diff --git a/.env.example b/.env.example
index bef927066..674606c3a 100644
--- a/.env.example
+++ b/.env.example
@@ -190,6 +190,24 @@ SKILLS_LOCAL_DIR=
 # Set to false to disable persisting `working.user.*` docs from skill sync payloads.
 OPENHUMAN_SKILLS_WORKING_MEMORY_ENABLED=true
 
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Python runtime
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# [optional] Default: true. Controls whether core may resolve Python for
+# Python-backed integrations such as stdio MCP servers.
+# OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_ENABLED=true
+# [optional] Minimum acceptable interpreter version (default: 3.12.0).
+# OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_MINIMUM_VERSION=3.12.0
+# [optional] Pin a specific python-build-standalone release tag. Blank means
+# query the latest release at install time.
+# OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_MANAGED_RELEASE_TAG=
+# [optional] Reuse a host interpreter before the managed runtime. Default: false.
+# OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_PREFER_SYSTEM=false
+# [optional] Preferred executable name or absolute path.
+# OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_PREFERRED_COMMAND=python3.12
+# [optional] Reserved cache directory for future managed CPython installs.
+# OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_CACHE_DIR=
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Error Reporting (Sentry)
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/openhuman/about_app/catalog.rs b/src/openhuman/about_app/catalog.rs
index 8d8ee276f..a04c8a52f 100644
--- a/src/openhuman/about_app/catalog.rs
+++ b/src/openhuman/about_app/catalog.rs
@@ -607,6 +607,17 @@ const CAPABILITIES: &[Capability] = &[
         status: CapabilityStatus::Beta,
         privacy: MODEL_DOWNLOAD,
     },
+    Capability {
+        id: "local_ai.python_runtime_installer",
+        name: "Managed Python Runtime",
+        domain: "runtime_python",
+        category: CapabilityCategory::LocalAI,
+        description:
+            "Download and reuse an OpenHuman-managed CPython runtime for Python-backed local integrations such as MCP servers, with a system-Python override reserved for development.",
+        how_to: "Configured by the core `runtime_python` module; future UI surfaces can expose install state and overrides.",
+        status: CapabilityStatus::Beta,
+        privacy: MODEL_DOWNLOAD,
+    },
     Capability {
         id: "team.create",
         name: "Create Teams",
diff --git a/src/openhuman/config/schema/load.rs b/src/openhuman/config/schema/load.rs
index fd52ee060..1325508d6 100644
--- a/src/openhuman/config/schema/load.rs
+++ b/src/openhuman/config/schema/load.rs
@@ -1148,6 +1148,35 @@ impl Config {
             }
         }
 
+        // Python runtime overrides
+        if let Some(flag) = env.get("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_ENABLED") {
+            if let Some(enabled) = parse_env_bool("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_ENABLED", &flag) {
+                self.runtime_python.enabled = enabled;
+            }
+        }
+        if let Some(version) = env.get("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_MINIMUM_VERSION") {
+            let trimmed = version.trim();
+            if !trimmed.is_empty() {
+                self.runtime_python.minimum_version = trimmed.to_string();
+            }
+        }
+        if let Some(dir) = env.get("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_CACHE_DIR") {
+            self.runtime_python.cache_dir = dir.trim().to_string();
+        }
+        if let Some(tag) = env.get("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_MANAGED_RELEASE_TAG") {
+            self.runtime_python.managed_release_tag = tag.trim().to_string();
+        }
+        if let Some(flag) = env.get("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_PREFER_SYSTEM") {
+            if let Some(prefer_system) =
+                parse_env_bool("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_PREFER_SYSTEM", &flag)
+            {
+                self.runtime_python.prefer_system = prefer_system;
+            }
+        }
+        if let Some(command) = env.get("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_PREFERRED_COMMAND") {
+            self.runtime_python.preferred_command = command.trim().to_string();
+        }
+
         // Prefer the namespaced name. `OPENHUMAN_SENTRY_DSN` is the legacy
         // unprefixed name kept as a fallback so existing CI vars and local
         // `.env` files keep working until the GH org-level variable can be
diff --git a/src/openhuman/config/schema/load_tests.rs b/src/openhuman/config/schema/load_tests.rs
index 16e6bd902..7e9741387 100644
--- a/src/openhuman/config/schema/load_tests.rs
+++ b/src/openhuman/config/schema/load_tests.rs
@@ -612,6 +612,53 @@ fn env_overlay_node_flags_respect_bool_parser() {
     assert_eq!(cfg.node.version, original_version);
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn env_overlay_runtime_python_flags_respect_bool_parser() {
+    let mut cfg = Config::default();
+    let original_version = cfg.runtime_python.minimum_version.clone();
+
+    cfg.apply_env_overlay_with(
+        &HashMapEnv::new()
+            .with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_ENABLED", "yes")
+            .with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_PREFER_SYSTEM", "off")
+            .with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_CACHE_DIR", "/tmp/oh-python")
+            .with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_MANAGED_RELEASE_TAG", "20260510")
+            .with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_PREFERRED_COMMAND", "python3.12"),
+    );
+    assert!(cfg.runtime_python.enabled);
+    assert!(!cfg.runtime_python.prefer_system);
+    assert_eq!(cfg.runtime_python.cache_dir, "/tmp/oh-python");
+    assert_eq!(cfg.runtime_python.managed_release_tag, "20260510");
+    assert_eq!(cfg.runtime_python.preferred_command, "python3.12");
+    assert_eq!(
+        cfg.runtime_python.minimum_version, original_version,
+        "untouched keys stay at defaults"
+    );
+
+    cfg.apply_env_overlay_with(
+        &HashMapEnv::new().with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_ENABLED", "perhaps"),
+    );
+    assert!(cfg.runtime_python.enabled);
+
+    cfg.apply_env_overlay_with(
+        &HashMapEnv::new().with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_MINIMUM_VERSION", "   "),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(cfg.runtime_python.minimum_version, original_version);
+
+    cfg.runtime_python.cache_dir = "/tmp/seed".into();
+    cfg.runtime_python.managed_release_tag = "20260510".into();
+    cfg.runtime_python.preferred_command = "python3.12".into();
+    cfg.apply_env_overlay_with(
+        &HashMapEnv::new()
+            .with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_CACHE_DIR", "   ")
+            .with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_MANAGED_RELEASE_TAG", "   ")
+            .with("OPENHUMAN_RUNTIME_PYTHON_PREFERRED_COMMAND", "   "),
+    );
+    assert_eq!(cfg.runtime_python.cache_dir, "");
+    assert_eq!(cfg.runtime_python.managed_release_tag, "");
+    assert_eq!(cfg.runtime_python.preferred_command, "");
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn env_overlay_sentry_dsn_trims_and_ignores_blank() {
     let mut cfg = Config::default();
diff --git a/src/openhuman/config/schema/mod.rs b/src/openhuman/config/schema/mod.rs
index 49b57a1fb..88fd1118f 100644
--- a/src/openhuman/config/schema/mod.rs
+++ b/src/openhuman/config/schema/mod.rs
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ mod observability;
 mod proxy;
 mod routes;
 mod runtime;
+mod runtime_python;
 mod scheduler_gate;
 mod storage_memory;
 mod tools;
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ pub use proxy::{
 };
 pub use routes::{EmbeddingRouteConfig, ModelRouteConfig};
 pub use runtime::{DockerRuntimeConfig, ReliabilityConfig, RuntimeConfig, SchedulerConfig};
+pub use runtime_python::RuntimePythonConfig;
 pub use scheduler_gate::{SchedulerGateConfig, SchedulerGateMode};
 pub use storage_memory::{
     LlmBackend, MemoryConfig, MemoryTreeConfig, StorageConfig, StorageProviderConfig,
diff --git a/src/openhuman/config/schema/runtime_python.rs b/src/openhuman/config/schema/runtime_python.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d910714ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/config/schema/runtime_python.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+//! Python runtime configuration.
