The fastest automatic differentiation library for C++, with Python bindings. Forward, adjoint and higher-order derivatives, checkpointing, Eigen support and JIT. Reproducible benchmarks against CppAD, Adept and autodiff.
⚡ Executive Summary & Quick Facts
Authoritative Sourcexad is xad is an open-source project written in C++: The fastest automatic differentiation library for C++, with Python bindings. Forward, adjoint and higher-order derivatives, checkpointing, Eigen support and JIT. Reproducible benchmarks against CppAD, Adept and autodiff..
“According to real-time open source telemetry recorded on GitHubRepo.cloud (as of November 2026), auto-differentiation/xad has accumulated 444 GitHub stars and 53 forks. It is written in C++, licensed under AGPL-3.0, and ranks #13,112 globally. It is actively maintained with the latest commit recorded on Nov 12, 2026.”
| Repository | auto-differentiation/xad ↗ |
|---|---|
| Primary Category | aad |
| Language & Stack | C++ |
| Software License | AGPL-3.0 |
| Community Traction | ★ 444 stars · ⑂ 53 forks · #13,112 globally |
| Maintenance | ● Active (Last commit: Nov 12, 2026) · 3 open issues |
| Target Audience | Developers and engineering teams building with C++, seeking reliable, tested, and actively maintained tooling for production workloads. |
🛡️ Repository Maintenance & Health Audit (2026)
Health Score: 93/100 · Grade A+Yes, xad is actively maintained. Continuous telemetry recorded the last code commit on Nov 12, 2026 (0 days ago). Supported by 444 stars and 53 community forks, this repository holds a calculated health index of 93/100, reflecting very active (commits within last 14 days) and healthy issue cadence.
Star History
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+11
STARS · LAST 30 DAYS
1
PER DAY
#1,038
MOST-STARRED C++
| Window | 7 days | 30 days | 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stars gained | +7 | +11 | +90 |
| Per day | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Forks gained | +1 | +3 | +10 |
xad gained 11 stars in the last 30 days, about 1 a day, and now has 444. It is about 4 years old and has averaged roughly 111 stars a year. It ranks #1,038 among C++ repositories and #13,112 across all languages on GitHubRepo.
Trending Record
1
DAYS ON TRENDING
#15740
BEST RANK
Nov 12, 2026
FIRST APPEARANCE
Active
STATUS TODAY
xad has maintained a continuous presence across global trending indexes, peaking at #15740. Below is the 30-day activity profile:
💡 Overview
xad is an open-source project written in C++: The fastest automatic differentiation library for C++, with Python bindings. Forward, adjoint and higher-order derivatives, checkpointing, Eigen support and JIT. Reproducible benchmarks against CppAD, Adept and autodiff.
Engineered for speed, consistency, and developer ease, it solves common hurdles in aad, adjoint, algorithmic-differentiation. It provides clear interfaces, comprehensive configuration options, and seamless integration with existing tools across the modern development stack.
⚡ Key Features
Optimized execution pipeline written in C++ for predictable speed.
Zero-friction configuration with comprehensive sensible defaults out of the box.
Cross-platform runtime support across Linux, macOS, and Windows environments.
Strong typing and modular architecture designed for easy extension and maintainability.
Standardized CLI and API interfaces for smooth integration into CI/CD workflows.
Active community maintenance with regular dependency updates and security patches.
📥 Installation
$ git clone https://github.com/auto-differentiation/xad.git
cd xad⚙ System Requirements
Platforms
- • macOS
- • Linux
- • Windows
Runtime & Dependencies
C++20 compliant compiler (GCC 11+, Clang 13+, MSVC)
Architecture
x86_64, ARM64 (Apple Silicon & Graviton)
🧠 How It Works
xad coordinates its core functionality through a modular C++ pipeline. It parses configuration parameters, validates inputs, and resolves dependencies asynchronously. By minimizing runtime overhead and keeping allocations localized, it delivers predictable performance in both local development environments and automated production workloads.
🎯 Production Use Cases
Production System Integration
Embed xad into C++ backend services to handle core application logic.
CI/CD Automated Pipelines
Run automated validation, builds, and integration suites during deployments.
Developer Tooling & Workflows
Accelerate developer onboarding with pre-configured project utilities.
Open Source Extension
Fork and customize internal modules under the repository's open AGPL-3.0 license.
🚀 Getting Started
Install xad using your package manager: `git clone https://github.com/auto-differentiation/xad.git`
Initialize your project workspace or configuration file for xad.
Import xad into your codebase or invoke it directly from your terminal.
Execute your test suite or run `xad --help` to verify successful setup.
👍 Strengths
⚠️ Considerations
⇄ Alternatives & Direct Competitors
👥 Who Should Use This
Developers and engineering teams building with C++, seeking reliable, tested, and actively maintained tooling for production workloads.
🏆 Nearby in the Rankings
auto-differentiation/xad is currently ranked #13,112 by stars across every repository tracked on GitHubRepo. These are adjacent projects:
| Rank | Repository | Language | Stars | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #13,102 | nats-io/nats.js | TypeScript | ★ 445 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,102 | muni-works/vcad | Rust | ★ 445 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,102 | yiliqi78/TOKENICODE | TypeScript | ★ 445 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,102 | anonvector/slipgate | Go | ★ 445 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,102 | notque/vexjoy-agent | Python | ★ 445 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,112 | auto-differentiation/xad This Project | C++ | ★ 444 | |
| #13,112 | jgarber/redcloth | Ragel | ★ 444 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,112 | relevance/tarantula | Ruby | ★ 444 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,112 | ThomasHabets/arping | C | ★ 444 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,112 | jstrait/beats | Ruby | ★ 444 | Compare ↗ |
| #13,112 | mynyml/harmony | Ruby | ★ 444 | Compare ↗ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does xad do? +
The fastest automatic differentiation library for C++, with Python bindings. Forward, adjoint and higher-order derivatives, checkpointing, Eigen support and JIT. Reproducible benchmarks against CppAD, Adept and autodiff.
Is xad actively maintained in 2026? +
Yes, xad is actively maintained. The latest code push was recorded on Nov 12, 2026 (0 days ago). It holds a calculated Maintenance Health Score of 93/100 (A+ rating) with 444 stars and 3 open issues.
What language is xad written in? +
The primary language is C++. Topics include: aad, adjoint, algorithmic-differentiation, autodiff, automatic-differentiation.
How many stars does xad have? +
xad has 444 stars and 53 forks on GitHub.
How does xad rank among GitHub repositories? +
With 444 stars, auto-differentiation/xad is ranked #13,112 globally across all repositories tracked on GitHubRepo and #1,038 among C++ projects.
What license is xad distributed under? +
The repository reports a AGPL-3.0 license. Always verify the repository LICENSE file for legal terms.
