pyflakes
passive checker of Python programs
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. Pyflakes is a mature, stable tool with zero dependencies, low install friction, and no known vulnerabilities. Its narrow focus on logical errors makes it fast and reliable. The aging maintenance status (420 days since release) is a minor concern but not a blocker—the package is stable and the repository remains active. Install it if you want quick, safe error detection in your Python workflow.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.9 or later.
- Low friction: pure Python wheel with no runtime dependencies.
- Maintenance status is aging—last release 420 days ago—but the repository remains active with recent commits and the package is mature and stable.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute pyflakes with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.
last release 2025-06-20 (420 days) · last repo commit 2025-06-20 · 1,456 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 65,928,949 downloads/mo, #486 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyflakes
python -m pyflakes myfile.py- Whether the aging maintenance status (420 days since last release) affects bug-fix responsiveness or compatibility with very recent Python versions.
What it is and what it does
Pyflakes is a lightweight static checker for Python that detects common logical errors—undefined names, unused imports, duplicate arguments—by parsing source code without executing it. This approach makes it fast and safe to run on any module, including those with side effects. It deliberately avoids style checks, focusing instead on correctness with a strong commitment to avoiding false positives.
You run it from the command line or as a module to scan Python files. It's often used standalone or as a foundation for more comprehensive linters like flake8. With no runtime dependencies and support for Python 3.9 and later, it integrates easily into development workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and editor integrations.
Use it for
- Catch undefined variables and unused imports in a codebase before running tests.
- Integrate into pre-commit hooks to prevent common logical errors from being committed.
- Run on codebases with side effects where importing for analysis would be unsafe or slow.
- Use as a lightweight, fast alternative to heavier linters when you only care about logical correctness.
- Combine with flake8 or other tools to add style checking on top of error detection.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
Pyflakes is a mature, stable tool with zero dependencies, low install friction, and no known vulnerabilities. Its narrow focus on logical errors makes it fast and reliable. The aging maintenance status (420 days since release) is a minor concern but not a blocker—the package is stable and the repository remains active. Install it if you want quick, safe error detection in your Python workflow.
Install
pyflakes on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction: pure Python wheel with no runtime dependencies. Maintenance status is aging—last release 420 days ago—but the repository remains active with recent commits and the package is mature and stable.
Requires Python 3.9 or later.
License in practice
MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute pyflakes with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for both open-source and commercial projects.
Quickstart
pip install pyflakes
python -m pyflakes myfile.pyVerify before relying
- Whether the aging maintenance status (420 days since last release) affects bug-fix responsiveness or compatibility with very recent Python versions.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Aging 420 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 65,928,949 / month, #486 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 6 - MatureEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software DevelopmentTopic :: Utilities |
Evidence: pyflakes-3.4.0-py2.py3-none-any.whl
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See also autoflake · flake8 · types-pyflakes · flake8-bugbear · pep8-naming · fawltydeps · flake8-import-order · pycodestyle · flake8-unused-arguments · slotscheck