clamav-client
Python client library for the ClamAV antivirus.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need Python-based ClamAV integration and already run clamd. The package has low install friction, no runtime dependencies, active maintenance, and a copyleft license that is manageable in most contexts. No known vulnerabilities. The main constraint is the external clamd requirement—without a running ClamAV daemon, the library cannot function.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires a running clamd daemon instance (ClamAV antivirus service) accessible via TCP or Unix socket before the client can connect.
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
- The package is actively maintained with a recent release and supports current Python versions (3.9+).
License · maintenance · safety
GPL-2.0 (copyleft) — Licensed under GPL-2.0 (copyleft). Any software linking this library must comply with copyleft obligations—distribute source code and apply the same license to derivative works.
last release 2026-03-05 (162 days) · last repo commit 2026-03-05 · 16 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 145,113 downloads/mo, #11,134 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install clamav-client
from clamav_client import get_scanner
scanner = get_scanner()
result = scanner.scan_file('/path/to/file')- Whether the package works with ClamAV versions other than those tested by maintainers.
- Performance characteristics when scanning large files or directories.
- Specific error handling and retry behavior for network failures to clamd.
What it is and what it does
clamav-client is a Python wrapper around the ClamAV antivirus engine's clamd daemon. It provides both a low-level client interface (via the clamd module) for direct daemon communication over TCP or Unix sockets, and a high-level scanner interface that abstracts over both clamd and the clamscan command-line tool. The package is a maintained fork of an earlier clamd library, adding type hints and testing against supported Python versions.
You use it when you need to integrate antivirus scanning into a Python application—typically to check uploaded files, monitor directories, or validate content before processing. The library handles the socket communication and protocol details, leaving you to focus on scan logic and result handling. It requires an external ClamAV installation with the clamd daemon running; it does not bundle or manage the antivirus engine itself.
Use it for
- Scan uploaded files in a web application before storing them to disk.
- Integrate malware detection into a document processing pipeline.
- Monitor a directory for infected files using clamd or clamscan.
- Build a file quarantine system that checks content before restoration.
- Validate attachments in an email or messaging system.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need Python-based ClamAV integration and already run clamd.
The package has low install friction, no runtime dependencies, active maintenance, and a copyleft license that is manageable in most contexts. No known vulnerabilities. The main constraint is the external clamd requirement—without a running ClamAV daemon, the library cannot function.
Install
clamav-client on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. The package is actively maintained with a recent release and supports current Python versions (3.9+). Repository shows steady activity.
Requires a running clamd daemon instance (ClamAV antivirus service) accessible via TCP or Unix socket before the client can connect.
License in practice
Licensed under GPL-2.0 (copyleft). Any software linking this library must comply with copyleft obligations—distribute source code and apply the same license to derivative works.
Quickstart
pip install clamav-client
from clamav_client import get_scanner
scanner = get_scanner()
result = scanner.scan_file('/path/to/file')Verify before relying
- Whether the package works with ClamAV versions other than those tested by maintainers.
- Performance characteristics when scanning large files or directories.
- Specific error handling and retry behavior for network failures to clamd.
Package facts
| License | GPL-2.0 copyleft |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 162 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 145,113 / month, #11,134 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
Evidence: clamav_client-0.7.2-py3-none-any.whl
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Install only if maintaining existing code that already depends on it, and plan a migration.
See also clamd · cvdupdate · pyClamd · cart · pymemcache · pmd-pytcp · openccu-loom-client · requests-unixsocket2 · daemonize · ipfshttpclient