diff --git a/.github/actions/download-load-docker-images/action.yml b/.github/actions/download-load-docker-images/action.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..5f9f03be3c3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/download-load-docker-images/action.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+name: 'Download and Load Docker Images'
+description: 'Downloads and loads Docker images for integration/system tests'
+
+inputs:
+  artifact-name-pattern:
+    description: 'Artifact name pattern for docker images (e.g., backend, or * for all)'
+    required: false
+    default: 'backend'
+
+  download-path:
+    description: 'Path to download artifacts to'
+    required: false
+    default: '/${{ runner.temp }}/build'
+
+runs:
+  using: 'composite'
+  steps:
+    # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
+    - name: download docker images with retry
+      uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
+      with:
+        action: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with: |
+          ${{ inputs.artifact-name-pattern == '*' && 'pattern' || 'name' }}: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-${{ inputs.artifact-name-pattern }}
+          path: ${{ inputs.download-path }}
+        attempt_limit: 5
+        attempt_delay: 1000
+
+    - name: load docker images
+      shell: bash
+      run: make load-images local-src=${{ inputs.download-path }}
diff --git a/.github/actions/setup-simcore-env/action.yml b/.github/actions/setup-simcore-env/action.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..028cacd4830c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/setup-simcore-env/action.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+name: 'Setup SimCore Environment'
+description: 'Sets up the common environment for SimCore CI jobs'
+
+inputs:
+  python-version:
+    description: 'Python version to use'
+    required: false
+    default: '3.11'
+
+  uv-version:
+    description: 'UV version to use'
+    required: false
+    default: '0.6.x'
+
+  cache-dependency-glob:
+    description: 'Glob pattern for cache dependency files'
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+
+  setup-docker:
+    description: 'Whether to setup Docker BuildX'
+    required: false
+    default: 'true'
+
+  show-system-versions:
+    description: 'Whether to show system versions'
+    required: false
+    default: 'true'
+
+  expose-github-runtime:
+    description: 'Whether to expose GitHub runtime for buildx (needed for some integration tests)'
+    required: false
+    default: 'true'
+
+runs:
+  using: 'composite'
+  steps:
+    - name: Setup Docker BuildX
+      if: inputs.setup-docker == 'true'
+      id: buildx
+      uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+      with:
+        driver: docker-container
+
+    - name: Expose GitHub runtime for BuildX
+      if: inputs.expose-github-runtime == 'true'
+      uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
+
+    - name: Setup Python environment
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      with:
+        python-version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+
+    - name: Install UV
+      uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
+      with:
+        version: ${{ inputs.uv-version }}
+        enable-cache: false
+        cache-dependency-glob: ${{ inputs.cache-dependency-glob }}
+
+    - name: Show system versions
+      if: inputs.show-system-versions == 'true'
+      shell: bash
+      run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
diff --git a/.github/workflows/_reusable-build-images.yml b/.github/workflows/_reusable-build-images.yml
index f634e1c2d78d..2276d1d3d0be 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/_reusable-build-images.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/_reusable-build-images.yml
@@ -26,15 +26,11 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ${{ inputs.os }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      - name: show system environs
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+          python-version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+          expose-github-runtime: 'true'
       - name: build backend images
         if: ${{ inputs.build-backend }}
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-testing-deploy.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-testing-deploy.yml
index 05a060c77096..d626dc30941b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-testing-deploy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-testing-deploy.yml
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ jobs:
               - 'packages/pytest-simcore/**'
               - 'packages/service-integration/**'
               - 'services/docker-compose*'
+              - 'mypy.ini'
             service-library:
               - 'packages/pytest-simcore/**'
               - 'packages/service-library/**'
@@ -148,9 +149,11 @@ jobs:
               - 'packages/pytest-simcore/**'
               - 'packages/settings-library/**'
               - 'services/docker-compose*'
+              - 'mypy.ini'
             simcore-sdk:
               - 'packages/**'
               - 'services/docker-compose*'
+              - 'mypy.ini'
             agent:
               - 'packages/**'
               - 'services/agent/**'
@@ -165,6 +168,7 @@ jobs:
               - 'mypy.ini'
             api:
               - 'api/**'
+              - 'mypy.ini'
             api-server:
               - 'packages/**'
               - 'services/api-server/**'
@@ -235,6 +239,7 @@ jobs:
               - 'packages/**'
               - 'services/migration/**'
               - 'services/docker-compose*'
+              - 'mypy.ini'
             payments:
                 - 'packages/**'
                 - 'services/payments/**'
@@ -250,6 +255,7 @@ jobs:
             docker-api-proxy:
                 - 'packages/**'
                 - 'services/docker-api-proxy/**'
+                - 'mypy.ini'
             resource-usage-tracker:
               - 'packages/**'
               - 'services/resource-usage-tracker/**'
@@ -269,12 +275,15 @@ jobs:
               - 'packages/**'
               - 'services/web/**'
               - 'services/docker-compose*'
+              - 'mypy.ini'
             anything:
               - 'packages/**'
               - 'services/**'
               - 'tests/**'
