From 37ff4b358d16e3915486df45101b291f9b833955 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:01:00 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 01/26] WIP: Add pixi CI runner

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml          | 23 ++++++++++++++++++++---
 tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh |  3 +++
 tools/github_actions_env_vars.sh     |  9 ++++++++-
 3 files changed, 31 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 14c79460e2f..be2cd1bf42a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ jobs:
             kind: mamba
           - os: macos-15-intel  # intel: Sequoia
             python: '3.13'
-            kind: mamba
+            kind: pixi
           - os: windows-latest
             python: '3.11'
             kind: mamba
@@ -123,6 +123,13 @@ jobs:
         with:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python }}
         if: startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip')
+      - uses: prefix-dev/setup-pixi@v0.9.4
+        with:
+          activate-environment: true
+          cache: true  # skip installation, use cached environment built from pixi.lock
+          # suggested constraint of cache-use to main, so we dont blow GH's cache limit.
+          cache-write: ${{ github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref_name == 'main' }}
+        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
       # Python (if conda)
       - name: Fixes for conda
         run: |
@@ -142,7 +149,7 @@ jobs:
               echo "MNE_IS_OSMESA=true" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
             fi
           fi
-        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba'
+        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba' || matrix.kind == "pixi"
       - uses: mamba-org/setup-micromamba@v2
         with:
           environment-file: ${{ env.CONDA_ENV }}
@@ -151,8 +158,18 @@ jobs:
           create-args: >-
             python=${{ env.PYTHON_VERSION }}
             -v
-        if: ${{ !startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip') }}
+        if: ${{ !startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip') && matrix.kind != 'pixi' }}
         timeout-minutes: 20
+      - name: Create pixi.toml
+        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
+        # environment.yml specifies the same python version as macos-intel CI (3.13)
+        # but let's expliclty set the version, in case these ever diverge in the future?
+        run: |
+          pixi init --import environment.yml
+          pixi add "python ==${{ matrix.python }}"
+      - name: Setup pixi environment
+        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
+        run: pixi install
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
       - run: python ./tools/github_actions_check_old.py
         if: matrix.kind == 'old'
diff --git a/tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh b/tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
index 8835270734b..27a8795d1d7 100755
--- a/tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
+++ b/tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@ if [ ! -z "$CONDA_ENV" ]; then
 		GROUP="test_extra"
 		EXTRAS="[hdf5]"
 	fi
+elif [[ "${MNE_CI_KIND}" == "pixi" ]]; then
+	GROUP="test_extra"
+	EXTRAS="[hdf5]"
 elif [[ "${MNE_CI_KIND}" == "pip" ]]; then
 	GROUP="test_extra"
 	EXTRAS="[full-pyside6]"
diff --git a/tools/github_actions_env_vars.sh b/tools/github_actions_env_vars.sh
index 37875308995..ee568976184 100755
--- a/tools/github_actions_env_vars.sh
+++ b/tools/github_actions_env_vars.sh
@@ -24,7 +24,14 @@ else  # conda-like
         echo "CONDA_ENV=tools/environment_minimal.yml" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
         echo "MNE_QT_BACKEND=PySide6" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
     else  # conda, mamba (use warning level for completeness)
-        echo "CONDA_ENV=environment.yml" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
+        # Pixi is treated as Conda-like (it uses environment.yaml) but it should not export
+        # CONDA_ENV because github_actions_dependencies.sh uses the existence of the
+        # CONDA_ENV environment variable to assume that the conda/mamba command is on
+        # PATH, which it is not for pixi jobs.
+        if [[ "$MNE_CI_KIND" != "pixi" ]]; then
+            echo "CONDA_ENV=environment.yml" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
+        fi
+
         echo "MNE_LOGGING_LEVEL=warning" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
         echo "MNE_QT_BACKEND=PySide6" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
         # TODO: Also need "|unreliable on GitHub Actions conda" on macOS, but omit for now to make sure the failure actually shows up

From 9bf2882bbc0f58bd7bef5ab101cbcb26d8ca61d7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:05:17 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 02/26] FIX: syntax

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index be2cd1bf42a..0fc7b68e138 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ jobs:
               echo "MNE_IS_OSMESA=true" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
             fi
           fi
-        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba' || matrix.kind == "pixi"
+        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba' || matrix.kind == 'pixi'
       - uses: mamba-org/setup-micromamba@v2
         with:
           environment-file: ${{ env.CONDA_ENV }}

From e736f17df1adf303ba1b0e56c7511f40fb491716 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:10:40 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 03/26] TST: test branch

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 0fc7b68e138..822d6f0fbd0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
   push:
-    branches: ["main", "maint/*"]
+    branches: ["main", "maint/*", "pixi"]
   pull_request:
     branches: ["main", "maint/*"]
   # adapted from spyder-ide/spyder

