Stop Installing JSON Extensions — There's a Faster Way

Source: Dev.to

The Problem with JSON Formatting Extensions

• Open a browser
• Search “JSON formatter”
• Click the first result → hit with cookie banners, ads, and a “Premium” upsell before you can paste anything
• Install a browser extension instead → the extension requests “access to all websites” permission
• Mildly question your life choices

There has to be a better way. And there is.

jsonformat.co – A Simpler Solution

jsonformat.co does exactly three things:

1. Format – Turn spaghetti JSON into readable, indented JSON.
2. Validate – Instantly highlight syntax errors with line numbers.
3. Minify – Compress formatted JSON back down for production.

That’s it. No signup. No ads. No “upgrade to format files > 1 MB.”

Use Cases

• Debugging API responses
• Validating config files – e.g., package.json or tsconfig.json. Paste the file; if there’s a missing comma on line 47, you’ll know immediately.
• Cleaning up logs
• Sharing with teammates

When jq Isn’t Enough

jq is a fantastic CLI tool, but there are scenarios where a browser‑based formatter shines:

• You’re on a machine without jq installed.
• You’re in a meeting, sharing your screen, and need something formatted now.
• The person asking “what does this JSON say?” doesn’t know what a terminal is.

A browser‑based formatter complements CLI tools; it doesn’t replace them.

Limitations of Extensions

• They request permissions you may not be comfortable granting.
• They can become unmaintained and turn into a security risk.
• Switching to a new machine or browser means you might forget to reinstall them.
• Company security policies may block extensions outright.

A bookmark‑style web tool works everywhere, forever.

A Suite of Single‑Purpose Dev Tools

jsonformat.co is part of a collection of lightweight utilities:

• base64decode.co – Decode Base64 strings.
• createuuid.com – Generate UUIDs.
• hashgenerator.co – Create hashes (MD5, SHA‑1, SHA‑256, etc.).

All follow the same philosophy:

• One tool, one job, done well
• No accounts or tracking
• Works on any device with a browser
• Free, forever

Sometimes the best developer tool is the one that gets out of your way.

Discussion

What’s your JSON formatting setup? Pure CLI with jq, a browser tool, an editor plugin? Share what you’re using in 2026.