diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/admin/views/users.py b/rhodecode/apps/admin/views/users.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/admin/views/users.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/admin/views/users.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ from rhodecode.lib.exceptions import (
     UserCreationError, UserOwnsReposException, UserOwnsRepoGroupsException,
     UserOwnsUserGroupsException, UserOwnsPullRequestsException,
     UserOwnsArtifactsException, DefaultUserException)
-from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import (
     LoginRequired, HasPermissionAllDecorator, CSRFRequired)
 from rhodecode.lib import helpers as h
@@ -1169,7 +1169,7 @@ class UsersView(UserAppView):
 
         groups = [UserGroupModel.get_user_groups_as_dict(group.users_group)
                   for group in c.user.group_member]
-        c.groups = json.dumps(groups)
+        c.groups = ext_json.str_json(groups)
         c.active = 'groups'
 
         return self._get_template_context(c)
@@ -1258,9 +1258,8 @@ class UsersView(UserAppView):
         for entry in user_log:
             audit_log_data[entry.user_log_id] = entry.get_dict()
 
-        response = Response(json.dumps(audit_log_data, indent=4))
-        response.content_disposition = str(
-            'attachment; filename=%s' % 'user_{}_audit_logs.json'.format(c.user.user_id))
+        response = Response(ext_json.formatted_str_json(audit_log_data))
+        response.content_disposition = f'attachment; filename=user_{c.user.user_id}_audit_logs.json'
         response.content_type = 'application/json'
 
         return response
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/channelstream/__init__.py b/rhodecode/apps/channelstream/__init__.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/channelstream/__init__.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/channelstream/__init__.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ from pyramid.settings import asbool
 
 from rhodecode.apps._base import ADMIN_PREFIX
 from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib.str_utils import safe_str
 
 
 def url_gen(request):
@@ -38,7 +39,7 @@ def url_gen(request):
         'longpoll': longpoll_url or proxy_url,
         'ws': ws_url or proxy_url.replace('http', 'ws')
     }
-    return json.dumps(urls)
+    return safe_str(json.dumps(urls))
 
 
 PLUGIN_DEFINITION = {
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/gist/views.py b/rhodecode/apps/gist/views.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/gist/views.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/gist/views.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ from pyramid.renderers import render
 from pyramid.response import Response
 
 from rhodecode.apps._base import BaseAppView
-from rhodecode.lib import helpers as h
+from rhodecode.lib import helpers as h, ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import LoginRequired, NotAnonymous, CSRFRequired
 from rhodecode.lib.utils2 import time_to_datetime
 from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ class GistView(BaseAppView):
                 'expires': _render('gist_expires', gist.gist_expires),
                 'description': _render('gist_description', gist.gist_description)
             })
-        c.data = json.dumps(data)
+        c.data = ext_json.str_json(data)
 
         return self._get_template_context(c)
 
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/my_account/views/my_account.py b/rhodecode/apps/my_account/views/my_account.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/my_account/views/my_account.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/my_account/views/my_account.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ from rhodecode.apps._base import BaseApp
 from rhodecode import forms
 from rhodecode.lib import helpers as h
 from rhodecode.lib import audit_logger
-from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import (
     LoginRequired, NotAnonymous, CSRFRequired,
     HasRepoPermissionAny, HasRepoGroupPermissionAny, AuthUser)
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ class MyAccountView(BaseAppView, DataGri
             repos_data.append(row)
 
         # json used to render the grid
-        return json.dumps(repos_data)
+        return ext_json.str_json(repos_data)
 
     @LoginRequired()
     @NotAnonymous()
@@ -779,5 +779,5 @@ class MyAccountView(BaseAppView, DataGri
         c.active = 'user_group_membership'
         groups = [UserGroupModel.get_user_groups_as_dict(group.users_group)
                   for group in self._rhodecode_db_user.group_member]
-        c.user_groups = json.dumps(groups)
+        c.user_groups = ext_json.str_json(groups)
         return self._get_template_context(c)
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_bookmarks.py b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_bookmarks.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_bookmarks.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_bookmarks.py
@@ -21,9 +21,8 @@ import logging
 
 from pyramid.httpexceptions import HTTPNotFound
 
-
 from rhodecode.apps._base import BaseReferencesView
-from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib import helpers as h
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import (LoginRequired, HasRepoPermissionAnyDecorator)
 