From 07ff86e22a55cfdeb9762c14fceb94e658c4f12b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:17:40 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 04/26] FIX: skip cache for now

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 4 +---
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 822d6f0fbd0..49e09ee2c07 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -126,9 +126,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: prefix-dev/setup-pixi@v0.9.4
         with:
           activate-environment: true
-          cache: true  # skip installation, use cached environment built from pixi.lock
-          # suggested constraint of cache-use to main, so we dont blow GH's cache limit.
-          cache-write: ${{ github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref_name == 'main' }}
+          cache: false  # caching depends on existence of a pixi.lock file
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
       # Python (if conda)
       - name: Fixes for conda

From 7fa7b7d8d57948f4a2ea8b0b892a12c8fee68582 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:25:04 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 05/26] FIX: create pixi.toml

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 49e09ee2c07..06454c03d6d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -163,8 +163,8 @@ jobs:
         # environment.yml specifies the same python version as macos-intel CI (3.13)
         # but let's expliclty set the version, in case these ever diverge in the future?
         run: |
-          pixi init --import environment.yml
-          pixi add "python ==${{ matrix.python }}"
+          pixi init --format pixi --import environment.yml
+          pixi add "python==${{ matrix.python }}"
       - name: Setup pixi environment
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
         run: pixi install

From c26c307382885844b5e22e5c8147078db7cea9d1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:34:40 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 06/26] check

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 06454c03d6d..0b780dc7380 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           pixi init --format pixi --import environment.yml
           pixi add "python==${{ matrix.python }}"
+          ls -la pixi.toml
       - name: Setup pixi environment
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
         run: pixi install

From 1ff86249a6bd6f54f15cc202053a12076ccf9832 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:45:50 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 07/26] try

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 0b780dc7380..8bcd1feb03e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ jobs:
         if: startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip')
       - uses: prefix-dev/setup-pixi@v0.9.4
         with:
-          activate-environment: true
+          activate-environment: false
           cache: false  # caching depends on existence of a pixi.lock file
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
       # Python (if conda)
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ jobs:
         # but let's expliclty set the version, in case these ever diverge in the future?
         run: |
           pixi init --format pixi --import environment.yml
-          pixi add "python==${{ matrix.python }}"
+          pixi add "python==${{ matrix.python }}" --no-install
           ls -la pixi.toml
       - name: Setup pixi environment
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'

From 03b2f2940bd9cb6fa8d35e0b50cd7afffcf00572 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 14:57:52 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 08/26] dont install

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 3 ++-
 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 8bcd1feb03e..226c4b4c0a9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -125,7 +125,8 @@ jobs:
         if: startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip')
       - uses: prefix-dev/setup-pixi@v0.9.4
         with:
-          activate-environment: false
+          activate-environment: true
+          run-install: false
           cache: false  # caching depends on existence of a pixi.lock file
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
       # Python (if conda)

From 8b73058dccb2cd5397ca8510a15d0f9fbac31b9b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:08:48 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 09/26] try again

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 226c4b4c0a9..aeeb452b3bd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ jobs:
         if: startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip')
       - uses: prefix-dev/setup-pixi@v0.9.4
         with:
-          activate-environment: true
+          activate-environment: false
           run-install: false
           cache: false  # caching depends on existence of a pixi.lock file
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'

From 962a49e17a0d147fa1a69ffe44b5032c76add15f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:16:29 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 10/26] activate environment

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 7 +++++++
 1 file changed, 7 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index aeeb452b3bd..a482ec666d7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -170,6 +170,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Setup pixi environment
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
         run: pixi install
+      # Now run setup-pixi again in order to activate the enviroment
+      - uses: prefix-dev/setup-pixi@v0.9.4
+        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
+        with:
+          run-install: false
+          activate-environment: true
+          cache: false
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
       - run: python ./tools/github_actions_check_old.py
         if: matrix.kind == 'old'

From 05359d8436057e6f31440aa23a104ffa272d189f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:19:06 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 11/26] FIX: rm cruft

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index a482ec666d7..ccb53218518 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ jobs:
         # environment.yml specifies the same python version as macos-intel CI (3.13)
         # but let's expliclty set the version, in case these ever diverge in the future?
         run: |
-          pixi init --format pixi --import environment.yml
+          pixi init --import environment.yml
           pixi add "python==${{ matrix.python }}" --no-install
           ls -la pixi.toml
       - name: Setup pixi environment

From 460c24a198c62308248470aa01367e4fb75ea6a7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:46:56 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 12/26] debug

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 6 ++++++
 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index ccb53218518..9e211efe07f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -177,6 +177,12 @@ jobs:
           run-install: false
           activate-environment: true
           cache: false
+      - name: Debug Qt availability
+        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
+        run: |
+          python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
+          python -c "import importlib; print('PySide6', importlib.util.find_spec('PySide6'))"
+          pixi list | grep -i side || true
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
       - run: python ./tools/github_actions_check_old.py
         if: matrix.kind == 'old'

