JSON Assistant

JSON Assistant is a native macOS viewer and formatter for the JSON that developers handle every day: API responses, configuration files, webhooks, and logs. Paste text, drop a file, or open JSON from the Share Sheet, then inspect it without sending the data anywhere.

The problem

Browser-based formatters are convenient until the payload contains private customer data, credentials, or an unreleased API response. A local tool removes that tradeoff and can feel much faster when the workflow is mostly copy, inspect, search, and save.

What it does

• Beautify and compact: switch representations instantly
• Tree explorer: navigate nested objects and collapse or expand branches
• JSON Path search: find values in the sidebar and formatted output
• Raw and formatted views: compare the source with the parsed result
• Saved snippets: keep useful payloads for later
• Multiple inputs: paste, drag a file, or use the macOS Share Sheet
• Keyboard-first workflow: shortcuts for the actions used most often
• Local processing: no account, upload, or network connection required

The build

JSON Assistant is built primarily with Swift and AppKit for macOS 14+. Parsing, search, formatting, and saved snippets all stay on the device. The warm sepia interface is tuned for long sessions without sacrificing syntax contrast.

Result

The app is available on the Mac App Store as a focused alternative to general-purpose editors and online JSON formatters. It does one job: make an unfamiliar payload understandable quickly, while keeping it private.