+              - 'mypy.ini'
             anything-py:
               - '**/*.py'
+              - 'mypy.ini'
             anything-js:
               - '**/*.js'
   build-test-images:
@@ -303,24 +312,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/web/server/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install webserver
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/webserver.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -351,24 +349,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/web/server/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install webserver
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/webserver.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -393,24 +380,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/web/server/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install webserver
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/webserver.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -435,24 +411,13 @@ jobs:
           os: [ubuntu-24.04]
         fail-fast: false
       steps:
-        - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-        - name: setup docker buildx
-          id: buildx
-          uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-          with:
-            driver: docker-container
-        - name: setup python environment
-          uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        - name: Checkout code
+          uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        - name: Setup environment
+          uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
           with:
             python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-        - name: install uv
-          uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-          with:
-            version: "0.6.x"
-            enable-cache: false
             cache-dependency-glob: "**/web/server/requirements/ci.txt"
-        - name: show system version
-          run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
         - name: install webserver
           run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/webserver.bash install
         - name: test
@@ -462,11 +427,7 @@ jobs:
             CODECOV_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
           with:
             flags: unittests #optional
-        - name: Upload test results to Codecov
-          if: ${{ !cancelled() }}
-          uses: codecov/test-results-action@v1
-          with:
-            token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}
+
 
   unit-test-storage:
     needs: changes
@@ -480,24 +441,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/storage/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/storage.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -525,26 +475,15 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/agent/requirements/ci.txt"
       - name: install rclone
         run: sudo ./ci/github/helpers/install_rclone.bash
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/agent/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/agent.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -571,24 +510,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/notifications/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/notifications.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -615,24 +543,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/api/tests/requirements.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/api/requirements/ci.txt"
       - name: install api
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/api.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -657,24 +574,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/api-server/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/api-server.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -705,24 +611,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/autoscaling/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/autoscaling.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -750,24 +645,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/catalog/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/catalog.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -801,24 +685,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/clusters-keeper/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: |
           make devenv
@@ -857,24 +730,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/datcore-adapter/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/datcore-adapter.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -908,24 +770,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/director/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/director.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -959,24 +810,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/director-v2/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/director-v2.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1010,24 +850,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/aws-library/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/aws-library.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1098,24 +927,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/dask-task-models-library/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/dask-task-models-library.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1143,24 +961,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/dask-sidecar/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/dask-sidecar.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1188,24 +995,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/payments/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/payments.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1233,24 +1029,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/dynamic-scheduler/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/dynamic-scheduler.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1278,24 +1063,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/resource-usage-tracker/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: |
           make devenv
@@ -1333,24 +1107,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/dynamic-sidecar/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/dynamic-sidecar.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1378,24 +1141,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/efs-guardian/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: |