From 5a16daac041aabd6c696f0e7f025de0e2775b8a1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 17:51:17 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 13/26] arg

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 9e211efe07f..9dd15bdec8c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ jobs:
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
         run: |
           python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
-          python -c "import importlib; print('PySide6', importlib.util.find_spec('PySide6'))"
+          python -c "from importlib import util; print('PySide6', util.find_spec('PySide6'))"
           pixi list | grep -i side || true
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
       - run: python ./tools/github_actions_check_old.py

From dc25bece7cbae1387203264f1846d040936b60d6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:02:49 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 14/26] more debug

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 5 +++++
 1 file changed, 5 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 9dd15bdec8c..e483ceafbe8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -202,6 +202,11 @@ jobs:
           key: ${{ env.TESTING_VERSION }}
           path: ~/mne_data
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_download.sh
+      - name: Debug interpreter + Qt
+        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
+        run: |
+          pixi run python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
+          pixi run python -c "import PySide6; print(PySide6.__version__)"
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_test.sh  # for some reason on macOS we need to run "bash X" in order for a failed test run to show up
       - uses: codecov/codecov-action@v5
         with:

From d1c45e24aa52f1fe61e0429e7543cf3f5756ced9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:20:50 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 15/26] tests

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index e483ceafbe8..dbec1ecde7a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -183,6 +183,7 @@ jobs:
           python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
           python -c "from importlib import util; print('PySide6', util.find_spec('PySide6'))"
           pixi list | grep -i side || true
+          python -c "import sys; assert '/.pixi/envs/default/bin/python' in sys.executable"
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
       - run: python ./tools/github_actions_check_old.py
         if: matrix.kind == 'old'

From 14c0687e416716c9e2db4358cc3161db3ca0a3ec Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:30:15 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 16/26] more

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index dbec1ecde7a..e83c48c4348 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -177,6 +177,8 @@ jobs:
           run-install: false
           activate-environment: true
           cache: false
+      - name: Verify Environment
+        run: echo $PATH
       - name: Debug Qt availability
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
         run: |

From 0376aaee74093e4abc0798297ada2acebd3f9cc1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:35:54 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 17/26] try

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index e83c48c4348..ca02443e851 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: prefix-dev/setup-pixi@v0.9.4
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
         with:
-          run-install: false
+          run-install: true
           activate-environment: true
           cache: false
       - name: Verify Environment

From a2076039ca74d4f0ebad9b57fa241ab26aeff309 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:48:11 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 18/26] hack: prepend path with executable

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 6 ++++++
 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index ca02443e851..24b7d319caf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -177,6 +177,12 @@ jobs:
           run-install: true
           activate-environment: true
           cache: false
+      - name: Prepend pixi env to PATH
+        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
+        run: |
+          echo "PATH=${{ github.workspace }}/.pixi/envs/default/bin:${PATH}" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          which python
+          python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
       - name: Verify Environment
         run: echo $PATH
       - name: Debug Qt availability

From 4f0770fc120ae09ab6cb1d56b239bae7b799dda3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:56:42 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 19/26] FIX: wrong var

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 24b7d319caf..c7518738a44 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Prepend pixi env to PATH
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
         run: |
-          echo "PATH=${{ github.workspace }}/.pixi/envs/default/bin:${PATH}" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          echo "PATH=${{ github.workspace }}/.pixi/envs/default/bin:${PATH}" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"
           which python
           python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
       - name: Verify Environment

From e0d0865c25128bff4af54e156bea43f92667a5e3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:03:21 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 20/26] FIX: shell

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index c7518738a44..c92fa67c58b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
     defaults:
       run:
-        shell: bash -el {0}
+        shell: bash -e {0}
     env:
       PYTHON_VERSION: '${{ matrix.python }}'
       MKL_NUM_THREADS: '1'

From 7c443435122b464a1aa8db7f7b3b67c12f468af4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2026 07:58:52 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 21/26] Found the issue (login shell). Now try to remove
 previous hack

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 6 ------
 1 file changed, 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index c92fa67c58b..4c70385b871 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -177,12 +177,6 @@ jobs:
           run-install: true
           activate-environment: true
           cache: false
-      - name: Prepend pixi env to PATH
-        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
-        run: |
-          echo "PATH=${{ github.workspace }}/.pixi/envs/default/bin:${PATH}" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"
-          which python
-          python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
       - name: Verify Environment
         run: echo $PATH
       - name: Debug Qt availability

From fe5a459bf45ff6335a8ae2b086c7c67536b07b51 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:28:22 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 22/26] now debug failiing conda-ish CI's

