---
id: public
version: "2020.12.3"
license: Unlicense
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: abandoned
---

# public — replace __all__ with @public.add decorator

License: permissive · Maintenance: abandoned · Downloads: 107.9K/mo

## What it is and what it does

The public package replaces Python's traditional `__all__` list with a `@public.add` decorator. Instead of manually maintaining a list of exported names at the top of a module, you decorate each function, class, or name you want to export, and the package automatically populates `__all__` for you. This can reduce boilerplate and keep export declarations close to their definitions.

The package has no runtime dependencies and works by modifying the module's `__all__` attribute as decorators are applied. It supports decorating functions and classes individually, or calling `public.add()` with string names to add arbitrary exports. However, the project is abandoned with no updates since 2020-12-03, so it may have compatibility issues with newer Python versions or lack support for modern language features.

Use it for:

- Replacing manual `__all__` lists in modules where you prefer keeping export declarations next to their definitions.
- Reducing boilerplate in packages with many exported functions or classes by using decorators instead of list maintenance.
- Programmatically adding names to `__all__` at module load time without editing the source list.
- Teaching or documenting which names are part of a module's public API through decorator syntax.

## Worth the install?

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

Provides a decorator-based alternative to Python's `__all__` list for marking which names should be exported from a module or package.

No. The package is abandoned (last release 2020-12-03), offers minimal functionality that can be replicated in a few lines of code, and provides no advantage over manually maintaining `__all__`. The decorator pattern it provides is a stylistic choice with no functional benefit, and the lack of maintenance creates risk for compatibility issues.

## Install

pip install public
uv add public
poetry add public

## Installing public

Before you install: High install friction with no runtime dependencies. The package is abandoned—last release was 2020-12-03 with no commits since—and has not been maintained. Use only if the decorator pattern is essential to your workflow.

License in practice: Licensed under Unlicense (public domain), permissive treatment. You may use, modify, and distribute freely with no restrictions or attribution requirements.

Quickstart:

pip install public

import public

@public.add
def func():
    pass

print(__all__)  # ['func']

Verify before relying:

- Whether the package works correctly with modern Python versions beyond those tested at release time.
- Whether the decorator correctly handles edge cases like nested modules or dynamic imports.
- Performance or compatibility impact when used in large codebases with many exports.

## Package facts

- License: Unlicense (permissive)
- Python support: unspecified
- Install friction: high
- Maintenance: abandoned
- Downloads: 107.9K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

python __all__ decorator, module export decorator, public api marker, replace __all__ python, module visibility control, python package exports, dynamic __all__ management, module-metadata, abandoned

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