diff --git a/.github/workflows/publish.yml b/.github/workflows/_dep_publish.txt
similarity index 64%
rename from .github/workflows/publish.yml
rename to .github/workflows/_dep_publish.txt
index 401d35d..ec22599 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/publish.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/_dep_publish.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+<<<<<<< HEAD
 name: Package
 on:
   pull_request:
@@ -62,3 +63,41 @@ jobs:
       - name: Upload
         if: github.event_name == 'release'
         run: twine upload -u __token__ -p ${{ secrets.PYPI_TOKEN }} dist/*
+=======
+name: Publish to PyPI
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main # Triggers when push/merge to the 'main' branch
+    tags:
+      - 'v*' # Triggers whenever you push a tag starting with 'v' (e.g., v0.0.2)
+
+jobs:
+  build-and-publish:
+    name: Build and publish Python distribution
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      # This permission is REQUIRED for Trusted Publishing
+      id-token: write
+      contents: read
+
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+    - name: Set up Python
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+      with:
+        python-version: "3.12"
+
+    - name: Install dependencies
+      run: |
+        python -m pip install --upgrade pip
+        pip install build
+
+    - name: Build binary wheel and source tarball
+      run: python -m build
+
+    - name: Publish to PyPI
+      uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@release/v1
+>>>>>>> 8e30c8a94f451d004fdfc990f5ddf8019266eb2f
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3cc3361
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+name: Release
+
+on:
+  push:
+    tags:
+      - 'v*' # Trigger only on version tags (e.g., v1.0.0)
+  workflow_dispatch:  # allows manual triggering of the workflow from the GitHub Actions tab
+
+jobs:
+  # 1. TEST JOB: Runs Pytest
+  test:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/test.yml  # Reuse the test workflow defined in test.yml
+
+  # 2. BUILD: Only runs if 'test' passes
+  build:
+    needs: test
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0 # Required for versioning tools to see tags
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.8.12' # to match pyproject.toml exactly
+
+      - name: Build
+        run: |
+          pip install build
+          python -m build .
+
+      - name: Upload build artifacts
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: dist
+          path: dist/
+
+  # 3. GITHUB RELEASE: Creates the release on GitHub and attaches the build files
+  github-release:
+    needs: build
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: write # Needed to create releases and upload assets
+    steps:
+      - name: Download build artifacts
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: dist
+          path: dist/
+
+      - name: Create GitHub Release
+        uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v2
+        with:
+          files: dist/*
+          generate_release_notes: true # Automatically generate release notes based on commits since the last release
+          draft: false # Set to true if you want to create a draft release instead of publishing immediately
+          prerelease: false # Set to true if this is a pre-release (e.g., alpha, beta)
+
+  # 4. PUBLISH: Only runs if 'build' passes
+  publish:
+    needs: [build, github-release] # Ensure both build and GitHub release steps succeed before publishing
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    # Optional: Use environment protection rule for manual approval before publishing
+    environment: pypi
+    permissions:
+      id-token: write # Needed for authentication with PyPI using GitHub Actions
+    steps:
+      - name: Download build artifacts
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: dist
+          path: dist/
+
+      - name: Publish to PyPI
+        uses: pypa/gh-action-pypi-publish@release/v1
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..77dee0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+# This workflow will not run without Autoscript.
+name: Test
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - '**' # Trigger on any branch push
+  pull_request:
+    branches:
+      - '**' # Trigger on any pull request
+  workflow_call: # CRITICAL: Allows this workflow to be called by others
+
+jobs:
+  test:
+    name: Run Subset of Tests
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout code
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.8.12'
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          python -m pip install --upgrade pip
+          pip install -e ".[dev]"
+
+      - name: Run Pytest
+        run: pytest tests/test_example.py
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a70815c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+# Contributing
+
+## Repository Download
+
+```sh
+git clone git@github.com:sandialabs/pytribeam.git
+```
+
+## Virtual Environment
+
