diff --git a/.github/actions/app-create/action.yml b/.github/actions/app-create/action.yml
index 13922c83..7ffa3cb2 100644
--- a/.github/actions/app-create/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/app-create/action.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ inputs:
   briefcase-template-branch:
     description: "The git branch for the template to use to roll out the project."
     required: false
+  enable-automation:
+    description: "Whether to create a project using the Briefcase Automation plugin."
+    default: "false"  # all composite workflow inputs are of type string
   testing-pr-body:
     description: "Override value for body of PR; only for testing."
     required: false
@@ -63,16 +66,18 @@ runs:
           TEMPLATE_BRANCH=$(printf -- "--template-branch %q" "${{ steps.template-override.outputs.ref }}")
         fi
 
-        # Map the requested GUI toolkit to the input that Briefcase expects
-        # Default to the input to accommodate arbitrary toolkits installed as plugins
-        case "$(tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' <<< '${{ inputs.framework }}')" in
-          toga    ) GUI_INPUT=1 ;;
-          pyside6 ) GUI_INPUT=2 ;;
-          ppb     ) GUI_INPUT=3 ;;
-          pygame  ) GUI_INPUT=4 ;;
-          *       ) GUI_INPUT=${{ inputs.framework }} ;;
+        # Map GUI toolkit through case insensitivity
+        case "$(tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' <<< "${{ inputs.framework }}")" in
+          toga    ) BOOTSTRAP=Toga ;;
+          pyside6 ) BOOTSTRAP=PySide6 ;;
+          ppb     ) BOOTSTRAP=PursuedPyBear ;;
+          pygame  ) BOOTSTRAP=Pygame ;;
+          *       ) BOOTSTRAP=${{ inputs.framework }} ;;
         esac
 
+        # If enabled, use the Automation bootstrap
+        [ "${{ inputs.enable-automation }}" != "false" ] && BOOTSTRAP="${BOOTSTRAP} Automation"
+
         ROOT_DIR="apps"
         APP_NAME="Verify App"
         APP_DIR="verifyapp"
@@ -84,10 +89,14 @@ runs:
         rm -rf "${APP_DIR}"
 
         # Roll out the project
-        printf "%s\n%s\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n%s\n" "${APP_NAME}" "${APP_DIR}" "${GUI_INPUT}" \
-          | briefcase new ${TEMPLATE} ${TEMPLATE_BRANCH}
+        briefcase new --no-input ${TEMPLATE} ${TEMPLATE_BRANCH} \
+          -Q "formal_name=${APP_NAME}" \
+          -Q "app_name=${APP_DIR}" \
+          -Q "bootstrap=${BOOTSTRAP}"
 
-        echo "Rolled out project to ${APP_PATH} (${{ inputs.framework }}->${GUI_INPUT})"
+        echo "Rolled out project to ${APP_PATH}"
+        echo " > GUI Toolkit: ${{ inputs.framework }}"
+        echo " > Bootstrap: ${BOOTSTRAP}"
         printf "::group::pyproject.toml\n%s\n::endgroup::\n" "$(cat "${APP_DIR}/pyproject.toml")"
         printf "::group::app.py\n%s\n::endgroup::\n" "$(cat "${APP_DIR}/src/${APP_DIR}/app.py")"
         echo "path=${APP_PATH}" >> ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
diff --git a/.github/actions/install-briefcase/action.yml b/.github/actions/install-briefcase/action.yml
index 9aff8dd8..8de59741 100644
--- a/.github/actions/install-briefcase/action.yml
+++ b/.github/actions/install-briefcase/action.yml
@@ -140,7 +140,11 @@ runs:
         REF="${{ steps.briefcase-override.outputs.ref || steps.briefcase-derived.outputs.version }}"
 
         echo "Installing ${REPO}@${REF}"
-        python -m pip install -U "git+${REPO}@${REF}"
+        python -m pip install \
+          --upgrade \
+          --upgrade-strategy eager \
+          "git+${REPO}@${REF}" \
+          "git+${REPO}@${REF}#subdirectory=automation"
 
         echo "Installed version: $(briefcase --version)"
         echo "version=${REF}" >> ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/app-build-verify.yml b/.github/workflows/app-build-verify.yml
index ccf0daf9..98c7f369 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/app-build-verify.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/app-build-verify.yml
@@ -32,12 +32,14 @@ on:
         description: "The target format for the app, e.g. appimage, xcode, app, etc. Leave blank all supported formats."
         default: ""
         type: string
-      briefcase-template-source:
-        description: "Path to use for --template for `briefcase new` to create app."
-        default: ""
+      workflow-repo:
+        # Only needed for PRs in other repos wanting to test new workflow changes before they are merged.
+        # These inputs should not be specified by another repo on their main branch.
+        description: "The repo to use to run additional workflows and actions."
+        default: "beeware/.github"
         type: string
-      briefcase-template-branch:
-        description: "Git branch to use for --template-branch for `briefcase new` to create app."
+      workflow-repo-ref:
+        description: "The repo ref to use to run additional workflows and actions."
         default: ""
         type: string
 
