diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-exes-impl.yml b/.github/workflows/build-exes-impl.yml
index ad504de..c0bc6f3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-exes-impl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-exes-impl.yml
@@ -28,11 +28,29 @@ on:
         required: true
         default: "INFO"
         type: string
+      tmate_debugging:
+        description: "Enable tmate debugging (https://github.com/marketplace/actions/debugging-with-tmate)"
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      unit_tests:
+        description: "Run unit tests on the built executables."
+        required: true
+        type: string
       unit_test_args:
         description: "CLI args to pass verbatim to pytest (unit tests)."
         required: false
         type: string
         default: ""
+      integration_tests:
+        description: "Run integration tests on the built executables."
+        required: true
+        type: string
+      integration_test_args:
+        description: >
+          CLI args to pass verbatim to pytest (integration tests).
+        required: false
+        type: string
+        default: ""
       executable_name:
         description: >
           Template parameter.
@@ -140,6 +158,59 @@ jobs:
           echo "sha is: $sha"
           echo "sha=$sha" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
+  cache-app-data:
+    permissions:
+      # No write permission
+      contents: read
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ inputs.ref }}
+
+      - name: Set up python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
+        with:
+          python-version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Set up poetry
+        uses: hpcflow/github-support/setup-poetry@main
+        with:
+          version: ${{ inputs.poetry-version }}
+
+      - name: Cache dependencies
+        uses: hpcflow/github-support/init-cache@main
+        with:
+          name: test
+          version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          poetry install --without dev,pyinstaller
+
+      - name: Set data dir # in case we have a custom tag to use
+        if: inputs.config_data_dir != ''
+        run: |
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} config set data_dir ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}
+
+      - name: Set program dir # in case we have a custom tag to use
+        if: inputs.config_program_dir != ''
+        run: |
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} config set program_dir ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}
+
+      - name: Cache all app data and programs
+        run: |
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data cache --all
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program cache --all
+
+      - name: Upload all cached app data/programs
+        id: upload-cached-app-data
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
+        with:
+          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+          path: ~/.cache/${{ inputs.executable_name }}
+
   windows:
     name: Build Windows Executables
     if: inputs.build_windows == 'true'
@@ -147,11 +218,18 @@ jobs:
       success: ${{ steps.upload-file.outcome == 'success' || steps.upload-folder.outcome == 'success' }}
       file: ${{ steps.upload-file.outputs.artifact-url }}
       folder: ${{ steps.upload-folder.outputs.artifact-url }}
-    needs: status
+    needs: [status, cache-app-data]
     runs-on: windows-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v6
+
+      - name: Setup tmate session
+        if: inputs.tmate_debugging == 'true'
+        uses: mxschmitt/action-tmate@v3
+        with:
+          detached: true
+
       - name: Set up python ${{ inputs.python-version }}
         uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
@@ -161,6 +239,13 @@ jobs:
         with:
           name: build-exe
           version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Download prepared cached app data
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v7
+        with:
+          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+          path: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+
       - name: Set up poetry
         uses: hpcflow/github-support/setup-poetry@main
         with:
@@ -169,6 +254,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: poetry install --without dev
 
+      - name: Configure the app's Python environment # this allows us to run integration tests that use `script_data_in/out: "direct"`
+        id: configure_python_env
+        run: |
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} env setup python --use-current
+          $result = (poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} env info source_file -l python)
+          "env_source_file=$result" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_OUTPUT -Append -Encoding utf8
+
       - name: Build with pyinstaller for Windows (file)
         id: win_onefile
         if: inputs.build_onefile == 'true'
@@ -211,41 +303,41 @@ jobs:
           name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-build
           path: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/build/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win
 
