crayons
TextUI colors for Python.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need simple terminal colors and don't require active maintenance. Crayons is lightweight, has no complex dependencies beyond colorama, and works reliably for basic colored output. However, the abandoned status means no bug fixes or Python version updates will be released—use it only if you're comfortable with a stable but unmaintained package, or if you're targeting Python versions it already supports.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Installation is straightforward with low friction.
- The package is abandoned as of 2020-08-26, so no active maintenance is expected, though it remains stable for basic terminal color use.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions—suitable for both open-source and proprietary projects.
last release 2020-08-26 (2179 days) · last repo commit 2020-08-26 · 417 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 500,822 downloads/mo, #6,319 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install crayons
import crayons
print(crayons.red('red text'))
print(crayons.green('green text'))
print(crayons.blue('blue text'))- Whether the package works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list 3.8 as the latest tested version)
- Current compatibility with modern versions of colorama, its sole runtime dependency
What it is and what it does
Crayons is a lightweight wrapper around colorama that simplifies colored terminal output in Python. It provides named color functions (red, green, yellow, blue, black, magenta, cyan, white) that automatically wrap text in the appropriate ANSI codes and reset the terminal state afterward, eliminating the need to manually manage color state. The package detects whether output is going to a TTY and suppresses colors when piped, and it correctly calculates string length for colored output.
The package is powered by colorama and has a single runtime dependency. It supports Python 2.7 and Python 3.4 through 3.8 according to its classifiers. Since its last release in 2020, the project is no longer actively maintained, though the core functionality remains stable for basic terminal coloring tasks.
Use it for
- Add colored output to CLI tools and scripts for better readability and user feedback
- Highlight errors, warnings, and success messages in terminal applications with distinct colors
- Create visually distinct log output or status reports in command-line utilities
- Build interactive terminal UIs where color improves navigation and information hierarchy
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need simple terminal colors and don't require active maintenance.
Crayons is lightweight, has no complex dependencies beyond colorama, and works reliably for basic colored output. However, the abandoned status means no bug fixes or Python version updates will be released—use it only if you're comfortable with a stable but unmaintained package, or if you're targeting Python versions it already supports.
Install
crayons on PyPI
Before you install
Installation is straightforward with low friction. The package is abandoned as of 2020-08-26, so no active maintenance is expected, though it remains stable for basic terminal color use.
License in practice
MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions—suitable for both open-source and proprietary projects.
Quickstart
pip install crayons
import crayons
print(crayons.red('red text'))
print(crayons.green('green text'))
print(crayons.blue('blue text'))Verify before relying
- Whether the package works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list 3.8 as the latest tested version)
- Current compatibility with modern versions of colorama, its sole runtime dependency
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagecolorama |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 2,179 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 500,822 / month, #6,319 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | License :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPy |
Evidence: crayons-0.4.0-py2.py3-none-any.whl
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See also histoprint · simple-colors · wasabi · ansi2html · pastel · terminaltexteffects · colorclass · colored-traceback · curtsies · ascii-colors