@@ -52,31 +54,20 @@ jobs:
   verify-app:
     name: Verify App Build
     runs-on: ${{ inputs.runner-os }}
+    timeout-minutes: 30
+    env:
+      QT_QPA_PLATFORM: offscreen  # disable display for Qt
+      SDL_AUDIODRIVER: dummy  # disable audio for SDL
+      SDL_VIDEODRIVER: dummy  # disable display for SDL
     steps:
 
-    - name: Checkout ${{ inputs.repository }}
-      uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.1
-      with:
-        repository: ${{ inputs.repository }}
-        fetch-depth: 0
-
-    - name: Checkout beeware/.github
-      uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.1
-      with:
-        repository: beeware/.github
-        path: beeware-.github
-
-    - name: Package Name
-      id: package
-      run: echo "name=$(basename '${{ inputs.repository }}')" | tee -a ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
-
-    - name: Determine Cache Directory
-      id: dirs
+    - name: Workflow Configuration
+      id: config
       run: |
         case "$(tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' <<< '${{ inputs.runner-os }}')" in
-          ubuntu*  ) BRIEFCASE_DIR="~/.cache/briefcase" ;;
-          macos*   ) BRIEFCASE_DIR="~/Library/Caches/org.beeware.briefcase" ;;
-          windows* ) BRIEFCASE_DIR="~/AppData/Local/BeeWare/briefcase/Cache" ;;
+          ubuntu*  ) BRIEFCASE_DIR="$HOME/.cache/briefcase" ;;
+          macos*   ) BRIEFCASE_DIR="$HOME/Library/Caches/org.beeware.briefcase" ;;
+          windows* ) BRIEFCASE_DIR="$HOME/AppData/Local/BeeWare/briefcase/Cache" ;;
           *        ) echo "::error::Failed to determine the Briefcase data directory path" ;;
         esac
         echo "briefcase-data-dir=${BRIEFCASE_DIR}" | tee -a ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
@@ -88,19 +79,35 @@ jobs:
         fi
         echo "cache-key=$(date +%Y-%m)|${CACHE_KEY}" | tee -a ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
 
+        SYSTEM_PYTHON_VER=$(python3 -c 'import sys; print(f"{sys.version_info.major}.{sys.version_info.minor}")')
+        echo "system-python-version=${SYSTEM_PYTHON_VER}" | tee -a ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
+
+    - name: Checkout ${{ inputs.repository }}
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.1
+      with:
+        repository: ${{ inputs.repository }}
+        fetch-depth: 0
+
+    - name: Checkout ${{ inputs.workflow-repo }}${{ inputs.workflow-repo-ref && format('@{0}', inputs.workflow-repo-ref) || '' }}
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.1
+      with:
+        repository: ${{ inputs.workflow-repo }}
+        ref: ${{ inputs.workflow-repo-ref }}
+        path: beeware-.github
+
+    - name: Update Package Manager
+      if: startsWith(inputs.runner-os, 'ubuntu')
+      run: sudo apt update -y
+
     - name: Cache Briefcase Tools
       uses: actions/cache@v3.3.2
       with:
-        key: briefcase-data|${{ steps.dirs.outputs.cache-key }}
-        path: ${{ steps.dirs.outputs.briefcase-data-dir }}
-
-    - name: Determine System python3 Version
-      id: system-python
-      run: |
-        SYSTEM_PYTHON_VER=$(python3 -c 'import sys; print(f"{sys.version_info.major}.{sys.version_info.minor}")')
-        echo "version=${SYSTEM_PYTHON_VER}" | tee -a ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
+        key: briefcase-data|${{ steps.config.outputs.cache-key }}
+        path: ${{ steps.config.outputs.briefcase-data-dir }}
 
     - name: Set Up Python
+      # Linux System apps requires python is System Python to run the app
+      if: ${{ !startsWith(inputs.runner-os, 'ubuntu') }}
       uses: actions/setup-python@v4.7.1
       with:
         python-version: ${{ inputs.python-version }}
@@ -110,35 +117,30 @@ jobs:
           **/pyproject.toml
           .pre-commit-config.yaml
 
