From 11639a41ac198036e209af916b897de2763d0b23 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:23:55 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 01/18] Add unused variable check to flake8, use vulture for
 unreachable code

---
 .github/workflows/check_code.yml | 25 ++++++++++++-------------
 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+), 13 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
index d0e8b2ffb9b..ed4282ee8ae 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-name: Flake8 check
+name: Code quality checks
 on: [pull_request]
 jobs:
-    flake8_unused_imports:
+    linters:
         runs-on: ubuntu-latest
         steps:
             - name: Check out repository
@@ -10,14 +10,13 @@ jobs:
               uses: actions/setup-python@v4
               with:
                   python-version: 3.11
-            - name: Install flake8
-              run: pip install flake8
-            - name: Checking executables for unused imports
-              run: flake8 --select=F401 $(find bin -type f -name pycbc_*)
-            - name: Checking modules for unused imports
-              run: |
-                flake8 --select=F401 $(find pycbc | grep '\.py$' | grep -v -e __init__ -e 'version.py')
-            - name: Checking tests for unused imports
-              run: |
-                flake8 --select=F401 $(find test | grep '\.py$' | grep -v test_schemes)
-
+            - name: Install linters
+              run: pip install flake8 vulture
+            - name: Checking executables for unused imports and variables
+              run: find bin -type f -name "pycbc_*" | xargs flake8 --select=F401,F841
+            - name: Checking modules for unused imports and variables
+              run: flake8 pycbc --select=F401,F841 --exclude="__init__.py,version.py"
+            - name: Checking tests for unused imports and variables
+              run: flake8 test --select=F401,F841 --exclude="*test_schemes*"
+            - name: Checking for unused code
+              run: vulture pycbc --min-confidence 100

From c40595a4d72abe1b1bbe8189227fdb9d2cda43d8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:30:30 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 02/18] Make changes to workflo files, add workflow defaults so
 that there is a single source of truth, and do some syntax cleanup

---
 .github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml |  5 +-
 .github/workflows/check_code.yml             | 42 +++++----
 .github/workflows/distribution.yml           | 53 ++++++------
 .github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml     |  5 +-
 .github/workflows/mac-test.yml               | 64 +++++++-------
 .github/workflows/search-workflow.yml        |  5 +-
 .github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml     | 91 ++++++++++----------
 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml      | 40 +++++++++
 .github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml         |  4 +-
 pycbc/__init__.py                            |  2 +-
 10 files changed, 186 insertions(+), 125 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml

diff --git a/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
index d97b22ed798..3727dc21e84 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
+  workflow_defaults:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
+    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     timeout-minutes: 90
     steps:
@@ -15,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
     - name: install condor
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
index ed4282ee8ae..097363f9b0f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
@@ -1,22 +1,26 @@
 name: Code quality checks
 on: [pull_request]
 jobs:
-    linters:
-        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-        steps:
-            - name: Check out repository
-              uses: actions/checkout@v3
-            - name: Set up Python
-              uses: actions/setup-python@v4
-              with:
-                  python-version: 3.11
-            - name: Install linters
-              run: pip install flake8 vulture
-            - name: Checking executables for unused imports and variables
-              run: find bin -type f -name "pycbc_*" | xargs flake8 --select=F401,F841
-            - name: Checking modules for unused imports and variables
-              run: flake8 pycbc --select=F401,F841 --exclude="__init__.py,version.py"
-            - name: Checking tests for unused imports and variables
-              run: flake8 test --select=F401,F841 --exclude="*test_schemes*"
-            - name: Checking for unused code
-              run: vulture pycbc --min-confidence 100
+  workflow_defaults:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
+
+  linters:
+    needs: workflow_defaults
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Check out repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+        with:
+          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+      - name: Install linters
+        run: pip install flake8 vulture
+      - name: Checking executables for unused imports and variables
+        run: find bin -type f -name "pycbc_*" | xargs flake8 --select=F401,F841
+      - name: Checking modules for unused imports and variables
+        run: flake8 pycbc --select=F401,F841 --exclude="__init__.py,version.py"
+      - name: Checking tests for unused imports and variables
+        run: flake8 test --select=F401,F841 --exclude="*test_schemes*"
+      - name: Checking for unused code
+        run: vulture pycbc --min-confidence 100
diff --git a/.github/workflows/distribution.yml b/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
index eacb2ccb071..50c5c52739a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
@@ -7,8 +7,11 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
+  workflow_defaults:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build_wheels:
     name: Build wheels on ${{ matrix.os }}
+    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     strategy:
       matrix:
@@ -20,7 +23,7 @@ jobs:
           fetch-depth: 0
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: '3.11'
+          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
       - name: Install cibuildwheel
         run: python -m pip install cibuildwheel
       - name: Build wheels
@@ -37,28 +40,28 @@ jobs:
   deploy_pypi:
     name: Package and publish to PyPI
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
-    needs: build_wheels
+    needs: [build_wheels, workflow_defaults]
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      with:
-        fetch-depth: 0
-    - name: Set up Python
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
-      with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
-    - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4.1.7
-      with:
-        pattern: wheel-*
-        merge-multiple: true
-        path: dist/
-    - name: Build source distribution
-      run: |
-        python -c 'import setuptools ; print("setuptools version", setuptools.__version__)'
-        pip install pip setuptools --upgrade
-        python setup.py sdist
-        ls -lh dist
-    - name: Publish to PyPI
-      if: github.event_name == 'push' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags')
-      uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@76f52bc884231f62b9a034ebfe128415bbaabdfc # v1.12.4
-      with:
-        password: ${{ secrets.pypi_password }}
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+      - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4.1.7
+        with:
+          pattern: wheel-*
+          merge-multiple: true
+          path: dist/
+      - name: Build source distribution
+        run: |
+          python -c 'import setuptools ; print("setuptools version", setuptools.__version__)'
+          pip install pip setuptools --upgrade
+          python setup.py sdist
+          ls -lh dist
+      - name: Publish to PyPI
+        if: github.event_name == 'push' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags')
+        uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@76f52bc884231f62b9a034ebfe128415bbaabdfc # v1.12.4
+        with:
+          password: ${{ secrets.pypi_password }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
index 0db7289855f..5bc7955deeb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
@@ -3,14 +3,17 @@ name: run small inference workflow using pegasus + condor
 on: [push, pull_request]
 