           make devenv
@@ -1434,24 +1186,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/ci/helpers/requirements.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/pylint/requirements/ci.txt"
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/python-linting.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -1469,24 +1210,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/postgres-database/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/postgres-database.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1514,24 +1244,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/notifications-library/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/invitations/requirements/ci.txt"
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/invitations.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1559,24 +1278,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/service-integration/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/service-integration.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1604,24 +1312,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/service-library/requirements/ci*.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/service-library/requirements/ci.txt"
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/service-library.bash install_all
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1649,24 +1346,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/settings-library/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/settings-library.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1694,24 +1380,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/models-library/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/models-library.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1738,24 +1413,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/common-library/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/common-library.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1781,24 +1445,13 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/notifications-library/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/notifications-library.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1826,26 +1479,15 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-24.04]
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: install rclone
-        run: sudo ./ci/github/helpers/install_rclone.bash
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Setup environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/simcore-sdk/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+      - name: install rclone
+        run: sudo ./ci/github/helpers/install_rclone.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/unit-testing/simcore-sdk.bash install
       - name: typecheck
@@ -1925,35 +1567,15 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            name: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-backend
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/web/server/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: 'backend'
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/integration-testing/webserver.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -1987,37 +1609,15 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            name: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-backend
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/web/server/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: 'backend'
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/integration-testing/webserver.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2051,37 +1651,15 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            name: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-backend
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/director-v2/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: 'backend'
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/integration-testing/director-v2.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2117,44 +1695,21 @@ jobs:
       # NOTE: DIRECTOR_DEFAULT_MAX_* used for integration-tests that include `director` service
       DIRECTOR_DEFAULT_MAX_MEMORY: 268435456
       DIRECTOR_DEFAULT_MAX_NANO_CPUS: 10000000
-      DIRECTOR_TRACING: null
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
-          driver: docker-container
+          python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/director-v2/requirements/ci.txt"
       - name: setup rclone docker volume plugin
         run: sudo ./ci/github/helpers/install_rclone_docker_volume_plugin.bash
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
         with:
-          python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            name: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-backend
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
+          artifact-name-pattern: 'backend'
       - name: install rclone
         run: sudo ./ci/github/helpers/install_rclone.bash
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/director-v2/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/integration-testing/director-v2.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2188,39 +1743,17 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            name: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-backend
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/dynamic-sidecar/requirements/ci.txt"
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: 'backend'
       - name: install rclone
         run: sudo ./ci/github/helpers/install_rclone.bash
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/dynamic-sidecar/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/integration-testing/dynamic-sidecar.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2255,37 +1788,15 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            name: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-backend
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/docker-api-proxy/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: 'backend'
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/integration-testing/docker-api-proxy.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2319,37 +1830,17 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
