---
id: pyjokes
version: "0.8.3"
license: BSD-3-Clause
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: dormant
---

# pyjokes — One line jokes for programmers (jokes as a service)

License: permissive · Maintenance: dormant · Downloads: 187.6K/mo

## What it is and what it does

pyjokes is a lightweight library that serves one-liner jokes targeted at programmers. It can be used as a command-line tool (pyjoke command) or imported as a Python module to fetch jokes programmatically. The package includes jokes in multiple languages and categories (such as 'chuck' for Chuck Norris jokes), and offers functions to retrieve a single random joke, all jokes in a category, or an infinite stream via a generator.

The package has no runtime dependencies and installs cleanly on modern Python versions (3.9–3.12). However, it is in dormant maintenance—the last release was 734 days ago—so new jokes, bug fixes, and feature additions are not expected. It is suitable for adding levity to terminal sessions or as a novelty inclusion in applications, but should not be relied upon for active development or content updates.

Use it for:

- Display a random programmer joke in your terminal each time you open a shell by adding pyjoke to .bashrc or .zshrc.
- Fetch a joke programmatically in a Python script or application to add humor to logs, status messages, or welcome screens.
- Build a joke rotation feature that cycles through all jokes in a specific language or category using get_jokes().
- Create a continuous joke stream for entertainment or testing purposes using the forever() generator function.

## Worth the install?

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

Provides one-liner programmer jokes accessible via command line or Python API, supporting multiple languages and joke categories.

Yes, if you want a lightweight, zero-dependency way to add programmer jokes to your terminal or scripts. The dormant maintenance status is not a blocker for a static joke database, but be aware that no new jokes or updates are forthcoming. Install only if novelty or entertainment is the goal, not if you expect active development or content curation.

## Install

pip install pyjokes
uv add pyjokes
poetry add pyjokes

## Installing pyjokes

Before you install: Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Dormant maintenance status (734 days since last release) means bug fixes and new content are unlikely, though the package remains compatible with current Python versions.

License in practice: BSD-3-Clause permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; attribution and license text preservation are required.

Quickstart:

pip install pyjokes

import pyjokes
print(pyjokes.get_joke())

# Or from command line:
# pyjoke

Requires Python 3.9 or later (supports up to 3.12).

Verify before relying:

- Whether the joke database is actively curated or if new jokes are added despite dormant maintenance status.
- Performance characteristics when iterating through all jokes or using the forever() generator on large datasets.

## Package facts

- License: BSD-3-Clause (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: dormant
- Downloads: 187.6K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

programmer jokes, one-liner jokes, jokes as a service, command line jokes, multilingual joke generator, humor, cli-tool

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