stdeb 0.11.0
Python to Debian source package conversion utility
License: MIT

.. image:: https://github.com/astraw/stdeb/actions/workflows/ci.yaml/badge.svg
        :target: https://github.com/astraw/stdeb/actions/workflows/ci.yaml

stdeb - Python to Debian source package conversion utility
==========================================================

`stdeb <http://github.com/astraw/stdeb>`_ produces Debian source
packages from Python packages via a new distutils command,
``sdist_dsc``. Automatic defaults are provided for the Debian package,
but many aspects of the resulting package can be customized (see the
customizing section, below). An additional command, ``bdist_deb``,
creates a Debian binary package, a .deb file. The ``install_deb``
command installs this .deb file. The ``debianize`` command builds a
``debian/`` directory directly alongside your setup.py.

Several convenience utilities are also provided:

* ``pypi-download`` will query the `Python Package Index (PyPI)
  <http://pypi.python.org/>`_ for a package and download it.
* ``pypi-install`` will query the `Python Package Index (PyPI)
  <http://pypi.python.org/>`_ for a package, download it, create a
  .deb from it, and then install the .deb.
* ``py2dsc`` will convert a distutils-built source tarball into a
  Debian source package.
* ``py2dsc-deb`` will convert a distutils-built source tarball into a
  Debian source package and then use the Debian machinery to build a
  .deb file from this.

.. contents::


Python 3 support
----------------

As explained in more detail below, the heart of stdeb is the sdist_dsc
distutils command. This command runs once to generate a Debian source
package. This Debian source package can specify building packages for
Python 2, Python 3, or both. Furthermore, this generation can be done
with the Python 2 or Python 3 interpreter. By default, only packages
are built for the version of Python being used. To override this, use
``--with-python2=True`` or ``--with-python3=True`` as an argument to
the sdist_dsc distutils command (or use both to be sure). For example,
to build only a Python 3 package using the Python 3 interpreter::

  python3 setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command bdist_deb

To build both Python 2 and Python 3 packages using the Python 3
interpreter (and only the Python3 package installs scripts)::

  python3 setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command sdist_dsc --with-python2=True --with-python3=True --no-python2-scripts=True bdist_deb

News
----

 * 2025-09-12: **Version 0.11.0**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.11.0>`__.

  * Breaking changes:

    * Remove support for running stdeb using Python 2.
      stdeb scripts are now only expected to run using Python 3. It may be
      possible to create Python 2 packages using stdeb from Python 3 but this
      is not well tested. The new minimum Python version is 3.7 and this will
      be raised periodically in the future. The goal is to support the latest
      Python 3 releases in Debian Unstable and Testing back to the current
      oldoldstable.
    * Minimum debhelper version has been raised to 12.
      Packages are now built using pybuild instead of of python_distutils.
      The minimum debhelper version will be raised periodically in order
      to support changes to packaging infrastructure but we will try not
      to raise it above the current oldoldstable version.

 * New features:

    * Add ``Dh-python3-params``` config setting to stdeb.cfg.
      The value of this setting will be passed to dh_python3 in the
      debian/rules file and can be used for specifying options that are not
      otherwise configurable.

 * 2025-07-31: **Version 0.10.2**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.10.2>`__.
   This is a bugfix release for 0.10.1 which fixes a regression.

  * Bugfixes:

    * Add a shim function for which on python2. (#215)
      * Fixes a regression introduced in  #203.

 * 2024-11-14: **Version 0.10.1**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.10.1>`__.
   This is the last planned release of stdeb which supports running stdeb
   scripts with Python 2.7. Generating Python 2 packages with future releases
   will be maintained on a best-effort basis. Users of stdeb's Python 2 support
   are encouraged to report issues and provide test cases which can be added to
   CI.

  * Bugfixes:

    * Fix udev rule filenames for automatic dh_installudev recognition. (#180)

  * Improvements:

    * The ``--sign-key`` argument can now be used to provide an alternative key
      rather than always signing with the default key. (#187)

    * Switch PyPI API usage to JSON and "Simple" APIs now that the XML-RPC API is deprecated. (#201, #202)

    * Detect and use the current binary name for Python 2. (#203)
      Ubuntu Focal and Ubuntu Jammy install a `python2` binary when the
      `python-all-dev` package is installed. Rather than assuming that the
      `python` binary is available and is Python 2, check for a `python` or
      `python2` binary and use what is found. 

