Semantic Kernel

Profile

Overview

The bottom line — what this framework is, who it's for, and when to walk away.

Bottom Line Up Front

Semantic Kernel is a lightweight, open-source development kit for building AI agents. It functions as middleware, integrating AI models into existing C#, Python, or Java codebases. It is designed for rapid delivery of enterprise-grade, future-proof AI solutions.

Best For

Integrating AI models and building AI agents into existing enterprise C#, Python, Java code.

Avoid If

no data

Strengths

  • +Lightweight, open-source development kit for building AI agents and integrating models.
  • +Efficient middleware for rapid delivery of enterprise-grade solutions.
  • +Flexible, modular, and observable with telemetry support, hooks, and filters for responsible AI.
  • +Designed to be future-proof, allowing easy swapping of new AI models without code rewrites.
  • +Extends existing APIs by describing them to AI models via plugins, using OpenAPI specifications.
  • +Provides v1.0+ support across C#, Python, and Java, committed to non-breaking changes.

Weaknesses

    Project Health

    Is this project alive, well-maintained, and safe to bet on long-term?

    Stars

    27,982

    Open Issues

    286

    Last Commit

    0d ago

    Commit Frequency

    9x/week

    Bus Factor Score

    9 / 10

    Maintainers

    100

    Latest Version

    python-1.42.0

    Total Releases

    99

    Repo Age

    3y 2mo

    Forks

    4,607

    Monthly Downloads

    2.8M

    last 30 days

    Versions Published

    134

    Known Vulnerabilities

    2Highest: Critical

    Dependent Repos

    205

    public repos using this

    Fit

    Does it support the workflows, patterns, and capabilities your team actually needs?

    State Management

    Semantic Kernel acts as middleware, translating requests from AI models into function calls on existing APIs and passing results back to the model.

    Perspective

    Your expertise shapes what we build next.

    We build for engineers who make real architectural decisions. If something is missing, inaccurate, or could be more useful — we want to hear it.

    Last updated: 26 May 2026

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