Mmcp.market

python-packaging skill

by wshobson·wshobson/agents·40k stars·MIT

Create distributable Python packages with proper project structure, setup.py/pyproject.toml, and publishing to PyPI. Use when packaging Python libraries, creating CLI tools, or distributing Python code.

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Read the findings before you install it. We read 3 files in the folder on 2026-09-28.

  • highreferences/details.md:296

    Reads credential files (SSH keys, cloud or package-manager tokens) that a skill has no normal reason to touch.

    # Create ~/.pypirc

Install the python-packaging skill

A skill is a folder. Copy it into your agent's skills folder and the agent loads it when the task matches its description. 

git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/wshobson/agents.git /tmp/agents
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills
cp -r /tmp/agents/plugins/python-development/skills/python-packaging ~/.claude/skills/python-packaging
available in every project

In the Claude apps, zip the folder and upload it from the Skills settings. The folder on GitHub

The instructions your agent would load

SKILL.md as published, without the frontmatter. Read it on GitHub

Python Packaging

Comprehensive guide to creating, structuring, and distributing Python packages using modern packaging tools, pyproject.toml, and publishing to PyPI.

When to Use This Skill

  • Creating Python libraries for distribution
  • Building command-line tools with entry points
  • Publishing packages to PyPI or private repositories
  • Setting up Python project structure
  • Creating installable packages with dependencies
  • Building wheels and source distributions
  • Versioning and releasing Python packages
  • Creating namespace packages
  • Implementing package metadata and classifiers

Core Concepts

1. Package Structure

  • Source layout: src/package_name/ (recommended)
  • Flat layout: package_name/ (simpler but less flexible)
  • Package metadata: pyproject.toml, setup.py, or setup.cfg
  • Distribution formats: wheel (.whl) and source distribution (.tar.gz)

2. Modern Packaging Standards

  • PEP 517/518: Build system requirements
  • PEP 621: Metadata in pyproject.toml
  • PEP 660: Editable installs
  • pyproject.toml: Single source of configuration

3. Build Backends

  • setuptools: Traditional, widely used
  • hatchling: Modern, opinionated
  • flit: Lightweight, for pure Python
  • poetry: Dependency management + packaging

4. Distribution

  • PyPI: Python Package Index (public)
  • TestPyPI: Testing before production
  • Private repositories: JFrog, AWS CodeArtifact, etc.

Quick Start

Minimal Package Structure

my-package/
├── pyproject.toml
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
├── src/
│   └── my_package/
│       ├── __init__.py
│       └── module.py
└── tests/
    └── test_module.py

Minimal pyproject.toml

[build-system]
requires = ["setuptools>=61.0"]
build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"

[project]
name = "my-package"
version = "0.1.0"
description = "A short description"
authors = [{name = "Your Name", email = "you@example.com"}]
readme = "README.md"
requires-python = ">=3.8"
dependencies = [
    "requests>=2.28.0",
]

[project.optional-dependencies]
dev = [
    "pytest>=7.0",
    "black>=22.0",
]

Package Structure Patterns

Pattern 1: Source Layout (Recommended)

my-package/
├── pyproject.toml
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
├── .gitignore
├── src/
│   └── my_package/
│       ├── __init__.py
│       ├── core.py
│       ├── utils.py
│       └── py.typed          # For type hints
├── tests/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── test_core.py
│   └── test_utils.py
└── docs/
    └── index.md

Advantages:

  • Prevents accidentally importing from source
  • Cleaner test imports
  • Better isolation

pyproject.toml for source layout:

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

Pattern 2: Flat Layout

my-package/
├── pyproject.toml
├── README.md
├── my_package/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   └── module.py
└── tests/
    └── test_module.py

Simpler but:

  • Can import package without installing
  • Less professional for libraries

Pattern 3: Multi-Package Project

project/
├── pyproject.toml
├── packages/
│   ├── package-a/
│   │   └── src/
│   │       └── package_a/
│   └── package-b/
│       └── src/
│           └── package_b/
└── tests/

Detailed patterns and worked examples

Detailed pattern documentation lives in references/details.md. Read that file when the navigation tier above is insufficient.

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