diff --git a/.github/Dockerfile/base-catch2.Dockerfile b/.github/Dockerfile/base-catch2.Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8a10b0479
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/Dockerfile/base-catch2.Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# Copyright 2023 NWChemEx-Project
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+# http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+ARG PARENT_IMAGE_NAME
+
+FROM ${PARENT_IMAGE_NAME}:latest
+
+ARG CATCH2_VERSION
+
+# Install catch2 ##
+RUN cd /tmp \
+    && git clone -b v${CATCH2_VERSION} https://github.com/catchorg/Catch2.git \
+    && cd Catch2 \
+    && cmake -Bbuild -H. -DBUILD_TESTING=OFF -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=/install \
+    && cmake --build build \
+    && cmake --build build --target install \
+    && rm -rf /tmp/Catch2
diff --git a/.github/Dockerfile/base-libboost.Dockerfile b/.github/Dockerfile/base-libboost.Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7a4782a4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/Dockerfile/base-libboost.Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+ARG PARENT_IMAGE_NAME
+
+FROM ${PARENT_IMAGE_NAME}:latest
+
+ARG LIBBOOST_VERSION
+
+# Install libboost ##
+RUN apt-get update \
+    && DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt-get install -y libboost-all-dev \
+    && apt-get clean \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
diff --git a/.github/Dockerfile/base-libfort.Dockerfile b/.github/Dockerfile/base-libfort.Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..af93edb7c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/Dockerfile/base-libfort.Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+ARG PARENT_IMAGE_NAME
+
+FROM ${PARENT_IMAGE_NAME}:latest
+
+ARG LIBFORT_VERSION
+
+# Install curl to download libfort
+RUN apt-get update \
+    && DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive apt-get install -y curl \
+    && apt-get clean \
+    && rm -rf /var/lib/apt/lists/*
+
+# Install libfort#
+ENV INSTALL_PATH=../install
+
+RUN curl -L -o libfort-${LIBFORT_VERSION}.tar.gz https://codeload.github.com/seleznevae/libfort/tar.gz/refs/tags/v${LIBFORT_VERSION} \
+    && tar -zxf libfort-${LIBFORT_VERSION}.tar.gz \
+    && cd libfort-${LIBFORT_VERSION} \
+    && cmake -GNinja -H. -Bbuild -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=${INSTALL_PATH} \
+    && cmake --build build \
+    && cmake --build build --target install \
+    && cd .. \
+    && rm -rf libfort-${LIBFORT_VERSION} libfort-${LIBFORT_VERSION}.tar.gz
+
+ENV PATH="`pwd`/install:${PATH}"
diff --git a/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/Dockerfile b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..eec40bc1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+# Copyright 2023 NWChemEx-Project
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+# http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+FROM alpine:latest
+
+COPY docker-action /docker-action
+COPY entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
+
+RUN apk add --update --no-cache docker
+RUN ["chmod", "+x", "/entrypoint.sh"]
+
+# Code file to execute when the docker container starts up (`entrypoint.sh`)
+ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
diff --git a/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/action.yaml b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/action.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..10703a3dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/action.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+# Copyright 2023 NWChemEx-Project
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+# http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+name: container action to build ParallelZone
+
+description: container action from the base image to build ParallelZone
+
+inputs:
+  base_tag:
+    description: 'tag of the base image'
+    type: string
+    required: false
+    default: 'stable'
+  dep_repo_tag:
+    description: 'tag of the dependent repo images'
+    type: string
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  token:
+    type: string
+    required: true
+  user:
+    type: string
+    required: true
+  cmake_version:
+    type: string
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  gcc_version:
+    type: string
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  clang_version:
+    type: string
+    required: false
+    default: ''
+  ninja_build:
+    type: boolean
+    required: true
+  use_clang:
