jsonpath-rw
A robust and significantly extended implementation of JSONPath for Python, with a clear AST for metaprogramming.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No, not for new projects. While the library is functionally complete and permissively licensed, it has been abandoned since 2015 with no maintenance for over a decade. The classifiers claim support only up to Python 3.3, and there is no evidence of compatibility with modern Python versions. High install friction combined with zero maintenance makes this a poor choice when maintained alternatives exist.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- PLY (the underlying parsing toolkit) does not work with docstrings removed; PYTHONOPTIMIZE=2 and python -OO will cause failures.
- High install friction due to source distribution.
- Package is abandoned as of 2015 with no updates in over a decade; maintenance status is a significant concern for new projects.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache 2.0 (permissive) — Licensed under Apache 2.0 (permissive), allowing use in commercial and proprietary projects with minimal restrictions.
last release 2015-04-19 (4135 days) · last repo commit 2021-06-25 · 610 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 4,130,391 downloads/mo, #2,375 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install jsonpath-rw
from jsonpath_rw import parse
jsonpath_expr = parse('foo[*].baz')
matches = jsonpath_expr.find({'foo': [{'baz': 1}, {'baz': 2}]})
values = [match.value for match in matches]- Whether the library works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.3 despite classifiers claiming only up to 3.3
- Current compatibility with modern Python versions and whether the PLY docstring requirement remains an issue
- Whether the segfault reported with PyPy has been resolved or remains a blocker
What it is and what it does
jsonpath-rw is a full language implementation of JSONPath for Python, treating expressions as first-class objects that can be parsed, analyzed, transformed, and executed. Unlike regex-based alternatives, it provides a robust parser that enables powerful extensions and metaprogramming. The library extracts values from JSON structures using path expressions like `foo[*].baz`, and returns match objects that retain full path information and context, allowing you to reconstruct where each matched value came from in the original document.
The package supports an extended JSONPath syntax including operators like `where`, `|` (union), and `..` (recursive descent), plus named operators like `parent`. You can parse expressions from strings or build them programmatically using classes like `Fields`, `Slice`, and `Index`. It also offers automatic ID generation for data fragments that lack explicit identifiers, assigning them unique JSONPath-based IDs instead.
Use it for
- Extract specific fields from deeply nested JSON API responses without manual dictionary traversal
- Build data transformation pipelines that query JSON documents using path expressions and preserve full context
- Programmatically generate JSONPath expressions in code for dynamic JSON querying without string parsing
- Implement automatic ID assignment for JSON data fragments to enable tracking and referencing
- Analyze JSON document structure and generate reports on matched paths and their locations
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No, not for new projects.
While the library is functionally complete and permissively licensed, it has been abandoned since 2015 with no maintenance for over a decade. The classifiers claim support only up to Python 3.3, and there is no evidence of compatibility with modern Python versions. High install friction combined with zero maintenance makes this a poor choice when maintained alternatives exist.
Install
jsonpath-rw on PyPI
Before you install
High install friction due to source distribution. Package is abandoned as of 2015 with no updates in over a decade; maintenance status is a significant concern for new projects.
PLY (the underlying parsing toolkit) does not work with docstrings removed; PYTHONOPTIMIZE=2 and python -OO will cause failures.
License in practice
Licensed under Apache 2.0 (permissive), allowing use in commercial and proprietary projects with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install jsonpath-rw
from jsonpath_rw import parse
jsonpath_expr = parse('foo[*].baz')
matches = jsonpath_expr.find({'foo': [{'baz': 1}, {'baz': 2}]})
values = [match.value for match in matches]Verify before relying
- Whether the library works reliably with Python versions beyond 3.3 despite classifiers claiming only up to 3.3
- Current compatibility with modern Python versions and whether the PLY docstring requirement remains an issue
- Whether the segfault reported with PyPy has been resolved or remains a blocker
Package facts
| License | Apache 2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | High. Source build required |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 4,135 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 4,130,391 / month, #2,375 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 LicenseProgramming Language :: Python :: 2Programming Language :: Python :: 2.6Programming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.2Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3 |
Evidence: jsonpath-rw-1.4.0.tar.gz
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See also jsonpath-ng · jsonpath-rw-ext · jsonpath-python · bc-jsonpath-ng · jsonpath · jsonpath-rfc9535 · python-jsonpath · objectpath · robotframework-jsonlibrary · httsleep