brew

Install yajl with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper

Yet Another JSON Library. Version 2.1.0 via Homebrew; verified 2026-07-05.

Install command Security notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install yajl

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%

sudo port install yajl

MacPorts ports tree · devel/yajl/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%

sudo apk add yajl

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · yajl · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%

sudo apt install libyajl-dev

Debian stable package indexes · libyajl-dev · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%

sudo dnf install yajl

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · yajl · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%

nix profile install nixpkgs#yajl

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/ya/yajl/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%

sudo pacman -S yajl

Arch Linux sync databases · yajl · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%

sudo zypper install yajl

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · yajl · source: download.opensuse.org

overview

Package summary

Yet Another JSON Library

Project links

Commands and aliases

json_reformat
json_verify

history

Project history and usage

YAJL, Yet Another JSON Library, is a small event-driven JSON parser and generator written in ANSI C. Its historical niche is streaming JSON: parsing incrementally from files, sockets, or filters without forcing callers into one in-memory tree representation.

Project history

Lloyd Hilaiel's README dates the original motivation to July 2007: existing C JSON parsers did not meet his requirements for portability, robustness, useful contextual errors, incremental stream parsing, simplicity, speed, and small size. That origin explains why YAJL is callback-driven and data-representation independent rather than centered on a single DOM-like tree type.

The public GitHub repository was created in December 2008. YAJL 2 later became the main line, while the repository points legacy users to the 1.x branch. The project site publishes generated Doxygen documentation for both v2.1.0 and the previous stable v1.0.12 line.

Adoption history

YAJL spread because C programs and language bindings needed a permissively licensed JSON parser that could handle large inputs, streaming data, and low-memory environments. The project site explicitly lists sample command-line tools, `json_reformat` and `json_verify`, which made the library visible to users who needed JSON validation or pretty-printing without writing C code.

Its package-manager footprint is typical of infrastructure libraries: many users encounter it indirectly through bindings, older applications, or distribution dependencies, while maintainers care about ABI stability, small binaries, and predictable parser behavior.

How it is used

Programmatic users register callbacks for JSON events, feed buffers to the parser, and build whatever in-memory representation their application wants. The generator side emits valid JSON, and the included tools reformat or verify JSON from the shell.

YAJL is especially useful where JSON arrives as a stream or where holding both the textual input and a full parsed tree would waste memory. Its design is less convenient than a high-level JSON object library, but that is the point: it is a parser core and filter substrate.

Why package nerds care

YAJL is package-nerd infrastructure from the early JSON boom: tiny C, callback API, command-line validators, and enough portability to show up across Unix-like distributions. It is a good example of a library whose significance is larger than its own CLI because it sits below many higher-level language bindings and tools.

Timeline

2007-07: The README's original note explains the requirements that led Lloyd Hilaiel to create YAJL.
2008-12: The public GitHub repository was created.
2014-03: The 2.1.0 tag was committed, matching the version documented on the project site.
YAJL 2 era: The README identifies YAJL 2 as the main line and keeps the 1.x branch for legacy users.

Related projects

YAJL belongs with other C JSON libraries such as jansson and json-c, but differs by emphasizing SAX-style incremental parsing. Bindings such as yajl-ruby expose the same parser to higher-level languages.

Sources

security posture

Risk level: green

library-like package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

library-like package without higher-risk signals

Signals

metadata:library-like

Install behavior

No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
Build metadata lists 1 build dependencies.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

Command	Kind	Exposure	Note
`json_reformat`	cli	global executable
`json_verify`	cli	global executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-07-08

manager version2.1.0

manager updated2026-07-05

local dataok

upstreamcurrent

latest detected2.1.0

https://github.com/lloyd/yajl

okNo freshness warnings were generated.

