---
id: pyqt-builder
version: "1.19.1"
license: BSD-2-Clause
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: aging
---

# PyQt-builder — The PyQt build system

License: permissive · Maintenance: aging · Downloads: 92.5K/mo

## What it is and what it does

PyQt-builder is a build system backend designed for projects that extend or depend on PyQt. It bridges the Python packaging world (PEP 517) with Qt's native build toolchain by wrapping the SIP code generator and qmake compiler. When a project provides a pyproject.toml file and optional project.py script, any standard Python build frontend like pip or the build package can invoke PyQt-builder to generate compiled extension modules.

The package is primarily a tool for library authors and maintainers rather than application developers. It handles the plumbing of translating Python-to-C++ bindings via SIP and compiling them against Qt libraries. Most users will encounter it indirectly when installing PyQt or PyQt-based packages; direct use is typical only when developing or packaging PyQt extensions.

Use it for:

- Building PyQt from source when binary wheels are unavailable or customization is needed.
- Packaging custom PyQt extensions that wrap additional Qt libraries or functionality.
- Automating CI/CD pipelines for projects that depend on PyQt and need reproducible builds.
- Developing PyQt bindings for new Qt modules or third-party Qt-based libraries.

## Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts above — verify before relying.

PyQt-builder is a PEP 517 compliant build system for PyQt and PyQt-based projects, extending the SIP build system and using Qt's qmake to compile and install extension modules.

Yes, if you are developing or packaging PyQt-based projects. Install it as a build-time dependency in your pyproject.toml rather than directly; standard build frontends will invoke it automatically. Not needed for end users installing pre-built PyQt wheels. No known security vulnerabilities and low install friction make it safe to use.

## Install

pip install pyqt-builder
uv add pyqt-builder
poetry add pyqt-builder

## Installing PyQt-builder

Before you install: Low friction: pure Python wheel with only two runtime dependencies (packaging and sip). Maintenance shows aging status with last commit 252 days ago, but the repository remains active and not archived.

License in practice: BSD-2-Clause is permissive; you can use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal restrictions, provided you retain the license notice.

Quickstart:

pip install pyqt-builder

In pyproject.toml:
[build-system]
requires = ["pyqt-builder", "sip", "packaging"]
build-backend = "pyqtbuild.build"

Then build with: python -m build

Qt development libraries and qmake must be available on the system for compilation to succeed.

Verify before relying:

- Whether this package is intended for end users or primarily for PyQt library maintainers and extension developers.
- Specific Qt version requirements or compatibility constraints for qmake integration.

## Package facts

- License: BSD-2-Clause (permissive)
- Python support: supports_current
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: aging
- Downloads: 92.5K/month (top 15,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

pyqt build system, pep 517 build backend, qt extension compilation, sip-based build tool, pyqt project builder, qt qmake integration, python qt packaging, build-system, qt-bindings, pep-517

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/pyqt-builder) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/pyqt-builder/)