diff --git a/bzl/needs_rules.bzl b/bzl/needs_rules.bzl
index dbcca4b33..f0fa72999 100644
--- a/bzl/needs_rules.bzl
+++ b/bzl/needs_rules.bzl
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ def _sphinx_docs_impl(ctx):
         fail("Sphinx requires a bundle with direct documentation sources")
 
     # File labels provide execroot-relative paths for this action's sandbox.
-    # Pass them through the environment variables already consumed by the CLI
-    # and extensions; reserve the JSON option list for non-path Sphinx overrides.
+    # Pass them through the environment variables consumed by the CLI; reserve
+    # the JSON option list for non-path Sphinx overrides.
     # Encode that list as JSON so spaces, quotes and '=' survive transport.
     # ``config`` is transported separately because the launcher derives
     # Sphinx's ``-c`` directory from its path; it is not just another data file.
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def _sphinx_docs_impl(ctx):
         "SOURCE_DIRECTORY": bundle.source_dir_execroot_path,
         "OUTPUT_DIRECTORY": output.path,
         "SPHINX_CONFIG_FILE": ctx.file.config.path,
-        "DATA": "[]",
+        "EXTERNAL_NEEDS_LABELS": ctx.attr.external_needs_labels,
         "SCORE_SOURCELINKS": (
             ctx.file.score_sourcelinks_json.path if ctx.file.score_sourcelinks_json else ""
         ),
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ sphinx_docs = rule(
         "score_sourcelinks_json": attr.label(allow_single_file = True),
         "mounts_manifest": attr.label(allow_single_file = True),
         "score_metamodel_yaml": attr.label(allow_single_file = True),
+        "external_needs_labels": attr.string(default = "[]"),
         "extra_opts": attr.string_list(),
         # The launcher runs on the build host and carries extension runfiles.
         "sphinx": attr.label(cfg = "exec", executable = True, mandatory = True),
diff --git a/docs.bzl b/docs.bzl
index e5c8773be..0dc937e55 100644
--- a/docs.bzl
+++ b/docs.bzl
@@ -79,7 +79,6 @@ def _sphinx_define(name, value):
 
 def _needs_sphinx_extra_opts(
         master_doc,
-        external_needs_source,
         score_bundle_needs_export,
         score_source_code_linker_plain_links):
     """Return per-target Sphinx configuration defines for a Needs build."""
@@ -90,7 +89,6 @@ def _needs_sphinx_extra_opts(
         option
         for name, value in [
         ("master_doc", master_doc),
-        ("external_needs_source", external_needs_source),
         ("score_bundle_needs_export", score_bundle_needs_export),
         ("score_source_code_linker_plain_links", score_source_code_linker_plain_links),
         ]
@@ -119,7 +117,7 @@ def _needs_sphinx_docs(
         sphinx_build_deps,
         bundle,
         master_doc = None,
-        external_needs_source = None,
+        external_needs_labels = "[]",
         score_bundle_needs_export = None,
         score_sourcelinks_json = None,
         score_source_code_linker_plain_links = None,
@@ -152,13 +150,13 @@ def _needs_sphinx_docs(
         data = sphinx_build_data,
         extra_opts = _needs_sphinx_extra_opts(
             master_doc,
-            external_needs_source,
             score_bundle_needs_export,
             score_source_code_linker_plain_links,
         ),
         # Keep these as labels rather than path strings in ``extra_opts``. The
         # private rule declares them as action inputs and provides execroot
         # paths directly through the environment.
+        external_needs_labels = external_needs_labels,
         score_sourcelinks_json = score_sourcelinks_json,
         mounts_manifest = mounts_manifest,
         score_metamodel_yaml = score_metamodel_yaml,
@@ -369,7 +367,7 @@ def _declare_bundle_local_needs(
         sphinx_build_deps = sphinx_build_deps,
         sphinx_build_data = data,
         master_doc = entry_doc,
-        external_needs_source = "[]",
+        external_needs_labels = "[]",
         score_bundle_needs_export = "1",
         score_sourcelinks_json = sourcelinks_json,
         score_source_code_linker_plain_links = "1",
@@ -701,7 +699,7 @@ def docs(
         config = sphinx_config,
         sphinx_build_deps = deps,
         sphinx_build_data = data + external_needs + metamodel_label + [":docs_bundle"],
-        external_needs_source = str(data + external_needs),
+        external_needs_labels = str(data + external_needs),
         score_sourcelinks_json = ":sourcelinks_json",
         score_source_code_linker_plain_links = "1",
         mounts_manifest = mounts_manifest,
diff --git a/src/docs_cli/README.md b/src/docs_cli/README.md
index 4d83b8ccd..4ce06aa7d 100644
--- a/src/docs_cli/README.md
+++ b/src/docs_cli/README.md
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ linking can traverse this Bazel package boundary.
 `docs.bzl` provides `SOURCE_DIRECTORY`, `PACKAGE_DIR`, `DATA`, and optional
 configuration such as `SPHINX_CONFIG_FILE`, `SCORE_METAMODEL_YAML`,
 `MOUNTS_MANIFEST`, `EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES`, `TEST_SOURCES` and `KNOWN_GOOD_JSON`.
+The sandboxed Needs action passes its external-needs labels separately through
+the internal `EXTERNAL_NEEDS_LABELS` variable.
 Bazel provides the workspace and runfiles locations. The CLI resolves source
 and output paths relative to the package containing the `docs()` call; generated
 configuration is resolved through runfiles.
diff --git a/src/docs_cli/cli.py b/src/docs_cli/cli.py
index e33d051c0..699cc67e1 100644
--- a/src/docs_cli/cli.py
+++ b/src/docs_cli/cli.py
@@ -40,15 +40,23 @@
 env = Environment()
 
 
-def _merged_external_needs() -> str:
-    """Combine DATA and EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES into one JSON label list.
-
-    Both env vars hold JSON lists of Bazel labels; the extension parses the
-    resulting `external_needs_source` define uniformly.
+def _build_external_needs_source_config() -> str:
+    """Build the JSON label list for Sphinx's ``external_needs_source`` config.
+
+    ``DATA`` contains all data dependencies of the documentation target,
+    ``EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES`` contains explicitly declared external-needs
+    dependencies, and the sandboxed Needs action uses
+    ``EXTERNAL_NEEDS_LABELS`` for its explicitly declared label list. All
+    variables contain JSON arrays of Bazel labels.
+
+    The metamodel extension filters ordinary data dependencies and resolves
+    supported labels against the runfiles directory supplied as a separate
+    Sphinx configuration value.
     """
-    data = env.string_list("DATA")
+    data = env.string_list("DATA", "[]")
     external = env.string_list("EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES", "[]")
-    return json.dumps(data + external)
+    labels = env.string_list("EXTERNAL_NEEDS_LABELS", "[]")
+    return json.dumps(data + external + labels)
 
 
 def _compute_hash(files: list[Path]) -> str:
@@ -159,6 +167,7 @@ def sphinx_arguments(
     """Build Sphinx arguments from the resolved launcher configuration."""
     output_dir = config.output_dir
     mounts_manifest = env.optional_path("MOUNTS_MANIFEST")
+    runfiles_dir = env.optional_path("RUNFILES_DIR")
     if mounts_manifest:
         mounts_manifest = _resolve_runfiles_relative_path(config, mounts_manifest)
 
