Stories with Tag jq

• Show HN: Jq-Like Tool for Markdown

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  Posted: 2025-02-23 20:05:49

  Verbose tl;dr

  mdq is a command-line tool, inspired by jq, that allows users to process and manipulate Markdown files using CSS-like selectors. It can extract specific elements from Markdown, such as headings, paragraphs, or code blocks, and output them in various formats, including Markdown, HTML, and text. This facilitates tasks like extracting specific sections of a document, reformatting content, and generating summaries, offering a powerful way to automate Markdown workflows.

  A new command-line tool called mdq, heavily inspired by the popular JSON processor jq, has been introduced. mdq aims to provide a similar flexible and powerful way to process Markdown files, allowing users to filter, extract, modify, and reformat Markdown content using a declarative query language. Just as jq uses a syntax rooted in JSON's structure to manipulate JSON data, mdq leverages a syntax that understands the hierarchical structure of Markdown – elements like headings, paragraphs, lists, code blocks, and inline formatting. This enables users to target specific parts of a Markdown document based on their structural context. For instance, one could use mdq to extract all level 2 headings, change the formatting of emphasized text, or remove all code blocks from a Markdown file. The tool is written in Go, offering potential performance advantages, and aims to be a versatile addition to the toolkit of anyone working frequently with Markdown, including writers, developers, and content creators. The project is open-source and available on GitHub, inviting community contributions and further development. While drawing clear inspiration from jq, mdq focuses specifically on Markdown processing and does not aim to be a general-purpose data manipulation tool. The stated goal is to provide a dedicated, efficient, and expressive way to manipulate Markdown content directly from the command line, filling a perceived gap in the available tooling for working with this ubiquitous markup language.

  • markdown
  • JSON
  • jq
  • command-line
  • Tool
  • cli
  • text processing
  • data manipulation
  • filtering
  • querying
  • GitHub
  • open-source
  • utility
  • shell

  Summary of Comments ( 10 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43152704

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally praised mdq for its potential usefulness, comparing it favorably to jq for JSON. Several commenters expressed interest in using it for tasks like extracting links or reformatting Markdown files. Some suggested improvements, such as adding support for YAML frontmatter and improving error handling. Others highlighted the complexities of parsing Markdown reliably due to its flexible nature and the potential challenges of handling variations and edge cases. One user pointed out the limitations of existing markdown parsers and the difficulties in accurately representing markdown as a data structure, while another cautioned against over-engineering the tool for simple tasks that could be accomplished with grep, sed, or awk.

  The Hacker News post "Show HN: Jq-Like Tool for Markdown" at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43152704 generated a modest number of comments, primarily focusing on the tool's utility and potential use cases, as well as comparisons to existing tools.

  Several commenters expressed interest in the tool, particularly for tasks like extracting specific sections of markdown files or modifying metadata within markdown documents. One user highlighted its potential for automating tasks related to managing a large collection of markdown files, a sentiment echoed by others who saw value in its ability to streamline workflows.

  A significant portion of the discussion centered around comparing mdq to existing tools like pandoc. Some users pointed out pandoc's broader functionality and established ecosystem, suggesting it might be a more versatile solution for complex markdown manipulation. However, others argued that mdq's focused approach and simpler syntax could be advantageous for specific, targeted tasks, especially where the full power of pandoc isn't necessary. The lighter weight of mdq was also mentioned as a potential benefit.

  There was some discussion about the specific implementation details of mdq, with one commenter noting the use of regular expressions and raising concerns about potential limitations or edge cases. Another user inquired about handling markdown variations, such as those used by different platforms like GitHub.

  One commenter suggested a potential integration with other command-line tools like ripgrep for more complex file searching and filtering scenarios. Another user expressed a desire for additional features, specifically the ability to merge multiple markdown files.

  Overall, the comments reflect a generally positive reception of mdq, recognizing its potential as a helpful tool for specific markdown-related tasks. However, the discussion also acknowledges the existing landscape of markdown tools and the need for mdq to carve out a distinct niche with its specialized functionality and streamlined approach.