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

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GitHub - NoodlixProject/transpilatron: AI agent that transpiles Python to static C binaries. No runtime, no interpreter, no dependencies. · GitHub

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NoodlixProject

transpilatron

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transpilatron

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

uvx transpilatron your_code.py

Benchmarks

Benchmark<br>Python<br>Speedup

Sieve of Eratosthenes (10M numbers)<br>0.526s<br>0.022s<br>24x

Selection sort (10K elements)<br>1.963s<br>0.033s<br>58x

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

Benchmarker's PC:

CPU: Ryzen 5 5500

Python 3.14

Zorin OS 18

How it works

transpilatron uses an AI agent to convert your Python project into C,<br>compiles it (using -O2 or -O3 flags), and hands you a native binary.<br>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/

Requirements

Tool<br>Why

uv<br>Run transpilatron instantly with uvx

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

Install

# Run without installing<br>uvx transpilatron your_code.py

# Or install globally<br>uv tool install transpilatron

On first run, the tool installs its dependencies and asks you to<br>authenticate with poolside.

Usage

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

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

The binary lands at out/. That's it.

What it handles

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)

Modes

Mode<br>Default<br>Linking<br>HTTP<br>torch/tensorflow<br>Web Frameworks<br>Best for

minimal

Static only<br>Raw BSD sockets<br>Aborts with error<br>Not supported<br>Zero-dependency binaries for initramfs, scratch containers, embedded

usual<br>Dynamic permitted<br>libcurl<br>libtorch / TFLite C API<br>libmicrohttpd<br>General use, speed + versatility

Limitations

Linux and macOS only

torch / tensorflow not supported under minimal mode

Some dynamic Python patterns (metaclasses, heavy monkey-patching) may not translate cleanly

Examples

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

Comparison

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

Tool<br>Approach<br>CPython Runtime Dependency?<br>Fully Static Binaries?<br>Output Size<br>Ideal For

transpilatron<br>Source-to-source C translation via LLM<br>No<br>Yes

CLI tools, microservices, serverless, initramfs, scratch containers, embedded

Nuitka<br>Translates Python to C calling CPython APIs<br>Yes<br>No<br>~30MB+<br>Maximum...

python transpilatron static binaries minimal usual

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