From 8f787d1e9db984ba4c2f25fe70aa3f5339035c12 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: vchamarthi <venkata.sai.gireesh.chamarthi@intel.com>
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:41:48 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 1/2] add free threading pythoon support

---
 .github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml          | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml | 2 +-
 .github/workflows/build_pip.yml                 | 2 +-
 conda-recipe-cf/meta.yaml                       | 4 +---
 conda-recipe/meta.yaml                          | 4 +---
 mkl/_mklinitmodule.c                            | 6 ++++++
 mkl/_py_mkl_service.pyx                         | 1 +
 pyproject.toml                                  | 2 +-
 8 files changed, 13 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml b/.github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml
index 4af204a..9c2aa7e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install mkl-service dependencies
         run: |
-          pip install meson-python cython cmake ninja
+          pip install meson-python "cython>=3.1.0" cmake ninja
 
       - name: List oneAPI folder content
         run: ls ${{ env.ONEAPI_ROOT }}/compiler
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml b/.github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml
index 4652f89..7fcfa2f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install mkl-service dependencies
         run: |
-          pip install meson-python cython cmake ninja mkl-devel
+          pip install meson-python "cython>=3.1.0" cmake ninja mkl-devel
 
       - name: Build mkl-service
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_pip.yml b/.github/workflows/build_pip.yml
index 1a21d61..c51adfd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_pip.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_pip.yml
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build conda package
         run: |
-          pip install --no-cache-dir meson-python ninja cmake cython
+          pip install --no-cache-dir meson-python ninja cmake "cython>=3.1.0"
           pip install -e ".[test]" --no-build-isolation --verbose
           pip list
           python -m pytest -v mkl/tests
diff --git a/conda-recipe-cf/meta.yaml b/conda-recipe-cf/meta.yaml
index 3dc85a4..daef60a 100644
--- a/conda-recipe-cf/meta.yaml
+++ b/conda-recipe-cf/meta.yaml
@@ -24,15 +24,13 @@ requirements:
       - cmake
       - ninja
       - python
-      - python-gil     # [py>=314]
       - pip >=25.0
       - mkl-devel  # [not osx]
       - mkl-devel <2024 # [osx]
-      - cython
+      - cython >=3.1.0
       - wheel >=0.45.1
     run:
       - python
-      - python-gil     # [py>=314]
       - {{ pin_compatible('mkl') }}
 
 test:
diff --git a/conda-recipe/meta.yaml b/conda-recipe/meta.yaml
index 577c792..3101306 100644
--- a/conda-recipe/meta.yaml
+++ b/conda-recipe/meta.yaml
@@ -23,15 +23,13 @@ requirements:
       - cmake
       - ninja
       - python
-      - python-gil     # [py>=314]
       - python-build
       - pip >=25.0
       - mkl-devel
-      - cython
+      - cython >=3.1.0
       - wheel >=0.45.1
     run:
       - python
-      - python-gil     # [py>=314]
       - {{ pin_compatible('mkl') }}
 
 test:
diff --git a/mkl/_mklinitmodule.c b/mkl/_mklinitmodule.c
index 33abdf5..11571dd 100644
--- a/mkl/_mklinitmodule.c
+++ b/mkl/_mklinitmodule.c
@@ -200,6 +200,12 @@ PyMODINIT_FUNC PyInit__mklinit(void)
         return NULL;
     }
 
+#ifdef Py_GIL_DISABLED
+    /* Declare that this module supports running without the GIL so the
+     * free-threaded interpreter does not re-enable it on import. */
+    PyUnstable_Module_SetGIL(m, Py_MOD_GIL_NOT_USED);
+#endif
+
     return m;
 }
 #else
diff --git a/mkl/_py_mkl_service.pyx b/mkl/_py_mkl_service.pyx
index 975a454..72908fe 100644
--- a/mkl/_py_mkl_service.pyx
+++ b/mkl/_py_mkl_service.pyx
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 
 # distutils: language = c
 # cython: language_level=3
+# cython: freethreading_compatible=True
 
 import numbers
 import warnings
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 3e89d35..ee76a6f 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ build-backend = "mesonpy"
 requires = [
   "meson-python>=0.13.0",
   "ninja",
-  "Cython",
+  "Cython>=3.1.0",
   "mkl-devel",
   "cmake"
 ]