  * Development changes:

    * Continuous Integration is now run on GitHub Actions using Earthly. (#199)
    * Use ruff for style and lint checks (currently not enforced). (#199)

 * 2020-10-28: **Version 0.10.0**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.10.0>`__.

  * Bugfixes:

    * add sleep between PyPI API calls to avoid rate limit (#173)

  * Improvements:

    * use SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH if set for timestamp in generated changelog to
      generate reproducbile artifacts (#166)
    * update debhelper compat version from 7 to 9 (#158)
    * added flag --with-dh-systemd (#162)
    * add support for DEBEMAIL envvar (#168)
    * use setuptools "url" field for "Homepage" field in debian/control (#169)
    * dh_virtualenv: specify Python version (#165)
    * added compat flag to modify Debian compatibility level (#163)

  * Cosmetic:
    * remove excess newlines from debian/control and rules file (#167)
    * use flake8 to check style in Travis CI, update code to comply (#171)

 * 2020-06-11: **Version 0.9.1**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.9.1>`__.

  * Bugfixes:

    * handle path with spaces in zip tarball (#150)
    * fix map() iterator issue in Python 3 (#152)
    * fix checking for python3-all (instead of python-all) when using only
      Python 3 (#154)

  * Improvements:

    * get date in Python, avoiding requiring ``date`` on macOS (#115)
    * add configuration file option ``Python2-Depends-Name`` (#156)
    * add an option ``--with-dh-virtualenv`` (#155)
    * add an option named ``ignore-source-changes`` (#151)

 * 2019-12-09: **Version 0.9.0**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.9.0>`__.

  * Bugfixes:

    * fix applying patch files under Python 3

  * Improvements:

    * add ``--sign-results`` to sdist_dsc and bdist_deb command
    * add ``--debian-version`` to CLI program options
    * add support for ``Breaks`` / ``Breaks3`` in debian/control
    * add support for ``Suite3`` option
    * support zip files in pypi-install

  * Breaking changes:

    * remove deprecated ``dh_desktop`` call

 * 2015-02-18: **Version 0.8.5**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.8.5>`__. Bugfixes: reverted
   change that installed into virtualenv when built in
   virtualenv. Improvements: Added
   `--allow-virtualenv-install-location` to allow installing into
   virtualenv location. Supports Debian Squeeze (6), Debian Wheezy
   (7), Ubuntu Precise (12.04), Ubuntu Trusty (14.04) and later
   releases.

 * 2015-02-16: **Version 0.8.4**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.8.4>`__. Bugfixes: works on
   Python 3.4 (e.g. Ubuntu Trusty) again. Improvements: Improved
   customization for Python 3 (Dirk Thomas added
   `force-x-python3-version` and `X-Python3-Version` and Louis for
   `Recommends3`, `Suggests3`, `Provides3` and `Replaces3`
   support. Supports Debian Squeeze (6), Debian Wheezy (7), Ubuntu
   Precise (12.04), Ubuntu Trusty (14.04) and later releases.

 * 2015-02-14: **Version 0.8.3**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.8.3>`__. This is a bugfix
   release which fixes several aspects of Unicode support. Tests pass
   on Debian Squeeze (6), Debian Wheezy (7), and Ubuntu Precise
   (12.04). Support for Python 3.4 (e.g. Ubuntu Trusty 14.04) was
   mistakenly broken and was fixed in the 0.8.3 release.

 * 2014-8-14: **Version 0.8.2**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.8.2>`__. This is a bugfix
   release fixing a serious issue that would cause a Python 2 package
   to be built if only a Python 3 package was requested in some
   circumstances.

 * 2014-8-10: **Version 0.8.1**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.8.1>`__. Due
   to bugs in 0.8.0, this release is the first announced from the 0.8
   series. Highlights since 0.7.1:

   - Full support for Python 3. This includes being run from Python 3
     and generating packages for Python 3. The default is to build
     Python 3 packages when run with Python 3 and to build Python 2
     packages when run from Python 2. Command line options can be used
     to build packages for the other Python interpreter, too.

