diff --git a/recipes/wip/libs/media/libmpv/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/libs/media/libmpv/recipe.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2e52dd45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/recipes/wip/libs/media/libmpv/recipe.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+#TODO not compiled or tested
+#TODO missing dependencies
+# build instructions: https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv#compilation
+[source]
+git = "https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv"
+branch = "release/0.41"
+shallow_clone = true
+[build]
+template = "meson"
+mesonflags = [
+    "-Dcplayer=false",
+    "-Dx11=disabled",
+    "-Dwayland=disabled",
+    "-Dmanpage-build=disabled",
+]
+dependencies = [
+    "ffmpeg6",
+    "libass",
+    #"libjpeg",
+    #"libiconv",
+    #"zlib",
+    #"mesa",
+    "sdl2",
+]
diff --git a/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice-dictionaries/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice-dictionaries/recipe.toml
index d8c4eac9..511876f0 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice-dictionaries/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice-dictionaries/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-#TODO probably wrong template
+#TODO not compiled or tested
 [source]
-tar = "https://download.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/src/25.8.2/libreoffice-dictionaries-25.8.2.2.tar.xz"
+tar = "https://download.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/src/26.2.2/libreoffice-dictionaries-26.2.2.tar.xz"
 [build]
 template = "configure"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice-translations/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice-translations/recipe.toml
index d1823c86..296ea92f 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice-translations/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice-translations/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-#TODO probably wrong template
+#TODO not compiled or tested
 [source]
-tar = "https://download.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/src/25.8.2/libreoffice-translations-25.8.2.2.tar.xz"
+tar = "https://download.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/src/26.2.2/libreoffice-translations-26.2.2.tar.xz"
 [build]
 template = "configure"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice/recipe.toml
index 58922697..5d589117 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/office/libreoffice/recipe.toml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #TODO determine minimum dependencies
 # dependencies reference: https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Development/BuildingOnLinux#Build_dependencies
 [source]
-tar = "https://download.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/src/25.8.2/libreoffice-25.8.2.2.tar.xz"
+tar = "https://download.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/src/26.2.2/libreoffice-26.2.2.tar.xz"
 [build]
 template = "configure"
 #dependencies = [
diff --git a/recipes/wip/players/glide/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/players/glide/recipe.toml
deleted file mode 100644
index 8a1711d9..00000000
--- a/recipes/wip/players/glide/recipe.toml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-#TODO Make gtk4 work
-[source]
-git = "https://github.com/philn/glide"
-[build]
-template = "cargo"
-dependencies = [
-    "gtk4",
-    "gstreamer",
-]
diff --git a/recipes/wip/players/mpv/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/players/mpv/recipe.toml
index 0ec83635..8a88f560 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/players/mpv/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/players/mpv/recipe.toml
@@ -1,18 +1,24 @@
 #TODO not compiled or tested
-#TODO missing dependencies
+#TODO determine minimum dependencies
 # build instructions: https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv#compilation
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/mpv-player/mpv"
-branch = "release/0.40"
+branch = "release/0.41"
 shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "meson"
+mesonflags = [
+    "-Dsdl2-video=enabled",
+    "-Dx11=disabled",
+    "-Dwayland=disabled",
+    "-Dmanpage-build=disabled",
+]
 dependencies = [
     "ffmpeg6",
     "libass",
     "libjpeg",
     "libiconv",
     "zlib",
-    "mesa",
+    #"mesa",
     "sdl2",
 ]
diff --git a/recipes/wip/players/tplay/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/players/tplay/recipe.toml
index 81a3f5be..facd7be8 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/players/tplay/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/players/tplay/recipe.toml
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
-#TODO Make opencv4 work
+#TODO not compiled or tested
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/maxcurzi/tplay"
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
 dependencies = [
     "ffmpeg6",
+    "libmpv",
     "openssl3",
-    "opencv4",
+    #"opencv4", # still necessary?
