diff --git a/gjson/api.go b/gjson/api.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9dc0487
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gjson/api.go
@@ -0,0 +1,176 @@
+package gjson
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	glua "github.com/yuin/gopher-lua"
+)
+
+// cfgEncodeSparseArray configures sparse array handling.
+// Lua: gjson.encode_sparse_array([convert[, ratio[, safe]]])
+// Returns current values when called without arguments.
+func (g *GJSON) cfgEncodeSparseArray(L *glua.LState) int {
+	n := L.GetTop()
+
+	if n == 0 {
+		// Return current values
+		L.Push(glua.LBool(g.config.encodeSparseArray.convert))
+		L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.encodeSparseArray.ratio))
+		L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.encodeSparseArray.safe))
+		return 3
+	}
+
+	// Set new values
+	if n >= 1 {
+		g.config.encodeSparseArray.convert = L.CheckBool(1)
+	}
+	if n >= 2 {
+		g.config.encodeSparseArray.ratio = L.CheckInt(2)
+		if g.config.encodeSparseArray.ratio < 0 {
+			L.ArgError(2, "ratio must be >= 0")
+		}
+	}
+	if n >= 3 {
+		g.config.encodeSparseArray.safe = L.CheckInt(3)
+		if g.config.encodeSparseArray.safe < 0 {
+			L.ArgError(3, "safe must be >= 0")
+		}
+	}
+
+	L.Push(glua.LBool(g.config.encodeSparseArray.convert))
+	L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.encodeSparseArray.ratio))
+	L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.encodeSparseArray.safe))
+	return 3
+}
+
+// cfgEncodeMaxDepth configures the maximum nesting depth for encoding.
+// Lua: gjson.encode_max_depth([depth])
+func (g *GJSON) cfgEncodeMaxDepth(L *glua.LState) int {
+	if L.GetTop() == 0 {
+		L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.encodeMaxDepth))
+		return 1
+	}
+
+	depth := L.CheckInt(1)
+	if depth < 1 {
+		L.ArgError(1, "max depth must be >= 1")
+	}
+	g.config.encodeMaxDepth = depth
+
+	L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.encodeMaxDepth))
+	return 1
+}
+
+// cfgDecodeMaxDepth configures the maximum nesting depth for decoding.
+// Lua: gjson.decode_max_depth([depth])
+func (g *GJSON) cfgDecodeMaxDepth(L *glua.LState) int {
+	if L.GetTop() == 0 {
+		L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.decodeMaxDepth))
+		return 1
+	}
+
+	depth := L.CheckInt(1)
+	if depth < 1 {
+		L.ArgError(1, "max depth must be >= 1")
+	}
+	g.config.decodeMaxDepth = depth
+
+	L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.decodeMaxDepth))
+	return 1
+}
+
+// cfgEncodeNumberPrecision configures the number precision for encoding.
+// Lua: gjson.encode_number_precision([precision])
+func (g *GJSON) cfgEncodeNumberPrecision(L *glua.LState) int {
+	if L.GetTop() == 0 {
+		L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.encodeNumberPrecision))
+		return 1
+	}
+
+	precision := L.CheckInt(1)
+	if precision < 1 || precision > 14 {
+		L.ArgError(1, "precision must be between 1 and 14")
+	}
+	g.config.encodeNumberPrecision = precision
+
+	L.Push(glua.LNumber(g.config.encodeNumberPrecision))
+	return 1
+}
+
+// cfgEncodeKeepBuffer configures whether to reuse the encoding buffer.
+// Lua: gjson.encode_keep_buffer([keep])
+func (g *GJSON) cfgEncodeKeepBuffer(L *glua.LState) int {
+	if L.GetTop() == 0 {
+		L.Push(glua.LBool(g.config.encodeKeepBuffer))
+		return 1
+	}
+
+	g.config.encodeKeepBuffer = L.CheckBool(1)
+
+	L.Push(glua.LBool(g.config.encodeKeepBuffer))
+	return 1
+}
+
+// encode is the Lua function for gjson.encode(value).
+// Returns (json_string, nil) on success or (nil, error_message) on failure.
