jq is the standard terminal tool for slicing JSON; jsonblocks helps you see what to slice. Explore a document visually, copy the exact path, and paste it into a jq filter - the two tools complement rather than compete.
The typical jq session starts blind: you guess a filter, run it, read the error, and adjust. jsonblocks removes the guessing by showing the document structure first, with the exact path of every value one click away.
Paste the document into the path finder or the block visualizer.
Click the value you want and copy its path, for example $.data[0].email.
Convert to jq by swapping the root: jq '.data[0].email' data.json.
Extend from a working base: add pipes, selects, and maps with confidence.
# copied path: $.data[0].email
# jq filter: .data[0].email
jq '.data[0].email' response.json
jq '[.data[].email]' response.json| Task | Reach for |
|---|---|
| See the shape of an unknown document | jsonblocks |
| Find one value and copy its path | jsonblocks |
| Transform or reshape data in bulk | jq |
| Filter thousand-row arrays by condition | jq |
| Script JSON processing in CI | jq |
| Explain a payload to a teammate | jsonblocks |
Filters, object indexing, and platform-specific shell quoting.
Viewer paths and jq filters differ only at the root: drop the $ and the rest is identical for simple keys. $.store.book[0].title becomes .store.book[0].title. The path finder shows both forms side by side so the translation is never a guess.
No. jq transforms and scripts JSON at a scale no browser tool should attempt. jsonblocks covers the step before: understanding the document and finding exact paths to query.
For dot paths, remove the leading $: $.data[0].email becomes .data[0].email. Root bracket paths need a leading dot: $["odd.key"] becomes .["odd.key"]. Wrap simple paths as jq '.data[0].email' file.json. The path finder generates this snippet for any selected row.
Both, in order: explore documents in jsonblocks until paths feel natural, then learn jq filters on documents you already understand. Debugging filters is far easier with a mental picture of the shape.