-      - name: Set data dir (file) # in case we have a custom tag to use
-        if: steps.win_onefile.outcome == 'success' && inputs.config_data_dir != ''
-        run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win.exe config set data_dir ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}
-
-      - name: Set program dir (file) # in case we have a custom tag to use
-        if: steps.win_onefile.outcome == 'success' && inputs.config_program_dir != ''
-        run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win.exe config set program_dir ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}
-
-      - name: Set data dir (folder) # in case we have a custom tag to use
-        if: steps.win_onedir.outcome == 'success' && inputs.config_data_dir != ''
-        run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-dir.exe config set data_dir ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}
-
-      - name: Set program dir (folder) # in case we have a custom tag to use
-        if: steps.win_onedir.outcome == 'success' && inputs.config_program_dir != ''
+      - name: Install cached app data
+        env:
+          PYTHONUTF8: 1
         run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-dir.exe config set program_dir ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/data
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data --list
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/programs
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program --list
 
       - name: Run test suite on the frozen app (file)
-        if: steps.win_onefile.outcome == 'success'
+        if: steps.win_onefile.outcome == 'success' && inputs.unit_tests == 'true'
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           PYTHONUNBUFFERED: ok
+          PYTHONUTF8: 1
         run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win.exe test ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win.exe test --with-env-source ${{ steps.configure_python_env.outputs.env_source_file }} ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
 
       - name: Run test suite on the frozen app (folder)
-        if: steps.win_onedir.outcome == 'success'
+        if: steps.win_onedir.outcome == 'success' && inputs.unit_tests == 'true'
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           PYTHONUNBUFFERED: ok
+          PYTHONUTF8: 1
         run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-dir.exe test ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win-dir.exe test --with-env-source ${{ steps.configure_python_env.outputs.env_source_file }} ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+
+      - name: Run integration test suite on the frozen app (file) # tests are more likely to fail in the one-file build than the one-dir build, so just run integration tests with the one-file build
+        if: steps.win_onefile.outcome == 'success' && inputs.integration_tests == 'true'
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          PYTHONUNBUFFERED: ok
+          PYTHONUTF8: 1
+        run: |
+          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-win.exe test --with-env-source ${{ steps.configure_python_env.outputs.env_source_file }} ${{ inputs.integration_test_args }} --integration
 
   macos:
     name: Build macOS Executables
@@ -254,11 +346,18 @@ jobs:
       success: ${{ steps.upload-file.outcome == 'success' || steps.upload-folder.outcome == 'success' }}
       file: ${{ steps.upload-file.outputs.artifact-url }}
       folder: ${{ steps.upload-folder.outputs.artifact-url }}
-    needs: status
+    needs: [status, cache-app-data]
     runs-on: macos-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v6
+
+      - name: Setup tmate session
+        if: inputs.tmate_debugging == 'true'
+        uses: mxschmitt/action-tmate@v3
+        with:
+          detached: true
+
       - name: Set up python ${{ inputs.python-version }}
         uses: actions/setup-python@v6
         with:
@@ -268,6 +367,13 @@ jobs:
         with:
           name: build-exe
           version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Download prepared cached app data
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v7
+        with:
+          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+          path: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+
       - name: Set up poetry
         uses: hpcflow/github-support/setup-poetry@main
         with:
@@ -276,6 +382,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install dependencies
         run: poetry install --without dev
 
+      - name: Configure the app's Python environment # this allows us to run integration tests that use `script_data_in/out: "direct"`
+        id: configure_python_env
+        run: |
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} env setup python --use-current
+          result=$(poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} env info source_file -l python)
+          echo "env_source_file=$result" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
       - name: Build with pyinstaller for macOS (file)
         id: mac_onefile
         if: inputs.build_onefile == 'true'
@@ -318,41 +431,36 @@ jobs:
           name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-build
           path: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/build/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS
 
