XYJson — XML · YAML · JSON Converter

Working with API responses, config files, or legacy XML? Convert between formats and pretty-print or minify your data in seconds — without leaving VS Code.

• Convert XML ↔ YAML ↔ JSON, or format (pretty-print / minify) in place
• Paste from clipboard — convert clipboard content directly, no need to open a file first
• Works on a selection or the entire document
• Automatic input format detection — no need to specify the source format
• Available from Command Palette and editor right-click menu

Demo

Features

• Conversion commands — open the result in a new tab or beside the current editor, leaving the original untouched:
  • XYJson: Convert to JSON — from XML or YAML
  • XYJson: Convert to XML — from JSON or YAML
  • XYJson: Convert to YAML — from JSON or XML
• Format commands — reformat the current document in place:
  • XYJson: Format JSON
  • XYJson: Format XML
  • XYJson: Format YAML
• Clipboard commands — read from clipboard and open the result in a new tab or beside the current editor:
  • XYJson: Paste Clipboard as JSON
  • XYJson: Paste Clipboard as XML
  • XYJson: Paste Clipboard as YAML
• Works on the entire document, or just the selected text if a selection is active
• Output format (pretty / minified) selected via Quick Pick on each command, or fixed via xyjson.outputStyle setting
• Automatic input format detection:
  • Content starting with < → parsed as XML
  • Content starting with { or [ → parsed as JSON (falls back to YAML for YAML flow style)
  • Everything else → parsed as YAML

Usage

Convert an open file

1. Open an XML, JSON, or YAML file

2. Optionally, select a portion of text to convert only that range

3. Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P) or right-click in the editor

4. Select a command:

   • XYJson: Convert to JSON / XML / YAML — opens the result in a new tab or beside the current editor
   • XYJson: Format JSON / XML / YAML — reformats in place (shown only for matching file type)

5. Choose the output style in the Quick Pick:

   • Pretty — indented with newlines
   • Minified — single line, no whitespace

   Tip: To skip the Quick Pick entirely, set xyjson.outputStyle to "pretty" or "minified" in your settings. This is useful when you always use the same style or want to bind a command to a keyboard shortcut.

Paste from clipboard

1. Copy any XML, JSON, or YAML content to your clipboard
2. Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P)
3. Run XYJson: Paste Clipboard as JSON / XML / YAML
4. The converted result opens in a new tab or beside the current editor — no need to open a file first

Settings

Setting	Type	Default	Description
xyjson.outputStyle	string	ask	Output style for all commands. ask shows a Quick Pick each time; pretty or minified skips the prompt.
xyjson.convertOutput	string	newTab	Where to display the result of convert commands. newTab opens a new tab; beside opens beside the current editor.
xyjson.indentSize	integer	2	Number of spaces used for indentation when pretty-formatting XML/YAML/JSON output. Min: 1, Max: 8.
xyjson.xmlAttributeNamePrefix	string	@_	Prefix added to XML attribute names when parsing or building XML.

License

MIT