diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index b424006..b361e7a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -36,31 +36,36 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           git config --global core.autocrlf false
 
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.x'
+
       - name: Verify script executability
         run: |
-          chmod +x scripts/**/*.sh || true
+          chmod +x scripts/**/*.py || true
 
       - name: Required validations
         run: |
           set -e
 
-          scripts/validate/manifest.sh
-          scripts/validate/xml_wellformed.sh
-          scripts/validate/workflows.sh
+          python3 scripts/validate/manifest.py
+          python3 scripts/validate/xml_wellformed.py
+          python3 scripts/validate/workflows.py
 
       - name: Optional validations
         run: |
           set +e
 
-          scripts/validate/changelog.sh
-          scripts/validate/language_structure.sh
-          scripts/validate/license_headers.sh
-          scripts/validate/no_secrets.sh
-          scripts/validate/paths.sh
-          scripts/validate/php_syntax.sh
-          scripts/validate/tabs.sh
-          scripts/validate/version_alignment.sh
-          scripts/validate/version_hierarchy.sh
+          python3 scripts/validate/changelog.py || echo "changelog validation not yet converted"
+          python3 scripts/validate/language_structure.py || echo "language_structure validation not yet converted"
+          python3 scripts/validate/license_headers.py || echo "license_headers validation not yet converted"
+          python3 scripts/validate/no_secrets.py
+          python3 scripts/validate/paths.py
+          python3 scripts/validate/php_syntax.py
+          python3 scripts/validate/tabs.py
+          python3 scripts/validate/version_alignment.py || echo "version_alignment validation not yet converted"
+          python3 scripts/validate/version_hierarchy.py || echo "version_hierarchy validation not yet converted"
 
       - name: CI summary
         if: always()
diff --git a/.github/workflows/deploy_staging.yml b/.github/workflows/deploy_staging.yml
index a2c7741..82ce92c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/deploy_staging.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/deploy_staging.yml
@@ -53,26 +53,31 @@ jobs:
             exit 1
           fi
 
+      - name: Set up Python
+        uses: actions/setup-python@v5
+        with:
+          python-version: '3.x'
+
       - name: Run pre-deployment validations
         run: |
-          chmod +x scripts/validate/*.sh
+          chmod +x scripts/validate/*.py
           
           # Required validations
-          scripts/validate/manifest.sh
-          scripts/validate/xml_wellformed.sh
-          scripts/validate/php_syntax.sh
+          python3 scripts/validate/manifest.py
+          python3 scripts/validate/xml_wellformed.py
+          python3 scripts/validate/php_syntax.py
 
       - name: Build deployment package
         id: build
         run: |
-          chmod +x scripts/release/package_extension.sh
+          chmod +x scripts/release/package_extension.py
           
           VERSION="${{ inputs.version }}"
           if [ -z "${VERSION}" ]; then
             VERSION=$(grep -oP '<version>\K[^<]+' src/templates/templateDetails.xml | head -n 1)
           fi
           
-          scripts/release/package_extension.sh dist "${VERSION}"
+          python3 scripts/release/package_extension.py dist "${VERSION}"
           
           ZIP_FILE=$(ls dist/*.zip | head -n 1)
           echo "package=${ZIP_FILE}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release_pipeline.yml b/.github/workflows/release_pipeline.yml
index 52ec397..d83500a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release_pipeline.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release_pipeline.yml
@@ -103,21 +103,20 @@ jobs:
             # Check if REF_NAME is main or matches version pattern
             if [ "${REF_NAME}" = "main" ]; then
               # Infer version from manifest when on main branch
-              SCRIPT_LIB_DIR="${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/scripts/lib"
-              if [ ! -f "${SCRIPT_LIB_DIR}/joomla_manifest.sh" ]; then
-                echo "ERROR: Cannot find joomla_manifest.sh library" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
-                exit 1
-              fi
-              
-              # Source the library functions
-              . "${SCRIPT_LIB_DIR}/joomla_manifest.sh"
-              
-              # Find and extract version from manifest
-              MANIFEST="$(find_manifest "${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/src")"
-              VERSION="$(get_manifest_version "${MANIFEST}")"
+              # Use Python library for cross-platform compatibility
+              VERSION=$(python3 -c "
+import sys
+sys.path.insert(0, '${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/scripts/lib')
+import extension_utils
+ext_info = extension_utils.get_extension_info('${GITHUB_WORKSPACE}/src')
+if ext_info:
+    print(ext_info.version)
+else:
+    sys.exit(1)
+              ")
               
               if [ -z "${VERSION}" ]; then
-                echo "ERROR: Failed to extract version from manifest: ${MANIFEST}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
+                echo "ERROR: Failed to extract version from manifest" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
                 exit 1
               fi
               
