# Show HN: Transpilatron – an AI tool that converts Python code into C binaries

> Source: <https://github.com/NoodlixProject/transpilatron>
> Published: 2026-06-15 20:31:28+00:00

**Write Python. Get a native C binary. No C knowledge required.**

```
uvx transpilatron your_code.py
```

| Benchmark | Python | C | Speedup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sieve of Eratosthenes (10M numbers) | 0.526s | 0.022s | 24x |
| Selection sort (10K elements) | 1.963s | 0.033s | 58x |

Verified on the same machine. Same output. Fully static binaries.

```
Benchmarker's PC:

CPU: Ryzen 5 5500

Python 3.14

Zorin OS 18
```

transpilatron uses an AI agent to convert your Python project into C, compiles it (using -O2 or -O3 flags), and hands you a native binary. No runtime, no interpreter, no dependencies.

- Reads your Python entry file and follows all imports
- Transpiles the full project to C
- Writes a Makefile and compiles (static linking for minimal, dynamic for usual)
- Drops the binary in out/

| Tool | Why |
|---|---|
|

Note: You only need uv on your host machine. The AI agent automatically detects, installs, and configures all other development and verification dependencies (like C compilers, make, valgrind, and system headers) inside the build environment.

```
# Run without installing
uvx transpilatron your_code.py

# Or install globally
uv tool install transpilatron
```

On first run, the tool installs its dependencies and asks you to
authenticate with [poolside](https://poolside.ai/).

```
# Default mode (usual) — dynamic linking, libcurl, torch/tflite, web frameworks
uvx transpilatron your_code.py

# Minimal mode — fully static, raw sockets, no torch/tflite
uvx transpilatron --minimal your_code.py
```

The binary lands at `out/<your_code>`

. That's it.

- Pure Python logic → idiomatic C
- HTTP (requests, urllib3) → raw BSD sockets (minimal) or libcurl (usual)
- JSON → cJSON
- Threading → pthreads
- File I/O → POSIX syscalls
- Multi-file projects → one binary
- Detects and fixes common Python bugs during transpilation
- Supports many major Python libraries with C extensions by using their C backends or alternatives
- The system attempts to translate pure Python libraries as well
- Web frameworks (flask, fastapi, django) → libmicrohttpd (usual only)
- torch / tensorflow → libtorch / TFLite C API (usual only)

| Mode | Default | Linking | HTTP | torch/tensorflow | Web Frameworks | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| minimal | Static only | Raw BSD sockets | Aborts with error | Not supported | Zero-dependency binaries for initramfs, scratch containers, embedded | |
| usual | ✓ |
Dynamic permitted | libcurl | libtorch / TFLite C API | libmicrohttpd | General use, speed + versatility |

- Linux and macOS only
- torch / tensorflow not supported under minimal mode
- Some dynamic Python patterns (metaclasses, heavy monkey-patching) may not translate cleanly

```
examples/
├── sieve.py      # Prime number sieve — 24x speedup
└── sort.py       # Selection sort — 58x speedup
```

While tools like Nuitka and PyInstaller package the CPython interpreter
(and its dynamic standard libraries) to guarantee compatibility,
**transpilatron completely strips the CPython runtime**.
By translating Python logic into pure, dependency-free C, it allows you
to build single, fully static binaries that run in environments with
zero external libraries.

| Tool | Approach | CPython Runtime Dependency? | Fully Static Binaries? | Output Size | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
transpilatron |
Source-to-source C translation via LLM | No |
Yes |
< 1MB | CLI tools, microservices, serverless, initramfs, scratch containers, embedded |
| Nuitka | Translates Python to C calling CPython APIs | Yes | No | ~30MB+ | Maximum CPython compatibility |
| PyInstaller | Bundles Python interpreter + .pyc files | Yes | No | ~30MB - 100MB+ | Desktop app distribution |
| Cython | Compiles Python/Cython to extension modules | Yes | No | N/A | Accelerating Python code |
| PyPy | Alternative JIT interpreter | Yes | No | N/A | Long-running server workloads |

[uv](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/)
is the fastest Python package manager on the planet.
`uvx`

lets you run any Python tool instantly without installing it.
If you're not using uv yet, you should be.

*
transpilatron was originally created to compile standalone initramfs
boot scripts for Noodlix, a Python-only operating system — but works
for many Python applications.
*

*
minimal mode outputs fully static binaries.
Runs even in initramfs. No dynamic linker required.
*