   - Build .changes file for source package. While this still must be
     signed for upload to a PPA, for example, it should still be
     useful in some cases.

   - Switch to Debian source format 3.0 (quilt). Practically speaking,
     the .diff.gz file that used to come with a source package is now
     replaced by a .debian.tar.gz file.

   - Verify SSL certificates when talking to PyPI using
     Requests. (Verification requires Requests >= 0.8.8.)

   - Many bugfixes.

 * 2014-05-05: **Version 0.7.1**. See the `download page
   <https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.7.1>`__. Highlights for this
   release (you may also wish to consult the full `changelog
   <http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.7.1/CHANGELOG.txt>`__). Due
   to bugs in 0.7.0, this release is the first announced from the 0.7
   series. Highlights since 0.6.0:

   - New commands: pypi-download and pypi-install to directly download
     and install packages from PyPI, respectively. py2dsc-deb directly
     creates a .deb file from a source tarball.

   - New distutils command: install_deb lets you directly install a
     python package as a standard system package.

   - Many bugfixes, including the new URL for PyPI.

   - Automated runs of test suite, thanks to Travis CI

   - Thanks to many, especially Piotr Ożarowski for help with stdeb.

 * 2010-06-18: **Version 0.6.0**. See the `download page
   <http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.6.0>`__. Highlights for this
   release (you may also wish to consult the full `changelog
   <http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.6.0/CHANGELOG.txt>`__):

   - A new ``debianize`` command to build a ``debian/`` directory
     alongside your setup.py file.

   - Bugfixes.

 * 2010-01-09: **Version 0.5.1**. Bugfix release. See the `download
   page <http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.5.1>`__, the `changelog
   <http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.5.1/CHANGELOG.txt>`__
   and `release notes
   <http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.5.1/RELEASE_NOTES.txt>`__.

 * 2009-12-30: **Version 0.5.0**. See the `download page
   <http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.5.0>`__. Highlights for this
   release (you may also wish to consult the full `changelog
   <http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.5.0/CHANGELOG.txt>`__):

   - A new ``pypi-install`` script will automatically download, make a
     .deb, and install packages from the `Python Package Index (PyPI)`_.

   - Removal of the setuptools dependency.

   - New option (`--guess-conflicts-provides-replaces`) to query
     original Debian packages for Conflicts/Provides/Replaces
     information.

   - As a result of these changes and to fix a couple bugs/warts, some
     minor backwards incompatible changes and deprecations were
     made. Please check the `release notes
     <http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.5.0/RELEASE_NOTES.txt>`__.

 * 2009-12-28: Version 0.4.3 Released. See the `download page`__. See the
   `changelog`__ and `release notes`__.
 * 2009-11-02: Version 0.4.2 Released. See the `download page`__. See the
   `changelog`__ and `release notes`__.
 * 2009-10-04: Version 0.4.1 Released. See the `download page`__. See the
   `changelog`__ and `release notes`__.
 * 2009-09-27: Version 0.4 Released. See the `download page`__. This
   version switches to debhelper 7. See the `Changelog for 0.4`__.

__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.4.3
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.4.3/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.4.3/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.4.2
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.4.2/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.4.2/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.4.1
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.4.1/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.4.1/RELEASE_NOTES.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.4
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.4/CHANGELOG.txt

Releases up to and including 0.3.2 are compatible with Ubuntu Hardy.

 * 2009-10-04: Version 0.3.2 Released. See the `download page`__. See the `Changelog for 0.3.2`__
 * 2009-09-27: Version 0.3.1 Released. See the `download page`__. See the `Changelog for 0.3.1`__
 * 2009-03-21: Version 0.3 Released. See the `download page`__. See the `Changelog for 0.3`__
 * 2009-02-17: Version 0.2.3 Released. See the `download page`__. See the `Changelog for 0.2.3`__
 * 2009-01-29: Version 0.2.2 Released. See the `download page`__. See the `Changelog for 0.2.2`__
 * 2008-04-26: Version 0.2.1 Released. See the `download page`__. See the `Changelog for 0.2.1`__
 * 2008-04-26: Version 0.2 Released. See the `download page`__. See the `Changelog for 0.2`__
 * 2007-04-02: Version 0.2.a1 Released. See the `old download page`_.
 * 2006-06-19: Version 0.1 Released. See the `old download page`_.

