diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index cfe3d3746..79e4de58b 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -20,11 +20,21 @@ Common commands:
 * Format Rust: `cargo fmt --all`
 * Format Python: `ruff format .`
 * Lint Python: `ruff check .`
+* Bootstrap Python dev env: `cd python && uv run --extra tests --extra dev maturin develop --extras tests,dev`
+* Run Python tests: `cd python && uv run --extra tests pytest python/tests -vv --durations=10 -m "not slow and not s3_test"`
+* Run specific Python test: `cd python && uv run --extra tests pytest python/tests/<test_file>.py::<test_name> -q`
+
+For Python validation, prefer the uv-managed environment declared by `python/uv.lock`.
+Do not treat system `python`, global `pytest`, or missing editable-install errors as
+final blockers; bootstrap or enter the uv environment instead. If `lancedb._lancedb`
+is missing or stale, or if Rust/PyO3 binding code changed, rebuild the Python
+extension with the bootstrap command above before running tests.
 
 Before committing changes, run formatting for every language you touched. At minimum:
 
 * Rust changes: run `cargo fmt --all`.
-* Python changes: run `ruff format .` and `ruff check .` from the repository root.
+* Python changes: run `ruff format .` and `ruff check .` from the repository root,
+  and run targeted tests through `cd python && uv run ...`.
 * TypeScript changes: run the relevant `npm`/`pnpm` lint, format, build, and docs commands in `nodejs`.
 
 Before creating a PR, make sure the PR title follows Conventional Commits, such as
diff --git a/python/AGENTS.md b/python/AGENTS.md
index 993e83cf9..b263ff5f8 100644
--- a/python/AGENTS.md
+++ b/python/AGENTS.md
@@ -4,16 +4,26 @@ code is in the `src/` directory and the Python bindings are in the `lancedb/` di
 
 Common commands:
 
+* Bootstrap dev env: `uv run --extra tests --extra dev maturin develop --extras tests,dev`
 * Build: `make develop`
 * Format: `make format`
 * Lint: `make check`
 * Fix lints: `make fix`
-* Test: `make test`
-* Doc test: `make doctest`
+* Test: `uv run --extra tests pytest python/tests -vv --durations=10 -m "not slow and not s3_test"`
+* Run specific test: `uv run --extra tests pytest python/tests/<test_file>.py::<test_name> -q`
+* Doc test: `uv run --extra tests pytest --doctest-modules python/lancedb`
+
+Use the uv-managed environment declared by `uv.lock` for Python validation. Do
+not treat system `python`, global `pytest`, or missing editable-install errors
+as final blockers; bootstrap or enter the uv environment instead. `make test`
+and `make doctest` assume the development environment is already prepared.
 
 Before committing changes, run lints and then formatting.
 
-When you change the Rust code, you will need to recompile the Python bindings: `make develop`.
+When you change the Rust code, PyO3 binding code, or see a missing/stale
+`lancedb._lancedb`, recompile the Python bindings with
+`uv run --extra tests --extra dev maturin develop --extras tests,dev` before
+running tests.
 
 When you export new types from Rust to Python, you must manually update `python/lancedb/_lancedb.pyi`
 with the corresponding type hints. You can run `pyright` to check for type errors in the Python code.