The article provides a comprehensive guide on how to package Python code as a Command Line Interface (CLI) application using PyPA's setuptools without external dependencies, offering insights into the evolution of Python packaging tools. It details the transition from the traditional setup.py script to the configuration-based setup.cfg and the emerging pyproject.toml format, highlighting their roles in specifying project metadata and CLI entry points. The article explains the process of creating Python distribution builds using setuptools and the PyPA build system, including generating wheel files for efficient deployment. It also addresses the importance of structuring a Python CLI project, discusses alternative packaging tools like Poetry and Flit, and mentions utilities for creating standalone executable files, emphasizing the benefits and limitations of each approach in different deployment contexts.