diff --git a/cookiecutter.json b/cookiecutter.json
index b4fc107..35b6bbc 100644
--- a/cookiecutter.json
+++ b/cookiecutter.json
@@ -22,6 +22,5 @@
     ],
     "__python_module": "{{ cookiecutter|modname }}",
     "_catch_version": "2.13.10",
-    "_cibuildwheel_version": "2.13.1",
-    "_pybind_version": "2.10.4"
+    "_cibuildwheel_version": "2.22.0"
 }
diff --git a/hooks/post_gen_project.py b/hooks/post_gen_project.py
index 1db99ec..3bba2bc 100644
--- a/hooks/post_gen_project.py
+++ b/hooks/post_gen_project.py
@@ -74,7 +74,6 @@ def conditional_remove(condition, path):
 conditional_remove("{{ cookiecutter.doxygen }}" == "No" and "{{ cookiecutter.readthedocs }}" == "No", "doc")
 conditional_remove("{{ cookiecutter.python_bindings }}" == "No", "pyproject.toml")
 conditional_remove("{{ cookiecutter.python_bindings }}" == "No", "requirements-dev.txt")
-conditional_remove("{{ cookiecutter.python_bindings }}" == "No", "setup.py")
 conditional_remove("{{ cookiecutter.python_bindings }}" == "No", "python")
 conditional_remove("{{ cookiecutter.python_bindings }}" == "No", "tests/python")
 conditional_remove("{{ cookiecutter.pypi_release }}" != "Yes", ".github/workflows/pypi.yml")
@@ -92,8 +91,6 @@ def conditional_remove(condition, path):
 {% endif %}
 {% if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "Yes" %}
     repo.add_submodule("https://github.com/catchorg/Catch2.git", "ext/Catch2", tag="v{{ cookiecutter._catch_version }}")
-    if "{{ cookiecutter.python_bindings }}" == "Yes":
-        repo.add_submodule("https://github.com/pybind/pybind11.git", "ext/pybind11", tag="v{{ cookiecutter._pybind_version }}")
 {% else %}
     pass
 {% endif %}
diff --git a/requirements-dev.txt b/requirements-dev.txt
index 69a7fa6..215658b 100644
--- a/requirements-dev.txt
+++ b/requirements-dev.txt
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ flaky
 jsonschema
 packaging
 pre-commit
-pybind11
 PyGithub
 pytest
 pytest-cookies
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 2eba7b4..575f905 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -15,9 +15,6 @@ on:
 {%- if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "No" %}
 env:
   CATCH2_VERSION: {{ cookiecutter._catch_version }}
-{%- if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
-  PYBIND11_VERSION: {{ cookiecutter._pybind_version }}
-{%- endif %}
 {%- endif %}
 
 jobs:
@@ -55,27 +52,6 @@ jobs:
         cd build
         cmake -DBUILD_TESTING=OFF  ..
         cmake --build . --target install
-{% if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
-    - name: Install Pybind11 (Linux + MacOS)
-      if: runner.os != 'Windows'
-      run: |
-        git clone -b v$PYBIND11_VERSION https://github.com/pybind/pybind11.git
-        cd pybind11
-        mkdir build
-        cd build
-        cmake -DBUILD_TESTING=OFF  ..
-        sudo cmake --build . --target install
-
-    - name: Install Pybind11 (Windows)
-      if: runner.os == 'Windows'
-      run: |
-        git clone -b v$Env:PYBIND11_VERSION https://github.com/pybind/pybind11.git
-        cd pybind11
-        mkdir build
-        cd build
-        cmake -DBUILD_TESTING=OFF  ..
-        cmake --build . --target install
-{%- endif %}
 {%- endif %}
 
     - name: make build directory
@@ -113,7 +89,7 @@ jobs:
     - name: Set up Python
       uses: actions/setup-python@v5
       with:
-        python-version: 3.8
+        python-version: "3.13"
 
     - name: Run Python tests
       shell: bash
@@ -148,32 +124,33 @@ jobs:
         cd build
         cmake -DBUILD_TESTING=OFF  ..
         sudo cmake --build . --target install
+{%- endif %}
 
 {% if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
-    - name: Install Pybind11
-      if: runner.os != 'Windows'
+    - name: Install Python package editable
       run: |
-        git clone -b v$PYBIND11_VERSION https://github.com/pybind/pybind11.git
-        cd pybind11
-        mkdir build
-        cd build
-        cmake -DBUILD_TESTING=OFF  ..
-        sudo cmake --build . --target install
-{%- endif %}
-{%- endif %}
-
-    - name: make build directory
+        python -m pip install scikit_build_core pybind11[global]
+        python -m pip install --no-build-isolation --config-settings=build-dir="${{ "{{ github.workspace }}" }}/build" --config-settings=cmake.define.CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS="--coverage" --config-settings=cmake.define.BUILD_TESTING="ON" -v -e .
+        python -m pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
+    
+    - name: Run Python tests
+      run: |
+        python -m pytest --cov --cov-report=xml
+{% else %}
+    - name: Creat cmake build directory
       run: cmake -E make_directory ${{ "{{ github.workspace }}" }}/build
 