__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.3.2
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.3.2/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.3.1
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.3.1/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.3
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.3/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.2.3
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.2.3/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.2.2
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.2.2/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.2.1
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.2.1/CHANGELOG.txt
__ http://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb/0.2
__ http://github.com/astraw/stdeb/blob/release-0.2/CHANGELOG.txt

The commands
------------

pypi-download, command-line command
```````````````````````````````````

``pypi-download`` takes a package name, queries PyPI for it and downloads
it::

  pypi-download [options] mypackage

pypi-install, command-line command
``````````````````````````````````

``pypi-install`` takes a package name, queries PyPI for it, downloads
it, builds a Debian source package and then .deb from it, and this
installs it::

  pypi-install [options] mypackage

py2dsc, command-line command
````````````````````````````

``py2dsc`` takes a .tar.gz source package and build a Debian source
package from it::

  py2dsc [options] mypackage-0.1.tar.gz # uses pre-built Python source package

py2dsc-deb, command-line command
````````````````````````````````

``py2dsc-deb`` takes a .tar.gz source package and build a Debian source
package and then a .deb file from it::

  py2dsc-deb [options] mypackage-0.1.tar.gz # uses pre-built Python source package

sdist_dsc, distutils command
````````````````````````````
All methods eventually result in a call to the ``sdist_dsc`` distutils
command. You may prefer to do so directly::

  python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command sdist_dsc

A Debian source package is produced from unmodified
Python packages. The following files are produced in a newly created
subdirectory ``deb_dist``:

 * ``packagename_versionname.orig.tar.gz``
 * ``packagename_versionname-debianversion.dsc``
 * ``packagename_versionname-debianversion.diff.gz``

These can then be compiled into binary packages using the standard
Debian machinery (e.g. dpkg-buildpackage).

bdist_deb, distutils command
````````````````````````````
A ``bdist_deb`` distutils command is installed. This calls the
sdist_dsc command and then runs dpkg-buildpackage on the result::

  python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command bdist_deb

install_deb, distutils command
``````````````````````````````

The ``install_deb`` distutils command calls the bdist_deb command and
then installs the result. You need to run this with superuser privilege::

  sudo python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command install_deb

debianize, distutils command
````````````````````````````
The ``debianize`` distutils command builds the same ``debian/``
directory as used in the previous command, but the output is placed
directly in the project's root folder (alongside setup.py). This is
useful for customizing the Debian package directly (rather than using
the various stdeb options to tune the generated package).

::

  python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command debianize

A note about telling distutils to use the stdeb distutils commands
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Distutils command packages can also be specified in distutils
configuration files (rather than using the ``--command-packages``
command line argument to ``setup.py``), as specified in the `distutils
documentation
<https://docs.python.org/2/distutils/extending.html>`_. Specifically,
you could include this in your ``~/.pydistutils.cfg`` file::

  [global]
  command-packages: stdeb.command

Examples
--------

These all assume you have stdeb installed in your system Python
path. stdeb also works from a non-system Python path (e.g. a
`virtualenv <http://pypi.python.org/pypi/virtualenv>`_).

Quickstart 1: Install something from PyPI now, I don't care about anything else
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Do this from the command line::

  pypi-install mypackage

**Warning: Despite doing its best, there is absolutely no way stdeb
can guarantee all the Debian package dependencies will be properly
fulfilled without manual intervention. Using pypi-install bypasses
your ability to customize stdeb's behavior. Read the rest of this
document to understand how to make better packages.**

Quickstart 2: Just tell me the fastest way to make a .deb
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

(First, install stdeb as you normally install Python packages.)

Do this from the directory with your `setup.py` file::

  python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command bdist_deb

This will make a Debian source package (.dsc, .orig.tar.gz and
.diff.gz files) and then compile it to a Debian binary package (.deb)
for your current system. The result will be in ``deb_dist``.

