pyproject.toml

pyproject.toml is a configuration file used in Python projects to define build system requirements, project metadata, and tool configurations in a standardized TOML format. It serves as a central place for specifying dependencies, build backends, and settings for various development tools like linters, formatters, and testing frameworks. Introduced in PEP 518 and expanded in PEP 621, it aims to replace older configuration files like setup.py and setup.cfg for modern Python packaging.

Also known as: pyproject, pyproject.toml file, pyproject config, PEP 518 file, PEP 621 config

Why learn pyproject.toml?

Developers should use pyproject.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. It is essential for projects following modern Python packaging standards, as it ensures compatibility across different build systems and simplifies configuration by consolidating settings into a single file. Use cases include defining project metadata, specifying build dependencies, configuring tools like Black or pytest, and enabling reproducible builds in CI/CD pipelines.

Learning Resources

• docs: Python Packaging User Guide - pyproject.toml
• tutorial: Real Python - Python's pyproject.toml: A New Standard
• docs: PEP 518 - Specifying Minimum Build System Requirements for Python Projects
• video: YouTube - Understanding pyproject.toml in Python
• docs: Poetry Documentation - pyproject.toml