diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 31b016de..579b95d5 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@ version: 2
 updates:
 - package-ecosystem: pip
   directory: "/"
-  exclude-paths:
-  - "requirements/**"
   schedule:
     interval: daily
   open-pull-requests-limit: 10
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 5f76de72..eafc3138 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -20,16 +20,13 @@ jobs:
         python-version: "3.x"        
     - name: Cache pip packages
       uses: actions/cache@v5
-      env:
-        cache-name: cache-pypi-modules
       with:
-        # pip cache files are stored in `~/.cache/pip` on Linux
         path: ~/.cache/pip
-        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pydocstyle-${{ env.cache-name }}-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml', 'requirements/production.in', 'requirements/testing.in', 'requirements/production.txt', 'requirements/testing.txt') }}
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pip-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml') }}
         restore-keys: |
-          ${{ runner.os }}-pydocstyle-${{ env.cache-name }}-
+          ${{ runner.os }}-pip-
     - name: Install dependencies
-      run: pip install -r requirements/testing.txt
+      run: pip install -e .[dev]
     - name: Pydocstyle
       run: pydocstyle pyvlx test/*.py examples/*.py
   flake8:
@@ -42,16 +39,13 @@ jobs:
         python-version: "3.x"
     - name: Cache pip packages
       uses: actions/cache@v5
-      env:
-        cache-name: cache-pypi-modules
       with:
-        # pip cache files are stored in `~/.cache/pip` on Linux
         path: ~/.cache/pip
-        key: ${{ runner.os }}-flake8-${{ env.cache-name }}-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml', 'requirements/production.in', 'requirements/testing.in', 'requirements/production.txt', 'requirements/testing.txt') }}
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pip-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml') }}
         restore-keys: |
-          ${{ runner.os }}-flake8-${{ env.cache-name }}-
+          ${{ runner.os }}-pip-
     - name: Install dependencies
-      run: pip install -r requirements/testing.txt
+      run: pip install -e .[dev]
     - name: Flake8
       run: flake8 
   pylint:
@@ -64,16 +58,13 @@ jobs:
         python-version: "3.x"
     - name: Cache pip packages
       uses: actions/cache@v5
-      env:
-        cache-name: cache-pypi-modules
       with:
-        # pip cache files are stored in `~/.cache/pip` on Linux
         path: ~/.cache/pip
-        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pylint-${{ env.cache-name }}-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml', 'requirements/production.in', 'requirements/testing.in', 'requirements/production.txt', 'requirements/testing.txt') }}
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pip-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml') }}
         restore-keys: |
-          ${{ runner.os }}-pylint-${{ env.cache-name }}-
+          ${{ runner.os }}-pip-
     - name: Install dependencies
-      run: pip install -r requirements/testing.txt
+      run: pip install -e .[dev]
     - name: Linter Pylint
       run: pylint pyvlx test/*.py examples/*.py
   isort:
@@ -86,16 +77,13 @@ jobs:
         python-version: "3.x"
     - name: Cache pip packages
       uses: actions/cache@v5
-      env:
-        cache-name: cache-pypi-modules
       with:
-        # pip cache files are stored in `~/.cache/pip` on Linux
         path: ~/.cache/pip
-        key: ${{ runner.os }}-isort-${{ env.cache-name }}-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml', 'requirements/production.in', 'requirements/testing.in', 'requirements/production.txt', 'requirements/testing.txt') }}
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pip-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml') }}
         restore-keys: |
-          ${{ runner.os }}-isort-${{ env.cache-name }}-
+          ${{ runner.os }}-pip-
     - name: Install dependencies
-      run: pip install -r requirements/testing.txt
+      run: pip install -e .[dev]
     - name: Isort
       run: isort --check-only test examples pyvlx
   mypy:
@@ -111,16 +99,13 @@ jobs:
         python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
     - name: Cache pip packages
       uses: actions/cache@v5
-      env:
-        cache-name: cache-pypi-modules
       with:
-        # pip cache files are stored in `~/.cache/pip` on Linux
         path: ~/.cache/pip
-        key: ${{ runner.os }}-mypy-${{ env.cache-name }}-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml', 'requirements/production.in', 'requirements/testing.in', 'requirements/production.txt', 'requirements/testing.txt') }}
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pip-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml') }}
         restore-keys: |
-          ${{ runner.os }}-mypy-${{ env.cache-name }}-
+          ${{ runner.os }}-pip-
     - name: Install dependencies
-      run: pip install -r requirements/testing.txt
+      run: pip install -e .[dev]
     - name: Mypy
       run: mypy pyvlx
   pytest:
@@ -136,16 +121,13 @@ jobs:
         python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
     - name: Cache pip packages
       uses: actions/cache@v5
-      env:
-        cache-name: cache-pypi-modules
       with:
-        # pip cache files are stored in `~/.cache/pip` on Linux
         path: ~/.cache/pip
-        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pytest-${{ env.cache-name }}-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml', 'requirements/production.in', 'requirements/testing.in', 'requirements/production.txt', 'requirements/testing.txt') }}
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-pip-${{ hashFiles('pyproject.toml') }}
         restore-keys: |
-          ${{ runner.os }}-pytest-${{ env.cache-name }}-
+          ${{ runner.os }}-pip-
     - name: Install dependencies
-      run: pip install -r requirements/testing.txt
+      run: pip install -e .[dev]
     - name: pytest
       # run the tests, produce a .coverage.$pyversion file
       run: pytest --cov 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/dependabot-refresh-requirements.yml b/.github/workflows/dependabot-refresh-requirements.yml
index 01fba609..f1a87119 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/dependabot-refresh-requirements.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/dependabot-refresh-requirements.yml
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: "3.x"
 
