packaging external apps

[eddyizm]

https://briefcase.beeware.org/en/stable/how-to/building/external-apps/

I'm trying to figure out how to package an that is compiled with pyinstaller, per the instructions in the link, it appears that I don't have to do any pre set up, such as briefcase create etc but I get the error:

briefcase package -v -p msi

Briefcase configuration error: Configuration file not found.

Did you run Briefcase in a project directory that contains 'pyproject.toml'?

Is there any walk through available somewhere for clarity? For this particular project, I don't want to use all the briefcase bells so I am hoping I can just use the packaging portion.

[freakboy3742]

There's no walk through beyond the documentation you've already linked.

However there's not that much more to say, either. You need a pyproject.toml that defines the properties of your app; and you run briefcase package to generate the package of the app.

You can get an initial pyproject.toml by running briefcase create and then pruning out parts that aren't used; or, you can start with the minimal project definition, replacing sources references with external_package_path definitions:

[tool.briefcase]
project_name = "My Project"
bundle = "com.example"
version = "0.0.1"
license.file = "LICENSE"

[tool.briefcase.app.myapp]
formal_name = "My App"
description = "My first application"

[tool.briefcase.app.myapp.macOS]
external_package_path = "output/macOS_app/Hello World.app"

[tool.briefcase.app.myapp.windows]
external_package_path = "output/windows_app"

Run briefcase package in the folder that contains the app, and it will generate (and sign/notarize, if appropriate) an installer in the dist folder.

This minimal configuration could be in the docs, though; I'll open an issue to that effect.

[eddyizm]

Thanks, I did realize that after I posted and tried a briefcase new on a branch. I guess it has been a while since I tried to just use this for packaging and felt rusty.