mac-alias
Generate/parse macOS Alias records from Python
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are working on macOS and need to generate or parse Alias or Bookmark records. The package is stable, has no dependencies, installs easily, carries a permissive MIT license, and is actively maintained. It is not useful on non-macOS platforms.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- macOS only; not portable to other platforms
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
- Actively maintained with recent commits and support for current Python versions.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with minimal legal friction.
last release 2025-12-04 (253 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-02 · 26 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 180,789 downloads/mo, #10,141 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install mac-alias
import mac_alias
# Generate or read binary Alias and Bookmark records- Whether the package works on non-macOS systems despite documentation stating it is not portable to other platforms
- Performance characteristics when working with large numbers of alias or bookmark records
What it is and what it does
mac_alias is a pure-Python library for generating and parsing binary Alias and Bookmark records, which are macOS file reference formats. It lets you read metadata about file references and create new alias records programmatically from Python code. The package is macOS-specific; while written in pure Python, it relies on OS X-specific code paths to generate proper Alias or Bookmark records for files, making it unsuitable for cross-platform use.
The library has no runtime dependencies and installs cleanly as a wheel. It supports modern Python versions and is actively maintained, with recent repository activity. It is useful for tools that need to interact with macOS file aliases or bookmarks at the binary level, such as disk image builders or file management utilities.
Use it for
- Build macOS disk images that include file aliases pointing to specific locations
- Parse existing Alias or Bookmark records to extract file reference metadata
- Programmatically create file shortcuts for macOS applications
- Integrate file alias handling into macOS-specific automation or installer scripts
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are working on macOS and need to generate or parse Alias or Bookmark records.
The package is stable, has no dependencies, installs easily, carries a permissive MIT license, and is actively maintained. It is not useful on non-macOS platforms.
Install
mac-alias on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained with recent commits and support for current Python versions.
macOS only; not portable to other platforms
License in practice
MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with minimal legal friction.
Quickstart
pip install mac-alias
import mac_alias
# Generate or read binary Alias and Bookmark recordsVerify before relying
- Whether the package works on non-macOS systems despite documentation stating it is not portable to other platforms
- Performance characteristics when working with large numbers of alias or bookmark records
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 253 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 180,789 / month, #10,141 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/StableProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.15Topic :: Desktop EnvironmentTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: mac_alias-2.2.3-py3-none-any.whl
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