harfile
Writer for HTTP Archive (HAR) files
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, for test and debugging workflows that need HAR output. The zero-dependency design, permissive license, and active maintenance make it a low-risk choice. The single-threaded constraint and lack of page support are acceptable trade-offs for most recording use cases; verify that your HAR field requirements match the library's scope before adopting.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Single-threaded environment only; pages are not supported.
- Low friction: pure Python wheel with no runtime dependencies.
- Active maintenance with a recent release (77 days ago) and current repository activity.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; attribution required.
last release 2026-05-29 (77 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-10 · 2 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 2,744,639 downloads/mo, #2,909 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import datetime
import harfile
with harfile.open("output.har") as har:
har.add_entry(
startedDateTime=datetime.datetime.now(datetime.timezone.utc),
time=42,
request=harfile.Request(method="GET", url="http://example.com", httpVersion="HTTP/1.1"),
response=harfile.Response(status=200, statusText="OK", httpVersion="HTTP/1.1"),
timings=harfile.Timings(send=0, wait=0, receive=0),
)- Whether the package handles all HAR specification fields or only a subset
- Performance characteristics with large numbers of entries
- Validation of HAR output against the official HAR specification
What it is and what it does
harfile is a minimal, zero-dependency library for programmatically writing HTTP Archive (HAR) files in Python. It provides a context manager interface to build HAR files by adding individual HTTP request/response entries with timing data, suitable for recording network activity in test scenarios or debugging workflows.
The package is designed for single-threaded use and does not support HAR's page grouping feature. It accepts entries via a simple API that takes request, response, timing, and metadata objects, then serializes them to standard HAR format. With no external dependencies and support for modern Python versions (3.8 through 3.14), it integrates easily into testing and monitoring pipelines.
Use it for
- Record HTTP interactions during integration tests and save them as HAR files for analysis or replay
- Generate HAR archives from captured network traffic in debugging or performance profiling workflows
- Export request/response logs from a test suite in a standardized format for sharing with other tools
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, for test and debugging workflows that need HAR output.
The zero-dependency design, permissive license, and active maintenance make it a low-risk choice. The single-threaded constraint and lack of page support are acceptable trade-offs for most recording use cases; verify that your HAR field requirements match the library's scope before adopting.
Install
harfile on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction: pure Python wheel with no runtime dependencies. Active maintenance with a recent release (77 days ago) and current repository activity.
Single-threaded environment only; pages are not supported.
License in practice
MIT permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; attribution required.
Quickstart
import datetime
import harfile
with harfile.open("output.har") as har:
har.add_entry(
startedDateTime=datetime.datetime.now(datetime.timezone.utc),
time=42,
request=harfile.Request(method="GET", url="http://example.com", httpVersion="HTTP/1.1"),
response=harfile.Response(status=200, statusText="OK", httpVersion="HTTP/1.1"),
timings=harfile.Timings(send=0, wait=0, receive=0),
)Verify before relying
- Whether the package handles all HAR specification fields or only a subset
- Performance characteristics with large numbers of entries
- Validation of HAR output against the official HAR specification
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 77 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 2,744,639 / month, #2,909 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonTopic :: Software Development :: Testing |
Evidence: harfile-0.5.0-py3-none-any.whl
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