diff --git a/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml b/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
index 4687738..6402f01 100644
--- a/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.forgejo/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -24,11 +24,26 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      - name: Cache pip wheels
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: ~/.cache/pip
+          key: pip-${{ runner.os }}-py314-${{ hashFiles('requirements.txt') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            pip-${{ runner.os }}-py314-
+
       - name: Install Python deps
         # ruff is pre-installed in the ci-python image (see CI-Runner/CI-python/
         # Dockerfile's RUFF_VERSION). Per FabledRulebook ci-runners.md, toolchain
         # versions live on the runner image, not here.
-        run: pip install -r requirements.txt pytest pytest-asyncio
+        # uv: 5-10x faster wheel resolve than pip for cold caches.
+        # Falls back to pip install on uv-missing runners (older images).
+        run: |
+          if command -v uv >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            uv pip install --system -r requirements.txt pytest pytest-asyncio
+          else
+            pip install -r requirements.txt pytest pytest-asyncio
+          fi
 
       - name: Ruff lint
         run: ruff check backend/ tests/ alembic/
@@ -99,6 +114,14 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
+      - name: Cache pip wheels
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: ~/.cache/pip
+          key: pip-${{ runner.os }}-py314-${{ hashFiles('requirements.txt') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            pip-${{ runner.os }}-py314-
+
       - name: Integration suite (resolve service IPs, migrate, test)
         run: |
           set -eux
@@ -119,6 +142,11 @@ jobs:
             (echo > "/dev/tcp/$PG_IP/5432") >/dev/null 2>&1 && break
             sleep 2
           done
-          pip install -r requirements.txt pytest pytest-asyncio
+          # uv when available (5-10x faster wheel resolve); fall back to pip.
+          if command -v uv >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            uv pip install --system -r requirements.txt pytest pytest-asyncio
+          else
+            pip install -r requirements.txt pytest pytest-asyncio
+          fi
           alembic upgrade head
           pytest tests/ -v -m integration --durations=25