+    type: boolean
+    required: true
+  CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN:
+    type: string
+    required: true
+  INSTALL:
+    type: boolean
+    required: true
+  test:
+    type: boolean
+    required: true
+  integration_test:
+    type: boolean
+    required: true
+  branch_name:
+    type: string
+    required: true
+runs:
+  using: 'docker'
+  image: 'Dockerfile'
+  args:
+    - ${{ inputs.token }} # 1
+    - ${{ inputs.user }}  # 2
+    - ${{ inputs.base_tag }}  # 3
+    - ${{ inputs.cmake_version }} # 4
+    - ${{ inputs.gcc_version }} # 5
+    - ${{ inputs.clang_version }} # 6
+    - ${{ inputs.ninja_build }} # 7
+    - ${{ inputs.use_clang }} # 8
+    - ${{ inputs.CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN }} # 9
+    - ${{ inputs.INSTALL }} # 10
+    - ${{ inputs.test }} # 11
+    - ${{ inputs.integration_test }} # 12
+    - ${{ inputs.branch_name }} # 13
+    - ${{ inputs.dep_repo_tag }} # 14
diff --git a/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/docker-action/Dockerfile b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/docker-action/Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1dc1cd096
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/docker-action/Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+# Copyright 2023 NWChemEx-Project
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+# http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+ARG dep_repo_tag
+ARG base_tag
+
+FROM ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_parallelzone:$dep_repo_tag
+FROM ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_utilities:$dep_repo_tag
+
+FROM ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/base_pluginplay:$base_tag
+
+COPY --from=0 /install /install
+
+COPY --from=1 /install /install
+
+COPY build_test.sh /build_test.sh
+
+RUN ["chmod", "+x", "/build_test.sh"]
+
+ARG cmake_version
+ARG gcc_version
+ARG clang_version
+ARG ninja_build
+ARG use_clang
+ARG cmaize_github_token
+ARG install
+ARG unit_test
+ARG int_test
+ARG branch_name
+
+
+ENV env_cmake_version=$cmake_version
+ENV env_gcc_version=$gcc_version
+ENV env_clang_version=$clang_version
+ENV env_ninja_build=$ninja_build
+ENV env_use_clang=$use_clang
+ENV env_cmaize_github_token=$cmaize_github_token
+ENV env_install=$install
+ENV env_unit_test=$unit_test
+ENV env_int_test=$int_test
+ENV env_branch_name=$branch_name
+
+ENTRYPOINT ["/build_test.sh"]
diff --git a/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/docker-action/build_test.sh b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/docker-action/build_test.sh
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d2f429ae2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/docker-action/build_test.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,133 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# Copyright 2023 NWChemEx-Project
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+# http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+
+# Wraps the process for configuring, building, and testing an NWX repo
+#
+# Usage:
+#   build_test.sh
+#
+# Other variables:
+#   cmake_version: the version of cmake being used in the format x.y.z
+#
+
+set -e # Exit with error if any command fails
+
+# checkout repo with the current branch (not master!)
+
+git clone -b ${env_branch_name} https://github.com/NWChemEx-Project/PluginPlay.git
+cd PluginPlay
+
+cmake_command=cmake
+ctest_command=ctest
+toolchain_file=$(pwd)/toolchain.cmake
+
+#pybind11_path=$(python3 -c 'import sysconfig; print(sysconfig.get_paths()["purelib"])')
+
+echo "set(BUILD_TESTING ON)" > "${toolchain_file}"
+{
+  echo "set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)"
+  echo 'set(CMAKE_POSITION_INDEPENDENT_CODE TRUE)'
+  echo "set(BUILD_SHARED_LIBS ON)"
+  echo "set(CATCH_ENABLE_COVERAGE ON)"
+  echo "set(CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH /install)"
+  #echo 'set(CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH "${pybind11_path};/install")'
+  echo 'set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} --coverage -std=c++17")'
+  echo 'set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -DOMPI_SKIP_MPICXX")'
+  echo 'set(CMAKE_C_FLAGS "${CMAKE_C_FLAGS} --coverage")'
+  echo 'set(CMAKE_EXE_LINKER_FLAGS "${CMAKE_EXE_LINKER_FLAGS} -fprofile-arcs")'
+  echo 'set(CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN '${env_cmaize_github_token}')'
+  echo 'set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Release)'
+  echo 'set(ENABLE_SCALAPACK ON)'