@@ -170,13 +179,15 @@ def sphinx_arguments(
         "-T",  # show details in case of errors in extensions
         "--jobs",
         "auto",
-        # Merge DATA (:needs_json / :docs_sources) with EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES
-        # (:needs_json_file) into one define consumed by the Sphinx extensions.
-        f"--define=external_needs_source={_merged_external_needs()}",
+        # Forward Bazel data dependencies to the score_metamodel extension.
+        f"--define=external_needs_source={_build_external_needs_source_config()}",
         f"--define=testcase_source_dirs={env.get('TEST_SOURCES', '[]')}",
         # Path to the Bazel-emitted mounts manifest (empty when no mounts are
         # configured); consumed by the score_mounts extension.
         f"--define=mounts_manifest={mounts_manifest or ''}",
+        # The external-needs extension uses this root to resolve label-based
+        # inputs without reading the process environment itself.
+        f"--define=runfiles_dir={runfiles_dir.absolute() if runfiles_dir else ''}",
     ]
 
     if config.is_bazel_build:
diff --git a/src/docs_cli/main_test.py b/src/docs_cli/main_test.py
index 11311dea6..9d3ca0acb 100644
--- a/src/docs_cli/main_test.py
+++ b/src/docs_cli/main_test.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 # *******************************************************************************
 
+import json
 from pathlib import Path
 from unittest.mock import Mock
 
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@ def workspace(fs: FFS, monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch) -> Path:
     # optional values left behind by the test runner before setting the basics.
     ENVIRONMENT_OVERRIDES = (
         "EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES",
+        "EXTERNAL_NEEDS_LABELS",
         "TEST_SOURCES",
         "MOUNTS_MANIFEST",
         "SPHINX_CONFIG_FILE",
@@ -195,8 +197,8 @@ def test_bazel_configuration_resolves_runfiles_and_preserves_repo_relative_edit_
     monkeypatch.setenv("SPHINX_CONFIG_FILE", "config/conf.py")
     monkeypatch.setenv("SCORE_METAMODEL_YAML", "config/metamodel.yaml")
     monkeypatch.setenv("MOUNTS_MANIFEST", "mounts.json")
-    monkeypatch.setenv("DATA", '[":bundle"]')
-    monkeypatch.setenv("EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES", '["@vendor//:needs"]')
+    monkeypatch.setenv("DATA", '["//:needs_json"]')
+    monkeypatch.setenv("EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES", '["@vendor//:needs_json"]')
     monkeypatch.setenv("GITHUB_REPOSITORY", "owner/repo")
     monkeypatch.setenv("KNOWN_GOOD_JSON", "baseline.json")
     monkeypatch.setenv("ACTION", "incremental")
@@ -205,14 +207,16 @@ def test_bazel_configuration_resolves_runfiles_and_preserves_repo_relative_edit_
     arguments = sphinx_arguments(DocsCliConfig.from_environment())
 
     # Assert
+    external_needs = json.dumps(["//:needs_json", "@vendor//:needs_json"])
     expected_arguments = {
         # Generated configuration and metamodel paths use the runfiles tree.
         "-c",
         str(workspace / "runfiles/config"),
         f"--define=score_metamodel_yaml={workspace}/runfiles/config/metamodel.yaml",
         f"--define=mounts_manifest={workspace}/runfiles/mounts.json",
+        f"--define=runfiles_dir={workspace}/runfiles",
         # DATA and EXTERNAL_NEEDS_FILES are passed as one Sphinx define.
-        '--define=external_needs_source=[":bundle", "@vendor//:needs"]',
+        f"--define=external_needs_source={external_needs}",
         # GitHub metadata must keep edit links repository-relative.
         "-A=github_user=owner",
         "-A=github_repo=repo",
@@ -249,6 +253,24 @@ def test_bazel_build_resolves_mount_manifest_from_execroot(
     )
 
 
+def test_bazel_needs_action_uses_external_needs_labels_channel(
+    workspace: Path,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+) -> None:
+    # Arrange
+    monkeypatch.delenv("BUILD_WORKSPACE_DIRECTORY")
+    monkeypatch.chdir(workspace)
+    monkeypatch.setenv("ACTION", "build_needs_json")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("OUTPUT_DIRECTORY", "outputs/needs")
+    monkeypatch.setenv("EXTERNAL_NEEDS_LABELS", '["//:needs_json"]')
+
+    # Act
+    arguments = sphinx_arguments(DocsCliConfig.from_environment())
+
+    # Assert
+    assert '--define=external_needs_source=["//:needs_json"]' in arguments
+
+
 def test_direct_invocation_resolves_paths_relative_to_cwd(
     workspace: Path,
     monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
diff --git a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/__init__.py b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/__init__.py
index 8a6a35777..41847944f 100644
--- a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/__init__.py
+++ b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/__init__.py
@@ -243,6 +243,13 @@ def _clear_needs_defaults(app: Sphinx):
 
 def setup(app: Sphinx) -> dict[str, str | bool]:
     app.add_config_value("external_needs_source", "", rebuild="env")
+    app.add_config_value(
+        "runfiles_dir",
+        "",
+        rebuild="env",
+        types=str,
+        description="Bazel runfiles root supplied by the documentation CLI.",
+    )
     app.add_config_value("score_metamodel_yaml", "", rebuild="env")
     app.add_config_value("required_in_id", [], rebuild="env")
     app.add_config_value("score_bundle_needs_export", False, rebuild="env")
@@ -278,11 +285,7 @@ def setup(app: Sphinx) -> dict[str, str | bool]:
     config_setdefault(app.config, "needs_reproducible_json", True)
     config_setdefault(app.config, "needs_json_remove_defaults", True)
 
-    # sphinx-collections runs on default prio 500.
-    # We need to populate the sphinx-collections config before that happens.
-    # If we put it anywhere higher it seems that other things already lock the needs
-    # To ensure that this runs first before locking happens priot is => 425
-    # The lower the number the higher priority it has (runs earlier)
+    # Populate external Needs before Sphinx-Needs locks its configuration.
     _ = app.connect("config-inited", connect_external_needs, priority=425)
 
     discover_checks()
diff --git a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/external_needs.py b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/external_needs.py
index 93320ea45..54ad90fc6 100644
--- a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/external_needs.py
+++ b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/external_needs.py
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
 
 import json
 import subprocess
-from dataclasses import dataclass
 from pathlib import Path
+from typing import cast
 
 from sphinx.application import Sphinx
 from sphinx.config import Config
@@ -22,85 +22,26 @@
 from sphinx_needs.needsfile import NeedsList
 
 from src.helper_lib import get_runfiles_dir
+from src.helper_lib.external_needs import (
+    ExternalNeedsSource as ExternalNeedsSource,
+    external_needs_runfiles_path,
+    external_needs_source_path as _external_needs_source_path,
+    parse_bazel_external_need,
+    parse_external_needs_labels,
+)
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
+_external_needs_runfiles_path = external_needs_runfiles_path
+_parse_bazel_external_need = parse_bazel_external_need
 