       - name: Install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
+        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v7
 
       - name: Regenerate requirements
         run: |
diff --git a/DEVELOPMENT.md b/DEVELOPMENT.md
index 09181987..502a12d1 100644
--- a/DEVELOPMENT.md
+++ b/DEVELOPMENT.md
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ This document describes local checks, dependency management, and release-related
 Install development dependencies:
 
 ```bash
-# Fully locked test/lint environment (including package install)
-pip install -r requirements/testing.txt
+pip install -e .[dev]
 ```
 
 Run the full local check suite:
@@ -36,49 +35,21 @@ make coverage
 
 ## Dependency model
 
-- `pyproject.toml` is the **single source of truth** for all dependency declarations:
-  - `project.dependencies` — runtime requirements with capped major versions (`>=X.Y,<(X+1).0`), keeping the library flexible for consumers.
-  - `project.optional-dependencies.test`, `.lint`, `.release` — dev/CI dependencies pinned to exact versions (`==X.Y.Z`) so builds are reproducible and Dependabot can detect and propose updates.
-- `requirements/*.in` describe locked environment inputs for `uv pip compile`.
-- `requirements/*.txt` are fully resolved lock files (including transitive dependencies) for reproducible installs in CI and local development.
-- Generated requirements files are committed.
+`pyproject.toml` is the single source of truth for all dependency declarations:
 
-## Requirements handling
-
-Regenerate lock files after dependency changes in `pyproject.toml` or updates to `requirements/*.in`:
-
-```bash
-make requirements
-```
-
-PR checklist:
-
-- If `pyproject.toml` dependency versions changed, run `make requirements` and commit updated `requirements/*.txt` in the same PR.
-- If `requirements/*.in` changed, run `make requirements` and commit updated `requirements/*.txt` in the same PR.
-- If dependencies did not change, do not modify `requirements/*.txt`.
-- For Dependabot PRs, this is handled automatically by the refresh workflow, see below.
-
-Equivalent direct commands:
-
-```bash
-python3 -m pip install uv
-uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/production.in --output-file requirements/production.txt
-uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/testing.in --output-file requirements/testing.txt
-uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/release.in --output-file requirements/release.txt
-```
+- **Runtime deps** (`project.dependencies`) use `>=X.Y,<(X+1).0` — flexible for library consumers, capped at the next major version to prevent surprise breakage.
+- **Dev deps** (`project.optional-dependencies.dev`, `.release`) are pinned to exact versions (`==X.Y.Z`) so CI builds are reproducible and Dependabot can detect and propose updates.
 
