cppimport

library26.4.17pypypi✓ verified 85d ago

Import C++ files directly from Python by automatically compiling them with pybind11. Version 26.4.17, updated to work with Python up to 3.14, replacing deprecated distutils with setuptools._distutils.

ai-ml llm-agents

pip install cppimport

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · CPPIMPORT

cppimport

ai-mlpythonv26.4.17

Install

4.2s avg

Import

30ms

Disk

22MB

Pass rate

10/ 10

Env Coverage10 / 10

glibc

3.9–3.13

musl

3.9–3.13

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v26.4.17 · pip install

no network on importno background threads

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

py 3.10–3.95 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 0.026s · 20.4MB

glibc

py 3.10–3.95 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 4.2s · import 0.034s · 21MB

22MB installed

● package 22MB

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

cppimport

✓ import cppimport

Main module for importing C++ files.

After installing, create a C++ file with a .cpp extension and a corresponding .py file with the same name (or use PYBIND11_MODULE macro). Use cppimport.force_reload() to recompile if the C++ source changes.

import cppimport cppimport.force_reload() import my_cpp_module # assumes my_cpp_module.cpp exists and is configured

cppoimport --version

Debug

Known issues

breakingVersion 26.4.17 removed the use of distutils and the 'dry-run' kwarg, which may break code relying on older internal APIs.

fix

Upgrade to >=26.4.17. If you used cppimport internals referencing distutils, update to setuptools._distutils.

affects: <26.4.17

gotchacppimport does not recompile automatically when the C++ source changes; you must call cppimport.force_reload() or delete the .so file.

fix

Call cppimport.force_reload() before importing the module after modifying the .cpp file.

affects: all

gotchaThe C++ file must define a valid PYBIND11_MODULE (or similar) entry point, and the module name in the macro must match the filename.

fix

Ensure your .cpp file contains PYBIND11_MODULE(your_filename, m) where your_filename matches the .cpp filename.

affects: all

deprecatedOlder versions (<22.08.02) did not expose version via __version__.

fix

Upgrade to get package version via cppimport.__version__.

affects: <22.08.02

Errors

Common errors & fixes

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'cppimport'

cppimport is not installed or the Python environment does not have it.

fix

Run 'pip install cppimport' in the correct environment.

RuntimeError: Cannot load cppimport extension: No such file or directory: ...

The C++ source file is missing or the filename does not match the import statement.

fix

Create the .cpp file with the correct name (e.g., mymodule.cpp for 'import mymodule').

ImportError: dynamic module does not define module export function (PyInit_...)

The PYBIND11_MODULE macro in the C++ file does not match the module name used in Python.

fix

Update PYBIND11_MODULE(mymodule, m) to match the filename (mymodule.cpp).

AttributeError: module 'cppimport' has no attribute 'force_reload'

Using an old version of cppimport that does not have force_reload (added in v22.05.10?).

fix

Upgrade to the latest version with 'pip install --upgrade cppimport'.

Upgrade

Version history

26.4.17latest on PyPI · released Apr 17, 2026

Audit

Dependencies

pybind11requiredRequired for compiling C++ code into Python modules.

Agent activity

12 hits · last 30 days

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OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/tbenthompson/cppimport ↗

packagehttps://pypi.org/project/cppimport/ ↗