From 2a955b310207a09e1e95e08fdd8b64dc98086062 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: vchamarthi <venkata.sai.gireesh.chamarthi@intel.com>
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2026 18:05:16 -0500
Subject: [PATCH 2/2] fix pr comments and pin 3.14 and 3.14t abi tags
 explicitly in conda-packaging

---
 .github/AGENTS.md                             |  10 +-
 .github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml        |   2 +-
 .../workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml   |   2 +-
 .github/workflows/build_pip.yml               |  10 +-
 .github/workflows/conda-package-cf.yml        | 126 +++++++++++++-----
 .github/workflows/conda-package.yml           |  88 ++++++++----
 AGENTS.md                                     |  11 +-
 CHANGELOG.md                                  |  11 ++
 README.md                                     |   2 +-
 conda-recipe/meta.yaml                        |   3 +-
 mkl/tests/test_mkl_service.py                 |  11 ++
 pyproject.toml                                |   1 +
 12 files changed, 205 insertions(+), 72 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.github/AGENTS.md b/.github/AGENTS.md
index a1041aa..a7fa27c 100644
--- a/.github/AGENTS.md
+++ b/.github/AGENTS.md
@@ -3,8 +3,10 @@
 CI/CD workflows, automation, security scanning, and package distribution.
 
 ## Workflows
-- **conda-package.yml** — main build/test pipeline (Linux/Windows, Python 3.10-3.14)
-- **conda-package-cf.yml** — build/test using only conda-forge channel (Linux/Windows, Python 3.10-3.14)
+All build/test workflows cover Python 3.10-3.14 plus free-threaded 3.14t.
+
+- **conda-package.yml** — main build/test pipeline (Linux/Windows)
+- **conda-package-cf.yml** — build/test using only conda-forge channel (Linux/Windows)
 - **build-with-clang.yml** — Linux Clang compiler compatibility validation
 - **build-with-standard-clang.yml** — standard Clang compiler compatibility validation
 - **build_pip.yml** — validates editable build
@@ -14,7 +16,9 @@ CI/CD workflows, automation, security scanning, and package distribution.
 ## CI/CD policy
 - Keep build matrix (Python versions, platforms) in workflow files only
 - Required checks: conda build + test on supported Python versions/platforms in CI
-- Artifact naming: `$PACKAGE_NAME $OS Python $VERSION`
+- Python 3.14 is expressed as two `include` rows carrying `python_spec` (`3.14.* *_cp314` and `3.14.* *_cp314t`); a bare `--python 3.14` has been observed to select the free-threaded ABI and must not be relied on
+- `include` rows create new matrix combinations and inherit nothing, so `runner`/`experimental` must be repeated wherever the job reads them
+- Artifact naming: `$PACKAGE_NAME $OS Python $VERSION`, where `$VERSION` is `python_tag` (`3.14` or `3.14t`) when set, otherwise `python`
 - Channels: `conda-forge`, `conda-forge/label/python_rc`, Intel channel
 
 ## Security
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml b/.github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml
index b9ffef5..14eca44 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-with-clang.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12", "3.13", "3.14"]
+        python: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12", "3.13", "3.14", "3.14t"]
 
     env:
       ONEAPI_ROOT: /opt/intel/oneapi
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml b/.github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml
index d4b3ed6..a2dd326 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-with-standard-clang.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12", "3.13", "3.14"]
+        python: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12", "3.13", "3.14", "3.14t"]
 
     env:
       COMPILER_ROOT: /usr/bin
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_pip.yml b/.github/workflows/build_pip.yml
index efd87a7..c399cd9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build_pip.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_pip.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,13 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12", "3.13", "3.14"]
+        python: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12", "3.13"]
+        python_spec: ['']
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
 
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
@@ -33,7 +39,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Install MKL
         run: |
-          conda install mkl-devel mkl
+          conda install mkl-devel mkl "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}"
 
