diff --git a/.github/workflows/PR-Auto-Deploy-V2.yml b/.github/workflows/PR-Auto-Deploy-V2.yml
index b6ab8d34c8..a19a616735 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/PR-Auto-Deploy-V2.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/PR-Auto-Deploy-V2.yml
@@ -23,13 +23,9 @@ permissions:
   pull-requests: write
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   check-pr:
     if: (github.event_name == 'pull_request' && github.event.action != 'closed') || github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch'
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       should_deploy: ${{ steps.decide.outputs.should_deploy }}
       is_fork: ${{ steps.resolve.outputs.is_fork }}
@@ -101,8 +97,8 @@ jobs:
           echo "allow_fork=${allow_fork:-false}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
   deploy-v2-pr:
-    needs: [pick, check-pr]
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    needs: check-pr
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     if: needs.check-pr.outputs.should_deploy == 'true' && (needs.check-pr.outputs.is_fork == 'false' || needs.check-pr.outputs.allow_fork == 'true')
     # Concurrency control - only one deployment per PR at a time
     concurrency:
@@ -112,10 +108,10 @@ jobs:
       contents: read
       issues: write
       pull-requests: write
-      id-token: write
     env:
-      USE_DEPOT: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork != 'true' }}
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
+      # Single source of truth for whether this preview embeds the admin portal:
+      # drives the image build-arg and the deployment comment.
+      BUILD_PORTAL: "true"
 
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
@@ -187,12 +183,7 @@ jobs:
           token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           fetch-depth: 0 # Fetch full history for commit hash detection
 
-      - name: Set up Depot CLI
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/setup-action@15c09a5f77a0840ad4bce955686522a257853461 # v1.0.0
-
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@4d04d5d9486b7bd6fa91e7baf45bbb4f8b9deedd # v4.0.0
 
       - name: Get version number
@@ -237,21 +228,9 @@ jobs:
             echo "Image needs to be built"
           fi
 
-      - name: Build and push V2 image (Depot)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true' && steps.check-image.outputs.exists == 'false'
-        uses: depot/build-push-action@98e78adca7817480b8185f474a400b451d74e287 # v1.16.0
-        with:
-          project: ${{ vars.DEPOT_PROJECT_ID }}
-          context: .
-          file: ./docker/embedded/Dockerfile
-          push: true
-          tags: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:v2-${{ steps.commit-hash.outputs.app_short }}
-          build-args: VERSION_TAG=v2-alpha
-          platforms: linux/amd64
-
-      - name: Build and push V2 image (Docker fork fallback)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true' && steps.check-image.outputs.exists == 'false'
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@bcafcacb16a39f128d818304e6c9c0c18556b85f # v7.1.0
+      - name: Build and push V2 image
+        if: steps.check-image.outputs.exists == 'false'
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@53b7df96c91f9c12dcc8a07bcb9ccacbed38856a # v7.3.0
         with:
           context: .
           file: ./docker/embedded/Dockerfile
@@ -259,7 +238,9 @@ jobs:
           cache-from: type=gha,scope=stirling-pdf-latest
           cache-to: type=gha,mode=max,scope=stirling-pdf-latest
           tags: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:v2-${{ steps.commit-hash.outputs.app_short }}
-          build-args: VERSION_TAG=v2-alpha
+          build-args: |
+            VERSION_TAG=v2-alpha
+            BUILD_PORTAL=${{ env.BUILD_PORTAL }}
           platforms: linux/amd64
 
       - name: Set up SSH
@@ -290,6 +271,7 @@ jobs:
                 - /stirling/V2-PR-${{ needs.check-pr.outputs.pr_number }}/storage:/storage:rw
               environment:
                 DISABLE_ADDITIONAL_FEATURES: "false"
+                STIRLING_BILLING_ACCOUNT_LINK_ENABLED: "true"
                 SECURITY_ENABLELOGIN: "true"
                 SECURITY_INITIALLOGIN_USERNAME: "${{ secrets.TEST_LOGIN_USERNAME }}"
                 SECURITY_INITIALLOGIN_PASSWORD: "${{ secrets.TEST_LOGIN_PASSWORD }}"
@@ -333,9 +315,70 @@ jobs:
           # Set port for output
           echo "v2_port=${V2_PORT}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
+      # ---- Storybook preview (only when this PR touches stories/.storybook) ----
+      # Runs inside the same approved-contributor-gated deploy job, so it deploys
+      # under the exact same access rules as the app preview.
+      - name: Detect Storybook changes
+        id: sb-changes
+        uses: dorny/paths-filter@fbd0ab8f3e69293af611ebaee6363fc25e6d187d # v4.0.1
+        with:
+          list-files: json
+          filters: |
+            storybook:
+              - 'frontend/**/*.stories.@(ts|tsx|mdx)'
+              - 'frontend/**/*.mdx'
+              - 'frontend/.storybook/**'
+
+      - name: Set up Node.js for Storybook
+        if: steps.sb-changes.outputs.storybook == 'true'
+        uses: actions/setup-node@48b55a011bda9f5d6aeb4c2d9c7362e8dae4041e # v6.4.0
+        with:
+          node-version: "22"
+          cache: "npm"
+          cache-dependency-path: frontend/package-lock.json
+
+      - name: Install Task for Storybook
+        if: steps.sb-changes.outputs.storybook == 'true'
+        uses: go-task/setup-task@01a4adf9db2d14c1de7a560f09170b6e0df736aa # v2.1.0
+
+      - name: Build and deploy Storybook
+        id: storybook
+        if: steps.sb-changes.outputs.storybook == 'true'
+        env:
+          VPS_HOST: ${{ secrets.NEW_VPS_HOST }}
+          VPS_USER: ${{ secrets.NEW_VPS_USERNAME }}
+        run: |
+          set -euo pipefail
+          # `prepare` generates the icon set stories import (not committed).
+          task frontend:prepare
+          task frontend:storybook:build
+          PR=${{ needs.check-pr.outputs.pr_number }}
+          # Served at the ROOT of its own port so Storybook's global MSW worker
+          # (/mockServiceWorker.js) resolves. Port = PR + 20000 (bijective, offset
+          # from the app preview's bare-PR-number port).
+          SB_PORT=$((PR + 20000))
+          DIR=/stirling/SB-PR-$PR
+          tar czf storybook.tgz -C frontend/storybook-static .
+          scp -i ../private.key -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null \
+            storybook.tgz "$VPS_USER@$VPS_HOST:/tmp/storybook-$PR.tgz"
+          ssh -i ../private.key -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no -o UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null -T \
+            "$VPS_USER@$VPS_HOST" << ENDSSH
+            set -e
+            rm -rf "$DIR" && mkdir -p "$DIR"
+            tar xzf /tmp/storybook-$PR.tgz -C "$DIR"
+            rm -f /tmp/storybook-$PR.tgz
+            docker rm -f storybook-pr-$PR 2>/dev/null || true
+            docker run -d --name storybook-pr-$PR --restart unless-stopped \
+              -p $SB_PORT:80 -v "$DIR":/usr/share/nginx/html:ro nginx:alpine
+          ENDSSH
+          echo "url=http://$VPS_HOST:$SB_PORT/" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
       - name: Post V2 deployment URL to PR
         if: success()
         uses: actions/github-script@3a2844b7e9c422d3c10d287c895573f7108da1b3 # v9.0.0
+        env:
+          SB_URL: ${{ steps.storybook.outputs.url }}
+          SB_FILES: ${{ steps.sb-changes.outputs.storybook_files }}
         with:
           github-token: ${{ steps.setup-bot.outputs.token }}
           script: |
@@ -359,12 +402,40 @@ jobs:
             }
 
