Setuptools

Setuptools is Python's original and most established build backend for packaging, distributing, and installing Python packages, with full support for C/C++ extension modules, entry points, and PEP 517/660 editable installs. Current version is 82.0.1 (released Feb 2026). The project ships frequently — multiple major versions per month — and has a history of disruptive but well-warned breaking changes. Requires Python >=3.9 as of v75.4.0.