pyliblzfse
Python bindings for the LZFSE reference implementation
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need LZFSE or LZVN decompression and are using Python 3.7+ on macOS or Windows. The library is lightweight, has no dependencies, and carries permissive MIT licensing. However, the project is abandoned since 2020-07-09 and no longer maintained—do not expect bug fixes or compatibility updates for future Python versions. For production use, verify that version 0.4.1 works with your target Python version before committing to it.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Input data must be in LZFSE or LZVN format (typically starting with 'bvx*' or 'bvx$' markers).
- Medium install friction due to compiled wheels; prebuilt binaries available for Python 3.7+ on macOS and Windows, but older Python versions or other platforms may require compilation.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license permits free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions—suitable for most projects.
last release 2020-07-09 (2227 days) · last repo commit 2020-07-09 · 18 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 130,612 downloads/mo, #11,634 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyliblzfse
import liblzfse
try:
decompressed = liblzfse.decompress(compressed_data)
except liblzfse.error:
print('Decompression failed')- Whether compression is supported or only decompression is available.
- Current maintenance status and whether security patches or bug fixes are still being applied.
- Compatibility with Python versions released after 2020.
What it is and what it does
pyliblzfse is a thin Python wrapper around Apple's LZFSE reference implementation, exposing functions for the LZFSE and LZVN algorithms. It ships with prebuilt wheels for Python 3.7+ on macOS and Windows, eliminating the need for a C compiler on those platforms. The library has no runtime dependencies beyond Python itself, making it lightweight to add to a project. Use it by importing and calling the available functions with byte data, handling the error exception if the operation fails.
The project has been abandoned since its latest release on 2020-07-09, with no commits or updates since then. While there are no known security vulnerabilities, the lack of active maintenance means bug fixes and compatibility updates with newer Python versions are unlikely to be addressed.
Use it for
- Decompress LZFSE-compressed data from Apple system files or archives in forensic workflows.
- Integrate LZFSE decompression into tools that work with macOS backup or system image formats.
- Work with LZVN-encoded payloads in applications that need Apple's compression standards.
- Validate or inspect LZFSE-compressed data as part of a larger data processing pipeline.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need LZFSE or LZVN decompression and are using Python 3.7+ on macOS or Windows.
The library is lightweight, has no dependencies, and carries permissive MIT licensing. However, the project is abandoned since 2020-07-09 and no longer maintained—do not expect bug fixes or compatibility updates for future Python versions. For production use, verify that version 0.4.1 works with your target Python version before committing to it.
Install
pyliblzfse on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled wheels; prebuilt binaries available for Python 3.7+ on macOS and Windows, but older Python versions or other platforms may require compilation.
Input data must be in LZFSE or LZVN format (typically starting with 'bvx*' or 'bvx$' markers).
License in practice
MIT license permits free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions—suitable for most projects.
Quickstart
pip install pyliblzfse
import liblzfse
try:
decompressed = liblzfse.decompress(compressed_data)
except liblzfse.error:
print('Decompression failed')Verify before relying
- Whether compression is supported or only decompression is available.
- Current maintenance status and whether security patches or bug fixes are still being applied.
- Compatibility with Python versions released after 2020.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 2,227 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 130,612 / month, #11,634 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
Evidence: pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_9_universal2.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_9_universal2.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_13_universal2.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp313-cp313-macosx_10_13_universal2.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp36-cp36m-macosx_10_6_intel.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp36-cp36m-win32.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp36-cp36m-win_amd64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp37-cp37m-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp37-cp37m-win32.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp37-cp37m-win_amd64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp38-cp38-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp38-cp38-win32.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp38-cp38-win_amd64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp39-cp39-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; pyliblzfse-0.4.1-cp39-cp39-win_amd64.whl
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See also lzfse · apple-compress · python-neo-lzf · lzallright · pylzss · zlib-ng · deflate · brotlicffi · ncompress