pybreaker
Python implementation of the Circuit Breaker pattern
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. PyBreaker is a mature, actively maintained library with zero known vulnerabilities, low install friction, and permissive licensing. It solves a real problem in distributed systems and integration points. Use it when you need to protect against cascading failures from external services or databases. The decorator-based API is straightforward, and optional Redis backing scales to multi-instance deployments.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.9+.
- Optional Redis dependency if using CircuitRedisStorage for distributed state.
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — Permissive license (BSD) allows use in commercial and proprietary projects without viral obligations.
last release 2025-09-21 (327 days) · last repo commit 2026-07-04 · 691 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 36,034,984 downloads/mo, #739 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
import pybreaker
db_breaker = pybreaker.CircuitBreaker(fail_max=5, reset_timeout=60)
@db_breaker
def update_customer(cust):
# database operation
pass
update_customer(my_customer)- Whether Redis backing is optional or required for production use cases
- Performance overhead of circuit breaker wrapping under high call volume
- Tornado async support maturity and whether it's actively used
What it is and what it does
PyBreaker is a Python implementation of the Circuit Breaker design pattern, which prevents cascading failures by stopping calls to a failing service after a configurable error threshold is reached. When the circuit opens, subsequent calls fail immediately without attempting the operation, allowing the failing service time to recover. After a reset timeout, the circuit enters a half-open state and allows a test call through; if it succeeds, the circuit closes and normal operation resumes.
The library supports multiple usage patterns: decorators on functions, explicit call() invocation, and context managers. It offers event listeners for monitoring state changes and failures, thread-safe operation, optional Redis backing for distributed systems, and optional Tornado async support. You can exclude specific exceptions (like business validation errors) from triggering the breaker, and configure success thresholds to require multiple successful calls before fully closing the circuit.
Use it for
- Protect database queries from cascading failures when a database becomes unresponsive
- Guard external API calls to fail fast and prevent timeout accumulation during outages
- Implement resilient microservice communication by stopping calls to unhealthy downstream services
- Monitor integration point health and trigger alerts when circuits open repeatedly
- Distribute circuit state across multiple application instances using Redis storage
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
PyBreaker is a mature, actively maintained library with zero known vulnerabilities, low install friction, and permissive licensing. It solves a real problem in distributed systems and integration points. Use it when you need to protect against cascading failures from external services or databases. The decorator-based API is straightforward, and optional Redis backing scales to multi-instance deployments.
Install
pybreaker on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained; last commit 2026-07-04, latest release 2025-09-21. Requires Python 3.9+.
Requires Python 3.9+. Optional Redis dependency if using CircuitRedisStorage for distributed state.
License in practice
Permissive license (BSD) allows use in commercial and proprietary projects without viral obligations.
Quickstart
import pybreaker
db_breaker = pybreaker.CircuitBreaker(fail_max=5, reset_timeout=60)
@db_breaker
def update_customer(cust):
# database operation
pass
update_customer(my_customer)Verify before relying
- Whether Redis backing is optional or required for production use cases
- Performance overhead of circuit breaker wrapping under high call volume
- Tornado async support maturity and whether it's actively used
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 327 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 36,034,984 / month, #739 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Topic :: Software Development :: Libraries |
Evidence: pybreaker-1.4.1-py3-none-any.whl
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