Adafruit-PureIO
Pure python (i.e. no native extensions) access to Linux IO including I2C and SPI. Drop in replacement for smbus and spidev modules.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, but with caution. The package is suitable for existing projects already using it or for simple I2C/SPI communication on stable systems. However, do not adopt it for new projects without verifying compatibility with your kernel version and Python release, since maintenance has ceased. Consider checking for actively maintained alternatives if you need ongoing support.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.5 or higher and a Linux system with I2C/SPI kernel support.
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
- However, the package is marked abandoned with the last commit in May 2023, raising concerns about maintenance and compatibility with current systems.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license is permissive and poses no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in proprietary or open-source projects.
last release 2023-05-25 (1177 days) · last repo commit 2023-05-25 · 53 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 145,848 downloads/mo, #11,115 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip3 install Adafruit-PureIO
import Adafruit_PureIO.smbus
bus = Adafruit_PureIO.smbus.SMBus(1)- Whether the package remains compatible with modern Linux kernel versions and current Python 3.x releases.
- Whether the ioctl interface it wraps has changed in recent kernel updates.
- Active community or alternative maintained forks for this functionality.
What it is and what it does
Adafruit-PureIO is a pure Python library that wraps Linux kernel I2C and SPI interfaces, allowing direct hardware communication without compiled native extensions. It provides drop-in replacements for the smbus and spidev modules, making it useful for embedded systems like Raspberry Pi where you need to control I2C and SPI devices from Python code.
The package has no runtime dependencies and installs with low friction. However, it has been abandoned since its last release on 2023-05-25 with no active maintenance. The library was originally designed for embedded systems and IoT projects, but its lack of recent updates means it may not be compatible with newer kernel versions or Python releases without potential issues.
Use it for
- Communicate with I2C sensors and devices on a Raspberry Pi or other Linux single-board computer.
- Control SPI peripherals like displays, memory chips, or analog converters from Python without native C extensions.
- Replace smbus or spidev in existing projects when you need pure Python implementations.
- Develop embedded applications that need direct hardware access on Linux systems without compilation.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, but with caution.
The package is suitable for existing projects already using it or for simple I2C/SPI communication on stable systems. However, do not adopt it for new projects without verifying compatibility with your kernel version and Python release, since maintenance has ceased. Consider checking for actively maintained alternatives if you need ongoing support.
Install
adafruit-pureio on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. However, the package is marked abandoned with the last commit in May 2023, raising concerns about maintenance and compatibility with current systems.
Requires Python 3.5 or higher and a Linux system with I2C/SPI kernel support.
License in practice
MIT license is permissive and poses no restrictions on use, modification, or distribution in proprietary or open-source projects.
Quickstart
pip3 install Adafruit-PureIO
import Adafruit_PureIO.smbus
bus = Adafruit_PureIO.smbus.SMBus(1)Verify before relying
- Whether the package remains compatible with modern Linux kernel versions and current Python 3.x releases.
- Whether the ioctl interface it wraps has changed in recent kernel updates.
- Active community or alternative maintained forks for this functionality.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.5.0 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 1,177 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 145,848 / month, #11,115 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 3 - AlphaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonTopic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTopic :: System :: Hardware |
Evidence: Adafruit_PureIO-1.1.11-py3-none-any.whl
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See also smbus2 · spidev · pyftdi · adafruit-circuitpython-busdevice · libusbsio · ft4222 · Adafruit-Blinka · gpiozero · Adafruit-PlatformDetect · icsneopy