 jobs:
+  workflow_defaults:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
+    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v1
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
     - name: install condor
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mac-test.yml b/.github/workflows/mac-test.yml
index cbe7b6c0c8d..22b5028cdfc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mac-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mac-test.yml
@@ -24,35 +24,35 @@ jobs:
         shell: bash -el {0}
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v1
-
-    - name: Cache conda packages
-      uses: actions/cache@v4
-      env:
-        # increment to reset cache
-        CACHE_NUMBER: 0
-      with:
-        path: ~/conda_pkgs_dir
-        key: ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ matrix.python-version}}-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}
-
-    - name: Configure conda
-      uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
-      with:
-        activate-environment: test
-        channels: conda-forge
-        miniforge-version: latest
-        python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
-
-    - name: Conda info
-      run: conda info --all
-
-    - name: Install tox
-      run: |
-        conda install \
-            pip \
-            setuptools \
-            tox
-
-    - name: Run basic pycbc test suite
-      run: |
-        tox -e py-unittest
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+
+      - name: Cache conda packages
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        env:
+          # increment to reset cache
+          CACHE_NUMBER: 0
+        with:
+          path: ~/conda_pkgs_dir
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ matrix.python-version}}-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}
+
+      - name: Configure conda
+        uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
+        with:
+          activate-environment: test
+          channels: conda-forge
+          miniforge-version: latest
+          python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Conda info
+        run: conda info --all
+
+      - name: Install tox
+        run: |
+          conda install \
+              pip \
+              setuptools \
+              tox
+
+      - name: Run basic pycbc test suite
+        run: |
+          tox -e py-unittest
diff --git a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
index f3771636c28..51d4cb49bcf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
+  workflow_defaults:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
+    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     timeout-minutes: 90
     env:
@@ -17,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
     - name: install condor
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
index 87b10f561d4..95a1631c229 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
@@ -7,51 +7,54 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
+  workflow_defaults:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
+    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v1
-    - name: Set up Python
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
-      with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
-    - name: install condor
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
-        sudo systemctl start condor
-        sudo systemctl enable condor
-    - name: install pegasus
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
-    - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
-    - name: Install pycbc
-      run: |
-        python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
-        pip install GitPython # This shouldn't really be needed!
-        pip install -r requirements.txt
-        pip install sbank
-        pip install .
-    - name: generating, submitting and running workflow
-      env:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+      - name: install condor
+        run: |
+          wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
+          echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+          echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+          sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
+          sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
+          sudo systemctl start condor
+          sudo systemctl enable condor
+      - name: install pegasus
+        run: |
+          wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
+          echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+          sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
+          sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
+      - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
+      - name: Install pycbc
+        run: |
+          python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
+          pip install GitPython # This shouldn't really be needed!
+          pip install -r requirements.txt
+          pip install sbank
+          pip install .
+      - name: generating, submitting and running workflow
+        env:
           _CONDOR_DAGMAN_USE_STRICT: "0"
-      run: |
-        cp examples/tmpltbank/bank_workflow_test/*.ini ./
-        bash -e examples/tmpltbank/bank_workflow_test/gen.sh
-        condor_status
-        cd output
-        ./status
-        python ../examples/search/check_job.py
-        find submitdir/work/ -type f -name '*.tar.gz' -delete
-    - name: store log files
-      if: always()
-      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
-      with:
-        name: logs
-        path: output/submitdir/work
+        run: |
+          cp examples/tmpltbank/bank_workflow_test/*.ini ./
+          bash -e examples/tmpltbank/bank_workflow_test/gen.sh
+          condor_status
+          cd output
+          ./status
+          python ../examples/search/check_job.py
+          find submitdir/work/ -type f -name '*.tar.gz' -delete
+      - name: store log files
+        if: always()
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: logs
+          path: output/submitdir/work
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c374ab55291
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+# Provide default values used across workflows.
+# Add new defaults (inputs) here and expose them as outputs so other
+# workflows can consume them via `needs.<job>.outputs.<name>`.
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      python-version:
+        description: 'Default Python version for workflows'
+        required: false
+        default: '3.11'
+      runner:
+        description: 'Default runner for jobs'
+        required: false
+        default: 'ubuntu-latest'
+      cache-deps:
+        description: 'Enable dependency caching ("true"/"false")'
+        required: false
+        default: 'true'
+    outputs:
+      python-version:
+        description: 'Python version string to use in workflows'
+      runner:
+        description: 'Runner to use for jobs'
+      cache-deps:
+        description: 'Whether dependency caching is enabled'
+
+jobs:
+  provide:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      python-version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python-version }}
+      runner: ${{ steps.set.outputs.runner }}
+      cache-deps: ${{ steps.set.outputs.cache-deps }}
+    steps:
+      - id: set
+        run: |
+          # Export inputs as outputs via GITHUB_OUTPUT so other jobs can use them
+          echo "python-version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "runner=${{ inputs.runner }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "cache-deps=${{ inputs.cache-deps }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
index dde087ae20c..40ace766b03 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
+  workflow_defaults:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     strategy:
@@ -19,7 +21,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: '3.11'
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
     - name: install condor
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
diff --git a/pycbc/__init__.py b/pycbc/__init__.py
index 70437aff46a..bf76c0a9fae 100644
--- a/pycbc/__init__.py
+++ b/pycbc/__init__.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class LogFormatter(logging.Formatter):
     """
     converter = dt.fromtimestamp
 
-    def formatTime(self, record, datefmt=None):
+    def formatTime(self, record, datefmt=None):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
         ct = self.converter(record.created).astimezone()
         t = ct.strftime("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S")
         s = f"{t}.{int(record.msecs):03d}"

From c8a49fc613312afdcc7767ec925a14401b4df5af Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:37:10 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 03/18] revert distribution.yml to have explicit versions

---
 .github/workflows/distribution.yml | 10 ++++------
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/distribution.yml b/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
index 50c5c52739a..aa04ee8c5f7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
@@ -7,11 +7,9 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
-  workflow_defaults:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build_wheels:
     name: Build wheels on ${{ matrix.os }}
-    needs: workflow_defaults
+    # explicit python version for reproducible builds
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     strategy:
       matrix:
@@ -23,7 +21,7 @@ jobs:
           fetch-depth: 0
       - uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+          python-version: '3.11'
       - name: Install cibuildwheel
         run: python -m pip install cibuildwheel
       - name: Build wheels
@@ -40,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
   deploy_pypi:
     name: Package and publish to PyPI
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
-    needs: [build_wheels, workflow_defaults]
+    needs: [build_wheels]
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:
@@ -48,7 +46,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+          python-version: '3.11'
       - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4.1.7
         with:
           pattern: wheel-*

From 1c78d4d8d4784f802125ef3b6c784dc2cebebf73 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:47:12 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 04/18] Remove cache default

---
 .github/workflows/basic-tests.yml       |  4 ++++
 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml | 19 +++----------------
 2 files changed, 7 insertions(+), 16 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
index 79294148ab8..73eee467cc4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,11 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
+  workflow_defaults:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
+
   build:
+    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     strategy:
       max-parallel: 60
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
index c374ab55291..9f158d726f0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
@@ -8,33 +8,20 @@ on:
         description: 'Default Python version for workflows'
         required: false
         default: '3.11'
-      runner:
-        description: 'Default runner for jobs'
-        required: false
-        default: 'ubuntu-latest'
-      cache-deps:
-        description: 'Enable dependency caching ("true"/"false")'
-        required: false
-        default: 'true'
     outputs:
       python-version:
         description: 'Python version string to use in workflows'
-      runner:
-        description: 'Runner to use for jobs'
-      cache-deps:
-        description: 'Whether dependency caching is enabled'
+      
 
 jobs:
   provide:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       python-version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python-version }}
-      runner: ${{ steps.set.outputs.runner }}
-      cache-deps: ${{ steps.set.outputs.cache-deps }}
+      
     steps:
       - id: set
         run: |
           # Export inputs as outputs via GITHUB_OUTPUT so other jobs can use them
           echo "python-version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-          echo "runner=${{ inputs.runner }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-          echo "cache-deps=${{ inputs.cache-deps }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          

From 5fca205bba3e2752d869675adc8e351fb63b5492 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:55:47 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 05/18] revert un-needed changes

---
 .github/workflows/distribution.yml | 3 +--
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/distribution.yml b/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
index aa04ee8c5f7..8e146859548 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ concurrency:
 jobs:
   build_wheels:
     name: Build wheels on ${{ matrix.os }}
-    # explicit python version for reproducible builds
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     strategy:
       matrix:
@@ -38,7 +37,7 @@ jobs:
   deploy_pypi:
     name: Package and publish to PyPI
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
-    needs: [build_wheels]
+    needs: build_wheels
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
         with:

From a42a0ff3d6aba161bfeec1eadef4a58978e2f1c7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:59:30 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 06/18] Fix the workflow defaults job

---
 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml | 2 ++
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
index 9f158d726f0..384b2988d58 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
@@ -7,10 +7,12 @@ on:
       python-version:
         description: 'Default Python version for workflows'
         required: false
+        type: string
         default: '3.11'
     outputs:
       python-version:
         description: 'Python version string to use in workflows'
+        value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.python-version }}
       
 
 jobs:

From a7804cebc3bdc67b83142d7570d356d4482b0b7f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:05:27 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 07/18] Fail only on unused imports, report on unused variables