-    - name: Get Packages
+    - name: Get Briefcase Packages
       # Briefcase will build and package itself in a previous step in its CI
       if: endsWith(inputs.repository, 'briefcase')
       uses: actions/download-artifact@v3.0.2
       with:
-        name: packages-${{ steps.package.outputs.name }}
+        name: packages-briefcase
         path: dist
 
-    - name: Install Briefcase Artefact
+    - name: Install Briefcase Artefacts
       if: endsWith(inputs.repository, 'briefcase')
-      run: python -m pip install dist/briefcase-*.whl
+      run: python3 -m pip install -U dist/briefcase-*.whl dist/x_briefcase_automation-*.whl --upgrade-strategy eager
 
     - name: Install Briefcase
       if: ${{ !endsWith(inputs.repository, 'briefcase') }}
       uses: ./beeware-.github/.github/actions/install-briefcase
 
-    - name: Determine Briefcase Template Path
-      # If the briefcase-template repo is being tested, use the current checkout
-      id: template
-      if: endsWith(inputs.repository, 'briefcase-template')
-      run: echo "path=${{ github.workspace }}" | tee -a ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
-
     - name: Create Briefcase Project
       id: create
       uses: ./beeware-.github/.github/actions/app-create
       with:
         framework: ${{ inputs.framework }}
-        briefcase-template-source: ${{ inputs.briefcase-template-source || steps.template.outputs.path }}
-        briefcase-template-branch: ${{ inputs.briefcase-template-branch }}
+        # use the current repo checkout if briefcase-template is being tested
+        briefcase-template-source: ${{ endsWith(inputs.repository, 'briefcase-template') && github.workspace || '' }}
+        enable-automation: true
 
     - name: Determine Output Format Configuration
       # only used for the template repos so apps are built with the PR version of the template;
@@ -149,8 +151,8 @@ jobs:
         # Since the current repo is cloned in to the workspace, use it for the template
         echo "template-override=$(printf -- "--config template=%q" "'${{ github.workspace }}'")" | tee -a ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
 
-    # In the steps below, using the builtin functions for comparison (instead of ==)
-    # allows for case-insensitivity to the inputs for the workflow.
+    # In the steps below, the builtin functions (i.e. contains, startsWith, etc.)
+    # are used for comparison (instead of ==) because they are case-insensitive.
 
     - name: Build macOS App
       if: >
@@ -162,6 +164,7 @@ jobs:
         briefcase create macOS app \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
         briefcase build macOS app
+        briefcase run macOS app
         briefcase package macOS app --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build macOS Xcode Project
@@ -174,6 +177,7 @@ jobs:
         briefcase create macOS Xcode \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
         briefcase build macOS Xcode
+        briefcase run macOS Xcode
         briefcase package macOS Xcode --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build Windows App
@@ -181,13 +185,12 @@ jobs:
         startsWith(inputs.runner-os, 'Windows')
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "Windows"]'), inputs.target-platform)
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "app"]'), inputs.target-format)
-      env:
-        WIX: ""  # force Briefcase to install and use its own version of WiX
       working-directory: ${{ steps.create.outputs.project-path }}
       run: |
         briefcase create windows app \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
         briefcase build windows app
+        briefcase run windows app
         briefcase package windows app --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build Windows Visual Studio Project
@@ -195,29 +198,34 @@ jobs:
         startsWith(inputs.runner-os, 'Windows')
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "Windows"]'), inputs.target-platform)
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "VisualStudio"]'), inputs.target-format)
-      env:
-        WIX: ""  # force Briefcase to install and use its own version of WiX
       working-directory: ${{ steps.create.outputs.project-path }}
       run: |
         briefcase create windows VisualStudio \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
         briefcase build windows VisualStudio
+        briefcase run windows VisualStudio
         briefcase package windows VisualStudio --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build Linux System Project (Ubuntu, local)
       if: >
         startsWith(inputs.runner-os, 'ubuntu')
-        && startsWith(inputs.python-version, steps.system-python.outputs.version)
+        && startsWith(inputs.python-version, steps.config.outputs.system-python-version)
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "Linux"]'), inputs.target-platform)
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "system"]'), inputs.target-format)
       working-directory: ${{ steps.create.outputs.project-path }}
       run: |
-        sudo apt update -y
-        sudo apt install -y --no-install-recommends python3-dev python3-pip libcairo2-dev libgirepository1.0-dev
+        PACKAGES="python3-dev python3-pip"
+        case "$(tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' <<< '${{ inputs.framework }}')" in
+          toga    ) PACKAGES="${PACKAGES} libcairo2-dev libgirepository1.0-dev gir1.2-gtk-3.0" ;;
+          pyside6 ) PACKAGES="${PACKAGES} libegl1" ;;
+        esac
+
+        sudo apt install -y --no-install-recommends ${PACKAGES}
 
