ipython
IPython: Productive Interactive Computing
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. IPython is a foundational tool in the Python ecosystem with no known vulnerabilities, permissive licensing, low install friction, and active maintenance. Install it if you work interactively with Python, use Jupyter, or want to embed a rich shell in your application.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.11 or later.
- Low install friction with 11 runtime dependencies delivered as a pure Python wheel.
- Actively maintained with a recent release (11 days old) and steady commit activity; the project has 16774 stars and is in the top 1000 PyPI packages by download volume.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD-3-Clause (permissive) — BSD-3-Clause is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute IPython with minimal restrictions, provided you retain the license notice.
last release 2026-08-03 (11 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-07 · 16,774 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 172,926,443 downloads/mo, #246 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install ipython
from IPython import embed
embed() # Drop into an interactive IPython shell at this point in your code- Whether the 11 runtime dependencies (colorama, jedi, prompt_toolkit, pygments, etc.) introduce any transitive security or maintenance concerns not visible in the OSV record.
What it is and what it does
IPython is a mature, widely-used interactive Python environment that extends the standard Python REPL with features like object introspection, persistent session history, smart tab completion, and extensible 'magic' commands. It serves as both a standalone shell and the kernel powering Jupyter notebooks and other interactive frontends. The package integrates system shell access, pdb debugger, and Python profiler access, making it useful for exploratory coding, data analysis, and interactive development.
The package depends on 11 runtime libraries including jedi for code completion, prompt_toolkit for terminal UI, pygments for syntax highlighting, and traitlets for configuration. It requires Python 3.11 or later and is actively maintained with recent releases. IPython is embedded in many scientific and development workflows, from interactive data exploration to embedded shells in larger applications.
Use it for
- Interactive data exploration and prototyping in scientific computing workflows.
- Debugging Python code by embedding an IPython shell at breakpoints in your application.
- Running Jupyter notebooks and lab environments that depend on the IPython kernel.
- Building command-line tools with rich interactive shells and tab completion.
- Teaching and learning Python with enhanced introspection and history features.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
IPython is a foundational tool in the Python ecosystem with no known vulnerabilities, permissive licensing, low install friction, and active maintenance. Install it if you work interactively with Python, use Jupyter, or want to embed a rich shell in your application.
Install
ipython on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with 11 runtime dependencies delivered as a pure Python wheel. Actively maintained with a recent release (11 days old) and steady commit activity; the project has 16774 stars and is in the top 1000 PyPI packages by download volume.
Requires Python 3.11 or later.
License in practice
BSD-3-Clause is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute IPython with minimal restrictions, provided you retain the license notice.
Quickstart
pip install ipython
from IPython import embed
embed() # Drop into an interactive IPython shell at this point in your codeVerify before relying
- Whether the 11 runtime dependencies (colorama, jedi, prompt_toolkit, pygments, etc.) introduce any transitive security or maintenance concerns not visible in the OSV record.
Package facts
| License | BSD-3-Clause permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.11 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 11 packagescoloramaipython-pygments-lexersjedimatplotlib-inlinepexpectprompt_toolkitpsutilpygmentsstack_datatraitletstyping_extensions |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 11 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 172,926,443 / month, #246 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Framework :: IPythonFramework :: JupyterIntended Audience :: DevelopersIntended Audience :: Science/ResearchProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyTopic :: System :: Shells |
Evidence: ipython-9.16.1-py3-none-any.whl
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