diff --git a/.github/labeler.yml b/.github/labeler.yml
index 5db4a70fb4..4d44b76b10 100644
--- a/.github/labeler.yml
+++ b/.github/labeler.yml
@@ -274,7 +274,6 @@ topic:DX:
             "CONTRIBUTING.md",
             ".pre-commit-config.yaml",
             ".gitignore",
-            "requirements.txt",
           ]
 topic:security:
   - changed-files:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/CI_check_api_ref.yml b/.github/workflows/CI_check_api_ref.yml
index f2f2127727..6eaeb2f6cc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/CI_check_api_ref.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/CI_check_api_ref.yml
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install Hatch
         if: steps.changed.outputs.integrations != '[]'
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Generate API references
         if: steps.changed.outputs.integrations != '[]'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/CI_docusaurus_sync.yml b/.github/workflows/CI_docusaurus_sync.yml
index 0305e13a5d..e1aba9e8ce 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/CI_docusaurus_sync.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/CI_docusaurus_sync.yml
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: "3.10"
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Get project folder
         id: pathfinder
diff --git a/.github/workflows/CI_pypi_release.yml b/.github/workflows/CI_pypi_release.yml
index a2176b9ce8..7fc85ecf91 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/CI_pypi_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/CI_pypi_release.yml
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: "3.12"
 
       - name: Install dependencies
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0" requests
+        run: pip install hatch requests
 
       - name: Validate version number
         run: python .github/utils/validate_version.py --tag ${{ github.ref_name }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/aimlapi.yml b/.github/workflows/aimlapi.yml
index 873cabf075..5abe4b6573 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/aimlapi.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/aimlapi.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/amazon_bedrock.yml b/.github/workflows/amazon_bedrock.yml
index e58d91f165..a9704799c5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/amazon_bedrock.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/amazon_bedrock.yml
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/amazon_sagemaker.yml b/.github/workflows/amazon_sagemaker.yml
index dcb3d1a601..6b697ea0a2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/amazon_sagemaker.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/amazon_sagemaker.yml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/anthropic.yml b/.github/workflows/anthropic.yml
index b95df31bb8..e542d59f04 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/anthropic.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/anthropic.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/arcadedb.yml b/.github/workflows/arcadedb.yml
index 465559fb79..302d8b68a1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/arcadedb.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/arcadedb.yml
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/astra.yml b/.github/workflows/astra.yml
index c45d4a5467..62cc41df88 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/astra.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/astra.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/azure_ai_search.yml b/.github/workflows/azure_ai_search.yml
index 47b7f7b497..a640c72ec7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/azure_ai_search.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/azure_ai_search.yml
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/azure_doc_intelligence.yml b/.github/workflows/azure_doc_intelligence.yml
index c1c833fd18..534b0f50d0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/azure_doc_intelligence.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/azure_doc_intelligence.yml
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/chroma.yml b/.github/workflows/chroma.yml
index 753ee53d72..1310b05acb 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/chroma.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/chroma.yml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cohere.yml b/.github/workflows/cohere.yml
index 2b6b1bcbc2..4162e7c63a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cohere.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cohere.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cometapi.yml b/.github/workflows/cometapi.yml
index 8ede1bb806..3a55791ae4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cometapi.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cometapi.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deepeval.yml b/.github/workflows/deepeval.yml
index d93c3cd4a0..479784ff1d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deepeval.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deepeval.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/elasticsearch.yml b/.github/workflows/elasticsearch.yml
index fc82a14688..76f87bc96a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/elasticsearch.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/elasticsearch.yml
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/faiss.yml b/.github/workflows/faiss.yml
index 9cd95a9e6d..5ff25ddb82 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/faiss.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/faiss.yml
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/fastembed.yml b/.github/workflows/fastembed.yml
index 28103169c4..4b2d905265 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/fastembed.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/fastembed.yml
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/firecrawl.yml b/.github/workflows/firecrawl.yml
index 3c7eaa5221..b9808e6458 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/firecrawl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/firecrawl.yml
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/github.yml b/.github/workflows/github.yml
index ef2a56a04c..0f8b4c570e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/github.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/github.yml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/google_genai.yml b/.github/workflows/google_genai.yml
index 1a00528fab..1b5fd3fa63 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/google_genai.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/google_genai.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/hanlp.yml b/.github/workflows/hanlp.yml
index d7dee4e605..094026d48c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/hanlp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/hanlp.yml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/jina.yml b/.github/workflows/jina.yml
index 258b85b92f..c0b366aa75 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/jina.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/jina.yml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/langfuse.yml b/.github/workflows/langfuse.yml
index 3ef58d8c26..2b6d050adf 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/langfuse.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/langfuse.yml
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
     # TODO: Once this integration is properly typed, use hatch run test:types
     # https://github.com/deepset-ai/haystack-core-integrations/issues/1771
diff --git a/.github/workflows/lara.yml b/.github/workflows/lara.yml
index 9ef458ca20..948a3dd7a7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/lara.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lara.yml
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ jobs:
       python-version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python-version }}
     steps:
       - id: set
-        run: |
+        run: |pip install hatch
           echo 'os=${{ github.event_name == 'push' && '["ubuntu-latest"]' || env.TEST_MATRIX_OS }}' >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           echo 'python-version=${{ github.event_name == 'push' && '["3.10"]' || env.TEST_MATRIX_PYTHON }}' >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/llama_cpp.yml b/.github/workflows/llama_cpp.yml
index 156aadf688..1b58018791 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/llama_cpp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/llama_cpp.yml
@@ -29,8 +29,6 @@ concurrency:
 env:
   PYTHONUNBUFFERED: "1"
   FORCE_COLOR: "1"
-  TEST_MATRIX_OS: '["ubuntu-latest", "windows-latest", "macos-latest"]'
-  TEST_MATRIX_PYTHON: '["3.10", "3.14"]'
 