             const deploymentUrl = `http://${{ secrets.NEW_VPS_HOST }}:${v2Port}`;
-            const httpsUrl = `https://${v2Port}.ssl.stirlingpdf.cloud`;
+
+            // Only mention the portal when this image actually embeds it.
+            // Use the direct IP URL - the SSL hostname isn't supported yet.
+            const withPortal = "${{ env.BUILD_PORTAL }}" === "true";
+            const portalNote = withPortal
+              ? `🧩 **Admin portal** included - try it at [${deploymentUrl}/portal](${deploymentUrl}/portal).\n\n`
+              : ``;
+
+            // Storybook preview: only present when this PR changed stories/config.
+            const sbUrl = process.env.SB_URL;
+            let storybookNote = "";
+            if (sbUrl) {
+              const files = JSON.parse(process.env.SB_FILES || "[]");
+              const stories = files.filter((f) => /\.stories\.(ts|tsx|mdx)$/.test(f));
+              const config = files.filter((f) => f.startsWith("frontend/.storybook/"));
+              const shorten = (f) =>
+                f.replace(/^frontend\/editor\/src\//, "").replace(/^frontend\//, "");
+              const storyList = stories.map((f) => `- \`${shorten(f)}\``).join("\n");
+              const configList = config.map((f) => `- \`${shorten(f)}\``).join("\n");
+              const summary =
+                `${stories.length} stor${stories.length === 1 ? "y" : "ies"} changed` +
+                (config.length ? ` (+${config.length} config file${config.length === 1 ? "" : "s"})` : "");
+              storybookNote =
+                `📚 **Storybook:** [${sbUrl}](${sbUrl})\n\n` +
+                `<details>\n<summary>${summary}</summary>\n\n` +
+                (storyList ? `**Stories**\n${storyList}\n\n` : "") +
+                (configList ? `**Config**\n${configList}\n` : "") +
+                `</details>\n\n`;
+            }
 
             const commentBody = `## 🚀 V2 Auto-Deployment Complete!\n\n` +
-                              `Your V2 PR with embedded architecture has been deployed!\n\n` +
                               `🔗 **Direct Test URL (non-SSL)** [${deploymentUrl}](${deploymentUrl})\n\n` +
-                              `🔐 **Secure HTTPS URL**: [${httpsUrl}](${httpsUrl})\n\n` +
+                              portalNote +
+                              storybookNote +
                               `_This deployment will be automatically cleaned up when the PR is closed._\n\n` +
                               `🔄 **Auto-deployed** for approved V2 contributors.`;
 
@@ -377,8 +448,7 @@ jobs:
 
   cleanup-v2-deployment:
     if: github.event.action == 'closed'
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
       contents: read
       issues: write
@@ -460,7 +530,11 @@ jobs:
             else
               echo "V2 PR directory not found, nothing to clean up"
             fi
-            
+
+            # Remove this PR's Storybook preview (container + files), if any.
+            docker rm -f storybook-pr-${{ github.event.pull_request.number }} 2>/dev/null || true
+            rm -rf /stirling/SB-PR-${{ github.event.pull_request.number }}
+
             # Clean up old unused images (older than 2 weeks) but keep recent ones for reuse
             docker image prune -af --filter "until=336h" --filter "label!=keep=true" || true
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/PR-Demo-Comment-with-react.yml b/.github/workflows/PR-Demo-Comment-with-react.yml
index e478f95c89..2b81b8c777 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/PR-Demo-Comment-with-react.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/PR-Demo-Comment-with-react.yml
@@ -34,12 +34,8 @@ permissions:
   pull-requests: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   check-comment:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
       issues: write
     if: |
@@ -179,15 +175,11 @@ jobs:
             }
 
   deploy-pr:
-    needs: [pick, check-comment]
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    needs: check-comment
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
       issues: write
       pull-requests: write
-      id-token: write
-    env:
-      USE_DEPOT: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork != 'true' }}
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
@@ -220,9 +212,9 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
 
       - name: Install Task
         uses: go-task/setup-task@01a4adf9db2d14c1de7a560f09170b6e0df736aa # v2.1.0
@@ -240,12 +232,7 @@ jobs:
           MAVEN_PUBLIC_URL: ${{ secrets.MAVEN_PUBLIC_URL }}
           STIRLING_PDF_DESKTOP_UI: false
 
-      - name: Set up Depot CLI
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/setup-action@15c09a5f77a0840ad4bce955686522a257853461 # v1.0.0
-
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@4d04d5d9486b7bd6fa91e7baf45bbb4f8b9deedd # v4.0.0
 
       - name: Login to Docker Hub
@@ -254,23 +241,8 @@ jobs:
           username: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}
           password: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_API }}
 
-      - name: Build and push PR-specific image (Depot)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/build-push-action@98e78adca7817480b8185f474a400b451d74e287 # v1.16.0
-        with:
-          project: ${{ vars.DEPOT_PROJECT_ID }}
-          context: .
-          file: ./docker/embedded/Dockerfile
-          push: true
-          tags: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:pr-${{ needs.check-comment.outputs.pr_number }}
-          build-args: |
-            VERSION_TAG=alpha
-            PROTOTYPES_BUILD=${{ needs.check-comment.outputs.enable_prototypes }}
-          platforms: linux/amd64
-
-      - name: Build and push PR-specific image (Docker fork fallback)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@bcafcacb16a39f128d818304e6c9c0c18556b85f # v7.1.0
+      - name: Build and push PR-specific image
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@53b7df96c91f9c12dcc8a07bcb9ccacbed38856a # v7.3.0
         with:
           context: .
           file: ./docker/embedded/Dockerfile
@@ -283,20 +255,9 @@ jobs:
             PROTOTYPES_BUILD=${{ needs.check-comment.outputs.enable_prototypes }}
           platforms: linux/amd64
 