@@ -552,19 +551,19 @@ jobs:
           set -euo pipefail
 
           required_scripts=(
-            "scripts/validate/manifest.sh"
-            "scripts/validate/xml_wellformed.sh"
+            "scripts/validate/manifest.py"
+            "scripts/validate/xml_wellformed.py"
           )
 
           optional_scripts=(
-            "scripts/validate/changelog.sh"
-            "scripts/validate/language_structure.sh"
-            "scripts/validate/license_headers.sh"
-            "scripts/validate/no_secrets.sh"
-            "scripts/validate/paths.sh"
-            "scripts/validate/php_syntax.sh"
-            "scripts/validate/tabs.sh"
-            "scripts/validate/version_alignment.sh"
+            "scripts/validate/changelog.py"
+            "scripts/validate/language_structure.py"
+            "scripts/validate/license_headers.py"
+            "scripts/validate/no_secrets.py"
+            "scripts/validate/paths.py"
+            "scripts/validate/php_syntax.py"
+            "scripts/validate/tabs.py"
+            "scripts/validate/version_alignment.py"
           )
 
           missing=()
@@ -596,7 +595,7 @@ jobs:
           for s in "${required_scripts[@]}" "${optional_scripts[@]}"; do
             if [ -f "${s}" ]; then
               chmod +x "${s}"
-              "${s}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
+              python3 "${s}" >> "${GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY}"
               ran+=("${s}")
             else
               skipped+=("${s}")
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 7e302f9..b79bf4a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -34,14 +34,14 @@ install:
 ## validate: Run all validation scripts
 validate:
 	@echo "Running validation scripts..."
-	@./scripts/run/validate_all.sh
+	@python3 ./scripts/run/validate_all.py
 
 ## validate-required: Run only required validation scripts
 validate-required:
 	@echo "Running required validations..."
-	@./scripts/validate/manifest.sh
-	@./scripts/validate/xml_wellformed.sh
-	@./scripts/validate/workflows.sh
+	@python3 ./scripts/validate/manifest.py
+	@python3 ./scripts/validate/xml_wellformed.py
+	@python3 ./scripts/validate/workflows.py
 	@echo "✓ Required validations passed"
 
 ## test: Run all tests
@@ -96,18 +96,18 @@ phpcompat:
 ## package: Create distribution package
 package:
 	@echo "Creating distribution package..."
-	@./scripts/release/package_extension.sh dist $(VERSION)
+	@python3 ./scripts/release/package_extension.py dist $(VERSION)
 	@echo "✓ Package created: dist/moko-cassiopeia-$(VERSION)-*.zip"
 
 ## smoke-test: Run smoke tests
 smoke-test:
 	@echo "Running smoke tests..."
-	@./scripts/run/smoke_test.sh
+	@python3 ./scripts/run/smoke_test.py
 
 ## script-health: Check script health
 script-health:
 	@echo "Checking script health..."
-	@./scripts/run/script_health.sh
+	@python3 ./scripts/run/script_health.py
 
 ## version-check: Display current version information
 version-check:
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ version-check:
 ## fix-permissions: Fix script executable permissions
 fix-permissions:
 	@echo "Fixing script permissions..."
-	@find scripts -type f -name "*.sh" -exec chmod +x {} \;
+	@find scripts -type f -name "*.py" -exec chmod +x {} \;
 	@echo "✓ Permissions fixed"
 
