yq review
A free, open-source command-line processor for transforming structured data in shell workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
For configuration work and scripted data processing, yq is an open-source command-line tool that reads, queries, transforms, and writes YAML. It is suited to developers and operations teams who want to manipulate structured data from a terminal, whether working with local files or standard input and output. The tool is self-hosted and available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, making it a fit for individual workflows as well as teams using those platforms.
Its jq-compatible expression syntax is a key part of the workflow: users can apply queries and transformations while working with YAML, and the same tool also supports JSON, XML, CSV, and properties files. Recursive descent and rich data operators extend its ability to navigate structured content. In-place editing lets scripts update files directly, while standard input and output allow yq to participate in shell pipelines. Shell-completion generation is available for supported shells. This breadth makes yq more useful to teams handling multiple structured formats than a YAML-only editor, though its value is concentrated in command-line processing rather than a graphical interface.
The product is free and open source, with downloadable binaries and package-manager installation options. Documentation and community are its listed support channels, so it is a natural choice for people comfortable learning from those resources and managing a CLI tool themselves. Choose yq if your work involves repeatable YAML or related-data transformations across Linux, macOS, or Windows. It is less suitable if you need a visual editing experience or support centered on direct vendor assistance; teams seeking a broader data-management environment may prefer a different kind of product.
yq pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Queries and transforms YAML with jq-compatible expressions
- Supports JSON, XML, CSV, and properties formats
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows with shell-pipeline support
- Where it doesn't
- Requires comfort with command-line workflows and expressions
- Support channels are documentation and community
- Its focus is structured-data processing, not a general-purpose data interface
yq fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update