**Warning: installing the .deb file on other versions of Ubuntu or
Debian than the one on which it was compiled will result in undefined
behavior. If you have extension modules, they will probably
break. Even in the absence of extension modules, bad stuff will likely
happen.**

For this reason, it is much better to build the Debian source package
and then compile that (e.g. using `Ubuntu's PPA`__) for each target
version of Debian or Ubuntu.

__ https://help.launchpad.net/Packaging/PPA

Quickstart 3: I read the warning, so show me how to make a source package, then compile it
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

This generates a source package::

  pypi-download Reindent --release=0.1.0
  py2dsc Reindent-0.1.0.tar.gz

This turns it into a .deb using the standard Debian tools. (Do *this*
on the same source package for each target distribution)::

  cd deb_dist/reindent-0.1.0/
  dpkg-buildpackage -rfakeroot -uc -us

This installs it::

  cd ..
  sudo dpkg -i python-reindent_0.1.0-1_all.deb

Quickstart 4: Install from a Python package direct to a debian system package
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

(First, install stdeb as you normally install Python packages.)

Do this from the directory with your `setup.py` file::

  python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command install_deb

This will make a Debian source package (.dsc, .orig.tar.gz and
.diff.gz files), compile it to a Debian binary package (.deb) for your
current system and then install it using ``dpkg``.


Another example, with more explanation
``````````````````````````````````````

This example is more useful if you don't have a Python source package
(.tar.gz file generated by ``python setup.py sdist``). For the sake of
illustration, we do download such a tarball, but immediately unpack it
(alternatively, use a version control system to grab the unpacked
source of a package)::

  pypi-download Reindent --release=0.1.0
  tar xzf Reindent-0.1.0.tar.gz
  cd Reindent-0.1.0

The following will generate a directory ``deb_dist`` containing the
files ``reindent_0.1.0-1.dsc``, ``reindent_0.1.0.orig.tar.gz`` and
``reindent_0.1.0-1.diff.gz``, which, together, are a debian source
package::

  python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command sdist_dsc

The source generated in the above way is also extracted (using
``dpkg-source -x``) and placed in the ``deb_dist`` subdirectory. To
continue the example above::

  cd deb_dist/reindent-0.1.0
  dpkg-buildpackage -rfakeroot -uc -us

Finally, the generated package can be installed::

  cd ..
  sudo dpkg -i python-reindent_0.1.0-1_all.deb

For yet another example of use, with still more explanation, see
`allmydata-tahoe ticket 251`_.

.. _allmydata-tahoe ticket 251: http://allmydata.org/trac/tahoe/ticket/251

Download
--------

Files are available at the `download page`_ (for ancient releases, see
the `old download page`_).

.. _download page: https://pypi.python.org/pypi/stdeb
.. _old download page: http://stdeb.python-hosting.com/wiki/Download

The git repository is available at
http://github.com/astraw/stdeb

