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openstep-parser

OpenStep plist reader into python objects

openstep-parser v2.0.3 94.3K downloads/30d#13,333 on PyPI18
Permissive license MIT AGING released

What it is and what it does

OpenStep Parser reads Xcode project files (pbxproj) and converts them into Python objects, eliminating the need to shell out to system utilities or parse raw text. It implements the OpenStep plist format reader, making Xcode project data directly accessible within Python code.

The package is useful for automation, build system integration, or programmatic inspection of Xcode projects. With no runtime dependencies and a pure-Python implementation, it integrates cleanly into CI/CD pipelines and development tools. It requires Python 3.10 or later and has remained stable across its decade-long history.

Use it for:

  • Automate Xcode project configuration changes or dependency updates without manual editing
  • Extract metadata from pbxproj files for build system integration or reporting
  • Validate or audit Xcode project structure and settings in CI/CD workflows
  • Generate or modify Xcode projects programmatically from Python build tools

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

Parses Xcode project files (OpenStep format) directly in Python without requiring system command utilities or external tools.

Yes, if you need to parse Xcode projects in Python. Low install friction, no dependencies, permissive MIT license, and no known vulnerabilities make it safe to add. Maintenance is aging (last release 308 days ago), so verify the package handles your specific Xcode version before relying on it for critical automation.

Install

openstep-parser on PyPI

pip

pip install openstep-parser

uv

uv add openstep-parser

poetry

poetry add openstep-parser

Installing openstep-parser

Before you install

Low friction install with no runtime dependencies. Maintenance is aging—last release was 308 days ago—but the repository remains active and the package has been stable since its 2015 initial release.

License in practice

MIT license permits free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions, making it safe for both open-source and commercial projects.

Quickstart

pip install openstep-parser

from openstep_parser import OpenStepParser
parser = OpenStepParser()
project = parser.parse('path/to/project.pbxproj')

Requires Python 3.10 or later.

Verify before relying

  • Scope of OpenStep format support and any known parsing limitations or edge cases
  • Whether the package handles all Xcode project variants or only specific versions

Package facts

License MIT (permissive)
Python support supports the current Python release (>=3.10)
Install friction low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies none
Maintenance aging — 308 days since the last release
Last repo commit
First released
Downloads 94,334/month — #13,333 on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-14)
Known vulnerabilities none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14)

Evidence: openstep_parser-2.0.3-py3-none-any.whl

Tags

xcode project parseropenStep plist readerparse xcode pbxprojxcode project manipulationplist to python objects
xcodebuild-automationplist

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