndieWeb Index

• Progressive Enhancement (.no-js pattern)
• Progressive Enhancement vs. Graceful Degradation
• Small Web Clients
• Return to wiki home