parca-agent
Parca Agent is an always-on CPU/GPU profiler that uses eBPF to collect performance data from applications running on Linux with zero code changes. It automatically discovers targets in Kubernetes and systemd environments, samples CPU 19 times per second, and outputs profiles in pprof format for analysis.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | parca-dev/parca-agent |
| Owner | parca-dev |
| Primary language | Go |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 734 |
| Forks | 90 |
| Open issues | 178 |
| Latest release | v0.49.0 (2026-07-07) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-07 |
| Source | https://github.com/parca-dev/parca-agent |
What parca-agent is
Go-based eBPF profiler capturing user and kernel-space stack traces from multiple languages (C, C++, Go, Rust, Python, Ruby, Java, .NET, etc.) with configurable sampling frequency. Stores data locally or sends via gRPC to a Parca server; requires Linux kernel 5.3+ with BTF support.
Get the parca-agent source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/parca-dev/parca-agent.gitcd parca-agent# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Requires Linux kernel 5.3+ with BTF enabled; verify kernel configuration on target systems before deployment.
- Memory locking via rlimit must be configured adequately for eBPF map operations; default configuration may need tuning in resource-constrained environments.
- Agent runs as a privileged process (eBPF instrumentation requires CAP_SYS_ADMIN) on each node; Kubernetes RBAC and security policies must permit DaemonSet deployment.
- Supports both local storage and remote gRPC shipping; choose storage model and configure bearer tokens or TLS accordingly based on security posture.
- Language support varies; verify documentation for your application stack before deployment to ensure accurate symbol resolution and stack unwinding.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Non-Linux Environments — Requires Linux kernel 5.3+ with BTF; not suitable for Windows, macOS, or older Linux versions without BTF support.
- Sub-millisecond Latency Analysis Required — Fixed 19 Hz sampling frequency may miss short-lived spikes; applications requiring deterministic or higher-frequency profiling should consider instrumentation-based alternatives.
- Standalone Profiling Without Backend — Agent is designed to send data to a Parca server for analysis; local HTTP endpoints exist but time-series storage and rich querying require a backend.
- Immediate Production Readiness for New Languages — Language support is listed as incomplete and under active development; newer or less common languages may lack full symbol resolution or call-stack accuracy.
License & commercial use
Licensed under Apache License 2.0, a permissive OSI-approved license permitting commercial use, modification, and distribution.
Apache 2.0 permits commercial use without explicit restrictions. However, verify that any proprietary modifications to the agent or downstream tools comply with license terms. No warranty or liability protection is provided under the license; assess risk tolerance accordingly.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Strong |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Agent requires CAP_SYS_ADMIN (or equivalent privileged access) to run eBPF programs; restrict deployment via RBAC and pod security policies. TLS and bearer token support for remote store communication is available; enable and rotate credentials regularly. Kernel BTF and eBPF correctness depend on kernel version and configuration—older or misconfigured kernels may exhibit unpredictable behavior. No known public exploit details disclosed, but eBPF-based tools have historically been a kernel attack surface; keep kernels patched.
Alternatives to consider
Grafana Pyroscope
Language-specific instrumentation-based profiler with strong Grafana integration; better for applications already instrumented or requiring sub-second precision, but requires code changes.
Datadog Continuous Profiler
Managed SaaS profiling with multi-language support and cloud-native integrations; eliminates operational overhead but introduces vendor lock-in and per-host costs.
Linux perf + BPF tools (bcc, bpftrace)
Lower-level kernel profiling tools offering maximum flexibility; suitable for ad-hoc analysis or custom metrics, but lack auto-discovery and pprof output standardization.
Build on parca-agent with DEV.co software developers
Parca Agent offers low-overhead, code-free profiling for Kubernetes and systemd. Verify kernel 5.3+ BTF support, plan RBAC permissions, and start continuous profiling today.
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parca-agent FAQ
Does Parca Agent require changes to my application code?
What is the performance overhead?
Can I use Parca Agent without a Parca server?
What kernel versions are supported?
Custom software development services
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Ready to Profile Your Linux Infrastructure?
Parca Agent offers low-overhead, code-free profiling for Kubernetes and systemd. Verify kernel 5.3+ BTF support, plan RBAC permissions, and start continuous profiling today.