@@ -47,5 +46,5 @@ class RepoBookmarksView(BaseReferencesVi
             ref_items=ref_items, partials_template='bookmarks/bookmarks_data.mako')
 
         c.has_references = bool(data)
-        c.data = json.dumps(data)
+        c.data = ext_json.str_json(data)
         return self._get_template_context(c)
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_branches.py b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_branches.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_branches.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_branches.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import logging
 
 
 from rhodecode.apps._base import BaseReferencesView
-from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import (LoginRequired, HasRepoPermissionAnyDecorator)
 
 
@@ -42,5 +42,5 @@ class RepoBranchesView(BaseReferencesVie
             ref_items=ref_items, partials_template='branches/branches_data.mako')
 
         c.has_references = bool(data)
-        c.data = json.dumps(data)
+        c.data = ext_json.str_json(data)
         return self._get_template_context(c)
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_changelog.py b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_changelog.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_changelog.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_changelog.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ from pyramid.response import Response
 
 from rhodecode.apps._base import RepoAppView
 import rhodecode.lib.helpers as h
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import (
     LoginRequired, HasRepoPermissionAnyDecorator)
 
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ class RepoChangelogView(RepoAppView):
 
         data = [[commit_id, vtx, edges, branch]
                 for commit_id, vtx, edges, branch in _colored(dag)]
-        return json.dumps(data), json.dumps(current)
+        return ext_json.str_json(data), ext_json.str_json(current)
 
     def _check_if_valid_branch(self, branch_name, repo_name, f_path):
         if branch_name not in self.rhodecode_vcs_repo.branches_all:
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_commits.py b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_commits.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_commits.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_commits.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ from rhodecode.apps.file_store.exception
 from rhodecode.lib import diffs, codeblocks, channelstream
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import (
     LoginRequired, HasRepoPermissionAnyDecorator, NotAnonymous, CSRFRequired)
-from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from collections import OrderedDict
 from rhodecode.lib.diffs import (
     cache_diff, load_cached_diff, diff_cache_exist, get_diff_context,
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ class RepoCommitsView(RepoAppView):
                 member_reviewer['allowed_to_update'] = False
                 c.commit_set_reviewers_data_json['reviewers'].append(member_reviewer)
 
-            c.commit_set_reviewers_data_json = json.dumps(c.commit_set_reviewers_data_json)
+            c.commit_set_reviewers_data_json = ext_json.str_json(c.commit_set_reviewers_data_json)
 
             # NOTE(marcink): this uses the same voting logic as in pull-requests
             c.commit_review_status = ChangesetStatusModel().calculate_status(review_statuses)
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_pull_requests.py b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_pull_requests.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_pull_requests.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_pull_requests.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ from rhodecode.lib import helpers as h, 
 from rhodecode.lib.base import vcs_operation_context
 from rhodecode.lib.diffs import load_cached_diff, cache_diff, diff_cache_exist
 from rhodecode.lib.exceptions import CommentVersionMismatch
-from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import (
     LoginRequired, HasRepoPermissionAny, HasRepoPermissionAnyDecorator,
     NotAnonymous, CSRFRequired)
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ class RepoPullRequestsView(RepoAppView, 
         c.observers_count = pull_request.observers_count
 
         # reviewers and statuses
-        c.pull_request_default_reviewers_data_json = json.dumps(pull_request.reviewer_data)
+        c.pull_request_default_reviewers_data_json = ext_json.str_json(pull_request.reviewer_data)
         c.pull_request_set_reviewers_data_json = collections.OrderedDict({'reviewers': []})
         c.pull_request_set_observers_data_json = collections.OrderedDict({'observers': []})
 
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ class RepoPullRequestsView(RepoAppView, 
             member_reviewer['allowed_to_update'] = c.allowed_to_update
             c.pull_request_set_reviewers_data_json['reviewers'].append(member_reviewer)
 
-        c.pull_request_set_reviewers_data_json = json.dumps(c.pull_request_set_reviewers_data_json)
+        c.pull_request_set_reviewers_data_json = ext_json.str_json(c.pull_request_set_reviewers_data_json)
 
         for observer_obj, member in pull_request_at_ver.observers():
             member_observer = h.reviewer_as_json(
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ class RepoPullRequestsView(RepoAppView, 
             member_observer['allowed_to_update'] = c.allowed_to_update
             c.pull_request_set_observers_data_json['observers'].append(member_observer)
 
