airflow-variable-json-viewer

A better way to work with JSON-based Airflow Variables.

A modern Airflow UI plugin for browsing and editing Variables with formatted JSON, search, and an improved user experience.

Editing variables with formatted JSON

Quick start

pip install airflow-variable-json-viewer

Why?

Airflow’s Variables UI is now more of a pain than a UX update:

• Smaller input field — large data barely fits
• No variable renaming — must recreate instead
• No JSON formatting (before 3.1.8) — all data in one line

Default Airflow (<3.1.8) UI without JSON formatting

Default Airflow (3.1.8 or greater) UI with JSON formatting

This plugin provides a clean and user-friendly interface for working with JSON-based variables.

Features

• 📋 Browse all Airflow variables with instant search
• ✏️ Edit values with automatic JSON formatting
• 🔍 Easily read and navigate complex nested structures
• 🔒 View variable encryption status
• 🌓 Built-in dark and light modes

Light mode support

Compatibility

• Apache Airflow 3.1+
• Python 3.8+

Installation

You can install the plugin either manually or via pip:

Option 1: Manual copy to plugins folder

1. Copy the variable_json_viewer/ package to your Airflow plugins folder:

   $AIRFLOW_HOME/plugins/variable_json_viewer/
   ├── __init__.py
   ├── plugin.py
   └── static/
       ├── index.html
       ├── app.js
       └── styles.css
   

2. Restart Airflow (webserver and scheduler).

Option 2: Installation via pip

pip install airflow-variable-json-viewer

After installation, restart Airflow — the plugin will be automatically discovered.

Usage

After installation, a new menu item "Variables JSON Viewer" will appear in the Airflow navigation menu under the Admin section.

Or access it directly via:

http://<your-airflow-host>/variable-json/

License

MIT