sqlcipher3

library0.6.2pypypi✓ verified 83d ago

sqlcipher3 provides a DB-API 2.0 compatible interface for SQLCipher 4.x, allowing encrypted SQLite databases. It wraps SQLCipher's C library and supports transparent 256-bit AES encryption of database files. Current version 0.6.2, requires Python >=3.9. Pre-built wheels available for many platforms; on some systems you may need to compile from source.

database auth-security

pip install sqlcipher3

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · SQLCIPHER3

sqlcipher3

databasepythonv0.6.2

Install

2.0s avg

Import

8ms

Disk

36MB

Pass rate

5/ 10

Env Coverage5 / 10

glibc

3.9–3.13

musl

3.9–3.13

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v0.6.2 · 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

glibc

py 3.10

1/2 runs

✓ 1.7s

py 3.11

1/2 runs

✓ 1.95s

py 3.12

1/2 runs

✓ 1.7s

py 3.13

1/2 runs

✓ 1.7s

py 3.9

1/2 runs

✓ 3.2s

36MB installed

● package 36MB

Code

Verified usage

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

connect

✓ from sqlcipher3 import connect

✗ from pysqlcipher3 import dbapi2 as sqlite

Old pattern for pysqlcipher3, not compatible with sqlcipher3

dbapi2

✓ from sqlcipher3 import dbapi2

✗ import sqlcipher3 as sqlite

Incorrect: sqlcipher3 itself is not a module with connect; use dbapi2 submodule

Create an in-memory encrypted database. PRAGMA key must be set before any other operations.

import os from sqlcipher3 import dbapi2 as sqlite conn = sqlite.connect(':memory:') conn.execute("PRAGMA key='secret'") conn.execute('CREATE TABLE test (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, value TEXT)') conn.execute('INSERT INTO test VALUES (1, "hello")') print(conn.execute('SELECT * FROM test').fetchone()) conn.close()

Debug

Known issues

breakingsqlcipher3 is NOT compatible with sqlcipher (version 2.x) or pysqlcipher3. It only works with SQLCipher 4.x. If you have SQLCipher 3.x, you need a different library (e.g., `pysqlcipher3`).

fix

Ensure SQLCipher 4.x is installed (system library). Use `sqlcipher3-binary` if you cannot compile.

affects: all

gotchaOpening a database without setting the key will fail with 'DatabaseError: file is not a database' if the file exists and is encrypted, or create an unencrypted database if new. Always set PRAGMA key immediately after connect.

fix

Call `PRAGMA key='your_key'` as first operation after `connect()`. For an existing DB, the key must match.

affects: all

gotchaPRAGMA key and PRAGMA cipher_* settings must be executed on the same connection before any other queries. Changing these after data has been written can corrupt the database.

fix

Set all PRAGMAs immediately after opening the connection, before any CREATE/INSERT/UPDATE.

affects: all

Errors

Common errors & fixes

ImportError: libsqlcipher.so.0: cannot open shared object file

SQLCipher system library (libsqlcipher) is not installed or not found by the dynamic linker.

fix

Install libsqlcipher (e.g., `apt install libsqlcipher-dev` on Debian/Ubuntu, `brew install sqlcipher` on macOS) or use `sqlcipher3-binary` which bundles the library.

sqlcipher3.dbapi2.DatabaseError: file is not a database

Either the file exists and is encrypted but no key was provided, or the file is not a valid SQLite database.

fix

Ensure you call `PRAGMA key='...'` immediately after connecting. If opening an existing encrypted database, make sure the key matches the one used when it was created.

RuntimeError: cipher settings can't be changed while a cipher operation is in progress

Attempting to change PRAGMA key or cipher settings after executing other SQL statements on the same connection.

fix

Move all PRAGMA cipher settings (key, cipher_page_size, etc.) to immediately after `connect()`, before any other database operations.

Upgrade

Version history

0.6.2latest on PyPI · released Jan 7, 2026

Audit

Dependencies

libsqlcipher-devoptionalRequired for compiling sqlcipher3 from source if no pre-built wheel available.

Agent activity

36 hits · last 30 days

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