---
id: python-xlib
version: "0.33"
license: LGPLv2+
license_treatment: copyleft
maintenance: abandoned
---

# python-xlib — Python X Library

License: copyleft · Maintenance: abandoned · Downloads: 3.5M/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

A pure-Python X11 client library that implements the X protocol to allow Python programs to interact with X servers on Unix-like systems.

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

pip install python-xlib
uv add python-xlib
poetry add python-xlib

## Installing python-xlib

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.

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())

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.

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: unspecified
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: abandoned
- Downloads: 3.5M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

x11 client library python, x protocol python, xlib python bindings, x server communication, unix x11 gui programming, x11, unix-only, abandoned

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