diff --git a/.github/workflows/build-pr.yml b/.github/workflows/build-pr.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bdc038a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/build-pr.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+name: Validate PR Build
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    branches: ["main"]
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  validate:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/build.yml
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yml b/.github/workflows/build.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3d5059f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+name: Build mdBook
+
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    outputs:
+      artifact-path:
+        description: "Path to the built book artifact"
+        value: ${{ jobs.build.outputs.artifact-path }}
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+jobs:
+  build:
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest]
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+    outputs:
+      artifact-path: ./better-code/book
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@v6
+      
+      # Cache Rust toolchain and cargo registry
+      - name: Cache Rust
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: |
+            ~/.cargo/bin/
+            ~/.cargo/registry/index/
+            ~/.cargo/registry/cache/
+            ~/.cargo/git/db/
+            ~/.cargo/.crates.toml
+            ~/.cargo/.crates2.json
+          key: ${{ runner.os }}-cargo-${{ hashFiles('versions.txt') }}
+          restore-keys: |
+            ${{ runner.os }}-cargo-
+          
+      - name: Install mdBook and plugins (Linux)
+        if: runner.os != 'Windows'
+        run: |
+          chmod +x scripts/install-tools.sh
+          ./scripts/install-tools.sh
+      
+      - name: Install mdBook and plugins (Windows)
+        if: runner.os == 'Windows'
+        run: .\scripts\install-tools.ps1
+      
+      - name: Build with mdBook
+        run: mdbook build ./better-code
+      
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: mdbook-build-${{ matrix.os }}
+          path: ./better-code/book
+          retention-days: 1
+
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
index d977ea9..3536ff5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy.yml
@@ -1,58 +1,52 @@
-name: Deploy mdBook to GitHub Pages
+name: Deploy to GitHub Pages
+# Tool versions are managed in versions.txt at the repository root.
+# To update mdbook or plugin versions, edit versions.txt and the CI will automatically use them.
 
 on:
-  # Runs on pushes targeting the default branch
   push:
     branches: ["main"]
-
-  # Allows you to run this workflow manually from the Actions tab
   workflow_dispatch:
 
-# Sets permissions of the GITHUB_TOKEN to allow deployment to GitHub Pages
 permissions:
   contents: read
   pages: write
   id-token: write
 
-# Allow only one concurrent deployment, skipping runs queued between the run in-progress and latest queued.
-# However, do NOT cancel in-progress runs as we want to allow these production deployments to complete.
 concurrency:
   group: "pages"
   cancel-in-progress: false
 
 jobs:
-  # Build job
   build:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
-          
-      - name: Install mdBook
-        run: cargo install mdbook
-        
-      - name: Setup Pages
-        id: pages
-        uses: actions/configure-pages@v5
-        
-      - name: Build with mdBook
-        run: |
-          cd better-code
-          mdbook build
-          
-      - name: Upload artifact
-        uses: actions/upload-pages-artifact@v3
-        with:
-          path: ./better-code/book
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/build.yml
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
 
-  # Deployment job
   deploy:
     environment:
       name: github-pages
       url: ${{ steps.deployment.outputs.page_url }}
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs: build
+    permissions:
+      pages: write
+      id-token: write
     steps:
+      - name: Download build artifact
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: mdbook-build-ubuntu-latest
+          path: ./book
+      
+      - name: Setup Pages
+        id: pages
+        uses: actions/configure-pages@v5
+        
+      - name: Upload Pages artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-pages-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          path: ./book
+      
       - name: Deploy to GitHub Pages
         id: deployment
         uses: actions/deploy-pages@v4
diff --git a/.tool-versions b/.tool-versions
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e21b6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.tool-versions
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+# Tool versions for asdf version manager
+# See: https://asdf-vm.com/
+#
+# Note: For mdbook and plugin versions, see versions.txt
+# Use the install scripts to install the correct versions: ./scripts/install-tools.sh
+rust stable
+
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 27e4924..3c17924 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,97 +1,117 @@
-# Welcome to Better Code
+# Better Code
 
-This is the development home of the STLab Better Code course.
+Development repository for the STLab Better Code course.
 
