pycdc
pycdc is the command-line decompiler included in Decompyle++, a free C++ project for converting compiled Python bytecode into readable Python source.
What pycdc is
pycdc is the command-line decompiler included in Decompyle++, a free C++ project for converting compiled Python bytecode into readable Python source. The pycdc command accepts a PYC file and writes decompiled source to standard output. Its companion, pycdas, disassembles a PYC file and prints the resulting bytecode. Both commands support Python marshalled code objects, but these objects do not record their Python version, so that version must be supplied when processing them. Decompyle++ seeks compatibility with bytecode from any Python version and focuses on bytecode rather than native-code decompilation. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Building uses CMake to generate a project or makefile, followed by compilation; the README describes MSVC for Windows projects and makefile instructions for Unix-like systems or MSYS. The project is GPL-3.0 licensed, credits Michael Hansen and Darryl Pogue, and has no packaged GitHub releases. The listed plan is free.
Good
- Decompiles PYC files to readable Python source
- Disassembles PYC files into bytecode output
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Handles marshalled Python code objects
- Free GPL-3.0 source code
Watch out
- Marshalled objects require a specified Python version
- Requires CMake and a separate build step
- No packaged GitHub releases
- Does not decompile native code
Who it suits
It suits developers who need command-line Python bytecode decompilation or disassembly on Linux, macOS, or Windows. It is also relevant to users handling marshalled code objects who can provide the Python version.
Verdict
pycdc provides focused command-line decompilation and disassembly for Python bytecode, with broad stated version aims and support for three desktop platforms. Users should expect to build it themselves and supply version information for marshalled objects.
Plans and prices
From pycdc's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Decompyle++ | Free | GPL-3.0 licensed source code · no packaged GitHub releases |
The facts
Each one read from pycdc's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authors
- The README credits Michael Hansen and Darryl Pogue as the authors of Decompyle++.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Build
- The project uses CMake to generate a project or makefile, which users then build.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Decompiler
- The pycdc command decompiles a PYC file and prints Python source to standard output.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Disassembler
- The pycdas command disassembles a PYC file and prints the bytecode to standard output.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The GitHub releases page states that there are no releases for this repository.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Implementation
- Decompyle++ is written in C++.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README names CMake as the build-system requirement and does not list product integrations.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is released under the GNU General Public License, version 3.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Marshalled objects
- Both tools support Python marshalled code objects, and using them requires specifying the Python version because the objects contain no version metadata.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Decompyle++ aims to translate compiled Python bytecode into valid, human-readable Python source code.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Python versions
- The project says it seeks to support bytecode from any version of Python.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Unix-like build
- The README gives makefile build and test instructions for *nix or MSYS.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Windows build
- The README describes building generated project files with tools such as MSVC.checked 8 Oct 2026
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