watchtower

Python CloudWatch Logging

watchtower Permissive license Apache Software License AGING ★ 821 v3.4.0 released 2025-02-25

Install

watchtower on PyPI

pip

pip install watchtower

uv

uv add watchtower

poetry

poetry add watchtower

Package facts

License	Apache Software License (permissive)
Python support	supports the current Python release (>=3.8)
Install friction	low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies	1 — boto3
Maintenance	aging — 534 days since the last release
Last repo commit	2025-11-24
First released	2015-09-07
Popularity	one of the top 1,000 most-downloaded packages on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-13)
Known vulnerabilities	none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-13)

Evidence: watchtower-3.4.0-py3-none-any.whl

Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software DevelopmentTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules

About watchtower

from the package's own PyPI description — quoted content, verbatim

Watchtower: Python CloudWatch Logging

Watchtower is a log handler for Amazon Web Services CloudWatch Logs <https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/cloudwatch-log-service/>_.

CloudWatch Logs is a log management service built into AWS. It is conceptually similar to services like Splunk, Datadog, and Loggly, but is more lightweight, cheaper, and tightly integrated with the rest of AWS.

Watchtower, in turn, is a lightweight adapter between the Python logging system <https://docs.python.org/library/logging.html> and CloudWatch Logs. It uses the boto3 AWS SDK <https://github.com/boto/boto3>, and lets you plug your application logging directly into CloudWatch without the need to install a system-wide log collector like awscli-cwlogs <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/awscli-cwlogs>_ and round-trip your logs through the instance's syslog. It aggregates logs into batches to avoid sending an API request per each log message, while guaranteeing a delivery deadline (60 seconds by default).

Installation ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ::

pip install watchtower

Synopsis ~~~~~~~~ Install awscli <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/awscli>_ and set your AWS credentials...

Read as markdown · JSON record · Source repository · Homepage · Docs

AI interpretation — verify before relying

AI-generated interpretation of the package facts above; every digit, version, license, or vulnerability id it cites is grounded in the facts already shown on this page

Watchtower is a Python logging handler that sends application logs directly to AWS CloudWatch Logs, aggregating them into batches to minimize API calls while guaranteeing delivery within a configurable deadline.

Watchtower has low install friction with only boto3 as a runtime dependency. The package is in production/stable status and actively maintained, with the last commit on 2025-11-24. However, it has aged 534 days since its last release, so while functional, newer features or fixes may be pending.

Watchtower is licensed under the Apache Software License, a permissive open-source license that allows commercial use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions, making it safe for most production environments.

Usage

pip install watchtower

import watchtower, logging
logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
logger.addHandler(watchtower.CloudWatchLogHandler())
logger.info("Hi")

AWS credentials must be configured (via aws configure, IAM role, or environment variables) and the process must have IAM permissions for CloudWatch Logs API calls (e.g., arn:aws:iam::aws:policy/AWSOpsWorksCloudWatchLogs).

Verdict: Watchtower is a stable, low-friction adapter for sending Python application logs to AWS CloudWatch. It has no known vulnerabilities, supports Python 3.8–3.13, and integrates cleanly with the standard logging module. The 534-day gap since last release suggests maintenance may be infrequent, but the package remains functional and well-suited for AWS-native deployments.

Needs verification

Whether the 534-day release gap reflects active maintenance or dormancy beyond what the last commit date indicates.
Performance characteristics and log delivery guarantees under high-volume logging scenarios.
Compatibility edge cases with threading or async logging frameworks beyond the Django debug server caveat mentioned.

aws cloudwatch logging pythonpython logging handler cloudwatchsend logs to cloudwatchaws logs integration pythoncloudwatch log aggregationpython boto3 loggingaws log management python