diff --git a/py_gen/templates/common.py b/py_gen/templates/common.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08fb65d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/py_gen/templates/common.py
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+:: # Copyright 2013, Big Switch Networks, Inc.
+:: #
+:: # LoxiGen is licensed under the Eclipse Public License, version 1.0 (EPL), with
+:: # the following special exception:
+:: #
+:: # LOXI Exception
+:: #
+:: # As a special exception to the terms of the EPL, you may distribute libraries
+:: # generated by LoxiGen (LoxiGen Libraries) under the terms of your choice, provided
+:: # that copyright and licensing notices generated by LoxiGen are not altered or removed
+:: # from the LoxiGen Libraries and the notice provided below is (i) included in
+:: # the LoxiGen Libraries, if distributed in source code form and (ii) included in any
+:: # documentation for the LoxiGen Libraries, if distributed in binary form.
+:: #
+:: # Notice: "Copyright 2013, Big Switch Networks, Inc. This library was generated by the LoxiGen Compiler."
+:: #
+:: # You may not use this file except in compliance with the EPL or LOXI Exception. You may obtain
+:: # a copy of the EPL at:
+:: #
+:: # http://www.eclipse.org/legal/epl-v10.html
+:: #
+:: # Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+:: # distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT
+:: # WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the
+:: # EPL for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
+:: # under the EPL.
+::
+:: include('_copyright.py')
+
+:: include('_autogen.py')
+
+import sys
+import struct
+import action
+import const
+import util
+
+# HACK make this module visible as 'common' to simplify code generation
+common = sys.modules[__name__]
+
+def unpack_list_flow_stats_entry(buf):
+    entries = []
+    offset = 0
+    while offset < len(buf):
+        length, = struct.unpack_from("!H", buf, offset)
+        if length == 0: raise loxi.ProtocolError("entry length is 0")
+        if offset + length > len(buf): raise loxi.ProtocolError("entry length overruns list length")
+        entries.append(flow_stats_entry.unpack(buffer(buf, offset, length)))
+        offset += length
+    return entries
+
+def unpack_list_queue_prop(buf):
+    entries = []
+    offset = 0
+    while offset < len(buf):
+        type, length, = struct.unpack_from("!HH", buf, offset)
+        if length == 0: raise loxi.ProtocolError("entry length is 0")
+        if offset + length > len(buf): raise loxi.ProtocolError("entry length overruns list length")
+        if type == const.OFPQT_MIN_RATE:
+            entry = queue_prop_min_rate.unpack(buffer(buf, offset, length))
+        else:
+            raise loxi.ProtocolError("unknown queue prop %d" % type)
+        entries.append(entry)
+        offset += length
+    return entries
+
+def unpack_list_packet_queue(buf):
+    entries = []
+    offset = 0
+    while offset < len(buf):
+        _, length, = struct.unpack_from("!LH", buf, offset)
+        if length == 0: raise loxi.ProtocolError("entry length is 0")
+        if offset + length > len(buf): raise loxi.ProtocolError("entry length overruns list length")
+        entries.append(packet_queue.unpack(buffer(buf, offset, length)))
+        offset += length
+    return entries
+
+:: for ofclass in ofclasses:
+class ${ofclass.pyname}(object):
+:: for m in ofclass.type_members:
+    ${m.name} = ${m.value}
+:: #endfor
+
+    def __init__(self, ${', '.join(["%s=None" % m.name for m in ofclass.members])}):
+:: for m in ofclass.members:
+        if ${m.name} != None:
+            self.${m.name} = ${m.name}
+        else:
+            self.${m.name} = ${m.oftype.gen_init_expr()}
+:: #endfor
+
+    def pack(self):
+        packed = []
+:: include("_pack.py", ofclass=ofclass)
+        return ''.join(packed)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def unpack(buf):
+        assert(len(buf) >= ${ofclass.min_length}) # Should be verified by caller
+        obj = ${ofclass.pyname}()
+:: include("_unpack.py", ofclass=ofclass)
+        return obj
+
+    def __eq__(self, other):
+        if type(self) != type(other): return False
+:: for m in ofclass.members:
+        if self.${m.name} != other.${m.name}: return False
+:: #endfor
+        return True
+
+    def __ne__(self, other):
+        return not self.__eq__(other)
+
+    def show(self):
+        import loxi.pp
+        return loxi.pp.pp(self)
+
+    def pretty_print(self, q):
+:: include('_pretty_print.py', ofclass=ofclass)
+
+:: if ofclass.name.startswith("of_match_v"):
+match = ${ofclass.pyname}
+
+:: #endif
+:: #endfor