JSON Crack
Visualises JSON, YAML and CSV as an interactive node graph you can explore and export.
why this verdict
Cancel it — switch to jq
jq and ChatGPT now cover the same core job on a free tier, so the $5/mo is optional.
- A named launch, not a vibe named, unlinked
- ChatGPT JSON mode explaining and reshaping nested payloads in a single prompt. OpenAI, November 6, 2023 — no announcement link recorded yet.
- How much of the job it covers all of it editorial call
- The whole core job — the thing the subscription was actually for.
- Is there a free way to do it? yes
- 3 of 3 listed replacements have a usable free tier: jq, ChatGPT and JSON Hero.
- What the call is worth $60/yr
- $5/mo at the entry paid tier — $60 a year per seat.
- Threatened by
- OpenAI
- Since
- November 6, 2023
- List price
- $5/mo
- Per year
- $60
The backstory
JSON Crack renders a nested payload as a graph so you can see structure that is impossible to hold in your head from raw text. It went viral because staring at a thousand-line API response is miserable. Chat models now summarise a payload, extract the path you need and rewrite it into the shape you want without any visual step. The graph view is still pretty, but for most people the underlying problem is solved before they open a browser tab.
Escape hatches
switching could free up $60/yrCommand-line JSON processor for filtering and reshaping
jqlang.org open_in_newExplains, filters and transforms payloads conversationally
openai.com open_in_newOpen-source JSON viewer with column and tree navigation
jsonhero.io open_in_new3 of 3 replacements have a usable free tier.
