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Dev tools · April 28, 2025

IB

I built a hardware processor that runs Python

Hi everyone, I built PyXL — a hardware processor that executes a custom assembly generated from Python programs, without using a traditional interpreter or virtual machine. It compiles Python -> CPython Bytecode -> Instruction set designed for direct hardware execution. I’m sharing an early benchmark: a GPIO test where PyXL achieves a 480ns round-trip toggle — compared to 14-25 micro seconds on a MicroPython Pyboard - even though PyXL runs at a lower clock (100MHz vs. 168MHz). The design is stack-based, fully pipelined, and preserves Python's dynamic typing without static type restrictions.…

In plain words

PyXL is a hardware processor that directly executes Python programs without an interpreter or virtual machine. It compiles Python to a custom instruction set designed for hardware execution while maintaining Python's dynamic typing. Built for developers working with embedded systems and performance-critical applications, PyXL achieves significantly faster execution than traditional microcontroller Python implementations. The maker developed the complete stack, including compiler, linker, and hardware, and will present technical details at PyCon 2025.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

In the maker’s words, at launch

Hi everyone, I built PyXL — a hardware processor that executes a custom assembly generated from Python programs, without using a traditional interpreter or virtual machine. It compiles Python -> CPython Bytecode -> Instruction set designed for direct hardware execution. I’m sharing an early benchmark: a GPIO test where PyXL achieves a 480ns round-trip toggle — compared to 14-25 micro seconds on a MicroPython Pyboard - even though PyXL runs at a lower clock (100MHz vs. 168MHz). The design is stack-based, fully pipelined, and preserves Python's dynamic typing without static type restrictions. I independently developed the full stack — toolchain (compiler, linker, codegen), and hardware — to validate the core idea. Full technical details will be presented at PyCon 2025. Demo and explanation here: https://runpyxl.com/gpio Happy to answer any questions

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