How to open a .yaml file
Quick, free ways to open YAML on any system.
A .yaml file is a YAML Ain't Markup Language. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads YAML yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .yaml file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .yaml. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with VS Code or Notepad++.
- On Mac, use VS Code or any editor.
- On Linux, try VS Code or nano.
- Still stuck? Convert the .yaml to JSON, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .yaml files
Windows
- VS Code
- Notepad++
- any editor
macOS
- VS Code
- any editor
Linux
- VS Code
- nano
- any editor
Web
- Online YAML validators
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Before you open it: Mostly safe, but some YAML libraries can construct arbitrary objects from tags. Use safe-load functions when parsing untrusted YAML.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .yaml file?
Almost always because no installed app understands YAML. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
Why is my YAML file failing to parse?
YAML is indentation-sensitive and forbids tabs for indentation. A single misplaced space or a tab character is the usual cause. Run it through a linter.