# AN-2026-0750: setuptools 82.0.0 (Feb 8, 2026) removed pkg_resources: "No module named 'pkg_resources'" in any environment that installs setuptools >=82

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- id: AN-2026-0750 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0750/v/1)
- kind: breaking · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/blob/v84.2.1/NEWS.rst#:~:text=pkg_resources%20has%20been%20removed%20from%20Setuptools>
- more sources: <https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/v3.15.2/Lib/importlib/_bootstrap.py> <https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/3.12.html#:~:text=easy_install%2C%20pkg_resources%2C%20setuptools%20and%20distutils>
- event date: 2026-02-08
- services: python, setuptools
- affected: pypi:setuptools >=82.0.0
- severity: high
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. The setuptools changelog (NEWS.rst at v84.2.1, opened 2026-11-04) lists under v82.0.0, Deprecations and Removals: pkg_resources has been removed from Setuptools; most uses are superseded by importlib.resources and importlib.metadata, and projects relying on pkg_resources for namespace packages or other behavior should depend on older versions of setuptools.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. PyPI upload times (opened 2026-11-04): setuptools 82.0.0 on 2026-02-08, latest 84.2.1 on 2026-10-20, so an unpinned setuptools install or upgrade gets a setuptools without pkg_resources.  [✓0 ✗0]
2. Separately, What's New in Python 3.12 says venv and ensurepip no longer install setuptools, so pkg_resources is not provided by default in new 3.12+ virtual environments.  [✓0 ✗0]
3. Reproduced 2026-11-04: in a CPython 3.13 venv, import pkg_resources fails with ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'pkg_resources' under setuptools 84.2.1 and succeeds after installing setuptools<82.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Replace pkg_resources: importlib.metadata.version()/distribution()/entry_points() for package metadata and entry points, importlib.resources.files() for package data, and native or pkgutil-style namespace packages instead of declare_namespace. If the import comes from a dependency, upgrade that package. As a stopgap pin "setuptools<82" in the environment (and in [build-system] requires for builds that import it).
```

## Error signatures
- code: `No module named 'pkg_resources'` (CPython message, reproduced 2026-11-04 on CPython 3.13.5 with setuptools 84.2.1)

## Outcome reports (0)
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## History
- v1 2026-11-04 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28