 jobs:
   compute-test-matrix:
@@ -39,13 +37,26 @@ jobs:
       run:
         working-directory: .
     outputs:
-      os: ${{ steps.set.outputs.os }}
-      python-version: ${{ steps.set.outputs.python-version }}
+      matrix: ${{ steps.set.outputs.matrix }}
     steps:
       - id: set
         run: |
-          echo 'os=${{ github.event_name == 'push' && '["ubuntu-latest"]' || env.TEST_MATRIX_OS }}' >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
-          echo 'python-version=${{ github.event_name == 'push' && '["3.10"]' || env.TEST_MATRIX_PYTHON }}' >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          if [ "${{ github.event_name }}" = "push" ]; then
+            echo 'matrix=[{"os":"ubuntu-latest","python-version":"3.10"}]' >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          else
+            MATRIX='['
+            MATRIX+='{"os":"ubuntu-latest","python-version":"3.10"},'
+            MATRIX+='{"os":"ubuntu-latest","python-version":"3.14"},'
+            MATRIX+='{"os":"windows-latest","python-version":"3.10"},'
+            MATRIX+='{"os":"windows-latest","python-version":"3.14"},'
+            # On macOS, pre-built wheels for 3.14 are not available and installing from source
+            # might fail due to missing dependencies (CMake fails with "OpenMP not found").
+            # We test with 3.12 instead because pre-built wheels are available for this version.            
+            MATRIX+='{"os":"macos-latest","python-version":"3.10"},'
+            MATRIX+='{"os":"macos-latest","python-version":"3.12"}'
+            MATRIX+=']'
+            echo "matrix=$MATRIX" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          fi
 
   run:
     name: Python ${{ matrix.python-version }} on ${{ startsWith(matrix.os, 'macos-') && 'macOS' || startsWith(matrix.os, 'windows-') && 'Windows' || 'Linux' }}
@@ -57,17 +68,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        os: ${{ fromJSON(needs.compute-test-matrix.outputs.os) }}
-        python-version: ${{ fromJSON(needs.compute-test-matrix.outputs.python-version) }}
-        exclude:
-          # on macOS, pre-built wheels for 3.14 are not available and installing from source
-          # might fail due to missing dependencies (CMake fails with "OpenMP not found")
-          - os: macos-latest
-            python-version: "3.14"
-        include:
-          # on macOS, we test with 3.12 because pre-built wheels are available for this version
-          - os: macos-latest
-            python-version: "3.12"
+        include: ${{ fromJSON(needs.compute-test-matrix.outputs.matrix) }}
 