 ### How Dependabot updates work
 
 1. Dependabot monitors `pyproject.toml` for outdated `==` pins and creates a PR bumping them.
-2. The `dependabot-refresh-requirements` workflow auto-triggers on the PR, regenerates `requirements/*.txt` lock files via `uv pip compile`, and pushes the updated files.
-3. CI runs against the fully locked environment. You review and merge.
+2. CI runs against the updated pins. You review and merge.
 
 ## CI vs manual operations
 
 | Task | Normally handled by CI | Manual equivalent |
 |---|---|---|
 | Run linting and tests | `.github/workflows/ci.yml` | `make ci` |
-| Regenerate requirements for Dependabot pip PRs | `.github/workflows/dependabot-refresh-requirements.yml` | `make requirements` |
 | Build distributions | `.github/workflows/publish.yml` | `make build` |
 | Publish distributions | `.github/workflows/publish.yml` via `pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish` | `make pypi` |
 
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 3168f854..e9e79b90 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@ all:
 	@echo ""
 	@echo "build           -- build python package"
 	@echo ""
-	@echo "requirements    -- generate requirements/*.txt from requirements/*.in"
-	@echo ""
 	@echo "pypi            -- upload package to pypi"
 	@echo ""
 
@@ -57,10 +55,4 @@ pydocstyle:
 coverage:
 	pytest --cov --cov-report html --verbose
 
