Complete Guide to YAML Tools
What is YAML?
YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-readable data serialization format. It's widely used for configuration files in DevOps tools like Kubernetes, Docker Compose, Ansible, GitHub Actions, and CI/CD pipelines.
Our YAML Tools Include:
- Formatter: Beautify and validate YAML with custom indentation
- Converter: Convert between YAML and JSON formats
Key Features
- Real-time YAML validation with detailed error messages
- Custom indentation (2 or 4 spaces)
- Bidirectional YAML ↔ JSON conversion
- Minify YAML for compact output
- Copy to clipboard functionality
- All processing happens locally in your browser
Pro Tip: Use YAML for configuration files (readable, supports comments) and JSON for API data exchange (wider language support).
Common Use Cases
Kubernetes
Format and validate K8s manifests, deployments, and services.
Docker Compose
Validate docker-compose.yml files before deployment.
CI/CD Pipelines
Format GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and CircleCI configs.
Ansible
Validate playbooks and inventory files.
YAML vs JSON: When to Use Each
Use YAML When:
- • Configuration files (more readable)
- • You need comments in your data
- • Human editing is frequent
- • DevOps/infrastructure tools
- • Multi-line strings are common
Use JSON When:
- • API request/response bodies
- • JavaScript/web applications
- • Machine-to-machine communication
- • Strict data validation needed
- • Wider language support required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is YAML used for?
YAML is primarily used for configuration files in DevOps tools (Kubernetes, Docker, Ansible), CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI), and application settings. Its human-readable syntax makes it ideal for files that need to be edited manually.
Is my YAML data safe?
Yes, all processing happens locally in your browser. Your YAML data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy.
Can YAML have comments?
Yes! Unlike JSON, YAML supports comments using the # symbol. Comments are preserved when formatting but are removed when converting to JSON (since JSON doesn't support comments).
Why is indentation important in YAML?
YAML uses indentation to define structure (like Python). Incorrect indentation will cause parsing errors. Use consistent spaces (2 or 4) and never mix tabs with spaces.