pygnuutils
A python implementation for GNU utils
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need a stable, lightweight Python wrapper around GNU utilities with dependency injection for testing or customization. The low install friction and lack of security vulnerabilities support this. However, the dormant maintenance status (no updates since May 2023) means you should verify that the utilities you need are already implemented and that you're comfortable with no active support for new features or GNU utility additions.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Low friction install with a single runtime dependency (click).
- Dormant maintenance since May 2023 with no recent commits, though the repository remains active and unarchived.
License · maintenance · safety
copyleft license (copyleft) — Licensed under GPLv3+, a copyleft license requiring that any distributed modifications or derivative works also be released under GPLv3+. Suitable for open-source projects but restricts use in proprietary software.
last release 2023-05-12 (1190 days) · last repo commit 2023-10-03 · 4 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 315,514 downloads/mo, #7,684 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pygnuutils
from pygnuutils.ls import Ls
ls = Ls()
ls('/tmp', all_=True)- Which GNU utilities beyond ls are currently implemented in this version
- Whether the dependency injection pattern is documented with examples beyond the readlink use case
- Current test coverage and whether the implementation handles all standard GNU utility flags
What it is and what it does
pygnuutils is a pure Python reimplementation of GNU utility commands, allowing you to call familiar tools like `ls` either from the command line (via a `pygnuutils` prefix) or directly from Python code. The main appeal is its support for dependency injection—you can subclass the utility's internal stub to intercept and customize behavior (like logging symlink resolution) without modifying the core implementation.
The package depends only on click for CLI handling and supports Python 3.7 through 3.11. It is marked as Production/Stable but has not been updated since May 2023, making it suitable for stable, low-change use cases but not for active development where you need ongoing maintenance or new GNU utility additions.
Use it for
- Call GNU utilities from Python code without shelling out, using ls() with custom options
- Inject custom behavior into file operations (e.g., logging, filtering, or mocking symlink resolution)
- Build CLI tools that wrap or extend GNU utilities with Python-specific logic via the click integration
- Test code that depends on GNU utilities by mocking their behavior through dependency injection
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need a stable, lightweight Python wrapper around GNU utilities with dependency injection for testing or customization.
The low install friction and lack of security vulnerabilities support this. However, the dormant maintenance status (no updates since May 2023) means you should verify that the utilities you need are already implemented and that you're comfortable with no active support for new features or GNU utility additions.
Install
pygnuutils on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction install with a single runtime dependency (click). Dormant maintenance since May 2023 with no recent commits, though the repository remains active and unarchived.
License in practice
Licensed under GPLv3+, a copyleft license requiring that any distributed modifications or derivative works also be released under GPLv3+. Suitable for open-source projects but restricts use in proprietary software.
Quickstart
pip install pygnuutils
from pygnuutils.ls import Ls
ls = Ls()
ls('/tmp', all_=True)Verify before relying
- Which GNU utilities beyond ls are currently implemented in this version
- Whether the dependency injection pattern is documented with examples beyond the readlink use case
- Current test coverage and whether the implementation handles all standard GNU utility flags
Package facts
| License | copyleft license copyleft |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.7 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packageclick |
| Maintenance | Dormant 1,190 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 315,514 / month, #7,684 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/StableLicense :: OSI Approved :: GNU General Public License v3 or later (GPLv3+)Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9 |
Evidence: pygnuutils-0.1.1-py3-none-any.whl
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