-      - name: Set data dir (file) # in case we have a custom tag to use
-        if: steps.mac_onefile.outcome == 'success' && inputs.config_data_dir != ''
-        run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS config set data_dir ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}
-
-      - name: Set program dir (file) # in case we have a custom tag to use
-        if: steps.mac_onefile.outcome == 'success' && inputs.config_program_dir != ''
+      - name: Install cached app data
         run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS config set program_dir ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}
-
-      - name: Set data dir (folder) # in case we have a custom tag to use
-        if: steps.mac_onedir.outcome == 'success' && inputs.config_data_dir != ''
-        run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-dir config set data_dir ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}
-
-      - name: Set program dir (folder) # in case we have a custom tag to use
-        if: steps.mac_onedir.outcome == 'success' && inputs.config_program_dir != ''
-        run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-dir config set program_dir ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/data
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data --list
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/programs
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program --list
 
       - name: Run test suite on the frozen app (file)
-        if: steps.mac_onefile.outcome == 'success'
+        if: steps.mac_onefile.outcome == 'success' && inputs.unit_tests == 'true'
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           PYTHONUNBUFFERED: ok
         run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS test ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS test --with-env-source ${{ steps.configure_python_env.outputs.env_source_file }} ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
 
       - name: Run test suite on the frozen app (folder)
-        if: steps.mac_onedir.outcome == 'success'
+        if: steps.mac_onedir.outcome == 'success' && inputs.unit_tests == 'true'
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           PYTHONUNBUFFERED: ok
         run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-dir test ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS-dir test --with-env-source ${{ steps.configure_python_env.outputs.env_source_file }} ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+
+      - name: Run integration test suite on the frozen app (file) # tests are more likely to fail in the one-file build than the one-dir build, so just run integration tests with the one-file build
+        if: steps.mac_onefile.outcome == 'success' && inputs.integration_tests == 'true'
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          PYTHONUNBUFFERED: ok
+        run: |
+          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-macOS test --with-env-source ${{ steps.configure_python_env.outputs.env_source_file }} ${{ inputs.integration_test_args }} --integration
 
   linux:
     name: Build Linux (Rocky Linux 8) Executables
@@ -361,54 +469,86 @@ jobs:
       success: ${{ steps.upload-file.outcome == 'success' || steps.upload-folder.outcome == 'success' }}
       file: ${{ steps.upload-file.outputs.artifact-url }}
       folder: ${{ steps.upload-folder.outputs.artifact-url }}
-    needs: status
+    needs: [status, cache-app-data]
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v6
+
+      - name: Setup tmate session
+        if: inputs.tmate_debugging == 'true'
+        uses: mxschmitt/action-tmate@v3
+        with:
+          detached: true
+
       - name: Cache dependencies
         uses: hpcflow/github-support/init-cache@0.3
         with:
           name: build-exe
           version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
 
+      - name: Download prepared cached app data
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v7
+        with:
+          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+          path: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+
+      - name: Store user and group IDs
+        run: |
+          echo "UID=$(id -u)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+          echo "GID=$(id -g)" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+
       - name: Build executable (file) within Docker
         id: linux_onefile
         if: inputs.build_onefile == 'true'
         uses: addnab/docker-run-action@v3
         with:
-          image: ghcr.io/hpcflow/rockylinux8-python:latest
-          options: -v ${{ github.workspace }}:/home --env GH_TOKEN=${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          image: ghcr.io/hpcflow/rockylinux8-python:latest # most of the options are just so we can debug (via tmate) when we have a custom pytest --basetemp directory
+          options: |
+            -v ${{ github.workspace }}:/home 
+            -u ${{ env.UID }}:${{ env.GID }}
+            --env HOME=/home
+            --env XDG_DATA_HOME=/home/.local/share
+            --env XDG_CACHE_HOME=/home/.cache
+            --env GH_TOKEN=${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+            --env UNIT_TESTS=${{ inputs.unit_tests }}
+            --env INTEGRATION_TESTS=${{ inputs.integration_tests }}
           run: |
+            set -e # exit on first failure
+
             # set up poetry
             cd /home
             poetry config virtualenvs.in-project true
             poetry install --without dev
 
+            # Configure the app's Python environment
+            # this allows us to run integration tests that use `script_data_in/out: "direct"`
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} env setup python --use-current
+            ENV_SOURCE_FILE=$(poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} env info source_file -l python)
+            echo "ENV_SOURCE_FILE=${ENV_SOURCE_FILE}"
+
             # build with pyinstaller for Rocky Linux (file)
             cd ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
             ./make.sh ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux ${{ inputs.logLevel }} onefile
             cd ..
 