         briefcase create linux system \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
         briefcase build linux system
+        xvfb-run briefcase run linux system
         briefcase package linux system --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build Linux System Project (Debian, Dockerized)
@@ -239,10 +247,10 @@ jobs:
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "system"]'), inputs.target-format)
       working-directory: ${{ steps.create.outputs.project-path }}
       run: |
-        briefcase create linux system --target fedora:37 \
+        briefcase create linux system --target fedora:39 \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
-        briefcase build linux system --target fedora:37
-        briefcase package linux system --target fedora:37 --adhoc-sign
+        briefcase build linux system --target fedora:39
+        briefcase package linux system --target fedora:39 --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build Linux System Project (Arch, Dockerized)
       if: >
@@ -256,28 +264,36 @@ jobs:
         briefcase build linux system --target archlinux:latest
         briefcase package linux system --target archlinux:latest --adhoc-sign
 
-    # 2023-09-11 AppImage dropped to "best effort" support.
-    #
-    # AppImage builds are the slowest, because they're incompatible with binary wheels;
-    # and installing Linux GUI toolkits (which are on a constant "install the latest"
-    # push) is fundamentally incompatible with using an old base image. As of today,
-    # it's impossible to install Toga on *any* manylinux image (
-    # https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/pygobject/-/issues/590); PySide2 can't be
-    # installed on any *supported* manylinux image, and PySide6 only works on 2_28.
-    # Even when the install *does* work, there are so many incompatibility and
-    # binary dependency issues that it's just not worth the oxygen to keep this thing
-    # alive.
-    #
-    # Only runs when target platform and format are explicitly Linux and AppImage.
     - name: Build AppImage Project
+      # 2023-09-11 AppImage dropped to "best effort" support.
+      #
+      # AppImage builds are the slowest, because they're incompatible with binary wheels;
+      # and installing Linux GUI toolkits (which are on a constant "install the latest"
+      # push) is fundamentally incompatible with using an old base image. As of today,
+      # it's impossible to install Toga on *any* manylinux image (
+      # https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/pygobject/-/issues/590); PySide2 can't be
+      # installed on any *supported* manylinux image, and PySide6 only works on 2_28.
+      # Even when the install *does* work, there are so many incompatibility and
+      # binary dependency issues that it's just not worth the oxygen to keep this thing
+      # alive.
+      #
+      # Only runs when target platform and format are explicitly Linux and AppImage.
       if: >
         startsWith(inputs.runner-os, 'ubuntu')
         && contains(fromJSON('["Linux"]'), inputs.target-platform)
         && contains(fromJSON('["AppImage"]'), inputs.target-format)
       working-directory: ${{ steps.create.outputs.project-path }}
       run: |
+        PACKAGES="libfuse2"
+        case "$(tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' <<< '${{ inputs.framework }}')" in
+          toga    ) PACKAGES="${PACKAGES} libthai-dev libegl1" ;;
+          pyside6 ) PACKAGES="${PACKAGES} libegl1" ;;
+        esac
+
+        sudo apt install -y --no-install-recommends ${PACKAGES}
+
         # PyGObject>=3.46.0 requires a version of glibc that isn't available in manylinux images;
-        # so, the version will need to be constrained to successfully build an AppImage with Toga.
+        # so, the version is constrained to successfully build an AppImage with Toga.
         # Furthermore, Toga>0.3.1 requires PyGObject>=3.46.0 so its version is constrained as well.
         if [ "${{ startsWith(inputs.framework, 'toga') }}" = "true" ]; then
           CONFIG_OVERRIDE_REQUIRES='--config requires=["toga-gtk==0.3.1","PyGobject<3.46.0"]'
@@ -287,6 +303,7 @@ jobs:
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }} \
           ${CONFIG_OVERRIDE_REQUIRES}
         briefcase build linux AppImage
+        xvfb-run briefcase run linux AppImage
         briefcase package linux AppImage --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build Flatpak Project
@@ -294,15 +311,14 @@ jobs:
         startsWith(inputs.runner-os, 'ubuntu')
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "Linux"]'), inputs.target-platform)
         && contains(fromJSON('["", "Flatpak"]'), inputs.target-format)
-        && contains(fromJSON('["Toga", "PyGame"]'), inputs.framework)
       working-directory: ${{ steps.create.outputs.project-path }}
       run: |
-        sudo apt update -y
         sudo apt install -y --no-install-recommends flatpak flatpak-builder elfutils
 