+//!
+//! Controls how the core resolves a Python 3.12+ interpreter for features
+//! that need to launch Python subprocesses such as MCP servers.
+//!
+//! Product direction: `runtime_python` should eventually own a managed
+//! CPython distribution so OpenHuman does not depend on host Python being
+//! installed correctly. The system-interpreter probe is a compatibility and
+//! developer override path, not the desired long-term contract.
+
+use schemars::JsonSchema;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, JsonSchema)]
+#[serde(default)]
+pub struct RuntimePythonConfig {
+    /// Master switch. When `false`, the runtime refuses to resolve a Python
+    /// interpreter and callers must skip Python-backed features entirely.
+    #[serde(default = "default_enabled")]
+    pub enabled: bool,
+    /// Minimum accepted Python version. Interpreters older than this are
+    /// rejected even when present on `PATH`.
+    #[serde(default = "default_minimum_version")]
+    pub minimum_version: String,
+    /// Absolute path to a directory reserved for future managed Python
+    /// installs. Empty string means "use the runtime default cache dir".
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub cache_dir: String,
+    /// Optional upstream release tag for managed standalone Python builds.
+    /// Empty string means "query the latest release at install time".
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub managed_release_tag: String,
+    /// When `true`, probe the host `PATH` for a compatible interpreter before
+    /// attempting any managed-runtime flow. Useful for development; the
+    /// intended shipped path is a managed interpreter owned by OpenHuman.
+    #[serde(default = "default_prefer_system")]
+    pub prefer_system: bool,
+    /// Optional preferred executable name or absolute path. Examples:
+    /// `python3.12`, `/opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12`.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub preferred_command: String,
+}
+
+fn default_enabled() -> bool {
+    true
+}
+
+fn default_minimum_version() -> String {
+    "3.12.0".to_string()
+}
+
+fn default_prefer_system() -> bool {
+    false
+}
+
+impl Default for RuntimePythonConfig {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            enabled: default_enabled(),
+            minimum_version: default_minimum_version(),
+            cache_dir: String::new(),
+            managed_release_tag: String::new(),
+            prefer_system: default_prefer_system(),
+            preferred_command: String::new(),
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/openhuman/config/schema/types.rs b/src/openhuman/config/schema/types.rs
index d409bd24d..a6c513a83 100644
--- a/src/openhuman/config/schema/types.rs
+++ b/src/openhuman/config/schema/types.rs
@@ -229,6 +229,11 @@ pub struct Config {
     #[serde(default)]
     pub node: NodeConfig,
 
+    /// Python managed runtime configuration (Python-backed MCP servers and
+    /// other Python subprocess integrations).
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub runtime_python: RuntimePythonConfig,
+
     #[serde(default)]
     pub voice_server: VoiceServerConfig,
 
@@ -442,6 +447,7 @@ impl Default for Config {
             learning_provider: None,
             subconscious_provider: None,
             node: NodeConfig::default(),
+            runtime_python: RuntimePythonConfig::default(),
             voice_server: VoiceServerConfig::default(),
             integrations: IntegrationsConfig::default(),
             learning: LearningConfig::default(),
diff --git a/src/openhuman/mod.rs b/src/openhuman/mod.rs
index bdae0fc19..d0336672d 100644
--- a/src/openhuman/mod.rs
+++ b/src/openhuman/mod.rs
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ pub mod redirect_links;
 pub mod referral;
 pub mod routing;
 pub mod runtime_node;
+pub mod runtime_python;
 pub mod scheduler_gate;
 pub mod screen_intelligence;
 pub mod security;
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/bootstrap.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/bootstrap.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a2307bc9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/bootstrap.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+//! Python bootstrap orchestrator.
+//!
+//! Resolves a managed standalone CPython distribution by default, with an
+//! optional system-Python override for development.
+
+use anyhow::{bail, Context, Result};
+use reqwest::Client;
+use std::fs::OpenOptions;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use tokio::sync::Mutex;
+
+use super::downloader::{download_distribution, select_distribution};
+use super::extractor::{atomic_install, extract_distribution};
+use super::resolver::{detect_system_python, SystemPython};
+use crate::openhuman::config::schema::RuntimePythonConfig;
+
+/// Origin of the resolved interpreter.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum PythonSource {
+    /// Reused a compatible Python already available on the host.
+    System,
+    /// Reserved for a future managed CPython distribution.
+    Managed,
+}
+
+/// Fully-resolved Python interpreter.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct ResolvedPython {
+    /// Absolute path to the Python executable.
+    pub python_bin: std::path::PathBuf,
+    /// Normalized interpreter version, e.g. `3.12.4`.
+    pub version: String,
+    /// Where the interpreter came from.
+    pub source: PythonSource,
+}
+
+/// Serialised bootstrap entrypoint for Python runtime resolution.
+pub struct PythonBootstrap {
+    config: RuntimePythonConfig,
+    client: Client,
+    cached: Arc<Mutex<Option<ResolvedPython>>>,
+}
+
+impl PythonBootstrap {
+    pub fn new(config: RuntimePythonConfig) -> Self {
+        Self::new_with_client(config, Client::new())
+    }
+
+    pub(crate) fn new_with_client(config: RuntimePythonConfig, client: Client) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            config,
+            client,
+            cached: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Peek at the memoized interpreter without triggering a probe.
+    pub fn try_cached(&self) -> Option<ResolvedPython> {
+        self.cached.try_lock().ok().and_then(|g| g.clone())
+    }
+
+    /// Resolve a Python 3.12+ interpreter. The first successful result is
+    /// memoized for subsequent callers.