 ]
diff --git a/recipes/wip/players/vlc/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/players/vlc/recipe.toml
index e67f6c56..a58f6318 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/players/vlc/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/players/vlc/recipe.toml
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #TODO determine minimum dependencies
 # customization: https://wiki.videolan.org/Configure/
 [source]
-tar = "https://get.videolan.org/vlc/3.0.21/vlc-3.0.21.tar.xz"
+tar = "https://get.videolan.org/vlc/3.0.22/vlc-3.0.22.tar.xz"
 [build]
 template = "configure"
 dependencies = [
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ dependencies = [
     # "liba52",
     # "libmpeg2",
     # "lame",
-    "ffmpeg6",
+    #"ffmpeg6",
     # "libmad",
     # "libdca",
     # "twolame",
@@ -33,16 +33,16 @@ dependencies = [
     # "libgpg-error",
     # "libgcrypt",
     # "gnutls",
-    "libxml2",
+    #"libxml2",
     # "libvncserver",
     # "libpng",
     # "libjpeg",
     # "libiconv",
     # "gettext",
-    "zlib",
-    "freetype2",
+    #"zlib",
+    #"freetype2",
     # "fribidi",
-    "fontconfig",
+    #"fontconfig",
     # "taglib",
-    "wxwidgets-gtk3",
+    #"wxwidgets-gtk3",
 ]
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/alevin-fry/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/alevin-fry/recipe.toml
index f6b52100..78db4eeb 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/alevin-fry/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/alevin-fry/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO compilation error
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/COMBINE-lab/alevin-fry"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/astroterm/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/astroterm/recipe.toml
index a64a2fcf..9fd631ef 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/astroterm/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/astroterm/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO not compiled or tested
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/da-luce/astroterm"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/chem-creator/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/chem-creator/recipe.toml
index cb5cfba3..f48a6368 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/chem-creator/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/chem-creator/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO not compiled or tested
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/pumken/chemcreator"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/cosmic-weather/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/cosmic-weather/recipe.toml
index b837c813..80a8cb44 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/cosmic-weather/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/cosmic-weather/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO not compiled or tested
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/jwestall/cosmic-weather"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/gaia-sky/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/gaia-sky/recipe.toml
index f8398037..72584d94 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/gaia-sky/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/gaia-sky/recipe.toml
@@ -4,9 +4,8 @@ tar = "https://gaia.ari.uni-heidelberg.de/gaiasky/releases/latest/gaiasky-3.6.4-
 [build]
 template = "custom"
 script = """
-mkdir -pv "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/share/gaia-sky
 mkdir -pv "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/bin
-cp -rv "${COOKBOOK_SOURCE}"/* "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/share/gaia-sky
-echo "#!/usr/bin/env bash \n /usr/share/gaia-sky" > "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/bin/gaia-sky
+cp -rv "${COOKBOOK_SOURCE}"/* "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/bin/gaia-sky-dir
+echo "gaia-sky-dir/gaia-sky" > "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/bin/gaia-sky
 chmod a+x "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/bin/gaia-sky
 """
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/mrbayes/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/mrbayes/recipe.toml
index 64cbe798..ae9f64c8 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/mrbayes/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/mrbayes/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO don't recognize the redox target
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/NBISweden/MrBayes"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "configure"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/oarfish/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/oarfish/recipe.toml
index f1376e4e..349c56d7 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/oarfish/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/oarfish/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO compiled but not tested
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/COMBINE-lab/oarfish"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/openspace/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/openspace/recipe.toml
index b67caa26..1a3a800e 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/openspace/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/openspace/recipe.toml
@@ -2,9 +2,14 @@
 # build instructions: https://docs.openspaceproject.com/en/latest/dev/compiling/index.html#
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/OpenSpace/OpenSpace"
-rev = "b3681167a3b95d49ac7aa7d06b07cbd88c687e9a"
+branch = "releases/v0.21.4"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cmake"
+cmakeflags = [
+    "-DOPENSPACE_RELEASE_BUILD=ON",
+    "-DOPENSPACE_HAVE_TESTS=OFF",
+]
 dependencies = [
     "qt6-base",
     "libgdal",
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/piscem/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/piscem/recipe.toml
index 47886919..0925dad3 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/piscem/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/piscem/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO CMake error
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/COMBINE-lab/piscem"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/polypolish/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/polypolish/recipe.toml
index 5e6649d9..24c3d739 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/polypolish/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/polypolish/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO compiled but not tested
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/rrwick/Polypolish"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/qmcpack/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/qmcpack/recipe.toml
index 33777b79..b2812df9 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/qmcpack/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/qmcpack/recipe.toml
@@ -3,9 +3,13 @@
 # probably missing dependencies
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/QMCPACK/qmcpack"
-rev = "9d0d968139fc33f71dbf9159f526dd7b47f10a3b"
+rev = "v4.2.0"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cmake"
+cmakeflags = [
+    "-DBUILD_UNIT_TESTS=OFF"
+]
 dependencies = [
     "openmpi",
