build

A simple, correct Python build frontend

build Permissive license MIT Active ★ 854 v1.5.0 released 2026-04-30

Install

build on PyPI

pip

pip install build

uv

uv add build

poetry

poetry add build

Package facts

License	MIT (permissive)
Python support	supports the current Python release (>=3.10)
Install friction	low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies	5 — packaging, pyproject_hooks, colorama, importlib-metadata, tomli
Maintenance	actively maintained — 105 days since the last release
Last repo commit	2026-08-13
First released	2020-05-25
Popularity	one of the top 1,000 most-downloaded packages on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-13)
Known vulnerabilities	none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-13)

Evidence: build-1.5.0-py3-none-any.whl

Programming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPy

About build

from the package's own PyPI description — quoted content, verbatim

build

pre-commit.ci status (image) CI test (image) codecov (image)

Documentation Status (image) PyPI version (image) Discord (image)

A simple, correct Python build frontend.

See the documentation for more information.

Installation

build can be installed via pip or an equivalent via:

$ pip install build

Usage

$ python -m build

This will build the package in an isolated environment, generating a source-distribution and wheel in the directory dist/. See...

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AI interpretation — verify before relying

AI-generated interpretation of the package facts above; every digit, version, license, or vulnerability id it cites is grounded in the facts already shown on this page

build is a PEP 517–compliant Python package build frontend that creates wheels and source distributions in isolated environments, handling the low-level details of invoking backend build systems like setuptools.

Low friction: pure-Python wheel distribution with five well-established runtime dependencies (packaging, pyproject_hooks, colorama, importlib-metadata, tomli). Actively maintained with recent releases; repository shows 854 stars and last commit dated 2026-08-13.

MIT license (permissive) places no significant restrictions on use, modification, or distribution; suitable for both open-source and proprietary projects.

Usage

pip install build
python -m build
# Generates wheel and source distribution in dist/ directory

Requires Python 3.10 or later (>=3.10)

Verdict: build is a mature, actively maintained build frontend from the Python Packaging Authority with zero known vulnerabilities, low install friction, and permissive licensing. It is well-suited for projects needing standards-compliant isolated builds and is widely integrated into CI/CD tooling (cibuildwheel, pipx, uv). Recommended for general use.

Needs verification

Whether the package's five runtime dependencies themselves have known vulnerabilities or maintenance concerns
Whether isolated build mode has any known limitations with specific backend systems or project configurations

python package build frontendpep 517 build toolwheel and sdist generatorisolated build environmentpython build automationpyproject.toml buildsetuptools build wrapper