diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 7727b8a..95713e0 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,19 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [0.6.0] - 2026-09-30
+
+### Added
+
+- NuGet version-range support for Chocolatey dependencies. Ranges resolve to
+  the highest matching package version before installation.
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Build initialization now explicitly loads the pinned Pester 5 version before
+  importing PowerShellBuild and uses a Pester 5-compatible test task, preventing
+  a newer installed Pester version from being loaded.
+
 ## [0.5.0] - 2026-08-16
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/PSDepend/PSDepend.psd1 b/PSDepend/PSDepend.psd1
index adf4c56..e97df8a 100644
--- a/PSDepend/PSDepend.psd1
+++ b/PSDepend/PSDepend.psd1
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     RootModule = 'PSDepend.psm1'
 
     # Version number of this module.
-    ModuleVersion = '0.5.0'
+    ModuleVersion = '0.6.0'
 
     # ID used to uniquely identify this module
     GUID = '63ea9e2a-320d-43ff-a11a-4930ca03cce6'
diff --git a/PSDepend/PSDependScripts/Chocolatey.ps1 b/PSDepend/PSDependScripts/Chocolatey.ps1
index cc55355..bccc40b 100644
--- a/PSDepend/PSDependScripts/Chocolatey.ps1
+++ b/PSDepend/PSDependScripts/Chocolatey.ps1
@@ -8,7 +8,9 @@
 
     Relevant Dependency metadata:
         Name: The name of the package
-        Version: Used to identify existing installs meeting this criteria. Defaults to 'latest'
+        Version: Used to identify existing installs meeting this criteria. Defaults to 'latest'.
+            Also accepts a NuGet version range (e.g. '[2.2.3,3.0)', '[2.0,)', '(,3.0)').
+            A bare version remains an exact version. Ranges resolve to the highest matching version.
         Source: Source Uri. Defaults to https://community.chocolatey.org/api/v2/
 
     .PARAMETER Dependency
@@ -127,19 +129,24 @@ function Get-ChocoInstalledPackage {
     Invoke-ExternalCommand @invokeExternalCommandSplat | ConvertFrom-Csv @convertFromCsvSplat
 }
 
-function Get-ChocoLatestPackage {
+function Get-ChocoPackage {
     [CmdletBinding()]
     param (
         [string]$Name,
 
         [string]$Source,
 
-        [Management.Automation.PSCredential]$Credential
+        [Management.Automation.PSCredential]$Credential,
+
+        [switch]$AllVersions
     )
 
     # 'choco search' queries remote sources on both 1.x and 2.x; 'choco list' stopped
     # querying remote sources in Chocolatey 2.0 and rejects URL sources (issue #187)
     $chocoParams = @('search', "$Name", '--limit-output', '--exact')
+    if ($AllVersions.IsPresent) {
+        $chocoParams += '--all-versions'
+    }
     if ($Source) {
         $chocoParams += "--source='$Source'"
     }
@@ -230,6 +237,23 @@ if (-not $Dependency.Source -or $Source -eq '') {
 
 $Credential = $Dependency.Credential
 
+$versionRange = $null
+if ($Version -ne 'latest') {
+    $versionRange = ConvertFrom-VersionRange -Version $Version
+    if (-not $versionRange) {
+        Write-Error "Could not parse version [$Version] for [$Name]; expected an exact version or a valid NuGet range."
+        if ($PSDependAction -contains 'Test') {
+            return $false
+        }
+        return
+    }
+}
+$installVersion = if ($versionRange -and $versionRange.IsExact) {
+    $versionRange.Exact
+} else {
+    $Version
+}
+
 if (-not (Get-Command -Name 'choco.exe' -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
     Write-Verbose "Chocolatey is not installed. Installing from [$ChocoInstallScriptUrl]"
     # download and run the Chocolatey script
@@ -251,9 +275,22 @@ if (-not (Get-Command -Name 'choco.exe' -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
 # If this is a forced install we don't need to check anything,
 # just install the package version requested
 if ($Force.IsPresent -and $PSDependAction -contains 'Install') {
+    if ($versionRange -and -not $versionRange.IsExact) {
+        $availableVersions = (Get-ChocoPackage -Name $Name -Source $Source -Credential $Credential -AllVersions).Version
+        $installVersion = Resolve-VersionInRange -Candidate $availableVersions -Required $Version
+        if (-not $installVersion) {
+            Write-Error "No version of [$Name] at source [$Source] satisfies range [$Version]"
+            if ($PSDependAction -contains 'Test') {
+                return $false
+            }
+            return
+        }
+        Write-Verbose "Resolved range [$Version] to version [$installVersion] for [$Name]"
+    }
+
     $params = @{
         Name    = $Name
-        Version = $Version
+        Version = $installVersion
         Source  = $Source
         Force   = $Force.IsPresent
     }
@@ -278,7 +315,7 @@ if ($existingVersion) {
 }
 
