btclib

Projects that follow the best practices below can voluntarily self-certify and show that they've achieved an Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) best practices badge.

There is no set of practices that can guarantee that software will never have defects or vulnerabilities; even formal methods can fail if the specifications or assumptions are wrong. Nor is there any set of practices that can guarantee that a project will sustain a healthy and well-functioning development community. However, following best practices can help improve the results of projects. For example, some practices enable multi-person review before release, which can both help find otherwise hard-to-find technical vulnerabilities and help build trust and a desire for repeated interaction among developers from different companies. To earn a badge, all MUST and MUST NOT criteria must be met, all SHOULD criteria must be met OR be unmet with justification, and all SUGGESTED criteria must be met OR unmet (we want them considered at least). If you want to enter justification text as a generic comment, instead of being a rationale that the situation is acceptable, start the text block with '//' followed by a space. Feedback is welcome via the GitHub site as issues or pull requests There is also a mailing list for general discussion.

We gladly provide the information in several locales, however, if there is any conflict or inconsistency between the translations, the English version is the authoritative version.
If this is your project, please show your baseline badge status on your project page! The baseline badge status looks like this: Baseline badge level for project 14253 is baseline-2 Here is how to embed the baseline badge:
You can show your baseline badge status by embedding this in your markdown file:
[![OpenSSF Baseline](https://www.bestpractices.dev/projects/14253/baseline)](https://www.bestpractices.dev/projects/14253)
or by embedding this in your HTML:
<a href="https://www.bestpractices.dev/projects/14253"><img src="https://www.bestpractices.dev/projects/14253/baseline"></a>


These are the Baseline Level 1 criteria. These are criteria version v2026.08.28.

Baseline Series: Baseline Level 1 Baseline Level 2 Baseline Level 3

        

 Basics

  • General

    Note that other projects may use the same name.

    btclib: a python3 library for 'bitcoin cryptography'

    Please use SPDX license expression format; examples include "Apache-2.0", "BSD-2-Clause", "BSD-3-Clause", "GPL-2.0+", "LGPL-3.0+", "MIT", and "(BSD-2-Clause OR Ruby)". Do not include single quotes or double quotes.
    If there is more than one language, list them as comma-separated values (spaces optional) and sort them from most to least used. If there is a long list, please list at least the first three most common ones. If there is no language (e.g., this is a documentation-only or test-only project), use the single character "-". Please use a conventional capitalization for each language, e.g., "JavaScript".
    The Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) is a structured naming scheme for information technology systems, software, and packages. It is used in a number of systems and databases when reporting vulnerabilities.

 Controls 24/24 ●

  • Controls


    When a user attempts to read or modify a sensitive resource in the project's authoritative repository, the system MUST require the user to complete a multi-factor authentication process. [OSPS-AC-01.01]
    Enforce multi-factor authentication for the project's version control system, requiring collaborators to provide a second form of authentication when accessing sensitive data or modifying repository settings. Passkeys are acceptable for this control.

    The btclib-org organization requires two-factor authentication of every member and allows only secure second factors (TOTP, security keys/passkeys, GitHub Mobile; no SMS), so no account can read or change a repository's sensitive settings without MFA. https://github.com/btclib-org/.github/issues/1362#issuecomment-5903994882



    When a new collaborator is added, the version control system MUST require manual permission assignment, or restrict the collaborator permissions to the lowest available privileges by default. [OSPS-AC-02.01]
    Most public version control systems are configured in this manner. Ensure the project's version control system always assigns the lowest available permissions to collaborators by default when added, granting additional permissions only when necessary.

    The organization's base permission is read, so a new member or collaborator gets read access until an owner grants more. The only elevated grants on this repository are the three owners' admin. https://github.com/btclib-org/.github/blob/main/GOVERNANCE.md#roles



    When a direct commit is attempted on the project's primary branch, an enforcement mechanism MUST prevent the change from being applied. [OSPS-AC-03.01]
    If the VCS is centralized, set branch protection on the primary branch in the project's VCS. Alternatively, use a decentralized approach, like the Linux kernel's, where changes are first proposed in another repository, and merging changes into the primary repository requires a specific separate act.

    The main-self-merge ruleset requires a pull request for every change to main. Its one bypass actor holds it in pull_request mode, which never allows a direct push. https://github.com/btclib-org/.github/blob/main/README.md#branch-protection-and-rulesets



    When an attempt is made to delete the project's primary branch, the version control system MUST treat this as a sensitive activity and require explicit confirmation of intent. [OSPS-AC-03.02]
    Set branch protection on the primary branch in the project's version control system to prevent deletion.

    The main-integrity ruleset forbids deleting main and has no bypass actor. https://github.com/btclib-org/.github/blob/main/README.md#branch-protection-and-rulesets



    When a CI/CD pipeline operates on untrusted metadata, those parameters MUST be sanitized and validated prior to use in the pipeline. [OSPS-BR-01.01]
    CI/CD pipelines should sanitize (quote, escape or exit on expected values) all metadata inputs which correspond to untrusted sources. This includes data such as branch names, commit messages, tags, pull request titles, and author information.