-@dataclass
-class ExternalNeedsSource:
-    bazel_module: str
-    path_to_target: str
-    target: str
-    # True for a same-repo mount (`//pkg:needs_json`), whose runfiles live under
-    # `_main/…`. False for a cross-module mount (`@repo//…:needs_json`), whose
-    # runfiles live under `{bazel_module}+/…`.
-    is_local: bool = False
 
-
-def _parse_bazel_external_need(s: str) -> ExternalNeedsSource | None:
-    is_cross_module = s.startswith("@")
-    is_local = s.startswith("//")
-    if not is_cross_module and not is_local:
-        # Local need, not external needs
-        return None
-
-    if "//" not in s or ":" not in s:
-        raise ValueError(
-            f"Unsuported external data dependency: '{s}'. Must contain '//' & ':'"
-        )
-    repo_and_path, target = s.split(
-        ":", 1
-    )  # @score_process//:needs_json => [@score_process//, needs_json]
-    repo, path_to_target = repo_and_path.split("//", 1)
-    repo = repo.lstrip("@")  # empty for same-repo `//pkg:needs_json`
-
-    if target in ("needs_json", "needs_json_file", "docs_sources"):
-        return ExternalNeedsSource(
-            bazel_module=repo,
-            path_to_target=path_to_target,
-            target=target,
-            is_local=is_local,
-        )
-    # Unknown data target. Probably not a needs.json file.
-    return None
-
-
-def _runfiles_module_dir(e: ExternalNeedsSource) -> str:
-    """Runfiles top-level directory holding this source's package tree.
-
-    Same-repo mounts are staged under `_main/…`; cross-module mounts under the
-    module's bzlmod canonical name `{bazel_module}+/…`.
-    """
-    return "_main" if e.is_local else f"{e.bazel_module}+"
-
-
-def _external_needs_runfiles_path(
-    runfiles_dir: Path, source: ExternalNeedsSource, *suffix: str
-) -> Path:
-    """Build an external source path without reading the process environment."""
-    return (
-        runfiles_dir
-        / _runfiles_module_dir(source)
-        / source.path_to_target
-        / Path(*suffix)
-    )
-
-
-def parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA(v: str) -> list[ExternalNeedsSource]:
-    if v in ["[]", ""]:
-        return []
-
-    logger.debug(f"Parsing external needs sources: {v}")
-
-    try:
-        data = json.loads(v)
-    except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
-        logger.error(f"Failed to parse external needs sources from DATA {v}: {e}")
-        raise SystemExit(1) from e
-
-    res = [res for el in data if (res := _parse_bazel_external_need(el))]
-    logger.debug(f"Parsed external needs sources: {res}")
-    return res
+def _runfiles_dir(config: Config) -> Path:
+    """Use the CLI-provided runfiles root, with a direct-invocation fallback."""
+    raw = getattr(config, "runfiles_dir", "")
+    if isinstance(raw, str) and raw.strip():
+        return Path(raw)
+    return get_runfiles_dir()
 
 
 def parse_external_needs_sources_from_bazel_query() -> list[ExternalNeedsSource]:
@@ -183,19 +124,36 @@ def temp(self: NeedsList):
 
 def get_external_needs_source(external_needs_source: str) -> list[ExternalNeedsSource]:
     if external_needs_source:
-        # Path taken for all invocations via `bazel`
-        return parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA(external_needs_source)
+        try:
+            raw_labels: object = json.loads(external_needs_source)
+        except json.JSONDecodeError as e:
+            logger.error(
+                f"Failed to parse external needs sources from "
+                f"external_needs_source {external_needs_source}: {e}"
+            )
+            raise SystemExit(1) from e
+        if not isinstance(raw_labels, list):
+            raise ValueError(
+                "External needs configuration must contain Bazel label strings."
+            )
+        labels: list[str] = []
+        for label in cast(list[object], raw_labels):
+            if not isinstance(label, str):
+                raise ValueError(
+                    "External needs configuration must contain Bazel label strings."
+                )
+            labels.append(label)
+        return parse_external_needs_labels(labels)
     else:
         # This is the path taken for anything that doesn't
         # run via `bazel`  e.g. esbonio or other direct executions
         return parse_external_needs_sources_from_bazel_query()  # pyright: ignore[reportAny]
 
 
-def add_external_needs_json(e: ExternalNeedsSource, config: Config):
-    r = get_runfiles_dir()
-    json_file = _external_needs_runfiles_path(
-        r, e, e.target, "_build", "needs", "needs.json"
-    )
+def add_external_needs_json(
+    e: ExternalNeedsSource, config: Config, runfiles_dir: Path | None
+):
+    json_file = _external_needs_source_path(runfiles_dir, e)
     logger.debug(f"External needs.json: {json_file}")
     try:
         needs_json_data = json.loads(Path(json_file).read_text(encoding="utf-8"))  # pyright: ignore[reportAny]
@@ -217,32 +175,6 @@ def add_external_needs_json(e: ExternalNeedsSource, config: Config):
     )
 
 
-def add_external_docs_sources(e: ExternalNeedsSource, config: Config):
-    # Note that bazel does NOT write the files under e.target!
-    # The runfiles layout mirrors the original git layout: same-repo mounts live
-    # under `_main/…`, cross-module mounts under `{e.bazel_module}+/…`
-    # (see _runfiles_module_dir).
-    r = get_runfiles_dir()
-    if "ide_support.runfiles" in str(r):
-        logger.error("Combo builds are currently only supported with Bazel.")
-        return
-    docs_source_path = _external_needs_runfiles_path(r, e)
-
-    # A cross-module root mount keeps its module name as the collection key
-    # (unchanged). Sub-package / same-repo mounts disambiguate via the path.
-    key = "/".join(c for c in (e.bazel_module, e.path_to_target) if c) or "_main"
-
-    if "collections" not in config:
-        config.collections = {}
-    config.collections[key] = {
-        "driver": "symlink",
-        "source": str(docs_source_path),
-        "target": key,
-    }
-
-    logger.info(f"Added external docs source: {docs_source_path} -> {key}")
-
-
 def connect_external_needs(app: Sphinx, config: Config):
     # Local bundle exports intentionally omit the host URL from their JSON so
     # the inventory remains reusable by whichever documentation site consumes
@@ -256,30 +188,31 @@ def connect_external_needs(app: Sphinx, config: Config):
         export_values={"project_url": ""} if bundle_export else None,
     )
 