-          driver: docker-container
+          python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/simcore-sdk/requirements/ci.txt"
       - name: install rclone
         run: sudo ./ci/github/helpers/install_rclone.bash
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
         with:
-          python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            name: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-backend
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/simcore-sdk/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+          artifact-name-pattern: 'backend'
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/integration-testing/simcore-sdk.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2407,37 +1898,15 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            pattern: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-*
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/public-api/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: '*'
       - name: install
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
@@ -2467,37 +1936,15 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            pattern: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-*
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/swarm-deploy/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: '*'
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/system-testing/swarm-deploy.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2533,42 +1980,20 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
+          cache-dependency-glob: "**/e2e/requirements/requirements.txt"
       - uses: actions/setup-node@v4.1.0
         with:
           node-version: ${{ matrix.node }}
           cache: "npm"
           cache-dependency-path: "tests/e2e/package-lock.json"
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            pattern: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-*
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
-          cache-dependency-glob: "**/e2e/requirements/requirements.txt"
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: '*'
       - name: setup
         run: ./ci/github/system-testing/e2e.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2615,34 +2040,17 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/e2e-playwright/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: expose github runtime for buildx
-        uses: crazy-max/ghaction-github-runtime@v3
-      - name: download docker images
-        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
-        with:
-          pattern: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-*
-          path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: '*'
       - name: prepare devenv
         run: make devenv
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: setup
         run: |
           ./ci/github/system-testing/e2e-playwright.bash install
@@ -2677,23 +2085,11 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: setup python environment
-        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
-        with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/environment-setup/requirements/ci.txt"
-      - name: show system version
-        run: ./ci/helpers/show_system_versions.bash
       - name: install
         run: ./ci/github/system-testing/environment-setup.bash install
       - name: test
@@ -2741,30 +2137,16 @@ jobs:
       DOCKER_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.DOCKER_PASSWORD }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - name: setup docker buildx
-        id: buildx
-        uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@v3
-        with:
-          driver: docker-container
-      - name: install uv
-        uses: astral-sh/setup-uv@v6
+      - name: Setup SimCore environment
+        uses: ./.github/actions/setup-simcore-env
         with:
-          version: "0.6.x"
-          enable-cache: false
+          python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
           cache-dependency-glob: "**/e2e-playwright/requirements/ci.txt"
-      # FIXME: Workaround for https://github.com/actions/download-artifact/issues/249
-      - name: download docker images with retry
-        uses: Wandalen/wretry.action@master
-        with:
-          action: actions/download-artifact@v4
-          with: |
-            pattern: docker-buildx-images-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}-*
-            path: /${{ runner.temp }}/build
-          attempt_limit: 5
-          attempt_delay: 1000
-      - name: load docker images
-        run: |
-          make load-images local-src=/${{ runner.temp }}/build
+          show-system-versions: false
+      - name: Download and load Docker images
+        uses: ./.github/actions/download-load-docker-images
+        with:
+          artifact-name-pattern: '*'
       - name: set owner variable
         run: echo "OWNER=${GITHUB_REPOSITORY%/*}" >> $GITHUB_ENV
       - if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/master'
diff --git a/mypy.ini b/mypy.ini
index 9df50ed1d52f..d5b305e1b563 100644
--- a/mypy.ini
+++ b/mypy.ini
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ warn_return_any = True
 warn_unused_configs = True
 warn_unused_ignores = True
 
+
 # SEE https://docs.pydantic.dev/mypy_plugin/#plugin-settings
 # SEE https://docs.pydantic.dev/1.10/mypy_plugin/#plugin-settings
 [pydantic-mypy]
diff --git a/scripts/common.Makefile b/scripts/common.Makefile
index 0dc78b889dd7..dbaddbfce93e 100644
--- a/scripts/common.Makefile
+++ b/scripts/common.Makefile
@@ -173,6 +173,21 @@ mypy: $(REPO_BASE_DIR)/mypy.ini ## runs mypy python static type-checker on this
 	$(CURDIR)/src
 
 
+.PHONY: mypy-debug
+mypy-debug: $(REPO_BASE_DIR)/mypy.ini  ## runs mypy with profiling and reporting enabled
+	@rm -rf $(CURDIR)/.mypy-report
+	@mkdir -p $(CURDIR)/.mypy-report
+	@mypy \
+	  --config-file=$(REPO_BASE_DIR)/mypy.ini \
+	  --show-error-context \
+	  --show-traceback \
+	  --verbose \
+	  --linecount-report $(CURDIR)/.mypy-report \
+	  --any-exprs-report $(CURDIR)/.mypy-report \
+	  $(CURDIR)/src \
+	  | tee $(CURDIR)/.mypy-report/mypy.logs
+
+
 .PHONY: codestyle
 codestyle codestyle-ci: ## enforces codestyle (isort & black) finally runs pylint & mypy
 	@$(SCRIPTS_DIR)/codestyle.bash $(if $(findstring -ci,$@),ci,development) $(shell basename "${SRC_DIR}")