From f267a85327edc61b911881f7396728634580821d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 13:51:41 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 01/15] Remove build-requirements

---
 .github/workflows/ccpp.yml         | 7 +++----
 .github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml   | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/macos.yml        | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/windows.yml      | 3 +--
 README.md                          | 2 +-
 docker/Dockerfile.end-user         | 2 +-
 python/README.md                   | 2 +-
 python/build-requirements.txt      | 4 ----
 python/doc/source/installation.rst | 2 +-
 python/pyproject.toml              | 1 -
 10 files changed, 10 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-)
 delete mode 100644 python/build-requirements.txt

diff --git a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
index 71de2b0bf66..9f64121bccf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
@@ -93,8 +93,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: "3.12"
 
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
-        run: |
-          pip -v install --upgrade -r python/build-requirements.txt
+        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
@@ -187,7 +186,7 @@ jobs:
         run: cat .github/workflows/fenicsx-refs.env >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
-        run: pip install -r python/build-requirements.txt
+        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
@@ -294,7 +293,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
-          pip install -r python/build-requirements.txt
+          run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.basix_repository }}.git@${{ env.basix_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ffcx_repository }}.git@${{ env.ffcx_ref }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml b/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
index 175b7e1fd26..cd5cff70ac6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           apt-get update
           apt-get install -y clang-tidy catch2
-          pip install -r python/build-requirements.txt
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Load environment variables
         run: cat .github/workflows/fenicsx-refs.env >> $GITHUB_ENV
diff --git a/.github/workflows/macos.yml b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
index fd96c6c67a2..849136f117e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/macos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build and install DOLFINx Python interface
         run: |
-          pip install -r python/build-requirements.txt
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation 'python/[test]'
 
       - name: Basic test
diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows.yml b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
index f439017f100..d4a6911d713 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
@@ -144,8 +144,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
-        run: |
-          pip -v install --no-binary mpi4py -r build-requirements.txt
+        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx (Python)
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f2955b59173..63bdf1fed6a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ To install the Python interface, first install the C++ core, and then in
 the `python/` directory run:
 
 ```shell
-pip install -r build-requirements.txt
+python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation .
 ```
 
diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile.end-user b/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
index 8942553c144..b915d3c1daf 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ ONBUILD ARG DOLFINX_CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE="Release"
 # Using pip install `.[test]` with --no-dependencies and --no-build-isolation
 # does not install necessary packages, hence install build and optional
 # dependencies manually here.
-ONBUILD RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -r dolfinx/python/build-requirements.txt && \
+ONBUILD RUN python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install && \
             pip install --no-cache-dir pyamg pytest scipy matplotlib numba # test + optional set
 
 # The dolfinx-onbuild container expects to have folders basix/ ufl/
diff --git a/python/README.md b/python/README.md
index 446911e9e68..a77e3530de7 100644
--- a/python/README.md
+++ b/python/README.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Below is guidance for building the DOLFINx Python interface.
 
 2. Ensure the Python interface build requirements are installed:
 
-          pip install -r build-requirements.txt
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
 3. Build DOLFINx Python interface:
 
diff --git a/python/build-requirements.txt b/python/build-requirements.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index 5c54a707e1f..00000000000
--- a/python/build-requirements.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,4 +0,0 @@
-nanobind>=2.5.0
-scikit-build-core[pyproject]>=0.10
-mpi4py
-setuptools
diff --git a/python/doc/source/installation.rst b/python/doc/source/installation.rst
index d6663fae380..c661c08cf52 100644
--- a/python/doc/source/installation.rst
+++ b/python/doc/source/installation.rst
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ Python
 After installation of the C++ interface, from the ``python/`` directory
 the Python interface can be installed using::
 
-    pip install -r build-requirements.txt
+    python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
     pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation .
 
 
diff --git a/python/pyproject.toml b/python/pyproject.toml
index cbc80c2abed..39228e84e12 100644
--- a/python/pyproject.toml
+++ b/python/pyproject.toml
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 # system built petsc4py and mpi4py.
 # NOTE: petsc4py is an optional build dependency, therefore we don't
 # list it here.
-# pip install -r build-requirements.txt
 [build-system]
 requires = ["scikit-build-core[pyproject]>=0.10", "nanobind>=2.5.0", "mpi4py"]
 build-backend = "scikit_build_core.build"

From fb77acf37cb23c9a5d4ab038f8f7d0685f1d683c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: =?UTF-8?q?Paul=20T=2E=20K=C3=BChner?=
 <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 13:53:12 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 02/15] Apply suggestion from @schnellerhase

---
 .github/workflows/ccpp.yml | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
index 9f64121bccf..fafc1fda7e6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
-          run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.basix_repository }}.git@${{ env.basix_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ffcx_repository }}.git@${{ env.ffcx_ref }}