Install (or, using stdeb to create an stdeb installer)
------------------------------------------------------

For a bit of fun, here's how to install stdeb using stdeb. Note that
stdeb is also in Debian and Ubuntu, so this recipe is only necessary
to install a more recent stdeb.

::

  STDEB_VERSION="0.10.1"

  # Download stdeb
  pypi-download stdeb --release=$STDEB_VERSION

  # Extract it
  tar xzf stdeb-$STDEB_VERSION.tar.gz

  # Enter extracted source package
  cd stdeb-$STDEB_VERSION

  # Build .deb (making use of stdeb package directory in sys.path).
  python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command bdist_deb

  # Install it
  sudo dpkg -i deb_dist/python-stdeb_$STDEB_VERSION-1_all.deb

Background
----------

For the average Python package, its source distribution
(python_package.tar.gz created with ``python setup.py sdist``)
contains nearly everything necessary to make a Debian source
package. This near-equivalence encouraged me to write this distutils
extension, which executes the setup.py file to extract relevant
information. `setuptools
<http://peak.telecommunity.com/DevCenter/setuptools>`_ may optionally
be used.

I wrote this initially to Debianize several Python packages of my own,
but I have the feeling it could be generally useful. It appears
similar, at least in theory, to easydeb_, `Logilab's Devtools`_,
bdist_dpkg_, bdist_deb_, pkgme_ and `dh-virtualenv
<https://github.com/spotify/dh-virtualenv>`__.

.. _easydeb: http://easy-deb.sourceforge.net/
.. _Logilab's DevTools: http://www.logilab.org/projects/devtools
.. _bdist_dpkg: http://svn.python.org/view/sandbox/trunk/Lib/bdist_dpkg.py
.. _bdist_deb: http://bugs.python.org/issue1054967
.. _pkgme: https://launchpad.net/pkgme

Features
--------

* Create a package for all Python versions supported by
  python-support. (Limiting this range is possible with the
  ``XS-Python-Version:`` config option.)

* Automatic conversion of Python package names into valid Debian
  package names.

* Attempt to automatically convert version numbers such that ordering
  is maintained. See also the config option
  ``Forced-Upstream-Version``.

* Fine grained control of version numbers. (``Debian-Version``,
  ``Forced-Upstream-Version``, ``Upstream-Version-Prefix``,
  ``Upstream-Version-Suffix`` config options.)

* Install .desktop files. (``MIME-Desktop-Files`` config option.)

* Install .mime and .sharedmimeinfo files. (``MIME-File`` and
  ``Shared-MIME-File`` config options.)

* Install copyright files. (``Copyright-File`` config option.)

* Apply patches to upstream sources. (``Stdeb-Patch-File`` config
  option.)

* Pass environment variables to setup.py script. (``Setup-Env-Vars``
  config option.)

Customizing the produced Debian source package (config options)
---------------------------------------------------------------

stdeb will attempt to provide reasonable defaults, but these are only
guesses.

There are two ways to customize the Debian source package produced by
stdeb. First, you may provide options to the distutils
commands. Second, you may provide an ``stdeb.cfg`` file.

stdeb distutils command options
```````````````````````````````

