Open CLI

yq

scriptabledata
$ brew install yq
Summary

YAML processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal.

  • yq fits data & db well, especially for yaml processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal.
  • 51,617 homebrew installs (30d).
  • Easy to automate.
  • Good fit for coding-agent workflows and repeatable scripts.
  • Output is mostly text-first, so verify results before scripting around it.
database-yq-SKILL.md

Yq guide

YAML processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal. Built by Mike Farah.

Open CLI packages the install path, verify step, and safe-start workflow so this tool can move from “interesting CLI” to something you can actually use. It also integrates with skills.sh so each CLI comes with the right companion skills, not just a binary and a docs link.

When to apply

  • yaml processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal.
  • You need data processing in both local dev and CI.
  • You need yaml processing.
  • You need config edits.
  • You need kubernetes files.

Quick reference

Installbrew install yq
Verifyyq --version
First real commandyq '.services.web.image' docker-compose.yml

Open CLI × skills.sh

Open CLI integrates yq with the right skills.sh companions so you get the tool and the workflow together.

Data Analysis

Recommended pairing

Open CLI recommends this skills.sh skill because it fits data workflows. Turn query output and flat files into usable insights faster.

View on skills.sh
$ npx skills add https://github.com/supercent-io/skills-template --skill data-analysis
Starter prompt

Use yq together with the Data Analysis skills.sh skill. Start with safe inspection commands, summarize what you find, and ask before any step with side effects.

Also useful from skills.sh
Codebase Searchskills.shWorkflow Automationskills.sh

Why this tool

  • yq fits data & db well, especially for yaml processing, config edits, and kubernetes files from the terminal.
  • 51,617 homebrew installs (30d).
  • Easy to automate.

Watch-outs

  • Output is mostly plain text.

Example workflow

1. yq '.services.web.image' docker-compose.yml

Safe start

Step 1

Install yq.

Step 2

Run `yq --version` first.

Step 3

Start with `yq '.services.web.image' docker-compose.yml`.

Step 4

Install a CLI that matches your database engine.

Alternatives worth considering

jq

JSON processing, apis, and agent output parsing from the terminal.

http

API testing, readable http, and debugging endpoints from the terminal.

duckdb

Local analytics, sql, and csv/parquet queries from the terminal.