Treat it as end of life. An archived repository means the maintainers do not expect further changes, so future vulnerabilities in the package may never be fixed. Check for a named successor or fork, decide how much the package matters to you, and set a replacement or fork date.
What the signals say
OpenSSF Scorecard's Maintained check gives the lowest score to an archived project. It explains the risk: a project that is not active might not be patched, might not have its dependencies patched, or might not be actively tested. It also admits that lack of maintenance is not always a problem, for example for small utility code that rarely needs changes.
Python's project status markers describe an archived state in a similar spirit: the project does not expect to be updated, the index does not accept new uploads, existing files stay downloadable, and installers may warn. The Concise Guide adds that unmaintained software is a risk and likely to be insecure too.
Decide with a short matrix
| Question | If yes | If no |
|---|---|---|
| Does the README or registry name a successor? | Plan a migration to it | Look for a maintained fork |
| Is the package small and stable with no input handling? | Lower urgency, set a review date | Raise urgency |
| Does it parse untrusted data or run at build time? | Raise urgency | Moderate |
| Are there open advisories on your version? | Prioritize now | Schedule |
| Can you replace it with platform features? | Remove it | Evaluate alternatives |
Options in order of effort
- Remove it. If a standard library or platform feature does the job, deleting the dependency is the cleanest fix.
- Move to the successor. Read its release history and identity checks first. A fresh successor package needs the same scrutiny as any new one.
- Adopt a maintained fork. Verify the fork relationship, who maintains it, and whether it publishes releases and fixes.
- Vendor and own it. Copy the code into your repository, record its origin, and accept that you now maintain it. Fine for small code, costly for large.
- Accept and monitor. For low-risk, stable code, record the decision, the owner and a review date, and watch advisories.
Avoid these traps
Do not assume a live package page means a live project. Registry pages stay up after archiving. Do not install a new package with a similar name because the old one is archived. That is a path attackers use, so run the identity checks. Do not leave the decision undocumented, because the next person will find the same warning and wonder.
Put it on a calendar
Add the dependency to a tracker with the reason, the chosen option, an owner and a date. If you chose to accept, set the date within a quarter or two. If a vulnerability is published against an archived package, you will already know what you planned to do.
Try it yourself
Click through it at your own pace, or open it full screen. It shows findings assigned to owners, which is the same discipline an end of life tracker needs.
Where Safeguard fits
Safeguard provides SBOM and dependency scanning, asset discovery, and policies and gates. A free scan is at gold.safeguard.sh/scan.
Quick check
Is an archived repository always a problem?
No, for small stable code it can be fine. Record the decision and keep watching advisories.
Should I fork it?
Only if you can commit to maintaining it. Otherwise prefer a successor or a replacement.
Sources
- OpenSSF Scorecard check documentation
- Python Packaging User Guide: Project status markers
- OpenSSF Concise Guide for Evaluating Open Source Software
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