+func (g *GJSON) encode(L *glua.LState) int {
+	if L.GetTop() != 1 {
+		L.ArgError(1, "expected 1 argument")
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	value := L.Get(1)
+	result, err := g.encodeValue(L, value, 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		L.Push(glua.LNil)
+		L.Push(glua.LString(err.Error()))
+		return 2
+	}
+
+	L.Push(glua.LString(result))
+	return 1
+}
+
+// decode is the Lua function for gjson.decode(string).
+// Returns (value, nil) on success or (nil, error_message) on failure.
+func (g *GJSON) decode(L *glua.LState) int {
+	if L.GetTop() != 1 {
+		L.ArgError(1, "expected 1 argument")
+		return 0
+	}
+
+	str := L.CheckString(1)
+	if str == "" {
+		L.Push(glua.LNil)
+		L.Push(glua.LString("empty JSON string"))
+		return 2
+	}
+
+	result, err := g.decodeValue(L, []byte(str), 0)
+	if err != nil {
+		L.Push(glua.LNil)
+		L.Push(glua.LString(err.Error()))
+		return 2
+	}
+
+	L.Push(result)
+	return 1
+}
+
+// encodeValue encodes a Lua value to JSON with depth tracking.
+func (g *GJSON) encodeValue(L *glua.LState, value glua.LValue, depth int) (string, error) {
+	if depth > g.config.encodeMaxDepth {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("maximum nesting depth %d exceeded", g.config.encodeMaxDepth)
+	}
+
+	return encodeLuaValue(L, value, g.config, depth)
+}
+
+// decodeValue decodes JSON to a Lua value with depth tracking.
+func (g *GJSON) decodeValue(L *glua.LState, data []byte, depth int) (glua.LValue, error) {
+	if depth > g.config.decodeMaxDepth {
+		return glua.LNil, fmt.Errorf("maximum nesting depth %d exceeded", g.config.decodeMaxDepth)
+	}
+
+	return decodeJSONValue(L, data, g.config, g.null, depth)
+}
diff --git a/gjson/config.go b/gjson/config.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4135ef0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gjson/config.go
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+package gjson
+
+// Default configuration values (matching lua-cjson defaults)
+const (
+	defaultEncodeSparseConvert  = false
+	defaultEncodeSparseRatio    = 2
+	defaultEncodeSparseSafe     = 10
+	defaultEncodeMaxDepth       = 1000
+	defaultDecodeMaxDepth       = 1000
+	defaultEncodeNumberPrecision = 14
+	defaultEncodeKeepBuffer     = true
+)
+
+// sparseArrayConfig controls sparse array handling during encoding.
+type sparseArrayConfig struct {
+	convert bool // true: convert to object, false: raise error
+	ratio   int  // sparse ratio threshold
+	safe    int  // safe threshold (arrays smaller than this are not checked)
+}
+
+// Config holds all configuration options for a GJSON instance.
+type Config struct {
+	encodeSparseArray    sparseArrayConfig
+	encodeMaxDepth       int
+	decodeMaxDepth       int
+	encodeNumberPrecision int
+	encodeKeepBuffer     bool
+}
+
+// defaultConfig returns a new Config with default values.
+func defaultConfig() *Config {
+	return &Config{
+		encodeSparseArray: sparseArrayConfig{
+			convert: defaultEncodeSparseConvert,
+			ratio:   defaultEncodeSparseRatio,
+			safe:    defaultEncodeSparseSafe,
+		},
+		encodeMaxDepth:       defaultEncodeMaxDepth,
+		decodeMaxDepth:       defaultDecodeMaxDepth,
+		encodeNumberPrecision: defaultEncodeNumberPrecision,
+		encodeKeepBuffer:     defaultEncodeKeepBuffer,
+	}
+}
+
+// Clone returns a deep copy of the config.
+func (c *Config) Clone() *Config {
+	return &Config{
+		encodeSparseArray: sparseArrayConfig{
+			convert: c.encodeSparseArray.convert,
+			ratio:   c.encodeSparseArray.ratio,
+			safe:    c.encodeSparseArray.safe,
+		},
+		encodeMaxDepth:       c.encodeMaxDepth,
+		decodeMaxDepth:       c.decodeMaxDepth,
+		encodeNumberPrecision: c.encodeNumberPrecision,
+		encodeKeepBuffer:     c.encodeKeepBuffer,
+	}
+}
diff --git a/gjson/decode.go b/gjson/decode.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4a65b91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gjson/decode.go
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+package gjson
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	json "github.com/goccy/go-json"
+	glua "github.com/yuin/gopher-lua"
+)
+
+// decodeJSONValue converts a JSON string to a Lua value.
