json-ref-dict
Python dict-like object which abstracts resolution of JSONSchema references
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No. The package is in abandoned maintenance (no releases in over a year, only 11 stars), and its Python support is unspecified beyond a 2019 test claim for Python 3.6. While the core idea is sound and the MIT license is permissive, the lack of active maintenance and unclear compatibility with current Python versions make it a risky choice for new projects. Consider alternatives that are actively maintained.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- PyYAML is optional; without it, only JSON documents can be loaded.
- Package is tested for Python 3.6 but current Python support is unspecified.
- Low install friction with a single runtime dependency (jsonpointer).
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for both open-source and proprietary projects.
last release 2023-08-06 (1104 days) · last repo commit 2023-08-06 · 11 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 544,600 downloads/mo, #6,081 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
from json_ref_dict import RefDict
schema = RefDict("master.yaml#/definitions")
resolved = schema["remote_ref"] # Lazily resolves $ref- Whether the package works reliably with modern Python versions beyond 3.6
- Current state of cyclical reference handling and whether it causes issues in practice
- Performance characteristics with large or deeply nested schemas
What it is and what it does
json-ref-dict wraps JSONSchema documents in a dict-like object that transparently resolves `$ref` references on access rather than upfront. This allows you to work with schemas as if all references were already expanded, even when they span multiple files or remote URLs, without loading the entire document into memory first.
The package handles local filesystem paths, HTTP(S) URLs, and YAML or JSON formats (YAML requires PyYAML to be installed separately). It also provides a `materialize()` function to eagerly resolve all references into a plain dict if you need to cache or persist the result. The lazy resolution model means you can work with potentially infinite or circular schema structures without explicit reference-chasing code.
Use it for
- Load and navigate complex JSONSchema specifications that split definitions across multiple files without manually resolving each reference.
- Build schema validation tools that need to follow `$ref` pointers transparently while keeping memory usage low.
- Cache or persist a fully-resolved schema by materializing a RefDict into a plain dictionary for later use.
- Work with remote JSONSchema definitions (e.g., from json-schema.org) as if they were local, with references resolved on demand.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No.
The package is in abandoned maintenance (no releases in over a year, only 11 stars), and its Python support is unspecified beyond a 2019 test claim for Python 3.6. While the core idea is sound and the MIT license is permissive, the lack of active maintenance and unclear compatibility with current Python versions make it a risky choice for new projects. Consider alternatives that are actively maintained.
Install
json-ref-dict on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a single runtime dependency (jsonpointer). However, the package is in abandoned maintenance status with no releases since 2023-08-06 and only 11 repository stars, suggesting limited active use or community support.
PyYAML is optional; without it, only JSON documents can be loaded. Package is tested for Python 3.6 but current Python support is unspecified.
License in practice
MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for both open-source and proprietary projects.
Quickstart
from json_ref_dict import RefDict
schema = RefDict("master.yaml#/definitions")
resolved = schema["remote_ref"] # Lazily resolves $refVerify before relying
- Whether the package works reliably with modern Python versions beyond 3.6
- Current state of cyclical reference handling and whether it causes issues in practice
- Performance characteristics with large or deeply nested schemas
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagejsonpointer |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 1,104 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 544,600 / month, #6,081 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 3 - AlphaIntended Audience :: DevelopersProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.6 |
Evidence: json_ref_dict-0.7.2-py3-none-any.whl
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See also referencing · sphinx-jsonschema · jsonref · jsonschema-spec · json-spec · marshmallow-jsonschema · jsonschema-path · jsonschema-typed-v2 · check-jsonschema · jsonmerge