ipython_genutils
Vestigial utilities from IPython
What it is and what it does
ipython_genutils is a collection of utility functions that originated in IPython but were extracted into a separate package. The package itself carries an explicit warning in its description stating "Pretend this doesn't exist. Nobody should use it," which reflects its status as legacy code maintained only for backward compatibility with older projects that may still import from it.
The package has no runtime dependencies and installs with low friction, but it has been abandoned since 2017-03-13 with no active development or maintenance. It exists primarily as a compatibility shim for code written when these utilities were part of IPython proper, not as a recommended tool for new development.
Use it for:
- Maintaining compatibility with legacy code that imports from ipython_genutils without refactoring
- Bridging older projects when direct migration away from deprecated utilities is not immediately possible
- Temporary dependency resolution in projects undergoing transition away from these utilities
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Provides legacy utility functions extracted from IPython, maintained only for backward compatibility with older code.
No. The package's own description advises against use, it has been abandoned since 2017-03-13, and no new development should depend on it. If you encounter it as a transitive dependency, investigate whether the upstream package has a newer version that no longer requires it.
Install
ipython-genutils on PyPI
pip
pip install ipython-genutilsuv
uv add ipython-genutilspoetry
poetry add ipython-genutilsInstalling ipython_genutils
Before you install
Install friction is low, but the package has been abandoned since 2017-03-13 with no active maintenance, meaning no security updates or bug fixes are forthcoming.
License in practice
Licensed under BSD (permissive), so there are no legal restrictions on use, but this does not offset the maintenance and support risk.
Quickstart
pip install ipython_genutils==0.2.0
import ipython_genutils
Package is abandoned and not recommended for new code; only install if required by legacy dependencies.
Verify before relying
- Whether active projects still depend on this package and what their migration strategies are
- Whether the utilities provided have been superseded by functionality in other maintained packages
Package facts
| License | BSD (permissive) |
| Python support | not specified |
| Install friction | low — pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | none |
| Maintenance | abandoned — 3,441 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 6,913,793/month — #1,813 on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-14) |
| Known vulnerabilities | none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14) |
Evidence: ipython_genutils-0.2.0-py2.py3-none-any.whl
Keywords: Interactive, Interpreter, Shell, Web
Tags
More Utilities packages
Converts domain names between Unicode and…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
charset-normalizerDetects and normalizes text encoding from…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
setuptoolsSetuptools is a Python build backend and…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
pluggyPluggy provides a plugin system that lets you…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
PygmentsPygments is a syntax highlighter that colorizes…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
sixSix provides utility functions to write Python…
permissive · top 100 on PyPI
shutilsProvides utility tools for Python development,…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
pymiscutilsProvides a collection of utility classes and…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
fpyutilsfpyutils provides a collection of utility…
copyleft · top 15,000 on PyPI
nr-utilnr.util provides general-purpose utility…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
dacktoolDacktool provides unspecified Python utilities…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
ipythonIPython is an enhanced interactive Python shell…
permissive · top 1,000 on PyPI
enum-compatConditionally installs enum34 on Python…
permissive · top 5,000 on PyPI
snowflake._legacyProvides temporary backward compatibility for…
permissive · top 5,000 on PyPI
wimpyWimpy provides a collection of commonly reused…
permissive · top 15,000 on PyPI
langchain-classicProvides legacy LangChain chains, community…
permissive · top 1,000 on PyPI