python-xlib
Python X Library
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are building X11 client applications on Unix systems and need a pure-Python solution without C dependencies. No, if you require active maintenance, bug fixes, or compatibility updates—the project is abandoned. Consider only for stable, long-term-maintenance applications where the lack of recent updates is acceptable.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires an X server to be running on a Unix-like system (Linux, BSD, etc.).
- Will not work on Windows or macOS.
- Requires Python 2.7 or newer.
License · maintenance · safety
LGPLv2+ (copyleft) — Licensed under LGPLv2+, a copyleft license. Any derivative work or modifications must be released under compatible terms, and source code must be made available to users.
last release 2022-12-25 (1328 days) · last repo commit 2023-04-01 · 462 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 3,476,409 downloads/mo, #2,609 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install python-xlib
import Xlib
from Xlib import display
display_obj = display.Display()
screen = display_obj.screen()
print(screen.root.get_geometry())- Current compatibility with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list 3.8 as highest tested)
- Whether the library remains functional with modern X11 implementations and extensions
What it is and what it does
Python Xlib is a pure-Python implementation of an X11 client library, written entirely in Python rather than as a wrapper around the C Xlib. It communicates directly with X servers via the X protocol over TCP/IP or Unix sockets, making it portable across any system with Python installed and an X server. The library provides both a low-level protocol interface and a high-level object-oriented API for building X client applications.
The package implements client-side X11R6 with support for a resource database, ICCCM window manager conventions, and several X extensions including RECORD, SHAPE, Xinerama, Composite, RANDR, DAMAGE, SECURITY, XFIXES, XInput, XTEST, and others. It has been used in production applications like the PLWM window manager and includes regression tests for stability, though the project has not received updates since late 2022.
Use it for
- Build X11 window managers or desktop environment components that need direct protocol-level control
- Write X11 client applications for Linux and Unix systems without C extension dependencies
- Automate X server interactions or create testing tools that need to communicate with X servers
- Develop GUI applications on Unix systems using a pure-Python X protocol implementation
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are building X11 client applications on Unix systems and need a pure-Python solution without C dependencies.
No, if you require active maintenance, bug fixes, or compatibility updates—the project is abandoned. Consider only for stable, long-term-maintenance applications where the lack of recent updates is acceptable.
Install
python-xlib on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a single lightweight dependency (six). However, the project is marked abandoned with no releases since 2022-12-25 and last commit 2023-04-01, meaning bug fixes and compatibility updates are unlikely.
Requires an X server to be running on a Unix-like system (Linux, BSD, etc.). Will not work on Windows or macOS. Requires Python 2.7 or newer.
License in practice
Licensed under LGPLv2+, a copyleft license. Any derivative work or modifications must be released under compatible terms, and source code must be made available to users.
Quickstart
pip install python-xlib
import Xlib
from Xlib import display
display_obj = display.Display()
screen = display_obj.screen()
print(screen.root.get_geometry())Verify before relying
- Current compatibility with Python versions beyond 3.8 (classifiers list 3.8 as highest tested)
- Whether the library remains functional with modern X11 implementations and extensions
Package facts
| License | LGPLv2+ copyleft |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagesix |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 1,328 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 3,476,409 / month, #2,609 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/StableEnvironment :: X11 ApplicationsIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: GNU Lesser General Public License v2 or later (LGPLv2+)Operating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.4Programming Language :: Python :: 3.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonTopic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python ModulesTopic :: Software Development :: User Interfaces |
Evidence: python_xlib-0.33-py2.py3-none-any.whl
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See also xlib · EWMHlib · xvfbwrapper · keysymdef · jeepney · dbus-python · PyVirtualDisplay · ftputil · pyghmi · pyobjc-framework-libxpc