---
id: openstep-parser
version: "2.0.3"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# openstep-parser — OpenStep plist reader into python objects

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 94.3K/mo

## 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 above — 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

pip install openstep-parser
uv add openstep-parser
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_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 94.3K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

xcode project parser, openStep plist reader, parse xcode pbxproj, xcode project manipulation, plist to python objects, xcode, build-automation, plist

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