---
 .github/workflows/check_code.yml | 42 +++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
 1 file changed, 33 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
index 097363f9b0f..a3113aa6443 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
@@ -15,12 +15,36 @@ jobs:
         with:
           python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
       - name: Install linters
-        run: pip install flake8 vulture
-      - name: Checking executables for unused imports and variables
-        run: find bin -type f -name "pycbc_*" | xargs flake8 --select=F401,F841
-      - name: Checking modules for unused imports and variables
-        run: flake8 pycbc --select=F401,F841 --exclude="__init__.py,version.py"
-      - name: Checking tests for unused imports and variables
-        run: flake8 test --select=F401,F841 --exclude="*test_schemes*"
-      - name: Checking for unused code
-        run: vulture pycbc --min-confidence 100
+        run: pip install flake8 vulture pylint
+
+      - name: Check executables for unused imports (fail)
+        run: |
+          find bin -type f -name 'pycbc_*' -print0 | xargs -0 flake8 --select=F401
+
+      - name: Check executables for unused variables (report)
+        run: |
+          find bin -type f -name 'pycbc_*' -print0 | xargs -0 flake8 --select=F841 || true
+
+      - name: Check modules for unused imports (fail)
+        run: flake8 pycbc --select=F401 --exclude="__init__.py,version.py"
+
+      - name: Check modules for unused variables (report)
+        run: flake8 pycbc --select=F841 --exclude="__init__.py,version.py" || true
+
+      - name: Check tests for unused imports (fail)
+        run: flake8 test --select=F401 --exclude="*test_schemes*"
+
+      - name: Check tests for unused variables (report)
+        run: flake8 test --select=F841 --exclude="*test_schemes*" || true
+
+      - name: Check for unreachable code (fail)
+        run: |
+          # Run pylint only for unreachable code. Disable all other messages.
+          python -m pylint --disable=all --enable=unreachable pycbc || true
+          # pylint exits with non-zero when messages are emitted; fail if any found
+          if python -m pylint --disable=all --enable=unreachable pycbc | grep -q "unreachable"; then
+            echo "Unreachable code found by pylint"; exit 1
+          fi
+
+      - name: Checking for unused codes
+        run: vulture pycbc --min-confidence 100 || true

From da405a65afffb7a4d0379999b4b49da3c83e60ca Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:09:31 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 08/18] Revert to previously-working test syntax

---
 .github/workflows/check_code.yml | 24 ++++++++++--------------
 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
index a3113aa6443..bbcd319be7e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
@@ -18,25 +18,21 @@ jobs:
         run: pip install flake8 vulture pylint
 
       - name: Check executables for unused imports (fail)
-        run: |
-          find bin -type f -name 'pycbc_*' -print0 | xargs -0 flake8 --select=F401
-
+        run: flake8 --select=F401 $(find bin -type f -name pycbc_*)
       - name: Check executables for unused variables (report)
-        run: |
-          find bin -type f -name 'pycbc_*' -print0 | xargs -0 flake8 --select=F841 || true
-
+        run: flake8 --select=F841 $(find bin -type f -name pycbc_*) || true
       - name: Check modules for unused imports (fail)
-        run: flake8 pycbc --select=F401 --exclude="__init__.py,version.py"
-
+        run: |
+          flake8 --select=F401 $(find pycbc | grep '\.py$' | grep -v -e __init__ -e 'version.py')
       - name: Check modules for unused variables (report)
-        run: flake8 pycbc --select=F841 --exclude="__init__.py,version.py" || true
-
+        run: |
+          flake8 --select=F841 $(find pycbc | grep '\.py$' | grep -v -e __init__ -e 'version.py') || true
       - name: Check tests for unused imports (fail)
-        run: flake8 test --select=F401 --exclude="*test_schemes*"
-
+        run: |
+          flake8 --select=F401 $(find test | grep '\.py$' | grep -v test_schemes)
       - name: Check tests for unused variables (report)
-        run: flake8 test --select=F841 --exclude="*test_schemes*" || true
-
+        run: |
+          flake8 --select=F841 $(find test | grep '\.py$' | grep -v test_schemes) || true
       - name: Check for unreachable code (fail)
         run: |
           # Run pylint only for unreachable code. Disable all other messages.

From f098f98c25b9db925c6481a4b88d472a69995282 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:12:48 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 09/18] Remove unreachable code so that tests can actually pass

---
 .github/workflows/check_code.yml | 16 ++++++++--------
 pycbc/distributions/joint.py     |  1 -
 pycbc/scheme.py                  |  1 -
 3 files changed, 8 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
index bbcd319be7e..980f351842c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
@@ -17,23 +17,23 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install linters
         run: pip install flake8 vulture pylint
 
-      - name: Check executables for unused imports (fail)
+      - name: Check executables for unused imports
         run: flake8 --select=F401 $(find bin -type f -name pycbc_*)
-      - name: Check executables for unused variables (report)
+      - name: Check executables for unused variables (report only)
         run: flake8 --select=F841 $(find bin -type f -name pycbc_*) || true
-      - name: Check modules for unused imports (fail)
+      - name: Check modules for unused imports
         run: |
           flake8 --select=F401 $(find pycbc | grep '\.py$' | grep -v -e __init__ -e 'version.py')
-      - name: Check modules for unused variables (report)
+      - name: Check modules for unused variables (report only)
         run: |
           flake8 --select=F841 $(find pycbc | grep '\.py$' | grep -v -e __init__ -e 'version.py') || true
-      - name: Check tests for unused imports (fail)
+      - name: Check tests for unused imports
         run: |
           flake8 --select=F401 $(find test | grep '\.py$' | grep -v test_schemes)
-      - name: Check tests for unused variables (report)
+      - name: Check tests for unused variables (report only)
         run: |
           flake8 --select=F841 $(find test | grep '\.py$' | grep -v test_schemes) || true
-      - name: Check for unreachable code (fail)
+      - name: Check for unreachable code
         run: |
           # Run pylint only for unreachable code. Disable all other messages.
           python -m pylint --disable=all --enable=unreachable pycbc || true
@@ -42,5 +42,5 @@ jobs:
             echo "Unreachable code found by pylint"; exit 1
           fi
 
-      - name: Checking for unused codes
+      - name: Checking for unused codes (report only)
         run: vulture pycbc --min-confidence 100 || true
diff --git a/pycbc/distributions/joint.py b/pycbc/distributions/joint.py
index 920d91cdca9..d766198ddab 100644
--- a/pycbc/distributions/joint.py
+++ b/pycbc/distributions/joint.py
@@ -186,7 +186,6 @@ def _return_atomic(params):
             return True
         elif isinstance(params, numpy.ndarray):
             return False
-            params = params.view(type=FieldArray)
         elif isinstance(params, FieldArray):
             return False
         else:
diff --git a/pycbc/scheme.py b/pycbc/scheme.py
index 9d27d146792..bc32db80e38 100644
--- a/pycbc/scheme.py
+++ b/pycbc/scheme.py
@@ -382,7 +382,6 @@ def __getitem__(self, scheme):
         for base in scheme.__mro__[0:-1]:
             try:
                 return dict.__getitem__(self, base)
-                break
             except:
                 pass
 

From 44e3f08cb9314ac93e04838938f91b21ef009f13 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 13:17:26 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 10/18] Copilot says that the defaults code won't work, it
 seems to work but let's go along with it this for safety

---
 .github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/check_code.yml             | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml     | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/search-workflow.yml        | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml     | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml      | 8 ++++----
 .github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml         | 2 +-
 7 files changed, 10 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
index 3727dc21e84..2c2515c66aa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
     - name: install condor
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
index 980f351842c..7e3d99ca09e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v4
         with:
-          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
       - name: Install linters
         run: pip install flake8 vulture pylint
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
index 5bc7955deeb..2d7b6df5a17 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
     - name: install condor
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
diff --git a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
index 51d4cb49bcf..88555d7e34d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
     - name: install condor
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
index 95a1631c229..7e9556306cd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Set up Python
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
         with:
-          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
       - name: install condor
         run: |
           wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
index 384b2988d58..9ddcd90e5a8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
@@ -10,20 +10,20 @@ on:
         type: string
         default: '3.11'
     outputs:
-      python-version:
+      python_version:
         description: 'Python version string to use in workflows'
-        value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.python-version }}
+        value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.python_version }}
       
 
 jobs:
   provide:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
-      python-version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python-version }}
+      python_version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python_version }}
       
     steps:
       - id: set
         run: |
           # Export inputs as outputs via GITHUB_OUTPUT so other jobs can use them
-          echo "python-version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "python_version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
index 40ace766b03..5d0c0b2e2e0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python-version }}
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
     - name: install condor
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -

From 882b5e25424ea448d438e1bc2badbf82acfe39de Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:31:33 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 11/18] Add caching to the search workflow

---
 .github/workflows/search-workflow.yml | 20 +++++++++++++++++++
 examples/search/get.sh                | 28 ++++++++++++++++++++++++---
 2 files changed, 45 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
index 88555d7e34d..477ae455ae2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
@@ -17,6 +17,26 @@ jobs:
       PEGASUS_METRICS: 'false'
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+    - name: Restore LAL auxiliary data cache
+      id: restore-lal
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        key: lal-aux-data
+        path: |
+          ~/lal_aux_data
+
+    - name: Restore example GW data cache for search example
+      id: restore-example-gw
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        key: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
+        path: |
+          examples/search
+
+    - name: list restored example files
+      run: |
+        echo "Restored files in examples/search:"
+        ls -la examples/search || true
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
diff --git a/examples/search/get.sh b/examples/search/get.sh
index ec4bd98635a..eb5e0e3c4aa 100644
--- a/examples/search/get.sh
+++ b/examples/search/get.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,28 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 set -e
 
-wget -nv https://dcc.ligo.org/public/0146/P1700341/001/H-H1_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1186740069-3584.gwf
-wget -nv https://dcc.ligo.org/public/0146/P1700341/001/L-L1_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1186740069-3584.gwf
-wget -nv https://dcc.ligo.org/public/0146/P1700341/001/V-V1_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1186739813-4096.gwf
+# List of frame files used by the example
+FILES=(
+	"H-H1_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1186740069-3584.gwf"
+	"L-L1_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1186740069-3584.gwf"
+	"V-V1_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1186739813-4096.gwf"
+)
+
+for f in "${FILES[@]}"; do
+	# If file is already in current working directory, skip
+	if [ -f "./$f" ]; then
+		echo "Found $f in working directory; skipping download."
+		continue
+	fi
+
+	# If file is present in examples/search (i.e. the cache), then copy it
+	if [ -f "examples/search/$f" ]; then
+		echo "Found $f in examples/search (cache); copying."
+		cp "examples/search/$f" ./
+		continue
+	fi
+
+	# Otherwise, download from the DCC
+	echo "Downloading $f from DCC..."
+	wget -nv "https://dcc.ligo.org/public/0146/P1700341/001/$f"
+done

From 42e05d14a38c03b328b9984663c7739a3ce5b446 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:33:41 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 12/18] Add file caching to the shared workflow defaults

---
 .github/workflows/basic-tests.yml       | 40 +++----------------
 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml | 51 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 56 insertions(+), 35 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
index 73eee467cc4..0b7642c3341 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ jobs:
   build:
     needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    env:
+      LAL_DATA_PATH: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.lal_data_path }}
     strategy:
       max-parallel: 60
       matrix:
@@ -30,51 +32,19 @@ jobs:
         sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
         sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* mpi intel-mkl* graphviz
         pip install tox pip setuptools --upgrade
-    - name: Cache LAL auxiliary data files
-      id: cache-lal-aux-data
-      uses: actions/cache@v4
-      with:
-        key: lal-aux-data
-        path: ~/lal_aux_data
-    - if: ${{ steps.cache-lal-aux-data.outputs.cache-hit != 'true' }}
-      name: Download LAL auxiliary data files
-      run: |
-        mkdir ~/lal_aux_data
-        pushd ~/lal_aux_data
-        curl --show-error --silent \
-          --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v2.0.hdf5 \
-          --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v3.0.hdf5
-        popd
-    - name: Cache example GW data
-      id: cache-example-gw-data
-      uses: actions/cache@v4
-      with:
-        key: example-gw-data
-        path: |
-          docs/_include/*_TDI_v2.gwf
-          docs/_include/*_GWOSC_4KHZ_R1-1126257415-4096.gwf
-          docs/_include/*_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1187007040-2048.gwf
-          examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/*_psd.txt
-          examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/*_TDI_v2.gwf
-          examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/MBHB_params_v2_LISA_frame.pkl
-          examples/inference/margtime/*.gwf
-          examples/inference/multisignal/*.gwf
-          examples/inference/relative/*.gwf
-          examples/inference/relmarg/*.gwf
-          examples/inference/single/*.gwf
+    # LAL and example GW data are provided by the reusable workflow `workflow-defaults`
+    # and exposed via `needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.lal_data_path` and
+    # `needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.example_gw_cache_key`.
     - name: run pycbc test suite
       run: |
-        export LAL_DATA_PATH=$HOME/lal_aux_data
         tox -e py-${{matrix.test-type}}
     - name: check help messages work
       if: matrix.test-type == 'unittest'
       run: |
-        export LAL_DATA_PATH=$HOME/lal_aux_data
         tox -e py-help
     - name: run inference tests
       if: matrix.test-type == 'search'
       run: |
-        export LAL_DATA_PATH=$HOME/lal_aux_data
         tox -e py-inference
     - name: store documentation page
       if: matrix.test-type == 'docs' && matrix.python-version == '3.12'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
index 9ddcd90e5a8..44c6caee09b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,12 @@ on:
       python_version:
         description: 'Python version string to use in workflows'
         value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.python_version }}
+      lal_data_path:
+        description: 'Path where LAL auxiliary data is cached on the runner'
+        value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.lal_data_path }}
+      example_gw_cache_key:
+        description: 'Cache key used for example GW data (useful when restoring cache)'
+        value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
       
 
 jobs:
@@ -20,10 +26,55 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
       python_version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python_version }}
+      lal_data_path: ${{ steps.set_paths.outputs.lal_data_path }}
+      example_gw_cache_key: ${{ steps.set_paths.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
       
     steps:
       - id: set
         run: |
           # Export inputs as outputs via GITHUB_OUTPUT so other jobs can use them
           echo "python_version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+      - name: Cache LAL auxiliary data files
+        id: cache-lal-aux-data
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          key: lal-aux-data
+          path: ~/lal_aux_data
+
+      - if: ${{ steps.cache-lal-aux-data.outputs.cache-hit != 'true' }}
+        name: Download LAL auxiliary data files
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p ~/lal_aux_data
+          pushd ~/lal_aux_data
+          curl --show-error --silent \
+            --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v2.0.hdf5 \
+            --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v3.0.hdf5
+          popd
+
+      - name: Cache example GW data
+        id: cache-example-gw-data
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          key: example-gw-data
+          path: |
+            docs/_include/*_TDI_v2.gwf
+            docs/_include/*_GWOSC_4KHZ_R1-1126257415-4096.gwf
+            docs/_include/*_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1187007040-2048.gwf
+            examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/*_psd.txt
+            examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/*_TDI_v2.gwf
+            examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/MBHB_params_v2_LISA_frame.pkl
+            examples/inference/margtime/*.gwf
+            examples/inference/multisignal/*.gwf
+            examples/inference/relative/*.gwf
+            examples/inference/relmarg/*.gwf
+            examples/inference/single/*.gwf
+            examples/search/*.gwf
+
+      - id: set_paths
+        name: Set path outputs for cached data
+        run: |
+          # Expose the LAL data path and cache key so callers can reference them
+          echo "lal_data_path=$HOME/lal_aux_data" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo "example_gw_cache_key=example-gw-data" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           

From 040009a53b6af5d78d8fbd81f91757ea16f55198 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:55:51 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 13/18] remove comment

---
 .github/workflows/basic-tests.yml | 3 ---
 1 file changed, 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
index 0b7642c3341..e01b12261f6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@ jobs:
         sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
         sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* mpi intel-mkl* graphviz
         pip install tox pip setuptools --upgrade
-    # LAL and example GW data are provided by the reusable workflow `workflow-defaults`
-    # and exposed via `needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.lal_data_path` and
-    # `needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.example_gw_cache_key`.
     - name: run pycbc test suite
       run: |
         tox -e py-${{matrix.test-type}}

From 554b8a20d69adc7f44627ab6145cffa4a102caf6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:43:50 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 14/18] remove unrelated changes

