diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.yml b/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 068dfb01931130e1a97945e95b8733445c45d502..eead0d128ea4ab7ee806e9141dfc11b8c756f9f4 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -1,47 +1,13 @@
 variables:
-  TESTV_DIR: "/usr/local/testv"
-  LTV_DIR: "/usr/local/ltv"
-  BUILD_OUTPUT: "build_output.txt"
-  EVS_BE_TEST_DIR: "/usr/local/be_2_evs_test"
-  EVS_BE_WIN_TEST_DIR: "C:/Users/gitlab-runner/testvec"
-  EXIT_CODE_NON_BE: 123
-  EXIT_CODE_FAIL: 1
-  PROCESSING_SCRIPTS_BIN_DIR: "/test-bin"
-  TESTS_DIR_CODEC_BE_ON_MR: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection"
-  SANITIZER_TESTS: "CLANG1 CLANG2 CLANG3"
-  OUT_FORMATS_CHANNEL_BASED: "stereo mono 5_1 5_1_2 5_1_4 7_1 7_1_4"
-  OUT_FORMATS_SCENE_BASED: "FOA HOA2 HOA3"
-  OUT_FORMATS_BINAURAL: "BINAURAL BINAURAL_ROOM_IR BINAURAL_ROOM_REVERB"
-  OUT_FORMATS_ALL: "$OUT_FORMATS_CHANNEL_BASED $OUT_FORMATS_SCENE_BASED $OUT_FORMATS_BINAURAL EXT"
-  IVAS_PIPELINE_NAME: ''
-  MANUAL_PIPELINE_TYPE:
-    description: "Type for the manual pipeline run. Use 'test-be-release' to run BE test against release codec."
-    value: 'default'
-    options:
-      - 'default'
-      - 'test-be-release'
-      - 'test-long-self-test'
-      - 'ivas-conformance'
-      - 'ivas-conformance-linux'
-      - 'check-clipping'
-      - 'test-branch-vs-input-passthrough'
-
-  GIT_CLEAN_FLAGS: -ffdxq
-  TESTCASE_TIMEOUT_STV_SANITIZERS: 240
-  TESTCASE_TIMEOUT_LTV_SANITIZERS: 2400
-  BASOP_REFERENCE_BRANCH: "ivas-float-update"
-  SCALE_FACTOR: "3.162"
-  PYTEST_ARGS: ""
-  LONG_TEST_SUITE: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection tests/renderer --param_file scripts/config/self_test_ltv.prm --use_ltv"
-  LONG_TEST_SUITE_NO_RENDERER: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection --param_file scripts/config/self_test_ltv.prm --use_ltv"
-  SHORT_TEST_SUITE: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection"
-  SHORT_TEST_SUITE_ENCODER: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection/test_param_file.py --param_file scripts/config/self_test_basop_encoder.prm"
-  LONG_TEST_SUITE_ENCODER: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection/test_param_file.py --param_file scripts/config/self_test_ltv_basop_encoder.prm"
-  TEST_SUITE: ""
-
-
-default:
-  interruptible: true # Make all jobs by default interruptible
+  # note: GitLab cannot reference variables defined by users in the include ref:, we need to use a YAML anchor for this
+  # see https://docs.gitlab.com/ci/yaml/includes/#use-variables-with-include for more information
+  IVAS_CODEC_CI_REF: &IVAS_CODEC_CI_REF 4eb4c0dfbdc845280a9994b5f7540f69c737537b
+
+include:
+  - local: .gitlab-ci/variables.yml
+  - project: ivas-codec-pc/ivas-codec-ci
+    ref: *IVAS_CODEC_CI_REF
+    file: main.yml
 
 # This sets when pipelines are created. Jobs have more specific rules to restrict them.
 workflow:
@@ -83,30 +49,12 @@ workflow:
       variables:
         IVAS_PIPELINE_NAME: 'Pass-through comparison vs input: $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH'
 
-stages:
-  - .pre
-  - maintenance
-  - prevalidate
-  - build
-  - test
-  - compare
-  - postvalidate
-  - deploy
-
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------
 # Generic script anchors
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 # These can be used later on to do common tasks
 
-# Prints useful information for every job and should be used at the beginning of each job
-.print-common-info: &print-common-info
-  - |
-    echo "Printing common information for build job."
-    echo "Current job is run on commit $CI_COMMIT_SHA"
-    echo "Commit time was $CI_COMMIT_TIMESTAMP"
-    date | xargs echo "System time is"
-
 .print-common-info-windows: &print-common-info-windows
   - |
     echo "Printing common information for build job."
@@ -114,31 +62,6 @@ stages:
     echo "Commit time was $CI_COMMIT_TIMESTAMP"
     ("echo 'System time is'", "Get-Date -Format 'dddd dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm K'") | Invoke-Expression
 
