diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_docker_image.yaml b/.github/workflows/build_docker_image.yaml
index fa5489081..e5d4d49b7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_docker_image.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_docker_image.yaml
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ permissions:
   id-token: write # This is required for requesting the JWT
   contents: read # This is required for actions/checkout
 
+env:
+  FORCE_COLOR: "1" # Make tools pretty.
+
 jobs:
   build_and_push_docker_image:
     name: "Build Docker Images 🛠"
@@ -23,7 +26,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
       - name: "Retrieve secret from Vault 🗝"
-        uses: hashicorp/vault-action@v2
+        uses: hashicorp/vault-action@v3
         with:
           method: jwt
           url: "https://quansight-vault-public-vault-b2379fa7.d415e30e.z1.hashicorp.cloud:8200"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
index e9b8f2545..7fa1384bd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -39,9 +39,10 @@ jobs:
       - run: echo "Running on ${{ matrix.directory }}"
 
       - name: "Check package build - ${{ matrix.directory }} 📦"
-        uses: hynek/build-and-inspect-python-package@v1
+        uses: hynek/build-and-inspect-python-package@main
         with:
           path: ${{ matrix.directory }}
+          upload-name-suffix: "-${{ matrix.directory }}"
 
       # Adding a separate upload for publishing
       - name: "Upload build artefacts 📤"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
index c078552b3..cd5f6364a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yaml
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ name: Tests
 
 env:
   DEFAULT_PYTHON_VERSION: "3.10"
+  FORCE_COLOR: "1" # Make tools pretty.
 
 on:
   pull_request:
@@ -20,13 +21,6 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       matrix:
         os: ["ubuntu", "macos", "windows"]
-        include:
-          - os: ubuntu
-            environment-file: conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml
-          - os: macos
-            environment-file: conda-store-server/environment-macos-dev.yaml
-          - os: windows
-            environment-file: conda-store-server/environment-windows-dev.yaml
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}-latest
     defaults:
       run:
@@ -37,9 +31,9 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
       - name: "Set up env ${{ matrix.os }} 🐍"
-        uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v2
+        uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
         with:
-            environment-file: ${{ matrix.environment-file }}
+            environment-file: conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml
             miniforge-version: latest
 
       # This fixes a "DLL not found" issue importing ctypes from the hatch env
@@ -54,15 +48,16 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: "Linting Checks 🧹"
         run: |
-          hatch env run -e dev lint
+          hatch env run -e lint lint
 
-      - name: "Build package 📦"
+      - name: "Build and install conda-store-server 📦"
         run: |
           hatch build
+          python -m pip install dist/*.whl
 
       - name: "Unit tests ✅"
         run: |
-          pytest -m "not extended_prefix and not user_journey" tests
+          python -m pytest -m "not extended_prefix and not user_journey" tests
 
       # https://github.com/actions/runner-images/issues/1052
       - name: "Windows extended prefix unit tests ✅"
@@ -76,7 +71,6 @@ jobs:
           pytest -m "extended_prefix" tests
         if: matrix.os == 'windows'
 
-
   integration-test-conda-store-server:
     name: "integration-test conda-store-server"
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -89,15 +83,15 @@ jobs:
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
       - name: "Set up env 🐍"
-        uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v2
+        uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
         with:
           environment-file: conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml
           miniforge-version: latest
 
       - name: "Install build dependencies 📦"
         run: |
-          pip install hatch
-          sudo apt install wait-for-it -y
+          sudo apt update
+          sudo apt install -y wait-for-it
 
       - name: "Deploy docker-compose"
         run: |
@@ -110,24 +104,23 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: "Run Playwright tests 🎭"
         run: |
-          playwright install
-          pytest --video on ../tests/test_playwright.py
+          playwright install --with-deps chromium
+          python -m pytest --video on ../tests/test_playwright.py
 
       - name: "Upload test results 📤"
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v2
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
         if: ${{ always() }}
         with:
           name: playwright-tests
-          path: conda-store-server/test-results
+          path: conda-store-server/test-results/
 
       - name: "Run integration tests ✅"
         run: |
-          export PYTHONPATH=$PYTHONPATH:$PWD
-          pytest ../tests/test_api.py ../tests/test_metrics.py
+          python -m pytest ../tests/test_api.py ../tests/test_metrics.py
 
       - name: "Run user journey tests ✅"
         run: |
-          pytest -m "user_journey"
+          python -m pytest -m "user_journey"
 
       - name: "Get Docker logs 🔍"
         if: ${{ failure() }}
@@ -142,28 +135,26 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: conda-store
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python-version: ["3.8", "3.9", "3.10"]
+        python-version: ["3.8", "3.9", "3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
     steps:
       - name: "Checkout Repository 🛎"
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
       - name: "Set up Python 🐍"
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
+
       - name: "Install Dependencies 📦"
         run: |
-          pip install hatch
-          sudo apt install wait-for-it -y
+          python -m pip install hatch
+          sudo apt update
+          sudo apt install -y wait-for-it
 
       - name: "Linting Checks 🧹"
         run: |
-          hatch env run -e dev lint
-
-      - name: "Build package 📦"
-        run: |
-          hatch build
+          hatch env run -e lint lint
 
       - name: "Deploy docker-compose"
         run: |
@@ -174,16 +165,17 @@ jobs:
           wait-for-it localhost:9000 # minio
           wait-for-it localhost:8080 # conda-store-server
 
-      - name: "Install conda-store for tests 📦"
+      - name: "Build and install conda-store 📦"
         run: |
-          pip install .
+          hatch build
+          python -m pip install dist/*.whl
 
-      - name: "Run basic tests -  not authenticated"
+      - name: "Run basic tests -  not authenticated 🔓"
         run: |
           sleep 20
           ./tests/unauthenticated-tests.sh
 
-      - name: "Run basic tests - authenticated"
+      - name: "Run basic tests - authenticated 🔐"
         run: |
           ./tests/authenticated-tests.sh
 