-      - name: Build and push engine image (Depot)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true' && needs.check-comment.outputs.enable_prototypes == 'true'
-        uses: depot/build-push-action@98e78adca7817480b8185f474a400b451d74e287 # v1.16.0
-        with:
-          project: ${{ vars.DEPOT_PROJECT_ID }}
-          context: ./engine
-          file: ./engine/Dockerfile
-          push: true
-          tags: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:engine-pr-${{ needs.check-comment.outputs.pr_number }}
-          platforms: linux/amd64
-
-      - name: Build and push engine image (Docker fork fallback)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true' && needs.check-comment.outputs.enable_prototypes == 'true'
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@bcafcacb16a39f128d818304e6c9c0c18556b85f # v7.1.0
+      - name: Build and push engine image
+        if: needs.check-comment.outputs.enable_prototypes == 'true'
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@53b7df96c91f9c12dcc8a07bcb9ccacbed38856a # v7.3.0
         with:
           context: ./engine
           file: ./engine/Dockerfile
@@ -510,8 +471,7 @@ jobs:
 
   handle-label-commands:
     if: ${{ github.event.issue.pull_request != null }}
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
diff --git a/.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml b/.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
index 023325d383..0f32d79b95 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ name: _runner-pick
 
 # Tiny reusable workflow that classifies the trigger as either a "fork PR
 # from an untrusted contributor" or a "trusted commit" so downstream jobs
-# can pick a runner class without each one duplicating the 200-char gate
-# expression in their own `runs-on:`.
+# can trust-gate (skip secret-dependent jobs on forks) without each one
+# duplicating the gate expression.
 #
 # Caller pattern:
 #
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@ name: _runner-pick
 #
 #     real-work:
 #       needs: pick
-#       runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-8' }}
+#       if: needs.pick.outputs.is_fork != 'true'
 #       steps: [...]
 #
-# Output:
-#   is_fork: "true" when the trigger is a pull_request from a fork or an
-#            untrusted author_association, "false" otherwise.
+# Outputs:
+#   is_fork:   "true" when the trigger is a pull_request from a fork or an
+#              untrusted author_association, "false" otherwise.
 
 on:
   workflow_call:
@@ -50,21 +50,18 @@ jobs:
           AUTHOR_ASSOC: ${{ github.event.pull_request.author_association }}
         run: |
           set -eu
+
           if [ -z "${PR_NUMBER:-}" ]; then
             # Not a pull_request event at all (push, schedule, workflow_dispatch,
             # workflow_call from a non-PR trigger) -> trusted by default.
-            echo "is_fork=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-            exit 0
+            is_fork=false
+          elif [ "${HEAD_REPO_FORK}" = "true" ]; then
+            is_fork=true
+          else
+            case "${AUTHOR_ASSOC}" in
+              OWNER|MEMBER|COLLABORATOR) is_fork=false ;;
+              *) is_fork=true ;;
+            esac
           fi
-          if [ "${HEAD_REPO_FORK}" = "true" ]; then
-            echo "is_fork=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-            exit 0
-          fi
-          case "${AUTHOR_ASSOC}" in
-            OWNER|MEMBER|COLLABORATOR)
-              echo "is_fork=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-              ;;
-            *)
-              echo "is_fork=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-              ;;
-          esac
+
+          echo "is_fork=${is_fork}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ai-engine.yml b/.github/workflows/ai-engine.yml
index 223490f45f..5061401067 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ai-engine.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ai-engine.yml
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ jobs:
     permissions:
       contents: read
       pull-requests: write
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
     steps:
       - name: Harden the runner (Audit all outbound calls)
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
diff --git a/.github/workflows/backend-build.yml b/.github/workflows/backend-build.yml
index 37a42c419f..28974a5ff6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/backend-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/backend-build.yml
@@ -19,14 +19,8 @@ permissions:
   pull-requests: write
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   build:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-8' }}
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
@@ -47,7 +41,7 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Cache Gradle dependency artifacts
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9 # v6.1.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/.gradle/wrapper
@@ -56,9 +50,9 @@ jobs:
           key: gradle-deps-${{ runner.os }}-jdk-${{ matrix.jdk-version }}-${{ hashFiles('**/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties', '**/*.gradle', '**/*.gradle.kts', 'settings.gradle', 'settings.gradle.kts', 'gradle/libs.versions.toml') }}
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
           cache-disabled: true
 
       - name: Install Task
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-enterprise.yml b/.github/workflows/build-enterprise.yml
index d29002ac37..8c06175a5d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-enterprise.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-enterprise.yml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ name: Enterprise E2E (Playwright)
 
 # Enterprise Playwright suite — exercises premium-key gated features (audit,
 # teams, analytics) plus full OAuth + SAML logins via the Keycloak compose
-# stacks under testing/compose. Slow and secret-gated, so it runs in three
+# stacks under testing/compose. Slow and secret-gated, so it runs in four
 # situations:
 #
 #   - PRs that touch proprietary / premium / SSO compose / enterprise tests
@@ -12,28 +12,14 @@ name: Enterprise E2E (Playwright)
 #   - on a nightly cron schedule (catches Keycloak image drift, license
 #     expiry, upstream proprietary changes),
 #   - manual workflow_dispatch.
-#
-# Auto-skipped when secrets.PREMIUM_KEY_ENTERPRISE is missing (forks, dependabot).
 
 on:
   workflow_call:
-    inputs:
-      depot_cores:
-        description: "Depot runner vCPU count (used in runs-on). Override for benchmarking."
-        required: false
-        type: string
-        default: "8"
   push:
     branches: ["main"]
   schedule:
     - cron: "0 4 * * *"
   workflow_dispatch:
-    inputs:
-      depot_cores:
-        description: "Depot runner vCPU count (used in runs-on). Override for benchmarking."
-        required: false
-        type: string
-        default: "8"
 