         briefcase create linux flatpak \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
         briefcase build linux flatpak
+        xvfb-run briefcase run linux flatpak
         briefcase package linux flatpak --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build Android App
@@ -312,9 +328,31 @@ jobs:
         && startsWith(inputs.framework, 'toga')
       working-directory: ${{ steps.create.outputs.project-path }}
       run: |
+        export JAVA_HOME=${JAVA_HOME_17_X64}
+
         briefcase create android gradle \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
         briefcase build android gradle
+
+        # Only run Android app on Linux since it's duplicative (and slow) on other platforms
+        if [ "${{ startsWith(inputs.runner-os, 'ubuntu') }}" = "true" ]; then
+          # drop a few breadcrumbs incase virtualization isn't supported on the runner...
+          sudo apt install -y --no-install-recommends cpu-checker coreutils && echo "CPUs=$(nproc --all)" && kvm-ok
+          # allow access to KVM to run the emulator
+          echo 'KERNEL=="kvm", GROUP="kvm", MODE="0666", OPTIONS+="static_node=kvm"' \
+            | sudo tee /etc/udev/rules.d/99-kvm4all.rules
+          sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
+          sudo udevadm trigger --name-match=kvm
+
+          briefcase run android gradle \
+            --device '{"avd":"beePhone"}' \
+            --shutdown-on-exit \
+            --Xemulator=-no-window \
+            --Xemulator=-no-snapshot \
+            --Xemulator=-no-audio \
+            --Xemulator=-no-boot-anim
+        fi
+
         briefcase package android gradle --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build iOS App
@@ -328,6 +366,7 @@ jobs:
         briefcase create iOS xcode \
           ${{ steps.output-format.outputs.template-override }}
         briefcase build iOS xcode
+        briefcase run iOS xcode -d "iPhone SE (3rd generation)"
         briefcase package iOS xcode --adhoc-sign
 
     - name: Build Web App
diff --git a/.github/workflows/app-create-verify.yml b/.github/workflows/app-create-verify.yml
index 44bf7f7e..d6116638 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/app-create-verify.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/app-create-verify.yml
@@ -19,12 +19,14 @@ on:
         description: "Framework to use to build the App, e.g. toga."
         required: true
         type: string
-      briefcase-template-source:
-        description: "Path to use for --template for `briefcase new` to create app."
-        default: ""
+      workflow-repo:
+        # Only needed for PRs in other repos wanting to test new workflow changes before they are merged.
+        # These inputs should not be specified by another repo on their main branch.
+        description: "The repo to use to run additional workflows and actions."
+        default: "beeware/.github"
         type: string
-      briefcase-template-branch:
-        description: "Git branch to use for --template-branch for `briefcase new` to create app."
+      workflow-repo-ref:
+        description: "The repo ref to use to run additional workflows and actions."
         default: ""
         type: string
 
@@ -39,6 +41,7 @@ jobs:
   verify-project:
     name: Verify Project
     runs-on: ${{ inputs.runner-os }}
+    timeout-minutes: 30
     steps:
 
     - name: Checkout ${{ github.repository }}
@@ -47,10 +50,11 @@ jobs:
         repository: ${{ github.repository }}
         fetch-depth: 0
 
-    - name: Checkout beeware/.github
+    - name: Checkout ${{ inputs.workflow-repo }}${{ inputs.workflow-repo-ref && format('@{0}', inputs.workflow-repo-ref) || '' }}
       uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.1
       with:
-        repository: beeware/.github
+        repository: ${{ inputs.workflow-repo }}
+        ref: ${{ inputs.workflow-repo-ref }}
         path: beeware-.github
 
     - name: Checkout beeware/briefcase-template
@@ -59,10 +63,6 @@ jobs:
         repository: beeware/briefcase-template
         path: briefcase-template
 
-    - name: Package Name
-      id: package
-      run: echo "name=$(basename '${{ github.repository }}')" >> ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
-
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v4.7.1
       with:
@@ -73,38 +73,33 @@ jobs:
           **/pyproject.toml
           .pre-commit-config.yaml
 
-    - name: Get Packages
+    - name: Install Dependencies
+      # must install before Briefcase below since requirements.txt contains an entry for Briefcase
+      run: python -m pip install -Ur ./briefcase-template/requirements.txt
+
+    - name: Get Briefcase Package
       # Briefcase will build and package itself in a previous step in its CI
       if: endsWith(github.repository, 'briefcase')
       uses: actions/download-artifact@v3.0.2
       with:
-        name: packages-${{ steps.package.outputs.name }}
+        name: packages-briefcase
         path: dist
 