-## Working with the Book
+**Read the book:** https://stlab.github.io/better-code/
 
-We're migrating from using Jekyll to using
-[mdBook](https://github.com/rust-lang/mdBook). The mdBook version is located in
-the `./better-code` directory and includes automated CI/CD deployment to GitHub Pages.
+## Quick Start
 
-## Installing and updating mdBook
+### 1. Install Prerequisites
 
-Install [Rust and
-Cargo](https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/getting-started/installation.html):
+Install [Rust and Cargo](https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/getting-started/installation.html).
 
-Linux and macOS:
 
-```
-curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh
-```
-
-On Windows, you can download the installer from
-[here](https://win.rustup.rs/).
-
-Once you have Rust and Cargo installed, you can install or upgrade mdBook by running:
+### 2. Install mdBook and Plugins
 
+**Linux/macOS:**
+```bash
+./scripts/install-tools.sh
 ```
-cargo install mdbook
+
+**Windows (PowerShell):**
+```powershell
+.\scripts\install-tools.ps1
 ```
 
-## Building the book
+These scripts install mdBook and all required plugins using versions from `versions.txt`.
 
-To build the book, run:
+### 3. Build and Serve
 
-```
+```bash
 mdbook serve ./better-code
 ```
 
-Open the browser to http://localhost:3000 to see the book. You can use the
-Simple Browser in VSCode/Cursor to view the book while editing.
+Open http://localhost:3000 in your browser.
 
-## Automated Deployment
+## Contributing
 
-The mdBook is automatically built and deployed to GitHub Pages using GitHub Actions.
-When you push changes to the main branch:
+### Editing Content
 
-1. GitHub Actions will build the book using mdBook
-2. The built book will be deployed to GitHub Pages
-3. The book will be available at https://stlab.github.io/better-code/
+1. Edit markdown files in `better-code/src/`
+2. Add new chapters by creating `.md` files and updating `better-code/src/SUMMARY.md`
+3. Changes automatically rebuild when you push to the main branch
 
-No manual deployment steps are required!
+### Content Conventions
 
-### Conventions and Guidelines
+* Use Markdown formatting; avoid unnecessary HTML
+* Wrap lines at 80 columns for diff-friendly change tracking
+* Start each chapter with a level-2 heading (`## Chapter Name`)
+* Use level-3+ headings within chapters
+* Keep file names and heading titles stable for linkability
 
-* Avoid unnecessary HTML tags; use Markdown formatting to the degree possible.
-* Wrap lines at 80 columns to support diff-friendly change tracking.
-* Chapters are represented as individual Markdown files in the chapters/
-  subdirectory.
-* Each chapter begins with a 2nd-level heading, e.g. `## Chapter Name`.  All
-  other headings in a chapter are 3rd-level and below.
-* Each file's name starts with a 4-digit number that determines its order in the
-  overall document.  Initial numbering is spaced by 100s.
-* Maintain stable file names and heading titles for linkability until another
-  solution is in place.
+## Deployment
 
-### Older draft
+### CI/CD Pipeline
 
-Please see the [latest published draft](https://stlab.github.io/better-code/)
-for information about the motivation for this project.
+**Pull Requests:**
+- Validates build on Ubuntu and Windows
+- No deployment; PR check shows build status
 
-### Infrastructure
+**Main Branch:**
+- Builds book using mdBook with versions from `versions.txt`
+- Deploys to GitHub Pages
+- Available at https://stlab.github.io/better-code/
 
-The book is being migrated from [Jekyll](https://jekyllrb.com) to [mdBook](https://github.com/rust-lang/mdBook).
-The new mdBook version is automatically built and deployed to [GitHub Pages](https://pages.github.com) using GitHub Actions.
+### Managing Dependencies
 
-The legacy Jekyll files remain in the root directory for reference during the transition.
+All tool versions are centrally managed in `versions.txt`. To update:
 
-### Running a local server
+1. Edit version number in `versions.txt`
+2. Run the appropriate install script locally
+3. Test with `mdbook serve ./better-code`
+4. Commit - CI automatically uses the new version
 
-If you are able to install the necessary parts for jekyll,
+## Project Structure
 
