Setuptools is a Python package build tool and distribution framework used to bundle code into distributable archives. It functions as a project metadata manager, allowing for the declarative definition of project identity, versioning, and dependencies.
The toolkit distinguishes itself by providing an extension compiler for C and C++ source files and a plugin architecture that uses entry points to enable runtime discovery of functionality. It also supports development environment tooling, such as editable installs that link source code directly to the environment to allow immediate changes without reinstallation.
The project covers a broad range of capabilities including dependency management with environment markers, the generation of source and binary distributions, and the creation of executable console scripts. It also handles package discovery, non-code asset bundling, and the management of namespace packages.