JSON Key Search (VS Code Extension)

Search deeply nested keys in JSON/JSONC and JS/TS object literals using dot notation. Precisely selects the matching value (string content only, or the full token/object/array for non-strings) and supports a live search UI similar to Ctrl+F.

Features

• Exact dot-path lookup with structure-aware nesting (no false matches from siblings)
• Works with JSON/JSONC and JS/TS objects (quoted and unquoted keys)
• Selects just the final value content
• Live search input that updates selection as you type

Requirements

• VS Code ^1.75.0

Commands

• extension.searchJsonKey: One-shot input. Jumps to the value of the provided dot-path.
• extension.searchJsonKeyLive: Live search input. Updates selection on each keystroke.

Default Keybinding

• Live search: Ctrl+Alt+J (Windows/Linux), Cmd+Alt+J (macOS)

How to Use (for Marketplace)

• Open a JSON/JSONC/JS/TS file containing nested objects.
• Press the default keybinding or run the command from the Command Palette:
  • “Search JSON Field by Dot Notation (Live)” for a live Ctrl+F-like search.
  • “Search JSON Field by Dot Notation” for a single prompt.
• Type a path like messages.errors.no_permission.
• The extension selects only the value of that key (string content without quotes, or the full non-string value).

Usage

1. Open a JSON/JSONC/JS/TS file that contains nested data.
2. Run a command:
   • Command Palette → “Search JSON Field by Dot Notation” (one-shot), or
   • Command Palette → “Search JSON Field by Dot Notation (Live)” (live UI), or
   • Press the default keybinding for the live search.
3. Enter a dot-path, e.g. messages.errors.no_permission.
4. The extension will select only the final value.

Examples

Given:

export const en = {
  pages: {
    login: {
      title: 'Login',
      settings: {
        mac_address: { title: 'MAC' },
      },
    },
  },
  messages: {
    errors: {
      no_permission: 'You do not have permission',
    },
  },
}

• Searching messages.errors.no_permission selects: You do not have permission (inside quotes only).
• Searching pages.login.settings.mac_address.title selects: MAC (exact nesting; does not match pages.login.title).

Installation (Local dev)

• Clone this repo, then open it in VS Code.
• Press F5 (Run Extension) to launch a new Extension Development Host.

Packaging (optional)

• Use vsce if you want to package/publish:
  • Install: npm i -g @vscode/vsce
  • Package: vsce package

Notes & Limitations

• The matcher is tolerant but still expects syntactically valid structures.
• For large files, live updates use a small debounce (≈120ms).
• Keys are matched exactly by segment; the final segment is not prefix-matched.

License

MIT