-    # Local external needs from DATA (e.g. :needs_json or :docs_sources)
+    # External needs labels supplied by the documentation CLI.
     external_needs = get_external_needs_source(app.config.external_needs_source)
 
     # this sets the default value - required for the needs-config-writer
     # setting 'needscfg_exclude_defaults = True' to see the diff
     config.needs_external_needs = []
 
-    for e in external_needs:
-        if e.target == "needs_json":
-            add_external_needs_json(e, app.config)
-        elif e.target == "needs_json_file":
-            _add_needs_json_file(e, app.config)
-        elif e.target == "docs_sources":
-            add_external_docs_sources(e, app.config)
-        else:
-            raise ValueError(
-                f"Internal Error. Unknown external needs target: {e.target}"
-            )
+    if external_needs:
+        runfiles_dir = _runfiles_dir(app.config)
+        for e in external_needs:
+            if e.target == "needs_json":
+                add_external_needs_json(e, app.config, runfiles_dir)
+            elif e.target == "needs_json_file":
+                _add_needs_json_file(e, app.config, runfiles_dir)
+            else:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Internal Error. Unknown external needs target: {e.target}"
+                )
 
 
-def _add_needs_json_file(ext_needs: ExternalNeedsSource, config: Config) -> None:
+def _add_needs_json_file(
+    ext_needs: ExternalNeedsSource, config: Config, runfiles_dir: Path | None
+) -> None:
     """Resolve a needs_json_file target from runfiles and register it."""
-    r = get_runfiles_dir()
-    json_file = _external_needs_runfiles_path(r, ext_needs, "needs.json")
+    json_file = _external_needs_source_path(runfiles_dir, ext_needs)
     logger.debug(f"External needs_json_file: {json_file}")
     try:
         needs_json_data = json.loads(
diff --git a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/tests/test_external_needs.py b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/tests/test_external_needs.py
index 348c9d82e..2b7b33677 100644
--- a/src/extensions/score_metamodel/tests/test_external_needs.py
+++ b/src/extensions/score_metamodel/tests/test_external_needs.py
@@ -28,14 +28,19 @@
     ExternalNeedsSource,
     _add_needs_json_file,  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage] - white-box unit test
     _external_needs_runfiles_path,  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage] - white-box unit test
-    add_external_docs_sources,
+    _external_needs_source_path,  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage] - white-box unit test
+    _runfiles_dir,  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage] - white-box unit test
     add_external_needs_json,
     get_external_needs_source,
-    parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA,
 )
 from sphinx.config import Config
 from sphinx_needs.needsfile import NeedsList
 
+from src.helper_lib.external_needs import (
+    parse_bazel_external_need,
+    parse_external_needs_labels,
+)
+
 
 def test_extend_needs_json_exporter_uses_configured_value(
     monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
@@ -76,10 +81,6 @@ def test_extend_needs_json_exporter_can_override_bundle_export_metadata(
     assert needs_list.needs_list["project_url"] == ""
 
 
-def test_empty_list():
-    assert parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA("[]") == []
-
-
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     ("source", "suffix", "expected"),
     [
@@ -92,16 +93,6 @@ def test_empty_list():
             ("needs_json", "_build", "needs", "needs.json"),
             Path("/runfiles/repo+/docs/needs_json/_build/needs/needs.json"),
         ),
-        (
-            ExternalNeedsSource(
-                bazel_module="",
-                path_to_target="docs",
-                target="docs_sources",
-                is_local=True,
-            ),
-            (),
-            Path("/runfiles/_main/docs"),
-        ),
     ],
 )
 def test_external_needs_runfiles_path_is_environment_independent(
@@ -110,110 +101,107 @@ def test_external_needs_runfiles_path_is_environment_independent(
     assert _external_needs_runfiles_path(Path("/runfiles"), source, *suffix) == expected
 
 
-def test_external_str_is_neither_at_nor_slash():
-    # Labels that start with neither "@" nor "//" are not bazel needs sources.
-    assert get_external_needs_source('["noatrepo/foo/bar:baz"]') == []
-
-
-def test_same_repo_entry_with_path():
-    # A same-repo `//pkg:needs_json` mount now parses as a local source that
-    # carries its sub-package path.
-    result = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA('["//foo/bar:needs_json"]')
-    assert result == [
-        ExternalNeedsSource(
-            bazel_module="",
-            path_to_target="foo/bar",
-            target="needs_json",
-            is_local=True,
-        )
-    ]
+def test_parse_bazel_external_need_marks_same_repository_labels_local() -> None:
+    assert parse_bazel_external_need("//pkg:needs_json") == ExternalNeedsSource(
+        bazel_module="",
+        path_to_target="pkg",
+        target="needs_json",
+        is_local=True,
+    )
 
 
-def test_same_repo_root_entry():
-    result = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA('["//:needs_json"]')
-    assert result == [
+def test_parse_external_needs_labels_filters_ordinary_data_labels() -> None:
+    assert parse_external_needs_labels(
+        ["docs/index.rst", "//pkg:needs_json", "assets/logo.svg"]
+    ) == [
         ExternalNeedsSource(
             bazel_module="",
-            path_to_target="",
+            path_to_target="pkg",
             target="needs_json",
             is_local=True,
         )
     ]
 
 
-def test_cross_module_sub_package_entry():
-    # A cross-module sub-package target now parses (previously rejected) and
-    # keeps its path so the runfiles path can be built correctly.
-    result = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA('["@repo//foo/bar:needs_json"]')
-    assert result == [
-        ExternalNeedsSource(
-            bazel_module="repo",
-            path_to_target="foo/bar",
-            target="needs_json",
-            is_local=False,
-        )
-    ]
-
-
-def test_single_entry_with_path_non_target():
-    # A target that is not needs_json / docs_sources is not reported as an external needs source.
-    result = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA('["@repo//foo/bar:baz"]')
-    assert result == []
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    ("source", "expected"),
+    [
+        (
+            ExternalNeedsSource(
+                bazel_module="repo",
+                path_to_target="docs",
+                target="needs_json",
+            ),
+            Path("/runfiles/repo+/docs/needs_json/_build/needs/needs.json"),
+        ),
+        (
+            ExternalNeedsSource(
+                bazel_module="repo",
+                path_to_target="docs",
+                target="needs_json_file",
+            ),
+            Path("/runfiles/repo+/docs/needs.json"),
+        ),
+    ],
+)
+def test_external_needs_source_path_selects_target_layout(
+    source: ExternalNeedsSource, expected: Path
+) -> None:
+    assert _external_needs_source_path(Path("/runfiles"), source) == expected
 