---
 pycbc/__init__.py            | 2 +-
 pycbc/distributions/joint.py | 1 +
 pycbc/scheme.py              | 1 +
 3 files changed, 3 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/pycbc/__init__.py b/pycbc/__init__.py
index bf76c0a9fae..70437aff46a 100644
--- a/pycbc/__init__.py
+++ b/pycbc/__init__.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class LogFormatter(logging.Formatter):
     """
     converter = dt.fromtimestamp
 
-    def formatTime(self, record, datefmt=None):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
+    def formatTime(self, record, datefmt=None):
         ct = self.converter(record.created).astimezone()
         t = ct.strftime("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S")
         s = f"{t}.{int(record.msecs):03d}"
diff --git a/pycbc/distributions/joint.py b/pycbc/distributions/joint.py
index d766198ddab..920d91cdca9 100644
--- a/pycbc/distributions/joint.py
+++ b/pycbc/distributions/joint.py
@@ -186,6 +186,7 @@ def _return_atomic(params):
             return True
         elif isinstance(params, numpy.ndarray):
             return False
+            params = params.view(type=FieldArray)
         elif isinstance(params, FieldArray):
             return False
         else:
diff --git a/pycbc/scheme.py b/pycbc/scheme.py
index bc32db80e38..9d27d146792 100644
--- a/pycbc/scheme.py
+++ b/pycbc/scheme.py
@@ -382,6 +382,7 @@ def __getitem__(self, scheme):
         for base in scheme.__mro__[0:-1]:
             try:
                 return dict.__getitem__(self, base)
+                break
             except:
                 pass
 

From 8827a5abd429bdfe715aa9796c712e74c502d5d3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:08:00 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 15/18] copilot siuggestions / yaml should supposedly have this
 at the start of each file

---
 .github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml |  1 +
 .github/workflows/basic-tests.yml            |  9 +-
 .github/workflows/build_venv.yml             |  1 +
 .github/workflows/check_code.yml             | 61 +++++---------
 .github/workflows/distribution.yml           | 46 +++++-----
 .github/workflows/docker-build.yml           |  1 +
 .github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml     |  1 +
 .github/workflows/mac-test.yml               | 66 +++++++--------
 .github/workflows/search-workflow.yml        |  2 +-
 .github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml     | 89 ++++++++++----------
 .github/workflows/tut-test.yml               |  7 +-
 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml      | 19 +++--
 .github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml         |  1 +
 examples/search/get.sh                       |  2 +
 14 files changed, 151 insertions(+), 155 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
index 2c2515c66aa..2714dc7ff72 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 name: compress waveforms into a bank using pegasus + condor
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
index e01b12261f6..acd81ab68cf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 name: basic tests
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
@@ -19,14 +20,14 @@ jobs:
       max-parallel: 60
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
-        python-version: ['3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_version: ['3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
         test-type: [unittest, search, docs]
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-    - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+    - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python_version }}
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+        python-version: ${{ matrix.python_version }}
     - name: installing system packages
       run: |
         sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ jobs:
       run: |
         tox -e py-inference
     - name: store documentation page
-      if: matrix.test-type == 'docs' && matrix.python-version == '3.12'
+      if: matrix.test-type == 'docs' && matrix.python_version == '3.12'
       uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
       with:
         name: documentation-page
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_venv.yml b/.github/workflows/build_venv.yml
index 6336f84f52e..18bcd62b03d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_venv.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_venv.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 name: build the LVK virtualenv
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
index 7e3d99ca09e..af354c0ac12 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
@@ -1,46 +1,27 @@
-name: Code quality checks
+---
+name: Flake8 check
 on: [pull_request]
 jobs:
   workflow_defaults:
     uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
 
-  linters:
-    needs: workflow_defaults
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - name: Check out repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@v3
-      - name: Set up Python
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v4
-        with:
-          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
-      - name: Install linters
-        run: pip install flake8 vulture pylint
+    flake8_unused_imports:
+        runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+        steps:
+            - name: Check out repository
+              uses: actions/checkout@v3
+            - name: Set up Python
+              uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+              with:
+                  python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
+            - name: Install flake8
+              run: pip install flake8
+            - name: Checking executables for unused imports
+              run: flake8 --select=F401 $(find bin -type f -name pycbc_*)
+            - name: Checking modules for unused imports
+              run: |
+                flake8 --select=F401 $(find pycbc | grep '\.py$' | grep -v -e __init__ -e 'version.py')
+            - name: Checking tests for unused imports
+              run: |
+                flake8 --select=F401 $(find test | grep '\.py$' | grep -v test_schemes)
 
-      - name: Check executables for unused imports
-        run: flake8 --select=F401 $(find bin -type f -name pycbc_*)
-      - name: Check executables for unused variables (report only)
-        run: flake8 --select=F841 $(find bin -type f -name pycbc_*) || true
-      - name: Check modules for unused imports
-        run: |
-          flake8 --select=F401 $(find pycbc | grep '\.py$' | grep -v -e __init__ -e 'version.py')
-      - name: Check modules for unused variables (report only)
-        run: |
-          flake8 --select=F841 $(find pycbc | grep '\.py$' | grep -v -e __init__ -e 'version.py') || true
-      - name: Check tests for unused imports
-        run: |
-          flake8 --select=F401 $(find test | grep '\.py$' | grep -v test_schemes)
-      - name: Check tests for unused variables (report only)
-        run: |
-          flake8 --select=F841 $(find test | grep '\.py$' | grep -v test_schemes) || true
-      - name: Check for unreachable code
-        run: |
-          # Run pylint only for unreachable code. Disable all other messages.
-          python -m pylint --disable=all --enable=unreachable pycbc || true
-          # pylint exits with non-zero when messages are emitted; fail if any found
-          if python -m pylint --disable=all --enable=unreachable pycbc | grep -q "unreachable"; then
-            echo "Unreachable code found by pylint"; exit 1
-          fi
-
-      - name: Checking for unused codes (report only)
-        run: vulture pycbc --min-confidence 100 || true
diff --git a/.github/workflows/distribution.yml b/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
index 8e146859548..eacb2ccb071 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/distribution.yml
@@ -39,26 +39,26 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     needs: build_wheels
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-        with:
-          fetch-depth: 0
-      - name: Set up Python
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
-        with:
-          python-version: '3.11'
-      - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4.1.7
-        with:
-          pattern: wheel-*
-          merge-multiple: true
-          path: dist/
-      - name: Build source distribution
-        run: |
-          python -c 'import setuptools ; print("setuptools version", setuptools.__version__)'
-          pip install pip setuptools --upgrade
-          python setup.py sdist
-          ls -lh dist
-      - name: Publish to PyPI
-        if: github.event_name == 'push' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags')
-        uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@76f52bc884231f62b9a034ebfe128415bbaabdfc # v1.12.4
-        with:
-          password: ${{ secrets.pypi_password }}
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      with:
+        fetch-depth: 0
+    - name: Set up Python
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      with:
+        python-version: '3.11'
+    - uses: actions/download-artifact@v4.1.7
+      with:
+        pattern: wheel-*
+        merge-multiple: true
+        path: dist/
+    - name: Build source distribution
+      run: |
+        python -c 'import setuptools ; print("setuptools version", setuptools.__version__)'
+        pip install pip setuptools --upgrade
+        python setup.py sdist
+        ls -lh dist
+    - name: Publish to PyPI
+      if: github.event_name == 'push' && startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags')
+      uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@76f52bc884231f62b9a034ebfe128415bbaabdfc # v1.12.4
+      with:
+        password: ${{ secrets.pypi_password }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
index fa7136f9a68..d03de544667 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 name: docker build
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
index 2d7b6df5a17..722866bff1a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 name: run small inference workflow using pegasus + condor
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mac-test.yml b/.github/workflows/mac-test.yml
index 22b5028cdfc..dd71eae29f0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mac-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mac-test.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
       max-parallel: 4
       matrix:
         os: [macos-latest]
-        python-version:
+        python_version:
           - '3.11'
           - '3.12'
           - '3.13'
@@ -24,35 +24,35 @@ jobs:
         shell: bash -el {0}
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v1
-
-      - name: Cache conda packages
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
-        env:
-          # increment to reset cache
-          CACHE_NUMBER: 0
-        with:
-          path: ~/conda_pkgs_dir
-          key: ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ matrix.python-version}}-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}
-
-      - name: Configure conda
-        uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
-        with:
-          activate-environment: test
-          channels: conda-forge
-          miniforge-version: latest
-          python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
-
-      - name: Conda info
-        run: conda info --all
-
-      - name: Install tox
-        run: |
-          conda install \
-              pip \
-              setuptools \
-              tox
-
-      - name: Run basic pycbc test suite
-        run: |
-          tox -e py-unittest
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+
+    - name: Cache conda packages
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      env:
+        # increment to reset cache
+        CACHE_NUMBER: 0
+      with:
+        path: $HOME/conda_pkgs_dir
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ matrix.python_version}}-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}
+
+    - name: Configure conda
+      uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@v3
+      with:
+        activate-environment: test
+        channels: conda-forge
+        miniforge-version: latest
+        python-version: ${{ matrix.python_version }}
+
+    - name: Conda info
+      run: conda info --all
+
+    - name: Install tox
+      run: |
+        conda install \
+            pip \
+            setuptools \
+            tox
+
+    - name: Run basic pycbc test suite
+      run: |
+        tox -e py-unittest
diff --git a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
index 477ae455ae2..3117326af70 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ jobs:
       with:
         key: lal-aux-data
         path: |
-          ~/lal_aux_data
+          $HOME/lal_aux_data
 
