1. A method comprising: at a web browser configured to execute on a controller of a network element, wherein the network element is configured to operate as a network router or a network switch, the web browser further configured to communicate with a set of application program interfaces (APIs) that provide access to controllable data and control plane features of the network element: receiving a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) document including HTML network service tags each including a command to cause a corresponding network action to be taken in connection with the network element; determining based on each HTML network service tag the command to cause the network action to be taken in connection with the network element; and issuing the determined command for each HTML network service tag to a corresponding one of the APIs, which in turn cause the network action to be taken in connection with the network element.