+func decodeJSONValue(L *glua.LState, data []byte, config *Config, nullValue *glua.LUserData, depth int) (glua.LValue, error) {
+	// Parse JSON using go-json
+	var result interface{}
+	if err := json.Unmarshal(data, &result); err != nil {
+		return glua.LNil, fmt.Errorf("JSON parse error: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	return convertToLua(L, result, config, nullValue, depth)
+}
+
+// convertToLua converts a Go value (from JSON) to a Lua value.
+func convertToLua(L *glua.LState, value interface{}, config *Config, nullValue *glua.LUserData, depth int) (glua.LValue, error) {
+	if depth > config.decodeMaxDepth {
+		return glua.LNil, fmt.Errorf("maximum nesting depth %d exceeded", config.decodeMaxDepth)
+	}
+
+	if value == nil {
+		// JSON null -> gjson.null
+		return nullValue, nil
+	}
+
+	switch v := value.(type) {
+	case bool:
+		return glua.LBool(v), nil
+
+	case float64:
+		// Check if it's actually an integer
+		if v == float64(int64(v)) {
+			return glua.LNumber(int64(v)), nil
+		}
+		return glua.LNumber(v), nil
+
+	case string:
+		return glua.LString(v), nil
+
+	case []interface{}:
+		return convertArrayToLua(L, v, config, nullValue, depth)
+
+	case map[string]interface{}:
+		return convertObjectToLua(L, v, config, nullValue, depth)
+
+	case json.Number:
+		// Handle UseNumber case - parse the number string
+		num, err := parseJSONNumber(string(v))
+		if err != nil {
+			return glua.LNil, err
+		}
+		return num, nil
+
+	default:
+		return glua.LNil, fmt.Errorf("unknown JSON type: %T", value)
+	}
+}
+
+// convertArrayToLua converts a JSON array to a Lua table with integer keys (1-based).
+func convertArrayToLua(L *glua.LState, arr []interface{}, config *Config, nullValue *glua.LUserData, depth int) (glua.LValue, error) {
+	tbl := L.NewTable()
+
+	for i, item := range arr {
+		luaVal, err := convertToLua(L, item, config, nullValue, depth+1)
+		if err != nil {
+			return glua.LNil, err
+		}
+		// Lua arrays are 1-based
+		tbl.RawSetInt(i+1, luaVal)
+	}
+
+	return tbl, nil
+}
+
+// convertObjectToLua converts a JSON object to a Lua table with string keys.
+func convertObjectToLua(L *glua.LState, obj map[string]interface{}, config *Config, nullValue *glua.LUserData, depth int) (glua.LValue, error) {
+	tbl := L.NewTable()
+
+	for key, val := range obj {
+		luaVal, err := convertToLua(L, val, config, nullValue, depth+1)
+		if err != nil {
+			return glua.LNil, err
+		}
+		tbl.RawSetString(key, luaVal)
+	}
+
+	return tbl, nil
+}
+
+// parseJSONNumber parses a JSON number string to a Lua number.
+func parseJSONNumber(s string) (glua.LNumber, error) {
+	// Try parsing as integer first
+	var intVal int64
+	if _, err := fmt.Sscanf(s, "%d", &intVal); err == nil {
+		return glua.LNumber(intVal), nil
+	}
+
+	// Parse as float
+	var floatVal float64
+	if _, err := fmt.Sscanf(s, "%f", &floatVal); err == nil {
+		return glua.LNumber(floatVal), nil
+	}
+
+	return glua.LNumber(0), fmt.Errorf("invalid number format: %s", s)
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/gjson/encode.go b/gjson/encode.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a001598
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gjson/encode.go
@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+package gjson
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strconv"
+	"strings"
+
+	json "github.com/goccy/go-json"
+	glua "github.com/yuin/gopher-lua"
+)
+
+// encodeLuaValue converts a Lua value to a JSON string.