+  echo 'set(LIBDIR "/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu")'
+  echo 'set(BLAS_LIBRARIES   "-L${LIBDIR} -lopenblas")'
+  echo 'set(LAPACK_LIBRARIES "-L${LIBDIR} -llapack ${BLAS_LIBRARIES}")'
+  echo 'set(ScaLAPACK_LIBRARIES  "-L${LIBDIR} -lscalapack-openmpi ${LAPACK_LIBRARIES}")'
+  echo 'set(NWX_MODULE_DIRECTORY "./NWX_PyModules")'
+} >> "${toolchain_file}"
+
+# if clang_build is true set clang and 
+# clang++ as default c and cxx compiler
+# otherwise set gcc as default
+# clang and gcc version controlled by defaults
+# or inputs
+if [ "${env_use_clang}" = true ]
+then
+    {
+      echo "set(CMAKE_C_COMPILER /usr/bin/clang-${env_clang_version})"
+      echo "set(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER /usr/bin/clang++-${env_clang_version})"  
+      echo 'set(gpu_backend "none" CACHE STRING "" FORCE)'
+    } >> "${toolchain_file}"
+else
+  {
+    echo "set(CMAKE_C_COMPILER /usr/bin/gcc-${env_gcc_version})"
+    echo "set(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER /usr/bin/g++-${env_gcc_version})"  
+  } >> "${toolchain_file}"
+fi
+
+#Step 2: Configure
+if [ "${env_install}" = true ]; then
+  export INSTALL_PATH=/install
+  if [ "${env_ninja_build}" = true ] ; then
+    ${cmake_command} -GNinja -H. -Bbuild -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE="${toolchain_file}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=${INSTALL_PATH}
+  else
+    ${cmake_command} -H. -Bbuild -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE="${toolchain_file}" -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=${INSTALL_PATH}
+  fi
+else
+  if [ "${env_ninja_build}" = true ] ; then
+    ${cmake_command} -GNinja -H. -Bbuild -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE="${toolchain_file}"
+  else
+    ${cmake_command} -H. -Bbuild -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE="${toolchain_file}"
+  fi
+fi
+
+#Step 3: Compile
+${cmake_command} --build build
+
+# Step 4: test
+
+# set up the envs for running mpiexec in a container
+# otherwise tests would fail
+export OMPI_ALLOW_RUN_AS_ROOT=1
+export OMPI_ALLOW_RUN_AS_ROOT_CONFIRM=1
+
+cd build
+# unit testing
+if [ "${env_unit_test}" = true ]; then
+   echo "Running unit tests..."
+   ${ctest_command} -VV -R test_unit*
+fi
+# integration testing
+if [ "${env_int_test}" = true ]; then
+  echo "Running integration tests..."
+  ${ctest_command} -VV -R test_integration*
+fi
+# test docs
+echo "Running doc tests..."
+${ctest_command} -VV -R *docs
+
+# python testing
+#export PYTHONPATH=$PYTHONPATH:/install
+#echo "PYTHONPATH = " $PYTHONPATH
+#echo "Running python tests..."
+#${ctest_command} -VV -R py
+cd ..
+
+#Step 5: Install
+if [ "${env_install}" = true ]; then
+  echo "Installing package..."
+  ${cmake_command} --build build --target install
+fi
+
diff --git a/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/entrypoint.sh b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/entrypoint.sh
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ae10a8a31
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/actions/container-build_test_release/entrypoint.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+#!/bin/sh -l
+# Copyright 2023 NWChemEx-Project
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+# http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+
+CR_PAT=$1
+USER=$2
+BASE_TAG=$3
+CMAKE_VERSION=$4
+GCC_VRESION=$5
+CLANG_VERSION=$6
+NINJA_BUILD=$7
+USE_CLANG=$8
+CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN=$9
+INSTALL=${10}
+TEST=${11}
+INTEGRATION_TEST=${12}
+BRANCH_NAME=${13}
+DEP_REPO_TAG=${14}
+
+cd /docker-action
+
+echo $CR_PAT | docker login ghcr.io -u $USER --password-stdin
+
+docker build -t docker-action --build-arg base_tag=$BASE_TAG --build-arg gcc_version=$GCC_VRESION --build-arg clang_version=$CLANG_VERSION --build-arg ninja_build=$NINJA_BUILD --build-arg use_clang=$USE_CLANG --build-arg cmaize_github_token=$CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN --build-arg install=$INSTALL --build-arg unit_test=$TEST --build-arg int_test=$INTEGRATION_TEST --build-arg branch_name=$BRANCH_NAME --build-arg dep_repo_tag=${DEP_REPO_TAG} . && docker run docker-action 
+
+container_id="$(docker ps -a  | grep 'docker-action')"
+container_id="${container_id%% *}"
+docker cp ${container_id}:/install ./install
+
+cat <<EOF>> release.Dockerfile
+FROM scratch
+ADD install /install
+EOF
+
+if [ "${USE_CLANG}" = true ]; then
+   docker build -t ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-latest -f release.Dockerfile .
