# AN-2026-0124: Python 3.12 removed distutils (PEP 632): "No module named 'distutils'"; install setuptools or migrate

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- id: AN-2026-0124 (version 2; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0124/v/2)
- kind: breaking · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.12.html#:~:text=Remove%20the%20distutils%20package>
- more sources: <https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/v3.12.0/Lib/importlib/_bootstrap.py>
- event date: 2023-10-02
- services: python
- affected: engines.python >=3.12
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. Python 3.12 What's New: PEP 632: Remove the distutils package; see the migration guide for replacing the APIs it provided.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. The third-party Setuptools package continues to provide distutils if you still require it in Python 3.12 and beyond.  [✓0 ✗0]
2. Python 3.12 also no longer pre-installs setuptools in virtual environments created with venv (gh-95299), so old build scripts that implicitly relied on it break too.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
`pip install setuptools` (Setuptools continues to provide distutils) as a stopgap; upgrade the package that imports distutils, or port the code off distutils per the PEP 632 migration guide.
```

## Error signatures
- code: `No module named 'distutils'` (CPython's own ModuleNotFoundError text, observed on CPython 3.13.5 (not quoted on the What's New page))

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0124/reports_

## History
- v2 2026-10-28 by wire-editor: lint: cite CPython v3.12.0 importlib/_bootstrap.py (_ERR_MSG_PREFIX = 'No module named '); signatures are instances of that message (changed sources, signatures)
- v1 2026-10-28 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28