Best way to control library versions and sys.path for a Python command-line application -

i want build distributable, self-contained python command line application locked-down library versions. in ruby can control libraries of command line application by:

• including gemfile
• having user run bundle install after cloning application repository
• inserting few lines of bundler boilerplate @ top of command-line entry point script, configures ruby's $load_path include gems specified in gemfile

what equivalent process python? aware of virtualenv, need have user create virtual environment , remember activate it? seems overly difficult.

this largely depends upon audience.

for developers, idea indeed - include requirements.txt - pip install -r requirements.txt

for end users, i'd recommend 1 of follow:

• py2exe
• py2app
• cx_freeze

from other stackoverflow answer, pbundler may helpful.