expects
Expressive and extensible TDD/BDD assertion library for Python
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No. The package is dormant (last release 2018-10-25) and targets end-of-life Python versions (2.7, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7). Compatibility with later Python versions is unverified and likely broken. For modern TDD/BDD assertion libraries, consider actively maintained alternatives.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- The package targets Python 2.7, 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7; compatibility with later Python versions is unverified.
- Installation friction is high—the package is dormant (last release 2018-10-25, no updates in 2850 days) and carries classifiers for Python 2.7, 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7, making it a poor fit for modern Python environments.
- The repo is not archived but shows no active maintenance.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache 2.0 (permissive) — Licensed under Apache 2.0 (permissive), so you can use it freely in commercial and open-source projects without restriction, though the dormant status means no legal updates or security patches are forthcoming.
last release 2018-10-25 (2850 days) · last repo commit 2025-02-17 · 222 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 208,846 downloads/mo, #9,524 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install expects
from expects import expect, be_empty, equal
expect([]).to(be_empty)
expect('Foo').to(equal('Foo'))- Whether the package actually works on Python versions released after 3.7.
- Whether custom matchers can be defined and composed as the description suggests in practice.
- Current test coverage and whether the built-in matchers cover common assertion patterns.
What it is and what it does
Expects is a TDD/BDD assertion library that provides a fluent, composable syntax for writing test expectations. Instead of traditional assert statements, you use an `expect()` function paired with matchers (like `be_empty`, `equal`, `have_key`) chained with `.to()` or `.not_to()` to express what you expect from your code. The library supports combining matchers with `&` (and) and `|` (or) operators, and you can define custom matchers to extend its behavior.
The package has no runtime dependencies, making it lightweight to install. However, it is dormant—the last release was 2018-10-25, and it carries classifiers for Python 2.7, 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7, which are all end-of-life. No updates or security patches have been released in 2850 days, so using it on modern Python versions is risky and unsupported.
Use it for
- Writing readable BDD-style test assertions in test suites where fluent syntax improves clarity over raw assert statements.
- Defining custom matchers for domain-specific test assertions that are reusable across a test suite.
- Testing exception behavior with matchers like `raise_error` to verify that code fails as expected.
- Composing complex assertions on data structures (dicts, lists) using chainable matchers and logical operators.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No.
The package is dormant (last release 2018-10-25) and targets end-of-life Python versions (2.7, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7). Compatibility with later Python versions is unverified and likely broken. For modern TDD/BDD assertion libraries, consider actively maintained alternatives.
Install
expects on PyPI
Before you install
Installation friction is high—the package is dormant (last release 2018-10-25, no updates in 2850 days) and carries classifiers for Python 2.7, 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7, making it a poor fit for modern Python environments. The repo is not archived but shows no active maintenance.
The package targets Python 2.7, 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7; compatibility with later Python versions is unverified.
License in practice
Licensed under Apache 2.0 (permissive), so you can use it freely in commercial and open-source projects without restriction, though the dormant status means no legal updates or security patches are forthcoming.
Quickstart
pip install expects
from expects import expect, be_empty, equal
expect([]).to(be_empty)
expect('Foo').to(equal('Foo'))Verify before relying
- Whether the package actually works on Python versions released after 3.7.
- Whether custom matchers can be defined and composed as the description suggests in practice.
- Current test coverage and whether the built-in matchers cover common assertion patterns.
Package facts
| License | Apache 2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | High. Source build required |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 2,850 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 208,846 / month, #9,524 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: ImplementationProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: expects-0.9.0.tar.gz
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See also surer · sure · ensure · assertpy · great-expectations · great-expectations-experimental · busypie · spark-expectations · TestSlide · delayed-assert