-    - name: Install Dependencies
-      run: python -m pip install -Ur ./briefcase-template/requirements.txt
-
     - name: Install Briefcase Artefact
       if: endsWith(github.repository, 'briefcase')
-      run: python -m pip install dist/briefcase-*.whl
+      run: python -m pip install -U dist/briefcase-*.whl --upgrade-strategy eager
 
     - name: Install Briefcase
       if: ${{ !endsWith(github.repository, 'briefcase') }}
       uses: ./beeware-.github/.github/actions/install-briefcase
 
-    - name: Determine Briefcase Template Path
-      # If the briefcase-template repo is being tested, use the current checkout
-      id: template
-      if: endsWith(github.repository, 'briefcase-template')
-      run: echo "path=${{ github.workspace }}" | tee -a ${GITHUB_OUTPUT}
-
     - name: Create Briefcase Project
       id: create
       uses: ./beeware-.github/.github/actions/app-create
       with:
         framework: ${{ inputs.framework }}
-        briefcase-template-source: ${{ inputs.briefcase-template-source || steps.template.outputs.path }}
-        briefcase-template-branch: ${{ inputs.briefcase-template-branch }}
+        # use the current repo checkout if briefcase-template is being tested
+        briefcase-template-source: ${{ endsWith(github.repository, 'briefcase-template') && github.workspace || '' }}
 
     - name: Run Flake8
       working-directory: ${{ steps.create.outputs.project-path }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index de2a3d2a..d70128d6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ jobs:
   test-docs-build-verify:
     name: Verify Docs Build
     needs: pre-commit
-    # inheriting secrets does not work for forked repos
+    # inherited secrets are not exposed to forked repos
     if: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.repo.owner.login == 'beeware' }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/docs-build-verify.yml
     secrets: inherit
@@ -36,14 +36,15 @@ jobs:
       project-version: ${{ matrix.version }}
     strategy:
       matrix:
-        name: [ "briefcase", "toga" ]
+        name: [ briefcase, toga ]
         include:
-        - name: "briefcase"
-          version: "v0.3.13"
-        - name: "toga"
-          version: "v0.3.1"
+        - name: briefcase
+          version: v0.3.13
+        - name: toga
+          version: v0.3.1
 
