colcon-core
Command line tool to build sets of software packages.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need to build or orchestrate multiple packages as a coordinated system. colcon-core is actively maintained, has low install friction, carries no security vulnerabilities, and is permissively licensed. However, it is a foundation library typically used alongside colcon extension packages—verify that the extensions you need are available before committing to the ecosystem.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.6 or later; colcon-core is the foundation package and typically used alongside colcon extension packages for full build workflow functionality.
- Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel distribution.
- Active maintenance with a release 9 days ago and ongoing commits; the package is in Alpha status but has been stable since its first release in 2018.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache-2.0 (permissive) — Apache-2.0 is a permissive license, so you can use, modify, and distribute colcon-core freely in both open-source and proprietary projects, provided you include a copy of the license and notice of changes.
last release 2026-08-05 (9 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-05 · 132 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 234,214 downloads/mo, #9,026 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install colcon-core
from colcon_core.package_identification import identify_packages
from colcon_core.plugin_system import instantiate_extensions
# Identify packages in a workspace
packages = identify_packages('path/to/workspace')- Whether colcon-core alone is sufficient for typical build workflows or if additional colcon extension packages are required for practical use.
- Performance characteristics when handling large numbers of packages or complex dependency graphs.
What it is and what it does
colcon-core is the foundation package for colcon, a multi-package build orchestration system. It provides the core infrastructure for identifying packages, managing dependencies, ordering builds, and setting up execution environments. The package is designed for developers working with monorepos or modular projects that need to build, test, and deploy multiple interdependent software packages as a coordinated workflow.
The package depends on standard Python utilities like setuptools, packaging, and distlib for package management, plus testing infrastructure (pytest and related plugins). It's actively maintained, has been in use since 2018, and carries no known security vulnerabilities. The Alpha development status reflects its role as a foundation library rather than indicating instability.
Use it for
- Automate building and testing multiple interdependent packages in a monorepo or workspace.
- Manage package build ordering and dependency resolution across a large project structure.
- Set up and manage build environments for complex multi-package software systems.
- Integrate package identification and dependency analysis into custom build workflows.
- Orchestrate CI/CD pipelines that need to build sets of packages with proper sequencing.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need to build or orchestrate multiple packages as a coordinated system.
colcon-core is actively maintained, has low install friction, carries no security vulnerabilities, and is permissively licensed. However, it is a foundation library typically used alongside colcon extension packages—verify that the extensions you need are available before committing to the ecosystem.
Install
colcon-core on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel distribution. Active maintenance with a release 9 days ago and ongoing commits; the package is in Alpha status but has been stable since its first release in 2018.
Requires Python 3.6 or later; colcon-core is the foundation package and typically used alongside colcon extension packages for full build workflow functionality.
License in practice
Apache-2.0 is a permissive license, so you can use, modify, and distribute colcon-core freely in both open-source and proprietary projects, provided you include a copy of the license and notice of changes.
Quickstart
pip install colcon-core
from colcon_core.package_identification import identify_packages
from colcon_core.plugin_system import instantiate_extensions
# Identify packages in a workspace
packages = identify_packages('path/to/workspace')Verify before relying
- Whether colcon-core alone is sufficient for typical build workflows or if additional colcon extension packages are required for practical use.
- Performance characteristics when handling large numbers of packages or complex dependency graphs.
Package facts
| License | Apache-2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.6 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 11 packagesdistlibEmPypackagingpytestpytest-covpytest-repeatpytest-rerunfailuressetuptoolstomliimportlib-metadatacoloredlogs |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 9 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 234,214 / month, #9,026 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 3 - AlphaEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersOperating System :: MacOSOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: PythonTopic :: Software Development :: Build Tools |
Evidence: colcon_core-0.21.1-py3-none-any.whl
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See also colcon-cd · colcon-cmake · cumulusci · chz · SCons · colcon-parallel-executor · colcon-defaults · colcon-zsh · colcon-bash · colcon-common-extensions