       - name: Build with pip
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/conda-package-cf.yml b/.github/workflows/conda-package-cf.yml
index c5ab663..522ff13 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/conda-package-cf.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/conda-package-cf.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,15 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
 
     steps:
       - name: Cancel Previous Runs
@@ -44,9 +52,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: ~/.conda/pkgs
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Add conda to system path
@@ -63,7 +71,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build conda package
         run: |
           CHANNELS=(-c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels)
-          VERSIONS=(--python "${{ matrix.python }}")
+          VERSIONS=(--python "${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}")
           TEST=(--no-test)
 
           conda build \
@@ -75,7 +83,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Upload artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
           path: ${{ env.CONDA_BLD }}${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}-*.conda
 
   build_windows:
@@ -83,7 +91,15 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
 
     steps:
       - name: Cancel Previous Runs
@@ -116,9 +132,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: /home/runner/conda_pkgs_dir
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Store conda paths as envs
@@ -135,12 +151,12 @@ jobs:
           conda list -n base
 
       - name: Build conda package
-        run: conda build --no-test --python ${{ matrix.python }} -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels conda-recipe-cf
+        run: conda build --no-test --python "${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels conda-recipe-cf
 
       - name: Upload artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
           path: ${{ env.CONDA_BLD }}${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}-*.conda
 
   test_linux:
@@ -149,9 +165,21 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
         experimental: [false]
         runner: [ubuntu-latest]
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: ubuntu-latest
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: ubuntu-latest
     continue-on-error: ${{ matrix.experimental }}
     env:
       CHANNELS: -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels
@@ -160,7 +188,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Download artifact
         uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
 
       - name: Add conda to system path
         run: echo "$CONDA/bin" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"
@@ -184,7 +212,7 @@ jobs:
           CHANNELS=(-c "$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/channel" -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels)
           PACKAGE_VERSION="$(python -c "${VER_SCRIPT1} ${VER_SCRIPT2}")"
           export PACKAGE_VERSION
-          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" "python=${{ matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}" --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
+          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}" --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
           cat lockfile
 
       - name: Set pkgs_dirs
@@ -198,9 +226,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: ~/.conda/pkgs
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Install mkl-service
@@ -209,7 +237,7 @@ jobs:
           CHANNELS=(-c "$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/channel" -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels)
           PACKAGE_VERSION="$(python -c "${VER_SCRIPT1} ${VER_SCRIPT2}")"
           export PACKAGE_VERSION
-          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" pytest "python=${{ matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}"
+          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" pytest "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}"
           # Test installed packages
           conda list
 
@@ -225,9 +253,21 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
         experimental: [false]
         runner: [windows-latest]
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: windows-latest
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: windows-latest
     continue-on-error: ${{ matrix.experimental }}
     env:
       CHANNELS: -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels
@@ -236,7 +276,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Download artifact
         uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
       - uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@8ee1f361103df19b6f8c8655fd3967a8ecb162d5 # v4.0.1
         with:
           miniforge-version: latest
@@ -266,7 +306,7 @@ jobs:
           FOR /F "tokens=* USEBACKQ" %%F IN (`python -c "%SCRIPT%"`) DO (
              SET PACKAGE_VERSION=%%F
           )
-          conda install -n ${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }} ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}=%PACKAGE_VERSION% python=${{ matrix.python }} -c ${{ env.GITHUB_WORKSPACE }}/channel ${{ env.CHANNELS }} --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
+          conda install -n ${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }} ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}=%PACKAGE_VERSION% "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" -c ${{ env.GITHUB_WORKSPACE }}/channel ${{ env.CHANNELS }} --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
           more lockfile
 
       - name: Cache conda packages
@@ -276,9 +316,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: /home/runner/conda_pkgs_dir
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Install mkl-service
@@ -290,7 +330,7 @@ jobs:
           FOR /F "tokens=* USEBACKQ" %%F IN (`python -c "%SCRIPT%"`) DO (
              SET PACKAGE_VERSION=%%F
           )
-          conda create -n ${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }} ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}=%PACKAGE_VERSION% pytest python=${{ matrix.python }} -c ${{ env.GITHUB_WORKSPACE }}/channel ${{ env.CHANNELS }}
+          conda create -n ${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }} ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}=%PACKAGE_VERSION% pytest "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" -c ${{ env.GITHUB_WORKSPACE }}/channel ${{ env.CHANNELS }}
           # Test installed packages
           conda list
 
