Working with JSON is part of almost every developer’s day-to-day work — API responses, configuration files, authentication tokens, and logs. Over time, a rich ecosystem of tools has emerged to solve different parts of this workflow.
In this post, I want to walk through some commonly used developer tools for JSON, how they differ, and what I learned while building a small project in this space.
Common JSON & API Developer Tools
1. JSON Formatter & Validators
These are usually the first tools developers reach for. They help:
- Format unreadable JSON
- Validate structure
- Spot syntax errors quickly
Most formatters work well for small payloads, but some struggle when dealing with very large or deeply nested JSON.
2. JSON Diff Tools
When APIs evolve, comparing JSON responses manually becomes difficult.
JSON diff tools help by:
- Comparing two JSON objects
- Highlighting added, removed, or modified fields
- Making structural changes easier to understand
They are especially useful during API version upgrades, backend refactors, or configuration changes.
3. JSON → Type Generation Tools
Type generation tools are widely used in typed ecosystems like TypeScript.
They are commonly used to:
- Generate interfaces quickly
- Reduce boilerplate code
- Improve type safety
Some tools focus on advanced configuration and multi-language support, while others prioritize speed and simplicity.
4. JSON Schema Generators
JSON Schema tools help define:
- Expected data structure
- Required fields
- Validation rules
They are often used for API contracts, validation pipelines, and documentation, especially when data models change frequently.
5. JSONPath Testers
As JSON becomes deeply nested, querying it manually becomes inefficient.
JSONPath tools allow developers to:
- Query specific nodes
- Explore complex structures
- Test expressions interactively
These tools are powerful for debugging large, real-world JSON data.
6. JWT Decoders
JWTs are commonly used in modern authentication systems.
JWT decoder tools help developers:
- Inspect headers and payloads
- Check token expiry
- Debug authentication issues
A good JWT decoder should never upload tokens to a server, as privacy is critical in this case.
What I noticed across these tools
After using many JSON-related tools over time, a few patterns stood out:
- Most tools are excellent at one specific task
- Switching between tools is common during development
- Privacy is not always clearly communicated
- Large JSON handling is often overlooked
- UI complexity sometimes grows faster than usefulness
These observations motivated me to experiment with a more unified approach.
Building a unified, privacy-first approach
While exploring these problems, I built a small side project called DToolkits.
It brings together multiple JSON workflows in one place:
- JSON Formatter & Validator
- JSON Diff
- JSON → TypeScript
- JSON Schema Generator
- JSONPath Tester
- JWT Decoder
The guiding principles were:
- Everything runs client-side
- No JSON data is uploaded
- Clean, predictable user experience
- Optimized for real-world JSON sizes
Project link:
https://dtoolkits.com
This project is not meant to replace specialized tools, many of which are excellent. Instead, it aims to reduce friction during everyday development tasks.
Key takeaway
When building or choosing developer tools, a few things matter more than the number of features:
- Privacy by default
- Performance with real data
- Clarity over configuration overload
Tools that respect these principles tend to earn long-term trust from developers.
Final thoughts
Developer tools evolve based on real workflows, not just feature lists. Whether you’re using existing tools or building your own, understanding how developers actually work with JSON can make a significant difference.
If you’re experimenting with developer tools yourself, focusing on usability, performance, and privacy is often more impactful than adding more options.
Happy building 🚀
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