 
-def test_single_entry_no_path():
-    result = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA('["@repo//:target"]')
-    # If a target is not named "needs_json", it will not be reported as external needs
-    assert result == []
+def test_configured_runfiles_dir_is_used_for_external_sources(
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, tmp_path: Path
+) -> None:
+    config = Config()
+    configured_runfiles = tmp_path / "configured.runfiles"
+    config.runfiles_dir = str(configured_runfiles)
 
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        ext_needs,
+        "get_runfiles_dir",
+        lambda: pytest.fail("configured runfiles root should be preferred"),
+    )
 
-def test_single_entry_json_no_path():
-    result = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA('["@repo//:needs_json"]')
-    assert result == [
-        ExternalNeedsSource(bazel_module="repo", path_to_target="", target="needs_json")
-    ]
+    assert _runfiles_dir(config) == configured_runfiles
 
 
-def test_multiple_entries():
-    result = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA(
-        '["@repo1//:needs_json", "@repo2//:needs_json"]'
+def test_external_needs_source_config_parses_labels() -> None:
+    raw = json.dumps(
+        ["@vendor//:needs_json"],
     )
-    assert result == [
-        ExternalNeedsSource(
-            bazel_module="repo1", path_to_target="", target="needs_json"
-        ),
-        ExternalNeedsSource(
-            bazel_module="repo2", path_to_target="", target="needs_json"
-        ),
-    ]
 
+    sources = get_external_needs_source(raw)
 
-def test_multiple_entries_2():
-    # Both targets are named "needs_json" but one is a sub-package target, so the path is preserved.
-    result = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA(
-        '["@repo1//:needs_json", "@repo2//path:needs_json"]'
-    )
-
-    assert result == [
+    assert sources == [
         ExternalNeedsSource(
-            bazel_module="repo1", path_to_target="", target="needs_json"
-        ),
-        ExternalNeedsSource(
-            bazel_module="repo2",
-            path_to_target="path",
+            bazel_module="vendor",
+            path_to_target="",
             target="needs_json",
-            is_local=False,
-        ),
+        )
     ]
+    assert _external_needs_source_path(Path("/runfiles"), sources[0]) == Path(
+        "/runfiles/vendor+/needs_json/_build/needs/needs.json"
+    )
 
 
-def test_invalid_entry():
-    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
-        _ = parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA('["@not_a_valid_string"]')
+def test_external_needs_source_rejects_descriptors() -> None:
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="Bazel label strings"):
+        get_external_needs_source(
+            json.dumps(
+                [
+                    {
+                        "bazel_module": "vendor",
+                        "path_to_target": "",
+                        "target": "needs_json",
+                    }
+                ]
+            )
+        )
 
 
 def test_add_external_needs_json_appends_entry(
-    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, tmp_path: Path
+    tmp_path: Path,
 ) -> None:
     """add_external_needs_json should append one external needs mapping entry."""
     # Arrange
@@ -231,9 +219,7 @@ def test_add_external_needs_json_appends_entry(
         json.dumps({"project_url": "https://example.test/repo"}), encoding="utf-8"
     )
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(ext_needs, "get_runfiles_dir", lambda: runfiles_dir)
-
-    add_external_needs_json(e, config)
+    add_external_needs_json(e, config, runfiles_dir)
 
     assert config.needs_external_needs is not None
     assert len(config.needs_external_needs) == 1
@@ -243,7 +229,7 @@ def test_add_external_needs_json_appends_entry(
 
 
 def test_add_external_needs_json_appends_entry_local(
-    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, tmp_path: Path
+    tmp_path: Path,
 ) -> None:
     """A same-repo mount resolves under `_main/<path>/<target>/…`."""
     e = ExternalNeedsSource(
@@ -265,9 +251,7 @@ def test_add_external_needs_json_appends_entry_local(
         json.dumps({"project_url": "https://example.test/local"}), encoding="utf-8"
     )
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(ext_needs, "get_runfiles_dir", lambda: runfiles_dir)
-
-    add_external_needs_json(e, config)
+    add_external_needs_json(e, config, runfiles_dir)
 
     assert config.needs_external_needs is not None
     assert len(config.needs_external_needs) == 1
@@ -277,7 +261,7 @@ def test_add_external_needs_json_appends_entry_local(
 
 
 def test_add_needs_json_file_appends_entry(
-    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, tmp_path: Path
+    tmp_path: Path,
 ) -> None:
     """_add_needs_json_file should load from a :needs_json_file target."""
     # Arrange: create the needs.json at the runfiles path
@@ -292,8 +276,6 @@ def test_add_needs_json_file_appends_entry(
     config = Config()
     config.needs_external_needs = []
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(ext_needs, "get_runfiles_dir", lambda: runfiles_dir)
-
     # Act
     e = ExternalNeedsSource(
         bazel_module="ext_mod",
@@ -301,7 +283,7 @@ def test_add_needs_json_file_appends_entry(
         path_to_target="",
         is_local=False,
     )
-    _add_needs_json_file(e, config)
+    _add_needs_json_file(e, config, runfiles_dir)
 
     # Assert
     assert config.needs_external_needs is not None
@@ -312,7 +294,7 @@ def test_add_needs_json_file_appends_entry(
 
 
 def test_add_external_needs_json_missing_file_keeps_list_empty(
-    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, tmp_path: Path
+    tmp_path: Path,
 ) -> None:
     """add_external_needs_json should return gracefully when JSON file is missing."""
     # Arrange
@@ -322,114 +304,7 @@ def test_add_external_needs_json_missing_file_keeps_list_empty(
     config = Config()
     config.needs_external_needs = []
 
-    monkeypatch.setattr(ext_needs, "get_runfiles_dir", lambda: tmp_path)
-
-    add_external_needs_json(e, config)
+    add_external_needs_json(e, config, tmp_path)
 
