gojq

TLDR

Pretty print JSON

$ cat [file.json] | gojq .

Extract a field

$ cat [file.json] | gojq '.[field]'

Filter array elements

$ cat [file.json] | gojq '.[] | select(.active == true)'

Map and transform

$ cat [file.json] | gojq '[.[] | {name: .title, id: .uuid}]'

Read from file directly

$ gojq '.users[]' [file.json]

Process YAML input

$ gojq --yaml-input '.spec.containers[]' [deployment.yaml]

Output as YAML

$ gojq --yaml-output '.data' [file.json]

Use variables

$ gojq --arg name "[value]" '.items[] | select(.name == $name)' [file.json]

SYNOPSIS

gojq [options] filter [file...]

gojq is a pure Go implementation of jq, the JSON processor. It provides the same query language for filtering, transforming, and extracting data from JSON, with additional YAML support.
The filter language uses | for pipelines, . for field access, [] for iteration, and select() for filtering. Complex transformations combine these with object construction, array slicing, and built-in functions.
YAML input (--yaml-input) and output (--yaml-output) make gojq useful for Kubernetes and other YAML-heavy workflows without external conversion.
Variables with --arg and --argjson enable parameterized queries, useful for scripts. Module support via -L allows organizing complex transformations into reusable libraries.
gojq aims for jq compatibility while being easier to install (single binary) and embed in Go applications.

PARAMETERS

-r, --raw-output

Output strings without JSON quotes.

-c, --compact-output

Compact output instead of pretty-printed.

-n, --null-input

Don't read input; useful with --argjson.

-e, --exit-status

Set exit code based on output.

-s, --slurp

Read all inputs into array.

-S, --sort-keys

Sort object keys in output.

-C, --color-output

Force colored output.

-M, --monochrome-output

Disable colored output.

--tab

Use tabs for indentation.

--indent n

Set indentation level.

--yaml-input

Parse input as YAML.

--yaml-output

Output as YAML instead of JSON.

--arg name value

Set variable to string value.

--argjson name json

Set variable to JSON value.

--slurpfile name file

Set variable to file contents as array.

--rawfile name file

Set variable to raw file contents.

-f, --from-file file

Read filter from file.

-L path

Add directory to module search path.

CAVEATS

Some advanced jq features have minor behavioral differences. Performance may differ from C jq on very large files. Module paths are searched differently than jq. SQL-style operators are not implemented.

HISTORY

gojq was created by itchyny and first released around 2019. It was developed to provide jq functionality in a single Go binary without C dependencies. YAML support was added as a distinguishing feature. The project maintains close compatibility with jq while serving as a library for Go applications needing JSON transformation.