     - name: configure cmake
       shell: bash
       working-directory: ${{ "{{ github.workspace }}" }}/build
-      run: cmake $GITHUB_WORKSPACE -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS="--coverage" -DBUILD_DOCS=OFF
+      run: |
+        cmake $GITHUB_WORKSPACE -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS="--coverage" -DBUILD_DOCS=OFF
 
     - name: build
       shell: bash
       working-directory: ${{ "{{ github.workspace }}" }}/build
       run: cmake --build .
+{% endif %}
 
     - name: run tests
       shell: bash
@@ -184,11 +161,11 @@ jobs:
       shell: bash
       working-directory: ${{ "{{ github.workspace }}" }}
       run: |
-        lcov --directory ./build{% if cookiecutter.header_only == "No" %}/src{% endif %} --capture --output-file coverage.info
+        lcov --directory ./build{% if cookiecutter.header_only == "No" %}/src{% endif %} --capture --output-file coverage.info  --ignore-errors mismatch
 
-    - name: Upload coverage to Codecov
+    - name: Upload C++ coverage to Codecov
       uses: codecov/codecov-action@v5
       with:
         fail_ci_if_error: true
-        files: ${{ "{{github.workspace}}" }}/coverage.info
+        files: ${{ "{{github.workspace}}" }}/coverage.info{% if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %},coverage.xml{% endif %}
 {% endif %}
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/.gitlab-ci.yml b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/.gitlab-ci.yml
index 743aa7b..1172b1f 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/.gitlab-ci.yml
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/.gitlab-ci.yml
@@ -3,9 +3,6 @@ variables:
   GIT_SUBMODULE_STRATEGY: recursive
 {%- else %}
   CATCH2_VERSION: {{ cookiecutter._catch_version }}
-{%- if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
-  PYBIND11_VERSION: {{ cookiecutter._pybind_version }}
-{%- endif %}
 {%- endif %}
 
 .template: &template
@@ -16,15 +13,6 @@ variables:
     - echo "Installing potential dependencies..."
 {% if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
     - apt install -y python3-dev
-{% if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "No" %}
-    - git clone -b v$PYBIND11_VERSION https://github.com/pybind/pybind11.git
-    - cd pybind11
-    - mkdir build
-    - cd build
-    - cmake -DBUILD_TESTING=OFF ..
-    - make install
-    - cd ../..
-{% endif %}
 {%- endif %}
 {% if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "No" %}
     - git clone -b v$CATCH2_VERSION https://github.com/catchorg/Catch2.git
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/CMakeLists.txt b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/CMakeLists.txt
index 971d169..2dee36c 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ set(CMAKE_POSITION_INDEPENDENT_CODE ON)
 