   test-install-briefcase:
+    # TODO: restore commented tests once Briefcase v0.3.17 is released
     name: Install Briefcase
     needs: pre-commit
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -52,61 +53,53 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
         test-case:
-        - "v0.3.12"
         - "main"
         - "PR Repo & Ref"
         - "PR Repo & Ref (irregular)"
-        - "PR Ref"
-        - "refs/tags/v0.3.11"
+        #- "PR Ref"
+        #- "refs/tags/v0.3.17"
         - "refs/tags/v40.0.5"
-        - "refs/heads/v0.3.10"
+        #- "refs/heads/v0.3.17"
         - "refs/heads/v40.0.5"
-        - "refs/pull/v0.3.9"
+        #- "refs/pull/v0.3.17"
         - "refs/pull/v40.0.5"
         include:
         # Test override logic
-        - test-case: "v0.3.12"
-          version: "v0.3.12"
-          expected: "v0.3.12"
         - test-case: "main"
           version: "main"
           expected: "main"
         # Test PR body override
         - test-case: "PR Repo & Ref"
-          testing-pr-body: "sadf asdf BRIEFCASE_REPO: https://github.com/freakboy3742/briefcase.git xcvbwer BRIEFCASE_REF: 3470d95 xczvb https://example.com/asdf?q=repo%3Aindygreg%2"
-          expected: "3470d95"
+          testing-pr-body: "sadf asdf BRIEFCASE_REPO: https://github.com/freakboy3742/briefcase.git xcvbwer BRIEFCASE_REF: 19215d9 xczvb https://example.com/asdf?q=repo%3Aindygreg%2"
+          expected: "19215d9"
         - test-case: "PR Repo & Ref (irregular)"
-          testing-pr-body: "sadf asdf BrIeFcAsE__REpo: https://github.com/freakboy3742/briefcase.git xcvbwer BRIEFcaseREF:3470d95 xczvb https://example.com/asdf?q=repo%3Aindygreg%2"
-          expected: "3470d95"
-        - test-case: "PR Ref"
-          testing-pr-body: "sadf asdf BRIEFcaseREF: v0.3.12"
-          expected: "v0.3.12"
+          testing-pr-body: "sadf asdf BrIeFcAsE__REpo: https://github.com/freakboy3742/briefcase.git xcvbwer BRIEFcaseREF:19215d9 xczvb https://example.com/asdf?q=repo%3Aindygreg%2"
+          expected: "19215d9"
+        #- test-case: "PR Ref"
+        #   testing-pr-body: "sadf asdf BRIEFcaseREF: v0.3.17"
+        #  expected: "v0.3.17"
         # Test version derivation for Releases
-        - test-case: "refs/tags/v0.3.11"
-          testing-trigger-ref: "refs/tags/v0.3.11"
-          testing-ref-name: "v0.3.11"
-          expected: "v0.3.11"
+        #- test-case: "refs/tags/v0.3.17"
+        #  testing-trigger-ref: "refs/tags/v0.3.17"
+        #  testing-ref-name: "v0.3.17"
+        #  expected: "v0.3.11"
         - test-case: "refs/tags/v40.0.5"
           testing-trigger-ref: "refs/tags/v40.0.5"
           testing-ref-name: "v40.0.5"
           expected: "main"
-        - test-case: "refs/heads/v0.3.10"
-          testing-trigger-ref: "refs/heads/v0.3.10"
-          testing-ref-name: "v0.3.10"
-          expected: "v0.3.10"
+        #- test-case: "refs/heads/v0.3.17"
+        #  testing-trigger-ref: "refs/heads/v0.3.17"
+        #  testing-ref-name: "v0.3.17"
+        #  expected: "v0.3.17"
         - test-case: "refs/heads/v40.0.5"
           testing-trigger-ref: "refs/heads/v40.0.5"
           testing-ref-name: "v40.0.5"
           expected: "main"
         # Test version derivation for PRs
-        - test-case: "refs/pull/v0.3.9"
-          testing-trigger-ref: "refs/pull/18/merge"
-          testing-pr-ref: "refs/heads/v0.3.9"
-          expected: "v0.3.9"
-        - test-case: "refs/pull/v0.3.9"
-          testing-trigger-ref: "refs/pull/20/merge"
-          testing-pr-ref: "v0.3.9"
-          expected: "v0.3.9"
+        #- test-case: "refs/pull/v0.3.17"
+        #  testing-trigger-ref: "refs/pull/18/merge"
+        #  testing-pr-ref: "refs/heads/v0.3.17"
+        #  expected: "v0.3.17"
         - test-case: "refs/pull/v40.0.5"
           testing-trigger-ref: "refs/pull/25/merge"
           testing-pr-ref: "v40.0.5"
@@ -154,15 +147,15 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        repo: [ "briefcase", "gbulb", "Python-support-testbed", "rubicon-objc", "toga" ]
+        repo: [ briefcase, gbulb, Python-support-testbed, rubicon-objc, toga ]
         include:
-        - pre-commit-source: ".[dev]"
+        - pre-commit-source: .[dev]
         - repo: gbulb
-          pre-commit-source: "pre-commit"
+          pre-commit-source: pre-commit
         - repo: Python-support-testbed
-          pre-commit-source: "pre-commit"
+          pre-commit-source: pre-commit
         - repo: toga
-          pre-commit-source: "./core[dev]"
+          pre-commit-source: ./core[dev]
 
   test-package-python:
     name: Create Package
@@ -171,22 +164,27 @@ jobs:
     with:
       repository: beeware/${{ matrix.repo }}
       tox-source: ${{ matrix.tox-source }}
+      tox-factors: ${{ matrix.tox-factors }}
       distribution-path: ${{ matrix.dist-path }}
       build-subdirectory: ${{ matrix.build-subdir }}
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        repo: [ "briefcase", "gbulb", "rubicon-objc", "toga" ]
+        repo: [ briefcase, gbulb, rubicon-objc, toga ]
         include:
-        - tox-source: ".[dev]"
-        - dist-path: "dist"
-        - repo: "gbulb"
-          tox-source: "tox"
-          dist-path: "dist"
-        - repo: "toga"
-          tox-source: "./core[dev]"
+        - tox-source: .[dev]
+        - dist-path: dist
+        - repo: briefcase
+          tox-source: .[dev]
+          tox-factors: -with-automation
+          dist-path: dist
+        - repo: gbulb
+          tox-source: tox
+          dist-path: dist
+        - repo: toga
+          tox-source: ./core[dev]
           dist-path: "*/dist/*"
-          build-subdir: "core"
+          build-subdir: core
 
   test-verify-projects-briefcase:
     name: Verify Project
@@ -199,8 +197,8 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        framework: [ "toga", "pyside6" ]
-        runner-os: [ "macos-latest", "windows-latest", "ubuntu-22.04" ]
+        framework: [ toga, pyside6 ]
+        runner-os: [ macos-latest, windows-latest, ubuntu-22.04 ]
 
