bases
Python library for general Base-N encodings.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need a straightforward Base-N encoding library with multibase compatibility and low install friction. The dormant maintenance status (970 days since last release) is a minor concern for a stable, narrow-scope library with no known vulnerabilities, but verify the license claim before use. Not recommended if you need active development or frequent updates.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Low install friction with only two runtime dependencies (typing-extensions, typing-validation).
- Maintenance is dormant—last release was 970 days ago with no recent commits, though the repository remains active and the package supports current Python versions.
License · maintenance · safety
(unclear) — License treatment is unclear; the description mentions MIT but the fact sheet does not confirm this formally. Verify the actual license before relying on it for compliance purposes.
last release 2023-12-18 (970 days) · last repo commit 2023-12-18 · 2 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 109,554 downloads/mo, #12,511 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install bases
import bases
from bases import base32
b = bytes([70, 98, 190, 187, 66, 224, 178])
encoded = base32.encode(b)
print(encoded) # 'IZRL5O2C4CZA===='
decoded = base32.decode(encoded)
print(decoded) # b'Fb\xbe\xbbB\xe0\xb2'- Whether the MIT license claim in the description is formally declared in package metadata
- Performance characteristics when encoding/decoding large binary payloads
- Whether all multibase specification styles are fully implemented (proquints are explicitly excluded)
What it is and what it does
Bases is a Python library that implements parametric Base-N encoding and decoding for multiple common formats, including those defined in the multibase specification (except proquints). It provides pre-built encoders like base32 and allows you to construct custom base encodings by specifying an alphabet and encoding style.
The library handles practical variations like case sensitivity, padding inclusion/exclusion, and block-based zero-padding. It depends on typing-extensions and typing-validation for type hints and validation. The package is typed and supports Python 3.7 through 3.12, though maintenance is dormant—the last release was 970 days ago.
Use it for
- Encode binary data to base32 strings for safe transmission or storage in text-based systems
- Decode multibase-formatted strings back to their original binary form in interoperable applications
- Create custom Base-N encodings with specific alphabets and padding rules for domain-specific protocols
- Convert between case-sensitive and case-insensitive variants of the same base encoding
- Implement binary-to-text encoding in cryptographic or data serialization workflows
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need a straightforward Base-N encoding library with multibase compatibility and low install friction.
The dormant maintenance status (970 days since last release) is a minor concern for a stable, narrow-scope library with no known vulnerabilities, but verify the license claim before use. Not recommended if you need active development or frequent updates.
Install
bases on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with only two runtime dependencies (typing-extensions, typing-validation). Maintenance is dormant—last release was 970 days ago with no recent commits, though the repository remains active and the package supports current Python versions.
License in practice
License treatment is unclear; the description mentions MIT but the fact sheet does not confirm this formally. Verify the actual license before relying on it for compliance purposes.
Quickstart
pip install bases
import bases
from bases import base32
b = bytes([70, 98, 190, 187, 66, 224, 178])
encoded = base32.encode(b)
print(encoded) # 'IZRL5O2C4CZA===='
decoded = base32.decode(encoded)
print(decoded) # b'Fb\xbe\xbbB\xe0\xb2'Verify before relying
- Whether the MIT license claim in the description is formally declared in package metadata
- Performance characteristics when encoding/decoding large binary payloads
- Whether all multibase specification styles are fully implemented (proquints are explicitly excluded)
Package facts
| License | Not declared unclear |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.7 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packagestyping-extensionstyping-validation |
| Maintenance | Dormant 970 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 109,554 / month, #12,511 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Typing :: Typed |
Evidence: bases-0.3.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also py-multibase · base32-crockford · mikeshardmind-base2048 · bech32m · bech32 · python-baseconv · x690 · sed4onnx · binapy · based58