     - name: Restore example GW data cache for search example
       id: restore-example-gw
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
index 7e9556306cd..1a20238acdc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 name: run small template bank generation using pegasus + condor
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
@@ -13,48 +14,48 @@ jobs:
     needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v1
-      - name: Set up Python
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
-        with:
-          python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
-      - name: install condor
-        run: |
-          wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
-          echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-          echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-          sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-          sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
-          sudo systemctl start condor
-          sudo systemctl enable condor
-      - name: install pegasus
-        run: |
-          wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
-          echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-          sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-          sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
-      - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
-      - name: Install pycbc
-        run: |
-          python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
-          pip install GitPython # This shouldn't really be needed!
-          pip install -r requirements.txt
-          pip install sbank
-          pip install .
-      - name: generating, submitting and running workflow
-        env:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+    - name: Set up Python
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      with:
+        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
+    - name: install condor
+      run: |
+        wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
+        echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+        echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
+        sudo systemctl start condor
+        sudo systemctl enable condor
+    - name: install pegasus
+      run: |
+        wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
+        echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
+    - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
+    - name: Install pycbc
+      run: |
+        python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
+        pip install GitPython # This shouldn't really be needed!
+        pip install -r requirements.txt
+        pip install sbank
+        pip install .
+    - name: generating, submitting and running workflow
+      env:
           _CONDOR_DAGMAN_USE_STRICT: "0"
-        run: |
-          cp examples/tmpltbank/bank_workflow_test/*.ini ./
-          bash -e examples/tmpltbank/bank_workflow_test/gen.sh
-          condor_status
-          cd output
-          ./status
-          python ../examples/search/check_job.py
-          find submitdir/work/ -type f -name '*.tar.gz' -delete
-      - name: store log files
-        if: always()
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
-        with:
-          name: logs
-          path: output/submitdir/work
+      run: |
+        cp examples/tmpltbank/bank_workflow_test/*.ini ./
+        bash -e examples/tmpltbank/bank_workflow_test/gen.sh
+        condor_status
+        cd output
+        ./status
+        python ../examples/search/check_job.py
+        find submitdir/work/ -type f -name '*.tar.gz' -delete
+    - name: store log files
+      if: always()
+      uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      with:
+        name: logs
+        path: output/submitdir/work
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tut-test.yml b/.github/workflows/tut-test.yml
index 4f021152cf3..e9bc05b0c0b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tut-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tut-test.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 name: tutorial tests
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
@@ -13,13 +14,13 @@ jobs:
       max-parallel: 60
       matrix:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
-        python-version: ['3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_version: ['3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-    - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+    - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python_version }}
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+        python-version: ${{ matrix.python_version }}
     - name: installing packages
       run: |
         sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
index 44c6caee09b..a3e7fabb408 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 # Provide default values used across workflows.
 # Add new defaults (inputs) here and expose them as outputs so other
 # workflows can consume them via `needs.<job>.outputs.<name>`.
@@ -19,7 +20,7 @@ on:
       example_gw_cache_key:
         description: 'Cache key used for example GW data (useful when restoring cache)'
         value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
-      
+
 
 jobs:
   provide:
@@ -28,26 +29,30 @@ jobs:
       python_version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python_version }}
       lal_data_path: ${{ steps.set_paths.outputs.lal_data_path }}
       example_gw_cache_key: ${{ steps.set_paths.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
-      
+
     steps:
       - id: set
         run: |
           # Export inputs as outputs via GITHUB_OUTPUT so other jobs can use them
           echo "python_version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
       - name: Cache LAL auxiliary data files
         id: cache-lal-aux-data
         uses: actions/cache@v4
         with:
           key: lal-aux-data
-          path: ~/lal_aux_data
+          path: $HOME/lal_aux_data
 
       - if: ${{ steps.cache-lal-aux-data.outputs.cache-hit != 'true' }}
         name: Download LAL auxiliary data files
         run: |
-          mkdir -p ~/lal_aux_data
-          pushd ~/lal_aux_data
-          curl --show-error --silent \
+          mkdir -p $HOME/lal_aux_data
+          pushd $HOME/lal_aux_data
+          # Retry transient network errors up to 3 times with a short delay
+          curl --show-error --silent --fail --retry 3 --retry-delay 5 --retry-connrefused \
             --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v2.0.hdf5 \
             --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v3.0.hdf5
           popd
@@ -77,4 +82,4 @@ jobs:
           # Expose the LAL data path and cache key so callers can reference them
           echo "lal_data_path=$HOME/lal_aux_data" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           echo "example_gw_cache_key=example-gw-data" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-          
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
index 5d0c0b2e2e0..ecaaf077e54 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+---
 name: run generic example workflow tests
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
diff --git a/examples/search/get.sh b/examples/search/get.sh
index eb5e0e3c4aa..5901b12bae5 100644
--- a/examples/search/get.sh
+++ b/examples/search/get.sh
@@ -25,4 +25,6 @@ for f in "${FILES[@]}"; do
 	# Otherwise, download from the DCC
 	echo "Downloading $f from DCC..."
 	wget -nv "https://dcc.ligo.org/public/0146/P1700341/001/$f"
+	# Copy into the cache folder
+	cp $f examples/search/
 done

From b5c309fa87f3804db201839e5ce854772bf3179a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:21:16 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 16/18] use actions for single source of truth

---
 .github/actions/defaults/action.yml           | 20 +++++
 .../install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml       | 22 +++++
 .../actions/install-system-deps/action.yml    | 14 +++
 .github/actions/populate-caches/action.yml    | 79 +++++++++++++++++
 .github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml  | 29 ++-----
 .github/workflows/basic-tests.yml             | 16 ++--
 .github/workflows/build_venv.yml              |  1 -
 .github/workflows/check_code.yml              |  9 +-
 .github/workflows/docker-build.yml            |  1 -
 .github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml      | 29 ++-----
 .github/workflows/search-workflow.yml         | 48 ++---------
 .github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml      | 29 ++-----
 .github/workflows/tut-test.yml                |  7 +-
 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml       | 85 -------------------
 .github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml          | 28 ++----
 15 files changed, 189 insertions(+), 228 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 .github/actions/defaults/action.yml
 create mode 100644 .github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml
 create mode 100644 .github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml
 create mode 100644 .github/actions/populate-caches/action.yml
 delete mode 100644 .github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml

diff --git a/.github/actions/defaults/action.yml b/.github/actions/defaults/action.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..09ffc877caf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/defaults/action.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+name: Defaults
+description: "Composite action that exposes default values for workflows (e.g., python_version)."
+
+inputs:
+  python-version:
+    description: "Default Python version to use in workflows"
+    required: false
+    default: '3.11'
+
+runs:
+  using: composite
+  steps:
+    - id: set
+      run: |
+        echo "python_version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+outputs:
+  python_version:
+    description: "Python version string"
+    value: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python_version }}
diff --git a/.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml b/.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..24d198e3a57
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+name: Install HTCondor and Pegasus
+description: "Composite action to install HTCondor and Pegasus on Ubuntu runners."
+runs:
+  using: "composite"
+  steps:
+    - name: Install HTCondor
+      run: |
+        wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
+        echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+        echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install -y minihtcondor
+        # systemd may not be available in all runners, ignore failures when enabling
+        sudo systemctl start condor || true
+        sudo systemctl enable condor || true
+
+    - name: Install Pegasus
+      run: |
+        wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
+        echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install -y pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
diff --git a/.github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml b/.github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..26a365c12ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+name: Install system packages
+description: "Composite action to install common system packages (fftw3, intel-mkl, mpi, graphviz) on Ubuntu runners."
+
+runs:
+  using: 'composite'
+  steps:
+    - name: Update apt
+      run: |
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
+
+    - name: Install system packages
+      run: |
+        set -euxo pipefail
+        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install -y *fftw3* intel-mkl* mpi graphviz
diff --git a/.github/actions/populate-caches/action.yml b/.github/actions/populate-caches/action.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c36b16851a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/populate-caches/action.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+name: Populate caches (LAL aux + example GW data)
+description: "Composite action that restores LAL auxiliary data and example GW data caches and downloads missing files."
+
+runs:
+  using: "composite"
+  steps:
+    - name: Restore LAL auxiliary data cache
+      id: restore-lal-aux
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        key: lal-aux-data
+        path: $HOME/lal_aux_data
+
+    - name: Download LAL auxiliary data files on miss
+      if: ${{ steps.restore-lal-aux.outputs.cache-hit != 'true' }}
+      run: |
+        mkdir -p $HOME/lal_aux_data
+        pushd $HOME/lal_aux_data
+        curl --show-error --silent --fail --retry 3 --retry-delay 5 --retry-connrefused \
+          --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v2.0.hdf5 \
+          --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v3.0.hdf5
+        popd
+
+    - name: Restore example GW data cache
+      name: Populate caches (LAL aux + example GW data)
+      description: "Composite action that restores LAL auxiliary data and example GW data caches and downloads missing files."
+
+      runs:
+        using: "composite"
+        steps:
+          - name: Restore LAL auxiliary data cache
+            id: restore-lal-aux
+            uses: actions/cache@v4
+            with:
+              key: lal-aux-data
+              path: $HOME/lal_aux_data
+
+          - name: Download LAL auxiliary data files on miss
+            if: ${{ steps.restore-lal-aux.outputs.cache-hit != 'true' }}
+            run: |
+              mkdir -p $HOME/lal_aux_data
+              pushd $HOME/lal_aux_data
+              curl --show-error --silent --fail --retry 3 --retry-delay 5 --retry-connrefused \
+                --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v2.0.hdf5 \
+                --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v3.0.hdf5
+              popd
+
+          - name: Restore example GW data cache
+            id: restore-example-gw
+            uses: actions/cache@v4
+            with:
+              key: example-gw-data
+              path: |
+                docs/_include/*_TDI_v2.gwf
+                docs/_include/*_GWOSC_4KHZ_R1-1126257415-4096.gwf
+                docs/_include/*_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1187007040-2048.gwf
+                examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/*_psd.txt
+                examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/*_TDI_v2.gwf
+                examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/MBHB_params_v2_LISA_frame.pkl
+                examples/inference/margtime/*.gwf
+                examples/inference/multisignal/*.gwf
+                examples/inference/relative/*.gwf
+                examples/inference/relmarg/*.gwf
+                examples/inference/single/*.gwf
+                examples/search/*.gwf
+
+          - name: Set path outputs for cached data
+            id: set_paths
+            run: |
+              echo "lal_data_path=$HOME/lal_aux_data" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+              echo "example_gw_cache_key=example-gw-data" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+      outputs:
+        lal_data_path:
+          description: "Path where LAL auxiliary data is stored on the runner"
+          value: ${{ steps.set_paths.outputs.lal_data_path }}
+        example_gw_cache_key:
+          description: "Cache key used for example GW data"
+          value: ${{ steps.set_paths.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
index 2714dc7ff72..e21cbbb3569 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/bank-compress-workflow.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
----
 name: compress waveforms into a bank using pegasus + condor
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
@@ -8,34 +7,22 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
-  workflow_defaults:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
-    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     timeout-minutes: 90
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+    - name: Load defaults
+      id: defaults
+      uses: ./.github/actions/defaults
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
-    - name: install condor
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
-        sudo systemctl start condor
-        sudo systemctl enable condor
-    - name: install pegasus
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
-    - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
+        python-version: ${{ steps.defaults.outputs.python_version }}
+    - name: Install condor & pegasus
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus
+    - name: Install system dependencies
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-system-deps
     - name: Install pycbc
       run: |
         python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
diff --git a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
index acd81ab68cf..8761ab93dc6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/basic-tests.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
----
 name: basic tests
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
@@ -8,14 +7,8 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
-  workflow_defaults:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
-
   build:
-    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
-    env:
-      LAL_DATA_PATH: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.lal_data_path }}
     strategy:
       max-parallel: 60
       matrix:
@@ -24,14 +17,19 @@ jobs:
         test-type: [unittest, search, docs]
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - name: Populate caches (LAL aux + example GW data)
+      id: populate
+      uses: ./.github/actions/populate-caches
+    - name: Expose LAL_DATA_PATH to subsequent steps
+      run: echo "LAL_DATA_PATH=${{ steps.populate.outputs.lal_data_path }}" >> $GITHUB_ENV
     - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python_version }}
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
         python-version: ${{ matrix.python_version }}
     - name: installing system packages
+      uses: .github/actions/install-system-deps
+    - name: Install python dependencies
       run: |
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* mpi intel-mkl* graphviz
         pip install tox pip setuptools --upgrade
     - name: run pycbc test suite
       run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_venv.yml b/.github/workflows/build_venv.yml
index 18bcd62b03d..6336f84f52e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_venv.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_venv.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
----
 name: build the LVK virtualenv
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
index af354c0ac12..f8f8bb6172b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_code.yml
@@ -1,19 +1,18 @@
----
 name: Flake8 check
 on: [pull_request]
 jobs:
-  workflow_defaults:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
-
     flake8_unused_imports:
         runs-on: ubuntu-latest
         steps:
             - name: Check out repository
               uses: actions/checkout@v3
+            - name: Load defaults
+              id: defaults
+              uses: ./.github/actions/defaults
             - name: Set up Python
               uses: actions/setup-python@v4
               with:
-                  python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
+                  python-version: ${{ steps.defaults.outputs.python_version }}
             - name: Install flake8
               run: pip install flake8
             - name: Checking executables for unused imports
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml b/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
index d03de544667..fa7136f9a68 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker-build.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
----
 name: docker build
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
index 722866bff1a..1539ac54800 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/inference-workflow.yml
@@ -1,36 +1,23 @@
----
 name: run small inference workflow using pegasus + condor
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
 