 ## clean: Remove generated files and caches
@@ -174,13 +174,10 @@ watch:
 ## list-scripts: List all available scripts
 list-scripts:
 	@echo "Available validation scripts:"
-	@find scripts/validate -type f -name "*.sh" -exec basename {} \; | sort
+	@find scripts/validate -type f -name "*.py" -exec basename {} \; | sort
 	@echo ""
 	@echo "Available fix scripts:"
-	@find scripts/fix -type f -name "*.sh" -exec basename {} \; | sort
-	@echo ""
-	@echo "Available run scripts (bash):"
-	@find scripts/run -type f -name "*.sh" -exec basename {} \; | sort
+	@find scripts/fix -type f -name "*.py" -exec basename {} \; | sort
 	@echo ""
 	@echo "Available run scripts (python):"
 	@find scripts/run -type f -name "*.py" -exec basename {} \; | sort
diff --git a/scripts/validate/no_secrets.py b/scripts/validate/no_secrets.py
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
diff --git a/scripts/validate/paths.py b/scripts/validate/paths.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..8fadf1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/validate/paths.py
@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Detect Windows-style path separators (backslashes).
+
+Copyright (C) 2025 Moko Consulting <hello@mokoconsulting.tech>
+
+This file is part of a Moko Consulting project.
+
+SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program (./LICENSE.md).
+
+FILE INFORMATION
+DEFGROUP: Script.Validate
+INGROUP: Path.Normalization
+REPO: https://github.com/mokoconsulting-tech/moko-cassiopeia
+PATH: /scripts/validate/paths.py
+VERSION: 01.00.00
+BRIEF: Detect Windows-style path separators (backslashes)
+NOTE: Ensures cross-platform path compatibility
+"""
+
+import mimetypes
+import subprocess
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import List, Tuple, Dict
+
+# Add lib directory to path
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).parent.parent / "lib"))
+
+try:
+    import common
+except ImportError:
+    print("ERROR: Cannot import required libraries", file=sys.stderr)
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+
+def get_tracked_files() -> List[str]:
+    """
+    Get list of files tracked by git.
+    
+    Returns:
+        List of file paths
+    """
+    try:
+        result = common.run_command(
+            ["git", "ls-files", "-z"],
+            capture_output=True,
+            check=True
+        )
+        files = [f for f in result.stdout.split('\0') if f.strip()]
+        return files
+    except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
+        return []
+
+
+def is_binary_file(filepath: str) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if a file is likely binary.
+    
+    Args:
+        filepath: Path to file
+        
+    Returns:
+        True if likely binary
+    """
+    # Check mime type
+    mime_type, _ = mimetypes.guess_type(filepath)
+    if mime_type and mime_type.startswith(('application/', 'audio/', 'image/', 'video/')):
+        return True
+    
+    # Check for null bytes (heuristic for binary files)
+    try:
+        with open(filepath, 'rb') as f:
+            chunk = f.read(1024)
+            if b'\x00' in chunk:
+                return True
+    except Exception:
+        return True
+    
+    return False
+
+
+def find_backslashes_in_file(filepath: str) -> List[Tuple[int, str]]:
+    """
+    Find lines with backslashes in a file.
+    
+    Args:
+        filepath: Path to file
+        
+    Returns:
+        List of (line_number, line_content) tuples
+    """
+    backslashes = []
+    
+    try:
+        with open(filepath, 'r', encoding='utf-8', errors='ignore') as f:
+            for line_num, line in enumerate(f, 1):
+                if '\\' in line:
+                    backslashes.append((line_num, line.rstrip()))
+    except Exception as e:
+        common.log_warn(f"Could not read {filepath}: {e}")
+    
+    return backslashes
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    """Main entry point."""
+    tracked_files = get_tracked_files()
+    
+    if not tracked_files:
+        print("No files to check")
+        return 0
+    
+    hits: Dict[str, List[Tuple[int, str]]] = {}
+    
+    for filepath in tracked_files:
+        # Skip binary files
+        if is_binary_file(filepath):
+            continue
+        
+        # Find backslashes
+        backslashes = find_backslashes_in_file(filepath)
+        if backslashes:
+            hits[filepath] = backslashes
+    
+    if hits:
+        print("ERROR: Windows-style path literals detected", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("", file=sys.stderr)
+        print(f"Found backslashes in {len(hits)} file(s):", file=sys.stderr)
+        
+        for filepath, lines in hits.items():
+            print("", file=sys.stderr)
+            print(f"  File: {filepath}", file=sys.stderr)
+            print("  Lines with backslashes:", file=sys.stderr)
+            
+            # Show first 5 lines
+            for line_num, line_content in lines[:5]:
+                print(f"    {line_num}: {line_content[:80]}", file=sys.stderr)
+            
+            if len(lines) > 5:
+                print(f"    ... and {len(lines) - 5} more", file=sys.stderr)
+        
+        print("", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("To fix:", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("  1. Run: python3 scripts/fix/paths.py", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("  2. Or manually replace backslashes (\\) with forward slashes (/)", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("  3. Ensure paths use POSIX separators for cross-platform compatibility", file=sys.stderr)
+        print("", file=sys.stderr)
+        return 2
+    
+    print("paths: ok")
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(main())
diff --git a/scripts/validate/tabs.py b/scripts/validate/tabs.py
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