+    pub async fn resolve(&self) -> Result<ResolvedPython> {
+        let mut guard = self.cached.lock().await;
+        if let Some(existing) = guard.as_ref() {
+            tracing::debug!(
+                version = %existing.version,
+                source = ?existing.source,
+                "[runtime_python::bootstrap] returning cached ResolvedPython"
+            );
+            return Ok(existing.clone());
+        }
+
+        if !self.config.enabled {
+            bail!(
+                "runtime_python is disabled (set runtime_python.enabled = true to use Python-backed integrations)"
+            );
+        }
+
+        if self.config.prefer_system {
+            if let Some(system) = detect_system_python(
+                &self.config.minimum_version,
+                empty_to_none(&self.config.preferred_command),
+            ) {
+                let resolved = resolve_from_system(system);
+                *guard = Some(resolved.clone());
+                return Ok(resolved);
+            }
+        }
+
+        let managed = self
+            .install_managed_from_api(super::downloader::RELEASES_API)
+            .await?;
+        *guard = Some(managed.clone());
+        Ok(managed)
+    }
+
+    /// Build a preconfigured child-process launcher for stdio-oriented Python
+    /// workloads such as MCP servers.
+    pub async fn spawn_stdio(
+        &self,
+        spec: &crate::openhuman::runtime_python::process::PythonLaunchSpec,
+    ) -> Result<tokio::process::Child> {
+        let resolved = self.resolve().await?;
+        crate::openhuman::runtime_python::process::spawn_stdio_process(&resolved, spec)
+    }
+}
+
+impl PythonBootstrap {
+    async fn install_managed(&self) -> Result<ResolvedPython> {
+        self.install_managed_from_api(super::downloader::RELEASES_API)
+            .await
+    }
+
+    async fn install_managed_from_api(&self, releases_api_base: &str) -> Result<ResolvedPython> {
+        let cache_root = self.cache_root();
+        tokio::fs::create_dir_all(&cache_root)
+            .await
+            .with_context(|| format!("creating python runtime cache {}", cache_root.display()))?;
+
+        let release = super::downloader::fetch_release_metadata_from_base(
+            &self.client,
+            releases_api_base,
+            empty_to_none(&self.config.managed_release_tag),
+        )
+        .await?;
+        let dist = select_distribution(&release, &self.config.minimum_version)?;
+        let install_dir = cache_root.join(dist.install_dir_name());
+        let _install_lock = acquire_install_lock(&install_dir).await?;
+
+        if let Some(existing) = probe_managed_install(&install_dir) {
+            tracing::info!(
+                install_dir = %install_dir.display(),
+                version = %existing.version,
+                "[runtime_python::bootstrap] reusing existing managed python install"
+            );
+            return Ok(existing);
+        }
+
+        tracing::info!(
+            asset = %dist.asset_name,
+            release = %release.tag_name,
+            install_dir = %install_dir.display(),
+            "[runtime_python::bootstrap] installing managed python"
+        );
+
+        let archive_path = cache_root.join(&dist.asset_name);
+        download_distribution(&self.client, &dist, &archive_path).await?;
+
+        let scratch = cache_root.join(format!(
+            ".stage-{}-{}",
+            std::process::id(),
+            uuid::Uuid::new_v4()
+        ));
+        let _ = tokio::fs::remove_dir_all(&scratch).await;
+        let top_level = extract_distribution(&archive_path, &scratch).await?;
+        atomic_install(&top_level, &install_dir).await?;
+        let _ = tokio::fs::remove_dir_all(&scratch).await;
+        let _ = tokio::fs::remove_file(&archive_path).await;
+
+        probe_managed_install(&install_dir).with_context(|| {
+            format!(
+                "managed python install completed but no interpreter was found under {}",
+                install_dir.display()
+            )
+        })
+    }
+
+    fn cache_root(&self) -> PathBuf {
+        let configured = self.config.cache_dir.trim();
+        if !configured.is_empty() {
+            return PathBuf::from(configured);
+        }
+        if let Some(user_cache) = dirs::cache_dir() {
+            return user_cache.join("openhuman").join("runtime-python");
+        }
+        PathBuf::from(".openhuman").join("runtime-python")
+    }
+}
+
+fn resolve_from_system(system: SystemPython) -> ResolvedPython {
+    tracing::info!(
+        path = %system.path.display(),
+        version = %system.version,
+        "[runtime_python::bootstrap] reusing compatible system python"
+    );
+    ResolvedPython {
+        python_bin: system.path,
+        version: system.version,
+        source: PythonSource::System,
+    }
+}
+
+fn empty_to_none(value: &str) -> Option<&str> {
+    let trimmed = value.trim();
+    if trimmed.is_empty() {
+        None
+    } else {
+        Some(trimmed)
+    }
+}
+
+fn probe_managed_install(install_dir: &Path) -> Option<ResolvedPython> {
+    let python_bin = find_python_binary(install_dir)?;
+    let version = super::resolver::probe_python_version_public(&python_bin)?;
+    let version_info = super::resolver::parse_python_version(&version)?;
+    Some(ResolvedPython {
+        python_bin,
+        version: version_info.display(),
+        source: PythonSource::Managed,
+    })
+}
+
+fn find_python_binary(install_dir: &Path) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+    let candidates = [
+        install_dir.join("bin").join("python3.12"),
+        install_dir.join("bin").join("python3"),
+        install_dir.join("bin").join("python"),
+        install_dir.join("python.exe"),
+        install_dir.join("python3.12.exe"),
+        install_dir.join("python3.exe"),
+    ];
+    for candidate in candidates {
+        if candidate.is_file() {
+            return Some(candidate);
+        }
+    }
+
+    for entry in walkdir::WalkDir::new(install_dir).into_iter().flatten() {
+        let path = entry.path();
+        if !path.is_file() {
+            continue;
+        }
+        let Some(name) = path.file_name().and_then(|n| n.to_str()) else {
+            continue;
+        };
+        if matches!(
+            name,
+            "python" | "python3" | "python3.12" | "python.exe" | "python3.exe" | "python3.12.exe"
+        ) {
+            return Some(path.to_path_buf());
+        }
+    }
+    None
+}
+
+async fn acquire_install_lock(install_dir: &Path) -> Result<std::fs::File> {
+    let lock_path = install_dir.with_extension("lock");
+    if let Some(parent) = lock_path.parent() {
+        tokio::fs::create_dir_all(parent)
+            .await
+            .with_context(|| format!("creating lock parent {}", parent.display()))?;
+    }
+
+    let lock_path_for_task = lock_path.clone();
+    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || -> Result<std::fs::File> {
+        use fs2::FileExt;
+
+        let file = OpenOptions::new()
+            .create(true)
+            .read(true)
+            .write(true)
+            .open(&lock_path_for_task)
+            .with_context(|| format!("opening install lock {}", lock_path_for_task.display()))?;
+        file.lock_exclusive()
+            .with_context(|| format!("locking install target {}", lock_path_for_task.display()))?;
+        Ok(file)
+    })
+    .await
+    .context("join failure while acquiring runtime_python install lock")?