-.get-previous-merge-commit-sha: &get-previous-merge-commit-sha
-  - previous_merge_commit=$(git --no-pager log --merges HEAD~1 -n 1 --pretty=format:%H)
-
-.mr-fetch-target-branch: &mr-fetch-target-branch
-  # first delete local target branch to avoid conflicts when branch is cached and there are merge conflicts during fetching
-  # depending on chaching, the branch may not be there, so prevent failure of this command -> should maybe be done smarter later
-  - git branch -D $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME || true
-  # needed when depth is lower than the number of commits in the branch
-  - git fetch origin $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME:$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME
-
-.mr-get-target-commit: &mr-get-target-commit # compare to last target branch commit before pipeline was created
-  - target_commit=$(git log $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME -1 --oneline --before=${CI_PIPELINE_CREATED_AT} --format=%H)
-
-.check-for-testvectors: &check-for-testvectors # check if the testvector files specified in scripts/config/ci_linux*.json are present
-  - python3 -m pytest ci/test_vectors_available.py
-
-.disable-debugging-macro: &disable-debugging-macro
-# automatically disable #DEBUGGING macro in options.h using /**/-comment
-  - sed -i.bak -e "s/^[[:space:]]*\(#define[[:space:]]*DEBUGGING\)/\/\*\1\*\//g" lib_com/options.h
-
-.enable-debugging-macro: &enable-debugging-macro
-# automatically enable #DEBUGGING macro in options.h using either /**/-comment or //-comment
-  - sed -i.bak -e "s/\/\*\ *\(#define\ *DEBUGGING\ *\)\*\//\1/g" lib_com/options.h
-  - sed -i.bak -e "s/\/\/\ *\(#define\ *DEBUGGING\ *\)/\1/g" lib_com/options.h
-
 .get-basop-float-reference: &get-basop-float-reference
   - git clone -b $BASOP_REFERENCE_BRANCH https://forge.3gpp.org/rep/sa4/audio/ivas-basop.git --single-branch --depth 1 ivas-basop
   - cd ivas-basop
@@ -150,7 +73,7 @@ stages:
 
 .merge-request-comparison-setup-codec: &merge-request-comparison-setup-codec 
   ### build test binaries, initial clean for paranoia reasons
-  - *disable-debugging-macro
+  - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/disable-debugging-macro.sh
   - make clean
   - mkdir build
   - cd build
@@ -167,13 +90,13 @@ stages:
   - source_branch_commit_sha=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
 
   ### checkout version to compare against
-  - *mr-fetch-target-branch
-  - *mr-get-target-commit
+  - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/mr-fetch-target-branch.sh
+  - target_commit="$("${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/mr-get-target-commit.sh)"
   - git checkout $target_commit
   - echo "Building reference codec at commit $target_commit"
 
   ### build reference binaries
-  - *disable-debugging-macro
+  - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/disable-debugging-macro.sh
   - cd build
   - cmake ..
   - make -j
@@ -195,53 +118,27 @@ stages:
   - if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ] && [ $non_be_flag != 0 ]; then echo "Non-bitexact cases with non-BE tag encountered"; exit $EXIT_CODE_NON_BE; fi
   - exit 0
 
-.update-ltv-repo: &update-ltv-repo
-  - cd $LTV_DIR
-  - git pull
-  - cd -
-
 .update-ltv-repo-win: &update-ltv-repo-win
   - Push-Location
   - cd $LTV_DIR_WIN
   - git pull
   - Pop-Location
 
-.disable-limiter: &disable-limiter
-# automatically enable #define DISABLE_LIMITER in options.h, handling both /**/-comment and //-comment
-  - sed -i.bak -e "s/\/\*[[:space:]]*\(#define[[:space:]]*DISABLE_LIMITER\)[[:space:]]*\*\//\1/g" ./lib_com/options.h
-
-.get-commits-behind-count: &get-commits-behind-count
-  - echo $CI_COMMIT_SHA
-  - echo $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME
-  - commits_behind_count=$(git rev-list --count $CI_COMMIT_SHA..origin/$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME)
-
-.check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs: &check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs
-  - if [ $commits_behind_count -ne 0 ]; then echo "Your branch is not up-to-date with main -> Compare tests will not run as they can contain false negatives this way.\nMain might have changed during your pipeline run. Run 'git merge origin/main' to update."; exit 1; fi
-
-.copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir: &copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir
-    - cp "$LTV_DIR"/*.wav scripts/testv/
-    - cp "$LTV_DIR"/*.met scripts/testv/
-    - cp "$LTV_DIR"/*.csv scripts/testv/
-
 .copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir-win: &copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir-win
     - cp $LTV_DIR_WIN\*.wav scripts\testv
     - cp $LTV_DIR_WIN\*.met scripts\testv
     - cp $LTV_DIR_WIN\*.csv scripts\testv
 
-.activate-Werror-linux: &activate-Werror-linux
-  - sed -i.bak "s/^# \(CFLAGS += -Werror\)/\1/" Makefile
-  - sed -i.bak "s/# \(set(CMAKE_C_FLAGS \"\${CMAKE_C_FLAGS} -Werror\")\)/\1/" CMakeLists.txt
-
 .activate-WX-windows: &activate-WX-windows
   - (Get-Content -Path "CMakeLists.txt") -replace '# \(add_compile_options\("\/WX"\)\)', '$1' | Set-Content -Path "CMakeLists.txt"
   - Get-ChildItem -Path "Workspace_msvc" -Filter "*.vcxproj" | ForEach-Object { (Get-Content -Path $_.FullName) -replace '<TreatWarningAsError>false', '<TreatWarningAsError>true' | Set-Content -Path $_.FullName }
 