-            # Set data dir in case we have a custom tag to use
-            if [[ -n "${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}" ]]; then
-              echo "config_data_dir is not empty: ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}"
-              ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux config set data_dir ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}
-            else
-              echo "config_data_dir is empty, skipping command"
-            fi
+            # install cache data
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/data
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data --list
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/programs
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program --list
 
-            # Set program dir in case we have a custom tag to use
-            if [[ -n "${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}" ]]; then
-              echo "config_program_dir is not empty: ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}"
-              ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux config set program_dir ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}
-            else
-              echo "config_program_dir is empty, skipping command"
+            export PYTHONUNBUFFERED=ok
+            if [ "$UNIT_TESTS" = "true" ]; then
+              # run test suite on the frozen app (file)
+              ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux test --with-env-source ${ENV_SOURCE_FILE} ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
             fi
 
-            export PYTHONUNBUFFERED=ok
-            # run test suite on the frozen app (file)
-            ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux test ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+            if [ "$INTEGRATION_TESTS" == "true" ]; then
+              # run integration test suite on the frozen app (file)
+              # tests are more likely to fail in the one-file build than the one-dir build, so just run integration tests with the one-file build
+              ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux test --with-env-source ${ENV_SOURCE_FILE} ${{ inputs.integration_test_args }} --integration
+            fi
 
       - name: Build executable (folder) within Docker
         id: linux_onedir
@@ -418,35 +558,35 @@ jobs:
           image: ghcr.io/hpcflow/rockylinux8-python:latest
           options: -v ${{ github.workspace }}:/home --env GH_TOKEN=${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           run: |
+            set -e # exit on first failure
+
             # set up poetry
             cd /home
             poetry config virtualenvs.in-project true
             poetry install --without dev
 
+            # Configure the app's Python environment
+            # this allows us to run integration tests that use `script_data_in/out: "direct"`
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} env setup python --use-current
+            ENV_SOURCE_FILE=$(poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} env info source_file -l python)
+            echo "ENV_SOURCE_FILE=${ENV_SOURCE_FILE}"
+
             # build with pyinstaller for Rocky Linux (folder)
             cd ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
             ./make.sh ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir ${{ inputs.logLevel }} onedir
             cd ..
 
-            # Set data dir in case we have a custom tag to use
-            if [[ -n "${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}" ]]; then
-              echo "config_data_dir is not empty: ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}"
-              ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir config set data_dir ${{ inputs.config_data_dir }}
-            else
-              echo "config_data_dir is empty, skipping command"
-            fi
-
-            # Set program dir in case we have a custom tag to use
-            if [[ -n "${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}" ]]; then
-              echo "config_program_dir is not empty: ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}"
-              ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir config set program_dir ${{ inputs.config_program_dir }}
-            else
-              echo "config_program_dir is empty, skipping command"
-            fi
+            # install cache data
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/data
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data --list
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/programs
+            poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program --list
 
             export PYTHONUNBUFFERED=ok
-            # run test suite on the frozen app (folder)
-            ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir test ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+            if [ "$UNIT_TESTS" == "true" ]; then
+              # run test suite on the frozen app (folder)
+              ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.status.outputs.version }}-linux-dir test --with-env-source ${ENV_SOURCE_FILE} ${{ inputs.unit_test_args }}
+            fi
 
       - name: Upload executable artifact (file)
         id: upload-file
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release-impl.yml b/.github/workflows/release-impl.yml
index ecf73eb..257db97 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release-impl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release-impl.yml
@@ -288,8 +288,51 @@ jobs:
           name: CHANGELOG_increment
           path: CHANGELOG_increment.md
 
