jq

Parse, filter, query, and transform JSON data with jq.

3|Updated Mar 6, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/benjaminwestern/google-engineer-skills --skill jq-benjaminwestern
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: jq
Source: https://github.com/benjaminwestern/google-engineer-skills/tree/main/skills/jq
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/benjaminwestern/google-engineer-skills --skill jq-benjaminwestern

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill provides a robust command-line tool for parsing, filtering, querying, transforming, and validating JSON data, streamlining complex data manipulation tasks.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • JSON Querying: Extract specific fields or nested data from JSON structures.
  • Data Transformation: Reshape JSON documents, filter arrays and objects, and build shell pipelines.
  • Use Case: Quickly extract all commit messages from a GitHub API response and save them to a file.

Quick Start

Use the jq skill to pretty-print the JSON content from the attached file 'data.json'.

Frequently Asked Questions about jq

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I filter and extract specific fields from JSON data?

You can filter and extract specific fields from JSON data by using command-line querying to parse nested structures and retrieve only the required values. This approach streamlines complex data manipulation tasks.

What is the best way to transform JSON API responses in a shell pipeline?

Transforming JSON API responses in a shell pipeline is best handled by reshaping JSON documents and filtering arrays directly in the command line. This enables efficient data processing for structured data streams.

Can I use command-line JSON querying for log analysis?

Yes, command-line JSON querying is applicable for log analysis. It allows you to parse structured data streams and extract specific values from log entries efficiently.

Do I need to install jq to process configuration files?

Yes, you need the jq executable installed to process configuration files. The Skill requires this command-line utility to parse and validate the structured JSON data.

How do I pretty-print a JSON file from the command line?

To pretty-print a JSON file from the command line, you can use a command-line JSON utility to format the attached file content. This makes the structured data readable and easier to analyze.