---
id: mac-alias
version: "2.2.3"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# mac-alias — Generate/parse macOS Alias records from Python

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 180.8K/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

mac_alias generates and reads binary Alias and Bookmark records for macOS files from Python code.

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

pip install mac-alias
uv add mac-alias
poetry add mac-alias

## Installing mac-alias

Before you install: Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained with recent commits and support for current Python versions.

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 records

macOS only; not portable to other platforms

Verify 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_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 180.8K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

macos alias records python, read write mac bookmark, macos file alias generation, alias record parser, macos file reference metadata, macos-specific, file-metadata

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