---
id: pyobjc-framework-applicationservices
version: "12.2.2"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# pyobjc-framework-ApplicationServices — Wrappers for the framework ApplicationServices on macOS

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 1.0M/mo

## What it is and what it does

This package wraps Apple's ApplicationServices framework—specifically Core Text, HIServices, and PrintCore—for use from Python on macOS. It is part of the PyObjC project and provides low-level access to macOS system services for text layout, font management, and related functionality. The wrapper translates between Python and Objective-C, allowing developers to call native macOS APIs directly from Python code.

The package is intended for developers building macOS applications that need advanced text handling, font operations, or system-level services. It requires Python 3.10 or later and is available only as pre-built wheels for macOS (10.5+). Installation pulls in four runtime dependencies: pyobjc-core, pyobjc-framework-Cocoa, pyobjc-framework-Quartz, and pyobjc-framework-CoreText. Documentation is minimal in the package itself; users are expected to consult Apple's official framework documentation and PyObjC's general translation guides.

Use it for:

- Build macOS desktop applications that need precise text layout and font rendering via Core Text.
- Integrate macOS system printing services into Python applications using PrintCore APIs.
- Access HIServices for macOS-specific human interface and accessibility features.
- Develop tools that require low-level font metrics and text measurement on macOS.
- Create macOS automation scripts that interact with system-level text and graphics services.

## Worth the install?

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

Provides Python bindings to macOS ApplicationServices framework, enabling access to Core Text, HIServices, and PrintCore for text layout, font handling, and system services on macOS.

Yes, if you are developing on macOS and need direct access to ApplicationServices framework APIs. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, uses a permissive MIT license, and supports current Python versions. Install friction is moderate due to platform specificity and multiple PyObjC dependencies, but this is expected for system-level framework bindings. Not applicable on non-macOS platforms.

## Install

pip install pyobjc-framework-applicationservices
uv add pyobjc-framework-applicationservices
poetry add pyobjc-framework-applicationservices

## Installing pyobjc-framework-ApplicationServices

Before you install: Medium install friction: platform-specific wheels for macOS only (Python 3.10–3.15), with four runtime dependencies on other PyObjC framework packages. Actively maintained as of 3 days ago with recent commits and no known vulnerabilities.

License in practice: MIT license permits commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; suitable for most projects.

Quickstart:

pip install pyobjc-framework-applicationservices

from CoreText import CTFontCreateWithName, kCTFontAttributeName
# Access Core Text APIs for font and text layout operations

macOS only; requires Python 3.10 or later and a macOS system (10.5 or later per framework requirements).

Verify before relying:

- Specific Core Text capabilities and API coverage compared to direct Objective-C access.
- Performance characteristics for high-volume text layout operations.
- Compatibility with non-Intel macOS architectures beyond universal2 wheels shown.

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 1.0M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

macos applicationservices bindings, core text python wrapper, pyobjc framework integration, macos font handling, objective-c bridge python, macos system services api, text layout macos, macos-only, system-bindings, text-layout

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