@@ -201,7 +193,7 @@ jobs:
           docker-compose logs
 
   build-docker-image:
-    name: "Build docker images"
+    name: "Build Docker images 🐋"
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     strategy:
       matrix:
@@ -209,20 +201,20 @@ jobs:
           - conda-store
           - conda-store-server
     steps:
-      - name: "Checkout Repository"
+      - name: "Checkout Repository 🛎"
         uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Set up Docker Buildx
+      - name: "Set up Docker Buildx"
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
 
-      - name: Lint Dockerfiles
+      - name: "Lint Dockerfiles 🔍"
         uses: jbergstroem/hadolint-gh-action@v1
         with:
           dockerfile: ${{ matrix.docker-image }}/Dockerfile
           output_format: tty
           error_level: 0
 
-      - name: Docker Meta
+      - name: "Docker Meta"
         id: meta
         uses: docker/metadata-action@v5
         with:
@@ -231,7 +223,7 @@ jobs:
           tags: |
             type=sha
 
-      - name: Build docker
+      - name: "Build Docker image 🐋"
         uses: docker/build-push-action@v5
         with:
           context: "${{ matrix.docker-image }}"
diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index 164a8bf16..c44478ec2 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -8,33 +8,27 @@
 # - Register git hooks: pre-commit install --install-hooks
 # - Run on all files:   pre-commit run --all-files
 
+ci:
+  autoupdate_schedule: monthly
+  autofix_commit_msg: |
+    [pre-commit.ci] Apply automatic pre-commit fixes
+
 repos:
   - repo: https://github.com/psf/black
-    rev: 23.9.1
+    rev: 24.3.0
     hooks:
       - id: black
         exclude: "examples|tests/assets"
 
   - repo: https://github.com/charliermarsh/ruff-pre-commit
-    # Ruff version.
-    rev: "v0.0.289"
+    rev: "v0.3.3"
     hooks:
       - id: ruff
         exclude: "examples|tests/assets"
-        args: ["--fix"]
-
-  - repo: https://github.com/pycqa/isort
-    rev: 5.12.0
-    hooks:
-      - id: isort
-        name: isort
-        additional_dependencies: [toml]
-        files: \.py$
-        args: ["--profile", "black"]
-        exclude: "conda-store-server/conda_store_server/action/__init__.py"
+        args: [--fix, --exit-non-zero-on-fix]
 
   - repo: https://github.com/pre-commit/pre-commit-hooks
-    rev: v4.4.0
+    rev: v4.5.0
     hooks:
       - id: trailing-whitespace
         files: ".*\\.py"
@@ -44,7 +38,7 @@ repos:
       - id: trailing-whitespace
 
   - repo: https://github.com/pre-commit/mirrors-prettier
-    rev: v3.0.3
+    rev: v4.0.0-alpha.8
     hooks:
       - id: prettier
         exclude: ^(examples/|templates/|)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 60ddef78a..8d2ec6f92 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,53 +10,46 @@ Flexible. Reproducible. Governable.
 
 ---
 
-<div align="center">
-
-  <a href="https://pypi.org/project/conda-store-server/">
-    <img src="https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/conda-store-server?label=pypi|conda-store-server" alt="PyPi"/>
-  </a>
-
-  <a href="https://pypi.org/project/conda-store/">
-    <img src="https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/conda-store-server?label=pypi|conda-store" alt="PyPi"/>
-  </a>
-
-  <a href="https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/conda-store-server">
-    <img src="https://img.shields.io/conda/vn/conda-forge/conda-store-server?color=green&label=conda-forge%7Cconda-store-server" alt="Conda"/>
-  </a>
-
-  <a href="https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/conda-store">
-    <img src="https://img.shields.io/conda/vn/conda-forge/conda-store?color=green&label=conda-forge%7Cconda-store" alt="Conda"/>
-  </a>
-
-</div>
+| Information | Links|
+| :---------- | :-----|
+| Project | [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-BSD%203--Clause-gray.svg?colorA=2b2d42&colorB=206532&style=flat.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/BSD-3-Clause) [![Read the docs](https://img.shields.io/badge/%F0%9F%93%96%20Read-the%20docs-gray.svg?colorA=2b2d42&colorB=206532&style=flat.svg)](https://conda.store)|
+|Community | [![Open an issue](https://img.shields.io/badge/%F0%9F%93%9D%20Open-an%20issue-gray.svg?colorA=2b2d42&colorB=206532&style=flat.svg)](https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store/issues/new/choose) [![Community guidelines](https://img.shields.io/badge/🤝%20Community-guidelines-gray.svg?colorA=2b2d42&colorB=206532&style=flat.svg)](https://conda.store/community/introduction)|
+|Releases | [![PyPI release conda-store](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/conda-store)](https://badge.fury.io/py/conda-store?label=pypi%20conda-store&style=flat.svg) [![PyPI release conda-store-server](https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/conda-store-server?label=pypi%20conda-store-server)](https://badge.fury.io/py/conda-store-server) [![conda-forge release conda-store](https://img.shields.io/conda/vn/conda-forge/conda-store?label=conda-forge%20conda-store)]((https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/conda-store)) [![conda-forge release conda-store-server](https://img.shields.io/conda/vn/conda-forge/conda-store-server?label=conda-forge%20conda-store-server)]((https://anaconda.org/conda-forge/conda-store-server)) |
 
 ---
 
-conda-store provides the familiarity and flexibility of conda environments, without compromising reliability for collaborative settings.
+conda-store provides the familiarity and flexibility of conda environments, without compromising reliability for
+collaborative settings.
 
-conda-store is built to work for all team members from individual data scientists to administrators, while making sure your team follows best practices throughout the environment life cycle: from initial environment creation, to using environments in a production machine.
+conda-store is built to work for all team members from individual data scientists to administrators,
+while making sure your team follows best practices throughout the environment life cycle:
+from initial environment creation to using environments in a production machine.
 