From e660d3493410c9c5039599f9428952414cf9290f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 14:09:05 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 03/15] Fine tune

---
 .github/workflows/ccpp.yml       | 7 ++++++-
 .github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml | 5 ++++-
 .github/workflows/windows.yml    | 4 +++-
 docker/Dockerfile.end-user       | 3 ++-
 4 files changed, 15 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
index fafc1fda7e6..795ac657c3b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: "3.12"
 
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
+        working-directory: python
         run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
@@ -186,6 +187,7 @@ jobs:
         run: cat .github/workflows/fenicsx-refs.env >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
+        working-directory: python
         run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
@@ -291,9 +293,12 @@ jobs:
       - name: Load environment variables
         run: cat .github/workflows/fenicsx-refs.env >> $GITHUB_ENV
 
+      - name: Install Python build dependencies
+        working-directory: python
+        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.basix_repository }}.git@${{ env.basix_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ffcx_repository }}.git@${{ env.ffcx_ref }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml b/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
index cd5cff70ac6..4e1df9b6301 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
@@ -33,7 +33,10 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           apt-get update
           apt-get install -y clang-tidy catch2
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+        
+      - name: Install Python build dependencies
+        working-directory: python
+        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Load environment variables
         run: cat .github/workflows/fenicsx-refs.env >> $GITHUB_ENV
diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows.yml b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
index d4a6911d713..ca6ee51fe76 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
@@ -144,7 +144,9 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
-        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+        run: | 
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          pip install --no-binary mpi4py
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx (Python)
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile.end-user b/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
index b915d3c1daf..3de08dda699 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
@@ -71,7 +71,8 @@ ONBUILD ARG DOLFINX_CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE="Release"
 # Using pip install `.[test]` with --no-dependencies and --no-build-isolation
 # does not install necessary packages, hence install build and optional
 # dependencies manually here.
-ONBUILD RUN python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install && \
+ONBUILD RUN cd dolfinx/python &&
+            python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install --no-cache-dir && \
             pip install --no-cache-dir pyamg pytest scipy matplotlib numba # test + optional set
 
 # The dolfinx-onbuild container expects to have folders basix/ ufl/

From e48f6ace1f915010399fc2bad985d2afef8c6881 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 14:16:42 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 04/15] Install scikit before

---
 .github/workflows/ccpp.yml       | 12 +++++++++---
 .github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml |  4 +++-
 docker/Dockerfile.end-user       |  1 +
 3 files changed, 13 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
index 795ac657c3b..12c33eabfde 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
@@ -94,7 +94,9 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
         working-directory: python
-        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+        run: |
+          pip install scikit-build-core
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
@@ -188,7 +190,9 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
         working-directory: python
-        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+        run: |
+          pip install scikit-build-core
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
@@ -295,7 +299,9 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
         working-directory: python
-        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+        run: |
+          pip install scikit-build-core
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml b/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
index 4e1df9b6301..24eae060b1a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
@@ -36,7 +36,9 @@ jobs:
         
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
         working-directory: python
-        run: python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+        run: |
+          pip install scikit-build-core
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Load environment variables
         run: cat .github/workflows/fenicsx-refs.env >> $GITHUB_ENV
diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile.end-user b/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
index 3de08dda699..edfb3d7c8ba 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ ONBUILD ARG DOLFINX_CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE="Release"
 # does not install necessary packages, hence install build and optional
 # dependencies manually here.
 ONBUILD RUN cd dolfinx/python &&
+            pip install --no-cache-dir scikit-build-core && 
             python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install --no-cache-dir && \
             pip install --no-cache-dir pyamg pytest scipy matplotlib numba # test + optional set
 

From 9de6d0579aa44fb4f6ac451a9877ddfd22a85142 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: =?UTF-8?q?Paul=20T=2E=20K=C3=BChner?=
 <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 14:22:03 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 05/15] Apply suggestions from code review

---
 .github/workflows/ccpp.yml         | 6 +++---
 .github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml   | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/macos.yml        | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/windows.yml      | 2 +-
 README.md                          | 2 +-
 docker/Dockerfile.end-user         | 2 +-
 python/README.md                   | 2 +-
 python/doc/source/installation.rst | 2 +-
 8 files changed, 10 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
index 12c33eabfde..4f868e827e2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: python
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: python
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: python
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml b/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
index 24eae060b1a..6f2f363a978 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/clang-tidy.yml
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: python
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Load environment variables
         run: cat .github/workflows/fenicsx-refs.env >> $GITHUB_ENV
diff --git a/.github/workflows/macos.yml b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
index 849136f117e..08886ca84ca 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/macos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build and install DOLFINx Python interface
         run: |
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation 'python/[test]'
 
