diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 58a0373..0f17654 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ on:
 jobs:
   test-pfcon:
     name: tests (pfcon)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - name: Start Docker Swarm
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ jobs:
           docker swarm leave --force
   test-cube:
     name: tests (CUBE)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - run: docker build -t localhost/fnndsc/pfcon .
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     needs: [test-pfcon, test-cube]
-    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v4
     - name: Install pixi
diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index 378861b..f131559 100755
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -1,25 +1,32 @@
-FROM ghcr.io/prefix-dev/pixi:0.27.1 AS build
+FROM ghcr.io/prefix-dev/pixi:0.27.1 AS install
 
 COPY . /app
 WORKDIR /app
 
 RUN --mount=type=cache,target=/root/.cache/rattler/cache,sharing=locked pixi install
 
+# development stage
+FROM install AS dev
+
+CMD ["pixi", "run", "python", "-m", "pfcon"]
+EXPOSE 5005
+
+# production build stage
+FROM install AS build
+
 RUN pixi run build
 
 ARG ENVIRONMENT=prod
 RUN printf '#!/bin/sh\n%s\nexec "$@"' "$(pixi shell-hook -e ${ENVIRONMENT})" > /entrypoint.sh
 RUN chmod +x /entrypoint.sh
-
-FROM build as prod-build
-
 # must be the last command of this stage, or else pixi will overwrite the installed package.
 RUN pixi run postinstall-production
 
+# production minimal image
 FROM docker.io/library/debian:bookworm-slim
 
-COPY --from=prod-build /app/.pixi/envs/${ENVIRONMENT} /app/.pixi/envs/${ENVIRONMENT}
-COPY --from=prod-build /entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
+COPY --from=build /app/.pixi/envs/${ENVIRONMENT} /app/.pixi/envs/${ENVIRONMENT}
+COPY --from=build /entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
 
 ENTRYPOINT [ "/entrypoint.sh" ]
 CMD ["gunicorn", "--bind", "0.0.0.0:5005", "--workers", "8", "--timeout", "3600", "pfcon.wsgi:application"]
diff --git a/swarm/docker-compose_dev.yml b/swarm/docker-compose_dev.yml
index 212d0b2..fe333ed 100755
--- a/swarm/docker-compose_dev.yml
+++ b/swarm/docker-compose_dev.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ services:
     image: localhost:5000/fnndsc/pfcon:dev
     build:
       context: ..
-      target: build
+      target: dev
       args:
         ENVIRONMENT: local
     stdin_open: true # docker run -i
diff --git a/swarm/docker-compose_dev_innetwork.yml b/swarm/docker-compose_dev_innetwork.yml
index 19fc2dc..91436fd 100755
--- a/swarm/docker-compose_dev_innetwork.yml
+++ b/swarm/docker-compose_dev_innetwork.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ services:
     image: localhost:5000/fnndsc/pfcon:dev
     build:
       context: ..
-      target: build
+      target: dev
       args:
         ENVIRONMENT: local
     stdin_open: true # docker run -i
diff --git a/swarm/docker-compose_dev_innetwork_fs.yml b/swarm/docker-compose_dev_innetwork_fs.yml
index ca96fc7..89388c4 100755
--- a/swarm/docker-compose_dev_innetwork_fs.yml
+++ b/swarm/docker-compose_dev_innetwork_fs.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ services:
     image: localhost:5000/fnndsc/pfcon:dev
     build:
       context: ..
-      target: build
+      target: dev
       args:
         ENVIRONMENT: local
     stdin_open: true # docker run -i