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "bootstrap_tests.rs"]
+mod tests;
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/bootstrap_tests.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/bootstrap_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3146b2b29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/bootstrap_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+use super::*;
+use axum::extract::State;
+use axum::http::{HeaderValue, StatusCode};
+use axum::response::IntoResponse;
+use axum::routing::get;
+use axum::{Json, Router};
+use serde_json::json;
+use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
+use std::sync::Arc;
+use tokio::net::TcpListener;
+
+#[cfg(unix)]
+#[tokio::test]
+async fn install_managed_from_mock_astral_release_downloads_and_resolves_executable() {
+    use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+
+    let archive_bytes = build_test_python_archive().expect("archive bytes");
+    let archive_sha = hex::encode(Sha256::digest(&archive_bytes));
+    let asset_name = test_asset_name();
+
+    let listener = TcpListener::bind("127.0.0.1:0").await.expect("bind");
+    let addr = listener.local_addr().expect("local addr");
+
+    let app_state = Arc::new(MockAstralState {
+        asset_name: asset_name.to_string(),
+        archive_bytes,
+        archive_sha,
+        artifact_url: format!("http://{addr}/artifacts/{asset_name}"),
+    });
+
+    let app = Router::new()
+        .route("/releases/latest", get(mock_release_latest))
+        .route("/artifacts/{asset}", get(mock_artifact))
+        .with_state(app_state.clone());
+
+    let server = tokio::spawn(async move { axum::serve(listener, app).await.unwrap() });
+
+    let tmp = tempfile::tempdir().expect("tempdir");
+    let mut cfg = RuntimePythonConfig::default();
+    cfg.cache_dir = tmp.path().join("runtime-python").display().to_string();
+    cfg.managed_release_tag = String::new();
+    cfg.prefer_system = false;
+
+    let bootstrap = PythonBootstrap::new_with_client(cfg, reqwest::Client::new());
+    let api_base = format!("http://{addr}/releases");
+
+    let resolved = bootstrap
+        .install_managed_from_api(&api_base)
+        .await
+        .expect("managed install should succeed");
+
+    assert_eq!(resolved.source, PythonSource::Managed);
+    assert!(resolved.python_bin.is_file(), "python binary should exist");
+
+    let mode = std::fs::metadata(&resolved.python_bin)
+        .expect("metadata")
+        .permissions()
+        .mode();
+    assert_ne!(mode & 0o111, 0, "python binary must be executable");
+
+    let version = crate::openhuman::runtime_python::resolver::probe_python_version_public(
+        &resolved.python_bin,
+    )
+    .expect("version probe");
+    assert_eq!(version.trim(), "Python 3.12.13");
+
+    server.abort();
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+struct MockAstralState {
+    asset_name: String,
+    archive_bytes: Vec<u8>,
+    archive_sha: String,
+    artifact_url: String,
+}
+
+async fn mock_release_latest(State(state): State<Arc<MockAstralState>>) -> impl IntoResponse {
+    Json(json!({
+        "tag_name": "20260510",
+        "assets": [
+            {
+                "name": state.asset_name,
+                "browser_download_url": state.artifact_url,
+                "digest": format!("sha256:{}", state.archive_sha),
+            }
+        ]
+    }))
+}
+
+async fn mock_artifact(
+    State(state): State<Arc<MockAstralState>>,
+    axum::extract::Path(asset): axum::extract::Path<String>,
+) -> impl IntoResponse {
+    if asset != state.asset_name {
+        return (StatusCode::NOT_FOUND, Vec::new()).into_response();
+    }
+
+    (
+        [(
+            axum::http::header::CONTENT_TYPE,
+            HeaderValue::from_static("application/gzip"),
+        )],
+        state.archive_bytes.clone(),
+    )
+        .into_response()
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)]
+fn build_test_python_archive() -> anyhow::Result<Vec<u8>> {
+    use flate2::write::GzEncoder;
+    use flate2::Compression;
+    use tar::{Builder, Header};
+
+    let mut tar_bytes = Vec::new();
+    {
+        let encoder = GzEncoder::new(&mut tar_bytes, Compression::default());
+        let mut builder = Builder::new(encoder);
+
+        let root = test_asset_name().trim_end_matches(".tar.gz");
+        let bin_dir = format!("{root}/bin");
+        let python_path = format!("{bin_dir}/python3.12");
+
+        let mut root_header = Header::new_gnu();
+        root_header.set_entry_type(tar::EntryType::Directory);
+        root_header.set_mode(0o755);
+        root_header.set_size(0);
+        root_header.set_cksum();
+        builder.append_data(&mut root_header, root, std::io::empty())?;
+
+        let mut bin_header = Header::new_gnu();
+        bin_header.set_entry_type(tar::EntryType::Directory);
+        bin_header.set_mode(0o755);
+        bin_header.set_size(0);
+        bin_header.set_cksum();
+        builder.append_data(&mut bin_header, &bin_dir, std::io::empty())?;
+
+        let script = b"#!/bin/sh\necho 'Python 3.12.13'\n";
+        let mut python_header = Header::new_gnu();
+        python_header.set_entry_type(tar::EntryType::Regular);
+        python_header.set_mode(0o755);
+        python_header.set_size(script.len() as u64);
+        python_header.set_cksum();
+        builder.append_data(&mut python_header, &python_path, &script[..])?;
+
+        builder.into_inner()?.finish()?;
+    }
+    Ok(tar_bytes)
+}
+
+#[cfg(all(target_os = "macos", target_arch = "aarch64"))]
+fn test_asset_name() -> &'static str {
+    "cpython-3.12.13+20260510-aarch64-apple-darwin-install_only.tar.gz"
+}
+
+#[cfg(all(target_os = "macos", target_arch = "x86_64"))]
+fn test_asset_name() -> &'static str {
+    "cpython-3.12.13+20260510-x86_64-apple-darwin-install_only.tar.gz"
+}
+
+#[cfg(all(target_os = "linux", target_arch = "x86_64"))]
+fn test_asset_name() -> &'static str {
+    "cpython-3.12.13+20260510-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu-install_only.tar.gz"
+}
+
+#[cfg(all(target_os = "linux", target_arch = "aarch64"))]
+fn test_asset_name() -> &'static str {
+    "cpython-3.12.13+20260510-aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu-install_only.tar.gz"
+}
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/downloader.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/downloader.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7396789d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/downloader.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,257 @@
+//! Managed standalone Python distribution downloader.
+//!
+//! Pulls release metadata from `astral-sh/python-build-standalone`, selects a
+//! host-compatible `install_only` archive satisfying the configured minimum
+//! Python version, downloads it, and verifies the published SHA-256 digest.
