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pycdc

github.com

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Spec score 7.4 #37 of 73 in Reverse Engineering Tools

What it is

pycdc is the command-line decompiler in Decompyle++, a free C++ project that converts compiled Python bytecode into readable Python source. The pycdc command accepts a PYC file and prints source to standard output. Its companion, pycdas, disassembles a PYC file and prints bytecode. Both commands handle Python marshalled code objects, but those objects do not contain version metadata, so the Python version must be supplied. The project seeks compatibility with bytecode from any Python version and focuses on bytecode rather than native-code decompilation. Decompyle++ 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. CMake is the named build-system requirement, with no product integrations listed. The project is GPL version 3, credits Michael Hansen and Darryl Pogue, and has no packaged GitHub releases. Its listed plan is free.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Decompyle++ aims to translate compiled Python bytecode into valid, human-readable Python source code.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integrations
The README names CMake as the build-system requirement and does not list product integrations.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project is released under the GNU General Public License, version 3.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Authors
The README credits Michael Hansen and Darryl Pogue as the authors of Decompyle++.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build
The project uses CMake to generate a project or makefile, which users then build.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Decompiler
The pycdc command decompiles a PYC file and prints Python source to standard output.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Disassembler
The pycdas command disassembles a PYC file and prints the bytecode to standard output.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Distribution
The GitHub releases page states that there are no releases for this repository.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Implementation
Decompyle++ is written in C++.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Marshalled objects
Both tools support Python marshalled code objects, and using them requires specifying the Python version because the objects contain no version metadata.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Python versions
The project says it seeks to support bytecode from any version of Python.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Unix-like build
The README gives makefile build and test instructions for *nix or MSYS.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Windows build
The README describes building generated project files with tools such as MSVC.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Decompyle++ Free GPL-3.0 licensed source code · no packaged GitHub releases Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every pycdc plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Decompiles PYC files to Python source
  • Includes a separate bytecode disassembler
  • Seeks support for any Python bytecode version
  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • GPL-3.0 licensed source code

Limits

  • Requires specifying versions for marshalled objects
  • Builds must be generated and compiled
  • No native-code decompilation
  • No packaged GitHub releases

Who it suits

pycdc suits developers or analysts who need command-line inspection of compiled Python bytecode. It is intended for users comfortable building C++ software with CMake.

Verdict

pycdc provides focused bytecode decompilation and disassembly through command-line tools. Its source-build workflow and version handling matter when preparing a usable setup.

Where Specifiction places it

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