diff --git a/scripts/validate/workflows.py b/scripts/validate/workflows.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..9473a9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/validate/workflows.py
@@ -0,0 +1,217 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Validate GitHub Actions workflow files.
+
+Copyright (C) 2025 Moko Consulting <hello@mokoconsulting.tech>
+
+This file is part of a Moko Consulting project.
+
+SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
+
+This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or
+(at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with this program (./LICENSE.md).
+
+FILE INFORMATION
+DEFGROUP: Script.Validate
+INGROUP: CI.Validation
+REPO: https://github.com/mokoconsulting-tech/moko-cassiopeia
+PATH: /scripts/validate/workflows.py
+VERSION: 01.00.00
+BRIEF: Validate GitHub Actions workflow files
+NOTE: Checks YAML syntax, structure, and best practices
+"""
+
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import List, Tuple
+
+# Add lib directory to path
+sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).parent.parent / "lib"))
+
+try:
+    import common
+except ImportError:
+    print("ERROR: Cannot import required libraries", file=sys.stderr)
+    sys.exit(1)
+
+
+def validate_yaml_syntax(filepath: Path) -> bool:
+    """
+    Validate YAML syntax of a workflow file.
+    
+    Args:
+        filepath: Path to workflow file
+        
+    Returns:
+        True if valid
+    """
+    try:
+        import yaml
+    except ImportError:
+        common.log_warn("PyYAML module not installed. Install with: pip3 install pyyaml")
+        return True  # Skip validation if yaml not available
+    
+    try:
+        with open(filepath, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            yaml.safe_load(f)
+        print(f"✓ Valid YAML: {filepath.name}")
+        return True
+    except yaml.YAMLError as e:
+        print(f"✗ YAML Error in {filepath.name}: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"✗ Error reading {filepath.name}: {e}", file=sys.stderr)
+        return False
+
+
+def check_no_tabs(filepath: Path) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check that file contains no tab characters.
+    
+    Args:
+        filepath: Path to file
+        
+    Returns:
+        True if no tabs found
+    """
+    try:
+        with open(filepath, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            content = f.read()
+            if '\t' in content:
+                common.log_error(f"✗ File contains tab characters: {filepath.name}")
+                return False
+    except Exception as e:
+        common.log_warn(f"Could not read {filepath}: {e}")
+        return False
+    
+    return True
+
+
+def check_workflow_structure(filepath: Path) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check workflow file structure for required keys.
+    
+    Args:
+        filepath: Path to workflow file
+        
+    Returns:
+        True if structure is valid
+    """
+    errors = 0
+    
+    try:
+        with open(filepath, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            content = f.read()
+        
+        # Check for required top-level keys
+        if 'name:' not in content and not content.startswith('name:'):
+            common.log_warn(f"Missing 'name:' in {filepath.name}")
+        
+        if 'on:' not in content and not content.startswith('on:'):
+            common.log_error(f"✗ Missing 'on:' trigger in {filepath.name}")
+            errors += 1
+        
+        if 'jobs:' not in content and not content.startswith('jobs:'):
+            common.log_error(f"✗ Missing 'jobs:' in {filepath.name}")
+            errors += 1
+            
+    except Exception as e:
+        common.log_error(f"Error reading {filepath}: {e}")
+        return False
+    
+    return errors == 0
+
+
+def validate_workflow_file(filepath: Path) -> bool:
+    """
+    Validate a single workflow file.
+    
+    Args:
+        filepath: Path to workflow file
+        
+    Returns:
+        True if valid
+    """
+    common.log_info(f"Validating: {filepath.name}")
+    
+    errors = 0
+    
+    # Check YAML syntax
+    if not validate_yaml_syntax(filepath):
+        errors += 1
+    
+    # Check for tabs
+    if not check_no_tabs(filepath):
+        errors += 1
+    
+    # Check structure
+    if not check_workflow_structure(filepath):
+        errors += 1
+    
+    if errors == 0:
+        common.log_info(f"✓ {filepath.name} passed all checks")
+        return True
+    else:
+        common.log_error(f"✗ {filepath.name} failed {errors} check(s)")
+        return False
+
+
+def main() -> int:
+    """Main entry point."""
+    common.log_info("GitHub Actions Workflow Validation")
+    common.log_info("===================================")
+    print()
+    
+    workflows_dir = Path(".github/workflows")
+    
+    if not workflows_dir.is_dir():
+        common.log_error(f"Workflows directory not found: {workflows_dir}")
+        return 1
+    
+    # Find all workflow files
+    workflow_files = []
+    for pattern in ["*.yml", "*.yaml"]:
+        workflow_files.extend(workflows_dir.glob(pattern))
+    
+    if not workflow_files:
+        common.log_warn("No workflow files found")
+        return 0
+    
+    total = len(workflow_files)
+    passed = 0
+    failed = 0
+    
+    for workflow in workflow_files:
+        if validate_workflow_file(workflow):
+            passed += 1
+        else:
+            failed += 1
+        print()
+    
+    common.log_info("===================================")
+    common.log_info("Summary:")
+    common.log_info(f"  Total workflows: {total}")
+    common.log_info(f"  Passed: {passed}")
+    common.log_info(f"  Failed: {failed}")
+    common.log_info("===================================")
+    
+    if failed > 0:
+        common.log_error("Workflow validation failed")
+        return 1
+    
+    common.log_info("All workflows validated successfully")
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(main())