 # to be reused in MR and LTV-scheduled sanitizer test jobs
 # set CLANG_NUM, SELFTEST_SANITY_TIMEOUT and SELF_TEST_PRM_FILE in before_script section
-.sanitizer-selftest-anchor: &sanitizer-selftest-anchor
+.sanitizer-selftest-anchor:
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir.sh
     - make clean
     - make -j CLANG=$CLANG_NUM
     - testcase_timeout=$SELFTEST_SANITY_TIMEOUT
@@ -264,140 +161,6 @@ stages:
     - if [ $exit_code20 -ne 0 ] || [ $exit_code10 -ne 0 ] || [ $exit_code5 -ne 0 ]; then exit 1; fi
 
 
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------
-# Job templates
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------
-
-# When designing templates, try not to use too much inheritance and
-# if multiple templates and extended on, remember that on conflict,
-# latest overwrites the parameter.
-
-# templates for rules
-.rules-basis:
-  rules:
-    - if: $MIRROR_ACCESS_TOKEN # Don't run in the mirror update pipeline (only then MIRROR_ACCESS_TOKEN is defined)
-      when: never
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'schedule' # Don't run in any scheduled pipelines by default (use schedule templates below to enable again for certain conditions)
-      when: never
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'trigger' # Don't run triggered pipeline by default
-      when: never
-    - if: $MANUAL_PIPELINE_TYPE == 'test-be-release' # Skip all the normal jobs when testing manually against release codec
-      when: never
-    - if: $MANUAL_PIPELINE_TYPE == 'test-long-self-test' # Skip all the normal jobs when testing manually against release codec
-      when: never
-    - if: $MANUAL_PIPELINE_TYPE == 'ivas-conformance'
-      when: never      
-    - if: $MANUAL_PIPELINE_TYPE == 'ivas-conformance-linux'
-      when: never      
-    - if: $MANUAL_PIPELINE_TYPE == 'check-clipping'
-      when: never
-    - if: $MANUAL_PIPELINE_TYPE == 'test-branch-vs-input-passthrough'
-      when: never
-    - when: on_success
-
-.rules-merge-request-to-main:
-  extends: .rules-basis
-  rules:
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'merge_request_event' && $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "main"
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'push'
-      when: never
-
-.rules-merge-request-to-basop-ci-branch:
-  extends: .rules-basis
-  rules:
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'merge_request_event' && $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "basop-ci-branch"
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'push'
-      when: never
-
-.rules-merge-request-to-basop-ci-branch-or-main:
-  extends: .rules-basis
-  rules:
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'merge_request_event' && ($CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "basop-ci-branch" || $CI_MERGE_REQUEST_TARGET_BRANCH_NAME == "main")
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'push'
-      when: never
-
-.rules-main-push:
-  extends: .rules-basis
-  rules:
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'push' && $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
-
-.rules-main-scheduled:
-  extends: .rules-basis
-  rules:
-    - if: $CI_PIPELINE_SOURCE == 'schedule' && $CI_COMMIT_BRANCH == $CI_DEFAULT_BRANCH
-
-# templates to define stages and platforms
-.test-job-linux:
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
-
-.build-job-linux:
-  stage: build
-  timeout: "4 minutes"
-  needs: []
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
-
-.build-job-windows:
-  stage: build
-  needs: []
-  timeout: "4 minutes"
-  tags:
-    - ivas-windows
-
-# template for test jobs on linux that need the TESTV_DIR
-.test-job-linux-needs-testv-dir:
-  extends: .test-job-linux
-  before_script:
-    - if [ ! -d "$TESTV_DIR" ]; then mkdir -p $TESTV_DIR; fi
-    - python3 scripts/prepare_combined_format_inputs.py
-    - cp -r scripts/testv/* $TESTV_DIR/
-
-.sanitizer-selftest-on-mr:
-  stage: test
-  extends:
-    - .test-job-linux-needs-testv-dir
-    - .rules-merge-request-to-main
-  artifacts:
-    name: "mr-$CI_MERGE_REQUEST_IID--sha-$CI_COMMIT_SHORT_SHA--stage-$CI_JOB_STAGE--results"
-    expire_in: 1 week
-    when: always
-    paths:
-      - report-junit-20ms.xml
-      - report-junit-10ms.xml
-      - report-junit-5ms.xml
-      - report-20ms.html
-      - report-10ms.html
-      - report-5ms.html
-    expose_as: "Sanitizer selftest results"
-    reports:
-      junit:
-        - report-junit-20ms.xml
-        - report-junit-10ms.xml
-        - report-junit-5ms.xml
-
-.sanitizer-selftest-ltv:
-  stage: test
-  extends:
-    - .test-job-linux-needs-testv-dir
-  artifacts:
-    name: "$CI_JOB_NAME--sha-$CI_COMMIT_SHORT_SHA--results"
-    expire_in: 2 week
-    when: always
-    paths:
-      - report-junit-20ms.xml
-      - report-junit-10ms.xml
-      - report-junit-5ms.xml
-      - report-20ms.html
-      - report-10ms.html
-      - report-5ms.html
-    expose_as: "Sanitizer selftest results"
-    reports:
-      junit:
-        - report-junit-20ms.xml
-        - report-junit-10ms.xml
-        - report-junit-5ms.xml
-
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------
 # .pre jobs for setting up things
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -427,45 +190,49 @@ uninterruptible:
 branch-is-up-to-date-with-main-pre:
   extends:
     - .rules-merge-request-to-main
+    - .job-linux
   stage: prevalidate
   needs: []
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
   script:
-    - *get-commits-behind-count
-    - echo $commits_behind_count
-    - if [ $commits_behind_count -eq 0 ]; then exit 0; else echo "Your branch is behind main, run 'git merge origin/main' to update."; exit 1; fi;
+    - |
+      commits_behind_count="$(bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/get-commits-behind-count.sh)"
+      echo "Commits behind: $commits_behind_count"
+      if [ "$commits_behind_count" -ne 0 ]; then
+        echo "Your branch is behind main, run 'git merge origin/main' to update."
+        exit 1
+      fi
 
