gs-batch-pdf

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What gs-batch-pdf is

gs-batch-pdf is a free, MIT-licensed command-line tool for processing PDFs in batches, with parallel execution on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It uses Ghostscript to compress documents with presets including /screen, /ebook, /printer, /prepress, and /default. It can also convert PDFs to PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2, or PDF/A-3; the latter two formats require Ghostscript 10.04.0 or later for correct conversion.

For larger jobs, gs-batch-pdf can search directory trees recursively with the -r flag and show progress for individual files. You can choose to retain the smaller version of each file or always keep the processed copy, and add a prefix or suffix to output filenames. When a file encounters an error, the tool can ask what to do, skip it, or stop the batch. It also supports unattended runs, including options to force overwrites, skip errors, and suppress opening the output folder. Arbitrary Ghostscript command-line options can be passed through. Getting started requires Python 3.12 or later and a separately installed Ghostscript executable; installation is supported through pipx or pip.

Who it suits

It suits people comfortable using a command line who need to compress or convert multiple PDFs, including files nested in directories. It can also fit automated workflows that need unattended batch processing and control over errors and output files.

What it does well

Processes batches in parallel and can search directory trees recursively.
Offers five Ghostscript compression presets.
Converts PDFs to PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2, and PDF/A-3.
Can keep the smaller file or always retain the processed version.
Supports unattended runs and configurable error handling.
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What to know first

Requires Python 3.12 or later and Ghostscript installed separately.
PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3 conversion require Ghostscript 10.04.0 or later.
Requires command-line use; it is not an offline desktop app.
No API access.

Limits

The free tool requires Python 3.12 or later and a separately installed Ghostscript executable. Correct PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3 conversion requires Ghostscript 10.04.0 or later.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	MIT-licensed command-line tool; requires Python 3.12+ and Ghostscript	Free

As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Install Python 3.12 or later and a Ghostscript executable.
Install gs-batch-pdf with pipx, which is recommended, or with pip.
Run the command-line tool on your PDF files or use the -r flag to search directories recursively.
Choose compression or PDF/A conversion options and configure output handling as needed.

Verdict

Choose gs-batch-pdf if you want a free command-line utility for parallel PDF batches, with recursive processing and flexible file handling. Look elsewhere if you need an offline desktop app or API access, or cannot install Python 3.12+ and Ghostscript.

Questions

How much does gs-batch-pdf cost?

It is free, and the project is licensed under MIT.

Which operating systems does it support?

It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What do I need to install it?

You need Python 3.12 or later and Ghostscript. The project recommends pipx for installation and also supports pip.

Which PDF/A formats can it create?

It can convert PDFs to PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2, or PDF/A-3. Correct conversion to PDF/A-2 or PDF/A-3 requires Ghostscript 10.04.0 or later.

Does it use another PDF processing tool?

Yes. PDF processing uses Ghostscript, which must be installed separately and is AGPL-licensed.

How can users contact or contribute to the project?

The project accepts bug reports and feature requests through GitHub Issues and contributions through pull requests.

Facts from gs-batch-pdf's own pages

Automation: The README documents silent and unattended batch use, including options to force overwrites, suppress opening the output folder, and skip errors. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Batch controls: It can recursively process directory trees and report per-file progress. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Batch search: It can recursively search directory trees when run with the -r flag. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Compression: It supports Ghostscript compression presets /screen, /ebook, /printer, /prepress, and /default. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Custom options: Users can pass arbitrary Ghostscript command-line options to the tool. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Error handling: On processing errors, it can prompt, skip failed files, or abort. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Integration: PDF processing uses Ghostscript, which must be installed separately. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Integrations: The tool uses Ghostscript for PDF processing and can be installed with pipx or pip. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: The README says gs-batch-pdf is licensed under MIT and describes Ghostscript as AGPL-licensed. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Platforms: The README states support for Windows, Linux, and macOS. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: gs-batch-pdf is a command-line tool for batch processing PDFs with parallel execution. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Requirements: Running the tool requires Python 3.12 or newer and an installed Ghostscript executable. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The project invites bug reports and feature requests through GitHub Issues and contributions through pull requests. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026