A new release of icp-py-core has landed with version 2.1.0, delivering a range of updates aimed at Python developers building on the Internet Computer. The release focuses on performance, reliability and practical tooling, while keeping full compatibility with earlier versions.
At the centre of the update is a reworked Candid parser. Previous versions relied on a Python-based ANTLR4 implementation that many developers found slow and heavy on memory, particularly when working with complex DID files. Version 2.1.0 replaces this with a Rust-based parser built on the candid-parser crate. The result is faster parsing, lower memory usage and quicker startup times when initialising canister interfaces. Installation has also been simplified through pre-built binary wheels, meaning users do not need a Rust compiler to get started.
Alongside the performance gains, a long-standing issue affecting how Candid content was read has been resolved. Earlier problems with correctly generating Canister classes caused friction for developers working with more advanced interfaces. The parsing logic has now been rewritten to align fully with the Candid specification, addressing those inconsistencies.
The release also places greater emphasis on practical examples. A new library of production-ready scripts covers common tasks such as ICP transfers, governance interactions, cycles management and canister lifecycle operations. These examples include error handling and are intended to be reused directly as templates, responding to feedback from developers who wanted clearer, working references rather than abstract snippets.
Governance support has been expanded in a major way. The Governance module now covers the full NNS interface, enabling proposal creation, voting and detailed neuron management through Python. This broadens the scope for teams that want to interact with governance programmatically without switching languages or tooling.
Internally, parts of the codebase have been simplified. The Canister module has been heavily refactored, shrinking in size while preserving existing behaviour. Error messages have been improved, and dynamic method binding has been cleaned up, making the library easier to maintain and debug. Testing has also been strengthened, with new comprehensive test files added and all tests passing in a short runtime.
Documentation has seen attention as well. Installation guidance has been expanded, particularly around certificate verification dependencies, with clearer steps for macOS, Linux and Windows users and troubleshooting advice for common issues.
Despite the scale of the changes, the maintainers stress that the update introduces no breaking changes. Projects built on version 2.0.0 can upgrade without modifying existing code, gaining the performance and tooling improvements as additions rather than replacements.
Overall, icp-py-core v2.1.0 reflects a maturing Python SDK that is responding to real developer pain points. Faster parsing and clearer examples lower the barrier to entry, while deeper governance support and cleaner internals position the library for more serious, long-term use within the Internet Computer ecosystem.
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