 ## Key features
 
-- **Flexiblity**:
+- **Flexibility**:
   - Users can create and update environments with the Graphical UI or a YAML editor.
   - The environments are automatically version-controlled and all versions are readily available.
-- **Reproduciblity**:
-  - User can share environments quickly through the auto-generated artifacts including a lockfile, docker image, YAML file, and tarball.
+- **Reproducibility**:
+  - Users can share environments quickly through the auto-generated artifacts including a lockfile, docker image, YAML file, and tarball.
   - conda-store pins exact versions of all packages and their dependencies in all the auto-generated artifacts.
-- **Goverance**:
-  - Users have access to admin-approved packages and channels for their work, and can request new ones when needed.
+- **Governance**:
+  - Users have access to admin-approved packages and channels for their work and can request new ones when needed.
   - Admins can insert or require certain packages and versions for organization-level compatibility.
-  - Admins can manage users' access-levels using "Namespaces", and allow users to share environments across (and only with) their team.
+  - Admins can manage users' access levels using "Namespaces", and allow users to share environments across (and only with) their team.
 
 ## Get started
 
 Learn more, including how to install, use, and contribute to conda-store in our documentation at [**conda.store**](https://conda.store/).
 
-## Related repositories
+## Contributing
+
+We welcome all types of contributions. Please read our [Contributing Guide](https://conda.store/community/contribute/) to get started.
+
+## Related repositories and projects
 
-- We are working on a new UI for conda-store at: [`conda-incubator/conda-store-ui`](https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store-ui), and
-- a JupyterLab extension at: [`conda-incubator/jupyterlab-conda-store`](https://github.com/conda-incubator/jupyterlab-conda-store).
+- We are working on a new UI for conda-store at [`conda-incubator/conda-store-ui`](https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store-ui) and
+- a JupyterLab extension at [`conda-incubator/jupyterlab-conda-store`](https://github.com/conda-incubator/jupyterlab-conda-store).
 
 ## Code of Conduct
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/03c839888c82_add_canceled_status.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/03c839888c82_add_canceled_status.py
index 8c30d3b50..ac023d997 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/03c839888c82_add_canceled_status.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/03c839888c82_add_canceled_status.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2024-01-29 03:56:36.889909
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/0f7e23ff24ee_add_worker.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/0f7e23ff24ee_add_worker.py
index ca086ebd0..19d0e4fd3 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/0f7e23ff24ee_add_worker.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/0f7e23ff24ee_add_worker.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2023-12-13 21:01:45.546591
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/16f65805dc8f_split_conda_package_into_conda_package_.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/16f65805dc8f_split_conda_package_into_conda_package_.py
index dc6c07944..19d1e7067 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/16f65805dc8f_split_conda_package_into_conda_package_.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/16f65805dc8f_split_conda_package_into_conda_package_.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2022-08-24 12:01:48.461989
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/30b37e725c32_add_build_key_version.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/30b37e725c32_add_build_key_version.py
index 0313a95f0..353a59555 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/30b37e725c32_add_build_key_version.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/30b37e725c32_add_build_key_version.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2023-11-17 14:34:40.688865
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/48be4072fe58_initial_schema.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/48be4072fe58_initial_schema.py
index 7e3e15d87..bc83537c7 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/48be4072fe58_initial_schema.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/48be4072fe58_initial_schema.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2022-06-01 18:37:12.396138
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/57cd11b949d5_add_installer.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/57cd11b949d5_add_installer.py
index db815fe1d..d4104a874 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/57cd11b949d5_add_installer.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/57cd11b949d5_add_installer.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2024-01-28 14:31:35.723505
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/5ad723de2abd_adding_container_registry_value_to_enum.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/5ad723de2abd_adding_container_registry_value_to_enum.py
index 3398b7a36..282944eab 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/5ad723de2abd_adding_container_registry_value_to_enum.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/5ad723de2abd_adding_container_registry_value_to_enum.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2022-08-05 22:14:34.110642
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/771180018e1b_add_v2_role_mappings.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/771180018e1b_add_v2_role_mappings.py
index a195b7a9f..02e859e0d 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/771180018e1b_add_v2_role_mappings.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/771180018e1b_add_v2_role_mappings.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2023-11-29 09:02:35.835664
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/8d63a091aff8_add_environment_description.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/8d63a091aff8_add_environment_description.py
index 518362dbf..693bfa265 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/8d63a091aff8_add_environment_description.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/8d63a091aff8_add_environment_description.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2022-07-15 14:22:00.351131
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/abd7248d5327_adding_a_settings_table.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/abd7248d5327_adding_a_settings_table.py
index 2fd34559d..0e1231dca 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/abd7248d5327_adding_a_settings_table.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/abd7248d5327_adding_a_settings_table.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2023-05-11 16:38:12.210549
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/b387747ca9b7_role_mapping.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/b387747ca9b7_role_mapping.py
index 5f899a5bb..8a645298b 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/b387747ca9b7_role_mapping.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/b387747ca9b7_role_mapping.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2023-07-04 14:35:48.177574
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/d78e9889566a_add_status_info.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/d78e9889566a_add_status_info.py
index d91938a11..e1cbdefc4 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/d78e9889566a_add_status_info.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/alembic/versions/d78e9889566a_add_status_info.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 Create Date: 2023-11-07 12:25:04.416192
 
