bpython

library0.26pypypi✓ verified 85d ago

bpython is a lightweight Python interpreter that provides a fancy curses-based interface to the standard Python REPL. It enhances the interactive experience with features such as syntax highlighting, expected parameter lists, auto-indentation, and autocompletion. It also includes unique functionalities like 'rewind' (undoing the last line), code pastebin, and in-editor session editing. The library is actively maintained, with version 0.26 being the latest release, and new versions often focus on supporting the latest Python releases.

testing

pip install bpython

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗docs ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · BPYTHON

bpython

testingpythonv0.26

Install

3.7s avg

Import

—

Disk

41MB

Pass rate

10/ 10

Env Coverage10 / 10

glibc

3.9–3.13

musl

3.9–3.13

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v0.26 · pip install

no network on importno background threads

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

py 3.10–3.920 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 0.000s · 46.5MB

glibc

py 3.10–3.920 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 3.7s · import 0.000s · 44MB

41MB installed

● package 41MB

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

bpython (command line)

✓ $ bpython

The primary way to use bpython is by running it directly from your terminal.

embed

✓ from bpython import embed

✗ import bpython.embed # direct import without 'from'

The 'embed' function is typically imported directly from the bpython package for programmatic use. Direct import of bpython.embed as a module might work but is not the idiomatic way to access the function.

While bpython is most commonly started by typing `bpython` in the terminal, you can also embed it programmatically within your Python scripts. This allows you to drop into an interactive bpython session at a specific point in your code, with access to local variables, useful for debugging or interactive exploration.

import bpython def my_function(x, y): return x * y print("Starting bpython embedded session...") # You can pass a dictionary of local variables to the embed function bpython.embed(locals={'my_func': my_function, 'value': 10}) print("Exited bpython embedded session.")

bpython --version

Debug

Known issues

breakingbpython version 0.26 and newer dropped support for Python 3.9. If you are on Python 3.9, you must use an older version of bpython (e.g., 0.25) or upgrade your Python interpreter. This contradicts the general PyPI 'requires_python: >=3.9' but is explicit in release notes.

fix

Upgrade Python to 3.10+ or downgrade bpython to 0.25 or earlier for Python 3.9 compatibility.

affects: 0.26+

breakingThe `bpython-cli` rendering backend was entirely removed in version 0.25, following its deprecation in 0.19. If you were explicitly using this backend, your setup will break.

fix

Migrate to the default `curses` backend or the deprecated `urwid` backend if necessary.

affects: 0.25+

breakingSupport for Python 2 was completely dropped in version 0.21. Attempts to run bpython 0.21 or newer with Python 2 will fail.

fix

Upgrade to Python 3 (preferably 3.10+ for current bpython versions).

affects: 0.21+

breakingSupport for Python 3.7 and 3.8 was dropped in version 0.25. Users on these Python versions must use an older bpython release (e.g., 0.24) or upgrade their Python interpreter.

fix

Upgrade Python to 3.10+ or downgrade bpython to 0.24 or earlier for Python 3.7/3.8 compatibility.

affects: 0.25+

gotchaFor clipboard functionality (copy/paste from/to bpython), the `pyperclip` package must be installed separately. Without it, clipboard operations will not work.

fix

Run `pip install pyperclip` in your environment.

affects: All versions

gotchaPrior to version 0.22, the `bpython.embed()` function did not correctly honor local variables passed to it when embedded within a script. This meant the embedded session might not have access to the expected local scope.

fix

Upgrade to bpython 0.22 or newer to ensure `embed()` correctly respects the `locals` argument. (Fixed in #841 and released in 0.22).

affects: <0.22

Errors

Common errors & fixes

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'configparser'

This typically occurs on older Python 2.7 installations (especially on macOS) when an outdated 'six' package (pre-1.5) is loaded, preventing the 'configparser' module from being correctly found.

fix

Ensure a sufficiently new version of the 'six' package is available in your Python environment. On macOS with Python 2.7, adding `export PYTHONPATH=/Library/Python/2.7/site-packages/:$PYTHONPATH` to your `~/.bashrc` or `~/.zshrc` can help resolve the `sys.path` issue. Upgrading your Python version is also recommended.

pkg_resources.DistributionNotFound: ndg-httpsclient

This error arises when the 'ndg-httpsclient' dependency, required by 'pyOpenSSL', fails to install correctly. It's often observed with older Python versions (like 2.6.X) and 'pip' versions where dependency resolution was less robust.

fix

Manually install the missing dependencies: `pip install pyOpenSSL pyasn1 ndg-httpsclient`. Upgrading your Python installation to 2.7.7 or newer is also recommended to avoid this issue.

Upload failed: hostname 'bpaste.net' doesn't match either of '*.qabana.nl', 'qabana.nl'

This pastebin upload error is commonly caused by a lack of SNI (Server Name Indication) support in the Python 'requests' library, which can occur with older Python versions. The default pastebin service (bpaste.net) might also have updated its SSL certificates or moved, leading to hostname mismatches.

fix

Upgrade your Python installation to version 2.7.7 or newer, and ensure 'pyOpenSSL', 'pyasn1', and 'ndg-httpsclient' are installed to provide necessary SSL/TLS capabilities.

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'readline'

The 'readline' module provides advanced line editing and history features, but it is primarily a Unix-specific module and is not available by default on Windows. This leads to missing functionality or errors when bpython attempts to use it on Windows.

fix

On Windows, bpython's full functionality may be limited. While 'pyreadline3' can provide 'readline'-like features for general Python, bpython on Windows often requires specific workarounds. Install `windows-curses` (`pip install windows-curses`) and run `bpython-curses` instead of `bpython` from your terminal.

AttributeError: 'FakeOutput' object has no attribute 'encoding'

This specific 'AttributeError' occurs when bpython's internal `FakeOutput` object, which replaces `sys.stdout` for its interactive features, is accessed for an 'encoding' attribute that it doesn't possess, unlike a standard `sys.stdout` object.

fix

This was an internal bug in older bpython versions. The primary fix is to ensure you are using the latest version of bpython (0.26) as such issues are typically resolved in newer releases.

Upgrade

Version history

0.26latest on PyPI · released Oct 28, 2025

Audit

Dependencies

PygmentsrequiredRequired for syntax highlighting.

curtsiesrequiredRequired for the terminal interface, version >=0.4.0.

greenletrequiredRequired for core functionality.

pyxdgrequiredRequired for locating configuration files.

requestsrequiredRequired for pastebin functionality.

cwcwidthrequiredRequired for character width calculations in the terminal.

typing_extensionsrequiredRequired for type hinting compatibility.