-requirements:
-	@python3 -m pip install uv
-	@python3 -m uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/production.in --output-file requirements/production.txt
-	@python3 -m uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/testing.in --output-file requirements/testing.txt
-	@python3 -m uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/release.in --output-file requirements/release.txt
-
-.PHONY: test build requirements
+.PHONY: test build
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 79811d32..d5c89f86 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -27,14 +27,12 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
-test = [
+dev = [
     "pytest==9.0.2",
     "pytest-cov==7.0.0",
     "mypy==1.19.1",
     "types-PyYAML==6.0.12.20250915",
     "types-Deprecated==1.3.1.20260130",
-]
-lint = [
     "isort==7.0.0",
     "flake8==7.3.0",
     "flake8-isort==7.0.0",
diff --git a/requirements/production.in b/requirements/production.in
deleted file mode 100644
index ecf975e2..00000000
--- a/requirements/production.in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
--e .
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/requirements/production.txt b/requirements/production.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index 3c64d0ba..00000000
--- a/requirements/production.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-# This file was autogenerated by uv via the following command:
-#    uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/production.in --output-file requirements/production.txt
--e .
-    # via -r requirements/production.in
-deprecated==1.3.1
-    # via pyvlx
-ifaddr==0.2.0
-    # via zeroconf
-pyyaml==6.0.3
-    # via pyvlx
-wrapt==2.1.1
-    # via deprecated
-zeroconf==0.148.0
-    # via pyvlx
diff --git a/requirements/release.in b/requirements/release.in
deleted file mode 100644
index 729e82f0..00000000
--- a/requirements/release.in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
--r production.txt
--e .[release]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/requirements/release.txt b/requirements/release.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index d45e872d..00000000
--- a/requirements/release.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,85 +0,0 @@
-# This file was autogenerated by uv via the following command:
-#    uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/release.in --output-file requirements/release.txt
--e .
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   -r requirements/release.in
-build==1.4.0
-    # via pyvlx
-certifi==2026.1.4
-    # via requests
-charset-normalizer==3.4.4
-    # via requests
-deprecated==1.3.1
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   pyvlx
-docutils==0.22.4
-    # via readme-renderer
-id==1.6.1
-    # via twine
-idna==3.11
-    # via requests
-ifaddr==0.2.0
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   zeroconf
-jaraco-classes==3.4.0
-    # via keyring
-jaraco-context==6.1.0
-    # via keyring
-jaraco-functools==4.4.0
-    # via keyring
-keyring==25.7.0
-    # via twine
-markdown-it-py==4.0.0
-    # via rich
-mdurl==0.1.2
-    # via markdown-it-py
-more-itertools==10.8.0
-    # via
-    #   jaraco-classes
-    #   jaraco-functools
-nh3==0.3.3
-    # via readme-renderer
-packaging==26.0
-    # via
-    #   build
-    #   twine
-pygments==2.19.2
-    # via
-    #   readme-renderer
-    #   rich
-pyproject-hooks==1.2.0
-    # via build
-pyyaml==6.0.3
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   pyvlx
-readme-renderer==44.0
-    # via twine
-requests==2.32.5
-    # via
-    #   requests-toolbelt
-    #   twine
-requests-toolbelt==1.0.0
-    # via twine
-rfc3986==2.0.0
-    # via twine
-rich==14.3.3
-    # via twine
-twine==6.2.0
-    # via pyvlx
-urllib3==2.6.3
-    # via
-    #   id
-    #   requests
-    #   twine
-wrapt==2.1.1
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   deprecated
-zeroconf==0.148.0
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   pyvlx
diff --git a/requirements/testing.in b/requirements/testing.in
deleted file mode 100644
index db8e557e..00000000
--- a/requirements/testing.in
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
--r production.txt
--e .[test,lint]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/requirements/testing.txt b/requirements/testing.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index fb3d7124..00000000
--- a/requirements/testing.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,94 +0,0 @@
-# This file was autogenerated by uv via the following command:
-#    uv pip compile --strip-extras requirements/testing.in --output-file requirements/testing.txt
--e .
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   -r requirements/testing.in
-astroid==4.0.4
-    # via pylint
-coverage==7.13.4
-    # via pytest-cov
-deprecated==1.3.1
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   pyvlx
-dill==0.4.1
-    # via pylint
-flake8==7.3.0
-    # via
-    #   flake8-isort
-    #   flake8-pyproject
-    #   pyvlx
-flake8-isort==7.0.0
-    # via pyvlx
-flake8-pyproject==1.2.4
-    # via pyvlx
-ifaddr==0.2.0
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   zeroconf
-iniconfig==2.3.0
-    # via pytest
-isort==7.0.0
-    # via
-    #   flake8-isort
-    #   pylint
-    #   pyvlx
-librt==0.8.1
-    # via mypy
-mccabe==0.7.0
-    # via
-    #   flake8
-    #   pylint
-mypy==1.19.1
-    # via pyvlx
-mypy-extensions==1.1.0
-    # via mypy
-packaging==26.0
-    # via pytest
-pathspec==1.0.4
-    # via mypy
-platformdirs==4.9.2
-    # via pylint
-pluggy==1.6.0
-    # via
-    #   pytest
-    #   pytest-cov
-pycodestyle==2.14.0
-    # via flake8
-pydocstyle==6.3.0
-    # via pyvlx
-pyflakes==3.4.0
-    # via flake8
-pygments==2.19.2
-    # via pytest
-pylint==4.0.3
-    # via pyvlx
-pytest==9.0.2
-    # via
-    #   pytest-cov
-    #   pyvlx
-pytest-cov==7.0.0
-    # via pyvlx
-pyyaml==6.0.3
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   pyvlx
-snowballstemmer==3.0.1
-    # via pydocstyle
-tomlkit==0.14.0
-    # via pylint
-types-deprecated==1.3.1.20260130
-    # via pyvlx
-types-pyyaml==6.0.12.20250915
-    # via pyvlx
-typing-extensions==4.15.0
-    # via mypy
-wrapt==2.1.1
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   deprecated
-zeroconf==0.148.0
-    # via
-    #   -r requirements/production.txt
-    #   pyvlx