+   docker push ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-latest
+else
+   docker build -t ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-latest -f release.Dockerfile .
+   docker push ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-latest
+fi
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_base.yaml b/.github/workflows/build_base.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1b6c86829
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_base.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+# manually input version no.s here
+# will check in workflows to obtain 
+# this info from other files
+#
+
+name: Build base image
+
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    inputs:
+      cmake_version:
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: 3.17.0
+      gcc_version:
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: 9
+      clang_version:
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: 11
+      ubuntu_version:
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: 20.04
+      catch2_version:
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: 2.13.8
+      libfort_version:
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: 0.4.2
+      libboost_version:
+        type: string
+        required: false
+        default: 1.71.0
+
+jobs:
+  build-image-gcc-clang-cmake:
+    uses: NWChemEx-Project/.github/.github/workflows/base_image_gcc-clang-cmake.yaml@master
+    with:
+      cmake_version: ${{ inputs.cmake_version }}
+      gcc_version: ${{ inputs.gcc_version }}
+      clang_version: ${{ inputs.clang_version }}
+      ubuntu_version: ${{ inputs.ubuntu_version }}
+    secrets: inherit
+
+  build-base-image:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: build-image-gcc-clang-cmake
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@v2
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+      - name: Install libboost
+        uses: NWChemEx-Project/.github/actions/image-install_package@master
+        with:
+          libboost_version: ${{ inputs.libboost_version }}
+          package_name: libboost
+          parent_image_name: ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/base-cmake
+          path_to_dockerfile: .github/Dockerfile/base-libboost.Dockerfile
+      - name: Install libfort
+        uses: NWChemEx-Project/.github/actions/image-install_package@master
+        with:
+          libfort_version: ${{ inputs.libfort_version }}
+          package_name: libfort
+          parent_image_name: base-libboost
+          path_to_dockerfile: .github/Dockerfile/base-libfort.Dockerfile
+      - name: Install catch2
+        uses: NWChemEx-Project/.github/actions/image-install_package@master
+        with:
+          catch2_version: ${{ inputs.catch2_version }}
+          package_name: catch2
+          parent_image_name: base-libfort
+          path_to_dockerfile: .github/Dockerfile/base-catch2.Dockerfile
+      - name: Push the base image
+        uses: NWChemEx-Project/.github/actions/push_image@master
+        with:
+          tmp_image_name: base-catch2
+          tmp_image_tag: latest
+          image_name: ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/base_pluginplay
+          image_tag: latest
+      - name: Check stable base image
+        id: image_exists
+        shell: /usr/bin/bash {0}
+        run: |
+          docker manifest inspect ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/base_pluginplay:stable > /dev/null
+          echo "conclusion=$?" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+      - name: Push stable base image if not exist
+        if: ${{ steps.image_exists.outputs.conclusion != 0 }}
+        run: |
+          docker pull ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/base_pluginplay:latest
+          docker tag ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/base_pluginplay:latest ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/base_pluginplay:stable
+          docker push ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/base_pluginplay:stable
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_test_release-manual.yaml b/.github/workflows/build_test_release-manual.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6decaa9f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_test_release-manual.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+# The building/testing/releasing process happens 
+# in a container created from the base image (container action).
+# In the end two new release images
+# ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc(clang)-latest
+# are generated. Whether these images are stable
+# (do not break any downstream repos) or not is still 
+# to be tested.
+# This workflow should run in the branch which opens a
+# PR to dev (dev/master model to be developed).
