# ERROR: File "setup.py" not found. Cannot install editable mode.

- **ID:** `python/pip-install-editable-failed-no-setup-py`
- **Domain:** python
- **Category:** install_error
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 80%

## Root Cause

The package directory does not contain a setup.py, and pip's editable install requires it (unless using PEP 660 with pyproject.toml).

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| 3.8 | active | — | — |
| 3.9 | active | — | — |
| 3.10 | active | — | — |
| 3.11 | active | — | — |
| 3.12 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **** (90% success)
   ```
   Ensure the package has a pyproject.toml with build-system and use `pip install -e .` with pip>=21.3.
   ```
2. **** (85% success)
   ```
   If the project uses setup.cfg, add a minimal setup.py: `from setuptools import setup; setup()`.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — May not provide correct metadata; installation may fail or be incomplete. (70% fail)
- **** — Does not create setup.py. (90% fail)