dulwich

Python Git Library

dulwich License unclear Apache-2.0 OR GPL-2.0-or-later Active ★ 2,270 v1.2.12 released 2026-07-19

Install

dulwich on PyPI

pip

pip install dulwich

uv

uv add dulwich

poetry

poetry add dulwich

Package facts

License	Apache-2.0 OR GPL-2.0-or-later (unclear)
Python support	supports the current Python release (>=3.10)
Install friction	low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies	2 — urllib3, typing_extensions
Maintenance	actively maintained — 25 days since the last release
Last repo commit	2026-08-13
First released	2013-09-22
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: dulwich-1.2.12-py3-none-any.whl

Keywords: vcs, git

Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software Development :: Version Control

About dulwich

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

Dulwich

This is the Dulwich project.

It aims to provide an interface to git repos (both local and remote) that doesn't call out to git directly but instead uses pure Python.

Main website: <https://www.dulwich.io/>

License: Apache License, version 2 or GNU General Public License, version 2 or later.

SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0 OR GPL-2.0-or-later

The project is named after the part of London that Mr. and Mrs. Git live in the particular Monty Python sketch.

Differences with other Python Git libraries

Unlike other Python Git libraries, Dulwich is available as a standalone package that doesn't depend on git (like GitPython) being installed or any native code (like pygit2).

This comes at the cost of speed, but makes it easier to deploy in environments where git isn't available or where it's important to have a pure Python implementation.

To improve performance, Dulwich includes optional Rust bindings that can be used to speed up low-level operations.

Installation

By default, Dulwich' setup.py will attempt to build and install the optional Rust extensions. The reason for this is that they...

Read as markdown · JSON record · Source repository · Homepage

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

Dulwich provides a pure-Python interface to Git repositories without requiring git or native code to be installed, supporting both local and remote repo operations through lower-level and high-level APIs.

Low friction: ships as a wheel, depends only on urllib3 and typing_extensions, and maintains active development with a recent release 25 days ago. Optional Rust bindings can be skipped with --pure flag if compilation is undesirable.

Dual-licensed under Apache-2.0 OR GPL-2.0-or-later with unclear treatment; users must comply with at least one of these licenses. Check your own license obligations before use, particularly if bundling or modifying.

Usage

pip install dulwich

from dulwich.repo import Repo
r = Repo('.')
commit = r[r.head()]
print(commit.message)

Requires Python 3.10 or later; optional Rust extensions require a Rust toolchain (can be disabled with --pure flag during install).

Verdict: Dulwich is a mature, actively maintained library with no known vulnerabilities and low install friction. Its dual license and unclear treatment warrant verification before use in proprietary or GPL-sensitive contexts, but the pure-Python design and broad Python version support (3.10–3.14, PyPy) make it reliable for Git integration where native dependencies are undesirable.

Needs verification

Whether the dual-license structure (Apache-2.0 OR GPL-2.0-or-later) is compatible with your project's license policy
Performance impact of the pure-Python implementation versus the optional Rust bindings in your use case
Repository activity level and community engagement beyond the last commit date

pure python git librarygit repository interfaceprogrammatic git accessgit without native dependenciespython git clientversion control in pythongit porcelain api