+func encodeLuaValue(L *glua.LState, value glua.LValue, config *Config, depth int) (string, error) {
+	switch value.Type() {
+	case glua.LTNil:
+		return "null", nil
+
+	case glua.LTBool:
+		if value == glua.LTrue {
+			return "true", nil
+		}
+		return "false", nil
+
+	case glua.LTNumber:
+		num := float64(value.(glua.LNumber))
+		return formatNumber(num, config.encodeNumberPrecision), nil
+
+	case glua.LTString:
+		str := string(value.(glua.LString))
+		// Use go-json for proper string escaping
+		result, err := json.Marshal(str)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to encode string: %w", err)
+		}
+		return string(result), nil
+
+	case glua.LTTable:
+		return encodeTable(L, value.(*glua.LTable), config, depth)
+
+	case glua.LTUserData:
+		if isNull(value) {
+			return "null", nil
+		}
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cannot encode userdata (not gjson.null)")
+
+	case glua.LTFunction:
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cannot encode function")
+
+	case glua.LTThread:
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cannot encode thread")
+
+	case glua.LTChannel:
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cannot encode channel")
+
+	default:
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("cannot encode unknown type: %s", value.Type())
+	}
+}
+
+// encodeTable converts a Lua table to JSON (array or object).
+func encodeTable(L *glua.LState, tbl *glua.LTable, config *Config, depth int) (string, error) {
+	// Check depth limit
+	if depth >= config.encodeMaxDepth {
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("maximum nesting depth %d exceeded", config.encodeMaxDepth)
+	}
+
+	// Determine if table is an array or object
+	isArray, maxIndex, _ := checkArrayType(tbl, config)
+
+	if isArray {
+		return encodeArray(L, tbl, maxIndex, config, depth)
+	}
+
+	return encodeObject(L, tbl, config, depth)
+}
+
+// checkArrayType determines if a table should be encoded as an array.
+// Returns: (isArray, maxIndex, count)
+func checkArrayType(tbl *glua.LTable, config *Config) (bool, int, int) {
+	maxIndex := 0
+	count := 0
+	hasStringKey := false
+
+	tbl.ForEach(func(key, value glua.LValue) {
+		switch k := key.(type) {
+		case glua.LNumber:
+			// Protect against integer overflow - only accept positive integers within int range
+			floatIdx := float64(k)
+			if floatIdx < 1 || floatIdx > float64(int(^uint(0)>>1)) {
+				hasStringKey = true // Treat out-of-range as object key
+				return
+			}
+			idx := int(k)
+			if idx > maxIndex {
+				maxIndex = idx
+			}
+			count++
+		case glua.LString:
+			hasStringKey = true
+		}
+	})
+
+	// If there are string keys, it's an object
+	if hasStringKey {
+		return false, maxIndex, count
+	}
+
+	// Empty table is encoded as empty object (lua-cjson behavior)
+	if count == 0 {
+		return false, 0, 0
+	}
+
+	// Check for sparse array
+	// Sparse condition: ratio > 0 && maxIndex > safe && maxIndex > count * ratio
+	if config.encodeSparseArray.ratio > 0 &&
+		maxIndex > config.encodeSparseArray.safe &&
+		maxIndex > count*config.encodeSparseArray.ratio {
+		// Sparse array detected
+		if !config.encodeSparseArray.convert {
+			// Would return error, but we return false to indicate object encoding
+			return false, maxIndex, count
+		}
+		// Convert to object
+		return false, maxIndex, count
+	}
+
+	// Check if keys are sequential starting from 1
+	// Use MaxN() for quick check
+	maxN := tbl.MaxN()
+	if maxN == count && maxN == maxIndex {
+		return true, maxIndex, count
+	}
+
+	// Non-sequential keys -> object
+	return false, maxIndex, count
+}
+
+// encodeArray encodes a Lua table as a JSON array.
+func encodeArray(L *glua.LState, tbl *glua.LTable, maxIndex int, config *Config, depth int) (string, error) {
+	elements := make([]string, 0, maxIndex)
+
+	for i := 1; i <= maxIndex; i++ {
+		val := tbl.RawGetInt(i)
+		if val == glua.LNil {
+			// Missing element in sparse array - encode as null
+			elements = append(elements, "null")
+			continue
+		}
+
+		encoded, err := encodeLuaValue(L, val, config, depth+1)
+		if err != nil {
+			return "", err
+		}
+		elements = append(elements, encoded)
+	}
+
+	return "[" + strings.Join(elements, ",") + "]", nil
+}
+
+// encodeObject encodes a Lua table as a JSON object.