 ```
-bundle exec jekyll serve -l
+better-code/          # mdBook source and configuration
+├── src/             # Markdown chapter files
+├── book.toml        # mdBook configuration
+└── book/            # Generated HTML (gitignored)
+
+scripts/             # Installation scripts
+├── install-tools.sh    # Linux/macOS
+└── install-tools.ps1   # Windows
+
+versions.txt         # Single source of truth for tool versions
+archive/             # Legacy Jekyll site (for reference only)
 ```
 
-will start a server for the site at http://localhost:4000.
+## Advanced Usage
 
-Creating a complete installation of jekyll and all the parts needed for github
-pages development can be fraught.  If you install
-[docker-compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/), you can start the server
-by invoking
 
+### Building Without Serving
+
+```bash
+mdbook build ./better-code
 ```
-docker-compose up
+
+Output will be in `./better-code/book/`.
+
+
+## Legacy Content
+
+The `archive/` directory contains the legacy Jekyll site for reference during migration.
+You can safely ignore it unless working on migration tasks.
+
+To run the Jekyll version (not recommended for regular development):
+
+```bash
+bundle exec jekyll serve -l  # Starts server at http://localhost:4000
 ```
 
-in the root directory of your working copy.
+Or with Docker:
+
+```bash
+docker-compose up
+```
diff --git a/better-code/README.md b/better-code/README.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 1125d25..0000000
--- a/better-code/README.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,52 +0,0 @@
-# Better Code - mdBook
-
-This directory contains the mdBook version of the Better Code course.
-
-## Local Development
-
-### Prerequisites
-
-Install [Rust and Cargo](https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/getting-started/installation.html):
-
-**Linux and macOS:**
-```bash
-curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh
-```
-
-**Windows:**
-Download the installer from [here](https://win.rustup.rs/).
-
-### Install mdBook
-
-```bash
-cargo install mdbook
-```
-
-### Building and Serving the Book
-
-To build and serve the book locally:
-
-```bash
-mdbook serve
-```
-
-This will start a local server at `http://localhost:3000`.
-
-To just build the book without serving:
-
-```bash
-mdbook build
-```
-
-The built book will be in the `book/` directory.
-
-## Deployment
-
-The book is automatically built and deployed to GitHub Pages using GitHub Actions when changes are pushed to the main branch.
-
-## Adding Content
-
-1. Edit existing chapters in the `src/` directory
-2. Add new chapters by creating new `.md` files in `src/`
-3. Update `src/SUMMARY.md` to include new chapters in the table of contents
-4. The book will automatically rebuild when you push changes to GitHub 
diff --git a/better-code/book.toml b/better-code/book.toml
index 5bd576a..f626b05 100644
--- a/better-code/book.toml
+++ b/better-code/book.toml
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 [book]
 authors = ["Sean Parent"]
 language = "en"
-multilingual = false
 src = "src"
 title = "Better Code"
 description = "A principled and rigorous approach to software development"
diff --git a/scripts/install-tools.ps1 b/scripts/install-tools.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..59fb2b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/install-tools.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+# Installs mdBook and plugins using versions from versions.txt.
+#
+# Reads tool versions from the repository root's versions.txt file and
+# installs them via cargo. This ensures consistency between local development
+# and CI environments.
+#
+# Usage: .\install-tools.ps1
+#
+# Preconditions:
+#   - Rust and Cargo are installed and in PATH
+#   - versions.txt exists in the repository root
+
+$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
+
+$ScriptDir = Split-Path -Parent $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path
+$VersionsFile = Join-Path (Split-Path -Parent $ScriptDir) "versions.txt"
+
+Write-Host "Reading versions from $VersionsFile..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
+
+# Install mdBook
+$mdbookLine = Get-Content $VersionsFile | Where-Object { $_ -match '^mdbook=' }
+if ($mdbookLine) {
+    $mdbookVersion = $mdbookLine.Split('=')[1]
+    Write-Host "`nInstalling mdBook $mdbookVersion..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
+    cargo install mdbook --version $mdbookVersion
+    if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
+        exit 1
+    }
+} else {
+    Write-Host "Error: Could not find mdbook version in versions.txt" -ForegroundColor Red
+    exit 1
+}
+
+# Install mdBook plugins
