YAML ↔ JSON Converter

Convert YAML to JSON or JSON to YAML with adjustable indent. Inline error reporting, browser-side.

YAML ↔ JSON Converter parses YAML into a JS object and serializes it as JSON (or vice versa). Use it when you're translating Kubernetes manifests, GitHub Actions workflows, Docker Compose files, or any config that arrives in the 'wrong' format for your tooling. Two-way, instant, browser-side.

Pickrack uses js-yaml (the de-facto YAML 1.2 implementation, 6k+ stars). It handles anchors and aliases, multi-document YAML (--- separators), block + flow styles, and YAML's full type set (strings, numbers, booleans, null, lists, maps, dates). JSON serialization uses the browser's native JSON.stringify with adjustable indent.

Free, no signup. Your config files never leave your tab — important for YAML that contains secrets, internal service URLs, or other data you don't want in some random conversion service's logs. Parse errors show line + column so you can fix them in place.

Key features

• Bidirectional — YAML → JSON or JSON → YAML. Swap button moves the output back to input + flips direction — useful for round-tripping.
• Inline error reporting — YAML parse errors show line + reason. JSON parse errors show position. Both display next to the input rather than as alerts.
• Adjustable indent — 2 or 4 spaces for both YAML and JSON output. Matches your project's style guide.
• Anchor + alias support — YAML anchors (&anchor) and aliases (*anchor) are resolved during YAML → JSON conversion (JSON has no anchor concept, so the values get inlined).
• Browser-side parsing — Configs never leave your tab. Safe for YAML/JSON containing real secrets, internal hostnames, or other sensitive data.
• Load sample button — Pre-loaded Pickrack config example showing nested maps, lists, and mixed types.

How to use

1. Step 1: Pick direction — YAML → JSON or JSON → YAML.
2. Step 2: Paste your input — Or click 'Load sample' to see a realistic config.
3. Step 3: Pick indent — 2 spaces (default — matches most modern style guides) or 4 spaces (legacy projects).
4. Step 4: Copy the output — Click Copy. Paste into your editor or pipe into your CLI.

When to use

• Convert a Kubernetes manifest between YAML (what you write) and JSON (what kubectl serializes internally)
• Translate a GitHub Actions workflow from YAML (the spec) to JSON to manipulate programmatically
• Convert package.json metadata to YAML for a pnpm workspace pnpm-workspace.yaml file
• Reformat a Docker Compose v2 YAML file to JSON for comparison or transformation
• Read a verbose JSON config in YAML form — YAML is easier to scan with deep nesting
• Convert an Ansible playbook between formats during development

Frequently asked questions

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