jq del() : Delete Keys or Array Elements

jq del(path_expression) removes the keys or array elements selected by the path.

del() trims noisy API responses down to the fields a workflow step needs before emitting smaller JSON.

What it does

del(p) deletes whatever the path expression p selects: a single key like .meta, several via .a, .b, or array elements like .[0]. The rest of the structure is returned unchanged. It accepts only path expressions, not arbitrary filters.

Common usage

Terminal

# drop a noisy field
jq 'del(.permissions)' repo.json
# delete multiple keys
jq 'del(.created_at, .updated_at)' repo.json
# delete matching array elements
jq 'del(.[] | select(.draft))' pulls.json

Functions

Form	What it does
del(.key)	Remove one key
del(.a, .b)	Remove several keys
del(.[2])	Remove an array element by index
del(.[] \| select(c))	Remove matching array elements

Common errors in CI

"jq: error: Invalid path expression with result ..." means you passed a non-path filter to del(); del only accepts paths, so move logic into select inside the path. "jq: error: Cannot index null with \"key\"" means a parent in the path was null; the field you tried to delete did not exist.

Related guides

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