---
id: livekit-protocol
version: "1.1.22"
license: Apache-2.0
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# livekit-protocol — Python protocol stubs for LiveKit

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 5.3M/mo

## What it is and what it does

livekit-protocol is a low-level package that provides auto-generated Python protocol stubs and type definitions for LiveKit's real-time communication system. It serves as the foundation layer for LiveKit's Python SDKs, exposing the protobuf message types and RPC definitions that LiveKit uses internally to communicate between clients and servers.

This package is primarily consumed as a dependency by higher-level LiveKit packages (livekit for real-time SDK, livekit-api for server APIs) rather than used directly in application code. It ensures type safety and IDE support when working with LiveKit's protocol layer, and allows developers building custom LiveKit integrations to access the underlying message definitions.

Use it for:

- Type-safe development when building custom LiveKit client or server extensions that need access to protocol definitions
- IDE autocomplete and type checking for LiveKit protocol messages in Python projects
- Dependency for livekit and livekit-api packages to provide consistent protocol handling across the SDK ecosystem

## Worth the install?

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

Provides Python protocol stubs and type definitions for LiveKit's real-time communication APIs, enabling type-safe integration with LiveKit servers for video, audio, and data features.

Yes, if you are using livekit or livekit-api packages—it will be installed automatically as a dependency. Install directly only if building custom LiveKit integrations that require low-level protocol access. No security vulnerabilities, permissive license, and active maintenance make it safe to use.

## Install

pip install livekit-protocol
uv add livekit-protocol
poetry add livekit-protocol

## Installing livekit-protocol

Before you install: Low friction: pure-Python wheel with only protobuf and types-protobuf as runtime dependencies. Active maintenance with a recent release (10 days old) and 375 repository stars.

License in practice: Apache-2.0 permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; suitable for most projects.

Quickstart:

pip install livekit-protocol

from livekit import protocol
# Use protocol stubs for type hints and message definitions
# when building LiveKit client or server integrations

Requires Python 3.9 or later; protobuf library must be installed.

Verify before relying:

- Whether this package is intended for direct use or primarily as a dependency of livekit and livekit-api packages
- Specific protocol version coverage and compatibility with different LiveKit server versions

## Package facts

- License: Apache-2.0 (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 5.3M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

livekit protocol stubs python, webrtc python types, real-time communication protocol, livekit type definitions, video audio protocol python, livekit sdk protocol layer, protobuf stubs livekit, protocol-stubs, webrtc, type-hints

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/livekit-protocol) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/livekit-protocol/)