---
id: jupyterlite-core
version: "0.8.1"
license: BSD 3-Clause License Copyright (c) 2021-, JupyterLite Contributors All rights reserved. Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that… (full text in the JSON record)
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# jupyterlite-core

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 162.4K/mo

## What it is and what it does

jupyterlite-core is the foundation package for JupyterLite, a system that packages Jupyter environments to run entirely in a web browser without a backend server. It provides the CLI tool (jupyter-lite) and the build infrastructure needed to create and deploy JupyterLite websites, along with extension points for custom addons. The package depends on doit (a task automation tool), jupyter-core (Jupyter's base utilities), and pycparser (a C parser for handling low-level dependencies).

This is primarily a build-time and deployment tool for developers and site maintainers who want to create browser-based Jupyter environments. It's not a runtime library for end users of Jupyter notebooks, but rather the toolchain that powers the creation of such environments.

Use it for:

- Build and deploy a JupyterLite website that runs Jupyter notebooks in the browser without a server.
- Create custom JupyterLite addons and extensions using the documented extension points.
- Automate the build process for browser-based Jupyter environments using the jupyter-lite CLI.
- Package Python environments with Pyodide to run scientific code directly in the browser.
- Host interactive documentation or educational materials as a serverless Jupyter interface.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Provides the core build and CLI infrastructure for JupyterLite, a browser-based Jupyter environment that runs in the browser without a server.

Yes, if you are building or deploying JupyterLite sites or custom addons. The package is actively maintained, has low install friction, carries a permissive license, and supports current Python versions. It has no known vulnerabilities. Install only if you need the build toolchain; end users of JupyterLite sites do not need this package.

## Install

pip install jupyterlite-core
uv add jupyterlite-core
poetry add jupyterlite-core

## Installing jupyterlite-core

Before you install: Low friction install with active maintenance. Released recently (37 days ago) with a stable repository (4871 stars) and current Python version support (3.10–3.14). Three runtime dependencies—doit, jupyter-core, pycparser—are all lightweight.

License in practice: BSD 3-Clause License permits commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; you must retain copyright and license notices in source distributions.

Quickstart:

pip install jupyterlite-core

from jupyterlite_core import __version__
print(__version__)

# Or use the CLI:
# jupyter lite build --help

Requires Python 3.10 or later.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the package includes pre-built binaries or requires compilation of pycparser on installation.
- Whether doit is used only at build time or also required at runtime for end users.

## Package facts

- License: BSD 3-Clause License Copyright (c) 2021-, JupyterLite Contributors All rights reserved. Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that… (full text in the JSON record) (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 162.4K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

jupyterlite build tools, browser jupyter notebook, jupyter lite cli, serverless jupyter environment, jupyterlite extension points, jupyter in browser, jupyterlite site builder, jupyter-ecosystem, browser-based, build-tool

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/jupyterlite-core) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/jupyterlite-core/)