+
+name: Build test release
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+jobs:
+  # TODO: obtain package version info
+  # general packages for all repos: from NWXCmake
+  # specific packages for a repo: from dependency_versions.txt in
+  # the repo
+  #
+  # A job to retrieve all package versions and output
+  ###
+  update-base-image:
+    uses: NWChemEx-Project/PluginPlay/.github/workflows/build_base.yaml@master
+    secrets: inherit
+
+  build_test_release-gcc:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: update-base-image
+    steps:
+      - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@v1
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Get current branch name
+        id: branch-name
+        uses: tj-actions/branch-names@v7
+      - name: build test release in a container
+        uses: ./.github/actions/container-build_test_release
+        with:
+          ninja_build: true
+          test: true
+          integration_test: false
+          INSTALL: true
+          base_tag: latest
+          dep_repo_tag: gcc-stable
+          token: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+          user: ${{ github.actor }}
+          cmake_version: 3.17.0
+          gcc_version: 9
+          use_clang: false
+          CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          branch_name: ${{ steps.branch-name.outputs.current_branch }} 
+      - name: Check stable release image
+        id: image_exists
+        shell: /usr/bin/bash {0}
+        run: |
+          docker manifest inspect ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-stable > /dev/null
+          echo "conclusion=$?" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+      - name: Push stable release image if not exist
+        if: ${{ steps.image_exists.outputs.conclusion != 0 }}
+        run: |
+          docker pull ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-latest
+          docker tag ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-latest ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-stable
+          docker push ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-stable
+
+  build_test_release-clang:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: update-base-image
+    steps:
+      - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@v1
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Get current branch name
+        id: branch-name
+        uses: tj-actions/branch-names@v7
+      - name: build test release in a container
+        uses: ./.github/actions/container-build_test_release
+        with:
+          ninja_build: true
+          test: true
+          integration_test: false
+          INSTALL: true
+          base_tag: latest
+          dep_repo_tag: clang-stable
+          token: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+          user: ${{ github.actor }}
+          cmake_version: 3.17.0
+          clang_version: 11
+          use_clang: true
+          CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          branch_name: ${{ steps.branch-name.outputs.current_branch }}
+      - name: Check stable release image
+        id: image_exists
+        shell: /usr/bin/bash {0}
+        run: |
+          docker manifest inspect ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-stable > /dev/null
+          echo "conclusion=$?" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+      - name: Push stable release image if not exist
+        if: ${{ steps.image_exists.outputs.conclusion != 0 }}
+        run: |
+          docker pull ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-latest
+          docker tag ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-latest ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-stable
+          docker push ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-stable
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build_test_release.yaml b/.github/workflows/build_test_release.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ae42ceada
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/build_test_release.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+# The building/testing/releasing process happens 
+# in a container created from the base image (container action).
+# In the end two new release images
+# ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc(clang)-latest
+# are generated. Whether these images are stable
+# (do not break any downstream repos) or not is still 
+# to be tested.
+# This workflow should run in the branch which opens a
+# PR to dev (dev/master model to be developed).
+
+name: Build test release
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    branches:
+      - master
+
+jobs:
+  # TODO: obtain package version info
+  # general packages for all repos: from NWXCmake
+  # specific packages for a repo: from dependency_versions.txt in
+  # the repo
+  #
+  # A job to retrieve all package versions and output
+  ###
+  docker-file-changes:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      build_dockfile: ${{ steps.changes.outputs.bdfile }}
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+    - uses: dorny/paths-filter@v2
+      id: changes
+      with:
+        filters: |
+          bdfile:
+            - '.github/Dockerfile/**'
+
+  update-base-image:
+    needs: docker-file-changes
+    if: ${{ needs.docker-file-changes.outputs.build_dockfile == 'true' }}
+    uses: NWChemEx-Project/PluginPlay/.github/workflows/build_base.yaml@image-build_test_release
+    secrets: inherit
+
+  build_update_check:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: docker-file-changes
+    outputs:
+      bi_check: ${{ steps.building-image-update.outputs.tag }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Check if the building image has been updated
+        id: building-image-update
+        run: |
+          if [ ${{ needs.docker-file-changes.outputs.build_dockfile == 'true' }} ]; then
+             tag="latest"
+          else
+             tag="stable"
+          fi
+          echo "tag=$tag" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
+  build_test_release-gcc:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [update-base-image, build_update_check]