    No workflow uses pull_request_target or workflow_run. Event fields and inputs reach run: steps only through env:, and zizmor's template-injection audit in the required lint check refuses the unsafe form. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/.pre-commit-config.yaml



    When a CI/CD pipeline operates on untrusted code snapshots, it MUST prevent access to privileged CI/CD credentials and assets. [OSPS-BR-01.03]
    CI/CD pipelines should isolate untrusted code snapshots from privileged credentials and assets. In particular, projects should be careful to ensure that workflows which build or execute code prior to review by a collaborator do not have access to CI/CD credentials.

    Pull-request runs use the pull_request and pull_request_review_comment triggers, which give a fork no secrets and a read-only token. The review job, which holds a secret, runs only when the head repository is this one. On issue_comment, the mention job, which holds a secret on any pull request, checks out the default branch. https://github.com/btclib-org/.github/blob/main/.github/workflows/reusable-claude-review.yml



    When the project lists a URI as an official project channel, that URI MUST be exclusively delivered using encrypted channels. [OSPS-BR-03.01]
    Configure the project's websites and version control systems to use encrypted channels such as SSH or HTTPS for data transmission. Ensure all tools and domains referenced in project documentation can only be accessed via encrypted channels.

    Every official channel the project lists is served over HTTPS only: the GitHub repository, its issue tracker and advisories, and the documentation at https://btclib.readthedocs.io/.



    When the project lists a URI as an official distribution channel, that channel MUST be protected from adversary-in-the-middle attacks using cryptographically authenticated channels. [OSPS-BR-03.02]
    Artifacts distributed by the project should be distributed through channels which ensure integrity and authenticity. Use of HTTPS for downloads, signed releases, or distribution through trusted package managers are all acceptable methods to protect against adversary-in-the-middle attacks.

    Releases are distributed through PyPI and GitHub Releases, both HTTPS only. PyPI files carry PEP 740 attestations and the GitHub release a Sigstore bundle. https://pypi.org/project/btclib/



    The project MUST prevent the unintentional storage of unencrypted sensitive data, such as secrets and credentials, in the version control system. [OSPS-BR-07.01]
    Configure .gitignore or equivalent to exclude files that may contain sensitive information. Use pre-commit hooks and automated scanning tools to detect and prevent the inclusion of sensitive data in commits.

    Secret scanning and push protection are on, so a push carrying a recognised credential is refused. The detect-private-key and detect-secrets hooks run in the required lint check. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/.secrets.baseline



    When the project has made a release, the project documentation MUST include user guides for all basic functionality. [OSPS-DO-01.01]
    Create user guides or documentation for all basic functionality of the project, explaining how to install, configure, and use the project's features. If there are any known dangerous or destructive actions available, include highly-visible warnings.

    The user guide, docs/source/guide.rst, and the API reference are published at https://btclib.readthedocs.io/. tests/docs_examples_test.py runs the guide's examples.



    When the project has made a release, the project documentation MUST include a guide for reporting defects. [OSPS-DO-02.01]
    It is recommended that projects use their VCS default issue tracker. If an external source is used, ensure that the project documentation and contributing guide clearly and visibly explain how to use the reporting system. It is recommended that project documentation also sets expectations for how defects will be triaged and resolved.

    CONTRIBUTING.md says where a defect is filed, and the bug-report form asks for what a report needs. SECURITY.md sends a vulnerability to a private channel instead. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml



    The project MUST have one or more mechanisms for public discussions about proposed changes and usage obstacles. [OSPS-GV-02.01]
    Establish one or more mechanisms for public discussions within the project, such as mailing lists, instant messaging, or issue trackers, to facilitate open communication and feedback.

    Proposed changes and usage questions are discussed publicly in the repository's issues, which have a question form, and pull requests. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/issues



    The project documentation MUST include an explanation of the contribution process, or clearly state that public contributions are not accepted [OSPS-GV-03.01]
    Create a CONTRIBUTING.md or CONTRIBUTING/ directory to outline the contribution process including the steps for submitting changes, and engaging with the project maintainers.

    CONTRIBUTING.md explains the contribution process: an issue first, one subject per pull request, the local gates, the review and the landing. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md



    The license for the source code MUST meet the OSI Open Source Definition or the FSF Free Software Definition. [OSPS-LE-02.01]
    Add a LICENSE file to the project's repo with a license that is an approved license by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), or a free license as approved by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). Examples of such licenses include the MIT, BSD 2-clause, BSD 3-clause revised, Apache 2.0, Lesser GNU General Public License (LGPL), and the GNU General Public License (GPL). Releasing to the public domain meets this control if there are no other encumbrances such as patents.

    The source code is under the MIT license, which the OSI approves. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/LICENSE



    The license for the released software assets MUST meet the OSI Open Source Definition or the FSF Free Software Definition. [OSPS-LE-02.02]
    If a different license is included with released software assets, ensure it is an approved license by the Open Source Initiative (OSI), or a free license as approved by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). Examples of such licenses include the MIT, BSD 2-clause, BSD 3-clause revised, Apache 2.0, Lesser GNU General Public License (LGPL), and the GNU General Public License (GPL). Note that the license for the released software assets may be different than the source code.