-        c.pull_request_set_observers_data_json = json.dumps(c.pull_request_set_observers_data_json)
+        c.pull_request_set_observers_data_json = ext_json.str_json(c.pull_request_set_observers_data_json)
 
         general_comments, inline_comments = \
             self.register_comments_vars(c, pull_request_latest, versions)
@@ -889,9 +889,9 @@ class RepoPullRequestsView(RepoAppView, 
 
         c.default_repo_data = {
             'source_repo_name': source_repo.repo_name,
-            'source_refs_json': json.dumps(source_repo_data),
+            'source_refs_json': ext_json.str_json(source_repo_data),
             'target_repo_name': default_target_repo.repo_name,
-            'target_refs_json': json.dumps(target_repo_data),
+            'target_refs_json': ext_json.str_json(target_repo_data),
         }
         c.default_source_ref = selected_source_ref
 
diff --git a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_tags.py b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_tags.py
--- a/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_tags.py
+++ b/rhodecode/apps/repository/views/repo_tags.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 import logging
 
 from rhodecode.apps._base import BaseReferencesView
-from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib.auth import (LoginRequired, HasRepoPermissionAnyDecorator)
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
@@ -40,5 +40,5 @@ class RepoTagsView(BaseReferencesView):
             ref_items=ref_items, partials_template='tags/tags_data.mako')
 
         c.has_references = bool(data)
-        c.data = json.dumps(data)
+        c.data = ext_json.str_json(data)
         return self._get_template_context(c)
diff --git a/rhodecode/lib/ext_json_renderer.py b/rhodecode/lib/ext_json_renderer.py
--- a/rhodecode/lib/ext_json_renderer.py
+++ b/rhodecode/lib/ext_json_renderer.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
 # RhodeCode Enterprise Edition, including its added features, Support services,
 # and proprietary license terms, please see https://rhodecode.com/licenses/
 
-from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 
 
 def pyramid_ext_json(info):
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ def pyramid_ext_json(info):
             if ct == response.default_content_type:
                 response.content_type = 'application/json'
             indent = getattr(request, 'ext_json_indent', None)
-
-        return json.dumps(value, indent=indent)
+        if indent:
+            return ext_json.formatted_json(value)
+        return ext_json.json.dumps(value)
 
     return _render
diff --git a/rhodecode/lib/helpers.py b/rhodecode/lib/helpers.py
--- a/rhodecode/lib/helpers.py
+++ b/rhodecode/lib/helpers.py
@@ -78,7 +78,9 @@ from webhelpers2.number import format_by
 
 from rhodecode.lib.action_parser import action_parser
 from rhodecode.lib.pagination import Page, RepoPage, SqlPage
+from rhodecode.lib import ext_json
 from rhodecode.lib.ext_json import json
+from rhodecode.lib.str_utils import safe_bytes
 from rhodecode.lib.utils import repo_name_slug, get_custom_lexer
 from rhodecode.lib.utils2 import (
     str2bool, safe_unicode, safe_str,
@@ -135,6 +137,14 @@ def html_escape(text, html_escape_table=
     return text.translate(html_escape_table)
 
 
+def str_json(*args, **kwargs):
+    return ext_json.str_json(*args, **kwargs)
+
+
+def formatted_str_json(*args, **kwargs):
+    return ext_json.formatted_str_json(*args, **kwargs)
+
+
 def chop_at_smart(s, sub, inclusive=False, suffix_if_chopped=None):
     """
     Truncate string ``s`` at the first occurrence of ``sub``.
@@ -346,7 +356,7 @@ def files_url_data(request):
     if 'commit_id' not in matchdict:
         matchdict['commit_id'] = 'tip'
 