       - name: Basic test
diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows.yml b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
index ca6ee51fe76..02d44f6387a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
         run: | 
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --no-binary mpi4py
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx (Python)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 63bdf1fed6a..4fa399ce4ba 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ To install the Python interface, first install the C++ core, and then in
 the `python/` directory run:
 
 ```shell
-python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation .
 ```
 
diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile.end-user b/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
index edfb3d7c8ba..ebbbe32a855 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile.end-user
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ ONBUILD ARG DOLFINX_CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE="Release"
 # dependencies manually here.
 ONBUILD RUN cd dolfinx/python &&
             pip install --no-cache-dir scikit-build-core && 
-            python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install --no-cache-dir && \
+            python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install --no-cache-dir && \
             pip install --no-cache-dir pyamg pytest scipy matplotlib numba # test + optional set
 
 # The dolfinx-onbuild container expects to have folders basix/ ufl/
diff --git a/python/README.md b/python/README.md
index a77e3530de7..ddba8333a3a 100644
--- a/python/README.md
+++ b/python/README.md
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Below is guidance for building the DOLFINx Python interface.
 
 2. Ensure the Python interface build requirements are installed:
 
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
 3. Build DOLFINx Python interface:
 
diff --git a/python/doc/source/installation.rst b/python/doc/source/installation.rst
index c661c08cf52..27d063fdfc7 100644
--- a/python/doc/source/installation.rst
+++ b/python/doc/source/installation.rst
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ Python
 After installation of the C++ interface, from the ``python/`` directory
 the Python interface can be installed using::
 
-    python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(', '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+    python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
     pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation .
 
 

From 7dbc438ecfb75effa0bd8dc0f60160e31c228461 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 14:31:09 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 06/15] Align build dependencies

---
 python/pyproject.toml | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/python/pyproject.toml b/python/pyproject.toml
index 39228e84e12..87c271506d3 100644
--- a/python/pyproject.toml
+++ b/python/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 # NOTE: petsc4py is an optional build dependency, therefore we don't
 # list it here.
 [build-system]
-requires = ["scikit-build-core[pyproject]>=0.10", "nanobind>=2.5.0", "mpi4py"]
+requires = ["scikit-build-core[pyproject]>=0.10", "nanobind>=2.5.0", "mpi4py", "setuptools"]
 build-backend = "scikit_build_core.build"
 
 [project]

From 7429c54c961fa41c64b48f8152f27ad3d8d966e5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: =?UTF-8?q?Paul=20T=2E=20K=C3=BChner?=
 <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 14:55:56 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 07/15] Apply suggestions from code review

---
 .github/workflows/macos.yml   | 1 +
 .github/workflows/windows.yml | 3 ++-
 2 files changed, 3 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/macos.yml b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
index 08886ca84ca..be983709ad7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/macos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build and install DOLFINx Python interface
         run: |
+          pip install scikit-build-core
           python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation 'python/[test]'
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows.yml b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
index 02d44f6387a..a3d487e3b69 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
@@ -144,7 +144,8 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
-        run: | 
+        run: |
+           pip install scikit-build-core
           python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --no-binary mpi4py
 

From 02feca24bb59634a1e69774b3bceceae96a7c587 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: =?UTF-8?q?Paul=20T=2E=20K=C3=BChner?=
 <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:20:20 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 08/15] Apply suggestions from code review

---
 .github/workflows/macos.yml   | 1 +
 .github/workflows/windows.yml | 2 +-
 2 files changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/macos.yml b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
index be983709ad7..a6f2c3c56f2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/macos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ jobs:
           mpiexec -np 3 ctest -V --output-on-failure -R unittests
 
       - name: Build and install DOLFINx Python interface
+        working-directory: python
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
           python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows.yml b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
index a3d487e3b69..d0c0f2cf0e3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
         run: |
-           pip install scikit-build-core
+          pip install scikit-build-core
           python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
           pip install --no-binary mpi4py
 

From 505e340339e6e468891edcf31f584eace2e6a39f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: =?UTF-8?q?Paul=20T=2E=20K=C3=BChner?=
 <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:51:30 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 09/15] Update .github/workflows/macos.yml

---
 .github/workflows/macos.yml | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/macos.yml b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
index a6f2c3c56f2..20df2e5c283 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/macos.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/macos.yml
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
           python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
-          pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation 'python/[test]'
+          pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation './[test]'
 
       - name: Basic test
         run: |

From a06f6331e188ca8723f985ab35c0fc649de4e0ad Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: =?UTF-8?q?Paul=20T=2E=20K=C3=BChner?=
 <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 17:36:45 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 10/15] Apply suggestions from code review

---
 README.md        | 1 +
 python/README.md | 1 +
 2 files changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4fa399ce4ba..93cb18af8bf 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ To install the Python interface, first install the C++ core, and then in
 the `python/` directory run:
 
 ```shell
+pip install scikit-build-core
 python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 pip install --check-build-dependencies --no-build-isolation .
 ```
diff --git a/python/README.md b/python/README.md
index ddba8333a3a..282724a142f 100644
--- a/python/README.md
+++ b/python/README.md
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ Below is guidance for building the DOLFINx Python interface.
 
