How to convert embedded (quoted) json string to json

With jq's fromjson function:

Sample stuff.json contents:

{
  "stuff": "{\"date\":\"2018-01-08\"}"
}

---

jq -c '.stuff | fromjson' stuff.json

The output:

{"date":"2018-01-08"}

There is a raw flag for this

    -r      output raw strings, not JSON texts;

jq -rc .stuff stuff.json

Output

{"date":"2018-01-08"}