-    return json.dumps(matchdict)
+    return ext_json.str_json(matchdict)
 
 
 def repo_files_by_ref_url(db_repo_name, db_repo_type, f_path, ref_name, commit_id, query=None, ):
@@ -768,7 +778,7 @@ class Flash(object):
                     'subdata': message.sub_data
                 }
             })
-        return json.dumps(payloads)
+        return safe_str(json.dumps(payloads))
 
     def __call__(self, message, category=None, ignore_duplicate=True,
                  session=None, request=None):
diff --git a/rhodecode/subscribers.py b/rhodecode/subscribers.py
--- a/rhodecode/subscribers.py
+++ b/rhodecode/subscribers.py
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ def write_usage_data(event):
         )
 
         with open(dest_file, 'wb') as f:
-            f.write(ext_json.json.dumps(metadata, indent=2, sort_keys=True))
+            f.write(ext_json.formatted_json(metadata))
 
     try:
         log.debug('Writing usage file at: %s', usage_metadata_destination)
diff --git a/rhodecode/templates/admin/admin_audit_log_entry.mako b/rhodecode/templates/admin/admin_audit_log_entry.mako
--- a/rhodecode/templates/admin/admin_audit_log_entry.mako
+++ b/rhodecode/templates/admin/admin_audit_log_entry.mako
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@
                     <td class="td-journalaction">
                         % if c.audit_log_entry.version == c.audit_log_entry.VERSION_2:
                             <div>
-                                <pre>${h.json.dumps(c.audit_log_entry.action_data, indent=4, sort_keys=True)}</pre>
+                                <pre>${h.formatted_str_json(c.audit_log_entry.action_data)}</pre>
                             </div>
                         % else:
                             <pre title="${_('data not available for v1 entries type')}">-</pre>
diff --git a/rhodecode/templates/admin/admin_log_base.mako b/rhodecode/templates/admin/admin_log_base.mako
--- a/rhodecode/templates/admin/admin_log_base.mako
+++ b/rhodecode/templates/admin/admin_log_base.mako
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
             % if l.version == l.VERSION_2:
                 <a href="#" onclick="$('#entry-'+${l.user_log_id}).toggle();return false">${_('toggle')}</a>
                 <div id="entry-${l.user_log_id}" style="display: none">
-                    <pre>${h.json.dumps(l.action_data, indent=4, sort_keys=True)}</pre>
+                    <pre>${h.formatted_str_json(l.action_data)}</pre>
                 </div>
             % else:
                 <pre title="${_('data not available for v1 entries type')}">-</pre>
diff --git a/rhodecode/templates/base/issue_tracker_settings.mako b/rhodecode/templates/base/issue_tracker_settings.mako
--- a/rhodecode/templates/base/issue_tracker_settings.mako
+++ b/rhodecode/templates/base/issue_tracker_settings.mako
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ examples = [
               % if loop.index == 0:
               <a href="#showMore" onclick="$('.it-examples').toggle(); return false">${_('show examples')}</a>
               % else:
-              <a href="#copyToInput" onclick="copyToInput(this, '${h.json.dumps(name)}', '${h.json.dumps(pat)}', '${h.json.dumps(url)}', '${h.json.dumps(pref)}'); return false">copy to input</a>
+              <a href="#copyToInput" onclick="copyToInput(this, '${h.str_json(name)}', '${h.str_json(pat)}', '${h.str_json(url)}', '${h.str_json(pref)}'); return false">copy to input</a>
               % endif
           </td>
         </tr>
diff --git a/rhodecode/templates/base/root.mako b/rhodecode/templates/base/root.mako
--- a/rhodecode/templates/base/root.mako
+++ b/rhodecode/templates/base/root.mako
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ c.template_context['attachment_store'] =
             <script src="${h.asset('js/rhodecode/i18n/%s.js' % c.language, ver=c.rhodecode_version_hash)}"></script>
             <script type="text/javascript">
             // register templateContext to pass template variables to JS
-            var templateContext = ${h.json.dumps(c.template_context)|n};
+            var templateContext = ${h.str_json(c.template_context)|n};
 
             var APPLICATION_URL = "${h.route_path('home').rstrip('/')}";
             var APPLICATION_PLUGINS = [];
diff --git a/rhodecode/templates/base/sidebar.mako b/rhodecode/templates/base/sidebar.mako
--- a/rhodecode/templates/base/sidebar.mako
+++ b/rhodecode/templates/base/sidebar.mako
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@
                   % endif
 