@@ -304,7 +344,15 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
 
     steps:
       - name: Cancel Previous Runs
@@ -330,9 +378,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: /Users/runner/conda_pkgs_dir
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Install conda-build
@@ -350,7 +398,7 @@ jobs:
         shell: bash -el {0}
         run: |
           CHANNELS=(-c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels)
-          VERSIONS=(--python "${{ matrix.python }}")
+          VERSIONS=(--python "${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}")
           TEST=(--no-test)
 
           conda build \
@@ -362,7 +410,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Upload artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
           path: ${{ env.CONDA_BLD }}${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}-*.conda
 
   test_osx:
@@ -371,9 +419,21 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
         experimental: [false]
         runner: [macos-26-intel]
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: macos-26-intel
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: macos-26-intel
     continue-on-error: ${{ matrix.experimental }}
     env:
       CHANNELS: -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels
@@ -382,7 +442,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Download artifact
         uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
 
       - uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@8ee1f361103df19b6f8c8655fd3967a8ecb162d5 # v4.0.1
         with:
@@ -411,7 +471,7 @@ jobs:
           CHANNELS=(-c "$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/channel" -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels)
           PACKAGE_VERSION="$(python -c "${VER_SCRIPT1} ${VER_SCRIPT2}")"
           export PACKAGE_VERSION
-          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" "python=${{ matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}" --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
+          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}" --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
           cat lockfile
 
       - name: Cache conda packages
@@ -421,9 +481,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: /Users/runner/conda_pkgs_dir
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Install mkl-service
@@ -432,7 +492,7 @@ jobs:
           CHANNELS=(-c "$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/channel" -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels)
           PACKAGE_VERSION="$(python -c "${VER_SCRIPT1} ${VER_SCRIPT2}")"
           export PACKAGE_VERSION
-          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" pytest "python=${{ matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}"
+          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" pytest "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}"
           # Test installed packages
           conda list -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}"
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/conda-package.yml b/.github/workflows/conda-package.yml
index 4b1d037..289dcb1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/conda-package.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/conda-package.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,15 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
 
     steps:
       - name: Cancel Previous Runs
@@ -44,9 +52,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: ~/.conda/pkgs
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Add conda to system path
@@ -64,7 +72,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build conda package
         run: |
           CHANNELS=(-c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc -c https://software.repos.intel.com/python/conda --override-channels)
-          VERSIONS=(--python "${{ matrix.python }}")
+          VERSIONS=(--python "${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}")
           TEST=(--no-test)
 
           conda build \
@@ -76,13 +84,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Upload artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
           path: ${{ env.CONDA_BLD }}${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}-*.conda
 
       - name: Upload wheels artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Wheels Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Wheels Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
           path: ${{ env.WHEELS_OUTPUT_FOLDER }}mkl_service-*.whl
 
   build_windows:
@@ -90,7 +98,15 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
 
     steps:
       - name: Cancel Previous Runs
@@ -115,9 +131,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: /home/runner/conda_pkgs_dir
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('**/meta.yaml') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Store conda paths as envs
@@ -132,18 +148,18 @@ jobs:
           conda list -n base
 
       - name: Build conda package
-        run: conda build --no-test --python ${{ matrix.python }} -c https://software.repos.intel.com/python/conda -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels conda-recipe
+        run: conda build --no-test --python "${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" -c https://software.repos.intel.com/python/conda -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc --override-channels conda-recipe
 
       - name: Upload artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
           path: ${{ env.CONDA_BLD }}${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}-*.conda
 
       - name: Upload wheels artifact
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@043fb46d1a93c77aae656e7c1c64a875d1fc6a0a # v7.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Wheels Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Wheels Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
           path: ${{ env.WHEELS_OUTPUT_FOLDER }}mkl_service-*.whl
 
   test_linux:
@@ -152,9 +168,21 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
         experimental: [false]
         runner: [ubuntu-latest]
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: ubuntu-latest
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: ubuntu-latest
     continue-on-error: ${{ matrix.experimental }}
     env:
       CHANNELS: -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc -c https://software.repos.intel.com/python/conda --override-channels
@@ -163,7 +191,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Download artifact
         uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
 
       - name: Add conda to system path
         run: echo "$CONDA/bin" >> "$GITHUB_PATH"
@@ -187,7 +215,7 @@ jobs:
           CHANNELS=(-c "$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/channel" -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc -c https://software.repos.intel.com/python/conda --override-channels)
           PACKAGE_VERSION="$(python -c "${VER_SCRIPT1} ${VER_SCRIPT2}")"
           export PACKAGE_VERSION
-          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" "python=${{ matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}" --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
+          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}" --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
           cat lockfile
 