 # No `concurrency:` block here on purpose. When this workflow is called via
 # workflow_call from build.yml, ${{ github.workflow }}/event_name/pr_number
@@ -52,13 +38,16 @@ jobs:
 
   playwright-e2e-enterprise:
     needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || format('depot-ubuntu-24.04-{0}', inputs.depot_cores || '8') }}
+    # Skip on fork PRs / untrusted authors: they have no PREMIUM_KEY_ENTERPRISE,
+    # so the suite can't boot premium and would fail. See the header comment.
+    # GitHub reports the skipped reusable workflow as success.
+    if: needs.pick.outputs.is_fork != 'true'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 45
     env:
       PREMIUM_KEY: ${{ secrets.PREMIUM_KEY_ENTERPRISE }}
       PREMIUM_ENABLED: "true"
       SYSTEM_ENABLEANALYTICS: "false"
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -165,6 +154,8 @@ jobs:
           wait_for_backend
       - name: Run enterprise OAuth Playwright tests
         id: oauth-tests
+        env:
+          PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE: ${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results-oauth.json
         run: task e2e:enterprise -- --grep "OAuth"
       - name: Stop backend + tear down OAuth Keycloak
         if: always()
@@ -238,6 +229,8 @@ jobs:
           wait_for_backend
       - name: Run enterprise SAML Playwright tests
         id: saml-tests
+        env:
+          PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE: ${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results-saml.json
         run: task e2e:enterprise -- --grep "SAML"
       - name: Stop backend + tear down SAML Keycloak
         if: always()
@@ -268,6 +261,8 @@ jobs:
           wait_for_backend
       - name: Run enterprise feature Playwright tests
         id: feature-tests
+        env:
+          PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE: ${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results-feature.json
         run: task e2e:enterprise -- --grep "Enterprise license"
       - name: Print backend log on failure
         if: failure()
@@ -280,10 +275,23 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           source /tmp/helpers.sh
           stop_backend
+      - name: Flag flaky tests
+        # Runs regardless of the test outcomes: a flaky test (passed on retry)
+        # leaves its step green, so this is the only place it surfaces. Merges
+        # all three phase reports (some may be absent if an earlier phase hard-
+        # failed and skipped the rest). Emits ::warning:: annotations + a job
+        # summary; never fails the job.
+        if: always()
+        working-directory: frontend
+        run: >
+          npx tsx editor/scripts/report-flaky-tests.mts
+          "${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results-oauth.json"
+          "${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results-saml.json"
+          "${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results-feature.json"
       - name: Upload Playwright report
         if: always()
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
           name: playwright-report-enterprise-${{ github.run_id }}
-          path: frontend/editor/playwright-report/
+          path: frontend/playwright-report/
           retention-days: 7
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
index 7018a38120..8994382d12 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -147,7 +147,6 @@ jobs:
     permissions:
       contents: read
       packages: read
-      id-token: write
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test-build-docker.yml
     secrets: inherit
     with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check-licence.yml b/.github/workflows/check-licence.yml
index b984f7d47d..ba93d1d91f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check-licence.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check-licence.yml
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ permissions:
 jobs:
   check-licence:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check-openapi.yml b/.github/workflows/check-openapi.yml
index 46ce829a87..d853afa86f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check-openapi.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check-openapi.yml
@@ -10,14 +10,8 @@ permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   check-generate-openapi-docs:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -34,7 +28,7 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Cache Gradle dependency artifacts
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9 # v6.1.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/.gradle/wrapper
@@ -43,9 +37,9 @@ jobs:
           key: gradle-deps-${{ runner.os }}-jdk-25-${{ hashFiles('**/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties', '**/*.gradle', '**/*.gradle.kts', 'settings.gradle', 'settings.gradle.kts', 'gradle/libs.versions.toml') }}
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
           cache-disabled: true
 
       - name: Install Task
diff --git a/.github/workflows/coverage-aggregate.yml b/.github/workflows/coverage-aggregate.yml
index bbfaf09363..bbed57db4d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/coverage-aggregate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/coverage-aggregate.yml
@@ -13,17 +13,24 @@ name: Aggregate backend coverage
 #     producers themselves
 on:
   workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      frontend-validation-result:
+        description: Result of the frontend-validation producer job
+        required: false
+        type: string
+        default: skipped
+      playwright-e2e-live-result:
+        description: Result of the playwright-e2e-live producer job
+        required: false
+        type: string
+        default: skipped
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   aggregate:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 15
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
@@ -40,7 +47,7 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Cache Gradle dependency artifacts
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9 # v6.1.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/.gradle/wrapper
@@ -49,9 +56,9 @@ jobs:
           key: gradle-deps-${{ runner.os }}-jdk-25-${{ hashFiles('**/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties', '**/*.gradle', '**/*.gradle.kts', 'settings.gradle', 'settings.gradle.kts', 'gradle/libs.versions.toml') }}
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
           cache-disabled: true
 
       - name: Set up Python
@@ -196,9 +203,9 @@ jobs:
       # --------------------------------------------------------------
       - name: Download vitest coverage artifact
         # frontend-validation uploads as `frontend-coverage`. Tolerate
-        # absence so a backend-only PR still produces the matrix with
-        # just backend rows populated.
-        if: always()
+        # absence on backend-only runs by skipping the download entirely
+        # when the producer job was not part of this workflow run.
+        if: inputs.frontend-validation-result == 'success'
         uses: actions/download-artifact@d3f86a106a0bac45b974a628896c90dbdf5c8093 # v6.0.0
         with:
           name: frontend-coverage
@@ -206,12 +213,12 @@ jobs:
         continue-on-error: true
 
       - name: Download Playwright frontend coverage artifact
-        # e2e-live uploads as `playwright-frontend-coverage-<run_id>`.
-        # Same tolerance as vitest - matrix script handles missing inputs.
-        if: always()
+        # e2e-live uploads the artifact with a stable name. Skip the
+        # download entirely when the producer job did not run.
+        if: inputs.playwright-e2e-live-result == 'success'
         uses: actions/download-artifact@d3f86a106a0bac45b974a628896c90dbdf5c8093 # v6.0.0
         with:
-          name: playwright-frontend-coverage-${{ github.run_id }}
+          name: playwright-frontend-coverage
           path: matrix-inputs/playwright/
         continue-on-error: true
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/db-migration-test.yml b/.github/workflows/db-migration-test.yml
index 4b5ca8b674..c6ebc481a7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/db-migration-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/db-migration-test.yml
@@ -12,15 +12,9 @@ permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   migration-test:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-8' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 30
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -37,7 +31,7 @@ jobs:
           distribution: temurin
 