 """
+
 import sqlalchemy as sa
 from alembic import op
 
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/server/views/api.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/server/views/api.py
index 72c6826cf..ff4440b96 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/server/views/api.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/server/views/api.py
@@ -145,9 +145,11 @@ async def api_get_permissions(
         "status": "ok",
         "data": {
             "authenticated": authenticated,
-            "primary_namespace": entity.primary_namespace
-            if authenticated
-            else conda_store.default_namespace,
+            "primary_namespace": (
+                entity.primary_namespace
+                if authenticated
+                else conda_store.default_namespace
+            ),
             "entity_permissions": entity_binding_permissions,
             "entity_roles": entity_binding_roles,
             "expiration": entity.exp if authenticated else None,
diff --git a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/server/views/registry.py b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/server/views/registry.py
index 7acd480c5..a43163d6e 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/server/views/registry.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/conda_store_server/server/views/registry.py
@@ -159,9 +159,11 @@ def list_tags(
     try:
         auth.authorize_request(
             request,
-            image
-            if parts[0] != "conda-store-dynamic"
-            else "conda-store-dynamic/python",
+            (
+                image
+                if parts[0] != "conda-store-dynamic"
+                else "conda-store-dynamic/python"
+            ),
             {Permissions.ENVIRONMENT_READ},
             require=True,
         )
diff --git a/conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml b/conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml
index b7dc836ad..1aa71d01f 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml
+++ b/conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml
@@ -1,63 +1,23 @@
 name: conda-store-server-dev
 channels:
   - conda-forge
-  - microsoft
   - nodefaults
 dependencies:
   - python ==3.10
   # conda builds
   - conda ==23.5.2
-  - conda-docker >= 0.1.2
-  - python-docker
-  - conda-pack
-  - conda-lock >=1.0.5
-  - conda-package-handling
-  - conda-package-streaming
-  # web server
-  - celery
-  - flower
-  - redis-py
-  - sqlalchemy<=1.4.47
-  - psycopg2
-  - pymysql
-  - requests
-  - uvicorn
-  - fastapi
-  - pydantic < 2.0
-  - pyyaml
-  - traitlets
-  - yarl
-  - pyjwt
-  - filelock
-  - itsdangerous
-  - jinja2
-  - python-multipart
-  - alembic
-  # artifact storage
-  - minio
-  # installer
-  - constructor
-  # CLI
-  - typer
-
   # dev dependencies
   - aiohttp>=3.8.1
-  - hatch
   - pytest
   - pytest-celery
   - pytest-mock
-  - black ==22.3.0
-  - flake8
-  - ruff
-  - sphinx
-  - myst-parser
-  - sphinx-panels
-  - sphinx-copybutton
-  - pydata-sphinx-theme
-  - playwright
   - docker-py<7  # for docker-compose
   - docker-compose
+  # build dependencies
+  - hatch
+  - build
   - pip
-
   - pip:
       - pytest-playwright
+      - twine>=5.0.0
+      - pkginfo>=1.10
diff --git a/conda-store-server/environment-macos-dev.yaml b/conda-store-server/environment-macos-dev.yaml
deleted file mode 100644
index 3cab8855d..000000000
--- a/conda-store-server/environment-macos-dev.yaml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,63 +0,0 @@
-name: conda-store-server-dev
-channels:
-  - conda-forge
-  - microsoft
-  - nodefaults
-dependencies:
-  - python ==3.10
-  # conda builds
-  - conda ==23.5.2
-  - python-docker
-  - conda-pack
-  - conda-lock >=1.0.5
-  - mamba
-  - conda-package-handling
-  - conda-package-streaming
-  # web server
-  - celery
-  - flower
-  - redis-py
-  - sqlalchemy<=1.4.47
-  - psycopg2
-  - pymysql
-  - requests
-  - uvicorn
-  - fastapi
-  - pydantic < 2.0
-  - pyyaml
-  - traitlets
-  - yarl
-  - pyjwt
-  - filelock
-  - itsdangerous
-  - jinja2
-  - python-multipart
-  - alembic
-  # artifact storage
-  - minio
-  # installer
-  - constructor
-  # CLI
-  - typer
-
-  # dev dependencies
-  - aiohttp>=3.8.1
-  - hatch
-  - pytest
-  - pytest-celery
-  - pytest-mock
-  - black ==22.3.0
-  - flake8
-  - ruff
-  - sphinx
-  - myst-parser
-  - sphinx-panels
-  - sphinx-copybutton
-  - pydata-sphinx-theme
-  - playwright
-  - docker-py<7  # for docker-compose
-  - docker-compose
-  - pip
-
-  - pip:
-      - pytest-playwright
diff --git a/conda-store-server/environment-windows-dev.yaml b/conda-store-server/environment-windows-dev.yaml
deleted file mode 100644
index 3cab8855d..000000000
--- a/conda-store-server/environment-windows-dev.yaml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,63 +0,0 @@
-name: conda-store-server-dev
-channels:
-  - conda-forge
-  - microsoft
-  - nodefaults
-dependencies:
-  - python ==3.10
-  # conda builds
-  - conda ==23.5.2
-  - python-docker
-  - conda-pack
-  - conda-lock >=1.0.5
-  - mamba
-  - conda-package-handling
-  - conda-package-streaming
-  # web server
-  - celery
-  - flower
-  - redis-py
-  - sqlalchemy<=1.4.47
-  - psycopg2
-  - pymysql
-  - requests
-  - uvicorn
-  - fastapi
-  - pydantic < 2.0
-  - pyyaml
-  - traitlets
-  - yarl
-  - pyjwt
-  - filelock
-  - itsdangerous
-  - jinja2
-  - python-multipart
-  - alembic
-  # artifact storage
-  - minio
-  # installer
-  - constructor
-  # CLI
-  - typer
-
-  # dev dependencies
-  - aiohttp>=3.8.1
-  - hatch
-  - pytest
-  - pytest-celery
-  - pytest-mock
-  - black ==22.3.0
-  - flake8
-  - ruff
-  - sphinx
-  - myst-parser
-  - sphinx-panels
-  - sphinx-copybutton
-  - pydata-sphinx-theme
-  - playwright
-  - docker-py<7  # for docker-compose
-  - docker-compose
-  - pip
-
-  - pip:
-      - pytest-playwright
diff --git a/conda-store-server/environment.yaml b/conda-store-server/environment.yaml
index f3b8e40f9..a865ffd32 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/environment.yaml
+++ b/conda-store-server/environment.yaml
@@ -6,33 +6,5 @@ dependencies:
   - python ==3.10
   # conda environment builds
   - conda ==23.5.2
-  - python-docker
-  - conda-docker >= 0.1.2
-  - conda-pack
-  - conda-lock >=1.0.5
-  - conda-package-handling
-  - conda-package-streaming
   # web server
-  - celery
   - flower
-  - redis-py
-  - sqlalchemy<=1.4.47
-  - alembic
-  - psycopg2
-  - pymysql
-  - requests
-  - pyyaml
-  - uvicorn
-  - fastapi
-  - pydantic < 2.0
-  - traitlets
-  - yarl
-  - pyjwt
-  - filelock
-  - itsdangerous
-  - jinja2
-  - python-multipart
-  # artifact storage
-  - minio
-  # installer
-  - constructor
diff --git a/conda-store-server/pyproject.toml b/conda-store-server/pyproject.toml
index c5c3e6093..92c1c5b56 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/pyproject.toml
+++ b/conda-store-server/pyproject.toml
@@ -9,10 +9,14 @@ description = "Conda Environment Management, Builds, and Serve"
 readme = "README.md"
 license = "BSD-3-Clause"
 requires-python = ">=3.8"
-keywords = ["conda"]
+keywords = ["conda", "dependency management", "environment management", "reproducibility"]
 authors = [
   { name = "Christopher Ostrouchov", email = "crhsi.ostrouchov@gmail.com" },
 ]
+maintainers = [{ name = "Tania Allard", email = "trallard@bitsandchips.me" },
+    {name= "Pavithra Eswaramoorthy", email = "pavithraes@outlook.com"},
+    {name="Nikita Karetnikov", email="nkaretnikov@quansight.com"},
+  ]
 classifiers = [
   "Development Status :: 3 - Alpha",
   "Intended Audience :: Developers",
@@ -25,55 +29,77 @@ classifiers = [
   "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11",
   "Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: Only",
 ]
+
+dynamic = ["version"]
+
 dependencies = [
+  # env builds
+  # conda (which cannot be installed via pip see https://github.com/conda/conda/issues/11715)
+  "python-docker",
+  # we need platform dependent dependencies here
   "conda-docker; sys_platform == 'linux'",
+  "conda-lock >=1.0.5",
   "conda-pack",
+  "conda-package-handling",
+  "conda-package-streaming",
+  # web server
+  "alembic",
   "celery",
-  "sqlalchemy",
-  "requests",
   "fastapi",
+  "filelock",
+  "itsdangerous",
+  "jinja2",
+  "pyjwt",
+  "psycopg2-binary",
+  "pymysql",
   "pyyaml",
   "redis",
+  "requests",
   "pydantic<2",
-  "minio",
+  "python-multipart",
+  "sqlalchemy<=1.4.47",
   "traitlets",
-  "pyjwt",
+  "uvicorn",
   "yarl",
-  "filelock",
-  "itsdangerous",
-  "jinja2",
-  "python-multipart",
-  "python-docker"
-  # conda (which should not be included here)
+  # installer
+  "constructor",
+  # artifact storage
+  "minio",
 ]
-dynamic = ["version"]
 