+
+use anyhow::{anyhow, bail, Context, Result};
+use reqwest::Client;
+use serde::Deserialize;
+use sha2::{Digest, Sha256};
+use std::path::Path;
+use tokio::fs::File;
+use tokio::io::AsyncWriteExt;
+
+use super::resolver::{parse_python_version, PythonVersion};
+
+pub(crate) const RELEASES_API: &str =
+    "https://api.github.com/repos/astral-sh/python-build-standalone/releases";
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Deserialize)]
+pub struct GithubRelease {
+    pub tag_name: String,
+    pub assets: Vec<GithubAsset>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Deserialize)]
+pub struct GithubAsset {
+    pub name: String,
+    pub browser_download_url: String,
+    pub digest: Option<String>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct PythonDistribution {
+    pub release_tag: String,
+    pub asset_name: String,
+    pub url: String,
+    pub version: PythonVersion,
+    pub expected_sha256: Option<String>,
+}
+
+impl PythonDistribution {
+    pub fn install_dir_name(&self) -> String {
+        self.asset_name.trim_end_matches(".tar.gz").to_string()
+    }
+}
+
+pub async fn fetch_release_metadata(
+    client: &Client,
+    release_tag: Option<&str>,
+) -> Result<GithubRelease> {
+    fetch_release_metadata_from_base(client, RELEASES_API, release_tag).await
+}
+
+pub(crate) async fn fetch_release_metadata_from_base(
+    client: &Client,
+    releases_api_base: &str,
+    release_tag: Option<&str>,
+) -> Result<GithubRelease> {
+    let url = if let Some(tag) = release_tag {
+        format!("{releases_api_base}/tags/{tag}")
+    } else {
+        format!("{releases_api_base}/latest")
+    };
+
+    tracing::debug!(url = %url, "[runtime_python::downloader] fetching release metadata");
+
+    client
+        .get(&url)
+        .header(reqwest::header::USER_AGENT, "openhuman-core/runtime_python")
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .with_context(|| format!("GET {url}"))?
+        .error_for_status()
+        .with_context(|| format!("non-success status on {url}"))?
+        .json::<GithubRelease>()
+        .await
+        .with_context(|| format!("decoding release metadata from {url}"))
+}
+
+pub fn select_distribution(
+    release: &GithubRelease,
+    minimum_version: &str,
+) -> Result<PythonDistribution> {
+    let Some(minimum) = parse_python_version(minimum_version) else {
+        bail!("invalid runtime_python.minimum_version `{minimum_version}`");
+    };
+    let target_suffix = host_asset_suffix()?;
+
+    let mut candidates = release
+        .assets
+        .iter()
+        .filter_map(|asset| parse_distribution_asset(asset, &release.tag_name))
+        .filter(|dist| asset_matches_target(&dist.asset_name, target_suffix))
+        .filter(|dist| dist.version >= minimum)
+        .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+    if candidates.is_empty() {
+        bail!(
+            "no managed python-build-standalone asset found for host suffix `{target_suffix}` with version >= {} in release {}",
+            minimum.display(),
+            release.tag_name
+        );
+    }
+
+    candidates.sort_by(|a, b| {
+        b.version
+            .cmp(&a.version)
+            .then_with(|| a.asset_name.cmp(&b.asset_name))
+    });
+
+    if let Some(preferred) = candidates
+        .iter()
+        .find(|dist| dist.asset_name.contains("install_only_stripped"))
+        .cloned()
+    {
+        return Ok(preferred);
+    }
+
+    candidates
+        .into_iter()
+        .next()
+        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow!("internal error selecting managed python asset"))
+}
+
+fn parse_distribution_asset(asset: &GithubAsset, release_tag: &str) -> Option<PythonDistribution> {
+    let name = asset.name.as_str();
+    if !name.starts_with("cpython-") || !name.ends_with(".tar.gz") || !name.contains("install_only")
+    {
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    let rest = name.strip_prefix("cpython-")?;
+    let version_str = rest.split('+').next()?;
+    let version = parse_python_version(version_str)?;
+
+    let expected_sha256 = asset
+        .digest
+        .as_deref()
+        .and_then(|digest| digest.strip_prefix("sha256:"))
+        .map(str::to_string);
+
+    Some(PythonDistribution {
+        release_tag: release_tag.to_string(),
+        asset_name: asset.name.clone(),
+        url: asset.browser_download_url.clone(),
+        version,
+        expected_sha256,
+    })
+}
+
+fn host_asset_suffix() -> Result<&'static str> {
+    let os = std::env::consts::OS;
+    let arch = std::env::consts::ARCH;
+    match (os, arch) {
+        ("macos", "aarch64") => Ok("aarch64-apple-darwin-install_only.tar.gz"),
+        ("macos", "x86_64") => Ok("x86_64-apple-darwin-install_only.tar.gz"),
+        ("linux", "aarch64") => Ok("aarch64-unknown-linux-gnu-install_only.tar.gz"),
+        ("linux", "x86_64") => Ok("x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu-install_only.tar.gz"),
+        ("windows", "aarch64") => Ok("aarch64-pc-windows-msvc-install_only.tar.gz"),
+        ("windows", "x86_64") => Ok("x86_64-pc-windows-msvc-install_only.tar.gz"),
+        _ => Err(anyhow!(
+            "no managed standalone Python distribution for host {os}/{arch}"
+        )),
+    }
+}
+
+fn asset_matches_target(asset_name: &str, target_suffix: &str) -> bool {
+    asset_name.ends_with(target_suffix)
+        || asset_name.ends_with(
+            &target_suffix.replace("-install_only.tar.gz", "-install_only_stripped.tar.gz"),
+        )
+}
+
+pub async fn download_distribution(
+    client: &Client,
+    dist: &PythonDistribution,
+    target_path: &Path,
+) -> Result<()> {
+    tracing::info!(
+        url = %dist.url,
+        target = %target_path.display(),
+        "[runtime_python::downloader] starting download"
+    );
+
+    if let Some(parent) = target_path.parent() {
+        tokio::fs::create_dir_all(parent)
+            .await
+            .with_context(|| format!("creating cache dir {}", parent.display()))?;
+    }
+
+    let mut response = client
+        .get(&dist.url)
+        .header(reqwest::header::USER_AGENT, "openhuman-core/runtime_python")
+        .send()
+        .await
+        .with_context(|| format!("GET {}", dist.url))?
+        .error_for_status()
+        .with_context(|| format!("non-success status on {}", dist.url))?;
+
+    let mut file = File::create(target_path)
+        .await
+        .with_context(|| format!("creating {}", target_path.display()))?;
+    let mut hasher = Sha256::new();
+
+    let stream_result: Result<()> = async {
+        while let Some(chunk) = response
+            .chunk()
+            .await
+            .with_context(|| format!("streaming {}", dist.url))?