+  cache-app-data:
+    permissions:
+      # No write permission
+      contents: read
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
+        with:
+          ref: ${{ inputs.ref }}
+
+      - name: Set up python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v6
+        with:
+          python-version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Set up poetry
+        uses: hpcflow/github-support/setup-poetry@main
+        with:
+          version: ${{ inputs.poetry-version }}
+
+      - name: Cache dependencies
+        uses: hpcflow/github-support/init-cache@main
+        with:
+          name: test
+          version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: |
+          poetry install --without dev,pyinstaller
+
+      - name: Cache all app data and programs
+        run: |
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} data cache --all
+          poetry run ${{ inputs.executable_name }} program cache --all
+
+      - name: Upload all cached app data/programs
+        id: upload-cached-app-data
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
+        with:
+          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+          path: ~/.cache/${{ inputs.executable_name }}
+
   build-executables:
-    needs: bump-version
+    needs: [bump-version, cache-app-data]
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
@@ -303,6 +346,11 @@ jobs:
             executable_os: macOS
 
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    env:
+      BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}
+      BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir${{ matrix.executable_ext }}
+      BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR_ZIPPED: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir.zip
+      BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}${{ matrix.executable_ext }}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v6
@@ -317,6 +365,13 @@ jobs:
         with:
           name: build
           version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
+
+      - name: Download prepared cached app data
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v7
+        with:
+          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+          path: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+
       - name: Set up poetry
         uses: hpcflow/github-support/setup-poetry@main
         with:
@@ -330,74 +385,87 @@ jobs:
         working-directory: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
         run: ./make.sh $TARGET INFO 'onefile'
         env:
-          TARGET: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}
+          TARGET: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}
 
       - name: Build with pyinstaller (non-Windows, folder)
         if: runner.os != 'Windows'
         working-directory: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
         run: ./make.sh $TARGET INFO 'onedir'
         env:
-          TARGET: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag}}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir
+          TARGET: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir
 
       - name: Build with pyinstaller (Windows, file)
         if: runner.os == 'Windows'
         working-directory: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
         run: ./make.ps1 -ExeName $Env:TARGET -LogLevel INFO -BuildType 'onefile'
         env:
-          TARGET: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}
+          TARGET: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}
 
       - name: Build with pyinstaller (Windows, folder)
         if: runner.os == 'Windows'
         working-directory: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
         run: ./make.ps1 -ExeName $Env:TARGET -LogLevel INFO -BuildType 'onedir'
         env:
-          TARGET: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir
+          TARGET: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir
 
       - name: Version check (file)
         uses: hpcflow/github-support/compare@0.3
         with:
           expected: "${{ inputs.app_name }}, version ${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.version }}"
-          command: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}${{ matrix.executable_ext }} --version
+          command: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }} --version
 
       - name: Version check (folder)
         uses: hpcflow/github-support/compare@0.3
         with:
           expected: "${{ inputs.app_name }}, version ${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.version }}"
-          command: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir${{ matrix.executable_ext }} --version
+          command: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR }}  --version
+
+      - name: Install cached app data
+        env:
+          PYTHONUTF8: 1
+        run: |
+          ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR }} data install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/data
+          ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR }} data --list
+          ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR }} program install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/programs
+          ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR }} program --list
 
       - name: Run test suite on the frozen app (folder)
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.general-token }}
         run: |
-          ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir${{ matrix.executable_ext }} test
+          ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR }} test
 
       - name: Compress folder (windows, folder)
         if: runner.os == 'Windows'
         working-directory: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
-        run: ./compress.ps1 -ExeName '${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir' -BuildType 'onedir'
+        run: ./compress.ps1 -ExeName '${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir' -BuildType 'onedir'
 