    The released wheels and sdist declare License-Expression: MIT, the same OSI-approved license as the source. https://pypi.org/project/btclib/



    The license for the source code MUST be maintained in the corresponding repository's LICENSE file, COPYING file, LICENSES/ directory, or LICENSE/ directory. [OSPS-LE-03.01]
    Include the project's source code license in the project's LICENSE file, COPYING file, LICENSES/ directory, or LICENSE/ directory to provide visibility and clarity on the licensing terms. The filename MAY have an extension. If the project has multiple repositories, ensure that each repository includes the license file.

    The license text is the repository's root LICENSE file. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/LICENSE



    The license for the released software assets MUST be included in the released source code, or in a LICENSE file, COPYING file, or LICENSE/ directory alongside the corresponding release assets. [OSPS-LE-03.02]
    Include the project's released software assets license in the released source code, or in a LICENSE file, COPYING file, or LICENSE/ directory alongside the corresponding release assets to provide visibility and clarity on the licensing terms. The filename MAY have an extension. If the project has multiple repositories, ensure that each repository includes the license file.

    The LICENSE file ships in every release asset: at the sdist root and in the wheel's .dist-info/licenses/. https://pypi.org/project/btclib/#files



    The project's source code repository MUST be publicly readable at a static URL. [OSPS-QA-01.01]
    Use a common VCS such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket. Ensure the repository is publicly readable. Avoid duplication or mirroring of repositories unless highly visible documentation clarifies the primary source. Avoid frequent changes to the repository that would impact the repository URL. Ensure the repository is public.

    The repository is public on GitHub at a static URL. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib



    The version control system MUST contain a publicly readable record of all changes made, who made the changes, and when the changes were made. [OSPS-QA-01.02]
    Use a common VCS such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket to maintain a publicly readable commit history. Avoid squashing or rewriting commits in a way that would obscure the author of any commits.

    Git history on GitHub records every change with its author, committer, date and signature. main refuses force-pushes and requires linear history. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/commits/main



    When the package management system supports it, the source code repository MUST contain a dependency list that accounts for the direct language dependencies. [OSPS-QA-02.01]
    This may take the form of a package manager or language dependency file that enumerates all direct dependencies such as package.json, Gemfile, or go.mod.

    pyproject.toml declares the direct dependencies ([project] dependencies, optional extras and dependency groups), and the committed uv.lock resolves and pins them. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/pyproject.toml



    Projects with multiple repositories MUST document a list of codebases that are part of the project. [OSPS-QA-04.01]
    Document any additional subproject code repositories produced by the project and compiled into a release. This documentation should include the status and intent of the respective codebase.

    The organization standard's Which repositories, and how far lists every btclib-org repository and its tier. https://github.com/btclib-org/.github/blob/main/README.md#which-repositories-and-how-far



    The version control system MUST NOT contain generated executable artifacts. [OSPS-QA-05.01]
    Remove generated executable artifacts in the project's version control system. It is recommended that any scenario where a generated executable artifact appears critical to a process such as testing, it should be instead be generated at build time or stored separately and fetched during a specific well-documented pipeline step.

    No generated executable is committed. The binary files are Bitcoin-serialized data (blocks, transactions, scripts, P2P messages) used as test data and fuzz seeds, and the Sphinx inventory python.inv. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib



    The version control system MUST NOT contain unreviewable binary artifacts. [OSPS-QA-05.02]
    Do not add any unreviewable binary artifacts to the project's version control system. This includes executable application binaries, library files, and similar artifacts. It does not include assets such as graphical images, sound or music files, and similar content typically stored in a binary format.

    The binary files are Bitcoin-serialized data (blocks, transactions, scripts, P2P messages) used as test data and fuzz seeds, which the library itself decodes, and the Sphinx inventory python.inv. tests/_data/README.md pins each vendored test file to its source, and docs/source/conf.py gives the command that fetches the inventory. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/tests/_data/README.md



    The project documentation MUST contain security contacts. [OSPS-VM-02.01]
    Create a security.md (or similarly-named) file that contains security contacts for the project.

    SECURITY.md names the security contacts: a private GitHub security advisory, or email to security at btclib dot org, which reaches the three organization owners. https://github.com/btclib-org/btclib/blob/main/SECURITY.md



You can use tools and AI systems to propose changes via a simple URL, such as https://www.bestpractices.dev/en/projects/14253/choose/edit?osps_ac_01_01_status=Met&osps_ac_01_01_justification=GitHub+enforced. See our automation proposals system for how to do that. This data is available under the Community Data License Agreement – Permissive, Version 2.0 (CDLA-Permissive-2.0). This means that a Data Recipient may share the Data, with or without modifications, so long as the Data Recipient makes available the text of this agreement with the shared Data. Please credit Ferdinando Ametrano and the OpenSSF Best Practices badge contributors.

Project badge entry owned by: Ferdinando Ametrano.
Entry created on 2026-08-26 14:39:08 UTC, last updated on 2026-10-09 09:50:47 UTC. Last achieved passing badge on 2026-09-24 15:38:31 UTC.