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:yajl
Version	2.1.0
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/yajl
Homepage	https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/
Repository	https://github.com/lloyd/yajl
Upstream docs	https://github.com/lloyd/yajl#readme
License	ISC
Source archive	https://github.com/lloyd/yajl/archive/refs/tags/2.1.0.tar.gz
Last updated	2026-07-05T05:49:06Z
Pulse	updated
Build dependencies	cmake
Bottle	available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-install	not defined
Service	none declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source Database	Homebrew formula API
Tap	homebrew/core
Full Name	yajl
Version Scheme	0
Revision	1
Bottle Stable Root URL	https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecated	no
Disabled	no
Keg Only	no
URL Keys	stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Debian apt95%

libyajl-dev 2.1.0-5+b2

Yet Another JSON Library - development files

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apt install libyajl-dev

Section: libdevel
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: yajl
1 dependencies
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libyajl-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Debian apt95%

libyajl-doc 2.1.0-5

Yet Another JSON Library - library documentation

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apt install libyajl-doc

Section: doc
Architecture: all
Source Package: yajl
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libyajl-doc from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Debian apt95%

libyajl2 2.1.0-5+b2

Yet Another JSON Library

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apt install libyajl2

Section: libs
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: yajl
1 dependencies
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libyajl2 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Debian apt95%

yajl-tools 2.1.0-5+b2

Yet Another JSON Library - tools

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apt install yajl-tools

Section: utils
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: yajl
2 dependencies
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: yajl-tools from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz

Nix95%

yajl

nix profile install nixpkgs#yajl

normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ya/yajl/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1

Ubuntu apt95%

libyajl-dev 2.1.0-5build1

Yet Another JSON Library - development files

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apt install libyajl-dev

Section: libdevel
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: yajl
1 dependencies
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libyajl-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

Ubuntu apt95%

libyajl-doc 2.1.0-5build1

Yet Another JSON Library - library documentation

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apt install libyajl-doc

Section: doc
Architecture: all
Source Package: yajl
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libyajl-doc from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

Ubuntu apt95%

libyajl2 2.1.0-5build1

Yet Another JSON Library

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apt install libyajl2

Section: libs
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: yajl
1 dependencies
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libyajl2 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/main/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

Ubuntu apt95%

yajl-tools 2.1.0-5build1

Yet Another JSON Library - tools

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apt install yajl-tools

Section: universe/utils
Architecture: amd64
Source Package: yajl
2 dependencies
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: yajl-tools from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

apk95%

yajl 2.1.0-r9

Yet Another JSON Library (YAJL)

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apk add yajl

License: MIT
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: yajl
1 dependencies
1 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: yajl from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk95%

yajl-dev 2.1.0-r9

Yet Another JSON Library (YAJL) (development files)

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apk add yajl-dev

License: MIT
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: yajl
1 dependencies
1 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: yajl-dev from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk95%

yajl-static 2.1.0-r9

Yet Another JSON Library (YAJL) (static library)

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apk add yajl-static

License: MIT
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: yajl
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: yajl-static from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

apk95%

yajl-tools 2.1.0-r9

JSON tools based on Yajl

https://lloyd.github.io/yajl/

sudo apk add yajl-tools

License: MIT
Architecture: x86_64
Source Package: yajl
1 dependencies
1 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: yajl-tools from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz

dnf95%

yajl 2.1.0-40.fc45

Yet Another JSON Library (YAJL)

http://lloyd.github.com/yajl/

sudo dnf install yajl

License: ISC
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: yajl
2 dependencies
2 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: yajl from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

dnf95%

yajl-devel 2.1.0-40.fc45

Libraries, includes, etc to develop with YAJL

http://lloyd.github.com/yajl/

sudo dnf install yajl-devel

License: ISC
Category: Unspecified
Architecture: i686
Source Package: yajl
3 dependencies
2 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: yajl-devel from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst

pacman95%

yajl 2.1.0-7

Yet Another JSON Library

https://github.com/lloyd/yajl

sudo pacman -S yajl

License: ISC
Architecture: x86_64
1 dependencies
1 provides
normalized package name match
Matched by: Yajl

Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: yajl from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub.

combined/yajl.yml

Used sources

Geiger risk classifier
Nucleus package database
av.db category and tag curation
cross-ecosystem install command graph
curated package history
external package-manager database matches
package relationship graph
package version freshness
package-page enrichment

Install yajl with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper

Additional install commands

macOS

Linux

Package summary

Project links

Commands and aliases

Project history and usage

Project history

Adoption history

How it is used

Why package nerds care

Timeline

Related projects

Sources

Risk level: green

Risk classifier

Why

Signals

Install behavior

Recommended review

Installed executables

Version and freshness

Package metadata

Source database details

Other package-manager records

Internal package links

Topical hubs

Related tools

Same workflow

Agent security guides

Generated from repository data

Combined YAML source

Used sources