       - name: Cache Gradle dependency artifacts
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9 # v6.1.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/.gradle/wrapper
@@ -46,9 +40,9 @@ jobs:
           key: gradle-deps-${{ runner.os }}-jdk-25-${{ hashFiles('**/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties', '**/*.gradle', '**/*.gradle.kts', 'settings.gradle', 'settings.gradle.kts', 'gradle/libs.versions.toml') }}
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
           cache-disabled: true
 
       # No `-PnoSpotless` here yet because the upstream cache layer matches the
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy-on-v2-commit.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy-on-v2-commit.yml
index 850dcb12e4..2dcbe2ae65 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy-on-v2-commit.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy-on-v2-commit.yml
@@ -10,21 +10,11 @@ permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   deploy-v2-on-push:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     concurrency:
       group: deploy-v2-push-V2
       cancel-in-progress: true
-    permissions:
-      contents: read
-      id-token: write
-    env:
-      USE_DEPOT: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork != 'true' }}
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
@@ -35,12 +25,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout code
         uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
 
-      - name: Set up Depot CLI
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/setup-action@15c09a5f77a0840ad4bce955686522a257853461 # v1.0.0
-
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@4d04d5d9486b7bd6fa91e7baf45bbb4f8b9deedd # v4.0.0
 
       - name: Get commit hashes for frontend and backend
@@ -105,23 +90,9 @@ jobs:
           username: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}
           password: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_API }}
 
-      - name: Build and push frontend image (Depot)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true' && steps.check-frontend.outputs.exists == 'false'
-        uses: depot/build-push-action@98e78adca7817480b8185f474a400b451d74e287 # v1.16.0
-        with:
-          project: ${{ vars.DEPOT_PROJECT_ID }}
-          context: .
-          file: ./docker/frontend/Dockerfile
-          push: true
-          tags: |
-            ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:v2-frontend-${{ steps.commit-hashes.outputs.frontend_short }}
-            ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:v2-frontend-latest
-          build-args: VERSION_TAG=v2-alpha
-          platforms: linux/amd64
-
-      - name: Build and push frontend image (Docker fork fallback)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true' && steps.check-frontend.outputs.exists == 'false'
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@bcafcacb16a39f128d818304e6c9c0c18556b85f # v7.1.0
+      - name: Build and push frontend image
+        if: steps.check-frontend.outputs.exists == 'false'
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@53b7df96c91f9c12dcc8a07bcb9ccacbed38856a # v7.3.0
         with:
           context: .
           file: ./docker/frontend/Dockerfile
@@ -134,23 +105,9 @@ jobs:
           build-args: VERSION_TAG=v2-alpha
           platforms: linux/amd64
 
-      - name: Build and push backend image (Depot)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true' && steps.check-backend.outputs.exists == 'false'
-        uses: depot/build-push-action@98e78adca7817480b8185f474a400b451d74e287 # v1.16.0
-        with:
-          project: ${{ vars.DEPOT_PROJECT_ID }}
-          context: .
-          file: ./docker/backend/Dockerfile
-          push: true
-          tags: |
-            ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:v2-backend-${{ steps.commit-hashes.outputs.backend_short }}
-            ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:v2-backend-latest
-          build-args: VERSION_TAG=v2-alpha
-          platforms: linux/amd64
-
-      - name: Build and push backend image (Docker fork fallback)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true' && steps.check-backend.outputs.exists == 'false'
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@bcafcacb16a39f128d818304e6c9c0c18556b85f # v7.1.0
+      - name: Build and push backend image
+        if: steps.check-backend.outputs.exists == 'false'
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@53b7df96c91f9c12dcc8a07bcb9ccacbed38856a # v7.3.0
         with:
           context: .
           file: ./docker/backend/Dockerfile
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-compose-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-compose-tests.yml
index 155b990b32..2db9e5cf72 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker-compose-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-compose-tests.yml
@@ -11,28 +11,17 @@ on:
         required: false
         type: string
         default: "false"
-      depot_cores:
-        description: "Depot runner vCPU count (used in runs-on). Override for benchmarking. Tuned to 4 because bench showed 16 was within noise of 4."
-        required: false
-        type: string
-        default: "4"
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   docker-compose-tests:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || format('depot-ubuntu-24.04-{0}', inputs.depot_cores || '4') }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
       actions: write
       contents: read
       checks: write
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
@@ -50,7 +39,7 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Cache Gradle dependency artifacts
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9 # v6.1.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/.gradle/wrapper
@@ -59,9 +48,9 @@ jobs:
           key: gradle-deps-${{ runner.os }}-jdk-25-${{ hashFiles('**/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties', '**/*.gradle', '**/*.gradle.kts', 'settings.gradle', 'settings.gradle.kts', 'gradle/libs.versions.toml') }}
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
           cache-disabled: true
 
