jnv

jnv is a terminal JSON navigator that combines a foldable, syntax-highlighted JSON viewer with an interactive jq filter editor. You type a filter in the editor and the viewer shows the result as you edit. Filters are applied with jaq, a jq clone, so a separate jq installation is not required.

Input comes from a file or stdin (jnv data.json or cat data.json | jnv). It accepts a single JSON document or multiple JSON values that serde_json's StreamDeserializer can parse, such as JSON Lines. With --write-to-stdout (UNIX only), the current result is printed on exit so it can be piped into another command or redirected to a file. --default-filter sets an initial jq filter, and -c selects a config file.

The editor offers Tab auto-completion for identity, object identifier-index, and array index expressions, plus hint messages for evaluating the filter. Shift+Up/Down switches focus between editor and viewer. In the viewer, Enter toggles folds and Ctrl+P / Ctrl+N expand or collapse all. Ctrl+Q copies the filter and Ctrl+O copies the JSON to the clipboard.

Behavior is configured through a TOML file (created on first run at the platform's config directory). It covers keybindings, editor and JSON styling, completion settings, debounce and animation timing, overflow mode, and a max_streams limit for large streams. It suits developers and operators who explore API responses, logs, or JSON Lines data and want to build jq queries interactively.

Installation

# via Homebrew
brew install jnv

# via Cargo
cargo install jnv

# via MacPorts
sudo port install jnv