       - name: Set pkgs_dirs
@@ -201,9 +229,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: ~/.conda/pkgs
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
       - name: Install mkl-service
@@ -212,7 +240,7 @@ jobs:
           CHANNELS=(-c "$GITHUB_WORKSPACE/channel" -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc -c https://software.repos.intel.com/python/conda --override-channels)
           PACKAGE_VERSION="$(python -c "${VER_SCRIPT1} ${VER_SCRIPT2}")"
           export PACKAGE_VERSION
-          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" pytest "python=${{ matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}"
+          conda create -n "${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }}" "$PACKAGE_NAME=$PACKAGE_VERSION" pytest "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" "${CHANNELS[@]}"
           # Test installed packages
           conda list
 
@@ -228,9 +256,21 @@ jobs:
 
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13', '3.14']
+        python: ['3.10', '3.11', '3.12', '3.13']
+        python_spec: ['']
         experimental: [false]
         runner: [windows-latest]
+        include:
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314'
+            python_tag: '3.14'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: windows-latest
+          - python: '3.14'
+            python_spec: '3.14.* *_cp314t'
+            python_tag: '3.14t'
+            experimental: false
+            runner: windows-latest
     continue-on-error: ${{ matrix.experimental }}
     env:
       CHANNELS: -c conda-forge -c conda-forge/label/python_rc -c https://software.repos.intel.com/python/conda --override-channels
@@ -239,7 +279,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Download artifact
         uses: actions/download-artifact@3e5f45b2cfb9172054b4087a40e8e0b5a5461e7c # v8.0.1
         with:
-          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python }}
+          name: ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }} ${{ runner.os }} Python ${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}
       - uses: conda-incubator/setup-miniconda@8ee1f361103df19b6f8c8655fd3967a8ecb162d5 # v4.0.1
         with:
           miniforge-version: latest
@@ -269,7 +309,7 @@ jobs:
           FOR /F "tokens=* USEBACKQ" %%F IN (`python -c "%SCRIPT%"`) DO (
              SET PACKAGE_VERSION=%%F
           )
-          conda install -n ${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }} ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}=%PACKAGE_VERSION% python=${{ matrix.python }} -c ${{ env.GITHUB_WORKSPACE }}/channel ${{ env.CHANNELS }} --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
+          conda install -n ${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }} ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}=%PACKAGE_VERSION% "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" -c ${{ env.GITHUB_WORKSPACE }}/channel ${{ env.CHANNELS }} --only-deps --dry-run > lockfile
           more lockfile
 
       - name: Cache conda packages
@@ -279,9 +319,9 @@ jobs:
         with:
           path: /home/runner/conda_pkgs_dir
           key:
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-${{hashFiles('lockfile') }}
           restore-keys: |
-            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python }}-
+            ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-python-${{ matrix.python_tag || matrix.python }}-
             ${{ runner.os }}-conda-${{ env.CACHE_NUMBER }}-
 
         # add intel-openmp as an explicit dependency
@@ -296,7 +336,7 @@ jobs:
              SET PACKAGE_VERSION=%%F
           )
           SET "WORKAROUND_DEPENDENCIES=intel-openmp"
-          conda create -n ${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }} ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}=%PACKAGE_VERSION% %WORKAROUND_DEPENDENCIES% pytest python=${{ matrix.python }} -c ${{ env.GITHUB_WORKSPACE }}/channel ${{ env.CHANNELS }}
+          conda create -n ${{ env.TEST_ENV_NAME }} ${{ env.PACKAGE_NAME }}=%PACKAGE_VERSION% %WORKAROUND_DEPENDENCIES% pytest "python ${{ matrix.python_spec || matrix.python }}" -c ${{ env.GITHUB_WORKSPACE }}/channel ${{ env.CHANNELS }}
           # Test installed packages
           conda list
 
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 67ee6b0..55f57d7 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -26,18 +26,18 @@ Originally part of Intel® Distribution for Python*, now a standalone package av
 - meson-python
 - CMake
 - Ninja
-- Cython
+- Cython 3.1+ (required for the `freethreading_compatible` directive)
 - Python 3.10+
 