     # Assert
     assert config.needs_external_needs == []
-
-
-def test_add_external_docs_sources_adds_collection(
-    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, tmp_path: Path
-) -> None:
-    """add_external_docs_sources should add one symlink collection entry."""
-    e = ExternalNeedsSource(
-        bazel_module="third_party_docs", target="docs_sources", path_to_target=""
-    )
-    config = Config()
-    config.collections = {}
-
-    monkeypatch.setattr(ext_needs, "get_runfiles_dir", lambda: tmp_path)
-
-    add_external_docs_sources(e, config)
-
-    assert config.collections is not None
-    assert "third_party_docs" in config.collections
-    entry = config.collections["third_party_docs"]
-    assert entry["driver"] == "symlink"
-    assert entry["source"] == str(tmp_path / "third_party_docs+")
-    assert entry["target"] == "third_party_docs"
-
-
-def test_add_external_docs_sources_local_sub_package(
-    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, tmp_path: Path
-) -> None:
-    """A same-repo sub-package `docs_sources` mount resolves under `_main/<path>`.
-
-    Mirrors test_add_external_needs_json_appends_entry_local but for the
-    `docs_sources` path: the local branch stages under `_main/…`, appends
-    `path_to_target`, and the collection key falls through the
-    `bazel_module + path_to_target` join (bazel_module empty for a local mount).
-    """
-    e = ExternalNeedsSource(
-        bazel_module="",
-        target="docs_sources",
-        path_to_target="src/tests/e2e/external_needs/producer",
-        is_local=True,
-    )
-    config = Config()
-    config.collections = {}
-
-    monkeypatch.setattr(ext_needs, "get_runfiles_dir", lambda: tmp_path)
-
-    add_external_docs_sources(e, config)
-
-    assert config.collections is not None
-    key = "src/tests/e2e/external_needs/producer"
-    assert key in config.collections
-    entry = config.collections[key]
-    assert entry["driver"] == "symlink"
-    assert entry["source"] == str(
-        tmp_path / "_main" / "src/tests/e2e/external_needs/producer"
-    )
-    assert entry["target"] == key
-
-
-def test_add_external_docs_sources_local_root_key_fallback(
-    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch, tmp_path: Path
-) -> None:
-    """A same-repo root `docs_sources` mount falls back to the `_main` key.
-
-    With both bazel_module and path_to_target empty, the key join yields "" and
-    the `or "_main"` fallback names the collection, while the source stays at the
-    `_main` runfiles root.
-    """
-    e = ExternalNeedsSource(
-        bazel_module="",
-        target="docs_sources",
-        path_to_target="",
-        is_local=True,
-    )
-    config = Config()
-    config.collections = {}
-
-    monkeypatch.setattr(ext_needs, "get_runfiles_dir", lambda: tmp_path)
-
-    add_external_docs_sources(e, config)
-
-    assert config.collections is not None
-    assert "_main" in config.collections
-    entry = config.collections["_main"]
-    assert entry["driver"] == "symlink"
-    assert entry["source"] == str(tmp_path / "_main")
-    assert entry["target"] == "_main"
-
-
-def test_add_external_docs_sources_ide_support_returns_without_changes(
-    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
-) -> None:
-    """add_external_docs_sources should exit early for ide_support.runfiles paths."""
-    e = ExternalNeedsSource(
-        bazel_module="third_party_docs", target="docs_sources", path_to_target=""
-    )
-    config = Config()
-    config.collections = {}
-
-    monkeypatch.setattr(
-        ext_needs, "get_runfiles_dir", lambda: Path("/tmp/ide_support.runfiles")
-    )
-
-    add_external_docs_sources(e, config)
-
-    assert config.collections == {}
diff --git a/src/extensions/score_source_code_linker/xml_parser.py b/src/extensions/score_source_code_linker/xml_parser.py
index efe367979..8e39a8f41 100644
--- a/src/extensions/score_source_code_linker/xml_parser.py
+++ b/src/extensions/score_source_code_linker/xml_parser.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ def parse_testcase_source_dirs(v: str) -> list[str]:
 