 # Compilation options
 {%- if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
-option(BUILD_PYTHON "Enable building of Python bindings" ON)
+option(BUILD_PYTHON "Enable building of Python bindings" OFF)
 {%- endif %}
 {%- if cookiecutter.doxygen == "Yes" or cookiecutter.readthedocs == "Yes" %}
 option(BUILD_DOCS "Enable building of documentation" ON)
@@ -75,11 +75,7 @@ endif()
 {%- if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
 if(BUILD_PYTHON)
   # Add Python bindings
-  {%- if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "Yes" %}
-  add_subdirectory(ext/pybind11)
-  {% else %}
-  find_package(pybind11)
-  {%- endif %}
+  find_package(pybind11 REQUIRED)
   # Compile the Pybind11 module
   pybind11_add_module(_{{ cookiecutter|modname }} python/{{ cookiecutter|modname }}/_{{ cookiecutter.project_slug }}.cpp)
   target_link_libraries(_{{ cookiecutter|modname }} PUBLIC {{ cookiecutter.project_slug }})
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/FILESTRUCTURE.md b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/FILESTRUCTURE.md
index be2f14b..306d98e 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/FILESTRUCTURE.md
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/FILESTRUCTURE.md
@@ -101,11 +101,9 @@ generated for you:
   * `.gitmodules` tracks the state of added submodules
 {%- endif %}
 {%- if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
-  * `setup.py` describes the Python package build process. This file enables you to also
-    install your software using e.g. `pip`.
   * `pyproject.toml` provides information about the Python project and its toolchain.
-    `pip` uses this file before even executing `setup.py` to determine dependencies
-    of the build process itself. Additionally, it can be used to configure tools like `pytest`.
+    `pip` uses this file to control the entire build process. Additionally, it can be
+    used to configure tools like `pytest`.
 {%- if cookiecutter.pypi_release == "Yes" -%}
     Additionally, this file is needed for the automated release process to PyPI.
   * `.github/workflows/pypi.yml` defines the workflow that deploys to PyPI. The
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/TODO.md b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/TODO.md
index b1f5e45..8192e76 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/TODO.md
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/TODO.md
@@ -13,9 +13,6 @@ The following tasks need to be done to get a fully working project:
   * CMake `>= 3.9`
 {%- if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "No" %}
   * The testing framework [Catch2](https://github.com/catchorg/Catch2)
-{%- if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" -%}
-  * The [PyBind11](https://github.com/pybind/pybind11) library
-{%- endif %}
 {%- endif %}
 {%- if cookiecutter.external_dependency != "None" %}
   * Adapt your list of external dependencies in `CMakeLists.txt` and `{{ cookiecutter.project_slug }}Config.cmake.in`.
@@ -43,7 +40,7 @@ The following tasks need to be done to get a fully working project:
   on Debian or Ubuntu.
 {%- endif %}
 {%- if cookiecutter.python_bindings == "Yes" %}
-* Edit the parameters of `setup()` in `setup.py` file to contain the necessary information
+* Edit the parameters of `pyproject.toml` file to contain the necessary information
   about your project, such as your email adress, PyPI classifiers and a short project description.
 {%- endif %}
 {%- if cookiecutter.pypi_release == "Yes" %}
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/pyproject.toml b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/pyproject.toml
index 392890e..eb4e09d 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/pyproject.toml
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/pyproject.toml
@@ -3,15 +3,10 @@
 # introduce pyproject.toml
 [build-system]
 requires = [
-    "setuptools>=61",
-    "wheel",
-    "scikit-build",
-    "cmake>=3.9",
-{%- if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "No" %}
-    "pybind11[global]=={{ cookiecutter._pybind_version }}",
-{%- endif %}
+    "scikit-build-core",
+    "pybind11[global]",
 ]
-build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
+build-backend = "scikit_build_core.build"
 
 # This section provides general project metadata that is used across
 # a variety of build tools. Notably, the version specified here is the
@@ -43,9 +38,15 @@ classifiers = [
 ]
 dependencies = []
 
-# NB: Setuptools-specific build options are currently still stored
-#     in setup.py, as scikit-build is not (yet) supporting PEP621.
-#     Later on, these will be stored in [tool.setuptools]
+# The configuration for the scikit-build-core build process
+[tool.scikit-build]
+cmake.version = ">=3.9"
+build.verbose = true
+
+[tool.scikit-build.cmake.define]
+BUILD_PYTHON = "ON"
+BUILD_TESTING = "OFF"
+BUILD_DOCS = "OFF"
 
 # The following is the configuration for the pytest test suite
 [tool.pytest.ini_options]
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/python/{{cookiecutter.__python_module}}/__init__.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/python/{{cookiecutter.__python_module}}/__init__.py
index 9990c51..65bff69 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/python/{{cookiecutter.__python_module}}/__init__.py
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/python/{{cookiecutter.__python_module}}/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from {{ cookiecutter|modname }}._{{ cookiecutter|modname }} import add_one
+from _{{ cookiecutter|modname }} import add_one
 
 # Export the version given in project metadata
 from importlib import metadata
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/requirements-dev.txt b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/requirements-dev.txt
index e079f8a..97c2a37 100644
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/requirements-dev.txt
+++ b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/requirements-dev.txt
@@ -1 +1,4 @@
 pytest
+{% if cookiecutter.codecovio == "Yes" %}
+pytest-cov
+{% endif %}
diff --git a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/setup.py b/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/setup.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 21279e2..0000000
--- a/{{cookiecutter.project_slug}}/setup.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-from skbuild import setup
-{%- if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "No" %}
-import os
-import pybind11
-{%- endif %}
-
-
-setup(
-    packages=["{{ cookiecutter|modname }}"],
-    package_dir={"": "python"},
-    zip_safe=False,
-    cmake_args=[
-        "-DBUILD_TESTING=OFF",
-        "-DBUILD_DOCS=OFF",
-{%- if cookiecutter.use_submodules == "No" %}
-        f"-DCMAKE_PREFIX_PATH={os.path.dirname(pybind11.__file__)}",
-{%- endif %}
-    ],
-    cmake_install_dir="python/{{ cookiecutter|modname }}",
-)