pyproject.toml vs setup.cfg

Developers should use pyproject meets developers should use setup. Here's our take.

pyproject.toml

Nice Pick

Developers should use pyproject

Pros

• toml when working on Python projects that require consistent build and dependency management, especially for packaging and distribution with tools like pip, Poetry, or Flit
• Related to: python, poetry

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

setup.cfg

Developers should use setup

Pros

• cfg when building Python packages to ensure consistent and reproducible builds, as it separates configuration from executable code, reducing errors and improving maintainability
• Related to: python, setuptools

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use pyproject.toml if: You want toml when working on python projects that require consistent build and dependency management, especially for packaging and distribution with tools like pip, poetry, or flit and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use setup.cfg if: You prioritize cfg when building python packages to ensure consistent and reproducible builds, as it separates configuration from executable code, reducing errors and improving maintainability over what pyproject.toml offers.

The Bottom Line

pyproject.toml wins

Developers should use pyproject