 check-self-test-names-pre:
   extends:
     - .rules-merge-request-to-main
+    - .job-linux
   stage: prevalidate
   needs: []
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
   script:
     - python3 ci/check_self_test_names.py scripts/config/self_test.prm 135
 
 check-no-duplicates-in-self-tests:
   extends:
     - .rules-merge-request-to-main
+    - .job-linux
   stage: prevalidate
   needs: []
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
   script:
     - python3 ci/find_duplicates_in_prm_files.py
 
 branch-is-up-to-date-with-main-post:
   extends:
     - .rules-merge-request-to-main
+    - .job-linux
   stage: postvalidate
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
   script:
-    - *get-commits-behind-count
-    - echo $commits_behind_count
-    - if [ $commits_behind_count -eq 0 ]; then exit 0; else echo "Your branch is behind main, possibly main changed during your pipeline run, run 'git merge origin/main' to update." exit 1; fi;
+    - |
+      commits_behind_count="$(bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/get-commits-behind-count.sh)"
+      echo "Commits behind: $commits_behind_count"
+      if [ "$commits_behind_count" -ne 0 ]; then
+        echo "Your branch is behind main, possibly main changed during your pipeline run, run 'git merge origin/main' to update."
+        exit 1
+      fi
 
 .basop-ci-branch-compat-template:
   extends:
@@ -474,12 +241,13 @@ branch-is-up-to-date-with-main-post:
   tags:
     - ivas-linux
   before_script:
+    - !reference [.job-linux, before_script]
     - python3 ci/remove_unsupported_testcases.py scripts/config/self_test.prm scripts/config/self_test_ltv.prm
     - python3 tests/create_short_testvectors.py
     - python3 scripts/prepare_combined_format_inputs.py
 
-    - *update-ltv-repo
-    - *copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir.sh
 
     - *get-basop-float-reference
 
@@ -558,8 +326,8 @@ build-codec-linux-make:
     - .build-job-linux
     - .rules-basis
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *activate-Werror-linux
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/activate-Werror-linux.sh
     - make -j
 
 build-codec-linux-cmake:
@@ -567,8 +335,8 @@ build-codec-linux-cmake:
     - .build-job-linux
     - .rules-basis
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *activate-Werror-linux
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/activate-Werror-linux.sh
     - mkdir build
     - cd build
     - cmake ..
@@ -581,7 +349,7 @@ build-codec-instrumented-linux:
     - .rules-basis
   timeout: "10 minutes"
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
     - ./scripts/prepare_instrumentation.sh
     - make -j -C scripts/c-code_instrument
 
@@ -591,8 +359,8 @@ build-codec-sanitizers-linux:
     - .build-job-linux
     - .rules-basis
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *activate-Werror-linux
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/activate-Werror-linux.sh
     - bash ci/build_codec_sanitizers_linux.sh
 
 build-codec-windows-cmake:
@@ -629,9 +397,9 @@ codec-smoke-test:
   stage: test
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake", "build-codec-linux-make", "build-codec-instrumented-linux", "build-codec-sanitizers-linux"]
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
     # LTV update needed as ltv ISM metadata files are used
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
 
     # for MRs to basop-ci-branch, we want to test with the BASOP float reference build
     # per default, the smoke test builds the current repo again with WMOPS activated to catch unbalanced instrumentation macros
@@ -664,38 +432,41 @@ codec-smoke-test:
 codec-msan:
   extends:
     - .sanitizer-selftest-on-mr
+    - .sanitizer-selftest-anchor
   tags:
     - ivas-linux-fast
   before_script:
+    - !reference [.job-linux, before_script]
     - CLANG_NUM=1
     - SELFTEST_SANITY_TIMEOUT=$TESTCASE_TIMEOUT_STV_SANITIZERS
     - SELF_TEST_PRM_FILE="scripts/config/self_test.prm"
     - USE_LTV=""
-  <<: *sanitizer-selftest-anchor
 
 # code selftest testvectors with address-sanitizer binaries
 codec-asan:
   extends:
     - .sanitizer-selftest-on-mr
+    - .sanitizer-selftest-anchor
   before_script:
+    - !reference [.job-linux, before_script]
     - CLANG_NUM=2
     - SELFTEST_SANITY_TIMEOUT=$TESTCASE_TIMEOUT_STV_SANITIZERS
     - SELF_TEST_PRM_FILE="scripts/config/self_test.prm"
     - USE_LTV=""
-  <<: *sanitizer-selftest-anchor
 
