There is no way for xyz to be either included or excluded from a package cuz everyone should be running python -m build and checking the tarball and .whl before even considering a commit or a release.

So although the OP chose hitch that doesn't change the workflow of manually checking the tarball.

I use setuptools, wreck (requirements management), and drain-swamp (choose versioning by either "tag" or "current" rather than specifying exact semantic version). What i use has no bearing on the opinion above.

"modern" means you are a little bitch. I'm very tired of that term. A function with multiple return statements is considered "modern". Whereas i see that as wrong. So now that "modern" word is being thrown around for packaging?! Please stop using that term. It's a cope for not being able to code your own build backend (drain-swamp), frame stack free locals inspection (logging-strict), and requirements management (wreck)!

Use whatever you are familiar with without peer pressuring others.