     The value arrives as a `str(list)` produced by Starlark (double-quoted, i.e.
     valid JSON), mirroring how `external_needs_source` is parsed in
-    `score_metamodel.external_needs.parse_external_needs_sources_from_DATA`.
+    `score_metamodel.external_needs.get_external_needs_source`.
     """
     if v in ("[]", ""):
         return []
diff --git a/src/extensions/score_sphinx_bundle/__init__.py b/src/extensions/score_sphinx_bundle/__init__.py
index 1628647fc..81b4eae47 100644
--- a/src/extensions/score_sphinx_bundle/__init__.py
+++ b/src/extensions/score_sphinx_bundle/__init__.py
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
     "score_source_code_linker",
     "score_draw_uml_funcs",
     "score_layout",
-    "sphinx_collections",
     "sphinxcontrib.mermaid",
     "needs_config_writer",
     "score_sync_toml",
diff --git a/src/helper_lib/env.py b/src/helper_lib/env.py
index ed3975b9b..2445c762d 100644
--- a/src/helper_lib/env.py
+++ b/src/helper_lib/env.py
@@ -68,8 +68,7 @@ def json(self, name: str, default: str | None = None) -> object:
     def string_list(self, name: str, default: str | None = None) -> list[str]:
         """Read a JSON list and validate that every item is a string."""
         raw_value = self.get(name, default)
-        # DATA was historically allowed to be present but empty. Treat that as
-        # an empty list while still requiring the environment variable itself.
+        # Treat an explicitly empty value as an empty list.
         if not raw_value:
             return []
         value = json.loads(raw_value)
diff --git a/src/helper_lib/external_needs.py b/src/helper_lib/external_needs.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8e8fd8a69
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/helper_lib/external_needs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+# *******************************************************************************
+# Copyright (c) 2026 Contributors to the Eclipse Foundation
+#
+# See the NOTICE file(s) distributed with this work for additional
+# information regarding copyright ownership.
+#
+# This program and the accompanying materials are made available under the
+# terms of the Apache License Version 2.0 which is available at
+# https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+# *******************************************************************************
+
+"""Shared parsing and path resolution for Bazel external documentation inputs."""
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+@dataclass
+class ExternalNeedsSource:
+    bazel_module: str
+    path_to_target: str
+    target: str
+    # True for a same-repo mount (`//pkg:needs_json`), whose runfiles live under
+    # `_main/…`. False for a cross-module mount (`@repo//…:needs_json`), whose
+    # runfiles live under `{bazel_module}+/…`.
+    is_local: bool = False
+
+
+def parse_bazel_external_need(s: str) -> ExternalNeedsSource | None:
+    is_cross_module = s.startswith("@")
+    is_local = s.startswith("//")
+    if not is_cross_module and not is_local:
+        # Local need, not external needs
+        return None
+
+    if "//" not in s or ":" not in s:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"Unsupported external data dependency: '{s}'. Must contain '//' & ':'"
+        )
+    repo_and_path, target = s.split(":", 1)
+    repo, path_to_target = repo_and_path.split("//", 1)
+    repo = repo.lstrip("@")
+
+    if target in ("needs_json", "needs_json_file"):
+        return ExternalNeedsSource(
+            bazel_module=repo,
+            path_to_target=path_to_target,
+            target=target,
+            is_local=is_local,
+        )
+    return None
+
+
+def parse_external_needs_labels(labels: list[str]) -> list[ExternalNeedsSource]:
+    """Parse supported external-needs labels and ignore ordinary data labels."""
+    return [
+        source
+        for label in labels
+        if (source := parse_bazel_external_need(label)) is not None
+    ]
+
+
+def _runfiles_module_dir(source: ExternalNeedsSource) -> str:
+    return "_main" if source.is_local else f"{source.bazel_module}+"
+
+
+def external_needs_runfiles_path(
+    runfiles_dir: Path, source: ExternalNeedsSource, *suffix: str
+) -> Path:
+    return (
+        runfiles_dir
+        / _runfiles_module_dir(source)
+        / source.path_to_target
+        / Path(*suffix)
+    )
+
+
+def external_needs_source_path(
+    runfiles_dir: Path | None, source: ExternalNeedsSource
+) -> Path:
+    """Derive a source path from the Bazel runfiles root."""
+    if runfiles_dir is None:
+        raise ValueError("An external needs source has no runfiles root.")
+
+    if source.target == "needs_json":
+        suffix = (source.target, "_build", "needs", "needs.json")
+    elif source.target == "needs_json_file":
+        suffix = ("needs.json",)
+    else:
+        raise ValueError(f"Unsupported external needs target: {source.target}")
+    return external_needs_runfiles_path(runfiles_dir, source, *suffix)
diff --git a/src/requirements.in b/src/requirements.in
index e3f3a8fcd..5d14d1a26 100644
--- a/src/requirements.in
+++ b/src/requirements.in
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 Sphinx
 sphinx-needs
-sphinx-collections
 sphinxcontrib-plantuml
 pydata-sphinx-theme
 sphinx-design
diff --git a/src/requirements.txt b/src/requirements.txt
index 17c7f9a55..49b3c4874 100644
--- a/src/requirements.txt
+++ b/src/requirements.txt
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ babel==2.18.0 \
 basedpyright==1.39.10 \
     --hash=sha256:c8eaf5302f3265e275c7df4fba194d7afa7c1cb53fbfd448e90098360aca2c2e \
     --hash=sha256:cbd75d83c0be841329bcfef2d2f1182f152a6d975b8eb199e75cf5b8e9a3de78
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 bazel-runfiles==2.3.2 \
     --hash=sha256:1e69e329f824e05384cad02979e3a186da6c59b4424b805e15d41a386f157617
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 beautifulsoup4==4.15.0 \
     --hash=sha256:288e3ca7d54b06f2ac191970bc275c1939cb46d450b255bf6718b04aa37ab4f7 \
     --hash=sha256:d6f88de62e1d4e38ecb1077eb9724cd0eff29d2a08ca16a401e9b9e93f117cf9
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ debugpy==1.8.21 \
     --hash=sha256:f843a8b08c2edeaf9b1582eed4f25441af21a297c22ff16bf76a662557aa9c9e \
     --hash=sha256:fe0744a12353406de0ae8ccff0d0a4a666f00801a3db8fd04e7a5f761cd520e8 \
     --hash=sha256:ffd932c6796afadab6993ec96745918a8cb2444dbd392074f769db5ea40ab440
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 docutils==0.22.4 \
     --hash=sha256:4db53b1fde9abecbb74d91230d32ab626d94f6badfc575d6db9194a49df29968 \
     --hash=sha256:d0013f540772d1420576855455d050a2180186c91c15779301ac2ccb3eeb68de
@@ -463,14 +463,6 @@ fonttools==4.63.0 \
     --hash=sha256:ef3048ef05dbb552b89817713d9cac912e00d0fde4a3105c00d29e52e10c89af \
     --hash=sha256:fd1e3094f42d806d3d7c79162fc59e5910fcbe3a7360c385b8da969bc4493745
     # via matplotlib
-gitdb==4.0.12 \
-    --hash=sha256:5ef71f855d191a3326fcfbc0d5da835f26b13fbcba60c32c21091c349ffdb571 \
-    --hash=sha256:67073e15955400952c6565cc3e707c554a4eea2e428946f7a4c162fab9bd9bcf
-    # via gitpython
-gitpython==3.1.59 \
-    --hash=sha256:0a1475cfdc38a5bfba1a3e9a4a9da52a39749ecec322b772915c019f94e5b7e4 \
