---
title: "Getting Started with the OSCAL Viewer"
slug: "getting-started-with-the-oscal-viewer"
updated: 2026-03-23T14:22:30Z
published: 2026-03-23T14:22:30Z
canonical: "docs.oscal.io/getting-started-with-the-oscal-viewer"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.oscal.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with the OSCAL Viewer

## About

The OSCAL Viewer is a free, browser-based tool that transforms raw OSCAL documents into a structured and user-friendly interface to make machine-readable compliance artifacts accessible to the entire OSCAL community.

## Navigating the Viewer

Begin by selecting the model type you wish to view. You can do so by either selecting top navigation bar or by selecting the model from the grid on the lower half of the screen. Selecting any model type takes you to that model's load page. ![Raw data JSON](https://cdn.document360.io/fcf0031a-ef98-4389-b56d-d2beba546bdd/Images/Documentation/V%20home.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-31T10%3A21%3A40Z&se=2026-10-31T11%3A21%3A40Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=XXfOymnialagH2UOC%2Faqo0HxpJnCxZZ9RWD2oZHlfOA%3D)

### Uploading a Document

Once you have selected the desired model type from the top navigation bar, the upload page will appear. ![Raw data JSON](https://cdn.document360.io/fcf0031a-ef98-4389-b56d-d2beba546bdd/Images/Documentation/Upload%20to%20V.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-31T10%3A21%3A40Z&se=2026-10-31T11%3A21%3A40Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=XXfOymnialagH2UOC%2Faqo0HxpJnCxZZ9RWD2oZHlfOA%3D) On the load page, either drag and drop an OSCAL JSON file into the upload area, select *click to browse* to choose a file from your local filesystem, or fetch from a URL by entering a direct link to an OSCAL JSON file in the URL field and select *Fetch*.

### Viewing a Document

Once a document is loaded or selected to view from the [The OSCAL Content Registry](/v1/docs/oscal-content-registry), the screen will display a left-hand sidebar alongside a dashboard summarizing the document. ![Raw data JSON](https://cdn.document360.io/fcf0031a-ef98-4389-b56d-d2beba546bdd/Images/Documentation/Screenshot%202026-03-17%20112449.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-31T10%3A21%3A40Z&se=2026-10-31T11%3A21%3A40Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=XXfOymnialagH2UOC%2Faqo0HxpJnCxZZ9RWD2oZHlfOA%3D) The left-hand sidebar will include *Overview*, *Metadata*, and *Back Matter* for said document along with important components or controls relevant to the specific type of document.

When you select any of those items, they will be visible in the main center panel.

### JSON Examples

Access the JSON examples via the *JSON Examples* link in the top-right navigation. ![Raw data JSON](https://cdn.document360.io/fcf0031a-ef98-4389-b56d-d2beba546bdd/Images/Documentation/json%20EXAMPLES.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-31T10%3A21%3A40Z&se=2026-10-31T11%3A21%3A40Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=XXfOymnialagH2UOC%2Faqo0HxpJnCxZZ9RWD2oZHlfOA%3D) The JSON Examples directory is a comprehensive listing of publicly available OSCAL JSON files from NIST, FedRAMP, international governments, and the community.

### JWT Authentication

If you are trying to view OSCAL content hosted behind authenticated endpoints, select the *Lock Icon* in the top right corner of the screen. ![Raw data JSON](https://cdn.document360.io/fcf0031a-ef98-4389-b56d-d2beba546bdd/Images/Documentation/JwT.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-10-31T10%3A21%3A40Z&se=2026-10-31T11%3A21%3A40Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=XXfOymnialagH2UOC%2Faqo0HxpJnCxZZ9RWD2oZHlfOA%3D) Paste and save the token to continue.