       # When the PR changes the base image, test.sh builds it locally
diff --git a/.github/workflows/e2e-live.yml b/.github/workflows/e2e-live.yml
index eb6d8d7be5..3a1b4e3af1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/e2e-live.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/e2e-live.yml
@@ -5,23 +5,13 @@ name: Playwright E2E (live backend)
 # server.
 on:
   workflow_call:
-    inputs:
-      depot_cores:
-        description: "Depot runner vCPU count (used in runs-on). Override for benchmarking."
-        required: false
-        type: string
-        default: "8"
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   playwright-e2e-live:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || format('depot-ubuntu-24.04-{0}', inputs.depot_cores || '8') }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 30
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
@@ -62,7 +52,17 @@ jobs:
           # .test-state/playwright/coverage-pw/ for the post-process step
           # to aggregate. Chromium-only - other engines silently skip.
           PW_COVERAGE: "1"
+          PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE: ${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results.json
         run: task e2e:live
+      - name: Flag flaky tests
+        # Runs regardless of the test outcome: a flaky test (passed on retry)
+        # leaves the step green, so this is the only place it surfaces. Emits
+        # ::warning:: annotations + a job summary; never fails the job.
+        if: always()
+        working-directory: frontend
+        run: npx tsx editor/scripts/report-flaky-tests.mts "$PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE"
+        env:
+          PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE: ${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results.json
       - name: Generate JaCoCo report from e2e:live .exec
         if: always()
         id: live-coverage
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ jobs:
         if: always() && steps.pw-frontend-coverage.outputs.summary == 'true'
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: playwright-frontend-coverage-${{ github.run_id }}
+          name: playwright-frontend-coverage
           path: |
             .test-state/playwright/coverage-pw-summary/
             .test-state/playwright/coverage-pw/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/e2e-stubbed.yml b/.github/workflows/e2e-stubbed.yml
index dd6bcc8ea7..214a7188df 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/e2e-stubbed.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/e2e-stubbed.yml
@@ -5,23 +5,13 @@ name: Playwright E2E (stubbed)
 # mocks API responses in the browser.
 on:
   workflow_call:
-    inputs:
-      depot_cores:
-        description: "Depot runner vCPU count (used in runs-on). Override for benchmarking. Tuned to 8 to match the other playwright workflows; bench showed flat scaling above 8."
-        required: false
-        type: string
-        default: "8"
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   playwright-e2e:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || format('depot-ubuntu-24.04-{0}', inputs.depot_cores || '8') }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -44,11 +34,22 @@ jobs:
           VITE_BUILD_FOR_PREVIEW: "1"
         run: task frontend:build
       - name: Run stubbed E2E tests (chromium)
+        env:
+          PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE: ${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results.json
         run: task e2e:stubbed -- --workers=3
+      - name: Flag flaky tests
+        # Runs regardless of the test outcome: a flaky test (passed on retry)
+        # leaves the step green, so this is the only place it surfaces. Emits
+        # ::warning:: annotations + a job summary; never fails the job.
+        if: always()
+        working-directory: frontend
+        run: npx tsx editor/scripts/report-flaky-tests.mts "$PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE"
+        env:
+          PLAYWRIGHT_JSON_OUTPUT_FILE: ${{ github.workspace }}/frontend/playwright-report/results.json
       - name: Upload Playwright report
         if: always()
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
           name: playwright-report-stubbed-${{ github.run_id }}
-          path: frontend/editor/playwright-report/
+          path: frontend/playwright-report/
           retention-days: 7
diff --git a/.github/workflows/frontend-backend-licenses-update.yml b/.github/workflows/frontend-backend-licenses-update.yml
index 41d3f35c6e..fcf6e18d0e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/frontend-backend-licenses-update.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/frontend-backend-licenses-update.yml
@@ -19,13 +19,9 @@ permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   files-changed:
     name: detect what files changed
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 3
     outputs:
       licenses-frontend: ${{ steps.changes.outputs.licenses-frontend }}
@@ -48,8 +44,8 @@ jobs:
   generate-frontend-license-report:
     if: needs.files-changed.outputs.licenses-frontend == 'true'
     name: Generate Frontend License Report
-    needs: [pick, files-changed]
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    needs: files-changed
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
       contents: write
       pull-requests: write
@@ -98,6 +94,13 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install Task
         uses: go-task/setup-task@01a4adf9db2d14c1de7a560f09170b6e0df736aa # v2.1.0
+
+      - name: Generate frontend license report (Push only)
+        if: github.event_name == 'push'
+        env:
+          PR_IS_FORK: "false"
+        run: task frontend:licenses:generate
+
       - name: Generate frontend license report (internal PR)
         if: github.event_name == 'pull_request' && github.event.pull_request.head.repo.fork == false
         env:
@@ -292,7 +295,10 @@ jobs:
           base: main
           title: "Update Frontend 3rd Party Licenses"
           body: ${{ env.PR_BODY }}
-          labels: Licenses,github-actions,frontend
+          labels: |
+            Licenses
+            github-actions
+            Front End
           draft: false
           delete-branch: true
           sign-commits: true
@@ -311,15 +317,13 @@ jobs:
 
   generate-backend-license-report:
     if: needs.files-changed.outputs.licenses-backend == 'true'
-    needs: [pick, files-changed]
+    needs: files-changed
     name: Generate Backend License Report
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
       contents: write
       pull-requests: write
       repository-projects: write # Required for enabling automerge
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -347,12 +351,13 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
 
       - name: Install Task
         uses: go-task/setup-task@01a4adf9db2d14c1de7a560f09170b6e0df736aa # v2.1.0
+
       - name: Check licenses and generate report
         id: license-check
         run: task backend:licenses:generate || echo "LICENSE_CHECK_FAILED=true" >> $GITHUB_ENV
@@ -512,7 +517,10 @@ jobs:
           base: main
           title: "Update Backend 3rd Party Licenses"
           body: ${{ env.PR_BODY }}
-          labels: Licenses,github-actions,backend
+          labels: |
+            Licenses
+            github-actions
+            Back End
           delete-branch: true
           sign-commits: true
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/frontend-validation.yml b/.github/workflows/frontend-validation.yml
index 70187df412..a539a1b7b7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/frontend-validation.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/frontend-validation.yml
@@ -11,12 +11,8 @@ permissions:
   pull-requests: write
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   frontend-validation:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
diff --git a/.github/workflows/multiOSReleases.yml b/.github/workflows/multiOSReleases.yml
index 3a76708460..41ddeb7a13 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/multiOSReleases.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/multiOSReleases.yml
@@ -36,13 +36,9 @@ permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   determine-matrix:
     if: ${{ vars.CI_PROFILE != 'lite' }}
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       matrix: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.matrix }}
       version: ${{ steps.versionNumber.outputs.versionNumber }}
@@ -61,7 +57,7 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Cache Gradle dependencies
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9 # v6.1.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/.gradle/caches
@@ -71,9 +67,9 @@ jobs:
             gradle-${{ runner.os }}-
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
 
       - name: Install Task
         uses: go-task/setup-task@01a4adf9db2d14c1de7a560f09170b6e0df736aa # v2.1.0
@@ -112,10 +108,8 @@ jobs:
           fi
 
   build-jars:
-    needs: [pick, determine-matrix]
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
+    needs: determine-matrix
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
         variant:
@@ -146,9 +140,9 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
 
       - name: Setup Node.js
         if: matrix.variant.build_frontend == true
@@ -195,7 +189,6 @@ jobs:
       SM_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.SM_API_KEY }}
       WINDOWS_CERTIFICATE: ${{ secrets.WINDOWS_CERTIFICATE }}
       RELEASE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY }}
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -250,9 +243,9 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
 
       - name: Install Task
         uses: go-task/setup-task@01a4adf9db2d14c1de7a560f09170b6e0df736aa # v2.1.0
@@ -638,8 +631,8 @@ jobs:
           retention-days: 1
 
   collect-and-release:
-    needs: [pick, determine-matrix, build, build-jars]
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    needs: [determine-matrix, build, build-jars]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     permissions:
       contents: write
     steps:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/nightly.yml b/.github/workflows/nightly.yml
index 11a8ea2be5..4047157a45 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/nightly.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/nightly.yml
@@ -13,13 +13,9 @@ permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   playwright-all-browsers:
     name: Playwright (chromium + firefox + webkit)
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden the runner (Audit all outbound calls)
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -53,8 +49,8 @@ jobs:
         if: always()
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: playwright-nightly-${{ github.run_id }}
-          path: frontend/editor/playwright-report/
+          name: playwright-report-nightly-${{ github.run_id }}
+          path: frontend/playwright-report/
           retention-days: 14
 