+From within the `pytribeam` directory, create a virtual environment.  A virtual environment is a self-contained directory that contains a specific Python installation, along with additional packages. It allows users to create isolated environments for different projects. This ensures that dependencies and libraries do not interfere with each other.
+
+Create a virtual environment with either `pip` or `uv`.  `pip` is already included with Python.  `uv` must be [installed](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/getting-started/installation/).  `uv` is 10 to 100 times faster than `pip`.
+
+```sh
+cd pytribeam
+
+# (a) pip method, or
+python -m venv .venv
+
+# (b) uv method
+uv venv
+
+# for both methods (a) and (b)
+source .venv/bin/activate       # bash
+source .venv/bin/activate.fish  # fish shell
+```
+
+Install the code in editable form,
+
+```sh
+# (a) pip method, or
+pip install -e .[dev]
+
+# (b) uv method
+uv pip install -e .[dev]
+```
+
+## CI/CD
+
+We separate the concerns of test, build, release, and publish throughout the `.github/workflows/` files:
+
+* [`test.yml`](/.github/workflows/test.yml)
+* [`release.yml`](/.github/workflows/release.yml)
+
+These YAML files cover:
+
+* **Test (Verification)**
+  * **Purpose:** To ensure that the code is functional and hasn't introduced regressions (broken existing features).
+  * **What happens:** Automated tools like `pytest` run your unit and integration tests. It often includes "linting" (checking code style) and type-checking.
+  * **Key Outcome:** Confidence. If this stage fails, the process stops immediately, preventing broken code from ever reaching a user.
+* **Build (Packaging)**
+  * **Purpose:** To transform your "human-readable" source code into "machine-installable" artifacts.
+  * **What happens:** Tools (like `python -m build`) bundle your code into standard formats, such as a Wheel (`.whl`) or a Source Distribution (`.tar.gz`).
+   * **Key Outcome:** Portability. You now have a single file (an "artifact") that contains everything needed to install your library on any compatible system.
+* **Release (Documentation & Tagging)**
+   * **Purpose:** To create an official "point-in-time" snapshot of the project for project management and users.
+   * **What happens:** A permanent Git tag (like v1.0.0) is assigned to a specific commit. A GitHub Release page is generated with a Changelog (i.e., What's New?) and the build artifacts are attached to it as "Release Assets."
+  * **Key Outcome:** Traceability. It provides a clear history of the project's evolution and a stable place for users to download specific versions.
+* **Publish (Distribution)**
+   * **Purpose:** To make the software easily available to the global ecosystem.
+   * **What happens:** The built artifacts are uploaded to a package registry, such as PyPI (the Python Package Index).
+   * **Key Outcome:** Accessibility. Once published, anyone in the world can install your software using a simple command like `pip install pytribeam`.
+
+Implementation details:
+
+* The reuse of `test.yml` via a `workflow_call` ensures that test logic is not duplicated.
+* **Dependency Chain:** `build` waits for `test`, and publish waits for both `build` and `github-release`.
+* **Artifact Integrity:** By building once and downing the artifacts in subsequent jobs, we ensure the exact same files go to GitHub and PyPI.
+* **Security:** We use `id-token: write` for PyPI's Trusted Publishing, which is a modern and secure way to handle authentication.
+
+In `release.yml` we have removed the manual `-p ${{ secrets.PYPI_TOKEN }}`.  The industry standard is now [**Trusted Publishing**](https://docs.pypi.org/trusted-publishers/).  You configure this in your PyPI project settings once, and GitHub Actions authenticates securely without you needing to store and rotate secrets.
+
+To configure Trusted Publishing, you tell PyPI, "Trust any code from this specific GitHub repository and workflow."  This removes the need to mange long-lived API tokens or passwords in your secrets.
+
+Step:
+
+* Log into your [PyPI](https://pypi.org) account
+* Go your project's **Manage** page (or your accounts **Publishing** settings if you are setting it up for the first time.)
+* Look for the **Publishing**tab
+* Click **Add new publisher**
+* Select **GitHub** as the source
+* Enter the following details:
+  * Owner: sandialabs
+  * Repository name: pytribeam
+  * Workflow name: `release.yml` (This must match your filename in your `.github/workflows/` directory))
+  * Environment name: You can leave this blank or name it `pypi` (if you use it in your YAML).  We used `pypi`.
+  * Click the **Add** button
+
+To create a release:
+
+* Merge the `dev` branch into the `main` branch.
+* On the `main` branch, `git tag` and push to `main`, e.g., 
+
+```sh
+# Ensure you are on the main branch
+git checkout main
+git pull
+
+# View existing tags, if any
+git tag
+
+# Create the new tag, e.g.,
+git tag -a v1.0.0 -m "Release version 1.0.0"
+
+# On the main branch, push the tag to GitHub
+git push origin v1.0.0
+```
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3f776d8..b572e00 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,6 +10,14 @@
 [lint_badge]: https://sandialabs.github.io/pytribeam/badges/lint.svg
 [version_badge]: https://sandialabs.github.io/pytribeam/badges/version.svg
 