 # Specific version requested, and equal to current
-if ($Version -ne 'latest' -and (Test-VersionEquality -ReferenceVersion $Version -DifferenceVersion $existingVersion)) {
+if ($Version -ne 'latest' -and (Test-VersionInRange -Version $existingVersion -Required $Version)) {
     Write-Verbose "You have the requested version [$Version] of [$Name]"
     if ($PSDependAction -contains 'Test') {
         return $true
@@ -287,7 +324,8 @@ if ($Version -ne 'latest' -and (Test-VersionEquality -ReferenceVersion $Version
     return
 }
 
-# get the latest version from the source
+# Resolve a range to the highest available version. Chocolatey requires an exact
+# version for --version.
 $repoParams = @{
     Name   = $Name
     Source = $Source
@@ -296,13 +334,27 @@ if ($Credential) {
     $repoParams.Credential = $Credential
 }
 
-Write-Verbose "Getting latest package [$Name] version from source [$Source]."
-$repositoryVersion = (Get-ChocoLatestPackage @repoParams).Version
-if ($repositoryVersion) {
-    Write-Verbose "Found package [$Name] version [$repositoryVersion] on source [$Source]."
+if ($versionRange -and -not $versionRange.IsExact) {
+    Write-Verbose "Getting available package [$Name] versions from source [$Source]."
+    $availableVersions = (Get-ChocoPackage @repoParams -AllVersions).Version
+    $installVersion = Resolve-VersionInRange -Candidate $availableVersions -Required $Version
+    if (-not $installVersion) {
+        Write-Error "No version of [$Name] at source [$Source] satisfies range [$Version]"
+        if ($PSDependAction -contains 'Test') {
+            return $false
+        }
+        return
+    }
+    Write-Verbose "Resolved range [$Version] to version [$installVersion] for [$Name]"
 } else {
-    Write-Verbose "Package [$Name] not found on source [$Source]. Nothing more can be done."
-    return  # cannot continue
+    Write-Verbose "Getting latest package [$Name] version from source [$Source]."
+    $repositoryVersion = (Get-ChocoPackage @repoParams).Version
+    if ($repositoryVersion) {
+        Write-Verbose "Found package [$Name] version [$repositoryVersion] on source [$Source]."
+    } else {
+        Write-Verbose "Package [$Name] not found on source [$Source]. Nothing more can be done."
+        return  # cannot continue
+    }
 }
 
