---
id: bases
version: "0.3.0"
license: unclear
license_treatment: unclear
maintenance: dormant
---

# bases — Python library for general Base-N encodings.

License: unclear · Maintenance: dormant · Downloads: 109.6K/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

Provides customizable Base-N encoding and decoding for common styles including those in the multibase specification, with support for case and padding variations.

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

pip install bases
uv add bases
poetry add bases

## Installing bases

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_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: dormant
- Downloads: 109.6K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

base encoding decoding, base32 implementation, multibase specification, custom base-n encoding, binary to text encoding, base conversion library, encoding, multibase, binary-text-conversion

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