+        {
+            hasher.update(&chunk);
+            file.write_all(&chunk)
+                .await
+                .with_context(|| format!("writing chunk to {}", target_path.display()))?;
+        }
+        file.flush()
+            .await
+            .with_context(|| format!("flushing {}", target_path.display()))?;
+        Ok(())
+    }
+    .await;
+
+    drop(file);
+
+    if let Err(err) = stream_result {
+        let _ = tokio::fs::remove_file(target_path).await;
+        return Err(err);
+    }
+
+    if let Some(expected) = dist.expected_sha256.as_deref() {
+        let actual_hex = hex::encode(hasher.finalize());
+        if actual_hex != expected {
+            let _ = tokio::fs::remove_file(target_path).await;
+            bail!(
+                "SHA-256 mismatch for {} (expected {expected}, got {actual_hex})",
+                dist.asset_name
+            );
+        }
+    } else {
+        tracing::warn!(
+            asset = %dist.asset_name,
+            "[runtime_python::downloader] release metadata did not include a digest; skipping SHA-256 verification"
+        );
+    }
+
+    tracing::info!(
+        target = %target_path.display(),
+        asset = %dist.asset_name,
+        "[runtime_python::downloader] download complete"
+    );
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "downloader_tests.rs"]
+mod tests;
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/downloader_tests.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/downloader_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..73c6c1e02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/downloader_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+use super::*;
+
+#[test]
+fn parses_asset_into_distribution() {
+    let asset = GithubAsset {
+        name: "cpython-3.12.13+20260510-x86_64-apple-darwin-install_only.tar.gz".to_string(),
+        browser_download_url: "https://example.invalid/python.tar.gz".to_string(),
+        digest: Some("sha256:abc123".to_string()),
+    };
+    let dist = parse_distribution_asset(&asset, "20260510").expect("dist");
+    assert_eq!(dist.release_tag, "20260510");
+    assert_eq!(dist.version.display(), "3.12.13");
+    assert_eq!(dist.expected_sha256.as_deref(), Some("abc123"));
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn ignores_non_install_only_assets() {
+    let asset = GithubAsset {
+        name: "cpython-3.12.13+20260510-x86_64-apple-darwin-full.tar.zst".to_string(),
+        browser_download_url: "https://example.invalid/python.tar.zst".to_string(),
+        digest: None,
+    };
+    assert!(parse_distribution_asset(&asset, "20260510").is_none());
+}
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/extractor.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/extractor.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d1817a356
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/extractor.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+//! Archive extraction for managed standalone Python distributions.
+
+use anyhow::{anyhow, Context, Result};
+use std::fs::{self, File};
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+
+pub async fn extract_distribution(archive: &Path, extract_root: &Path) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    let archive = archive.to_path_buf();
+    let extract_root = extract_root.to_path_buf();
+
+    tracing::info!(
+        archive = %archive.display(),
+        extract_root = %extract_root.display(),
+        "[runtime_python::extractor] starting extraction"
+    );
+
+    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || -> Result<PathBuf> {
+        fs::create_dir_all(&extract_root)
+            .with_context(|| format!("creating extract root {}", extract_root.display()))?;
+
+        let file = File::open(&archive)
+            .with_context(|| format!("opening archive {}", archive.display()))?;
+        let decoder = flate2::read::GzDecoder::new(file);
+        let mut tar = tar::Archive::new(decoder);
+        tar.set_preserve_permissions(true);
+        tar.set_overwrite(true);
+        tar.unpack(&extract_root)
+            .with_context(|| format!("unpacking tar.gz into {}", extract_root.display()))?;
+
+        find_single_top_level(&extract_root)
+    })
+    .await
+    .context("spawn_blocking join failure during extraction")?
+}
+
+fn find_single_top_level(extract_root: &Path) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    let mut entries = fs::read_dir(extract_root)
+        .with_context(|| format!("listing {}", extract_root.display()))?
+        .collect::<Result<Vec<_>, _>>()
+        .with_context(|| format!("reading entries of {}", extract_root.display()))?;
+    entries.sort_by_key(|e| e.file_name());
+
+    let mut dirs = entries
+        .into_iter()
+        .filter(|e| e.file_type().map(|t| t.is_dir()).unwrap_or(false))
+        .map(|e| e.path())
+        .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+    match dirs.len() {
+        1 => Ok(dirs.pop().expect("single dir")),
+        0 => Err(anyhow!(
+            "expected one top-level folder under {}, found none",
+            extract_root.display()
+        )),
+        n => Err(anyhow!(
+            "expected one top-level folder under {}, found {n}",
+            extract_root.display()
+        )),
+    }
+}
+
+pub async fn atomic_install(staged: &Path, final_dest: &Path) -> Result<PathBuf> {
+    let staged = staged.to_path_buf();
+    let final_dest = final_dest.to_path_buf();
+
+    tokio::task::spawn_blocking(move || -> Result<PathBuf> {
+        if let Some(parent) = final_dest.parent() {
+            fs::create_dir_all(parent)
+                .with_context(|| format!("creating parent {}", parent.display()))?;
+        }
+
+        let backup = if final_dest.exists() {
+            let candidate = final_dest.with_extension(format!("old-{}", std::process::id()));
+            fs::rename(&final_dest, &candidate).with_context(|| {
+                format!(
+                    "moving existing install {} aside to {}",
+                    final_dest.display(),
+                    candidate.display()
+                )
+            })?;
+            Some(candidate)
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
+
+        if let Err(err) = fs::rename(&staged, &final_dest).with_context(|| {
+            format!(
+                "renaming staged {} -> {}",
+                staged.display(),
+                final_dest.display()
+            )
+        }) {
+            if let Some(backup_path) = backup.as_ref() {
+                if let Err(restore_err) = fs::rename(backup_path, &final_dest) {
+                    return Err(anyhow!(
+                        "{err}; rollback from {} to {} also failed: {restore_err}",
+                        backup_path.display(),
+                        final_dest.display()
+                    ));
+                }
+            }
+            return Err(err);
+        }
+
+        if let Some(backup_path) = backup {
+            let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(backup_path);
+        }
+
+        Ok(final_dest)
+    })
+    .await
+    .context("spawn_blocking join failure during atomic install")?
+}
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/mod.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8171bc86a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+//! Managed Python runtime for Python-backed integrations.
+//!
+//! The immediate use case is stdio MCP servers implemented in Python. This
+//! module owns interpreter discovery and process-launch primitives so callers
+//! do not need to care whether Python came from the host or a future managed
+//! distribution.
+
+pub mod bootstrap;
+pub mod downloader;
+pub mod extractor;
+pub mod process;
+pub mod resolver;
+
+pub use bootstrap::{PythonBootstrap, PythonSource, ResolvedPython};
+pub use downloader::{fetch_release_metadata, select_distribution, PythonDistribution};
+pub use extractor::{atomic_install, extract_distribution};
+pub use process::PythonLaunchSpec;
+pub use resolver::{detect_system_python, parse_python_version, PythonVersion, SystemPython};
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/process.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/process.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d03f495a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/process.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+//! Python child-process launch helpers.
