scikit-build
Improved build system generator for Python C/C++/Fortran/Cython extensions
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are building Python C/C++/Fortran/Cython extensions and already use or prefer CMake. The package is actively maintained, has low install friction, carries no security vulnerabilities, and is permissively licensed. However, the description recommends evaluating scikit-build-core first if you do not require extensive build customization.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- CMake 3.5 or later must be installed on your system; scikit-build is a build-time tool requiring a C/C++/Fortran compiler toolchain.
- Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution and only five runtime dependencies.
- Actively maintained with recent releases and ongoing support for current Python versions.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — Licensed under MIT (permissive), so you can use it freely in commercial and open-source projects without significant restrictions.
last release 2026-06-23 (52 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-14 · 535 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 1,331,713 downloads/mo, #4,044 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install scikit-build
Create setup.py with CMake configuration in CMakeLists.txt, then run:
python setup.py build- Whether scikit-build-core is recommended as a replacement for most new projects and migration guidance.
- Specific performance characteristics or build-time overhead compared to other build backends.
- Exact usage patterns and setup.py configuration required for typical extension projects.
What it is and what it does
scikit-build acts as glue between Python's setuptools and CMake, letting you define native extension builds using CMake instead of setuptools' native build syntax. It reads your CMakeLists.txt and integrates the compiled artifacts into a Python package, handling platform differences and compiler selection automatically.
The package is designed for projects that already use CMake for their C/C++/Fortran/Cython code and want to package that code as a Python extension. It supports Python 3.8 through 3.14, modern Visual Studio versions including 2026, and handles cross-platform compilation details. The project is actively maintained with recent updates for compiler and setuptools compatibility.
Use it for
- Build a library with C extensions defined in CMake and distribute it as a PyPI package.
- Compile Fortran code into a Python module while keeping your build logic in CMake.
- Integrate an existing C++ library into Python by wrapping it with Cython and using CMake.
- Support multiple platforms with a single CMake configuration for native extensions.
- Migrate a project from raw setuptools extension building to CMake without rewriting build logic.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are building Python C/C++/Fortran/Cython extensions and already use or prefer CMake.
The package is actively maintained, has low install friction, carries no security vulnerabilities, and is permissively licensed. However, the description recommends evaluating scikit-build-core first if you do not require extensive build customization.
Install
scikit-build on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution and only five runtime dependencies. Actively maintained with recent releases and ongoing support for current Python versions.
CMake 3.5 or later must be installed on your system; scikit-build is a build-time tool requiring a C/C++/Fortran compiler toolchain.
License in practice
Licensed under MIT (permissive), so you can use it freely in commercial and open-source projects without significant restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install scikit-build
Create setup.py with CMake configuration in CMakeLists.txt, then run:
python setup.py buildVerify before relying
- Whether scikit-build-core is recommended as a replacement for most new projects and migration guidance.
- Specific performance characteristics or build-time overhead compared to other build backends.
- Exact usage patterns and setup.py configuration required for typical extension projects.
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 5 packagesdistropackagingsetuptoolstomliwheel |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 52 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 1,331,713 / month, #4,044 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 2 - Pre-AlphaIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishProgramming 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 :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Typing :: Typed |
Evidence: scikit_build-0.19.1-py3-none-any.whl
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See also cmake · scikit-build-core · scikit-misc · ninja · fckitlib · extension-helpers · clang-format · Cython · ccimport · SCons