PAPP(Cross-Platform Python Application Package)
A downloadable tool for Windows and Linux
Note:PLEASE INSTALL PYTHON INTERPRETER BEFORE INSTALLING PAPP
What is PAPP?
PAPP is a software used to open Python applications distributed in the .papp format.
How to create a .papp file??? Put your Python project into a zip file (the main file must be named main.py), then change the extension from .zip to .papp(Create req.txt and write dependencies)
📄 Example req.txt format:
If your game or app uses Pygame and Requests, your req.txt should look exactly like this:
pygame requests
Features:
- Perfect for creating moddable applications.
- Creates small-sized packages.
- Uses the user's own Python installation.
- It is cross-platform.
- Smart Dependency Management: Gone are the days of manual library installations. Simply include a
req.txtin your project, and PAPP will handle the rest by installing required packages line-by-line before running the app. 100% plug-and-play experience!(Move whells to whells folder in your project's root)
In short: The main feature of PAPP files is that they are moddable.
| Feature / Metric | PyInstaller | PAPP (Cross-Platform Package) |
|---|---|---|
| Output Format | Native standalone binary (.exe, .app, Linux ELF) | Custom unified archive (.papp / Zip-based structure) |
| Runtime Engine | Bundled bootloader + compressed Python Interpreter | Compiled native C runtime (Ultra-fast launcher) |
| Python Dependency | None. Self-contained (Brings its own Python environment) | Required. Uses the host system's pre-installed Python |
| Size (Simple Script) | 📦 Large (~10–15 MB minimum due to interpreter) | 🪶 Ultra-lightweight (A few Kilobytes for code) |
| Size (with PySide6) | 🐘 Massive (~150 MB – 250 MB+) | 📦 Optimized (Only includes project + wheels) |
| Cross-Compilation | ❌ No. Must compile separately on Windows, Mac, Linux | ✅ Yes. Pack once as .papp; runs anywhere with Python |
| User Modding | 🔒 Locked. Code is frozen. Impossible to inject mods | ✅ Perfect. Open zip, tweak main.py, inject assets |
| Linux PEP 668 | Bypasses it by isolating the entire environment | 🚀 Smart Bypass. Automatically passes --break-system-packages |
| Execution Speed | 🚀 Instant (or unpacks to a temporary directory) | 🚀 Instant after first run (Skips installation if check passes) |
NOTE:BY INSTALLING PAPP(source code,setup or anything except example_games) ON YOUR COMPUTER YOU AGREE THE LICENSE.
Note:Examples are not mine!!
Credits & Acknowledgments The example games included in example_programs.zip belong to their respective creators. Special thanks to them for their amazing work:
- [PyShooter] – Created by SamirPaulb (https://github.com/SamirPaulb/PyShooter)
- [FlapPyBird] – Created by sourabhv (https://github.com/sourabhv/FlapPyBird )
Download
Install instructions
Run the pappsetup.exe
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