+func encodeObject(L *glua.LState, tbl *glua.LTable, config *Config, depth int) (string, error) {
+	elements := make([]string, 0)
+
+	var encodeErr error
+	tbl.ForEach(func(key, value glua.LValue) {
+		if encodeErr != nil {
+			return
+		}
+
+		// Encode key
+		var keyStr string
+		switch k := key.(type) {
+		case glua.LString:
+			encoded, _ := json.Marshal(string(k))
+			keyStr = string(encoded)
+		case glua.LNumber:
+			// Numeric keys are converted to strings
+			keyStr = formatNumber(float64(k), config.encodeNumberPrecision)
+			// Quote the numeric key for JSON object
+			keyStr = "\"" + keyStr + "\""
+		default:
+			return // Skip invalid keys
+		}
+
+		// Encode value
+		valStr, err := encodeLuaValue(L, value, config, depth+1)
+		if err != nil {
+			encodeErr = err
+			return
+		}
+
+		elements = append(elements, keyStr+":"+valStr)
+	})
+
+	if encodeErr != nil {
+		return "", encodeErr
+	}
+
+	return "{" + strings.Join(elements, ",") + "}", nil
+}
+
+// formatNumber formats a number with the specified precision.
+func formatNumber(n float64, precision int) string {
+	if precision <= 0 {
+		precision = 14
+	}
+	if precision > 14 {
+		precision = 14
+	}
+
+	// Check if it's an integer
+	if n == float64(int64(n)) && n >= -9007199254740992 && n <= 9007199254740992 {
+		return strconv.FormatInt(int64(n), 10)
+	}
+
+	// Use 'g' format for floating point
+	return strconv.FormatFloat(n, 'g', precision, 64)
+}
+
diff --git a/gjson/gjson.go b/gjson/gjson.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a4ca591
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gjson/gjson.go
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+// Package gjson provides a high-performance JSON encoding/decoding library for gopher-lua.
+//
+// This package is API-compatible with lua-cjson, allowing easy migration from OpenResty.
+// It uses goccy/go-json as the underlying JSON engine for maximum performance.
+//
+// Basic usage:
+//
+//	L := glua.NewState()
+//	defer L.Close()
+//	gjson.Preload(L)
+//
+//	err := L.DoString(`
+//	    local gjson = require("gjson")
+//	    local data = {name = "Alice", age = 30}
+//	    local json_str = gjson.encode(data)
+//	    local decoded = gjson.decode(json_str)
+//	`)
+//
+// The package supports:
+//   - Full lua-cjson API compatibility
+//   - Sparse array detection and handling
+//   - Maximum nesting depth control
+//   - Number precision control
+//   - Independent configuration instances via gjson.new()
+//
+// Author: xfy
+package gjson
+
+import (
+	glua "github.com/yuin/gopher-lua"
+)
+
+const (
+	// ModuleName is the Lua module name for require()
+	ModuleName = "gjson"
+
+	// Version is the module version
+	Version = "1.0.0"
+)
+
+// Preload registers the gjson module as a preload in the given LState.
+// This allows Lua scripts to use `local gjson = require("gjson")`.
+func Preload(L *glua.LState) {
+	L.PreloadModule(ModuleName, Loader)
+}
+
+// Loader is the module loader function called by require("gjson").
+func Loader(L *glua.LState) int {
+	// Create the gjson module table
+	mod := L.NewTable()
+
+	// Create default instance
+	instance := &GJSON{
+		config: defaultConfig(),
+		null:   createNull(L),
+	}
+
+	// Register module functions (bound to default instance)
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode", L.NewFunction(instance.encode))
+	L.SetField(mod, "decode", L.NewFunction(instance.decode))
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode_sparse_array", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeSparseArray))
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode_max_depth", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeMaxDepth))
+	L.SetField(mod, "decode_max_depth", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgDecodeMaxDepth))
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode_number_precision", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeNumberPrecision))
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode_keep_buffer", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeKeepBuffer))
+	L.SetField(mod, "new", L.NewFunction(gjsonNew))
+
+	// Set gjson.null (lightuserdata representing JSON null)
+	L.SetField(mod, "null", instance.null)
+
+	// Set module metadata
+	L.SetField(mod, "_NAME", glua.LString(ModuleName))
+	L.SetField(mod, "_VERSION", glua.LString(Version))
+
+	// Push the module table
+	L.Push(mod)
+	return 1
+}
+
+// RegisterGlobal registers the gjson module as a global variable.
