---
source_url: https://www.pubnub.com/docs/sdks/twisted
title: Python-Twisted API & SDK Docs 4.8.1
updated_at: 2026-06-05T11:13:29.713Z
---

> Documentation Index
> For a curated overview of PubNub documentation, see: https://www.pubnub.com/docs/llms.txt
> For the full list of all documentation pages, see: https://www.pubnub.com/docs/llms-full.txt


# Python-Twisted API & SDK Docs 4.8.1

:::warning Unsupported SDK
PubNub no longer supports this SDK, but you are [welcome to contribute](https://github.com/pubnub/python/releases/tag/v4.8.0).
:::

:::note Python version support
Python SDK versions **5.0.0** and higher no longer support Python v2.7 and the Twisted framework. If you require support for any of these, use SDK version [4.8.1](https://github.com/pubnub/python/releases/tag/v4.8.1).
Note that PubNub will stop supporting versions of Python lower than 3.7 at the end of 2021.
:::

:::note Deprecated
**NOTICE:** Based on current web trends and our own usage data, PubNub's Python Twisted SDK is **deprecated** as of May 1, 2019. Deprecation means we will no longer be updating the Python Twisted SDK but will continue to support users currently using it. Please feel free to use our other Python SDK offerings as they will continue to be supported and maintained. If you would like to use the Python Twisted SDK specifically, we would love to work with you on keeping this project alive!
:::

## Get code: pip

The simplest way to get started is to install PubNub Python SDK via pip:

```bash
pip install 'pubnub>=4.8.1'
```

## Get code: git

```bash
git clone https://github.com/pubnub/python
```

## Get code: source

[https://github.com/pubnub/python](https://github.com/pubnub/python)

[View Supported Platforms](https://www.pubnub.com/docs/sdks/twisted/platform-support)

## Hello World

Add PubNub to your project using one of the procedures defined above.

#### Dependencies

* PyOpenSSL
* Service-Identity

#### Include the Python SDK in your code

```python
from pubnub.pubnub_twisted import PubNubTwisted
```

:::note
Always set the `UUID` to uniquely identify the user or device that connects to PubNub. This `UUID` should be persisted, and should remain unchanged for the lifetime of the user or the device. If you don't set the `UUID`, you won't be able to connect to PubNub.
:::

```python
from pubnub.enums import PNStatusCategory
from pubnub.pubnub_twisted import PubNubTwisted as PubNub
from pubnub.pnconfiguration import PNConfiguration
from twisted.internet import reactor
from pubnub.callbacks import SubscribeCallback

def main():
    pnconf = PNConfiguration()
    pnconf.subscribe_key = 'demo'
    pnconf.publish_key = 'demo'
    pnconf.uuid = "my_custom_uuid"

    pubnub = PubNub(pnconf)

    def my_publish_callback(result, status):
        # Check whether request successfully completed or not
        if not status.is_error():
            envelope = result
            pass  # Message successfully published to specified channel.
        else:
            pass  # Handle message publish error. Check 'category' property to find out possible issue
            # because of which request did fail.
            # Request can be resent using: [status retry];

    class MySubscribeCallback(SubscribeCallback):
        def presence(self, pubnub, presence):
            pass  # handle incoming presence data

        def status(self, pubnub, status):
            if status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNUnexpectedDisconnectCategory:
                pass  # This event happens when radio / connectivity is lost

            elif status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNConnectedCategory:
                # Connect event. You can do stuff like publish, and know you'll get it.
                # Or just use the connected event to confirm you are subscribed for
                # UI / internal notifications, etc
                pubnub.publish().channel("awesome_channel").message("Hello World!").pn_async(my_publish_callback)

            elif status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNReconnectedCategory:
                pass
                # Happens as part of our regular operation. This event happens when
                # radio / connectivity is lost, then regained.
            elif status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNDecryptionErrorCategory:
                pass
                # Handle message decryption error. Probably client configured to
                # encrypt messages and on live data feed it received plain text.

        def message(self, pubnub, message):
            # Handle new message stored in message.message
            pass

    pubnub.add_listener(MySubscribeCallback())
    pubnub.subscribe().channels('awesome_channel').execute()

    reactor.callLater(30, pubnub.stop)  # stop reactor loop after 30 seconds

    pubnub.start()

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()
```

## Copy and paste examples

In addition to the Hello World sample code, we also provide some copy and paste snippets of common API functions:

### Init

Instantiate a new Pubnub instance. Only the `subscribe_key` is mandatory. Also include `publish_key` if you intend to publish from this instance, and the `secret_key` if you wish to perform Access Manager administrative operations from this Python-Twisted instance.

