---
id: zhinst-core
version: "26.7.1.4"
license: MIT
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# zhinst-core — Python API for Zurich Instruments Devices

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 110.2K/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

zhinst-core provides a native Python API for communicating with Zurich Instruments measurement and control devices through the LabOne software platform.

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

pip install zhinst-core
uv add zhinst-core
poetry add zhinst-core

## Installing zhinst-core

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.

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)

Requires Python 3.10 or later; binary wheels are platform-specific (macOS, Linux, Windows) and architecture-specific (x86_64, arm64, aarch64).

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_current
- Install friction: medium
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 110.2K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

zurich instruments python api, labone device control python, zurich instruments measurement devices, LabOne python interface, instrument communication python, zurich instruments sdk, device control api, hardware-control, instrumentation, scientific-computing

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