 # code selftest testvectors with undefined-behaviour-sanitizer binaries
 codec-usan:
   extends:
     - .sanitizer-selftest-on-mr
+    - .sanitizer-selftest-anchor
   tags:
     - ivas-linux-fast
   before_script:
+    - !reference [.job-linux, before_script]
     - CLANG_NUM=3
     - SELFTEST_SANITY_TIMEOUT=$TESTCASE_TIMEOUT_STV_SANITIZERS
     - SELF_TEST_PRM_FILE="scripts/config/self_test.prm"
     - USE_LTV=""
-  <<: *sanitizer-selftest-anchor
 
 # compare bit-exactness between 5ms and 20 on the branch
 pytest-compare-20ms-and-5ms-rendering:
@@ -705,8 +476,8 @@ pytest-compare-20ms-and-5ms-rendering:
   stage: test
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake", "build-codec-linux-make", "build-codec-instrumented-linux", "build-codec-sanitizers-linux"]
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *disable-limiter
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/float/disable-limiter.sh
     - make clean
     - make -j
     ### prepare pytest
@@ -852,9 +623,8 @@ renderer-pytest-on-merge-request:
   timeout: "20 minutes"
   stage: compare
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *get-commits-behind-count
-    - *check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/float/check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs.sh
     - *merge-request-comparison-setup-codec
 
     # some helper variables - "|| true" to prevent failures from grep not finding anything
@@ -937,9 +707,9 @@ split-rendering-pytest-on-merge-request:
   timeout: "30 minutes"
   stage: compare
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *get-commits-behind-count
-    - *check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - commits_behind_count="$(bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/get-commits-behind-count.sh)"
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/float/check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs.sh
 
     # some helper variables - "|| true" to prevent failures from grep not finding anything
     # write to temporary file as workaround for failures observed with piping echo
@@ -950,8 +720,8 @@ split-rendering-pytest-on-merge-request:
     # store the current commit hash
     - source_branch_commit_sha=$(git rev-parse HEAD)
 
-    - *mr-fetch-target-branch
-    - *mr-get-target-commit
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/mr-fetch-target-branch.sh
+    - target_commit="$("${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/mr-get-target-commit.sh)"
     - git checkout $target_commit
     - echo "Building reference codec at commit $target_commit"
 
@@ -1008,9 +778,9 @@ ivas-pytest-on-merge-request:
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake", "codec-smoke-test"]
   timeout: "14 minutes"
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *get-commits-behind-count
-    - *check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - commits_behind_count="$(bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/get-commits-behind-count.sh)"
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/float/check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs.sh
     - *merge-request-comparison-setup-codec
 
     # some helper variables - "|| true" to prevent failures from grep not finding anything
@@ -1062,9 +832,9 @@ ivas-interop-on-merge-request:
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake"]
   timeout: "10 minutes"
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *get-commits-behind-count
-    - *check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - commits_behind_count="$(bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/get-commits-behind-count.sh)"
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/float/check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs.sh
     - *merge-request-comparison-setup-codec
     # the next line is dependent on ref-using-main flag in the other tests, but here the flag does not make sense
     - git checkout $source_branch_commit_sha
@@ -1111,9 +881,9 @@ evs-pytest-on-merge-request:
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake", "codec-smoke-test"]
   timeout: "10 minutes"
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *get-commits-behind-count
-    - *check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - commits_behind_count="$(bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/get-commits-behind-count.sh)"
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/float/check-commits-behind-count-in-compare-jobs.sh
     - *merge-request-comparison-setup-codec
 
     # some helper variables - "|| true" to prevent failures from grep not finding anything
@@ -1163,7 +933,7 @@ voip-be-on-merge-request:
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-make"]
   timeout: "10 minutes"
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
     - make clean
     - make -j
     - python3 -m pytest tests/test_be_for_jbm_neutral_dly_profile.py
@@ -1219,16 +989,14 @@ check-first-frame-is-sid:
   extends:
     - .test-job-linux-needs-testv-dir
     - .rules-merge-request-to-main
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
   stage: test
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake"]
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     # this rm makes check-for-testvectors only check for the signals we actually need in this test
     - rm scripts/config/ci_linux_ltv.json scripts/config/ci_linux.json
-    - *check-for-testvectors
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/check-for-testvectors.sh
     - bash ci/run-first-frame-is-sid-test.sh
 
   artifacts:
@@ -1265,7 +1033,7 @@ check-bitexactness-hrtf-rom-and-file:
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake"]
   timeout: "5 minutes"
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
     - cmake .
     - make -j
     - python3 tests/create_short_testvectors.py --cut_len 1.0
@@ -1287,7 +1055,7 @@ check-bitexactness-ext-and-transport-format:
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake"]
   timeout: "5 minutes"
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
     - cmake .
     - make -j
     - python3 tests/create_short_testvectors.py --cut_len 1.0
@@ -1341,7 +1109,7 @@ be-2-evs-linux:
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake"]
   timeout: "20 minutes" # To be revisited
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
 
