Python library for reading and modifying Bethesda plugin files (.esp, .esm, .esl).
Built as a Python alternative to xEdit scripting for automating plugin operations like the Furrifier mod conversion suite.
Primary credit for this work goes to ElminsterAU and the xEdit folks. This was built on their work over decades (pretty sure it's been decades) understanding the Bethesda plugin format.
- Load, inspect, modify, and save Bethesda plugin files
- Byte-perfect round-trip (including compressed records)
- Schema-aware typed field access for Skyrim LE/SE record types
- Repeating subrecord groups as first-class data structures
- Record copy and patch file creation with automatic master management
- Multi-plugin load order with override resolution
- FormList and Global Variable helpers
- CLI tools for plugin inspection and comparison
- Game auto-detection from header version
from esplib import Plugin
# Load and inspect
plugin = Plugin("MyMod.esp")
for weapon in plugin.get_records_by_signature('WEAP'):
print(weapon.editor_id, weapon['DATA']['damage'])
# Create a patch
patch = Plugin.new_plugin("Patch.esp", masters=["Skyrim.esm"])
sword = plugin.get_record_by_editor_id("IronSword")
override = patch.copy_record(sword, plugin)
override['DATA'] = {'value': 50, 'weight': 10.0, 'damage': 99}
patch.save()pip install -e .Requires Python 3.10+. No external dependencies.
esplib info Skyrim.esm # Plugin header and statistics
esplib dump MyMod.esp --type WEAP --limit 10 # Dump weapon records
esplib diff Original.esp Modified.esp # Compare two plugins
esplib validate MyMod.esp # Check for structural issues
esplib rename-master MyMod.esp Old.esm New.esm # Rename a master dependency| Game ID | Game | Schemas |
|---|---|---|
tes5 |
Skyrim (LE and SE) | Yes |
fo4 |
Fallout 4 | Planned |
pip install -e .
pytest tests/ -m "not gamefiles" # Synthetic tests (no game files needed)
pytest tests/ # All tests (requires Skyrim SE installed)197 automated tests covering record parsing, round-trip fidelity, schema resolution, CLI commands, and helpers.
MPL 2.0