is there any way to have dirac open in the default devtools window, so I can still right-click and choose "select element" ?

@mattly no, https://github.com/binaryage/dirac/blob/master/docs/faq.md#why-cant-i-dock-dirac-devtools-inside-my-chrome-window

select element works though, you just have to click the icon in dirac

ah i see

thanks