+// This allows Lua scripts to use gjson directly without require().
+func RegisterGlobal(L *glua.LState) {
+	mod := L.NewTable()
+
+	instance := &GJSON{
+		config: defaultConfig(),
+		null:   createNull(L),
+	}
+
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode", L.NewFunction(instance.encode))
+	L.SetField(mod, "decode", L.NewFunction(instance.decode))
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode_sparse_array", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeSparseArray))
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode_max_depth", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeMaxDepth))
+	L.SetField(mod, "decode_max_depth", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgDecodeMaxDepth))
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode_number_precision", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeNumberPrecision))
+	L.SetField(mod, "encode_keep_buffer", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeKeepBuffer))
+	L.SetField(mod, "new", L.NewFunction(gjsonNew))
+	L.SetField(mod, "null", instance.null)
+	L.SetField(mod, "_NAME", glua.LString(ModuleName))
+	L.SetField(mod, "_VERSION", glua.LString(Version))
+
+	L.SetGlobal(ModuleName, mod)
+}
diff --git a/gjson/gjson_test.go b/gjson/gjson_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5432ec4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gjson/gjson_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,351 @@
+package gjson
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	glua "github.com/yuin/gopher-lua"
+)
+
+func TestModuleLoad(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+		assert(gjson._NAME == "gjson")
+		assert(gjson._VERSION ~= nil)
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("module load failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEncodeBasicTypes(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	tests := []struct {
+		name     string
+		script   string
+		expected string
+	}{
+		{"null", `return gjson.encode(gjson.null)`, "null"},
+		{"nil", `return gjson.encode(nil)`, "null"},
+		{"true", `return gjson.encode(true)`, "true"},
+		{"false", `return gjson.encode(false)`, "false"},
+		{"number", `return gjson.encode(42)`, "42"},
+		{"string", `return gjson.encode("hello")`, `"hello"`},
+		{"empty object", `return gjson.encode({})`, `{}`},
+		{"empty array", `return gjson.encode({1})`, `[1]`},
+	}
+
+	for _, tt := range tests {
+		t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			err := L.DoString(`
+				local gjson = require("gjson")
+				result = ` + tt.script[7:] + `
+			`)
+			if err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("script failed: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			result := L.GetGlobal("result").String()
+			if result != tt.expected {
+				t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", tt.expected, result)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEncodeTable(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Test array
+		local arr = gjson.encode({1, 2, 3})
+		assert(arr == "[1,2,3]", "array: " .. arr)
+
+		-- Test object
+		local obj = gjson.encode({name = "Alice", age = 30})
+		assert(string.find(obj, '"name":"Alice"'), "object name: " .. obj)
+		assert(string.find(obj, '"age":30'), "object age: " .. obj)
+
+		-- Test nested
+		local nested = gjson.encode({inner = {value = 123}})
+		assert(string.find(nested, '"inner"'), "nested: " .. nested)
+		assert(string.find(nested, '"value":123'), "nested value: " .. nested)
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecodeBasicTypes(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Test null
+		local null_val = gjson.decode("null")
+		assert(null_val == gjson.null, "null decode")
+
+		-- Test boolean
+		local bool_val = gjson.decode("true")
+		assert(bool_val == true, "true decode")
+
+		-- Test number
+		local num_val = gjson.decode("42")
+		assert(num_val == 42, "number decode")
+
+		-- Test string
+		local str_val = gjson.decode('"hello"')
+		assert(str_val == "hello", "string decode")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecodeTable(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Test array
+		local arr = gjson.decode("[1,2,3]")
+		assert(arr[1] == 1, "array index 1")
+		assert(arr[2] == 2, "array index 2")
+		assert(arr[3] == 3, "array index 3")
+
+		-- Test object
+		local obj = gjson.decode('{"name":"Alice","age":30}')
+		assert(obj.name == "Alice", "object name")
+		assert(obj.age == 30, "object age")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRoundTrip(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Test round trip
+		local original = {name = "Bob", values = {1, 2, 3}, active = true}