     steps:
       - name: Support longpaths
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/llama_stack.yml b/.github/workflows/llama_stack.yml
index 5c072d1c88..d81c5709ba 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/llama_stack.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/llama_stack.yml
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ jobs:
           curl -fsS http://localhost:8321/v1/models || { echo "Health check failed. Logs:"; cat server.log; exit 1; }
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.12' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mcp.yml b/.github/workflows/mcp.yml
index 26761fa41d..d5e8b3fb84 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mcp.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mcp.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Set up Docker
         if: runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/meta_llama.yml b/.github/workflows/meta_llama.yml
index cf7d47eedf..d93e8a28d9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/meta_llama.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/meta_llama.yml
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ jobs:
           echo 'python-version=${{ github.event_name == 'push' && '["3.10"]' || env.TEST_MATRIX_PYTHON }}' >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
   run:
-    name: Python ${{ matrix.python-version }} on ${{ startsWith(matrix.os, 'macos-') && 'macOS' || startsWith(matrix.os, 'windows-') && 'Windows' || 'Linux' }}
+    name: Python ${{ matrpip install hatch{{ startsWith(matrix.os, 'macos-') && 'macOS' || startsWith(matrix.os, 'windows-') && 'Windows' || 'Linux' }}
     needs: compute-test-matrix
     permissions:
       contents: write
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mistral.yml b/.github/workflows/mistral.yml
index 348fd0923a..2f866de805 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mistral.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mistral.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/mongodb_atlas.yml b/.github/workflows/mongodb_atlas.yml
index 7fc1e32c04..bdbf4ffaf1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/mongodb_atlas.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/mongodb_atlas.yml
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/nvidia.yml b/.github/workflows/nvidia.yml
index 2a0d7ec714..06f716fb8b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/nvidia.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/nvidia.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ollama.yml b/.github/workflows/ollama.yml
index 36dcaa8c0a..d946261308 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ollama.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ollama.yml
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/openrouter.yml b/.github/workflows/openrouter.yml
index 597de34d90..a5bb0a2b73 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/openrouter.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/openrouter.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/opensearch.yml b/.github/workflows/opensearch.yml
index 09cd4b2433..4579b523a5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/opensearch.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/opensearch.yml
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/optimum.yml b/.github/workflows/optimum.yml
index ddc6e381dd..12a5236e59 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/optimum.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/optimum.yml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/paddleocr.yml b/.github/workflows/paddleocr.yml
index 0c55991229..9264916a90 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/paddleocr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/paddleocr.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pgvector.yml b/.github/workflows/pgvector.yml
index 6732c77131..7fec29861e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pgvector.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pgvector.yml
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pinecone.yml b/.github/workflows/pinecone.yml
index 48e5bb72cd..4572ce3a67 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pinecone.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pinecone.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       # TODO: Once this integration is properly typed, use hatch run test:types
       # https://github.com/deepset-ai/haystack-core-integrations/issues/1771
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pyversity.yml b/.github/workflows/pyversity.yml
index 1cc6e9b873..147c40742e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pyversity.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pyversity.yml
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/qdrant.yml b/.github/workflows/qdrant.yml
index f8f35913ea..cc45355766 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/qdrant.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/qdrant.yml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ragas.yml b/.github/workflows/ragas.yml
index 5940aa05dc..42f8d4f6e8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ragas.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ragas.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/snowflake.yml b/.github/workflows/snowflake.yml
index 5d389ec002..c9271fd05b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/snowflake.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/snowflake.yml
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/stackit.yml b/.github/workflows/stackit.yml
index 6cae613b3f..26e335d3a0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/stackit.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/stackit.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/togetherai.yml b/.github/workflows/togetherai.yml
index af14ae5882..015acde728 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/togetherai.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/togetherai.yml
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
         run: hatch run fmt-check && hatch run test:types
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unstructured.yml b/.github/workflows/unstructured.yml
index 5680a2bba1..49a558ad92 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unstructured.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unstructured.yml
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ jobs:
         os: ${{ fromJSON(needs.compute-test-matrix.outputs.os) }}
         python-version: ${{ fromJSON(needs.compute-test-matrix.outputs.python-version) }}
 
-    steps:
+    steps:pip install hatch
       - name: Free up disk space
         working-directory: .
         run: |
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/valkey.yml b/.github/workflows/valkey.yml
index 0bec7df2dc..ecc52a58d5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/valkey.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/valkey.yml
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/watsonx.yml b/.github/workflows/watsonx.yml
index 552422334f..7008e734e3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/watsonx.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/watsonx.yml
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/weave.yml b/.github/workflows/weave.yml
index b14d540832..48061363fa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/weave.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/weave.yml
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/.github/workflows/weaviate.yml b/.github/workflows/weaviate.yml
index 3f72d285e8..0ea536285f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/weaviate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/weaviate.yml
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ jobs:
           python-version: ${{ matrix.python-version }}
 
       - name: Install Hatch
-        run: pip install hatch "virtualenv<21.0.0"
+        run: pip install hatch
 
       - name: Lint
         if: matrix.python-version == '3.10' && runner.os == 'Linux'
diff --git a/integrations/llama_stack/tests/test_llama_stack_chat_generator.py b/integrations/llama_stack/tests/test_llama_stack_chat_generator.py
index e9dc87ecbd..832bfb5808 100644
--- a/integrations/llama_stack/tests/test_llama_stack_chat_generator.py
+++ b/integrations/llama_stack/tests/test_llama_stack_chat_generator.py
@@ -492,6 +492,6 @@ def test_live_run_with_response_format_pydantic_model(self, calendar_event_model
         assert len(results["replies"]) == 1
         message: ChatMessage = results["replies"][0]
         msg = json.loads(message.text)
-        assert "Marketing Summit" in msg["event_name"]
+        assert "marketing summit" in msg["event_name"].lower()
         assert isinstance(msg["event_date"], str)
         assert isinstance(msg["event_location"], str)
diff --git a/integrations/togetherai/tests/test_togetherai_chat_generator.py b/integrations/togetherai/tests/test_togetherai_chat_generator.py
index 3d34fa50af..18d5ab40b4 100644
--- a/integrations/togetherai/tests/test_togetherai_chat_generator.py
+++ b/integrations/togetherai/tests/test_togetherai_chat_generator.py
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ def test_live_run_with_response_format_pydantic_model(self, calendar_event_model
         assert len(results["replies"]) == 1
         message: ChatMessage = results["replies"][0]
         msg = json.loads(message.text)
-        assert "Marketing Summit" in msg["event_name"]
+        assert "marketing summit" in msg["event_name"].lower()
         assert isinstance(msg["event_date"], str)
         assert isinstance(msg["event_location"], str)
 
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index f06bada8ed..0000000000
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-hatch