     - mkdir build
     - cd build
@@ -1365,9 +1133,9 @@ codec-comparison-on-main-push:
   needs: ["build-codec-linux-cmake"]
   timeout: "30 minutes" # To be revisited
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
     - latest_commit=$(git rev-parse HEAD) # Latest commit
-    - *get-previous-merge-commit-sha # Stored in previous_merge_commit shell variable now
+    - previous_merge_commit=$(git --no-pager log --merges HEAD~1 -n 1 --pretty=format:%H)
     - echo "Comparing changes from $previous_merge_commit to $latest_commit"
     - git --no-pager diff --stat $previous_merge_commit..$latest_commit
 
@@ -1565,8 +1333,8 @@ ivas-conformance:
       junit: report-junit.xml
 
 ivas-conformance-linux:
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
+  extends:
+    - .job-linux
   stage: test
   timeout: "90 minutes"
   rules:
@@ -1575,7 +1343,7 @@ ivas-conformance-linux:
     exit_codes:
       - 123
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
     - make -j
     - cp IVAS_cod IVAS_cod_ref
     - cp IVAS_dec IVAS_dec_ref
@@ -1672,8 +1440,8 @@ ivas-conformance-linux:
 
 
 test-long-self-test:
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux-fast
+  extends:
+    - .job-linux
   stage: compare
   resource_group: ivas-long-self-test-resource
   timeout: "50 minutes"
@@ -1683,8 +1451,8 @@ test-long-self-test:
     exit_codes:
       - 123
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
 
     ### build branch binaries
     - cmake . -Bbuild-test
@@ -1712,7 +1480,7 @@ test-long-self-test:
     ### prepare pytest
 
     # Copy test vectors from LTV to TESTV
-    - *copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir.sh
 
     # create references
     - exit_code_ref=0
@@ -1742,8 +1510,8 @@ test-long-self-test:
         - report-junit-ltv.xml
 
 check-clipping:
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
+  extends:
+    - .job-linux
   stage: test
   timeout: "30 minutes"
   rules:
@@ -1752,8 +1520,8 @@ check-clipping:
     exit_codes:
       - 123
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *enable-debugging-macro
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/enable-debugging-macro.sh
     - make -j
     - tests/scale_pcm.py ./scripts/testv/ $SCALE_FACTOR # Default: 3.162 (+10 dB). Can be set in manual trigger.
     - python3 -m pytest $TESTS_DIR_CODEC_BE_ON_MR -v --update_ref 1 --html=report.html --self-contained-html --junit-xml=report-junit.xml --ref_encoder_path ./IVAS_cod --ref_decoder_path ./IVAS_dec
@@ -1772,8 +1540,8 @@ check-clipping:
         - report-junit.xml
 
 test-branch-vs-input-passthrough:
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
+  extends:
+    - .job-linux
   stage: compare
   timeout: "30 minutes" # TBD
   rules:
@@ -1782,7 +1550,7 @@ test-branch-vs-input-passthrough:
     exit_codes:
       - 123
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
     - make -j
 
     - exit_code=0
@@ -1814,22 +1582,24 @@ test-branch-vs-input-passthrough:
 ltv-msan:
   extends:
     - .sanitizer-selftest-ltv
+    - .sanitizer-selftest-anchor
   rules:
     - if: $SANITIZER_SCHEDULE_E
   timeout: 4 hours
   tags:
     - ivas-linux-fast
   before_script:
+    - !reference [.job-linux, before_script]
     - CLANG_NUM=1
     - SELFTEST_SANITY_TIMEOUT=$TESTCASE_TIMEOUT_LTV_SANITIZERS
     - SELF_TEST_PRM_FILE="scripts/config/self_test_ltv.prm"
     - USE_LTV="--use_ltv"
-  <<: *sanitizer-selftest-anchor
 
 # code selftest long testvectors with address-sanitizer binaries
 ltv-asan:
   extends:
     - .sanitizer-selftest-ltv
+    - .sanitizer-selftest-anchor
   rules:
     - if: $SANITIZER_SCHEDULE_E
       when: delayed
@@ -1838,16 +1608,17 @@ ltv-asan:
     - ivas-linux-fast
   timeout: 4 hours
   before_script:
+    - !reference [.job-linux, before_script]
     - CLANG_NUM=2
     - SELFTEST_SANITY_TIMEOUT=$TESTCASE_TIMEOUT_LTV_SANITIZERS
     - SELF_TEST_PRM_FILE="scripts/config/self_test_ltv.prm"
     - USE_LTV="--use_ltv"
-  <<: *sanitizer-selftest-anchor
 
 # code selftest long testvectors with undefined-behaviour-sanitizer binaries
 ltv-usan:
   extends:
     - .sanitizer-selftest-ltv
+    - .sanitizer-selftest-anchor
   rules:
     - if: $SANITIZER_SCHEDULE_E
       when: delayed
@@ -1856,11 +1627,11 @@ ltv-usan:
     - ivas-linux-fast
   timeout: 4 hours
   before_script:
+    - !reference [.job-linux, before_script]
     - CLANG_NUM=3
     - SELFTEST_SANITY_TIMEOUT=$TESTCASE_TIMEOUT_LTV_SANITIZERS
     - SELF_TEST_PRM_FILE="scripts/config/self_test_ltv.prm"
     - USE_LTV="--use_ltv"
-  <<: *sanitizer-selftest-anchor
 
