# sh Python library

10 Hacker News commenters recommended sh Python library and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 6 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Python library that makes running external commands from scripts easier. The most common caveat is that it requires an extra dependency.

## Why people recommend it

- Makes Python scripting saner (2 comments): "makes scripting in python with external commands a lot easier" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46257863)) "Honestly, Python with the "sh" module is a lot more sane." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47173531))

## What people warn about

- Requires an extra dependency (1 comments): "is nice but it requires a dependency" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46259292))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Polars](https://hackerapproved.com/p/polars.md): 152 recommend
- [pandas](https://hackerapproved.com/p/pandas.md): 93 recommend
- [NumPy](https://hackerapproved.com/p/numpy.md): 86 recommend
- [SciPy](https://hackerapproved.com/p/scipy.md): 12 recommend
- [Tacopy](https://hackerapproved.com/p/tacopy.md): 8 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "sh Python library", https://hackerapproved.com/p/sh/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).