 [project.urls]
 Homepage = "https://conda.store/"
 Source = "https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store"
+Issues = "https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store/issues"
 
 [tool.hatch.version]
 path = "conda_store_server/__init__.py"
 
-[project.optional-dependencies]
-dev = ["build", "twine"]
-
 [tool.hatch.envs.dev]
 dependencies = [
+  "aiohttp>=3.8.1",
+  "build",
+  "docker-compose",
+  "docker-py<7",
+  "flower",
+  "playwright",
   "pre-commit",
-  "sphinx",
-  "myst-parser",
-  "sphinx-panels",
-  "sphinx-copybutton",
-  "pydata-sphinx-theme",
   "pytest",
+  "pytest-celery",
   "pytest-mock",
   "pytest-playwright",
+  "twine>=5.0.0",
+  "pkginfo >= 1.10",
 ]
 
-[tool.hatch.envs.dev.scripts]
+[tool.hatch.envs.lint]
+dependencies = ["pre-commit"]
+
+[tool.hatch.envs.lint.scripts]
 lint = ["pre-commit run --all"]
-unit-test = "pytest tests -v"
+
+[tool.hatch.envs.dev.scripts]
+unit-test = "pytest -m 'not extended_prefix and not user_journey' tests"
 playwright-test = [
   "playwright install",
   "pytest --video on ../tests/test_playwright.py"
@@ -92,7 +118,11 @@ conda-store-worker = "conda_store_server.worker.__main__:main"
 
 [tool.black]
 line-length = 88
-target-version = ['py37', 'py38', 'py39']
+target-version = ['py38', 'py39', 'py310', 'py311', 'py312']
+
+[tool.ruff.lint.isort]
+lines-between-types = 1
+lines-after-imports = 2
 
 [tool.ruff]
 ignore = [
diff --git a/conda-store-server/tests/user_journeys/test_user_journeys.py b/conda-store-server/tests/user_journeys/test_user_journeys.py
index 49584a5f0..a55e93b46 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/tests/user_journeys/test_user_journeys.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/tests/user_journeys/test_user_journeys.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 """User journey tests for the API."""
+
 import os
 
