# Packaging Python Libraries

> Packages and distributes Python libraries using modern pyproject.toml, build backends (setuptools, hatchling), PyPI publishing with trusted publishing, and wheel building. Use when packaging libraries for distribution, publishing to PyPI, or troubleshooting packaging issues.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-wdm0006-python-skills-packaging`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [wdm0006](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/wdm0006)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Developer Tools](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/developer-tools)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [wdm0006](https://github.com/wdm0006)
- **Source:** https://github.com/wdm0006/python-skills/tree/main/skills/packaging

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-wdm0006-python-skills-packaging
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Python Library Packaging

## pyproject.toml Essentials

```toml
[build-system]
requires = ["setuptools>=61.0", "wheel"]
build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"

[project]
name = "my-package"
version = "1.0.0"
description = "Short description"
readme = "README.md"
requires-python = ">=3.10"
license = {text = "MIT"}
dependencies = []

[project.optional-dependencies]
dev = ["pytest>=7.0", "ruff>=0.1", "mypy>=1.0"]

[project.urls]
Homepage = "https://github.com/user/package"
Documentation = "https://package.readthedocs.io"

[project.scripts]
mycli = "my_package.cli:main"

[tool.setuptools.packages.find]
where = ["src"]
```

## Building

```bash
pip install build
python -m build              # Creates dist/
twine check dist/*           # Validate
```

## Publishing to PyPI

**First time setup:**
```bash
# Create API token at pypi.org/manage/account/token/
export TWINE_USERNAME=__token__
export TWINE_PASSWORD=pypi-xxx...
```

**Publish:**
```bash
twine upload --repository testpypi dist/*  # Test first
twine upload dist/*                         # Production
```

## GitHub Actions (Trusted Publishing)

```yaml
# .github/workflows/publish.yml
on:
  release:
    types: [published]

jobs:
  publish:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    permissions:
      id-token: write
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
      - run: pip install build && python -m build
      - uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@release/v1
```

## Dependency Best Practices

```toml
# DO: Minimum versions
dependencies = ["requests>=2.28", "click>=8.0"]

# DON'T: Exact pins (locks users)
dependencies = ["requests==2.28.1"]

# DO: Optional for features
[project.optional-dependencies]
cli = ["click>=8.0"]
```

## Including Package Data

```toml
[tool.setuptools.package-data]
my_package = ["py.typed", "data/*.json"]
```

```python
from importlib.resources import files
data = files("my_package.data").joinpath("file.json").read_text()
```

For detailed templates, see:
- **[PYPROJECT_FULL.md](PYPROJECT_FULL.md)** - Complete pyproject.toml
- **[CONDA.md](CONDA.md)** - Conda packaging guide

## Checklist

```
Before Release:
- [ ] pyproject.toml valid
- [ ] README.md informative
- [ ] LICENSE file exists
- [ ] Version set correctly
- [ ] twine check passes

After Release:
- [ ] pip install works
- [ ] Import works
- [ ] GitHub release created
```

## Learn More

This skill is based on the [Distribution](https://mcginniscommawill.com/guides/python-library-development/#distribution-reaching-your-users) section of the [Guide to Developing High-Quality Python Libraries](https://mcginniscommawill.com/guides/python-library-development/) by [Will McGinnis](https://mcginniscommawill.com/). See these posts for deeper coverage:

- [pyproject.toml Explained](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-01-26-pyproject-toml-explained/)
- [Publishing PyGeohash](https://mcginniscommawill.com/posts/2025-04-06-pygeohash-publishing/)

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [wdm0006](https://github.com/wdm0006)
- **Source:** [wdm0006/python-skills](https://github.com/wdm0006/python-skills)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-wdm0006-python-skills-packaging
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/wdm0006
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.