---
id: dbus-fast
version: "5.0.22"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# dbus-fast — A faster version of dbus-next

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 2.3M/mo

## What it is and what it does

dbus-fast is a D-Bus library for Python that lets you communicate with system services and desktop environments on Linux. It provides three layers: a high-level client interface for calling methods and listening to signals on remote services, a high-level service interface for exporting your own D-Bus objects with decorated methods and properties, and a low-level message API for direct D-Bus protocol work. The library emphasizes performance through an optional Cython extension for marshalling, supports multiple I/O backends including asyncio and GLib, and requires zero runtime dependencies in pure-Python mode.

Typical use cases include desktop application integration (implementing standard interfaces like MPRIS for media players), scripting system services, and building custom D-Bus interfaces for inter-process communication. The library targets modern Python versions and aims for complete D-Bus type system coverage without type guessing.

Use it for:

- Control media players or other desktop services via standard D-Bus interfaces like MPRIS
- Export custom D-Bus services from Python applications for other processes to call
- Write system administration scripts that interact with D-Bus services like NetworkManager or systemd
- Integrate Python applications into Linux desktop environments via D-Bus standard interfaces
- Build asyncio-based D-Bus clients for non-blocking GUI application development

## Worth the install?

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

dbus-fast is a Python library for D-Bus communication that provides high-level client and service interfaces, plus low-level message handling, with optional Cython acceleration for marshalling performance.

Yes. dbus-fast is actively maintained, has no runtime dependencies, supports current Python versions, carries permissive MIT licensing, and fills a genuine need for performant D-Bus integration on Linux. Install friction is modest (optional Cython extension with pure-Python fallback). Suitable for production use in desktop and system integration projects.

## Install

pip install dbus-fast
uv add dbus-fast
poetry add dbus-fast

## Installing dbus-fast

Before you install: Medium install friction due to optional Cython extension bundled in wheels; pure-Python fallback available via SKIP_CYTHON=1. Actively maintained with recent commits and no runtime dependencies. Supports Python 3.10 through 3.14 with prebuilt wheels across multiple architectures.

License in practice: MIT license permits unrestricted use, modification, and distribution in both open-source and proprietary projects with minimal obligations—only attribution required.

Quickstart:

pip install dbus-fast

from dbus_fast.aio import MessageBus
import asyncio

async def main():
    bus = await MessageBus().connect()
    # Use bus to call methods, get properties, or listen to signals

asyncio.run(main())

Requires a running D-Bus daemon (typically present on Linux desktop/mobile systems); not functional on systems without D-Bus.

Verify before relying:

- Performance improvement magnitude compared to dbus-next or other D-Bus libraries
- Compatibility with non-Linux systems or Windows Subsystem for Linux
- Whether GLib main loop backend is fully production-ready

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 2.3M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

dbus python library, d-bus client service interface, linux ipc messaging, desktop environment integration, asyncio dbus, dbus marshalling, system service communication, ipc, linux-desktop, asyncio

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