pyreadline
A python implmementation of GNU readline.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
No. The package is abandoned (last release 2015) with no maintenance for nearly a decade, making it incompatible with modern Python versions. Windows now has better alternatives through IPython, Jupyter, or native improvements to the Python REPL. Install only if you are locked to Python 2.7 or 3.4–3.5 on legacy Windows systems with no other options.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Windows-only; requires Python 2.7 or 3.4–3.5 based on last tested versions; will not install or function on macOS or Linux.
- High install friction: platform-specific binary wheels (win32, win-amd64) are required; package is abandoned as of 2015 with no maintenance for nearly a decade, making compatibility with modern Python versions uncertain.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD (permissive) — BSD permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; suitable for most projects without licensing concerns.
last release 2015-09-16 (3985 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 258,595 downloads/mo, #8,427 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyreadline
import pyreadline- Whether package works with Python versions released after 3.5 (2015 release date suggests likely incompatibility).
- Current state of the GitHub repository and whether it remains the canonical source.
- Whether binary wheels are still available or if installation requires compilation.
What it is and what it does
Pyreadline is a pure-Python implementation of GNU readline for Windows, providing line-editing capabilities in interactive Python shells and console applications. It adds features like text selection with Shift+arrow keys, clipboard copy/paste, and keyboard shortcuts that would otherwise be unavailable on Windows consoles.
The package is Windows-specific and was last updated in 2015 to support Python 3.5. It has no runtime dependencies and installs as a binary wheel or source archive. However, the project is now abandoned with no active maintenance, making it unsuitable for modern Python versions or long-term use without significant risk of incompatibility.
Use it for
- Enhance interactive Python shell experience on Windows with readline-like editing and history navigation.
- Add clipboard-based paste functionality to Windows console applications, including multi-line code pasting.
- Enable text selection and copy operations in Python REPL on Windows using keyboard shortcuts.
- Support legacy Windows 2000/XP systems running Python 2.7 or early Python 3 versions.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
No.
The package is abandoned (last release 2015) with no maintenance for nearly a decade, making it incompatible with modern Python versions. Windows now has better alternatives through IPython, Jupyter, or native improvements to the Python REPL. Install only if you are locked to Python 2.7 or 3.4–3.5 on legacy Windows systems with no other options.
Install
pyreadline on PyPI
Before you install
High install friction: platform-specific binary wheels (win32, win-amd64) are required; package is abandoned as of 2015 with no maintenance for nearly a decade, making compatibility with modern Python versions uncertain.
Windows-only; requires Python 2.7 or 3.4–3.5 based on last tested versions; will not install or function on macOS or Linux.
License in practice
BSD permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; suitable for most projects without licensing concerns.
Quickstart
pip install pyreadline
import pyreadlineVerify before relying
- Whether package works with Python versions released after 3.5 (2015 release date suggests likely incompatibility).
- Current state of the GitHub repository and whether it remains the canonical source.
- Whether binary wheels are still available or if installation requires compilation.
Package facts
| License | BSD permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | High. Source build required |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 3,985 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 258,595 / month, #8,427 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.2Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5 |
Evidence: pyreadline-2.1.win32.exe; pyreadline-2.1.win-amd64.exe; pyreadline-2.1.zip
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See also pyreadline3 · pyrepl · readline · gnureadline · urwid-readline · pyperclip · fancycompleter · win_unicode_console · bpython · clipboard