 2. Ensure the Python interface build requirements are installed:
 
+          pip install scikit-build-core
           python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
 3. Build DOLFINx Python interface:

From 608e318ac0f1b74a47915cba26a9892fae8a347b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 18:14:55 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 11/15] Fix windows?

---
 .github/workflows/windows.yml | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows.yml b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
index d0c0f2cf0e3..2ffa2829ea6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
-          python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
+          python -m pip install (python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | Out-String | ConvertFrom-Json)
           pip install --no-binary mpi4py
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx (Python)

From 212c8b43b53fa99b1663e5943fdf212ebfc92e3d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 18:30:11 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 12/15] Step by step

---
 .github/workflows/windows.yml | 8 ++++++++
 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows.yml b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
index 2ffa2829ea6..4421c51c3ad 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
@@ -146,7 +146,15 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
+
+      - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
+        working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
+        run: |
           python -m pip install (python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | Out-String | ConvertFrom-Json)
+          
+      - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
+        working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
+        run: |
           pip install --no-binary mpi4py
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx (Python)

From ed4f125e436a20b3599e9bbf2719dbe7e1a19b45 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 18:43:43 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 13/15] Found?

---
 .github/workflows/windows.yml | 11 +----------
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/windows.yml b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
index 4421c51c3ad..d1e1c545236 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/windows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/windows.yml
@@ -146,16 +146,7 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
         run: |
           pip install scikit-build-core
-
-      - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
-        working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
-        run: |
-          python -m pip install (python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | Out-String | ConvertFrom-Json)
-          
-      - name: Install DOLFINx Python build dependencies
-        working-directory: dolfinx-src/python
-        run: |
-          pip install --no-binary mpi4py
+          python -m pip install --no-binary mpi4py (python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | Out-String | ConvertFrom-Json)
 
       - name: Install DOLFINx (Python)
         working-directory: dolfinx-src/python

From 003ea1a2f3381d254d5ebcb87d6d54784e0aa340 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:35:12 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 14/15] Remove build dependency setuptools, ufl install without
 build isolation

---
 .github/workflows/ccpp.yml | 6 +++---
 python/pyproject.toml      | 2 +-
 2 files changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
index 96835364400..d66cad38519 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
-          pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
+          pip install git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.basix_repository }}.git@${{ env.basix_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ffcx_repository }}.git@${{ env.ffcx_ref }}
 
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
-          pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
+          pip install git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.basix_repository }}.git@${{ env.basix_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ffcx_repository }}.git@${{ env.ffcx_ref }}
 
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
         run: |
-          pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
+          pip install git+https://github.com/${{ env.ufl_repository }}.git@${{ env.ufl_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.basix_repository }}.git@${{ env.basix_ref }}
           pip install --no-build-isolation git+https://github.com/${{ env.ffcx_repository }}.git@${{ env.ffcx_ref }}
 
diff --git a/python/pyproject.toml b/python/pyproject.toml
index 112921dd148..0d5587dcae7 100644
--- a/python/pyproject.toml
+++ b/python/pyproject.toml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 # NOTE: petsc4py is an optional build dependency, therefore we don't
 # list it here.
 [build-system]
-requires = ["scikit-build-core[pyproject]>=0.10", "nanobind>=2.5.0", "mpi4py", "setuptools"]
+requires = ["scikit-build-core[pyproject]>=0.10", "nanobind>=2.5.0", "mpi4py"]
 build-backend = "scikit_build_core.build"
 
 [project]

From 8ef50e79e62881cbd106fcd678f3fffe827dad85 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: schnellerhase <56360279+schnellerhase@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:45:45 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 15/15] Add install to CI

---
 .github/workflows/ccpp.yml | 4 ++--
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
index d66cad38519..fefe785875b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ccpp.yml
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
         working-directory: python
         run: |
-          pip install scikit-build-core
+          pip install scikit-build-core setuptools
           python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install Python build dependencies
         working-directory: python
         run: |
-          pip install scikit-build-core
+          pip install scikit-build-core setuptools
           python -m scikit_build_core.build requires | python -c "import sys, json; print(' '.join(json.load(sys.stdin)))" | xargs pip install
 
       - name: Install FEniCS Python components