---
id: pyprctl
version: "0.1.3"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: abandoned
---

# pyprctl — An interface to Linux's prctl() syscall written in pure Python using ctypes.

License: permissive · Maintenance: abandoned · Downloads: 194.5K/mo

## What it is and what it does

pyprctl wraps Linux's prctl() system call in pure Python, letting you read and modify process attributes and capabilities directly from your code. It uses ctypes to call the underlying C function without requiring compiled extensions, making it portable across Python versions that support ctypes.

The package targets system-level operations—process scheduling hints, capability management, security attributes—that are typically needed in containerization, privilege management, or low-level process control. Because it is abandoned and has not been updated since 2021-10-26, it may not reflect changes to the prctl() API or Linux capabilities in newer kernels, and no security patches are forthcoming.

Use it for:

- Drop or restrict Linux capabilities in a containerized application to reduce attack surface.
- Set process dumpability or other security attributes before executing untrusted code.
- Query or modify process scheduling hints and resource control attributes at runtime.
- Implement privilege-dropping logic in a Python daemon without calling external commands.

## Worth the install?

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

Provides a pure-Python interface to Linux's prctl() system call and Linux capabilities using ctypes, allowing direct manipulation of process attributes from Python code.

No. The project is abandoned with last commit on 2021-10-26 and no active maintenance or security patches. While it has low install friction and a permissive MIT license, the lack of updates means it may not work correctly with modern Linux kernels, and any bugs or security issues will not be fixed. Use only if you are certain your target environment is compatible and you can maintain a fork yourself.

## Install

pip install pyprctl
uv add pyprctl
poetry add pyprctl

## Installing pyprctl

Before you install: Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel, but the project is abandoned—last commit was 2021-10-26. No active maintenance or security updates should be expected.

License in practice: MIT license is permissive; you can use this package freely in commercial and private projects with minimal restrictions.

Quickstart:

pip install pyprctl

import pyprctl

# Example: query process capabilities
caps = pyprctl.cap_get_proc()
print(caps)

Requires Linux; will not work on Windows, macOS, or other non-Linux systems. Also requires Python 3.6 or later.

Verify before relying:

- Whether the package works correctly on modern Linux kernels and distributions released after 2021-10-26.
- Whether all prctl() operations and Linux capabilities are fully supported or only a subset.
- Whether there are known incompatibilities with Python versions beyond 3.10.

## Package facts

- License: MIT (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: abandoned
- Downloads: 194.5K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

linux prctl system call, process capabilities control, linux process attributes, ctypes prctl wrapper, process resource limits, linux capabilities python, prctl interface, linux-syscall, process-control, abandoned

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