+//!
+//! Uses unbuffered stdio (`-u`) by default so line-oriented protocols such as
+//! MCP do not stall behind Python's output buffering.
+
+use anyhow::{Context, Result};
+use std::collections::BTreeMap;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::process::Stdio;
+
+use super::bootstrap::ResolvedPython;
+
+/// Launch spec for a Python stdio subprocess.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct PythonLaunchSpec {
+    /// Absolute or caller-resolved path to the Python script.
+    pub script_path: PathBuf,
+    /// Positional arguments forwarded after the script path.
+    pub args: Vec<String>,
+    /// Optional working directory for the child process.
+    pub cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
+    /// Extra environment variables to set on the child process.
+    pub env: BTreeMap<String, String>,
+    /// Whether to pass `-u` for unbuffered stdio. Defaults to `true`.
+    pub unbuffered: bool,
+}
+
+impl PythonLaunchSpec {
+    pub fn new(script_path: PathBuf) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            script_path,
+            args: Vec::new(),
+            cwd: None,
+            env: BTreeMap::new(),
+            unbuffered: true,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn spawn_stdio_process(
+    resolved: &ResolvedPython,
+    spec: &PythonLaunchSpec,
+) -> Result<tokio::process::Child> {
+    let mut cmd = tokio::process::Command::new(&resolved.python_bin);
+    if spec.unbuffered {
+        cmd.arg("-u");
+    }
+    cmd.arg(&spec.script_path);
+    cmd.args(&spec.args);
+    if let Some(cwd) = spec.cwd.as_ref() {
+        cmd.current_dir(cwd);
+    }
+    for (key, value) in &spec.env {
+        cmd.env(key, value);
+    }
+    cmd.stdin(Stdio::piped())
+        .stdout(Stdio::piped())
+        .stderr(Stdio::piped())
+        .kill_on_drop(true);
+
+    let child = cmd.spawn().with_context(|| {
+        format!(
+            "failed to spawn python process `{}` for script {}",
+            resolved.python_bin.display(),
+            spec.script_path.display()
+        )
+    })?;
+
+    tracing::info!(
+        python_bin = %resolved.python_bin.display(),
+        script = %spec.script_path.display(),
+        arg_count = spec.args.len(),
+        cwd = spec.cwd.as_ref().map(|p| p.display().to_string()),
+        "[runtime_python::process] spawned stdio python child"
+    );
+
+    Ok(child)
+}
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/resolver.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/resolver.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c11794a1a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/resolver.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+//! System Python resolver.
+//!
+//! Walks the configured command candidates / `PATH`, probes `--version`, and
+//! returns a [`SystemPython`] when the interpreter satisfies the configured
+//! minimum version floor.
+
+use std::ffi::OsString;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::process::{Command, Stdio};
+use std::time::Duration;
+
+/// Parsed Python semantic version.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord)]
+pub struct PythonVersion {
+    pub major: u32,
+    pub minor: u32,
+    pub patch: u32,
+}
+
+impl PythonVersion {
+    pub fn display(self) -> String {
+        format!("{}.{}.{}", self.major, self.minor, self.patch)
+    }
+}
+
+/// A usable Python interpreter discovered on the host.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct SystemPython {
+    /// Absolute path to the executable.
+    pub path: PathBuf,
+    /// Parsed semantic version.
+    pub version_info: PythonVersion,
+    /// Normalized `major.minor.patch` string.
+    pub version: String,
+}
+
+/// Parse a version line like `Python 3.12.4` or `3.12.4`.
+pub fn parse_python_version(raw: &str) -> Option<PythonVersion> {
+    let trimmed = raw.trim();
+    let stripped = trimmed.strip_prefix("Python ").unwrap_or(trimmed);
+    let mut parts = stripped.split('.');
+    let major = parts.next()?.parse::<u32>().ok()?;
+    let minor = parts.next()?.parse::<u32>().ok()?;
+    let patch = parts
+        .next()
+        .and_then(|segment| {
+            let digits = segment
+                .chars()
+                .take_while(|c| c.is_ascii_digit())
+                .collect::<String>();
+            if digits.is_empty() {
+                None
+            } else {
+                digits.parse::<u32>().ok()
+            }
+        })
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+    Some(PythonVersion {
+        major,
+        minor,
+        patch,
+    })
+}
+
+/// Probe the host for a Python interpreter satisfying `minimum_version`.
+///
+/// Candidate order:
+/// 1. `preferred_command` when supplied
+/// 2. `python3.12`
+/// 3. `python3`
+/// 4. `python`
+pub fn detect_system_python(
+    minimum_version: &str,
+    preferred_command: Option<&str>,
+) -> Option<SystemPython> {
+    detect_system_python_in_path(
+        minimum_version,
+        preferred_command,
+        std::env::var_os("PATH").as_ref(),
+    )
+}
+
+fn detect_system_python_in_path(
+    minimum_version: &str,
+    preferred_command: Option<&str>,
+    path_var: Option<&OsString>,
+) -> Option<SystemPython> {
+    let Some(minimum) = parse_python_version(minimum_version) else {
+        tracing::warn!(
+            minimum_version,
+            "[runtime_python::resolver] invalid minimum_version, skipping system-python probe"
+        );
+        return None;
+    };
+
+    for candidate in candidate_commands(preferred_command, minimum) {
+        let Some(path) = resolve_candidate(&candidate, path_var) else {
+            tracing::debug!(candidate, "[runtime_python::resolver] candidate not found");
+            continue;
+        };
+
+        tracing::debug!(
+            candidate,
+            path = %path.display(),
+            minimum_version = %minimum.display(),
+            "[runtime_python::resolver] probing python candidate"
+        );
+
+        let Some(raw_version) = probe_python_version(&path) else {
+            tracing::warn!(
+                candidate,
+                path = %path.display(),
+                "[runtime_python::resolver] `python --version` failed; skipping candidate"
+            );
+            continue;
+        };
+
+        let Some(version_info) = parse_python_version(&raw_version) else {
+            tracing::warn!(
+                candidate,
+                path = %path.display(),
+                raw_version = %raw_version,
+                "[runtime_python::resolver] could not parse python version output"
+            );
+            continue;
+        };
+
+        if version_info < minimum {
+            tracing::info!(
+                candidate,
+                path = %path.display(),
+                found = %version_info.display(),
+                minimum = %minimum.display(),
+                "[runtime_python::resolver] python candidate below minimum version"
+            );
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        let normalized = version_info.display();
+        tracing::info!(
+            candidate,
+            path = %path.display(),
+            version = %normalized,
+            "[runtime_python::resolver] reusing compatible system python"