 .sanitizer-test-template:
   extends:
@@ -1893,7 +1664,7 @@ sanitizer-test-mono:
     - if: $SANITIZER_SCHEDULE_A
   timeout: 1.25 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py mono mono --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-stereo:
@@ -1904,7 +1675,7 @@ sanitizer-test-stereo:
       start_in: 1.25 hours
   timeout: 2.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py stereo $OUT_FORMATS_CHANNEL_BASED EXT --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-stereodmxevs:
@@ -1915,7 +1686,7 @@ sanitizer-test-stereodmxevs:
       start_in: 3.75 hours
   timeout: 1.25 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py StereoDmxEVS mono --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-mc-5_1:
@@ -1926,7 +1697,7 @@ sanitizer-test-mc-5_1:
       start_in: 5 hours
   timeout: 2.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py 5_1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-mc-5_1_2:
@@ -1937,7 +1708,7 @@ sanitizer-test-mc-5_1_2:
       start_in: 7.5 hours
   timeout: 2.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py 5_1_2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-mc-5_1_4:
@@ -1948,7 +1719,7 @@ sanitizer-test-mc-5_1_4:
       start_in: 10 hours
   timeout: 3.75 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py 5_1_4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-mc-7_1:
@@ -1959,7 +1730,7 @@ sanitizer-test-mc-7_1:
       start_in: 13.75 hours
   timeout: 2.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py 7_1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-mc-7_1_4:
@@ -1970,7 +1741,7 @@ sanitizer-test-mc-7_1_4:
       start_in: 16.25 hours
   timeout: 5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py 7_1_4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-ism+1:
@@ -1981,7 +1752,7 @@ sanitizer-test-ism+1:
       start_in: 21.25 hours
   timeout: 1.25 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py ISM1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-ism+2:
@@ -1992,7 +1763,7 @@ sanitizer-test-ism+2:
       start_in: 22.5 hours
   timeout: 2.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py ISM2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-ism+3:
@@ -2003,7 +1774,7 @@ sanitizer-test-ism+3:
       start_in: 25 hours
   timeout: 3.75 hour
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py ISM3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-ism+4:
@@ -2014,7 +1785,7 @@ sanitizer-test-ism+4:
       start_in: 28.75 hours
   timeout: 5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py ISM4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-masa:
@@ -2025,7 +1796,7 @@ sanitizer-test-masa:
       start_in: 33.75 hours
   timeout: 10 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py MASA $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 ### --- sanitizer schedule B ---
@@ -2040,7 +1811,7 @@ sanitizer-test-foa:
   rules:
     - if: $SANITIZER_SCHEDULE_B
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py FOA $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-hoa2:
@@ -2050,7 +1821,7 @@ sanitizer-test-hoa2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 7.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-hoa3:
@@ -2060,7 +1831,7 @@ sanitizer-test-hoa3:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 15 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-foa-ism1:
@@ -2070,7 +1841,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-foa-ism1:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 22.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py FOA-ISM1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-foa-ism2:
@@ -2080,7 +1851,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-foa-ism2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 30 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py FOA-ISM2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-foa-ism3:
@@ -2090,7 +1861,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-foa-ism3:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 37.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py FOA-ISM3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-foa-ism4:
@@ -2100,7 +1871,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-foa-ism4:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 45 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py FOA-ISM4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-hoa2-ism1:
@@ -2110,7 +1881,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-hoa2-ism1:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 52.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA2-ISM1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-hoa2-ism2:
@@ -2120,7 +1891,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-hoa2-ism2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 60 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA2-ISM2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-hoa2-ism3:
@@ -2130,7 +1901,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-hoa2-ism3:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 67.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA2-ISM3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-hoa2-ism4:
@@ -2140,7 +1911,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-hoa2-ism4:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 75 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA2-ISM4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-hoa3-ism1:
@@ -2150,7 +1921,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-hoa3-ism1:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 82.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA3-ISM1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-hoa3-ism2:
@@ -2160,7 +1931,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-hoa3-ism2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 90 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA3-ISM2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-omasa-ism4:
@@ -2171,7 +1942,7 @@ sanitizer-test-omasa-ism4:
       start_in: 97.5 hours
   timeout: 10 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py MASA-ISM4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 
@@ -2187,7 +1958,7 @@ sanitizer-test-omasa-ism1:
   rules:
     - if: $SANITIZER_SCHEDULE_C
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py MASA-ISM1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-omasa-ism2:
@@ -2197,7 +1968,7 @@ sanitizer-test-omasa-ism2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 10 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py MASA-ISM2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-omasa-ism3:
@@ -2207,7 +1978,7 @@ sanitizer-test-omasa-ism3:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 20 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py MASA-ISM3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-hoa3-ism3:
@@ -2218,7 +1989,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-hoa3-ism3:
       start_in: 30 hours
   timeout: 7.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA3-ISM3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-hoa3-ism4:
@@ -2229,7 +2000,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-hoa3-ism4:
       start_in: 37.5 hours
   timeout: 7.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py HOA3-ISM4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 ### --- sanitizer schedule D ---
@@ -2244,7 +2015,7 @@ sanitizer-test-planar-foa:
   rules:
     - if: $SANITIZER_SCHEDULE_D
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarFOA $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-planar-hoa2:
@@ -2254,7 +2025,7 @@ sanitizer-test-planar-hoa2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 7.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-planar-hoa3:
@@ -2264,7 +2035,7 @@ sanitizer-test-planar-hoa3:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 15 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-foa-ism1:
@@ -2274,7 +2045,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-foa-ism1:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 22.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarFOA-ISM1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-foa-ism2:
@@ -2284,7 +2055,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-foa-ism2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 30 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarFOA-ISM2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-foa-ism3:
@@ -2294,7 +2065,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-foa-ism3:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 37.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarFOA-ISM3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-foa-ism4:
@@ -2304,7 +2075,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-foa-ism4:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 45 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarFOA-ISM4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa2-ism1:
@@ -2314,7 +2085,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa2-ism1:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 52.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA2-ISM1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa2-ism2:
@@ -2324,7 +2095,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa2-ism2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 60 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA2-ISM2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa2-ism3:
@@ -2334,7 +2105,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa2-ism3:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 67.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA2-ISM3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa2-ism4:
@@ -2344,7 +2115,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa2-ism4:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 75 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA2-ISM4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa3-ism1:
@@ -2354,7 +2125,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa3-ism1:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 82.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA3-ISM1 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa3-ism2:
@@ -2364,7 +2135,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa3-ism2:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 90 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA3-ISM2 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa3-ism3:
@@ -2374,7 +2145,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa3-ism3:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 97.5 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA3-ISM3 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa3-ism4:
@@ -2384,7 +2155,7 @@ sanitizer-test-osba-planar-hoa3-ism4:
       when: delayed
       start_in: 105 hours
   script:
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - python3 ci/run_scheduled_sanitizer_test.py PlanarHOA3-ISM4 $OUT_FORMATS_ALL --tests $SANITIZER_TESTS
 