+## Development work
+
+See release target [here](https://github.com/sandialabs/pytribeam/blob/dev/docs/developers/release_plan.md).
+
+## Development work
+
+See release target [here](https://github.com/sandialabs/pytribeam/blob/dev/docs/developers/release_plan.md).
+
 ## Getting Started
 
 Installation instructions and more can be found in the [User Guide](https://sandialabs.github.io/pytribeam/docs/userguide/book/index.html).
diff --git a/docs/developers/release_plan.md b/docs/developers/release_plan.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed79c71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/developers/release_plan.md
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+# Release targets for `v1.0.0`
+
+**~~Strikethrough~~ compeleted tasks, please**
+
+## User support
+**Andrew**
+- adjust install/pyproject.toml to support Autoscript 4.10 python version 3.??
+
+## infrastructure
+**Andrew**
+- setup virtual machines on workstation
+  - one machine for each autoscript version
+
+## deployment
+**Chad**
+- create ci/cd workflows to automate everything possible, including:
+  - userguide (mdbook)
+  - api docs (pdoc)
+  - release, versioning, publish to pypi, update gh-pages branch
+
+**James**
+- figure out if we can install pytribeam in .venv
+- create python-->bash script to automate things locally including:
+  - testing
+    - auto add location of root directory to the .coveragerc?
+  - linting
+
+## test improvements
+
+**Andrew**
+- Stop test suite on hard ware if test fails
+    - insert/rectract EBSD is not self contained if it fails
+- check for test independence 
+- order tests in increasing complexity
+- some tests won't work on some systems (CBS stage restrictions)
+- need decorators for:
+    - offline machines
+    - machines with lasers
+    - machines with CBS stage restriction locks (only the windows 7 Helios)
+    - machine that doesn't fit into above (a fib with newer XtUI software)
+- Some kind of cleanup/setup procedure before/after hardware tests:
+    - lock/unlock laser objective
+    - move laser objective to safe position
+    - stage start pos/end pos
+    - beam voltages on/off
+    - all detectors retracted
+- Track all machine types in constants
+- setup environment for different AS version
+- multi-AS version support: can we require 100% code coverage on specific functions?
+  - can require code coverage amounts on files
+
+**James**
+- GUI tests
+
+## State Recorder
+**James**
+- Adapter functions for pytribeam?
+  
+## Version support up to 4.11
+**Andrew**
+- deal with breaking change on detector insertable issue
+  - propagate enum to other functions that call this
+
+
+
+## Features (near- and long-term)
+- multi-quad images
+  - insert everything before ACB
+- custom autofocus/autostig
+- record beam shifts
+- state recorder update
+- EDAX API testing
+- Bruker API support
+- Oxford API support
+- FIB serial sectioning 
+  
+## List of API requests
+
+- Multi quad imaging at custom resolution
+- FIB shutter support
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 4b559b7..85e141f 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,49 +1,49 @@
 [build-system]
-requires = ["setuptools>=61.0", "wheel"]
-build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
+requires = ["hatchling", "hatch-vcs"]
+build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 
 [project]
 name = "pytribeam"
+# version = "0.0.2"
+dynamic = ["version"]  # Removed static version, now determined by VCS
+description = "automated data collection on TriBeam tools"
+requires-python = "==3.8.12"
+readme = "README.md"
 authors = [
   { name="Andrew Polonsky", email="apolon@sandia.gov" },
   { name="Chad Hovey", email="chovey@sandia.gov" },
   { name="James Lamb", email="jdlamb@sandia.gov" },
+  { name="James Lamb", email="jdlamb@sandia.gov" },
 ]
-description = "automated data collection on TriBeam tools"
-readme = "README.md"
-requires-python = "==3.8.12"
+
 dependencies = [
-    "black",
-    "pytest",
-    "pytest-cov",
     "schema",
 ]
-version = '0.0.2'
 
 [project.optional-dependencies]
 dev = [
-    "black",
+    # "black", # now handled by ruff
     #"docstr-coverage",
     #"docutils<0.18,>=0.14",
-    "flake8",
+    # "flake8",  # now handled by ruff
     #"jinja2",
     #"nbsphinx",
     #"pdbp",
-    'pycodestyle',
+    # "pycodestyle",  # now handled by ruff
+    # "h5py",
+    # "numpy",
+    "pdoc",
     "pytest==8.3.3",
     "pytest-cov==5.0.0",
-    "pdoc",
 ]
 
-[docstr-coverage]
-ignore = [
-    "tests/",
-    "src/pytribeam/GUI/",
-]
-
-[project.urls]
-documentation = "https://sandialabs.github.io/pytribeam/docs/userguide/book/index.html"
-repository = "https://github.com/sandialabs/pytribeam"
+# pdoc configuration
+# we only build pdoc on the source code, so we can ignore the tests and GUI for doc coverage
+# [docstr-coverage]
+# ignore = [
+#     "tests/",
+#     "src/pytribeam/GUI/",
+# ]
 
 # CLI Entry Points
 # https://setuptools.pypa.io/en/latest/userguide/entry_point.html
@@ -53,3 +53,25 @@ pytribeam_info ="pytribeam.command_line:module_info"
 pytribeam_gui="pytribeam.command_line:launch_gui"
 pytribeam_exp="pytribeam.command_line:run_experiment"
 
+[project.urls]
+documentation = "https://sandialabs.github.io/pytribeam/docs/userguide/book/index.html"
+repository = "https://github.com/sandialabs/pytribeam"
+
+[tool.hatch.version]
+source = "vcs"
+
+[tool.hatch.version.raw-options]
+local_scheme = "no-local-version"  # Ensures clean versions like 0.0.9 instead of 0.0.9+g1234567
+
+[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
+packages = ["src/pytribeam"]
+
+# [tool.ruff]
+# line-length = 88
+# target-version = ["py38"]
+
+[tool.pytest.ini_options]
+python_files = ["test_*.py", "*_test.py"]
+testpaths = ["tests"]
+pythonpath = ["src"]
+addopts = "--cov=src/pytribeam --cov-report=xml --cov-report=html"
diff --git a/tests/test_example.py b/tests/test_example.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3bb91e1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_example.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+"""This module is a simply placeholder to demonstrate that test can be
+triggered from CI/CD workflows. It does not contain any actual tests."""
+
+
+def test_placeholder():
+    """This is a placeholder test that always passes."""
+    assert True