gojq

Pure Go implementation of jq JSON processor

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 native 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 and output make gojq particularly useful for Kubernetes and other YAML-heavy workflows. Variables with --arg enable parameterized queries for scripting.

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.