:::warning Important
For security reasons you should only include the secret-key on a highly secured server. The secret-key is only required for granting rights using our Access Manager.
When you init with `secret_key`, you get root permissions for the Access Manager. With this feature you don't have to grant access to your servers to access channel data. The servers get all access on all channels.
:::

:::note
Always set the `UUID` to uniquely identify the user or device that connects to PubNub. This `UUID` should be persisted, and should remain unchanged for the lifetime of the user or the device. If you don't set the `UUID`, you won't be able to connect to PubNub.
:::

```python
from pubnub.pubnub_twisted import PubNubTwisted
from pubnub.pnconfiguration import PNConfiguration

pnconfig = PNConfiguration()
pnconfig.subscribe_key = "my_subkey"
pnconfig.publish_key = "my_pubkey"
pnconfig.ssl = False
pnconfig.uuid = "my_custom_uuid"
pubnub = PubNubTwisted(pnconfig)
```

### Listeners

#### Add listeners

```python
from pubnub.callbacks import SubscribeCallback

class MySubscribeCallback(SubscribeCallback):
    def status(self, pubnub, status):
        pass
        # The status object returned is always related to subscribe but could contain
        # information about subscribe, heartbeat, or errors
        # use the operationType to switch on different options
        if status.operation == PNOperationType.PNSubscribeOperation \
                or status.operation == PNOperationType.PNUnsubscribeOperation:
            if status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNConnectedCategory:
                pass
                # This is expected for a subscribe, this means there is no error or issue whatsoever
            elif status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNReconnectedCategory:
                pass
                # This usually occurs if subscribe temporarily fails but reconnects. This means
                # there was an error but there is no longer any issue
            elif status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNDisconnectedCategory:
                pass
                # This is the expected category for an unsubscribe. This means there
                # was no error in unsubscribing from everything
            elif status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNUnexpectedDisconnectCategory:
                pass
                # This is usually an issue with the internet connection, this is an error, handle
                # appropriately retry will be called automatically
            elif status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNAccessDeniedCategory:
                pass
                # This means that Access Manager does not allow this client to subscribe to this
                # channel and channel group configuration. This is another explicit error
            else:
                pass
                # This is usually an issue with the internet connection, this is an error, handle appropriately
                # retry will be called automatically
        elif status.operation == PNOperationType.PNSubscribeOperation:
            # Heartbeat operations can in fact have errors, so it is important to check first for an error.
            # For more information on how to configure heartbeat notifications through the status
            # PNObjectEventListener callback, consult http://www.pubnub.com/docs/sdks/twisted/api-reference/configuration#configuration
            if status.is_error():
                pass
                # There was an error with the heartbeat operation, handle here
            else:
                pass
                # Heartbeat operation was successful
        else:
            pass
            # Encountered unknown status type

    def presence(self, pubnub, presence):
        pass  # handle incoming presence data

    def message(self, pubnub, message):
        pass  # handle incoming messages

pubnub.add_listener(MySubscribeCallback())
```

#### Remove listeners

```python
my_listener = MySubscribeCallback()

pubnub.add_listener(my_listener)

# some time later
pubnub.remove_listener(my_listener)
```

#### Handling disconnects

```python
from pubnub.callbacks import SubscribeCallback
from pubnub.enums import PNStatusCategory

class HandleDisconnectsCallback(SubscribeCallback):
    def status(self, pubnub, status):
        if status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNUnexpectedDisconnectCategory:
            # internet got lost, do some magic and call reconnect when ready
            pubnub.reconnect()
        elif status.category == PNStatusCategory.PNTimeoutCategory:
            # do some magic and call reconnect when ready
            pubnub.reconnect()
        else:
            logger.debug(status)

    def presence(self, pubnub, presence):
        pass

    def message(self, pubnub, message):
        pass

    def signal(self, pubnub, signal):
        pass

disconnect_listener = HandleDisconnectsCallback()

pubnub.add_listener(disconnect_listener)
```

