Introduction
In April 2026, the Python community reached a major milestone when the Python packaging council was formally approved. This council, established under PEP 772 ("Packaging Council governance process"), now has "broad authority over packaging standards, tools, and implementations." Understanding how this governance body came to be is essential for anyone involved in the Python packaging ecosystem—whether you're a maintainer, contributor, or end user. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process, from the initial proposal to the election of its five members. By the end, you'll know exactly what happened, why it matters, and how you can stay engaged.
What You Need
- Basic familiarity with Python packaging (tools like pip, setuptools, PyPI)
- Access to the Python discussion forum (discuss.python.org) to review threads
- Interest in community governance to follow the rationale behind decisions
- Optional: A PyCon US 2026 schedule to note the election timeline after the conference
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: The Birth of an Idea – PEP 772 Is Proposed
In February 2025, the first version of PEP 772 was submitted to the Python Enhancement Proposal (PEP) process. This PEP outlined a formal governance structure for packaging, addressing long-standing community needs for clearer decision-making. The proposal described a council of five elected members with broad authority over packaging standards, tools, and implementations. The initial draft was posted to the Python discussion forum for community feedback.
Step 2: Extended Community Discussion and Debate
For over a year, the PEP underwent lengthy discussions across multiple forum threads. Contributors raised questions about council composition, election procedures, and the scope of authority. The discussions were essential for refining the proposal. To follow along, you would have monitored the "Packaging" category on the forum and participated in topic threads such as "2025-02 PEP 772 discussion." These conversations helped shape the final version that was eventually approved.
Step 3: Final PEP Revision and Steering Council Approval
After incorporating feedback, the PEP was revised and resubmitted. On April 16, 2026, the Python steering council—the top-level governance body for the language—gave its official approval to PEP 772. This approval marked the formal creation of the packaging council. At this point, the election details were finalized: five members would be elected, with the vote likely taking place in June 2026, right after PyCon US 2026 (mid-May).
Step 4: Election Preparation and Candidate Nomination
Following approval, the community began organizing the election. Candidates were nominated, and a voting process was designed (likely via the same voting infrastructure used for steering council elections). The election was scheduled for June to allow the community to deliberate during and after PyCon US. To participate as a candidate or voter, you would need to be an active contributor to the Python packaging ecosystem—typically verified through commit access or forum membership.
Step 5: The Election Itself (Expected June 2026)
As of the time of writing (post-approval), the election is the next major step. The vote will likely be conducted online over a two-week period. The five candidates receiving the most votes will become the first packaging council members. Their term length and operational rules are still being finalized but will follow the general guidance in PEP 772. After the election, the council will assume its authority over packaging standards and tools.
Step 6: Council Begins Its Work
Once the members are seated, the packaging council will start making decisions. They will have authority over:
- Packaging standards (e.g., PEP 517, 518, 660)
- Tool implementations (e.g., pip, setuptools, build)
- Disputes and community coordination in the packaging space
The council reports to the Python steering council and is expected to provide regular updates to the community.
Tips for Engaging with the Packaging Council
- Stay informed: Monitor the "Packaging" category on discuss.python.org for announcements and discussion threads.
- Attend PyCon US: The election timing right after PyCon allows for in-person networking; consider attending 2026 if possible.
- Read PEP 772 in full: The exact governance details are documented there; it's the primary reference.
- Vote when eligible: Ensure your Python community membership (e.g., PyPI account, GitHub repos) qualifies you to vote.
- Consider running: If you have deep packaging experience, nominate yourself in future elections.
- Remember the timeline: The process took over a year from proposal to approval—patience and persistence are key in community governance.
PEP 772 reference: https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0772/