 **Build against an existing `mkl` installation:**
 
 Install the build dependencies via Conda:
 ```bash
-conda install -c conda-forge mkl-devel cython meson-python cmake ninja
+conda install -c conda-forge mkl-devel "cython>=3.1.0" meson-python cmake ninja
 ```
 or via pip:
 ```bash
-python -m pip install mkl-devel cython meson-python cmake ninja
+python -m pip install mkl-devel "cython>=3.1.0" meson-python cmake ninja
 ```
 then build without pulling a fresh `mkl` into an isolated build:
 ```bash
@@ -45,8 +45,9 @@ python -m pip install --no-deps --no-build-isolation .
 ```
 
 ## CI/CD
-- **Platforms in CI workflows:** Linux, Windows
-- **Python versions:** 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14
+- **Platforms in CI workflows:** Linux, Windows, macOS (conda-forge workflow only)
+- **Python versions:** 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, and free-threaded 3.14t
+- **Python 3.14 ABI selection:** conda jobs must request an explicit ABI, `3.14.* *_cp314` (GIL) or `3.14.* *_cp314t` (free-threaded). Once the recipes stopped constraining `python-gil`, a bare `--python 3.14` was observed to resolve to the free-threaded build, so it must not be relied on.
 - **Workflows:** `.github/workflows/`
   - `conda-package.yml` — main conda build/test pipeline
   - `conda-package-cf.yml` — conda build/test using only conda-forge channel
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 4588616..a4fbbf6 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,17 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.1.0/),
 and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.html).
 
+## [Unreleased]
+
+### Added
+* Added support for free-threaded (GIL-disabled) CPython builds: the Cython extension is compiled with `freethreading_compatible=True` and `_mklinit` declares `Py_MOD_GIL_NOT_USED`, so importing `mkl` no longer re-enables the GIL [gh-213](https://github.com/IntelPython/mkl-service/pull/213)
+
+### Changed
+* Raised the minimum build-time `Cython` requirement to `3.1.0`, the first release providing the `freethreading_compatible` directive [gh-213](https://github.com/IntelPython/mkl-service/pull/213)
+
+### Removed
+* Removed the `python-gil` constraint from the conda recipes, which pinned `mkl-service` to GIL-enabled Python 3.14 builds [gh-213](https://github.com/IntelPython/mkl-service/pull/213)
+
 ## [2.8.0] (07/23/2026)
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 72a4208..52620af 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ If you already have `mkl` installed (from your system or a Conda environment) an
 want to reuse it instead of pulling a fresh copy into an isolated build, first
 install the build dependencies:
 ```sh
-python -m pip install mkl-devel meson-python cmake ninja cython
+python -m pip install mkl-devel meson-python cmake ninja "cython>=3.1.0"
 ```
 
 then build against the existing installation with:
diff --git a/conda-recipe/meta.yaml b/conda-recipe/meta.yaml
index d1755da..3242bb7 100644
--- a/conda-recipe/meta.yaml
+++ b/conda-recipe/meta.yaml
@@ -22,8 +22,7 @@ requirements:
       - cmake
       - ninja
       - python
-      - python-build
-      - python-gil     # [py>=314]
+      - python-build >=1.2.2
       - pip >=25.0
       - mkl-devel
       - cython >=3.1.0
diff --git a/mkl/tests/test_mkl_service.py b/mkl/tests/test_mkl_service.py
index b84f0fc..985a9f8 100644
--- a/mkl/tests/test_mkl_service.py
+++ b/mkl/tests/test_mkl_service.py
@@ -25,6 +25,9 @@
 
 # pylint: disable=no-member
 
+import sys
+import sysconfig
+
 import pytest
 
 import mkl
@@ -199,6 +202,14 @@ def test_set_memory_limit():
     mkl.set_memory_limit(2**16)
 
 
+@pytest.mark.skipif(
+    not sysconfig.get_config_var("Py_GIL_DISABLED"),
+    reason="requires a free-threaded (GIL-disabled) Python build",
+)
+def test_import_does_not_reenable_gil():
+    assert sys._is_gil_enabled() is False
+
+
 def check_cbwr(branch, cnr_const):
     status = mkl.cbwr_set(branch=branch)
     if status == "success":
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 884c499..cfbbf33 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ classifiers = [
   "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12",
   "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13",
   "Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14",
+  "Programming Language :: Python :: Free Threading :: 2 - Beta",
   "Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPython",
   "Topic :: Software Development",
   "Topic :: Utilities",