+    if: always() && (needs.update-base-image.result == 'success' || needs.update-base-image.result == 'skipped')
+    steps:
+      - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@v1
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Get current branch name
+        id: branch-name
+        uses: tj-actions/branch-names@v7
+      - name: build test release in a container
+        uses: ./.github/actions/container-build_test_release
+        with:
+          ninja_build: true
+          test: true
+          integration_test: false
+          INSTALL: true
+          base_tag: ${{needs.build_update_check.outputs.bi_check}}
+          dep_repo_tag: gcc-stable
+          token: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+          user: ${{ github.actor }}
+          cmake_version: 3.17.0
+          gcc_version: 9
+          use_clang: false
+          CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          branch_name: ${{ steps.branch-name.outputs.current_branch }} 
+      - name: Check stable release image
+        id: image_exists
+        shell: /usr/bin/bash {0}
+        run: |
+          docker manifest inspect ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-stable > /dev/null
+          echo "conclusion=$?" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+      - name: Push stable release image if not exist
+        if: ${{ steps.image_exists.outputs.conclusion != 0 }}
+        run: |
+          docker pull ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-latest
+          docker tag ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-latest ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-stable
+          docker push ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:gcc-stable
+
+  build_test_release-clang:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [update-base-image, build_update_check]
+    if: always() && (needs.update-base-image.result == 'success' || needs.update-base-image.result == 'skipped')
+    steps:
+      - name: Login to GitHub Container Registry
+        uses: docker/login-action@v1
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ github.actor }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+      - name: Get current branch name
+        id: branch-name
+        uses: tj-actions/branch-names@v7
+      - name: build test release in a container
+        uses: ./.github/actions/container-build_test_release
+        with:
+          ninja_build: true
+          test: true
+          integration_test: false
+          INSTALL: true
+          base_tag: ${{needs.build_update_check.outputs.bi_check}}
+          dep_repo_tag: clang-stable
+          token: ${{ secrets.CONTAINER_REPO_TOKEN }}
+          user: ${{ github.actor }}
+          cmake_version: 3.17.0
+          clang_version: 11
+          use_clang: true
+          CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+          branch_name: ${{ steps.branch-name.outputs.current_branch }}
+      - name: Check stable release image
+        id: image_exists
+        shell: /usr/bin/bash {0}
+        run: |
+          docker manifest inspect ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-stable > /dev/null
+          echo "conclusion=$?" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+      - name: Push stable release image if not exist
+        if: ${{ steps.image_exists.outputs.conclusion != 0 }}
+        run: |
+          docker pull ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-latest
+          docker tag ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-latest ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-stable
+          docker push ghcr.io/nwchemex-project/release_pluginplay:clang-stable
diff --git a/.github/workflows/c-cpp.yaml b/.github/workflows/c-cpp.yaml
deleted file mode 100644
index 0834d3143..000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/c-cpp.yaml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-name: C_C++_CI
-
-on:
-  pull_request:
-    branches:
-      - master
-
-jobs:
-  build-with-gcc:
-    uses: NWChemEx-Project/.github/.github/workflows/c-cpp_tmpl.yaml@master
-    with: 
-      dependencies: 'ninja gcc gcovr cmake openmpi boost libfort'
-      clang-build: false
-      gcc-build: true
-      ninja_build: true
-    secrets:
-      CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-  # build-with-clang:
-  #   uses: NWChemEx-Project/.github/.github/workflows/c-cpp_tmpl.yaml@master
-  #   with: 
-  #     dependencies: 'clang gcovr cmake openmpi boost'
-  #     clang-build: true
-  #     gcc-build: false
-  #   secrets:
-  #     CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.CMAIZE_GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index d136cb170..9c75994e7 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -161,12 +161,17 @@ if("${BUILD_TESTING}")
         DEPPACKAGES pluginplay
     )
     cmaize_add_tests(
-        test_${PROJECT_NAME}
+        test_unit_${PROJECT_NAME}
         SOURCE_DIR ${tests_src_dir}
         INCLUDE_DIRS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/${PROJECT_NAME}"
         DEPENDS Catch2::Catch2 ${PROJECT_NAME} ${PROJECT_NAME}_examples
     )
-
+    cmaize_add_tests(
+        test_integration_${PROJECT_NAME}
+        SOURCE_DIR "${cxx_test_dir}/integration_tests"
+        INCLUDE_DIRS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/src/${PROJECT_NAME}"
+        DEPENDS Catch2::Catch2 ${PROJECT_NAME} ${PROJECT_NAME}_examples
+    )
     cmaize_add_tests(
         test_${PROJECT_NAME}_docs
         SOURCE_DIR "${cxx_test_dir}/doc_snippets"
diff --git a/tests/cxx/integration_tests/blank_test.cpp b/tests/cxx/integration_tests/blank_test.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f0e48aacb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cxx/integration_tests/blank_test.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 NWChemEx-Project
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+#define CATCH_CONFIG_MAIN
+#include <catch2/catch.hpp>
+#include <iostream>
+
+int print_and_return(int ii) {
+    std::cout << "This is only a blank model for an integration test."
+              << std::endl;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+TEST_CASE("Blank test", "[classic]") { REQUIRE(print_and_return(0) == 0); }