     "openblas",
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/scidataflow/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/scidataflow/recipe.toml
index 29518460..9fb7bbc0 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/scidataflow/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/scidataflow/recipe.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #TODO async-io and rustix crates error
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/vsbuffalo/scidataflow"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/simpleaf/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/simpleaf/recipe.toml
index d530364a..154ef70a 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/simpleaf/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/simpleaf/recipe.toml
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #TODO faccess crate error
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/COMBINE-lab/simpleaf"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/sonde/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/sonde/recipe.toml
index 3b7d298d..18bc330b 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/sonde/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/sonde/recipe.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #TODO not compiled or tested
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/rnleach/sonde"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/specfem2d/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/specfem2d/recipe.toml
index f43f635e..9d999d10 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/specfem2d/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/specfem2d/recipe.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
-#TODO missing script for GNU Autotools", see https://specfem2d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/02_getting_started/
+#TODO not compiled or tested
+# build instructions: https://specfem2d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/02_getting_started/
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/SPECFEM/specfem2d"
-rev = "0bbc7858dcd0ac9c1c64a35a41c83fa7f6847205"
+rev = "v8.1.0"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
-template = "custom"
+template = "configure"
+configureflags = [
+    "FC=gfortran"
+]
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/specfem3d-globe/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/specfem3d-globe/recipe.toml
index 8192ae27..a953ae29 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/specfem3d-globe/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/specfem3d-globe/recipe.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
-#TODO missing script for GNU Autotools, see https://specfem3d-globe.readthedocs.io/en/latest/02_getting_started/
+#TODO not compiled or tested
+# build instructions: https://specfem3d-globe.readthedocs.io/en/latest/02_getting_started/
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/SPECFEM/specfem3d_globe"
-rev = "59f5e68c468c53a07011a795e6fa1650d6be0fd9"
+rev = "v8.1.0"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
-template = "custom"
+template = "configure"
+configureflags = [
+    "FC=gfortran"
+]
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/specfem3d/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/specfem3d/recipe.toml
index 7247949d..c9f1e1d7 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/specfem3d/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/specfem3d/recipe.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
-#TODO missing script for GNU Autotools, see https://specfem3d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/02_getting_started/
+#TODO not compiled or tested
+# build instructions: https://specfem3d.readthedocs.io/en/latest/02_getting_started/
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/SPECFEM/specfem3d"
-rev = "c97d521a9a19ed41523837f161c70deacdb180cc"
+rev = "v4.1.1"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
-template = "custom"
+template = "configure"
+configureflags = [
+    "FC=gfortran"
+]
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/stellarium/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/stellarium/recipe.toml
index 89430ec2..3fefe76a 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/stellarium/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/stellarium/recipe.toml
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 #TODO not compiled or tested
-# build instructions: https://github.com/Stellarium/stellarium/blob/master/BUILDING.md#building
 #TODO missing dependencies: https://github.com/Stellarium/stellarium/blob/master/BUILDING.md#qt6
+# build instructions: https://github.com/Stellarium/stellarium/blob/master/BUILDING.md#building
 [source]
-tar = "https://github.com/Stellarium/stellarium/releases/download/v25.3/stellarium-25.3.tar.xz"
+tar = "https://github.com/Stellarium/stellarium/releases/download/v26.1/stellarium-26.1.tar.xz"
 [build]
 template = "cmake"
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/vidoxide/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/vidoxide/recipe.toml
index 396e3923..fa28c1b6 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/vidoxide/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/vidoxide/recipe.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
-#TODO require camera drivers, see https://github.com/GreatAttractor/vidoxide#3-building
+#TODO require camera drivers: https://github.com/GreatAttractor/vidoxide#3-building
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/GreatAttractor/vidoxide"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
 dependencies = [
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/weather/cosmic-ext-forecast/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/weather/cosmic-ext-forecast/recipe.toml
index 1b35e524..7814b5db 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/weather/cosmic-ext-forecast/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/weather/cosmic-ext-forecast/recipe.toml
@@ -2,9 +2,11 @@
 #TODO verify if the resource commands are correct
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/cosmic-utils/forecast"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "custom"
 script = """
+DYNAMIC_INIT
 mkdir -pv "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/share/applications
 mkdir -pv "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/share/metainfo
 mkdir -pv "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/share/icons
@@ -12,4 +14,4 @@ cp -rv "${COOKBOOK_SOURCE}"/res/com.jwestall.Forecast.desktop "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}
 cp -rv "${COOKBOOK_SOURCE}"/res/com.jwestall.Forecast.metainfo.xml "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/share/metainfo
 cp -rv "${COOKBOOK_SOURCE}"/res/icons/hicolor "${COOKBOOK_STAGE}"/usr/share/icons
 cookbook_cargo
-"""
\ No newline at end of file
+"""
diff --git a/recipes/wip/science/wthrr/recipe.toml b/recipes/wip/science/wthrr/recipe.toml
index 83fd68cf..bcc6235e 100644
--- a/recipes/wip/science/wthrr/recipe.toml
+++ b/recipes/wip/science/wthrr/recipe.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #TODO not compiled or tested
 [source]
 git = "https://github.com/ttytm/wthrr-the-weathercrab"
+shallow_clone = true
 [build]
 template = "cargo"
 dependencies = [