#### Listener status events

| Category | Description |
| --- | --- |
| `PNTimeoutCategory` | Failure to establish a connection to PubNub due to a timeout. |
| `PNBadRequestCategory` | The server responded with a bad response error because the request is malformed. |
| `PNNetworkIssuesCategory` | A subscribe event experienced an exception when running. The SDK isn't able to reach PubNub servers. This may be due to many reasons, such as: the machine or device isn't connected to the internet; the internet connection has been lost; your internet service provider is having trouble; or, perhaps the SDK is behind a proxy. |
| `PNReconnectedCategory` | The SDK was able to reconnect to PubNub. |
| `PNConnectedCategory` | SDK subscribed with a new mix of channels. This is fired every time the `channel` or `channel group` mix changes. |
| `PNUnexpectedDisconnectCategory` | Previously started subscribe loop did fail and at this moment client disconnected from real-time data channels. |
| `PNUnknownCategory` | Returned when the subscriber gets a non-200 HTTP response code from the server. |

### Subscribe

Subscribe (listen on) a channel:

```python
pubnub.subscribe().channels('my_channel').execute()
```

:::note
The response of the call is handled by adding a Listener. Please see the [Listeners section](#listeners) for more details. Listeners should be added before calling the method.
:::

### Publish

Publish a message to a channel:

```python
@gen.coroutine
def publish_snippet():
    def publish_callback(result, status):
        if not status.is_error():
            envelope = result
            pass  # Message successfully published to specified channel.
        else:
            pass  # Handle message publish error. Check 'category' property to find out possible issue
            # because of which request did fail.
            # Request can be resent using: [status retry];

    pubnub.publish().channel('such_channel').message(['hello', 'there']).pn_async(publish_callback)
```

### Here now

Get occupancy of who's `here now` on the channel by UUID:

:::note
Requires you to enable the `Presence` add-on for your key. Refer to the [How do I enable add-on features for my keys?](https://support.pubnub.com/hc/en-us/articles/360051974791-How-do-I-enable-add-on-features-for-my-keys-) knowledge base article for details on enabling features.
:::

```python
envelope = yield pubnub.here_now()\
    .channels("my_channel", "demo")\
    .include_uuids(True)\
    .future()

if envelope.status.is_error():
    # handle error
    return

for channel_data in envelope.result.channels:
    print("---")
    print("channel: %s" % channel_data.channel_name)
    print("occupancy: %s" % channel_data.occupancy)

    print("occupants: %s" % channel_data.channel_name)
for occupant in channel_data.occupants:
    print("uuid: %s, state: %s" % (occupant.uuid, occupant.state))
```

### Presence

Subscribe to real-time Presence events, such as `join`, `leave`, and `timeout`, by UUID. Setting the presence attribute to a callback will subscribe to presents events on `my_channel`:

:::note
Requires you to enable the `Presence` add-on for your key. Refer to the [How do I enable add-on features for my keys?](https://support.pubnub.com/hc/en-us/articles/360051974791-How-do-I-enable-add-on-features-for-my-keys-) knowledge base article for details on enabling features.
:::

```python
pubnub.subscribe()\
    .channels("my_channel")\
    .with_presence()\
    .execute()
```

:::note
The response of the call is handled by adding a Listener. Please see the [Listeners section](#listeners) for more details. Listeners should be added before calling the method.
:::

### History

Retrieve published messages from archival storage:

:::note
Requires that the `Message Persistence` add-on is enabled for your key. See how to [enable add-on features for your keys](https://support.pubnub.com/hc/en-us/articles/360051974791-How-do-I-enable-add-on-features-for-my-keys-).
:::

```python
envelope = yield pubnub.history()\
    .channel("history_channel")\
    .count(100)\
    .future()
```

### Unsubscribe

Stop subscribing (listening) to a channel:

```python
pubnub.unsubscribe().channels("my_channel").execute()
```

:::note
The response of the call is handled by adding a Listener. Please see the [Listeners section](#listeners) for more details. Listeners should be added before calling the method.
:::