python pip install calling module by name in terminal

Question

I've noticed that for some packages, for example, ipython and termdown , after I've successfully installed them with pip install , they can be immediately invoked from the terminal. eg:

$ termdown 100

I understand that the primary file within these packages are operated by the #! shebang line and hence callable, however, where in the python directory are the hook that allowed them to become callable stored? eg a /bin folder where everything can be invoked from the terminal? Or is there some other mechanism like PATH in play? Thanks!

Answer 1

Generally when a Python package is installed via pip , setuptools , etc. two mechanisms can be invoked within the packages setup.py file to produce a CLI executable command:

The scripts keyword argument and the console_scripts entry point.

Usually a symlink is created within /usr/local/bin that points back to the installed package.

↳ Python Packaging | Command Line Scripts