zhinst-core
Python API for Zurich Instruments Devices
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you own or have access to Zurich Instruments hardware and need programmatic control from Python. The package is production-stable, actively maintained, permissively licensed, and has no known vulnerabilities. Install friction is moderate due to platform-specific wheels, but that is expected for hardware-interfacing libraries. Not applicable if you do not have compatible hardware.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.10 or later; binary wheels are platform-specific (macOS, Linux, Windows) and architecture-specific (x86_64, arm64, aarch64).
- Medium install friction due to platform-specific binary wheels for multiple Python versions (3.10–3.13) and architectures.
- Active maintenance with a release 15 days ago indicates ongoing support.
License · maintenance · safety
MIT (permissive) — MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal restrictions, provided you retain the license notice.
last release 2026-07-30 (15 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 110,166 downloads/mo, #12,481 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install zhinst-core
import zhinst.core
help(zhinst.core)- Whether the package requires a physical Zurich Instruments device or supports simulation/emulation mode for development.
- Whether numpy and typing-extensions are used at runtime or only for type hints and internal operations.
What it is and what it does
zhinst-core is the official Python binding for Zurich Instruments' LabOne control software, enabling developers to communicate with and control Zurich Instruments measurement devices programmatically. It wraps a C++ backend and provides a high-level Python interface for device configuration, data acquisition, and instrument control.
The package is designed for scientific and engineering applications where direct, programmatic control of Zurich Instruments hardware is needed. It depends on numpy for numerical operations and typing-extensions for type hints, and is actively maintained with support for current Python versions (3.10 through 3.13). Installation requires selecting the correct platform-specific binary wheel for your operating system and Python version.
Use it for
- Automating measurement workflows with Zurich Instruments devices in laboratory environments.
- Building custom data acquisition scripts that integrate device control with analysis pipelines.
- Developing test automation and quality assurance routines for hardware validation.
- Creating reproducible experimental protocols that interface with LabOne-compatible instruments.
- Integrating Zurich Instruments devices into larger scientific computing workflows.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you own or have access to Zurich Instruments hardware and need programmatic control from Python.
The package is production-stable, actively maintained, permissively licensed, and has no known vulnerabilities. Install friction is moderate due to platform-specific wheels, but that is expected for hardware-interfacing libraries. Not applicable if you do not have compatible hardware.
Install
zhinst-core on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to platform-specific binary wheels for multiple Python versions (3.10–3.13) and architectures. Active maintenance with a release 15 days ago indicates ongoing support.
Requires Python 3.10 or later; binary wheels are platform-specific (macOS, Linux, Windows) and architecture-specific (x86_64, arm64, aarch64).
License in practice
MIT license is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal restrictions, provided you retain the license notice.
Quickstart
pip install zhinst-core
import zhinst.core
help(zhinst.core)Verify before relying
- Whether the package requires a physical Zurich Instruments device or supports simulation/emulation mode for development.
- Whether numpy and typing-extensions are used at runtime or only for type hints and internal operations.
Package facts
| License | MIT permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.10 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packagestyping-extensionsnumpy |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 15 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 110,166 / month, #12,481 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/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: MacOS :: MacOS XOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming Language :: C++Programming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Topic :: Scientific/EngineeringTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python Modules |
Evidence: zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_11_x86_64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp310-cp310-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp310-cp310-manylinux2014_aarch64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_11_x86_64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp311-cp311-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp311-cp311-manylinux2014_aarch64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_11_x86_64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp312-cp312-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp312-cp312-manylinux2014_aarch64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp313-cp313-macosx_10_11_x86_64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp313-cp313-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp313-cp313-manylinux1_x86_64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp313-cp313-manylinux2014_aarch64.whl; zhinst_core-26.7.1.4-cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl
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See also zhinst-comms · zhinst-toolkit · zhinst-utils · zhinst-timing-models · RsInstrument · PyVISA · zigpy-znp · phidget22 · PyVISA-py · zigpy-deconz