Distributing a Python desktop app on Windows and Mac — the full release pipeline

Short summary

Distributing Python apps to Windows and macOS requires separate OS-specific pipelines: Mac uses PyInstaller + code signing + Apple Notarization, while Windows uses PyInstaller + Inno Setup + eSigner cloud signing. Watch for Apple Silicon architecture mismatches and sync version numbers across all config files. Once set up, releases take 30 minutes.

• •Mac and Windows distribution pipelines diverge after PyInstaller — separate code signing, installer creation, and OS validation systems
• •Critical gotchas: building arm64-only on Apple Silicon (use arch -x86_64), notarization stalls from incomplete developer account setup, version number drift across four config files
• •Practical outcome: 30-minute releases once the pipeline is built, making the high initial setup cost worthwhile

Generated with AI, which can make mistakes.