JSON Explorer

A browser-based workspace for understanding and managing arbitrary JSON files.

What it does

• Loads .json files locally with the File API.
• Infers and displays one unique structure for repeated objects and array items.
• Shows data types, nested properties, item counts and optional fields.
• Finds editable collections in root arrays or object properties.
• Lists and searches collection items.
• Creates, edits and deletes items without modifying the original file.
• Downloads the updated data as a new JSON file.
• Detects a declared $schema, loads it and validates the JSON against common schema rules.
• Warns when no JSON Schema is declared or when the declared schema cannot be loaded.
• Prevents invalid saves, deletions and downloads while schema validation is active.

The file content is never uploaded to a server. All processing happens in the browser.

JSON Schema validation

Add a $schema property with an accessible schema URL to enable validation:

{
  "$schema": "https://example.com/schema.json",
  "items": []
}

The editor supports common rules including types, required fields, properties, array items, limits, patterns, formats, enums, constants, schema combinations and local $ref references. If $schema is missing, the interface explains that only JSON syntax and inferred field types can be checked.

Run locally

cd basic_website_menu
php -S 127.0.0.1:8000

Open http://127.0.0.1:8000/menu-manager.php.

Current editing behavior

• Object properties become typed form fields.
• Nested objects become grouped fieldsets.
• Booleans use a true/false selector.
• Numbers use numeric inputs.
• Arrays and mixed values use a JSON textarea to preserve their structure.
• An empty collection accepts the first item as a raw JSON object; after that, the inferred schema generates the form.

Requirements

• PHP 8+ for the local static server.
• A modern browser with File API, dialog and Blob download support.