 import pytest
diff --git a/conda-store-server/tests/user_journeys/utils/api_utils.py b/conda-store-server/tests/user_journeys/utils/api_utils.py
index 0a50fd321..5030287de 100644
--- a/conda-store-server/tests/user_journeys/utils/api_utils.py
+++ b/conda-store-server/tests/user_journeys/utils/api_utils.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 """Helper functions for user journeys."""
+
 import time
 import uuid
 from enum import Enum
diff --git a/conda-store/environment.yaml b/conda-store/environment.yaml
index 122cb1d1b..aadebdf6a 100644
--- a/conda-store/environment.yaml
+++ b/conda-store/environment.yaml
@@ -2,19 +2,12 @@ name: conda-store
 channels:
   - conda-forge
 dependencies:
-  - pip
   - jupyterhub<2.0.0
-  - jupyterlab>=3.0.0
+  - jupyterlab>4.0
   - nb_conda_kernels
-  # - nb_conda_store_kernels >=0.1.4
-  - nodejs=16
+  - nodejs=18
   - yarn
-  # conda-store client dependencies
-  - yarl
-  - aiohttp>=3.8.1
-  - rich
-  - click
-  - ruamel.yaml
+  - pip
   - pip:
       - https://github.com/yuvipanda/jupyter-launcher-shortcuts/archive/refs/heads/master.zip
       - jupyterlab-conda-store
diff --git a/conda-store/pyproject.toml b/conda-store/pyproject.toml
index 012a8dded..014a20661 100644
--- a/conda-store/pyproject.toml
+++ b/conda-store/pyproject.toml
@@ -9,12 +9,15 @@ description = "conda-store client"
 readme = "README.md"
 license = "BSD-3-Clause"
 requires-python = ">=3.8"
-keywords = ["conda"]
+keywords = ["conda", "dependency management", "environment management", "reproducibility"]
 authors = [
   { name = "Christopher Ostrouchov", email = "chris.ostrouchov@gmail.com" },
 ]
-maintainers = [{ name = "Tania Allard", email = "trallard@bitsandchips.me" }]
-# TODO: update maintainers
+maintainers = [{ name = "Tania Allard", email = "trallard@bitsandchips.me" },
+    {name= "Pavithra Eswaramoorthy", email = "pavithraes@outlook.com"},
+    {name="Nikita Karetnikov", email="nkaretnikov@quansight.com"},
+  ]
+
 classifiers = [
   "Development Status :: 3 - Alpha",
   "Intended Audience :: Developers",
@@ -31,33 +34,37 @@ classifiers = [
   "Intended Audience :: Science/Research",
   "Intended Audience :: System Administrators",
 ]
-dependencies = ["rich", "click", "yarl", "aiohttp", "ruamel.yaml"]
 dynamic = ["version"]
+dependencies = ["rich",
+  "click",
+  "yarl",
+  "aiohttp>=3.8.1",
+  "ruamel.yaml"]
 
 [project.urls]
 Homepage = "https://conda.store/"
 Source = "https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store"
+Issues = "https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store/issues"
 
 [tool.hatch.version]
 path = "conda_store/__init__.py"
 
-[project.optional-dependencies]
-dev = ["build", "twine"]
-
 [tool.hatch.envs.dev]
 dependencies = [
-  "pre-commit",
-  "sphinx",
-  "myst-parser",
-  "sphinx-panels",
-  "sphinx-copybutton",
-  "pydata-sphinx-theme",
+  "build",
   "pytest",
+  "twine>=5.0.0",
+  "pkginfo >= 1.10",
   "pytest-mock",
 ]
 
-[tool.hatch.envs.dev.scripts]
+[tool.hatch.envs.lint]
+dependencies = ["pre-commit"]
+
+[tool.hatch.envs.lint.scripts]
 lint = ["pre-commit run --all"]
+
+[tool.hatch.envs.dev.scripts]
 test = "pytest tests"
 
 [project.scripts]
@@ -65,10 +72,12 @@ conda-store = "conda_store.__main__:main"
 
 [tool.black]
 line-length = 88
-target-version = ['py38', 'py39', 'py310']
+
+[tool.ruff.lint.isort]
+lines-between-types = 1
+lines-after-imports = 2
 
 [tool.ruff]
 ignore = [
   "E501", # line-length
-
 ]
diff --git a/docusaurus-docs/community/contribute/contribute-code.md b/docusaurus-docs/community/contribute/contribute-code.md
index bdfe2e687..6ac6d29b8 100644
--- a/docusaurus-docs/community/contribute/contribute-code.md
+++ b/docusaurus-docs/community/contribute/contribute-code.md
@@ -5,32 +5,50 @@ description: Contribute to conda-store's codebase
 # Contribute code
 
 :::warning
-This page is in active development, content may be inaccurate and incomplete.
+This page is in active development, content may be inaccurate and incomplete. If you encounter any content that needs improvement, please [create an issue](https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store/issues/new/choose) in our issue tracker.
 :::
 
-## Set up development environment - conda-store-core
+## `conda-store-core`
 
-### Docker (recommended)
+Before setting up your `conda-store-core` development environment you will need to have a local copy of the `conda-store` repository.
 
-Install the following dependencies before developing on conda-store.
+If you are a first-time contributor:
+
+1. Go to [https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store/](https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store/) and click on the **Fork** button in the upper right corner to create your copy of the repository.
+2. Clone the project to your local computer:
+
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://github.com/<your-GH-username>/conda-store/
+   ```
+
+Once you have a local copy of the `conda-store` repository, you can set up your development environment.
+There are two main ways to set up your local environment for development:
+
+- Using [Docker and docker-compose(recommended)](#docker-based-development---conda-store-core)
+- Local development [without Docker](#local-development-without-docker---conda-store-core)
+
+### Docker-based development - conda-store-core
+
+Install the following dependencies before developing on `conda-store`.
 
 - [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/)
 - [docker-compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/)
 
-To deploy `conda-store` run the following command
+To deploy `conda-store` run the following command:
 
-```shell
+```bash
 docker-compose up --build -d
 ```
 
 :::important
-Many of the conda-store docker images are built/tested for amd64(x86-64)
+Many of the conda-store Docker images are built/tested for amd64(x86-64)
 there will be a performance impact when building and running on
-arm architectures. Otherwise, this workflow has been shown to run and build on OSX.
-Notice the `architecture: amd64` within the `docker-compose.yaml` files.
+arm architectures.
+Otherwise, this workflow has been shown to run and build on OSX.
+**Notice** the `architecture: amd64` within the `docker-compose.yaml` files.
 :::
 
-The following resources will be available:
+After running the docker-compose command, the following resources will be available:
 
 | Resource | Localhost port | username | password |
 |----------|----------------|----------|----------|
@@ -40,7 +58,7 @@ The following resources will be available:
 | [PostgreSQL](https://www.postgresql.org/) (database: `conda-store`)| [localhost:5432](http://localhost:5432) | `admin` | `password` |
 | [Redis](https://www.redis.com/) |  [localhost:6379](http://localhost:6379) | - | password |
 
-On a fast machine this deployment should only take 10 or so seconds
+On a fast machine, this deployment should only take 10 or so seconds
 assuming the docker images have been partially built before.
 
