How to add package data recursively in Python setup.py?

The problem with the glob answer is that it only does so much. I.e. it’s not fully recursive. The problem with the copy_tree answer is that the files that are copied will be left behind on an uninstall.

The proper solution is a recursive one which will let you set the package_data parameter in the setup call.

I’ve written this small method to do this:

import os

def package_files(directory):
    paths = []
    for (path, directories, filenames) in os.walk(directory):
        for filename in filenames:
            paths.append(os.path.join('..', path, filename))
    return paths

extra_files = package_files('path_to/extra_files_dir')

setup(
    ...
    packages = ['package_name'],
    package_data={'': extra_files},
    ....
)

You’ll notice that when you do a pip uninstall package_name, that you’ll see your additional files being listed (as tracked with the package).