-    --hash=sha256:67a82f537384578643624c8b2c531938a9b82be431663e575dcf638526631d4c
-    # via sphinx-collections
 h11==0.16.0 \
     --hash=sha256:4e35b956cf45792e4caa5885e69fba00bdbc6ffafbfa020300e549b208ee5ff1 \
     --hash=sha256:63cf8bbe7522de3bf65932fda1d9c2772064ffb3dae62d55932da54b31cb6c86
@@ -602,7 +594,6 @@ jinja2==3.1.6 \
     #   myst-parser
     #   pydata-sphinx-theme
     #   sphinx
-    #   sphinx-collections
     #   sphinxcontrib-mermaid
 jsonschema-rs==0.37.4 \
     --hash=sha256:03b34f911e99343fc388651688683010daee538a3cf8cf86a7997bca28fdf16b \
@@ -908,11 +899,11 @@ minijinja==2.22.0 \
 myst-parser==5.1.0 \
     --hash=sha256:9c91c52b3cdb4d94a6506e4fab4e2f296c7623a0da0dcbe6de1565c3dad67a8a \
     --hash=sha256:ab69322dc6719dcc7f296479dbb70181b66df6ed315064f92dbc85c0e1bf2f02
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 needs-config-writer==0.2.4 \
     --hash=sha256:0f0702574081bb8ed7d896aadfb73c0e48af099dc0d4227cc2bac957ed8ea4f6 \
     --hash=sha256:7c89375848c822e891b3cca48783f3cc3f7cbd3c02cba19418de146ca077f212
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 nodejs-wheel-binaries==24.16.0 \
     --hash=sha256:2f3036292811514ba847b3708492644764f88a833ac425c5f55007014308ddfd \
     --hash=sha256:3d0370fe7120ce9697a4f60d40480d2bd8808d9f30131458d5afc0040d4e5a51 \
@@ -1001,7 +992,6 @@ packaging==26.3 \
     #   matplotlib
     #   pytest
     #   sphinx
-    #   sphinx-collections
 pillow==12.3.0 \
     --hash=sha256:00808c5e14ef63ac5161091d242999076604ff74b883423a11e5d7bbb38bf756 \
     --hash=sha256:04f01d28a6aaff387bf842a13be313df23ba0597a44f1a976c9feb3c6ff4711a \
@@ -1102,15 +1092,15 @@ pycparser==3.0 \
 pydata-sphinx-theme==0.20.0 \
     --hash=sha256:0da172d41e19a66de875f4002f7054b385372ec65763852193791e658d50bb4a \
     --hash=sha256:56744483c9d72c783e075de716ab95d486108b69605df7528078090b73f11f69
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 pyfakefs==6.2.0 \
     --hash=sha256:0968a49db692694ffed420e54a9f1cbae4636637b880e8ab09c8ccc0f11bd7ae \
     --hash=sha256:e59a36db447bf509ce9c97ab3d1510c08cc51895c5311325a560a5e5b5dc1940
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 pygithub==2.10.0 \
     --hash=sha256:192ada2a76e4afc7d6b37e500c9bfeba1731e6506697445a5ba1c4af8bf0b924 \
     --hash=sha256:90ff24ef1cd1bd57124c2a3869cafee9d7b066909129ecdaba2c2d1903bc118d
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 pygments==2.20.0 \
     --hash=sha256:6757cd03768053ff99f3039c1a36d6c0aa0b263438fcab17520b30a303a82b5f \
     --hash=sha256:81a9e26dd42fd28a23a2d169d86d7ac03b46e2f8b59ed4698fb4785f946d0176
@@ -1158,7 +1148,7 @@ pyparsing==3.3.2 \
 pytest==9.1.1 \
     --hash=sha256:1088fbde8f2b49d95a549a195707afa7a76a3ce9bcadc26b6d71f0ffda5fe313 \
     --hash=sha256:37a86b45efb9a47a61a36449063e8e18d0cab3161329fc099eb21783169c4f0c
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 python-dateutil==2.9.0.post0 \
     --hash=sha256:37dd54208da7e1cd875388217d5e00ebd4179249f90fb72437e91a35459a0ad3 \
     --hash=sha256:a8b2bc7bffae282281c8140a97d3aa9c14da0b136dfe83f850eea9a5f7470427
@@ -1256,7 +1246,7 @@ requests-file==2.1.0 \
 rich==15.0.0 \
     --hash=sha256:33bd4ef74232fb73fe9279a257718407f169c09b78a87ad3d296f548e27de0bb \
     --hash=sha256:edd07a4824c6b40189fb7ac9bc4c52536e9780fbbfbddf6f1e2502c31b068c36
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 roman-numerals==4.1.0 \
     --hash=sha256:1af8b147eb1405d5839e78aeb93131690495fe9da5c91856cb33ad55a7f1e5b2 \
     --hash=sha256:647ba99caddc2cc1e55a51e4360689115551bf4476d90e8162cf8c345fe233c7
@@ -1264,15 +1254,11 @@ roman-numerals==4.1.0 \
 ruamel-yaml==0.19.1 \
     --hash=sha256:27592957fedf6e0b62f281e96effd28043345e0e66001f97683aa9a40c667c93 \
     --hash=sha256:53eb66cd27849eff968ebf8f0bf61f46cdac2da1d1f3576dd4ccee9b25c31993
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 six==1.17.0 \
     --hash=sha256:4721f391ed90541fddacab5acf947aa0d3dc7d27b2e1e8eda2be8970586c3274 \
     --hash=sha256:ff70335d468e7eb6ec65b95b99d3a2836546063f63acc5171de367e834932a81
     # via python-dateutil
-smmap==5.0.3 \
-    --hash=sha256:4d9debb8b99007ae47165abc08670bd74cb74b5227dda7f643eccc4e9eb5642c \
-    --hash=sha256:c106e05d5a61449cf6ba9a1e650227ecfb141590d2a98412103ff35d89fc7b2f
-    # via gitdb
 snowballstemmer==3.1.1 \
     --hash=sha256:7e207fa178741da09cdee59d3ecec3827ad5f92b1fc5c9ff3755b639f71f5752 \
     --hash=sha256:e07bbc54a0d798fe6010a12398422e62a8bfbba95c394fd0956ef58cb4d3e260
@@ -1285,12 +1271,11 @@ sphinx==9.1.0 \
     --hash=sha256:7741722357dd75f8190766926071fed3bdc211c74dd2d7d4df5404da95930ddb \
     --hash=sha256:c84fdd4e782504495fe4f2c0b3413d6c2bf388589bb352d439b2a3bb99991978
     # via
-    #   -r requirements.in
+    #   -r src/requirements.in
     #   myst-parser
     #   needs-config-writer
     #   pydata-sphinx-theme
     #   sphinx-autobuild
-    #   sphinx-collections
     #   sphinx-data-viewer
     #   sphinx-design
     #   sphinx-mounts
@@ -1301,11 +1286,7 @@ sphinx==9.1.0 \
 sphinx-autobuild==2025.8.25 \
     --hash=sha256:9cf5aab32853c8c31af572e4fecdc09c997e2b8be5a07daf2a389e270e85b213 \
     --hash=sha256:b750ac7d5a18603e4665294323fd20f6dcc0a984117026d1986704fa68f0379a
-    # via -r requirements.in
-sphinx-collections==0.3.2 \
-    --hash=sha256:42506b0ec456b70a63be1641a84b33399503f3233bfdc1d181775c7475466b85 \
-    --hash=sha256:ab93ab151a045b9dd70a8ed6f8462f3f096c1a3a73bbe1ca8efbda093b5ac6da
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 sphinx-data-viewer==0.1.5 \
     --hash=sha256:a7d5e58613562bb745380bfe61ca8b69997998167fd6fa9aea55606c9a4b17e4 \
     --hash=sha256:b74b1d304c505c464d07c7b225ed0d84ea02dcc88bc1c49cdad7c2275fbbdad4
@@ -1313,16 +1294,16 @@ sphinx-data-viewer==0.1.5 \
 sphinx-design==0.7.0 \
     --hash=sha256:d2a3f5b19c24b916adb52f97c5f00efab4009ca337812001109084a740ec9b7a \
     --hash=sha256:f82bf179951d58f55dca78ab3706aeafa496b741a91b1911d371441127d64282
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 sphinx-mounts==0.1.4 \
     --hash=sha256:3369794f5a835d87e771d1c3075fdef95fd4ab7d1b6c6afb30a4abfd48102b54 \
     --hash=sha256:c88098b57891a8046965c3987f1246af9457cae962ba28b658ffab5f44ed2af7
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 sphinx-needs[plotting]==8.3.1 \
     --hash=sha256:cca706698cbb0c2fac5c8bf21fc30cd825473f97123783713cf5c9a9d01216c2 \
     --hash=sha256:ecc9807c06dd3698ecf78d3a6c0867a3bbaed56204f8cbc21fdd3e1282c2d2bb
     # via
-    #   -r requirements.in
+    #   -r src/requirements.in
     #   needs-config-writer
 sphinxcontrib-applehelp==2.0.0 \
     --hash=sha256:2f29ef331735ce958efa4734873f084941970894c6090408b079c61b2e1c06d1 \
@@ -1347,10 +1328,10 @@ sphinxcontrib-jsmath==1.0.1 \
 sphinxcontrib-mermaid==2.1.0 \
     --hash=sha256:13c5f9ac395cb6abf403eca34e228dc9fb3a30c9d960dbf3e40e9a8cef969549 \
     --hash=sha256:417cd144ec4b28852f46ba653f02ce8e538881c812111671a4c30344e87f2112
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 sphinxcontrib-plantuml==0.31 \
     --hash=sha256:fd74752f8ea070e641c3f8a402fccfa1d4a4056e0967b56033d2a76282d9f956
-    # via -r requirements.in
+    # via -r src/requirements.in
 sphinxcontrib-qthelp==2.0.0 \
     --hash=sha256:4fe7d0ac8fc171045be623aba3e2a8f613f8682731f9153bb2e40ece16b9bbab \
     --hash=sha256:b18a828cdba941ccd6ee8445dbe72ffa3ef8cbe7505d8cd1fa0d42d3f2d5f3eb