jq

Filter syntax works as documented. This file covers tool selection and the idioms that prevent the common failure modes.

When not to reach for jq

• CSV/TSV → xsv; YAML → yq; analytical SQL over JSON → duckdb (read_json_auto).
• No in-place editing. Write to a temp file and move it; jq '...' f.json > f.json truncates the input before jq reads it.

Idioms that matter