---
id: cppy
version: "1.3.1"
license: Copyright (c) 2014, Nucleic All rights reserved. Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: *… (full text in the JSON record)
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# cppy

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 684.2K/mo

## What it is and what it does

Cppy is a header-only C++ library designed to reduce boilerplate when writing Python extension modules in C++. Its core contribution is a PyObject smart pointer that automatically handles Python's reference counting semantics, eliminating manual Py_INCREF and Py_DECREF calls and reducing a common source of memory leaks in C++ extensions. The library also provides convenience methods for typical object operations, making the C++ code more idiomatic and less error-prone.

The package is distributed as a pure Python wheel containing the C++ headers, so installation is straightforward and has no compiled dependencies. It supports modern Python versions and is actively maintained. Developers use it by including the header in their C++ extension code and leveraging the smart pointer and utility methods to write cleaner, safer extension modules.

Use it for:

- Writing Python extension modules in C++ where automatic reference counting reduces memory management errors.
- Building performance-critical Python libraries that need C++ implementation with less boilerplate.
- Simplifying PyObject manipulation in C++ code by using convenience methods instead of raw CPython API calls.
- Maintaining C++ extensions across multiple Python versions with a consistent, version-agnostic wrapper.

## Worth the install?

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

Cppy is a C++ header library that simplifies writing Python extension modules by providing a PyObject smart pointer that automatically manages reference counting and offers convenience methods for common object operations.

Yes, if you are writing C++ Python extensions. Cppy is actively maintained, has no security vulnerabilities, uses a permissive BSD license, and solves a real pain point in extension development. The low install friction makes it a practical choice. If you are not writing C++ extensions, it has no value.

## Install

pip install cppy
uv add cppy
poetry add cppy

## Installing cppy

Before you install: Low install friction with a pure wheel distribution. The package is actively maintained with recent commits and supports Python 3.7 through 3.13, though it requires setuptools as a runtime dependency.

License in practice: BSD permissive license allows use in commercial and proprietary projects with minimal restrictions, requiring only copyright notice and disclaimer retention.

Quickstart:

# Install cppy
pip install cppy

# In your C++ extension code, include the header:
#include "cppy/cppy.h"

// Use the PyObject smart pointer:
cppy::py_ptr obj(PyList_New(0));

Requires a C++ compiler and Python development headers to build C++ extensions that use cppy.

Verify before relying:

- Whether cppy provides additional convenience methods beyond reference counting that are commonly used in extension development.
- Performance characteristics or overhead compared to direct CPython API calls.
- Compatibility with alternative C++ binding frameworks or whether cppy is typically used standalone.

## Package facts

- License: Copyright (c) 2014, Nucleic All rights reserved. Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: *… (full text in the JSON record) (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 684.2K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

python c++ extension development, pyobject smart pointer, reference counting wrapper, c++ python bindings, extension module helper, c++-bindings, extension-development

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