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pyinfra

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What pyinfra is

pyinfra is an open-source tool for automating infrastructure across servers with Python deploys and inventories. It connects to hosts over SSH and runs commands concurrently and idempotently. Operations can describe a desired host state or run specific commands, and `--dry` previews per-host changes before they are applied. The project describes use from one host to 10,000, with parallel execution and real-time output. Target machines need a shell and SSH, but no agent, daemon, state files, or control plane. Documented connectors include SSH, Docker, Terraform, and the local machine; operation modules cover package management, files, services, databases, security, and containers. It runs wherever Python runs, with Mac, Linux, and Windows named as control systems. Python 3.10 or later is required. The plan is free and MIT licensed. The project directs users to Matrix or Stack Overflow for help, and GitHub issues for bug reports.

Who it suits

pyinfra suits people who want to automate infrastructure across servers using Python deploys and inventories. It supports control systems including Mac, Linux, and Windows, and remote Unix-like systems.

What it does well

Runs commands concurrently and idempotently over SSH
Previews per-host changes with `--dry`
No agents, daemons, state files, or control plane
Connectors include SSH, Docker, Terraform, and local machine

What to know first

Requires Python 3.10 or later
Windows installation requires Administrator privileges

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
pyinfra	MIT licensed · Python 3.10+	Free

As pyinfra.com lists them, read 5 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Install Python 3.10 or later on the control system.
Install pyinfra, using Administrator privileges if installing on Windows.
Create Python deploys and inventories for the infrastructure you want to automate.
Connect to target hosts over SSH, or use a documented connector such as Docker, Terraform, or the local machine.
Preview per-host changes with `--dry` before applying them.

Verdict

pyinfra combines Python-based infrastructure automation with agentless SSH execution and both declarative and direct-command operations. It is free and MIT licensed, but requires Python 3.10 or later.

Questions

How much does pyinfra cost?

pyinfra is free and MIT licensed. The listed plan is free.

What Python version does pyinfra require?

Python 3.10 or later is required. pyinfra 3.5.1 and later supports Python 3.10 through 3.13.

Do target hosts need an agent?

No. Target hosts need a shell and SSH, but no agent, daemon, state file, or control plane.

Which connectors are documented?

Popular documented connectors include SSH, Docker, Terraform, and the local machine.

Which control systems and remote platforms are supported?

Mac, Linux, and Windows are named control systems. Remote compatibility targets Unix-like systems and lists Linux distributions, BSD variants, OpenSUSE, macOS via `@local`, and Docker via `@docker`.

Where can users get help?

The project directs users to its Matrix room and Stack Overflow for help, and GitHub issues for bug reports.

Facts from pyinfra's own pages

Agents: The site says target hosts need a shell and SSH, with no agents, daemons, state files, or control plane. · pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Connectors: Documented popular connectors include SSH, Docker, Terraform, and the local machine. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Control platforms: pyinfra runs wherever Python runs; the compatibility page names Mac, Linux, and Windows as supported control systems. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Declarative and imperative operations: Operations can describe a desired host state or run specific commands directly. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Intended use: The site presents pyinfra for automating infrastructure across servers using Python deploys and inventories. · pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Operations: The operations reference lists modules for package managers, files, services, databases, security, and containers. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Preview changes: The site says `--dry` previews per-host changes before they are applied. · pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Purpose: pyinfra is a Python-native, agentless automation tool that runs commands over SSH concurrently and idempotently. · pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Python requirement: Python 3.10 or later is required, and pyinfra 3.5.1+ supports Python 3.10 through 3.13. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Remote system compatibility: The compatibility page says pyinfra aims to support Unix-like systems and lists Linux distributions, BSDs, OpenSUSE, macOS via `@local`, and Docker via `@docker`. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Scale: The site says pyinfra works on one host or 10,000, with parallel execution and real-time streaming output. · pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Security practices: The installation guide recommends keeping pyinfra and dependencies up to date and installing as a regular user rather than root or sudo. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users to its Matrix room and Stack Overflow for help, and to GitHub issues for bug reports. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026
Windows requirement: The installation page says Windows users need Administrator privileges for installation. · docs.pyinfra.com, 5 Oct 2026

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