cron-descriptor

A Python library that converts cron expressions into human readable strings.

cron-descriptor Permissive license MIT Active ★ 186 v2.1.0 released 2026-06-02

Install

cron-descriptor on PyPI

pip

pip install cron-descriptor

uv

uv add cron-descriptor

poetry

poetry add cron-descriptor

Package facts

License	MIT (permissive)
Python support	supports the current Python release (>=3.9)
Install friction	low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies	1 — typing_extensions
Maintenance	actively maintained — 72 days since the last release
Last repo commit	2026-07-21
First released	2016-01-19
Popularity	one of the top 1,000 most-downloaded packages on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-13)
Known vulnerabilities	none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-13)

Evidence: cron_descriptor-2.1.0-py3-none-any.whl

Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleEnvironment :: Web EnvironmentIntended Audience :: DevelopersOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software Development

About cron-descriptor

from the package's own PyPI description — quoted content, verbatim

Cron Descriptor

Python tests (image) Donate (image)

A Python library that converts cron expressions into human readable strings. Ported to Python from https://github.com/bradyholt/cron-expression-descriptor.

Author: Adam Schubert (https://www.salamek.cz)
Original Author & Credit: Brady Holt (http://www.geekytidbits.com)
License: MIT

Features

Supports all cron expression special characters including * / , - ? L W, #
Supports 5, 6 (w/ seconds or year), or 7 (w/ seconds and year) part cron expressions
Provides casing options (Sentence, Title, Lower, etc.)
Localization with support for ~31 languages
Supports Python 3.9 - 3.13

Installation

Using PIP

pip install cron-descriptor

Usage example

Simple

```python from cron_descriptor import get_description, ExpressionDescriptor

print(get_description(" 2 3 ...

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AI interpretation — verify before relying

AI-generated interpretation of the package facts above; every digit, version, license, or vulnerability id it cites is grounded in the facts already shown on this page

Converts cron expressions into human-readable descriptions in multiple languages, supporting standard cron syntax with special characters and 5–7 part expressions.

Installs cleanly with a single lightweight runtime dependency (typing_extensions). Active maintenance with a recent release 72 days ago and ongoing repository activity.

MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution with only attribution required—a permissive choice suitable for both open and proprietary projects.

Usage

pip install cron-descriptor

from cron_descriptor import get_description
print(get_description("* 2 3 * *"))

Requires Python 3.9 or later.

Verdict: A stable, actively maintained library for cron expression translation with broad language support and minimal dependencies. MIT licensing and top-1000 popularity make it a low-friction choice for scheduling documentation and user-facing cron interpretation.

Needs verification

Whether the library's localization for ~31 languages is complete or if some locales have partial coverage.
Performance characteristics when parsing very large batches of cron expressions.

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