JSONL Viewer Tool

Working with large JSONL files can be a real pain. You've got thousands of lines of data, but no easy way to browse through them, format them properly, or quickly jump to specific records. That's exactly why I built the JSONL Viewer - the latest addition to JSONL Tools that makes exploring JSONL data as simple as clicking through a photo gallery.

The Problem with JSONL Files

JSONL (JSON Lines) files are fantastic for storing large datasets, but they're not exactly human-friendly. Each line is a separate JSON object, which means:

• Opening them in a text editor shows you a wall of unformatted text
• Finding a specific record means scrolling through thousands of lines
• Copying individual records requires careful line selection
• There's no easy way to see the structure of your data at a glance

I found myself constantly copying lines from JSONL files, pasting them into JSON formatters, and then trying to navigate back to where I was. There had to be a better way.

Building the JSONL Viewer

The JSONL Viewer solves all these problems with a clean, intuitive interface that feels right at home with the rest of JSONL Tools. Here's what makes it special:

Upload and Navigate

Upload any JSONL file (up to 10MB) and instantly start browsing through your data. The viewer loads everything into memory, so there's no server storage concerns - your data stays private and secure.

Smart Navigation

• Click Previous/Next buttons to move through records
• Jump to any specific record number
• Use keyboard shortcuts (arrow keys, Home, End) for power users
• See your current position with a clear "Record X of Y" indicator

Beautiful JSON Formatting

Each record gets the full JSON treatment with proper indentation and syntax highlighting. No more squinting at compressed JSON - everything is formatted for readability.

One-Click Copying

Need to copy a specific record? Just click the copy button and it's in your clipboard, ready to paste wherever you need it.

The Technical Side

Like the rest of JSONL Tools, the JSONL Viewer is built with Laravel and Livewire. This gives us:

• Real-time updates without page reloads
• Server-side processing for handling large files efficiently
• Memory-based storage - files are processed in memory and never stored
• Robust error handling with clear messages for invalid JSON

The viewer uses Alpine.js for the interactive elements and keyboard navigation, making it feel snappy and responsive. The terminal-style interface matches the aesthetic of the other tools, creating a cohesive experience across the entire platform.

Why This Matters

The JSONL Viewer fills a crucial gap in the JSONL workflow. Before this tool, exploring JSONL data was either a manual, error-prone process or required specialized JSONL parser software. Now, anyone can:

• Debug data issues by quickly scanning through records
• Explore datasets before processing them
• Share specific records with team members
• Validate data structure by browsing through examples

It's the kind of tool that seems simple until you realize how much time it saves you.

Looking Forward

The JSONL Viewer is now live on JSONL Tools, joining the CSV to JSONL Converter, JSONL Validator, and JSONL Generator. Each tool solves a specific problem in the JSONL workflow, and together they create a comprehensive suite for working with JSONL data.

The modular architecture makes it easy to add new features or tools as needs arise. Whether it's filtering capabilities, search functionality, or integration with other data formats, the foundation is there to grow with the community's needs.

Try It Out

The JSONL Viewer is free to use at jsonltools.com. Upload a JSONL file and see how much easier it makes exploring your data. No registration required, no data stored - just a simple, powerful tool that does exactly what you need.

Sometimes the best tools are the ones that solve problems you didn't even know you had. The JSONL Viewer is one of those tools.