clr_loader
Generic pure Python loader for .NET runtimes
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need to call .NET functions from Python and want to avoid runtime-loading boilerplate. Verify the license terms first (they are not recorded in the package metadata), confirm that your target CLR implementation is supported, and ensure Python >=3.10 is available. Low install friction and active maintenance make it a reasonable choice for .NET interop.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python >=3.10 and a CLR runtime installed on the system.
- Low install friction with a pure Python wheel and single runtime dependency (cffi).
- Active maintenance with recent commits, though the repository has modest visibility (43 stars).
License · maintenance · safety
(unclear) — License treatment is unclear—no SPDX identifier or raw license text is recorded. Verify the actual license terms in the repository before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.
last release 2026-04-18 (118 days) · last repo commit 2026-07-01 · 43 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 3,621,072 downloads/mo, #2,555 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install clr-loader
import clr_loader
# Load a CLR runtime and call a function
runtime = clr_loader.get_runtime()
result = runtime.call_function(...)- Which CLR implementations are supported (Mono, .NET Framework, .NET Core, etc.)
- Whether cffi requires compilation or system libraries on target platforms
- Scope of 'simple functions' supported—parameter types, return values, exception handling
What it is and what it does
clr-loader is a pure Python package that abstracts the complexity of loading and interacting with Common Language Runtime (CLR) implementations from within Python code. It provides a generic interface so you don't have to handle platform-specific or runtime-specific details yourself when you need to call .NET functions from Python.
The package depends only on cffi for low-level interoperability and targets Python >=3.10. It is actively maintained and has no known vulnerabilities, though its beta status means the API may change. Use it when you need to integrate Python with existing .NET code or libraries without managing the runtime loading boilerplate yourself.
Use it for
- Calling .NET library functions from a Python application without manually managing CLR initialization.
- Bridging Python data processing pipelines with .NET components in a mixed-language system.
- Testing .NET code from Python test suites by loading the CLR runtime and invoking functions.
- Wrapping .NET utilities in a Python interface for cross-platform deployment.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need to call .NET functions from Python and want to avoid runtime-loading boilerplate.
Verify the license terms first (they are not recorded in the package metadata), confirm that your target CLR implementation is supported, and ensure Python >=3.10 is available. Low install friction and active maintenance make it a reasonable choice for .NET interop.
Install
clr-loader on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure Python wheel and single runtime dependency (cffi). Active maintenance with recent commits, though the repository has modest visibility (43 stars). Beta status suggests the API may still evolve.
Requires Python >=3.10 and a CLR runtime installed on the system.
License in practice
License treatment is unclear—no SPDX identifier or raw license text is recorded. Verify the actual license terms in the repository before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.
Quickstart
pip install clr-loader
import clr_loader
# Load a CLR runtime and call a function
runtime = clr_loader.get_runtime()
result = runtime.call_function(...)Verify before relying
- Which CLR implementations are supported (Mono, .NET Framework, .NET Core, etc.)
- Whether cffi requires compilation or system libraries on target platforms
- Scope of 'simple functions' supported—parameter types, return values, exception handling
Package facts
| License | Not declared unclear |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagecffi |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 118 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 3,621,072 / month, #2,555 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaIntended Audience :: DevelopersOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming Language :: Python :: 3 |
Evidence: clr_loader-0.3.1-py3-none-any.whl
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