If you work with APIs often, you probably spend a lot of time opening raw JSON responses in the browser. While modern browsers offer some basic formatting tools, the experience is still limited, especially when you want a cleaner interface and more control over how data is displayed.
Wes Bos has released JSON Alexander, a lightweight browser extension designed to make browsing JSON files easier and more pleasant.
The project came together after concerns were raised about another popular JSON formatter extension that had reportedly started injecting geolocation tracking and donation UI into websites. Rather than continue relying on that tool, Bos built an alternative that developers can inspect, trust, and install themselves.
A cleaner JSON viewing experience
Once installed, JSON Alexander gives you a much nicer way to work with JSON directly in the browser. Instead of staring at a wall of unformatted data, you can switch between multiple display modes, including:
- Tree view
- Formatted view
- Raw view
The extension also includes support for light and dark mode, along with the ability to quickly copy the JSON content.
For developers regularly working with API endpoints, config files, or debug output, it is a simple upgrade over the default browser experience.
How to install it
Right now, JSON Alexander is not yet available through the Chrome Web Store, although it has reportedly been submitted for approval.
Until then, you can install it manually:
- Clone the repository
- Open your Chromium-based browser's extensions page
- Enable Developer mode
- Choose Load unpacked
- Select the project's
distdirectory
After that, refreshing a JSON file in the browser will load it through the extension.
Built by someone we trust
I've known Wes for years and he is well known across the web development world and familiar to many Laravel developers through his work in JavaScript, CSS, and the Syntax podcast. His reputation is what makes this release stand out. If you want a better way to read JSON in the browser without relying on a questionable extension, this one is worth checking out.
