What is a .PYC file?
PYC is compiled Python bytecode, cached to make programs start faster.
- Did you know
- Python writes .pyc files so it doesn’t have to recompile your source on every run.
- A .pyc begins with a magic number that changes whenever Python’s bytecode does, so files from one version are rejected by another.
- Since Python 3.2 these caches live in a per-package __pycache__ folder, tagged with the interpreter name and version.
- What Analyser reads
- Identify and read metadata from developer and data files: JWT tokens (header + claims + expiry), WebAssembly, Java class files, NumPy/Safetensors/GGUF model files, source maps, SQL dumps, Visual Studio/.NET projects, Terraform, Protobuf, GraphQL, SARIF, Python bytecode, and Apple property lists (XML + binary). Jupyter notebooks (IPYNB) and HAR captures now open in a full viewer - see Notebooks & data above.
- Depth of analysis
- .PYC is an identification-grade format: Analyser recognises it from its bytes and decodes the header metadata it carries, rather than opening it in a full viewer. Formats that do get a full viewer are marked "Full" on the formats page.
- Open a .PYC file
- Drag a .PYC file onto the Analyser home page (or tap to pick one). It is identified entirely in your browser - nothing is uploaded, there is no account, and it works offline once installed.