                   <%
-                      data = h.json.dumps({
+                      data = h.str_json({
                             'comment_id': comment_obj.comment_id,
                             'version_info': version_info,
                             'file_name': comment_obj.f_path,
diff --git a/rhodecode/templates/changeset/changeset_file_comment.mako b/rhodecode/templates/changeset/changeset_file_comment.mako
--- a/rhodecode/templates/changeset/changeset_file_comment.mako
+++ b/rhodecode/templates/changeset/changeset_file_comment.mako
@@ -37,12 +37,12 @@
        line="${comment.line_no}"
        data-comment-id="${comment.comment_id}"
        data-comment-type="${comment.comment_type}"
-       data-comment-draft=${h.json.dumps(comment.draft)}
+       data-comment-draft=${h.str_json(comment.draft)}
        data-comment-renderer="${comment.renderer}"
        data-comment-text="${comment.text | html_filters.base64,n}"
        data-comment-f-path="${comment.f_path}"
        data-comment-line-no="${comment.line_no}"
-       data-comment-inline=${h.json.dumps(inline)}
+       data-comment-inline=${h.str_json(inline)}
        style="${'display: none;' if outdated_at_ver else ''}">
 
       <div class="meta">
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
                   % if comment.resolved_comment:
                     <div class="tooltip" title="${_('This comment resolves TODO #{}').format(comment.resolved_comment.comment_id)}">
                         fix
-                        <a href="#comment-${comment.resolved_comment.comment_id}" onclick="Rhodecode.comments.scrollToComment($('#comment-${comment.resolved_comment.comment_id}'), 0, ${h.json.dumps(comment.resolved_comment.outdated)})">
+                        <a href="#comment-${comment.resolved_comment.comment_id}" onclick="Rhodecode.comments.scrollToComment($('#comment-${comment.resolved_comment.comment_id}'), 0, ${h.str_json(comment.resolved_comment.outdated)})">
                             <span style="text-decoration: line-through">#${comment.resolved_comment.comment_id}</span>
                         </a>
                     </div>
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@
             <i class="icon-info-circled tooltip-hovercard"
                data-hovercard-alt="ALT"
                data-hovercard-url="javascript:commentHelp('${c.visual.default_renderer.upper()}')"
-               data-comment-json-b64='${h.b64(h.json.dumps({}))}'></i>
+               data-comment-json-b64='${h.b64(h.str_json({}))}'></i>
             </span>
         </div>
     </div>
diff --git a/rhodecode/templates/codeblocks/diffs.mako b/rhodecode/templates/codeblocks/diffs.mako
--- a/rhodecode/templates/codeblocks/diffs.mako
+++ b/rhodecode/templates/codeblocks/diffs.mako
@@ -1114,7 +1114,7 @@ def get_comments_for(diff_type, comments
                 % for filediff in diffset.files:
                     {id:"a_${h.FID(filediff.raw_id, filediff.patch['filename'])}",
                      text:"${filediff.patch['filename']}",
-                     ops:${h.json.dumps(filediff.patch['stats'])|n}}${('' if loop.last else ',')}
+                     ops:${h.str_json(filediff.patch['stats'])|n}}${('' if loop.last else ',')}
                 % endfor
             ]
         };
diff --git a/rhodecode/templates/pullrequests/pullrequest_merge_checks.mako b/rhodecode/templates/pullrequests/pullrequest_merge_checks.mako
--- a/rhodecode/templates/pullrequests/pullrequest_merge_checks.mako
+++ b/rhodecode/templates/pullrequests/pullrequest_merge_checks.mako
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
                     <span style="white-space: pre-line">- ${pr_check_details['message']}</span>
                     % if pr_check_key == 'todo':
                         % for co in pr_check_details['details']:
-                            <a class="permalink" href="#comment-${co.comment_id}" onclick="Rhodecode.comments.scrollToComment($('#comment-${co.comment_id}'), 0, ${h.json.dumps(co.outdated)})"> #${co.comment_id}</a>${'' if loop.last else ','}
+                            <a class="permalink" href="#comment-${co.comment_id}" onclick="Rhodecode.comments.scrollToComment($('#comment-${co.comment_id}'), 0, ${h.str_json(co.outdated)})"> #${co.comment_id}</a>${'' if loop.last else ','}
                         % endfor
                     % endif
                 </div>
diff --git a/rhodecode/tests/lib/middleware/test_simplegit.py b/rhodecode/tests/lib/middleware/test_simplegit.py
--- a/rhodecode/tests/lib/middleware/test_simplegit.py
+++ b/rhodecode/tests/lib/middleware/test_simplegit.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 import pytest
 import urllib.parse
 import mock
-import simplejson as json
 
 from rhodecode.lib.vcs.backends.base import Config
 from rhodecode.tests.lib.middleware import mock_scm_app