jsonlint
TLDR
Validate JSON file
$ jsonlint [file.json]
Validate with quiet mode$ jsonlint -q [file.json]
Validate and format$ jsonlint -i [file.json]
Compact output$ jsonlint -c [file.json]
Sort keys$ jsonlint -s [file.json]
Validate multiple files$ jsonlint [file1.json] [file2.json]
SYNOPSIS
jsonlint [options] [files...]
DESCRIPTION
jsonlint validates and formats JSON files. It checks for syntax errors and can pretty-print or compact JSON data.
The tool is useful for validating configuration files, API responses, and data files. It provides clear error messages for malformed JSON.
PARAMETERS
-q, --quiet
No output, just exit code.-c, --compact
Compact output.-i, --in-place
Format and overwrite file.-s, --sort-keys
Sort object keys.-t chars
Tab characters for indent.-e env
Use environment for input.-p, --pretty-print
Pretty print output.-V, --validate
Validate only, no output.
VALIDATION ERRORS
$ $ jsonlint bad.json
Error: Parse error on line 3:
... "name": "test" "value": 42
---------------------^
Expecting 'EOF', '}', ',', ']', got 'STRING'
Error: Parse error on line 3:
... "name": "test" "value": 42
---------------------^
Expecting 'EOF', '}', ',', ']', got 'STRING'
CAVEATS
Multiple implementations exist (Node.js, Python). Doesn't validate against JSON Schema. Comments not supported (per JSON spec).
HISTORY
Various jsonlint implementations exist. The concept originated from JavaScript linting tools. Popular implementations include the npm jsonlint package by Zach Carter.
SEE ALSO
jq(1), python-json(1), ajv(1)