       - name: Compress folder (non-windows, folder)
         if: runner.os != 'Windows'
         working-directory: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
         run: ./compress.sh $TARGET 'onedir'
         env:
-          TARGET: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir
+          TARGET: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir
 
       - name: Upload executable artifact (file)
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
         with:
-          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}${{ matrix.executable_ext }}
-          path: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}${{ matrix.executable_ext }}
+          name: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}${{ matrix.executable_ext }}
+          path: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }}
 
       - name: Upload executable artifact (compressed folder)
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
         with:
-          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir.zip
-          path: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir.zip
+          name: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-${{ matrix.executable_os }}-dir.zip
+          path: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR_ZIPPED }}
 
   build-executables-linux:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    needs: bump-version
+    needs: [bump-version, cache-app-data]
+    env:
+      BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-linux-dir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-linux-dir
+      BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR_ZIPPED: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-linux-dir.zip
+      BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-linux
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
         uses: actions/checkout@v6
@@ -409,6 +477,12 @@ jobs:
           name: build
           version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
 
+      - name: Download prepared cached app data
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v7
+        with:
+          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+          path: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache
+
       - name: Build executables within Docker
         uses: addnab/docker-run-action@v3
         with:
@@ -419,53 +493,58 @@ jobs:
             cd /home
             poetry config virtualenvs.in-project true
             poetry install --without dev
-            base="${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}"
             vers_expected="${{ inputs.app_name }}, version ${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.version }}"
 
             # build with pyinstaller for Rocky Linux (file)
             cd ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
-            ./make.sh ${base}-linux INFO onefile
+            ./make.sh ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-linux INFO onefile
             cd ..
 
             # version check (file)
-            vers=$(${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${base}-linux --version)
+            vers=$(${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }} --version)
             echo $vers
             echo $vers_expected
             [ "$vers" = "$vers_expected" ]
 
+            # install cache data
+            ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }} data install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/data
+            ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }} data --list
+            ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }} program install-cache ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-app-data-cache/programs
+            ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }} program --list
+
             # run test suite on the frozen app (file)
-            ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${base}-linux test
+            ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }} test
 
             # build with pyinstaller for Rocky Linux (folder)
             cd ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
-            ./make.sh ${base}-linux-dir INFO onedir
+            ./make.sh ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-linux-dir INFO onedir
             cd ..
 
             # version check (folder)
-            vers=$(${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${base}-linux-dir/${base}-linux-dir --version)
+            vers=$(${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR }} --version)
             echo $vers
             echo $vers_expected
             [ "$vers" = "$vers_expected" ]
 
             # run test suite on the frozen app (folder)
-            ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${base}-linux-dir/${base}-linux-dir test
+            ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_DIR }} test
 
             # Compress folder (folder)
             cd ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}
-            ./compress.sh ${base}-linux-dir 'onedir'
+            ./compress.sh ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-linux-dir 'onedir'
             cd ..
 
       - name: Upload executable artifact (file)
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
         with:
-          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-linux
-          path: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onefile/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-linux
+          name: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-linux
+          path: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_PATH_FILE }}
 
       - name: Upload executable artifact (compressed folder)
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v6
         with:
-          name: ${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-linux-dir.zip
-          path: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ inputs.executable_name }}-${{ needs.bump-version.outputs.new_tag }}-linux-dir.zip
+          name: ${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-linux-dir.zip
+          path: ${{ inputs.pyinstaller_dir }}/dist/onedir/${{ env.BUILT_EXE_BASE_NAME }}-linux-dir.zip
 
   make-workflow-benchmark:
     needs: bump-version
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-impl.yml b/.github/workflows/test-impl.yml
index 2f1e123..ed03a85 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test-impl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-impl.yml
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ jobs:
         uses: hpcflow/github-support/init-cache@main
         with:
           name: test
-          version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+          version: "3.13"
 
       - name: Install dependencies
         timeout-minutes: ${{ inputs.install-timeout-minutes }}