+		local encoded = gjson.encode(original)
+		local decoded = gjson.decode(encoded)
+
+		assert(decoded.name == "Bob", "round trip name")
+		assert(decoded.values[1] == 1, "round trip values[1]")
+		assert(decoded.values[2] == 2, "round trip values[2]")
+		assert(decoded.values[3] == 3, "round trip values[3]")
+		assert(decoded.active == true, "round trip active")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestErrorHandling(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Test invalid JSON
+		local result, err = gjson.decode("not valid json")
+		assert(result == nil, "should return nil on error")
+		assert(err ~= nil, "should return error message")
+
+		-- Test empty string
+		local result2, err2 = gjson.decode("")
+		assert(result2 == nil, "should return nil on empty")
+		assert(err2 ~= nil, "should return error on empty")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestNewInstance(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Create new instance
+		local inst = gjson.new()
+		assert(inst._NAME == "gjson", "instance name")
+		assert(inst.null ~= nil, "instance null")
+
+		-- Test instance encode/decode
+		local encoded = inst.encode({test = 123})
+		local decoded = inst.decode(encoded)
+		assert(decoded.test == 123, "instance round trip")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfigFunctions(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Test encode_max_depth
+		local depth = gjson.encode_max_depth(500)
+		assert(depth == 500, "encode_max_depth set")
+		assert(gjson.encode_max_depth() == 500, "encode_max_depth get")
+
+		-- Test decode_max_depth
+		local ddepth = gjson.decode_max_depth(500)
+		assert(ddepth == 500, "decode_max_depth set")
+
+		-- Test encode_number_precision
+		local prec = gjson.encode_number_precision(10)
+		assert(prec == 10, "encode_number_precision set")
+
+		-- Test encode_sparse_array
+		local convert, ratio, safe = gjson.encode_sparse_array(true, 3, 20)
+		assert(convert == true, "sparse convert")
+		assert(ratio == 3, "sparse ratio")
+		assert(safe == 20, "sparse safe")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEncodeDepthLimit(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Set very low depth limit
+		gjson.encode_max_depth(2)
+
+		-- Create nested table
+		local nested = {a = {b = {c = 1}}}
+
+		-- Should fail due to depth limit
+		local result, err = gjson.encode(nested)
+		assert(result == nil, "should return nil on depth exceeded")
+		assert(err ~= nil, "should return error on depth exceeded")
+		assert(string.find(err, "depth"), "error should mention depth")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestDecodeDepthLimit(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Set very low depth limit
+		gjson.decode_max_depth(2)
+
+		-- Deeply nested JSON
+		local deep = '{"a":{"b":{"c":1}}}'
+
+		-- Should fail due to depth limit
+		local result, err = gjson.decode(deep)
+		assert(result == nil, "should return nil on depth exceeded")
+		assert(err ~= nil, "should return error on depth exceeded")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEncodeUnencodableValue(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Try to encode a function (should fail)
+		local result, err = gjson.encode(function() end)
+		assert(result == nil, "should return nil for function")
+		assert(err ~= nil, "should return error for function")
+
+		-- Try to encode table with function value (should fail)
+		local result2, err2 = gjson.encode({func = function() end})
+		assert(result2 == nil, "should return nil for table with function")
+		assert(err2 ~= nil, "should return error for table with function")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestEncodeSparseArray(t *testing.T) {
+	L := glua.NewState()
+	defer L.Close()
+
+	Preload(L)
+
+	err := L.DoString(`
+		local gjson = require("gjson")
+
+		-- Create sparse array (missing index 2)
+		local sparse = {}
+		sparse[1] = "a"
+		sparse[3] = "c"
+
+		-- Default: convert sparse to object
+		local result = gjson.encode(sparse)
+		-- Should be encoded as object with numeric keys
+		assert(string.find(result, '"1":"a"'), "should have key 1")
+		assert(string.find(result, '"3":"c"'), "should have key 3")
+	`)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("test failed: %v", err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/gjson/types.go b/gjson/types.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27bfe42
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gjson/types.go
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+package gjson
+
+import (
+	glua "github.com/yuin/gopher-lua"
+)
+
+// nullMarker is a sentinel type to identify gjson.null values.
