Snakes in a case: Packaging Python apps for distribution
summary
Briefcase converts a pyproject.toml Python project into platform-native installers, producing MSI DMG AppImage and iOS/Android projects by templating, embedding a support package, running pip on the app’s requires, and invoking native build tools. It bundles a full Python interpreter and dependencies so apps run without Python knowledge — default support packages make macOS apps ~200 MB but hand-tuned packages shrink to ~15–30 MB. Creates, builds, runs, packages, updates, and currently has limited code signing and iOS device restrictions.
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chapters (9)
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:31Pythons packaging ecosystem
- 7:23briefcase
- 10:59life cycle
- 16:33briefcase dev
- 17:41briefcase create
- 19:04briefcase build
- 19:39briefcase run
- 27:19outro
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