pyreadline3
A python implementation of GNU readline.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you use Python interactively on Windows and want readline-like editing features. The package is actively maintained, has no dependencies, and carries a permissive BSD license. However, verify compatibility if you're on a non-Windows platform, as the package is explicitly tested only on Windows 10 despite supporting Python 3.8–3.12.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Primarily tested on Windows 10; functionality on other operating systems is not documented.
- Low friction installation with no runtime dependencies.
- Actively maintained as of 2026-05-14 with recent activity, though primarily tested on Windows 10.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD (permissive) — BSD license is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute this package freely in both open and closed projects with minimal restrictions.
last release 2026-05-14 (92 days) · last repo commit 2026-05-14 · 70 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 7,680,186 downloads/mo, #1,709 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyreadline3
import pyreadline3
# Enables readline-like functionality in interactive Python sessions- Whether pyreadline3 works reliably on non-Windows platforms despite Windows-specific classifier.
- Whether the package integrates automatically with Python's interactive mode or requires explicit activation.
- Current state of incomplete features mentioned in the original pyreadline package description.
What it is and what it does
pyreadline3 is a Python implementation of GNU readline functionality, forked from the stale pyreadline package and updated for modern Python versions. It adds keyboard-driven text editing, selection, and clipboard operations to Python's interactive console, with features like Shift+arrow selection, Ctrl+C copy activation, and multi-line code pasting. The package is built on ctypes and has been tested primarily on Windows 10.
It targets developers who need enhanced console input handling in Python environments, particularly on Windows where readline is not natively available. The package requires Python 3.8 or later and has no external runtime dependencies, making installation straightforward. It remains under active maintenance with recent commits, though the description notes the original implementation is incomplete.
Use it for
- Enhance interactive Python REPL sessions on Windows with text selection and copy/paste.
- Enable Shift+arrow key text selection in Windows console applications using Python.
- Paste multi-line code into Python interactive mode with automatic empty-line removal.
- Configure clipboard behavior for IPython-like tab-separated data pasting as lists or arrays.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you use Python interactively on Windows and want readline-like editing features.
The package is actively maintained, has no dependencies, and carries a permissive BSD license. However, verify compatibility if you're on a non-Windows platform, as the package is explicitly tested only on Windows 10 despite supporting Python 3.8–3.12.
Install
pyreadline3 on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction installation with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained as of 2026-05-14 with recent activity, though primarily tested on Windows 10.
Primarily tested on Windows 10; functionality on other operating systems is not documented.
License in practice
BSD license is permissive; you may use, modify, and distribute this package freely in both open and closed projects with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install pyreadline3
import pyreadline3
# Enables readline-like functionality in interactive Python sessionsVerify before relying
- Whether pyreadline3 works reliably on non-Windows platforms despite Windows-specific classifier.
- Whether the package integrates automatically with Python's interactive mode or requires explicit activation.
- Current state of incomplete features mentioned in the original pyreadline package description.
Package facts
| License | BSD permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 92 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 7,680,186 / month, #1,709 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 :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9 |
Evidence: pyreadline3-3.5.6-py3-none-any.whl
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See also pyreadline · urwid-readline · pyrepl · gnureadline · fancycompleter · readline · win_unicode_console · pyperclip · tabcompleter · bpython