fq CLI
The CLI decodes binary formats with jq-style queries so an agent can inspect file structure and extract selected fields.
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Minimal access
Why this level
- The CLI reads selected local files; extracted fields may contain sensitive information later shown to the agent.
Install
Manual install
brew install wader/tap/fqFirst package-manager Install method for macOS. The preceding text also offers official binary downloads.
Access and checks
How we reviewMinimal accessThe tool runs nothing and makes no network calls.
- The CLI reads selected local files; extracted fields may contain sensitive information later shown to the agent.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
fq makes binary files queryable from the terminal. Users open a file, inspect decoded structure and select fields with jq-like expressions. Nested formats and byte ranges can be explored inside complex containers. An agent can diagnose authorized files, retrieve metadata and explain structural fields. Batch execution and an interactive autocomplete environment accompany the structural hex view.
Who it is for. File-format analysts investigating binary data without writing a dedicated decoder for each query.
Good fit when
- A media container needs metadata and technical-field inspection.
- An agent compares two authorized binary structures.
- A nested format needs a specific section extracted.
- Repeated analysis needs a saved query expression.
Not a fit when
- The task requires automatic program-logic decompilation.
- The format has no available decoder.
- Extracted secrets must not reach a model or report.
Example request
Inspect this file copy with fq and show only technical metadata, excluding embedded content.Limitations
Decoding depends on format support; inspect the decoder list before analysis. Expressions follow jq, so complex queries require understanding its rules and the fq manual. Output can reveal private metadata or fields; select only necessary values before sending them to an agent. Slicing and transformations need boundary and result checks: keep originals and do not replace them with extracted fragments without verification.
How to disable. Exit fq and remove it from analysis scripts. Originals remain unless output was separately redirected over them.
FAQ
How do I inspect decoded data?
Run `fq . file`, replacing `file` with the path to the file you want to inspect.
Can I view bytes alongside structure?
Yes. fq includes a structural hex viewer.
Where is the local manual?
Use `man fq`.
Are nested containers supported?
Yes, depending on the available decoders for those formats.
Do I need to know jq?
Not for basic inspection, but its expression language helps with complex queries.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fq (this card) | no | 10,626 | ||
| Binary Ninja MCP | no | not required | 456 | exposes executable-code decompilation and analysis inside Binary Ninja |
| yq | no | 16,229 | The Go CLI reads and edits YAML, JSON and related formats for targeted agent-assisted configuration transformations. |
README in short
Decoders cover images, audio, archives and network data, with bit-level decoding and data concatenation.