   test-verify-apps-briefcase:
     name: Verify Briefcase
@@ -214,8 +212,8 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        framework: [ "toga", "ppb" ]
-        runner-os: [ "macos-latest", "windows-latest", "ubuntu-22.04" ]
+        framework: [ toga, ppb ]
+        runner-os: [ macos-latest, windows-latest, ubuntu-22.04 ]
 
   test-verify-apps-briefcase-template:
     name: Verify Briefcase Template
@@ -229,8 +227,8 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        framework: [ "toga", "ppb" ]
-        runner-os: [ "macos-latest", "windows-latest", "ubuntu-latest" ]
+        framework: [ toga, ppb ]
+        runner-os: [ macos-latest, windows-latest, ubuntu-latest ]
 
   test-verify-apps-android-templates:
     name: Verify Android
@@ -242,11 +240,12 @@ jobs:
       runner-os: ${{ matrix.runner-os }}
       target-platform: android
       target-format: gradle
-      framework: toga
+      framework: ${{ matrix.framework }}
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        runner-os: [ "macos-latest", "windows-latest", "ubuntu-latest" ]
+        framework: [ toga ]  # toga only
+        runner-os: [ macos-latest, windows-latest, ubuntu-latest ]
 
   test-verify-apps-iOS-templates:
     name: Verify iOS
@@ -258,16 +257,18 @@ jobs:
       runner-os: macos-latest
       target-platform: iOS
       target-format: xcode
-      framework: toga
+      framework: ${{ matrix.framework }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        framework: [ toga ]  # toga only
 
   test-verify-apps-linux-system-templates:
-    name: Verify Linux System
+    name: Verify Linux
     needs: pre-commit
     uses: ./.github/workflows/app-build-verify.yml
     with:
-      # This *must* be the version of Python that is the system Python on ubuntu-22.04.
-      # Otherwise native system package builds won't be included.
-      python-version: "3.10"
+      python-version: "3.10"  # must match system python for ubuntu version
       repository: beeware/briefcase-linux-system-template
       runner-os: ubuntu-22.04
       target-platform: linux
@@ -276,7 +277,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        framework: [ "toga", "ppb" ]
+        framework: [ toga, pyside6, ppb, pygame ]
 
   test-verify-apps-appimage-templates:
     name: Verify AppImage
@@ -288,7 +289,11 @@ jobs:
       runner-os: ubuntu-latest
       target-platform: linux
       target-format: appimage
-      framework: toga
+      framework: ${{ matrix.framework }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        framework: [ toga, pyside6, ppb, pygame ]
 
   test-verify-apps-flatpak-templates:
     name: Verify Flatpak
@@ -304,7 +309,7 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        framework: [ "toga", "pygame" ]
+        framework: [ toga, pyside6, ppb, pygame ]
 
   test-verify-apps-macOS-templates:
     name: Verify macOS
@@ -320,8 +325,8 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        format: [ "app", "Xcode" ]
-        framework: [ "toga", "ppb" ]
+        framework: [ toga, pyside6, ppb, pygame ]
+        format: [ app, Xcode ]
 
   test-verify-apps-web-templates:
     name: Verify Web
@@ -333,7 +338,11 @@ jobs:
       runner-os: ubuntu-latest
       target-platform: web
       target-format: static
-      framework: toga
+      framework: ${{ matrix.framework }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        framework: [ toga ]  # toga only
 
   test-verify-apps-windows-templates:
     name: Verify Windows
@@ -349,5 +358,5 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        format: [ "app", "VisualStudio" ]
-        framework: [ "toga", "ppb" ]
+        framework: [ toga, pyside6, ppb, pygame ]
+        format: [ app, VisualStudio ]
diff --git a/.github/workflows/python-package-create.yml b/.github/workflows/python-package-create.yml
index 5f0f2dc0..28bd3617 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/python-package-create.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/python-package-create.yml
@@ -19,6 +19,10 @@ on:
         description: "The arguments for `pip install` to install tox; use ./path/to/package[dev] for the repo's pinned version."
         default: ".[dev]"
         type: string
+      tox-factors:
+        description: "The tox factors to append to the package command."
+        default: ""
+        type: string
       build-subdirectory:
         description: "The subdirectory to build as a wheel."
         default: ""
@@ -74,11 +78,11 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Build wheels
         if: inputs.build-subdirectory == ''
-        run: tox -e package
+        run: tox -e package${{ inputs.tox-factors }}
 
       - name: Build wheels from subdirectory
         if: inputs.build-subdirectory != ''
-        run: tox -e package -- ${{ inputs.build-subdirectory }}
+        run: tox -e package${{ inputs.tox-factors }} -- ${{ inputs.build-subdirectory }}
 
       - name: Upload Package
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3.1.3