diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 4a87f355..233a0ec9 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -48,7 +48,6 @@ dependencies = [
   # typed IPC msging
   # TODO, get back on release once 3.13 support is out!
   "msgspec>=0.19.0",
-  "pytest>=3.8.5",
 ]
 
 # ------ project ------
@@ -58,7 +57,7 @@ dev = [
   # test suite
   # TODO: maybe some of these layout choices?
   # https://docs.pytest.org/en/8.0.x/explanation/goodpractices.html#choosing-a-test-layout-import-rules
-  "pytest>=8.2.0,<9",
+  "pytest>=3.8.5",
   "pexpect>=4.9.0,<5",
   # `tractor.devx` tooling
   "greenback>=1.2.1,<2",
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index c3f02aec..f70d6186 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -354,7 +354,6 @@ dependencies = [
     { name = "colorlog" },
     { name = "msgspec" },
     { name = "pdbp" },
-    { name = "pytest" },
     { name = "tabcompleter" },
     { name = "tricycle" },
     { name = "trio" },
@@ -378,7 +377,6 @@ requires-dist = [
     { name = "colorlog", specifier = ">=6.8.2,<7" },
     { name = "msgspec", specifier = ">=0.19.0" },
     { name = "pdbp", specifier = ">=1.6,<2" },
-    { name = "pytest", specifier = ">=3.8.5" },
     { name = "tabcompleter", specifier = ">=1.4.0" },
     { name = "tricycle", specifier = ">=0.4.1,<0.5" },
     { name = "trio", specifier = ">0.27" },
@@ -392,7 +390,7 @@ dev = [
     { name = "pexpect", specifier = ">=4.9.0,<5" },
     { name = "prompt-toolkit", specifier = ">=3.0.50" },
     { name = "pyperclip", specifier = ">=1.9.0" },
-    { name = "pytest", specifier = ">=8.2.0,<9" },
+    { name = "pytest", specifier = ">=3.8.5" },
     { name = "stackscope", specifier = ">=0.2.2,<0.3" },
     { name = "xonsh", specifier = ">=0.19.2" },
 ]