 jobs:
-  workflow_defaults:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
-    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+    - name: Load defaults
+      id: defaults
+      uses: ./.github/actions/defaults
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
-    - name: install condor
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
-        sudo systemctl start condor
-        sudo systemctl enable condor
-    - name: install pegasus
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
-    - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
+        python-version: ${{ steps.defaults.outputs.python_version }}
+    - name: install condor and pegasus
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus
+    - name: install system dependecies
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-system-deps
     - name: Install pycbc
       run: |
         python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
diff --git a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
index 3117326af70..f337412d997 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/search-workflow.yml
@@ -7,56 +7,24 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
-  workflow_defaults:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
-    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     timeout-minutes: 90
     env:
       PEGASUS_METRICS: 'false'
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v1
-    - name: Restore LAL auxiliary data cache
-      id: restore-lal
-      uses: actions/cache@v4
-      with:
-        key: lal-aux-data
-        path: |
-          $HOME/lal_aux_data
-
-    - name: Restore example GW data cache for search example
-      id: restore-example-gw
-      uses: actions/cache@v4
-      with:
-        key: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
-        path: |
-          examples/search
-
-    - name: list restored example files
-      run: |
-        echo "Restored files in examples/search:"
-        ls -la examples/search || true
+    - name: Load defaults
+      id: defaults
+      uses: ./.github/actions/defaults
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
-    - name: install condor
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
-        sudo systemctl start condor
-        sudo systemctl enable condor
-    - name: install pegasus
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
-    - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
+        python-version: ${{ steps.defaults.outputs.python_version }}
+    - name: Install condor & pegasus
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus
+    - name: installing system packages
+      uses: .github/actions/install-system-deps
     - name: Install pycbc
       run: |
         python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml b/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
index 1a20238acdc..3ecedf52548 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tmpltbank-workflow.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
----
 name: run small template bank generation using pegasus + condor
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
@@ -8,33 +7,21 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
-  workflow_defaults:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
-    needs: workflow_defaults
     runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+    - name: Load defaults
+      id: defaults
+      uses: ./.github/actions/defaults
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
-    - name: install condor
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
-        sudo systemctl start condor
-        sudo systemctl enable condor
-    - name: install pegasus
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
-    - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
+        python-version: ${{ steps.defaults.outputs.python_version }}
+    - name: Install condor & pegasus
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus
+    - name: Install system dependencies
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-system-deps
     - name: Install pycbc
       run: |
         python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tut-test.yml b/.github/workflows/tut-test.yml
index e9bc05b0c0b..6973c83e87e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tut-test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tut-test.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
----
 name: tutorial tests
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
@@ -21,10 +20,10 @@ jobs:
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
         python-version: ${{ matrix.python_version }}
-    - name: installing packages
+    - name: Install system dependencies
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-system-deps
+    - name: installing python packages
       run: |
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* mpi intel-mkl*
         pip install tox pip setuptools notebook --upgrade
         pip install .
     - name: retrieving pycbc tutorials
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index a3e7fabb408..00000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,85 +0,0 @@
----
-# Provide default values used across workflows.
-# Add new defaults (inputs) here and expose them as outputs so other
-# workflows can consume them via `needs.<job>.outputs.<name>`.
-on:
-  workflow_call:
-    inputs:
-      python-version:
-        description: 'Default Python version for workflows'
-        required: false
-        type: string
-        default: '3.11'
-    outputs:
-      python_version:
-        description: 'Python version string to use in workflows'
-        value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.python_version }}
-      lal_data_path:
-        description: 'Path where LAL auxiliary data is cached on the runner'
-        value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.lal_data_path }}
-      example_gw_cache_key:
-        description: 'Cache key used for example GW data (useful when restoring cache)'
-        value: ${{ jobs.provide.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
-
-
-jobs:
-  provide:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    outputs:
-      python_version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python_version }}
-      lal_data_path: ${{ steps.set_paths.outputs.lal_data_path }}
-      example_gw_cache_key: ${{ steps.set_paths.outputs.example_gw_cache_key }}
-
-    steps:
-      - id: set
-        run: |
-          # Export inputs as outputs via GITHUB_OUTPUT so other jobs can use them
-          echo "python_version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-
-      - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
-
-      - name: Cache LAL auxiliary data files
-        id: cache-lal-aux-data
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
-        with:
-          key: lal-aux-data
-          path: $HOME/lal_aux_data
-
-      - if: ${{ steps.cache-lal-aux-data.outputs.cache-hit != 'true' }}
-        name: Download LAL auxiliary data files
-        run: |
-          mkdir -p $HOME/lal_aux_data
-          pushd $HOME/lal_aux_data
-          # Retry transient network errors up to 3 times with a short delay
-          curl --show-error --silent --fail --retry 3 --retry-delay 5 --retry-connrefused \
-            --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v2.0.hdf5 \
-            --remote-name https://zenodo.org/records/14999310/files/SEOBNRv4ROM_v3.0.hdf5
-          popd
-
-      - name: Cache example GW data
-        id: cache-example-gw-data
-        uses: actions/cache@v4
-        with:
-          key: example-gw-data
-          path: |
-            docs/_include/*_TDI_v2.gwf
-            docs/_include/*_GWOSC_4KHZ_R1-1126257415-4096.gwf
-            docs/_include/*_LOSC_CLN_4_V1-1187007040-2048.gwf
-            examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/*_psd.txt
-            examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/*_TDI_v2.gwf
-            examples/inference/lisa_smbhb_ldc/MBHB_params_v2_LISA_frame.pkl
-            examples/inference/margtime/*.gwf
-            examples/inference/multisignal/*.gwf
-            examples/inference/relative/*.gwf
-            examples/inference/relmarg/*.gwf
-            examples/inference/single/*.gwf
-            examples/search/*.gwf
-
-      - id: set_paths
-        name: Set path outputs for cached data
-        run: |
-          # Expose the LAL data path and cache key so callers can reference them
-          echo "lal_data_path=$HOME/lal_aux_data" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-          echo "example_gw_cache_key=example-gw-data" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
index ecaaf077e54..03c3198f6ef 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/workflow-tests.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
----
 name: run generic example workflow tests
 
 on: [push, pull_request]
@@ -8,8 +7,6 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
-  workflow_defaults:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/workflow-defaults.yml
   build:
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     strategy:
@@ -19,26 +16,17 @@ jobs:
         test-type: [simple_subworkflow_data, multilevel_subworkflow_data]
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v1
+    - name: Load defaults
+      id: defaults
+      uses: ./.github/actions/defaults
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: ${{ needs.workflow_defaults.outputs.python_version }}
-    - name: install condor
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        echo "deb-src http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install minihtcondor
-        sudo systemctl start condor
-        sudo systemctl enable condor
-    - name: install pegasus
-      run: |
-        wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
-        echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
-        sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install pegasus=5.1.1-1+ubuntu24
-    - run: sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install *fftw3* intel-mkl*
+        python-version: ${{ steps.defaults.outputs.python_version }}
+    - name: Install condor & pegasus
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus
+    - name: Install system dependencies
+      uses: ./.github/actions/install-system-deps
     - name: Install pycbc
       run: |
         python -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools

From 3e6d0689ed9fa8639b1ac2226560cfb4daf22577 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:27:54 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 17/18] add shell to defaults action

---
 .github/actions/defaults/action.yml | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/.github/actions/defaults/action.yml b/.github/actions/defaults/action.yml
index 09ffc877caf..f45a75226c1 100644
--- a/.github/actions/defaults/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/defaults/action.yml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ runs:
     - id: set
       run: |
         echo "python_version=${{ inputs.python-version }}" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+      shell: bash
 
 outputs:
   python_version:

From 9f09386b22098fb21085aee5e9fda51cc1dcb6a9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gareth S Cabourn Davies <gareth.cabourn-davies@port.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:31:02 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 18/18] add shell to other action runs

---
 .github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml | 2 ++
 .github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml      | 2 ++
 2 files changed, 4 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml b/.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml
index 24d198e3a57..42ae6265eb5 100644
--- a/.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/install-htcondor-pegasus/action.yml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ runs:
   using: "composite"
   steps:
     - name: Install HTCondor
+      shell: bash
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/HTCondor-Release.gpg.key | sudo apt-key add -
         echo "deb http://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/ubuntu/8.9/focal focal contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ runs:
         sudo systemctl enable condor || true
 
     - name: Install Pegasus
+      shell: bash
       run: |
         wget -qO - https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/gpg.txt | sudo apt-key add -
         echo "deb https://download.pegasus.isi.edu/pegasus/ubuntu noble main" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list
diff --git a/.github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml b/.github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml
index 26a365c12ea..fedb526481d 100644
--- a/.github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/install-system-deps/action.yml
@@ -5,10 +5,12 @@ runs:
   using: 'composite'
   steps:
     - name: Update apt
+      shell: bash
       run: |
         sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 update
 
     - name: Install system packages
+      shell: bash
       run: |
         set -euxo pipefail
         sudo apt-get -o Acquire::Retries=3 install -y *fftw3* intel-mkl* mpi graphviz