---
id: airbyte-protocol-models
version: "0.18.0"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# airbyte-protocol-models — Declares the Airbyte Protocol.

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 100.5K/mo

## What it is and what it does

airbyte-protocol-models is a Python package that defines the data structures and type definitions for the Airbyte Protocol, a specification that governs how Airbyte connectors communicate with the Airbyte platform. It wraps protocol definitions (declared in JSONSchema) into Python classes built on pydantic, allowing developers to work with strongly-typed message objects rather than raw dictionaries.

The package is primarily used by Airbyte connector developers and integrations that need to produce or consume Airbyte Protocol messages. It provides a single runtime dependency on pydantic and requires Python 3.9 or later. The project uses conventional commits for versioning and is maintained by the Airbyte team, though releases have slowed recently (last release 413 days ago).

Use it for:

- Building custom Airbyte connectors that emit protocol-compliant messages to the platform.
- Validating and deserializing Airbyte Protocol messages in connector implementations.
- Type-checking connector code that produces or consumes Airbyte message formats.
- Integrating third-party tools with Airbyte by speaking the protocol.
- Testing Airbyte connector behavior by constructing and inspecting protocol messages.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

Provides Python data models and type definitions for the Airbyte Protocol, enabling structured communication between Airbyte connectors and the platform.

Yes, if you are building or integrating with Airbyte connectors. The package has low install friction, permissive licensing, and no known vulnerabilities. The aging maintenance status (413 days since last release) is a minor concern but not a blocker—the repository is not archived and the package remains compatible with current Python versions. Install it when you need to work with Airbyte Protocol messages in Python.

## Install

pip install airbyte-protocol-models
uv add airbyte-protocol-models
poetry add airbyte-protocol-models

## Installing airbyte-protocol-models

Before you install: Low install friction with a single permissive dependency on pydantic. Maintenance is aging—no release for 413 days—but the repository remains active and the package supports current Python versions.

License in practice: MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.

Quickstart:

pip install airbyte-protocol-models

from airbyte_protocol_models import AirbyteMessage

message = AirbyteMessage(...)

Requires Python 3.9 or later.

Verify before relying:

- What specific message types and protocol versions are included in version 0.18.0.
- Whether this package is intended for end-user connector development or internal Airbyte platform use.
- Compatibility guarantees or breaking-change policy across minor versions.

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 100.5K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

airbyte protocol models, airbyte data models python, airbyte connector protocol, airbyte schema validation, airbyte message types, airbyte, data-integration, protocol-models

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