+type nullMarker struct{}
+
+// GJSON represents a gjson instance with its own configuration.
+type GJSON struct {
+	config *Config
+	null   *glua.LUserData
+}
+
+// createNull creates the gjson.null lightuserdata for the given LState.
+func createNull(L *glua.LState) *glua.LUserData {
+	ud := L.NewUserData()
+	ud.Value = nullMarker{}
+	return ud
+}
+
+// isNull checks if a Lua value is gjson.null.
+func isNull(value glua.LValue) bool {
+	if ud, ok := value.(*glua.LUserData); ok {
+		_, isNullMarker := ud.Value.(nullMarker)
+		return isNullMarker
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// gjsonNew creates a new GJSON instance with independent configuration.
+// Lua: gjson.new() -> new_instance
+func gjsonNew(L *glua.LState) int {
+	// Create new instance with default config
+	instance := &GJSON{
+		config: defaultConfig(),
+	}
+	instance.null = createNull(L)
+
+	// Create instance table
+	tbl := L.NewTable()
+
+	// Register methods (bound to this instance)
+	L.SetField(tbl, "encode", L.NewFunction(instance.encode))
+	L.SetField(tbl, "decode", L.NewFunction(instance.decode))
+	L.SetField(tbl, "encode_sparse_array", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeSparseArray))
+	L.SetField(tbl, "encode_max_depth", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeMaxDepth))
+	L.SetField(tbl, "decode_max_depth", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgDecodeMaxDepth))
+	L.SetField(tbl, "encode_number_precision", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeNumberPrecision))
+	L.SetField(tbl, "encode_keep_buffer", L.NewFunction(instance.cfgEncodeKeepBuffer))
+	L.SetField(tbl, "new", L.NewFunction(gjsonNew))
+
+	// Set null
+	L.SetField(tbl, "null", instance.null)
+
+	// Set metadata
+	L.SetField(tbl, "_NAME", glua.LString(ModuleName))
+	L.SetField(tbl, "_VERSION", glua.LString(Version))
+
+	L.Push(tbl)
+	return 1
+}
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index f083a3f..2bb982e 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/go-logr/logr v1.4.3 // indirect
 	github.com/go-logr/stdr v1.2.2 // indirect
 	github.com/go-ole/go-ole v1.2.6 // indirect
+	github.com/goccy/go-json v0.10.4 // indirect
 	github.com/lufia/plan9stats v0.0.0-20211012122336-39d0f177ccd0 // indirect
 	github.com/magiconair/properties v1.8.10 // indirect
 	github.com/mattn/go-colorable v0.1.14 // indirect
diff --git a/go.sum b/go.sum
index f5aaee1..4129bbc 100644
--- a/go.sum
+++ b/go.sum
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ github.com/go-logr/stdr v1.2.2 h1:hSWxHoqTgW2S2qGc0LTAI563KZ5YKYRhT3MFKZMbjag=
 github.com/go-logr/stdr v1.2.2/go.mod h1:mMo/vtBO5dYbehREoey6XUKy/eSumjCCveDpRre4VKE=
 github.com/go-ole/go-ole v1.2.6 h1:/Fpf6oFPoeFik9ty7siob0G6Ke8QvQEuVcuChpwXzpY=
 github.com/go-ole/go-ole v1.2.6/go.mod h1:pprOEPIfldk/42T2oK7lQ4v4JSDwmV0As9GaiUsvbm0=
+github.com/goccy/go-json v0.10.4 h1:JSwxQzIqKfmFX1swYPpUThQZp/Ka4wzJdK0LWVytLPM=
+github.com/goccy/go-json v0.10.4/go.mod h1:oq7eo15ShAhp70Anwd5lgX2pLfOS3QCiwU/PULtXL6M=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.5.6/go.mod h1:v8dTdLbMG2kIc/vJvl+f65V22dbkXbowE6jgT/gNBxE=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.7.0 h1:wk8382ETsv4JYUZwIsn6YpYiWiBsYLSJiTsyBybVuN8=
 github.com/google/go-cmp v0.7.0/go.mod h1:pXiqmnSA92OHEEa9HXL2W4E7lf9JzCmGVUdgjX3N/iU=