 
@@ -2402,9 +2173,9 @@ coverage-test-on-main-scheduled:
     - if: $COVERAGE_TEST
   timeout: 3 hours
   script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *update-ltv-repo
-    - *copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/copy-ltv-files-to-testv-dir.sh
     - make GCOV=1 -j
     - cp IVAS_rend IVAS_rend_ref # Copy exec to be able to run renderer script
 
@@ -2509,8 +2280,9 @@ coverage-test-on-main-scheduled:
   timeout: 3 hours 30 minutes
   stage: test
   before_script:
-    - *print-common-info
-    - *update-ltv-repo
+    - !reference [.job-linux, before_script]
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/print-common-info.sh
+    - bash "${CI_PROJECT_DIR}"/ivas-codec-ci/snippets/update-ltv-repo.sh
     - *complexity-measurements-setup
   allow_failure:
     exit_codes:
@@ -2827,8 +2599,8 @@ complexity-osba-in-binaural_room_ir-out:
 # job that sets up gitlab pages website
 pages:
   stage: deploy
-  tags:
-    - ivas-linux
+  extends:
+    - .job-linux
   rules:
     - if: $UPDATE_PAGES
   script:
diff --git a/.gitlab-ci/variables.yml b/.gitlab-ci/variables.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..50f6f405c03d899f85761e03c765faaf97156205
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitlab-ci/variables.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+variables:
+  EVS_BE_TEST_DIR: "/usr/local/be_2_evs_test"
+  EVS_BE_WIN_TEST_DIR: "C:/Users/gitlab-runner/testvec"
+  PROCESSING_SCRIPTS_BIN_DIR: "/test-bin"
+  SANITIZER_TESTS: "CLANG1 CLANG2 CLANG3"
+  OUT_FORMATS_CHANNEL_BASED: "stereo mono 5_1 5_1_2 5_1_4 7_1 7_1_4"
+  OUT_FORMATS_SCENE_BASED: "FOA HOA2 HOA3"
+  OUT_FORMATS_BINAURAL: "BINAURAL BINAURAL_ROOM_IR BINAURAL_ROOM_REVERB"
+  OUT_FORMATS_ALL: "$OUT_FORMATS_CHANNEL_BASED $OUT_FORMATS_SCENE_BASED $OUT_FORMATS_BINAURAL EXT"
+  MANUAL_PIPELINE_TYPE:
+    description: "Type for the manual pipeline run. Use 'test-be-release' to run BE test against release codec."
+    value: 'default'
+    options:
+      - 'default'
+      - 'test-be-release'
+      - 'test-long-self-test'
+      - 'ivas-conformance'
+      - 'ivas-conformance-linux'
+      - 'check-clipping'
+      - 'test-branch-vs-input-passthrough'
+
+  PYTEST_ARGS: ""
+  LONG_TEST_SUITE: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection tests/renderer --param_file scripts/config/self_test_ltv.prm --use_ltv"
+  LONG_TEST_SUITE_NO_RENDERER: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection --param_file scripts/config/self_test_ltv.prm --use_ltv"
+  SHORT_TEST_SUITE: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection"
+  SHORT_TEST_SUITE_ENCODER: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection/test_param_file.py --param_file scripts/config/self_test_basop_encoder.prm"
+  LONG_TEST_SUITE_ENCODER: "tests/codec_be_on_mr_nonselection/test_param_file.py --param_file scripts/config/self_test_ltv_basop_encoder.prm"
+  TEST_SUITE: ""