The sdist_dsc command takes command-line options to the distutils
command. For example::

  python setup.py --command-packages=stdeb.command sdist_dsc --debian-version 0MyName1

This creates a Debian package with the Debian version set to
"0MyName1".

These options can also be set via distutils configuration
files. (These are the ``setup.cfg`` file alongside ``setup.py`` and
the ~/.pydistutils.cfg file.) In that case, put the arguments in the
``[sdist_dsc]`` section. For example, a project's ``~/.setup.cfg``
file might have this::

  [sdist_dsc]
  debian-version: 0MyName1

To pass these commands to sdist_dsc when calling bdist_deb, do this::

  python setup.py sdist_dsc --debian-version 0MyName1 bdist_deb

====================================== =========================================
        Command line option                      Effect
====================================== =========================================
  --with-python2                       build Python 2 package (default=True)
  --with-python3                       build Python 3 package (default=False)
  --no-python2-scripts                 disable installation of Python 2 scripts (default=False)
  --no-python3-scripts                 disable installation of Python 3 scripts (default=False)
  --force-x-python3-version            Override default minimum python3:any
                                       dependency with value from x-python3-
                                       version
  --allow-virtualenv-install-location  Allow installing into
                                       /some/random/virtualenv-path
  --with-dh-virtualenv                 Build the package using dh_virtualenv, so all dependencies
                                       are embedded into the packages.
  --with-dh-systemd                    Add the systemd addon that will add dh_systemd_enable and
                                       dh_systemd_start helpers at the correct time during build.
  --sign-results                       Use gpg to sign the resulting .dsc and
                                       .changes file
  --sign-key                           Specify signing key
  --dist-dir (-d)                      directory to put final built
                                       distributions in (default='deb_dist')
  --patch-already-applied (-a)         patch was already applied (used when
                                       py2dsc calls sdist_dsc)
  --default-distribution               deprecated (see --suite)
  --compat                             debian compatibility level (default=9)
  --suite (-z)                         distribution name to use if not
                                       specified in .cfg (default='unstable')
  --default-maintainer                 deprecated (see --maintainer)
  --maintainer (-m)                    maintainer name and email to use if not
                                       specified in .cfg (default from
                                       setup.py)
  --extra-cfg-file (-x)                additional .cfg file (in addition to
                                       stdeb.cfg if present)
  --patch-file (-p)                    patch file applied before setup.py
                                       called (incompatible with file
                                       specified in .cfg)
  --patch-level (-l)                   patch file applied before setup.py
                                       called (incompatible with file
                                       specified in .cfg)
  --patch-posix (-q)                   apply the patch with --posix mode
  --remove-expanded-source-dir (-r)    remove the expanded source directory
  --ignore-install-requires (-i)       ignore the requirements from
                                       requires.txt in the egg-info directory
  --ignore-source-changes              ignore all changes on source when
                                       building source package (add -i.*
                                       option to dpkg-source)
  --no-backwards-compatibility         This option has no effect, is here for
                                       backwards compatibility, and may be
                                       removed someday.
  --guess-conflicts-provides-replaces  If True, attempt to guess
                                       Conflicts/Provides/Replaces in
                                       debian/control based on apt-cache
                                       output. (Default=False).
  --use-premade-distfile (-P)          use .zip or .tar.gz file already made
                                       by sdist command
  --source                             debian/control Source: (Default:
                                       <source-debianized-setup-name>)
  --package                            debian/control Package: (Default:
                                       python-<debianized-setup-name>)
  --suite                              suite (e.g. stable, lucid) in changelog
                                       (Default: unstable)
  --maintainer                         debian/control Maintainer: (Default:
                                       <setup-maintainer-or-author>)
  --debian-version                     debian version (Default: 1)
  --section                            debian/control Section: (Default:
                                       python)
  --epoch                              version epoch
  --forced-upstream-version            forced upstream version
  --upstream-version-prefix            upstream version prefix
  --upstream-version-suffix            upstream version suffix
  --uploaders                          uploaders
  --copyright-file                     copyright file
  --build-depends                      debian/control Build-Depends:
  --build-conflicts                    debian/control Build-Conflicts:
  --stdeb-patch-file                   file containing patches for stdeb to
                                       apply
  --stdeb-patch-level                  patch level provided to patch command
  --depends                            debian/control Depends:
  --suggests                           debian/control Suggests:
  --recommends                         debian/control Recommends:
  --xs-python-version                  debian/control XS-Python-Version:
  --x-python3-version                  debian/control X-Python3-Version:
  --dpkg-shlibdeps-params              parameters passed to dpkg-shlibdeps
  --conflicts                          debian/control Conflicts:
  --provides                           debian/control Provides:
  --replaces                           debian/control Replaces:
  --mime-desktop-files                 MIME desktop files
  --mime-file                          MIME file
  --shared-mime-file                   shared MIME file
  --setup-env-vars                     environment variables passed to
                                       setup.py
  --udev-rules                         file with rules to install to udev

====================================== =========================================


You may also pass any arguments described below for the stdeb.cfg file
via distutils options. Passing the arguments this way (either on the
command line, or in the ``[sdist_dsc]`` section of a distutils .cfg
file) will take precedence. The option name should be given in lower
case.

