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SPECIFICTION
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gs-batch-pdf

github.com

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Spec score 8.1 #14 of 39 in PDF Compression Software

What it is

gs-batch-pdf is a free, MIT-licensed command-line tool for processing PDF files in parallel on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It applies Ghostscript presets including /screen, /ebook, /printer, /prepress, and /default, and converts files to PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2, or PDF/A-3. Correct PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3 conversion requires Ghostscript 10.04.0 or newer. Recursive directory processing can report progress for each file. You can keep the smaller result or always keep the newly processed file, add filename prefixes or suffixes, and choose whether failures prompt, skip, or abort. Silent options support unattended runs, including forced overwrites, suppressed output-folder opening, and skipped errors. Arbitrary Ghostscript options are accepted. Python 3.12 or later and a separately installed Ghostscript executable are required; pipx is recommended, while pip is also supported. No API access is listed.

Spec sheet

Purpose
gs-batch-pdf is a command-line tool for batch processing PDFs with parallel execution.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms
The README states support for Windows, Linux, and macOS.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integrations
The tool uses Ghostscript for PDF processing and can be installed with pipx or pip.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project invites bug reports and feature requests through GitHub Issues and contributions through pull requests.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The README says gs-batch-pdf is licensed under MIT and describes Ghostscript as AGPL-licensed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Automation
The README documents silent and unattended batch use, including options to force overwrites, suppress opening the output folder, and skip errors.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Batch controls
It can recursively process directory trees and report per-file progress.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Batch search
It can recursively search directory trees when run with the -r flag.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Compression
It supports Ghostscript compression presets /screen, /ebook, /printer, /prepress, and /default.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Custom options
Users can pass arbitrary Ghostscript command-line options to the tool.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Error handling
On processing errors, it can prompt, skip failed files, or abort.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
File handling
It can keep the smaller of the original and processed files, or always keep the new version, and supports filename prefixes and suffixes.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Install requirements
The README lists Python 3.12 or later and Ghostscript as prerequisites, and recommends installing the package with pipx; pip is also supported.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integration
PDF processing uses Ghostscript, which must be installed separately.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
PDF/A
It converts PDFs to PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2, or PDF/A-3, and the README says PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3 require Ghostscript 10.04.0 or higher for correct conversion.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Requirements
Running the tool requires Python 3.12 or newer and an installed Ghostscript executable.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security and licensing
The project says gs-batch-pdf is licensed under MIT and identifies Ghostscript as AGPL-licensed; the README does not state security certifications or compliance claims.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free MIT-licensed command-line tool; requires Python 3.12+ and Ghostscript Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every gs-batch-pdf plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free MIT-licensed command-line tool
  • Processes directory trees recursively with per-file progress
  • Supports multiple compression presets and PDF/A outputs
  • Offers unattended processing and configurable failure handling
  • Runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS

Limits

  • Requires Python 3.12 or newer
  • Ghostscript must be installed separately
  • It is not an offline desktop app
  • No API access is listed

Who it suits

It suits command-line users automating PDF compression, conversion, and batch directory processing. It is useful for Windows, Linux, or macOS environments that can install Python and Ghostscript.

Verdict

gs-batch-pdf provides configurable, scriptable PDF batch processing with parallel execution. Its prerequisites and command-line format should be checked before deployment.

Where Specifiction places it

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