 If you are making any changes to `conda-store-server` and would like to see
@@ -51,20 +69,26 @@ docker-compose down -v # not always necessary
 docker-compose up --build
 ```
 
-### Linux
+### Local development without Docker - conda-store-core
 
-1. Install the following dependencies before developing on conda-store:
+You will need to install the following dependencies before developing on `conda-store`:
 
-   - [conda](https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/install/linux.html)
+- [conda](https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/install/index.html)
 
-2. Install the development dependencies and activate the environment:
+1. Install the development dependencies and activate the environment:
 
-```shell
-# replace this with environment-macos-dev.yaml or environment-windows-dev.yaml
-# if you are on Mac or Windows
-conda env create -f conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml
-conda activate conda-store-server-dev
-```
+   ```bash
+   # from the root of the repository
+   conda env create -f conda-store-server/environment-dev.yaml
+   conda activate conda-store-server-dev
+   ```
+
+2. Install the package in editable mode:
+
+   ```bash
+   # from the root of the repository
+   pip install -e ./conda-store-server
+   ```
 
 3. Running `conda-store` in `--standalone` mode launches celery as a
 subprocess of the web server.
@@ -73,50 +97,106 @@ subprocess of the web server.
     python -m conda_store_server.server --standalone
    ```
 
-1. Visit [localhost:8080](http://localhost:8080/)
+4. You should now be able to access the `conda-store` server at [localhost:8080](http://localhost:8080/) from your web browser.
+
+## `conda-store-ui`
 
-## Set up development environment -- conda-store-ui
+Before setting up your `conda-store-ui` development environment you will need to have a local copy of the
+`conda-store-ui` repository.
 
-To get started with conda-store-ui development, there are a couple of options. This guide will help you to set up your local development environment.
+If you are a first-time contributor:
 
-### Prerequisites
+1. Go to [https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store-ui/](https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store-ui/) and click on the **Fork** button in the upper right corner to create your copy of the repository.
+2. Clone the project to your local computer:
+
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://github.com/<your-GH-username>/conda-store-ui/
+   ```
 
-Before setting up conda-store-ui, you must prepare your environment.
+Once you have a local copy of the `conda-store` repository, you can set up your development environment.
+There are two main ways to set up your local environment for development:
 
-We use [Docker Compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/) to set up the infrastructure before starting ensure that you have docker-compose installed. If you need to install docker-compose, please see their [installation documentation](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/)
+- Using [Docker and docker-compose(recommended)](#docker-based-development---conda-store-ui)
+- Local development [without Docker](#local-development-without-docker---conda-store-ui)
 
-1. Clone the [conda-store-ui](https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store-ui.git) repository.
-2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. All default settings should work, but if you want to test against a different version of conda-store-server, you can specify it in the `.env` file by setting the `CONDA_STORE_SERVER_VERSION` variable to the desired version
+### Pre-requisites
 
-### Local Development with conda-store-ui running in Docker
+- [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/download/) >= 18
+- [Yarn](https://classic.yarnpkg.com/lang/en/docs/)
+
+### Docker-based development - conda-store-ui
 
 Running conda-store-ui in Docker is the simplest way to set up your local development environment.
 
-1. Run `yarn run start:docker` to start the entire development stack.
-Open your local browser and go to [http://localhost:8000](http://localhost:8000) so see conda-store-ui.
-3. You can then log in using the default username of `username` and default password of `password`.
+We use [docker-compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/) to set up the infrastructure before starting,
+you must ensure you have docker-compose installed.
+If you need to install docker-compose, please see their [installation documentation](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/).
+
+1. After cloning the repository change to the project directory:
+
+ ```bash
+   # from your command line or terminal
+   cd conda-store-ui
+   ```
+
+2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. All default settings should work, but if you want to test against a different version
+   of `conda-store-server`, you can specify it in the `.env` file by setting the `CONDA_STORE_SERVER_VERSION` variable
+   to the desired version.
+3. Run `yarn run start:docker` to start the entire development stack.
+4. Open your local browser and go to [http://localhost:8000](http://localhost:8000) so see conda-store-ui.
+5. You can then log in using the default username of `username` and default password of `password`.
+
+:::note
+
+Hot reloading is enabled, so when you make changes to source files, your browser will automatically reload
+and reflect the changes.
+
+:::
 
-**Note:** Hot reloading is enabled, so when you make changes to source files, your browser will reload and reflect the changes.
+### Local development without Docker - conda-store-ui
 
-### Local Development without running conda-store-ui in Docker
+:::note
 
 This setup still uses Docker for supporting services but runs conda-store-ui locally.
 