stdeb.cfg configuration file
````````````````````````````

You may write config files of the format understood by `ConfigParser
<http://docs.python.org/lib/module-ConfigParser.html>`_. When building
each package, stdeb looks for the existence of a ``stdeb.cfg`` in the
directory with ``setup.py``. You may specify an additional config file
with the command-line option --extra-cfg-file. The section should
should either be [DEFAULT] or [package_name], which package_name is
specified as the name argument to the setup() command. An example
stdeb.cfg file is::

  [DEFAULT]
  Depends: python-numpy
  XS-Python-Version: >= 2.6

All available options:

====================================== =========================================
  Config file option                     Effect
====================================== =========================================
  Source                               debian/control Source: (Default:
                                       <source-debianized-setup-name>)
  Package                              debian/control Package: (Default:
                                       python-<debianized-setup-name>)
  Package3                             debian/control Package: for python3
                                       (Default:
                                       python3-<debianized-setup-name>)
  Suite                                suite (e.g. stable, lucid) in changelog
                                       (Default: unstable)
  Suite3                               suite (e.g. stable, lucid) for python3
                                       (Default: uses value of Suite option)
  Maintainer                           debian/control Maintainer: (Default:
                                       <setup-maintainer-or-author>)
  Debian-Version                       debian version (Default: 1)
  Section                              debian/control Section: (Default:
                                       python)
  Epoch                                version epoch
  Forced-Upstream-Version              forced upstream version
  Upstream-Version-Prefix              upstream version prefix
  Upstream-Version-Suffix              upstream version suffix
  Uploaders                            uploaders
  Copyright-File                       copyright file
  Build-Depends                        debian/control Build-Depends:
  Build-Conflicts                      debian/control Build-Conflicts:
  Stdeb-Patch-File                     file containing patches for stdeb to
                                       apply
  Stdeb-Patch-Level                    patch level provided to patch command
  Depends                              debian/control Depends:
  Depends3                             debian/control Depends: for python3
  Suggests                             debian/control Suggests:
  Suggests3                            debian/control Suggests: for python3
  Recommends                           debian/control Recommends:
  Recommends3                          debian/control Recommends: for python3
  XS-Python-Version                    debian/control XS-Python-Version:
  X-Python3-Version                    debian/control X-Python3-Version:
  Dpkg-Shlibdeps-Params                parameters passed to dpkg-shlibdeps
  Conflicts                            debian/control Conflicts:
  Conflicts3                           debian/control Conflicts: for python3
  Breaks                               debian/control Breaks:
  Breaks3                              debian/control Breaks: for python3
  Provides                             debian/control Provides:
  Provides3                            debian/control Provides: for python3
  Replaces                             debian/control Replaces:
  Replaces3                            debian/control Replaces: for python3
  MIME-Desktop-Files                   MIME desktop files
  MIME-File                            MIME file
  Shared-MIME-File                     shared MIME file
  Setup-Env-Vars                       environment variables passed to
                                       setup.py
  Udev-Rules                           file with rules to install to udev
  Python2-Depends-Name                 override Python 2 Debian package name in
                                       ${python:Depends}
  Dh-python3-params                    parameters passed to dh_python3
====================================== =========================================

The option names in stdeb.cfg files are not case sensitive.

Reproducible builds
-------------------

By default stdeb uses the current time for the the timestamp in the generated
changelog file. This results in a non-reproducible build since every invocation
generates a different changelog / ``.deb``.
The environment variable ``SOURCE_DATE_EPOCH`` can be set to a fixed timestamp
(e.g. when the version was tagged or of the last commit was made) which will be
used in the changelog instead. This will ensure that the produced ``.deb`` is
reproducible on repeated invocations.

For more information about reproducible builds and this specific environment
variable please see https://reproducible-builds.org/docs/source-date-epoch/

Prerequisites
-------------

 * Python 2.7 or Python 3.x
 * Standard Debian utilities such as ``date``, ``dpkg-source`` and
   Debhelper 7 (use stdeb 0.3.x if you need to support older
   distributions without dh7)
 * If your setup.py uses the setuptools features ``setup_requires`` or
   ``install_requires``, you must run ``apt-file update`` prior to
   running any stdeb command.

TODO
----

* Make output meet `Debian Python Policy`_ specifications or the `new
  python policy`_. This will include several things, among which are:

  - the ability to make custom changelogs
  - the ability to include project-supplied documentation as a -doc package
  - include license information in debian/copyright
  - the ability to include project-supplied examples, tests, and data
    as a separate package
  - much more not listed

* Create (better) documentation

* Log output using standard distutils mechanisms

* Refactor the source code to have a simpler, more sane design

.. _debian python policy: http://www.debian.org/doc/packaging-manuals/python-policy/
.. _new python policy: http://wiki.debian.org/DebianPython/NewPolicy

Call for volunteers
-------------------

I don't have a lot of time for this. This project stands a very real
chance of being only a shadow of its potential self unless people step
up and contribute. There are numerous ways in which people could
help. In particular, I'd be interested in finding a co-maintainer or
maintainer if the project generates any interest. Secondarily, I would
appreciate advice from Debian developers or Ubuntu MOTUs about the
arcane details of Python packaging.

Mailing list
------------

Please address all questions to the distutils-SIG_

.. _distutils-S