+Write-Host "`nInstalling mdBook plugins..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
+
+# Process all lines starting with "mdbook-" (plugins)
+Get-Content $VersionsFile | Where-Object { $_ -match '^mdbook-' } | ForEach-Object {
+    $pluginName, $pluginVersion = $_ -split '=', 2
+    
+    # mdbook-katex requires special handling on Windows
+    # See: https://github.com/lzanini/mdbook-katex#windows-users
+    if ($pluginName -eq "mdbook-katex") {
+        Write-Host "Installing $pluginName $pluginVersion with duktape backend (Windows)..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
+        Write-Host "  Note: Using duktape backend. Some features like matrices may not work." -ForegroundColor Yellow
+        Write-Host "  For full functionality, download pre-built binary from:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+        Write-Host "  https://github.com/lzanini/mdbook-katex/releases" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+        cargo install $pluginName --version $pluginVersion --no-default-features --features duktape
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
+            Write-Host "Failed to install $pluginName. Continuing without it..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
+            return
+        }
+    } else {
+        Write-Host "Installing $pluginName $pluginVersion..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
+        cargo install $pluginName --version $pluginVersion
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
+            exit 1
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+Write-Host "`n✓ Installation complete!" -ForegroundColor Green
+Write-Host "`nInstalled versions:" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+mdbook --version
+cargo install --list | Select-String "mdbook"
+
diff --git a/scripts/install-tools.sh b/scripts/install-tools.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d05c5b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/install-tools.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Installs mdBook and plugins using versions from versions.txt.
+#
+# Reads tool versions from the repository root's versions.txt file and
+# installs them via cargo. This ensures consistency between local development
+# and CI environments.
+#
+# Usage: ./install-tools.sh
+#
+# Preconditions:
+#   - Rust and Cargo are installed and in PATH
+#   - versions.txt exists in the repository root
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+VERSIONS_FILE="${SCRIPT_DIR}/../versions.txt"
+
+echo "Reading versions from ${VERSIONS_FILE}..."
+
+# Install mdBook
+MDBOOK_VERSION=$(grep "^mdbook=" "$VERSIONS_FILE" | cut -d'=' -f2)
+if [ -n "$MDBOOK_VERSION" ]; then
+    echo "Installing mdBook ${MDBOOK_VERSION}..."
+    cargo install mdbook --version "${MDBOOK_VERSION}"
+else
+    echo "Error: Could not find mdbook version in versions.txt"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Install mdBook plugins
+echo ""
+echo "Installing mdBook plugins..."
+
+# Process all lines starting with "mdbook-" (plugins)
+while IFS='=' read -r plugin version; do
+    echo "Installing ${plugin} ${version}..."
+    cargo install "${plugin}" --version "${version}"
+done < <(grep "^mdbook-" "$VERSIONS_FILE")
+
+echo ""
+echo "✓ Installation complete!"
+echo ""
+echo "Installed versions:"
+mdbook --version
+# List installed plugins
+cargo install --list | grep mdbook
+
diff --git a/versions.txt b/versions.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..121f5c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/versions.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# Tool versions - single source of truth for all build dependencies
+# Used by CI and local development scripts
+#
+# Format: tool=version (one per line, no quotes needed)
+# Lines starting with # are comments
+#
+# Usage:
+#   Linux/macOS:   ./scripts/install-tools.sh
+#   Windows:       .\scripts\install-tools.ps1
+#
+# To update a version:
+# 1. Change the version number here
+# 2. Run the install script from the repository root
+# 3. Test locally: mdbook serve ./better-code
+# 4. Commit the change - CI will automatically use the new version
+#
+# Note: After adding mdbook plugins, you may also need to configure
+# them in better-code/book.toml. See mdbook documentation for details.
+
+# Core mdBook
+mdbook=0.5.2
+
+# mdBook plugins
+# Note: On Windows, mdbook-katex installs with the duktape backend (limited functionality).
+# For full features, download pre-built binaries: https://github.com/lzanini/mdbook-katex/releases
+mdbook-katex=0.10.0-alpha
+
+# Uncomment to add more plugins:
+# mdbook-mermaid=x.y.z
+
+# Add other tool dependencies here as the project grows
+# Examples:
+# swift=5.9
+# python=3.11
+# node=20.10.0
+