+:::
+
 #### Set up your environment
 
-This project uses [Conda](https://conda.io) for package management. To set up Conda, please see their [installation documentation](https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/install/index.html).
-1. Change to the project root ` cd conda-store-ui`
-2. From the project root create the conda environment `conda env create -f environment_dev.yml`
-3. Activate the development environment `conda activate cs-ui-dev-env`
-4. Install yarn dependencies `yarn install`
+This project uses [conda](https://conda.io) for package management.
+To set up conda, please see their [installation documentation](https://docs.conda.io/projects/conda/en/latest/user-guide/install/index.html).
+
+1. After cloning the repository change to the project directory:
+
+ ```bash
+   # from your command line or terminal
+   cd conda-store-ui
+   ```
+
+2. From the project root create and activate a new conda environment:
+
+   ```bash
+   conda env create -f environment_dev.yml
+   conda activate cs-ui-dev-env
+   ```
+
+3. Install node dependencies:
+
+   ```bash
+   yarn install
+   ```
 
 #### Run the application
 
-1. Run `yarn run start` and wait for the application to finish starting up
-Open your local browser and go to [http://localhost:8000](http://localhost:8000) so see conda-store-ui.
-3. You can then log in using the default username of `username` and default password of `password`.
+1. Run `yarn run start` and wait for the application to spin up.
+Open your local browser and go to [http://localhost:8000](http://localhost:8000).
+2. You can then log in using the default username of `username` and default password of `password`.
+
+:::note
+
+Hot reloading is enabled, so when you make changes to source files, your browser will reload and reflect the changes.
+:::
 
-**Note:** Hot reloading is enabled, so when you make changes to source files, your browser will reload and reflect the changes.
 
 <!-- TODO
 
@@ -126,23 +206,37 @@ Open your local browser and go to [http://localhost:8000](http://localhost:8000)
 
 ## Workflows
 
-### Changes to API
+### Changes to the API
 
-The REST API is considered somewhat stable. If any changes are made to
-the API make sure the update the OpenAPI/Swagger specification in
-`docs/_static/openapi.json`. This may be downloaded from the `/docs`
-endpoint when running conda-store. Ensure that the
-`c.CondaStoreServer.url_prefix` is set to `/` when generating the
-endpoints.
-<!-- TODO -->
+The REST API is considered somewhat stable. If any changes are made to the API make sure the update the OpenAPI/Swagger
+specification in `docs/_static/openapi.json`. This may be downloaded from the `/docs` endpoint when running conda-store.
+Ensure that the `c.CondaStoreServer.url_prefix` is set to `/` when generating the endpoints.
 
-## Workflows
+### Adding new dependencies to the libraries
+
+### `conda-store-core`
+
+Runtime-required dependencies should be added to the `pyproject.toml` file:
+
+- `conda-store-server/pyproject.toml`
+- `conda-store/pyproject.toml`
+
+Development dependencies should be added to both the `environment-dev.yaml` and `pyproject.toml` files.
 
-### Changes to API
+This will ensure that conda-store distributions are properly built and tested with the correct dependencies.
+
+### `conda-store-ui`
+
+Dependencies should be added to the [`package.json`](https://github.com/conda-incubator/conda-store-ui/blob/main/package.json) file.
+
+### Linting and formatting
+
+We use pre-commit hooks to ensure that code is formatted and linted before being committed.
+To install the pre-commit hooks, run:
+
+```bash
+pre-commit install --install-hooks
+```
 
-The REST API is considered somewhat stable. If any changes are made to
-the API make sure the update the OpenAPI/Swagger specification in
-`docs/_static/openapi.json`. This may be downloaded from the `/docs`
-endpoint when running conda-store. Ensure that the
-`c.CondaStoreServer.url_prefix` is set to `/` when generating the
-endpoints.
+Now every time you commit, the pre-commit hooks will run and check your code.
+We also use [pre-commit.ci](https://pre-commit.com/) to automatically run the pre-commit hooks on every Pull Requests.
diff --git a/docusaurus-docs/conda-store/introduction.md b/docusaurus-docs/conda-store/introduction.md
index dfbe5d7f0..59dbb4e87 100644
--- a/docusaurus-docs/conda-store/introduction.md
+++ b/docusaurus-docs/conda-store/introduction.md
@@ -9,11 +9,29 @@ description: Introduction to conda-store (core) documentation
 The [`conda-store` repository on GitHub][conda-store-repo] consists of two separate, yet related, packages:
 
 - **`conda-store-server`**: web server and workers that together provide the `conda-store` "service" through a REST API
-- **`conda-store`** (client): a client which interacts with the service to offer user-facing command line interface
+- **`conda-store`** (client): a client that interacts with the service to offer a user-facing command line interface
 
-## Quickstart
+## Pre-requisites
 
-1. Install conda-store with `conda` or `pip`:
+- Python `3.8` or later
+- `conda`, if installing from scratch we recommend you install [`miniforge`](https://github.com/conda-forge/miniforge) or [`miniconda`](https://docs.anaconda.com/free/miniconda/miniconda-install/).
+
+:::warning
+
+`conda` is a hard requirement for `conda-store` and since it is not `pip` installable you need to have `conda` installed separately.
+
+:::
+
+## Quick start
+
+1. Create and activate a new `conda` environment:
+
+```bash
+conda create -n conda-store-env python=<Python version of choice>
+conda activate conda-store-env
+```
+
+2. Install `conda-store` with `conda` or `pip`:
 
 import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs';
 import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
@@ -25,26 +43,29 @@ import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem';
 ```bash
 conda install -c conda-forge conda-store conda-store-server
 ```
+
 </TabItem>
 
 <TabItem value="pip" label="pip" default>
 
 ```bash
-pip install conda-store conda-store-server
+# note that we still recommend you use conda to create an environment
+python -m pip install conda-store conda-store-server
 ```
+
 </TabItem>
 
 </Tabs>
 
-2. Start a standalone local instance and use the conda-store UI
+3. Start a standalone local instance and use the `conda-store` UI
 
 ```bash
 conda-store-server  --standalone
 ```
 
-You can then access conda-store at `localhost:8080` of the machine running it.
+You can then access `conda-store` at `localhost:8080` of the machine running it.
 
-3. Use the CLI
+4. Use the CLI
 
 ```bash
 conda-store --help
diff --git a/tests/test_api.py b/tests/test_api.py
index 9583249b1..d5f4aded2 100644
--- a/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/tests/test_api.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 ordering for tests.
 
 """
+
 import asyncio
 import collections
 import datetime