   # Builds all desktop platforms on a schedule so the Rust dependency cache is
diff --git a/.github/workflows/swagger.yml b/.github/workflows/swagger.yml
index 9696aa419c..90c5984693 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/swagger.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/swagger.yml
@@ -22,15 +22,9 @@ permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   push:
     if: ${{ vars.CI_PROFILE != 'lite' }}
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
-    env:
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -46,9 +40,9 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
 
       - name: Generate Swagger documentation
         run: ./gradlew :stirling-pdf:generateOpenApiDocs
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tauri-build.yml b/.github/workflows/tauri-build.yml
index 0a017d6273..5b2fa21c28 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tauri-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tauri-build.yml
@@ -96,7 +96,6 @@ jobs:
       WINDOWS_CERTIFICATE: ${{ secrets.WINDOWS_CERTIFICATE }}
       APPLE_CERTIFICATE: ${{ secrets.APPLE_CERTIFICATE }}
       RELEASE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY: ${{ secrets.RELEASE_GPG_PRIVATE_KEY }}
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-build-docker.yml b/.github/workflows/test-build-docker.yml
index b6a081bb1e..f8344da116 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-build-docker.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-build-docker.yml
@@ -12,19 +12,16 @@ on:
         required: false
         type: string
         default: "false"
-      depot_cores:
-        description: "Depot runner vCPU count (used in runs-on). Override for benchmarking."
+      dockerfiles-changed:
+        description: "Whether any Dockerfile changed (forwarded from files-changed). Gates the slow arm64 build leg."
         required: false
         type: string
-        default: "8"
+        default: "false"
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   # TODO: extract a pre-matrix `prepare` job that runs once and produces
   # shared artifacts for the three matrix entries below to consume:
   #   1. `task backend:build` — currently runs 3× in parallel with
@@ -40,14 +37,7 @@ jobs:
   # spring-security=true matrix entry if `task backend:build` and
   # `task backend:build:ci` produce equivalent JARs (verify before wiring).
   test-build-docker-images:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || format('depot-ubuntu-24.04-{0}', inputs.depot_cores || '8') }}
-    permissions:
-      contents: read
-      id-token: write
-    env:
-      USE_DEPOT: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork != 'true' && inputs.docker-base-changed != 'true' }}
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
@@ -95,7 +85,7 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Cache Gradle dependency artifacts
-        uses: actions/cache@27d5ce7f107fe9357f9df03efb73ab90386fccae # v5.0.5
+        uses: actions/cache@55cc8345863c7cc4c66a329aec7e433d2d1c52a9 # v6.1.0
         with:
           path: |
             ~/.gradle/wrapper
@@ -104,9 +94,9 @@ jobs:
           key: gradle-deps-${{ runner.os }}-jdk-25-${{ hashFiles('**/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties', '**/*.gradle', '**/*.gradle.kts', 'settings.gradle', 'settings.gradle.kts', 'gradle/libs.versions.toml') }}
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
           cache-disabled: true
 
       - name: Install Task
@@ -120,16 +110,10 @@ jobs:
           DISABLE_ADDITIONAL_FEATURES: true
           STIRLING_PDF_DESKTOP_UI: false
 
-      - name: Set up Depot CLI
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/setup-action@15c09a5f77a0840ad4bce955686522a257853461 # v1.0.0
-
       - name: Set up QEMU
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
         uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@ce360397dd3f832beb865e1373c09c0e9f86d70a # v4.0.0
 
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
         id: buildx
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@4d04d5d9486b7bd6fa91e7baf45bbb4f8b9deedd # v4.0.0
 
@@ -146,13 +130,22 @@ jobs:
         # GITHUB_EVENT_NAME is already provided by the runner.
         env:
           DOCKER_BASE_CHANGED: ${{ inputs.docker-base-changed }}
+          DOCKERFILES_CHANGED: ${{ inputs.dockerfiles-changed }}
         run: |
           if [ "$GITHUB_EVENT_NAME" = "pull_request" ] && [ "$DOCKER_BASE_CHANGED" = "true" ]; then
+            # Base Dockerfile changed: build against the locally-built base,
+            # which only exists for amd64.
             echo "base_image=stirling-pdf-base:pr-test" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
             echo "platforms=linux/amd64" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          else
+          elif [ "$DOCKERFILES_CHANGED" = "true" ]; then
+            # A Dockerfile changed: also verify the arm64 build (slow QEMU leg).
             echo "base_image=stirlingtools/stirling-pdf-base:latest" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
             echo "platforms=linux/amd64,linux/arm64/v8" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          else
+            # No Dockerfile change: amd64 only. arm64 is exercised on the base
+            # image publish and on release, not on every code PR.
+            echo "base_image=stirlingtools/stirling-pdf-base:latest" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            echo "platforms=linux/amd64" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
           fi
 
       # Base-changed PRs build the embedded image with the local docker driver
@@ -168,25 +161,11 @@ jobs:
             --tag stirling-pdf-embedded:pr-test \
             .
 
-      - name: Build ${{ matrix.docker-rev }} (Depot)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/build-push-action@98e78adca7817480b8185f474a400b451d74e287 # v1.16.0
-        with:
-          project: ${{ vars.DEPOT_PROJECT_ID }}
-          context: .
-          file: ./${{ matrix.docker-rev }}
-          push: false
-          platforms: ${{ steps.build-params.outputs.platforms }}
-          build-args: |
-            BASE_IMAGE=${{ steps.build-params.outputs.base_image }}
-          provenance: true
-          sbom: true
-
-      # Fork PRs that did NOT change the base use the buildx container builder
+      # PRs that did NOT change the base use the buildx container builder
       # (multi-platform + gha cache) against the published base image.
-      - name: Build ${{ matrix.docker-rev }} (Docker fork fallback)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true' && inputs.docker-base-changed != 'true'
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@bcafcacb16a39f128d818304e6c9c0c18556b85f # v7.1.0
+      - name: Build ${{ matrix.docker-rev }}
+        if: inputs.docker-base-changed != 'true'
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@53b7df96c91f9c12dcc8a07bcb9ccacbed38856a # v7.3.0
         with:
           builder: ${{ steps.buildx.outputs.name }}
           context: .
@@ -213,14 +192,7 @@ jobs:
           if-no-files-found: warn
 
   test-build-unoserver-image:
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || format('depot-ubuntu-24.04-{0}', inputs.depot_cores || '8') }}
-    permissions:
-      contents: read
-      id-token: write
-    env:
-      USE_DEPOT: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork != 'true' && inputs.docker-base-changed != 'true' }}
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -230,36 +202,15 @@ jobs:
       - name: Checkout Repository
         uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
 