 # If the version in the remote repository is less than or equal to the version installed, then we have the latest already
@@ -338,7 +390,7 @@ Write-Verbose "You do not have the version requested of [$Name]: Requested versi
 if ($PSDependAction -contains 'Install') {
     $params = @{
         Name    = $Name
-        Version = $Version
+        Version = $installVersion
         Source  = $Source
         Force   = $Force.IsPresent
     }
diff --git a/Tests/Chocolatey.Type.Tests.ps1 b/Tests/Chocolatey.Type.Tests.ps1
index 5172891..6805d4e 100644
--- a/Tests/Chocolatey.Type.Tests.ps1
+++ b/Tests/Chocolatey.Type.Tests.ps1
@@ -70,4 +70,83 @@ Describe 'Chocolatey script' -Tag 'WindowsOnly' -Skip:$SkipUnsupported {
             ($Arguments -join ' ') -match "--username='feeduser'" -and ($Arguments -join ' ') -match "--password='feedpass'"
         }
     }
+
+    Context 'NuGet version ranges' {
+        It 'Installs the highest available version that satisfies the range' {
+            $dep = New-PSDependFixture -DependencyName 'git' -DependencyType 'Chocolatey' -Version '[2.0.0,3.0.0)'
+            InModuleScope PSDepend -Parameters @{ Dep = $dep; ScriptPath = $script:ScriptPath } {
+                Mock Invoke-ExternalCommand {
+                    'git|1.9.0'
+                    'git|2.5.0'
+                    'git|3.0.0'
+                } -ParameterFilter { $Arguments -contains '--all-versions' }
+
+                & $ScriptPath -Dependency $Dep
+            }
+            Should -Invoke -CommandName Invoke-ExternalCommand -ModuleName PSDepend -Times 1 -Exactly -ParameterFilter {
+                $Arguments -contains 'upgrade' -and $Arguments -contains "--version='2.5.0'"
+            }
+        }
+
+        It 'Resolves a range before a forced installation' {
+            $dep = New-PSDependFixture -DependencyName 'git' -DependencyType 'Chocolatey' -Version '[2.0.0,3.0.0)'
+            InModuleScope PSDepend -Parameters @{ Dep = $dep; ScriptPath = $script:ScriptPath } {
+                Mock Invoke-ExternalCommand {
+                    'git|2.4.0'
+                    'git|2.8.0'
+                } -ParameterFilter { $Arguments -contains '--all-versions' }
+
+                & $ScriptPath -Dependency $Dep -Force
+            }
+            Should -Invoke -CommandName Invoke-ExternalCommand -ModuleName PSDepend -Times 1 -Exactly -ParameterFilter {
+                $Arguments -contains 'upgrade' -and
+                $Arguments -contains "--version='2.8.0'" -and
+                $Arguments -contains '--force'
+            }
+        }
+
+        It 'Passes a bracketed exact range as a concrete version' {
+            $dep = New-PSDependFixture -DependencyName 'git' -DependencyType 'Chocolatey' -Version '[2.0.0]'
+            InModuleScope PSDepend -Parameters @{ Dep = $dep; ScriptPath = $script:ScriptPath } {
+                & $ScriptPath -Dependency $Dep -Force
+            }
+            Should -Invoke -CommandName Invoke-ExternalCommand -ModuleName PSDepend -Times 1 -Exactly -ParameterFilter {
+                $Arguments -contains 'upgrade' -and $Arguments -contains "--version='2.0.0'"
+            }
+        }
+
+        It 'Accepts an installed version that satisfies the range' {
+            $dep = New-PSDependFixture -DependencyName 'git' -DependencyType 'Chocolatey' -Version '[2.0.0,3.0.0)'
+            InModuleScope PSDepend -Parameters @{ Dep = $dep; ScriptPath = $script:ScriptPath } {
+                Mock Invoke-ExternalCommand { 'git|2.4.0' } -ParameterFilter { $Arguments -contains 'list' }
+
+                & $ScriptPath -Dependency $Dep -PSDependAction Test
+            } | Should -BeTrue
+            Should -Invoke -CommandName Invoke-ExternalCommand -ModuleName PSDepend -Times 0 -Exactly -ParameterFilter {
+                $Arguments -contains 'search'
+            }
+        }
+
+        It 'Returns false when no available version satisfies the range during testing' {
+            $dep = New-PSDependFixture -DependencyName 'git' -DependencyType 'Chocolatey' -Version '[2.0.0,3.0.0)'
+            InModuleScope PSDepend -Parameters @{ Dep = $dep; ScriptPath = $script:ScriptPath } {
+                Mock Invoke-ExternalCommand { 'git|1.9.0' } -ParameterFilter { $Arguments -contains '--all-versions' }
+
+                & $ScriptPath -Dependency $Dep -PSDependAction Test -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+            } | Should -BeFalse
+            Should -Invoke -CommandName Invoke-ExternalCommand -ModuleName PSDepend -Times 0 -Exactly -ParameterFilter {
+                $Arguments -contains 'upgrade'
+            }
+        }
+
+        It 'Skips installation for a malformed range' {
+            $dep = New-PSDependFixture -DependencyName 'git' -DependencyType 'Chocolatey' -Version '[2.0.0,3.0.0'
+            InModuleScope PSDepend -Parameters @{ Dep = $dep; ScriptPath = $script:ScriptPath } {
+                & $ScriptPath -Dependency $Dep -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+            }
+            Should -Invoke -CommandName Invoke-ExternalCommand -ModuleName PSDepend -Times 0 -Exactly -ParameterFilter {
+                $Arguments -contains 'upgrade'
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/build.ps1 b/build.ps1
index 3ec4120..aa06165 100644
--- a/build.ps1
+++ b/build.ps1
@@ -39,7 +39,12 @@ param(
 )
 
