possible bug: use of `-a` on outer command in nested jo fails to render inside object element when space exists in internal object property value about jo HOT 2 CLOSED

You forgot to quote the outermost jo input:

$ jo -a "$(jo labels="$(jo alertname="test-alert" service="test alert")")"
[{"labels":{"alertname":"test-alert","service":"test alert"}}]

This is becoming an FAQ, because one variant or another of the following clause is arguably the best-kept secret in every shell, not just bash:

The order of expansions is: brace expansion; tilde expansion, parameter and variable expansion, arithmetic expansion, and command substitution (done in a left-to-right fashion); word splitting; and pathname expansion.

In your example, the outermost input was command-substituted correctly, but then word splitting around the space in test alert meant jo saw two elements to insert into an array.

from jo.

You forgot to quote the outermost jo input:

$ jo -a "$(jo labels="$(jo alertname="test-alert" service="test alert")")"
[{"labels":{"alertname":"test-alert","service":"test alert"}}]

This is becoming an FAQ, because one variant or another of the following clause is arguably the best-kept secret in every shell, not just bash:

The order of expansions is: brace expansion; tilde expansion, parameter and variable expansion, arithmetic expansion, and command substitution (done in a left-to-right fashion); word splitting; and pathname expansion.

In your example, the outermost input was command-substituted correctly, but then word splitting around the space in test alert meant jo saw two elements to insert into an array.

geeez! Well, besides feeling a little lame, I sincerely appreciate your help in pointing out my mistake. Thank you!

from jo.