-      - name: Set up Depot CLI
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/setup-action@15c09a5f77a0840ad4bce955686522a257853461 # v1.0.0
-
       - name: Set up QEMU
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
         uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@ce360397dd3f832beb865e1373c09c0e9f86d70a # v4.0.0
 
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
         id: buildx
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@4d04d5d9486b7bd6fa91e7baf45bbb4f8b9deedd # v4.0.0
 
-      - name: Build docker/unoserver/Dockerfile (Depot)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/build-push-action@98e78adca7817480b8185f474a400b451d74e287 # v1.16.0
-        with:
-          project: ${{ vars.DEPOT_PROJECT_ID }}
-          context: .
-          file: ./docker/unoserver/Dockerfile
-          push: false
-          load: true
-          platforms: linux/amd64
-          tags: stirling-unoserver:pr-test
-          provenance: false
-          sbom: false
-
-      - name: Build docker/unoserver/Dockerfile (Docker fork fallback)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@bcafcacb16a39f128d818304e6c9c0c18556b85f # v7.1.0
+      - name: Build docker/unoserver/Dockerfile
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@53b7df96c91f9c12dcc8a07bcb9ccacbed38856a # v7.3.0
         with:
           builder: ${{ steps.buildx.outputs.name }}
           context: .
diff --git a/.github/workflows/testdriver.yml b/.github/workflows/testdriver.yml
index e9774694e7..f86191656f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/testdriver.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/testdriver.yml
@@ -20,19 +20,9 @@ permissions:
   contents: read
 
 jobs:
-  pick:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/_runner-pick.yml
-
   deploy:
     if: ${{ vars.CI_PROFILE != 'lite' }}
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
-    permissions:
-      contents: read
-      id-token: write
-    env:
-      USE_DEPOT: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork != 'true' }}
-      DEPOT_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.DEPOT_TOKEN }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -49,9 +39,9 @@ jobs:
           distribution: "temurin"
 
       - name: Setup Gradle
-        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@50e97c2cd7a37755bbfafc9c5b7cafaece252f6e # v6.1.0
+        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@3f131e8634966bd73d06cc69884922b02e6faf92 # v6.2.0
         with:
-          gradle-version: 9.6.0
+          gradle-version: 9.6.1
 
       - name: Build with Gradle
         run: ./gradlew build
@@ -61,12 +51,7 @@ jobs:
           MAVEN_PUBLIC_URL: ${{ secrets.MAVEN_PUBLIC_URL }}
           DISABLE_ADDITIONAL_FEATURES: true
 
-      - name: Set up Depot CLI
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/setup-action@15c09a5f77a0840ad4bce955686522a257853461 # v1.0.0
-
       - name: Set up Docker Buildx
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@4d04d5d9486b7bd6fa91e7baf45bbb4f8b9deedd # v4.0.0
 
       - name: Get version number
@@ -81,21 +66,8 @@ jobs:
           username: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}
           password: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_API }}
 
-      - name: Build and push test image (Depot)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT == 'true'
-        uses: depot/build-push-action@98e78adca7817480b8185f474a400b451d74e287 # v1.16.0
-        with:
-          project: ${{ vars.DEPOT_PROJECT_ID }}
-          context: .
-          file: ./docker/embedded/Dockerfile
-          push: true
-          tags: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_HUB_USERNAME }}/test:test-${{ github.sha }}
-          build-args: VERSION_TAG=${{ steps.versionNumber.outputs.versionNumber }}
-          platforms: linux/amd64
-
-      - name: Build and push test image (Docker fork fallback)
-        if: env.USE_DEPOT != 'true'
-        uses: docker/build-push-action@bcafcacb16a39f128d818304e6c9c0c18556b85f # v7.1.0
+      - name: Build and push test image
+        uses: docker/build-push-action@53b7df96c91f9c12dcc8a07bcb9ccacbed38856a # v7.3.0
         with:
           context: .
           file: ./docker/embedded/Dockerfile
@@ -153,8 +125,7 @@ jobs:
   files-changed:
     if: always()
     name: detect what files changed
-    needs: pick
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     timeout-minutes: 3
     outputs:
       frontend: ${{ steps.changes.outputs.frontend }}
@@ -174,8 +145,8 @@ jobs:
 
   test:
     if: needs.files-changed.outputs.frontend == 'true'
-    needs: [pick, deploy, files-changed]
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    needs: [deploy, files-changed]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Harden Runner
         uses: step-security/harden-runner@ab7a9404c0f3da075243ca237b5fac12c98deaa5 # v2.19.3
@@ -208,8 +179,8 @@ jobs:
           FORCE_COLOR: "3"
 
   cleanup:
-    needs: [pick, deploy, test]
-    runs-on: ${{ needs.pick.outputs.is_fork == 'true' && 'ubuntu-latest' || 'depot-ubuntu-24.04-4' }}
+    needs: [deploy, test]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     if: always()
 
     steps:
diff --git a/settings.gradle b/settings.gradle
index c712f672a1..85b1c45207 100644
--- a/settings.gradle
+++ b/settings.gradle
@@ -23,29 +23,6 @@ plugins {
     id 'org.gradle.toolchains.foojay-resolver-convention' version '1.0.0'
 }
 
-// Depot remote build cache. Silently no-ops when DEPOT_TOKEN is absent
-// (local dev without depot login, and fork PRs where GitHub hides secrets),
-// so contributors without Depot access still build fine on local cache only.
-buildCache {
-    def depotToken = System.getenv('DEPOT_TOKEN')
-    local {
-        enabled = true
-    }
-    if (depotToken) {
-        remote(HttpBuildCache) {
-            url = 'https://cache.depot.dev'
-            enabled = true
-            // Only CI runs push to the shared cache; dev laptops pull-only
-            // so a misconfigured local task can't poison everyone else.
-            push = System.getenv('CI') == 'true'
-            credentials {
-                username = ''
-                password = depotToken
-            }
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 rootProject.name = 'Stirling PDF'
 
 // Flavors: core | proprietary (default) | saas.