JSON Formatting Guide for API Debugging

JSON is the default shape for API responses, webhooks, config files and frontend fixtures. Formatting makes nested objects readable, but validation is just as important because broken JSON can fail silently in downstream workflows.

Format before reviewing a payload, minify only when copying into compact environments, and use path inspection when mapping fields into analytics, tests or documentation. Avoid editing production payloads without validating after every change.

Trailing commas, single-quoted strings, comments and unquoted keys are valid in some JavaScript contexts but invalid in JSON. If an API accepts JSON, assume strict JSON rules.