diff --git a/.codespell/ignore_words.txt b/.codespell/ignore_words.txt
index 9757d7c0..04b4fcfa 100644
--- a/.codespell/ignore_words.txt
+++ b/.codespell/ignore_words.txt
@@ -4,8 +4,5 @@
 ;; abbreviation for "materials" often used in a journal title
 mater
 
-;; alternative use of socioeconomic
-socio-economic
-
 ;; Frobenius norm used in np.linalg.norm
 fro
diff --git a/.flake8 b/.flake8
index 2d2cb168..04d2d0b0 100644
--- a/.flake8
+++ b/.flake8
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+# As of now, flake8 does not natively support configuration via pyproject.toml
+# https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-flake8/issues/135
 [flake8]
 exclude =
     .git,
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
index 99ab0d83..6107962c 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release_checklist.md
@@ -6,26 +6,37 @@ labels: "release"
 assignees: ""
 ---
 
-### PyPI/GitHub release checklist:
+### PyPI/GitHub rc-release preparation checklist:
 
 - [ ] All PRs/issues attached to the release are merged.
 - [ ] All the badges on the README are passing.
 - [ ] License information is verified as correct. If you are unsure, please comment below.
 - [ ] Locally rendered documentation contains all appropriate pages, including API references (check no modules are
-      missing), tutorials, and other human written text is up-to-date with any changes in the code.
-- [ ] Installation instructions in the README, documentation and on the website (e.g., diffpy.org) are updated.
+      missing), tutorials, and other human-written text is up-to-date with any changes in the code.
+- [ ] Installation instructions in the README, documentation, and the website are updated.
 - [ ] Successfully run any tutorial examples or do functional testing with the latest Python version.
 - [ ] Grammar and writing quality are checked (no typos).
+- [ ] Install `pip install build twine`, run `python -m build` and `twine check dist/*` to ensure that the package can be built and is correctly formatted for PyPI release.
 
-Please mention @sbillinge here when you are ready for PyPI/GitHub release. Include any additional comments necessary, such as
-version information and details about the pre-release here:
+Please tag the maintainer (e.g., @username) in the comment here when you are ready for the PyPI/GitHub release. Include any additional comments necessary, such as version information and details about the pre-release here:
 
-### conda-forge release checklist:
+### PyPI/GitHub full-release preparation checklist:
 
-<!-- After @sbillinge releases the PyPI package, please check the following when creating a PR for conda-forge release.-->
+- [ ] Create a new conda environment and install the rc from PyPI (`pip install <package-name>==??`)
+- [ ] License information on PyPI is correct.
+- [ ] Docs are deployed successfully to `https://<github-username-or-orgname>/<package-name>`.
+- [ ] Successfully run all tests, tutorial examples or do functional testing.
 
+Please let the maintainer know that all checks are done and the package is ready for full release.
+
+### conda-forge release preparation checklist:
+
+<!-- After the maintainer releases the PyPI package, please check the following when creating a PR for conda-forge release.-->
+
+- [ ] Ensure that the full release has appeared on PyPI successfully.
 - [ ] New package dependencies listed in `conda.txt` and `test.txt` are added to `meta.yaml` in the feedstock.
-- [ ] All relevant issues in the feedstock are addressed in the release PR.
+- [ ] Close any open issues on the feedstock. Reach out to the maintainer if you have questions.
+- [ ] Tag the maintainer for conda-forge release.
 
 ### Post-release checklist
 
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/pull_request_template.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/pull_request_template.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1099d862
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE/pull_request_template.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+### What problem does this PR address?
+
+<!-- Provide a brief overview and link to the issue. Attach outputs, including screenshots (before/after), if helpful for the reviewer. -->
+
+### What should the reviewer(s) do?
+
+<!-- Merge the code, provide feedback, initiate a discussion, etc. -->
+
+<!--
+Use the following checklist items when applicable (select only what applies):
+- [ ] This PR introduces a public-facing change (e.g., figures, CLI input/output, API).
+    - [ ] Documentation (e.g., tutorials, examples, README) has been updated.
+    - [ ] A tracking issue or plan to update documentation exists.
+- [ ] This PR affects internal functionality only (no user-facing change).
+-->
diff --git a/.isort.cfg b/.isort.cfg
index e0926f42..86f162b8 100644
--- a/.isort.cfg
+++ b/.isort.cfg
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 [settings]
-line_length = 115
+# Keep import statement below line_length character limit
+line_length = 79
 multi_line_output = 3
 include_trailing_comma = True
diff --git a/.readthedocs.yaml b/.readthedocs.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..47f7a017
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.readthedocs.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+version: 2
+
+build:
+  os: "ubuntu-22.04"
+  tools:
+    python: "latest"
+
+python:
+  install:
+    - requirements: requirements/docs.txt
+
+sphinx:
+  configuration: doc/source/conf.py
diff --git a/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.rst b/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.rst
index ff9c3561..e8199ca5 100644
--- a/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.rst
+++ b/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.rst
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ Our Pledge
 We as members, contributors, and leaders pledge to make participation in our
 community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body
 size, visible or invisible disability, ethnicity, sex characteristics, gender
-identity and expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status,
+identity and expression, level of experience, education, socioeconomic status,
 nationality, personal appearance, race, caste, color, religion, or sexual
 identity and orientation.