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 8 +++-----
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 4c70385b871..0d66d213c1b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ jobs:
               echo "MNE_IS_OSMESA=true" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
             fi
           fi
-        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba' || matrix.kind == 'pixi'
+        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba'
       - uses: mamba-org/setup-micromamba@v2
         with:
           environment-file: ${{ env.CONDA_ENV }}
@@ -166,7 +166,6 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           pixi init --import environment.yml
           pixi add "python==${{ matrix.python }}" --no-install
-          ls -la pixi.toml
       - name: Setup pixi environment
         if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
         run: pixi install
@@ -180,12 +179,11 @@ jobs:
       - name: Verify Environment
         run: echo $PATH
       - name: Debug Qt availability
-        if: matrix.kind == 'pixi'
+        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba' || matrix.kind == "old" || matrix.kind == "minimal"
         run: |
           python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
+          python -c "from importlib.metadata import version; print('pip version', version('pip'))"
           python -c "from importlib import util; print('PySide6', util.find_spec('PySide6'))"
-          pixi list | grep -i side || true
-          python -c "import sys; assert '/.pixi/envs/default/bin/python' in sys.executable"
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
       - run: python ./tools/github_actions_check_old.py
         if: matrix.kind == 'old'

From c2f8a97ffbd1e1200de948ab074bd65371617205 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:45:23 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 23/26] arggh GH YAML syntax doesnt allow double quotes

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 0d66d213c1b..2cf9271fe18 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Verify Environment
         run: echo $PATH
       - name: Debug Qt availability
-        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba' || matrix.kind == "old" || matrix.kind == "minimal"
+        if: matrix.kind == 'conda' || matrix.kind == 'mamba' || matrix.kind == 'old' || matrix.kind == 'minimal'
         run: |
           python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
           python -c "from importlib.metadata import version; print('pip version', version('pip'))"

From de6704c5ee4eade27b7a305a0bc7b284a473a697 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2026 09:56:57 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 24/26] try using shell wrapper

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 6 ++++++
 1 file changed, 6 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 2cf9271fe18..122589e3ca7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -157,6 +157,8 @@ jobs:
           create-args: >-
             python=${{ env.PYTHON_VERSION }}
             -v
+          generate-run-shell: true
+          init-shell: none
         if: ${{ !startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip') && matrix.kind != 'pixi' }}
         timeout-minutes: 20
       - name: Create pixi.toml
@@ -185,6 +187,8 @@ jobs:
           python -c "from importlib.metadata import version; print('pip version', version('pip'))"
           python -c "from importlib import util; print('PySide6', util.find_spec('PySide6'))"
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_dependencies.sh
+        if: ${{ matrix.kind != 'pixi' && !startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip') && runner.os != 'Windows' }}
+        shell: micromamba-shell {0}
       - run: python ./tools/github_actions_check_old.py
         if: matrix.kind == 'old'
       # Minimal commands on Linux (macOS stalls)
@@ -209,6 +213,8 @@ jobs:
           pixi run python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"
           pixi run python -c "import PySide6; print(PySide6.__version__)"
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_test.sh  # for some reason on macOS we need to run "bash X" in order for a failed test run to show up
+        if: ${{ matrix.kind != 'pixi' && !startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip') && runner.os != 'Windows' }}
+        shell: micromamba-shell {0}
       - uses: codecov/codecov-action@v5
         with:
           token: ${{ secrets.CODECOV_TOKEN }}

From 6e651d83317f95dcf01696487b210177f23b5de6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:08:20 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 25/26] more

---
 .github/workflows/tests.yml | 3 +++
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 122589e3ca7..41ff332b0cc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -191,10 +191,13 @@ jobs:
         shell: micromamba-shell {0}
       - run: python ./tools/github_actions_check_old.py
         if: matrix.kind == 'old'
+        shell: micromamba-shell {0}
       # Minimal commands on Linux (macOS stalls)
       - run: bash ./tools/get_minimal_commands.sh
         if: startswith(matrix.os, 'ubuntu') && matrix.kind != 'minimal' && matrix.kind != 'old'
       - run: bash ./tools/github_actions_infos.sh
+        if: ${{ matrix.kind != 'pixi' && !startswith(matrix.kind, 'pip') && runner.os != 'Windows' }}
+        shell: micromamba-shell {0}
       # Check Qt
       - run: bash ./tools/check_qt_import.sh $MNE_QT_BACKEND
         if: env.MNE_QT_BACKEND != ''

From a46fc3bd884491d21f413b5fd3a84e16940d3232 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Scott Huberty <seh33@uw.edu>
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:20:26 -0800
Subject: [PATCH 26/26] remove branch

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

diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 41ff332b0cc..6f2327b2458 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
   push:
-    branches: ["main", "maint/*", "pixi"]
+    branches: ["main", "maint/*"]
   pull_request:
     branches: ["main", "maint/*"]
   # adapted from spyder-ide/spyder