 $ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
-$psakeFile = './psakeFile.ps1'
+$requirementsFile = Join-Path $PSScriptRoot 'requirements.psd1'
+$psakeFile = Join-Path $PSScriptRoot 'psakeFile.ps1'
+
+$requirements = Import-PowerShellDataFile -Path $requirementsFile
+$pesterRequirement = $requirements.Pester
+$requirements.Remove('Pester')
 
 if ($Bootstrap) {
     if (-not (Get-PackageProvider -Name NuGet -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
@@ -49,13 +54,18 @@ if ($Bootstrap) {
     if (-not (Get-Module -Name PSDepend -ListAvailable)) {
         Install-Module -Name PSDepend -Repository PSGallery -Scope CurrentUser -Force -RequiredVersion '0.3.8'
     }
-    Import-Module -Name PSDepend -Verbose:$false
-    Invoke-PSDepend -Path './requirements.psd1' -Install -Import -Force -WarningAction SilentlyContinue
 }
-else {
-    Invoke-PSDepend -Path './requirements.psd1' -Import -Force -WarningAction SilentlyContinue
+
+Import-Module -Name PSDepend -Verbose:$false
+if ($Bootstrap) {
+    Invoke-PSDepend -Path $requirementsFile -Install -Force -WarningAction SilentlyContinue
 }
 
+# PowerShellBuild requires Pester without an upper bound. Load the pinned version
+# first, then import the remaining dependencies without re-importing Pester.
+Import-Module -Name Pester -RequiredVersion $pesterRequirement.Version
+Invoke-PSDepend -InputObject $requirements -Import -Force -WarningAction SilentlyContinue
+
 if ($PSCmdlet.ParameterSetName -eq 'Help') {
     Get-PSakeScriptTasks -BuildFile $psakeFile |
         Format-Table -Property Name, Description, Alias, DependsOn
diff --git a/psakeFile.ps1 b/psakeFile.ps1
index 52d3f4c..c9a4ebc 100644
--- a/psakeFile.ps1
+++ b/psakeFile.ps1
@@ -30,6 +30,31 @@ Properties {
 # Skips BuildHelp (GenerateMarkdown) — doc generation is not needed in the test pipeline
 # and Build-PSBuildMarkdown has a Remove-Module scope bug specific to PSDepend.
 $PSBBuildDependency = @('StageFiles')
+$PSBTestDependency = @('Pester5', 'Analyze')
+
+Task Pester5 -Depends $PSBBuildDependency {
+    $moduleManifest = Join-Path $PSBPreference.Build.ModuleOutDir "$($PSBPreference.General.ModuleName).psd1"
+
+    Import-Module -Name $moduleManifest -Force
+    Push-Location -LiteralPath $PSBPreference.Test.RootDir
+    try {
+        $configuration = [PesterConfiguration]::Default
+        $configuration.Output.Verbosity = 'Detailed'
+        $configuration.Run.PassThru = $true
+        $configuration.TestResult.Enabled = $true
+        $configuration.TestResult.OutputPath = $PSBPreference.Test.OutputFile
+        $configuration.TestResult.OutputFormat = $PSBPreference.Test.OutputFormat
+
+        $testResult = Invoke-Pester -Configuration $configuration
+        if ($testResult.Result -eq 'Failed') {
+            throw 'One or more Pester tests failed.'
+        }
+    }
+    finally {
+        Pop-Location
+        Remove-Module -Name $PSBPreference.General.ModuleName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+    }
+} -Description 'Executes Pester 5 tests'
 
 # Override with: .\build.ps1 InstallLocal -Properties @{PreReleaseLabel='rc1'}
 Task InstallLocal -Depends StageFiles {
diff --git a/requirements.psd1 b/requirements.psd1
index 266175e..b503902 100644
--- a/requirements.psd1
+++ b/requirements.psd1
@@ -5,15 +5,15 @@
     'psake' = @{
         Version = '4.9.1'
     }
-    'PowerShellBuild' = @{
-        Version = '0.7.3'
-    }
     'Pester' = @{
-        Version    = '6.1.0'
+        Version    = '5.9.0'
         Parameters = @{
             SkipPublisherCheck = $true
         }
     }
+    'PowerShellBuild' = @{
+        Version = '0.8.2'
+    }
     'PSScriptAnalyzer' = @{
         Version = '1.19.1'
     }