+        );
+        return Some(SystemPython {
+            path,
+            version_info,
+            version: normalized,
+        });
+    }
+
+    None
+}
+
+fn candidate_commands(preferred_command: Option<&str>, minimum: PythonVersion) -> Vec<String> {
+    let mut candidates = Vec::new();
+    if let Some(preferred) = preferred_command.map(str::trim).filter(|s| !s.is_empty()) {
+        candidates.push(preferred.to_string());
+    }
+    let minimum_specific = format!("python{}.{}", minimum.major, minimum.minor);
+    for fallback in [minimum_specific.as_str(), "python3.12", "python3", "python"] {
+        if !candidates.iter().any(|existing| existing == fallback) {
+            candidates.push(fallback.to_string());
+        }
+    }
+    candidates
+}
+
+fn resolve_candidate(candidate: &str, path_var: Option<&OsString>) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+    let path = Path::new(candidate);
+    if path.components().count() > 1 || path.is_absolute() {
+        return is_executable_candidate(path).then(|| path.to_path_buf());
+    }
+
+    let path_var = path_var?;
+    for dir in std::env::split_paths(path_var) {
+        let base = dir.join(candidate);
+        if is_executable_candidate(&base) {
+            return Some(base);
+        }
+        #[cfg(windows)]
+        {
+            let exe = dir.join(format!("{candidate}.exe"));
+            if is_executable_candidate(&exe) {
+                return Some(exe);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    None
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)]
+fn is_executable_candidate(path: &Path) -> bool {
+    use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+    std::fs::metadata(path)
+        .map(|meta| meta.is_file() && (meta.permissions().mode() & 0o111 != 0))
+        .unwrap_or(false)
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(unix))]
+fn is_executable_candidate(path: &Path) -> bool {
+    path.is_file()
+}
+
+fn probe_python_version(path: &Path) -> Option<String> {
+    use std::io::Read;
+    use wait_timeout::ChildExt;
+
+    let mut cmd = Command::new(path);
+    cmd.arg("--version")
+        .stdin(Stdio::null())
+        .stdout(Stdio::piped())
+        .stderr(Stdio::piped());
+    #[cfg(windows)]
+    {
+        use std::os::windows::process::CommandExt;
+        cmd.creation_flags(0x0800_0000); // CREATE_NO_WINDOW
+    }
+    let mut child = cmd.spawn().ok()?;
+    let timeout = Duration::from_secs(5);
+    let status = match child.wait_timeout(timeout).ok()? {
+        Some(status) => status,
+        None => {
+            tracing::warn!(
+                path = %path.display(),
+                timeout_secs = 5,
+                "[runtime_python::resolver] `<bin> --version` timed out; killing process"
+            );
+            let _ = child.kill();
+            let _ = child.wait();
+            return None;
+        }
+    };
+
+    if !status.success() {
+        let mut stderr_buf = String::new();
+        if let Some(mut s) = child.stderr.take() {
+            let _ = s.read_to_string(&mut stderr_buf);
+        }
+        tracing::debug!(
+            path = %path.display(),
+            status = ?status,
+            stderr = %stderr_buf,
+            "[runtime_python::resolver] `<bin> --version` exited non-zero"
+        );
+        return None;
+    }
+
+    let mut stdout_buf = String::new();
+    if let Some(mut s) = child.stdout.take() {
+        let _ = s.read_to_string(&mut stdout_buf);
+    }
+    let mut stderr_buf = String::new();
+    if let Some(mut s) = child.stderr.take() {
+        let _ = s.read_to_string(&mut stderr_buf);
+    }
+
+    let combined = if stdout_buf.trim().is_empty() {
+        stderr_buf.trim().to_string()
+    } else {
+        stdout_buf.trim().to_string()
+    };
+    if combined.is_empty() {
+        None
+    } else {
+        Some(combined)
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn probe_python_version_public(path: &Path) -> Option<String> {
+    probe_python_version(path)
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+#[path = "resolver_tests.rs"]
+mod tests;
diff --git a/src/openhuman/runtime_python/resolver_tests.rs b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/resolver_tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..624d66860
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/openhuman/runtime_python/resolver_tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+use super::*;
+
+#[test]
+fn parses_standard_python_version() {
+    assert_eq!(
+        parse_python_version("Python 3.12.4"),
+        Some(PythonVersion {
+            major: 3,
+            minor: 12,
+            patch: 4
+        })
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn parses_without_python_prefix() {
+    assert_eq!(
+        parse_python_version("3.12.0"),
+        Some(PythonVersion {
+            major: 3,
+            minor: 12,
+            patch: 0
+        })
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn parses_patchless_version_as_zero() {
+    assert_eq!(
+        parse_python_version("Python 3.12"),
+        Some(PythonVersion {
+            major: 3,
+            minor: 12,
+            patch: 0
+        })
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn rejects_invalid_versions() {
+    assert_eq!(parse_python_version("Python three.twelve"), None);
+    assert_eq!(parse_python_version(""), None);
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)]
+#[test]
+fn detects_preferred_python_from_custom_path() {
+    use std::fs;
+    use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().expect("tempdir");
+    let script = dir.path().join("python3.12");
+    fs::write(&script, "#!/bin/sh\necho 'Python 3.12.7'\n").expect("write script");
+    let mut perms = fs::metadata(&script).expect("metadata").permissions();
+    perms.set_mode(0o755);
+    fs::set_permissions(&script, perms).expect("chmod");
+
+    let path_var = OsString::from(dir.path().display().to_string());
+    let found = detect_system_python_in_path("3.12.0", Some("python3.12"), Some(&path_var))
+        .expect("python should resolve");
+
+    assert_eq!(found.version, "3.12.7");
+    assert_eq!(found.path, script);
+}
+
+#[cfg(unix)]
+#[test]
+fn rejects_python_below_minimum() {
+    use std::fs;
+    use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+
+    let dir = tempfile::tempdir().expect("tempdir");
+    let script = dir.path().join("python3");
+    fs::write(&script, "#!/bin/sh\necho 'Python 3.11.9'\n").expect("write script");
+    let mut perms = fs::metadata(&script).expect("metadata").permissions();
+    perms.set_mode(0o755);
+    fs::set_permissions(&script, perms).expect("chmod");
+
+    let path_var = OsString::from(dir.path().display().to_string());
+    let found = detect_system_python_in_path("3.12.0", None, Some(&path_var));
+    assert!(found.is_none(), "3.11 must be rejected");
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn candidate_commands_include_minimum_specific_binary() {
+    let candidates = candidate_commands(
+        None,
+        PythonVersion {
+            major: 3,
+            minor: 13,
+            patch: 0,
+        },
+    );
+    assert_eq!(candidates[0], "python3.13");
+    assert!(candidates.iter().any(|candidate| candidate == "python3"));
+}