pathlib-abc

Backport of pathlib ABCs

pathlib-abc Permissive license 1. This LICENSE AGREEMENT is between the Python Software Foundation ("PSF"), and the Individual or Organization ("Licensee") accessing and otherwise using this software ("Python") in source or binary… (full text in the JSON record) AGING ★ 33 v0.5.2 released 2025-10-10

Install

pathlib-abc on PyPI

pip

pip install pathlib-abc

uv

uv add pathlib-abc

poetry

poetry add pathlib-abc

Package facts

License	1. This LICENSE AGREEMENT is between the Python Software Foundation ("PSF"), and the Individual or Organization ("Licensee") accessing and otherwise using this software ("Python") in source or binary… (full text in the JSON record) (permissive)
Python support	supports the current Python release (>=3.9)
Install friction	low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies	none
Maintenance	aging — 307 days since the last release
Last repo commit	2025-10-10
First released	2023-12-27
Popularity	one of the top 1,000 most-downloaded packages on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-13)
Known vulnerabilities	none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-13)

Evidence: pathlib_abc-0.5.2-py3-none-any.whl

Intended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: Python Software Foundation LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3

About pathlib-abc

from the package's own PyPI description — quoted content, verbatim

=========== pathlib-abc ===========

|pypi| |docs|

Base classes for pathlib.Path-ish objects. Requires Python 3.9+.

This package is a preview of pathlib functionality planned for a future release of Python; specifically, it provides three ABCs that can be used to implement path classes for non-local filesystems, such as archive files and storage servers:

JoinablePath Abstract base class for paths that do not perform I/O. ReadablePath Abstract base class for paths that support reading. WritablePath Abstract base class for paths that support writing.

These base classes are under active development. Once the base classes reach maturity, they may become part of the Python standard library, and this package will continue to provide a backport for older Python releases.

Contributing

Functional changes must be made in the upstream CPython project, and undergo their usual CLA + code review process. Once a change lands in CPython, it can be back-ported here.

Other changes (such as CI improvements) can be made as pull requests to this project.

.. |pypi| image:: https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/pathlib-abc.svg :target:...

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AI interpretation — verify before relying

AI-generated interpretation of the package facts above; every digit, version, license, or vulnerability id it cites is grounded in the facts already shown on this page

Provides abstract base classes for implementing pathlib-like path objects for non-local filesystems such as archives and storage servers, with support for reading and writing operations.

Low friction: pure Python wheel with no runtime dependencies. Maintenance is aging—last release was 307 days ago, though the repository remains active with recent commits and the package is explicitly positioned as a CPython backport under active upstream development.

Licensed under the Python Software Foundation License (permissive). Derivative works must retain PSF copyright notice and summarize changes; no restrictions on commercial use or modification.

Usage

pip install pathlib-abc==0.5.2

from pathlib_abc import JoinablePath

class CustomPath(JoinablePath):
    pass

Requires Python 3.9 or later.

Verdict: A lightweight, permissively licensed backport of planned pathlib ABCs for Python 3.9+. No dependencies and no known vulnerabilities make it low-risk to adopt. Maintenance is aging but aligned with its role as a CPython preview; functional changes flow from upstream. Best suited for projects needing custom path abstractions for non-filesystem sources.

Needs verification

Whether the three ABC classes (JoinablePath, ReadablePath, WritablePath) are stable enough for production use or still subject to breaking changes.
Expected timeline for these ABCs to be incorporated into the Python standard library and impact on this package's future support.

pathlib abstract base classcustom path implementationarchive path handlingremote filesystem abstractionjoinable readable writable pathpathlib backportnon-local filesystem paths