diff --git a/.github/workflows/README.md b/.github/workflows/README.md
index 6511d1e8..1ac7d02a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/README.md
+++ b/.github/workflows/README.md
@@ -41,7 +41,15 @@ semantic_pull_request:
   - Examples: `feat: add new feature`, `fix(mesh): resolve bug`
 ```
 
-#### 2. Build and Test
+#### 2. Draft PR Check
+```yaml
+check_draft:
+  - Fails CI if PR is still in draft mode
+  - Prevents accidental merging of incomplete work
+  - Mark PR as "Ready for review" to proceed
+```
+
+#### 3. Build and Test
 ```yaml
 build:
   - Matrix testing across Python 3.10, 3.11, 3.12
@@ -50,7 +58,16 @@ build:
   - Runs pytest tests
 ```
 
-#### 3. GEOS Integration Check
+#### 4. Label Checks
+```yaml
+check_integration_label:
+  - Checks for 'test-geos-integration' label
+  
+check_force_integration_label:
+  - Checks for 'force-geos-integration' label
+```
+
+#### 5. GEOS Integration Required Check
 ```yaml
 check_geos_integration_required:
   - Analyzes changed files
@@ -58,14 +75,22 @@ check_geos_integration_required:
   - See "Smart GEOS Integration Testing" section below
 ```
 
-#### 4. GEOS Integration Test (Conditional)
+#### 6. GEOS CI Dispatch
+```yaml
+geos_ci_dispatch:
+  - Evaluates label + file change requirements
+  - Decides whether to run, skip, or fail
+  - Provides clear error messages for incorrect label usage
+```
+
+#### 7. GEOS Integration Test (Conditional)
 ```yaml
 geos_integration_test:
-  - Only runs if required by file changes or label
+  - Only runs if dispatch job says to proceed
   - Calls test_geos_integration.yml workflow
 ```
 
-#### 5. Final Validation
+#### 8. Final Validation
 ```yaml
 final_validation:
   - Summarizes all test results
@@ -249,35 +274,78 @@ Tests are automatically skipped when changes only affect:
 - `.github/workflows/doc-test.yml` - Documentation CI
 - `.github/workflows/typing-check.yml` - Type checking CI
 
-### Manual Override
+### Manual Override Labels
+
+The CI supports two labels for controlling GEOS integration tests:
+
+1. **`test-geos-integration`** - Must be added when changes affect GEOS-integrated packages
+   - Required when modifying: `geos-utils`, `geos-mesh`, `geos-xml-tools`, `hdf5-wrapper`, `pygeos-tools`, `geos-ats`
+   - CI will fail if this label is missing when required
+   - CI will warn if this label is present but not needed (suggest using `force-geos-integration` instead)
+
+2. **`force-geos-integration`** - Forces tests to run regardless of changed files
+   - Use this when testing CI changes themselves
+   - Use this for docs/config-only PRs where you want to verify GEOS integration still works
+   - Overrides all other logic - tests will always run
+
+### Label Decision Logic
+
+The CI uses the following decision matrix:
 
-Add the **`test-geos-integration`** label to any PR to force GEOS integration tests to run, regardless of changed files.
+| GEOS Required<br/>(by file changes) | `test-geos-integration`<br/>label | `force-geos-integration`<br/>label | Result |
+|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------|--------|
+| - | - | ✅ Yes | ✅ **Run tests** (forced) |
+| ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ **Run tests** (normal) |
+| ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ **ERROR** - Label required |
+| ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ⊘ **Skip** - Wrong label (use force instead) |
+| ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⊘ **Skip tests** (not needed) |
 
 ### Example Scenarios
 
-✅ **Tests Will Run**
+✅ **Tests Will Run (Required + Label)**
 ```
 Changes:
   - geos-mesh/src/mesh_converter.py
   - geos-xml-tools/src/preprocessor.py
-Result: GEOS integration required (affects integrated packages)
+Labels: test-geos-integration
+Result: GEOS integration will run (changes affect integrated packages)
 ```
 
-⊘ **Tests Will Skip**
+❌ **CI Will Fail (Required but Missing Label)**
+```
+Changes:
+  - geos-utils/src/table_loader.py
+  - hdf5-wrapper/src/wrapper.py
+Labels: (none)
+Result: ERROR - 'test-geos-integration' label required
+```
+
+⊘ **Tests Will Skip (Not Required)**
 ```
 Changes:
   - docs/user_guide.md
   - README.md
   - geos-pv/src/visualizer.py
-Result: GEOS integration not required (only docs and non-integrated packages)
+Labels: (none)
+Result: GEOS integration not required (skipped)
 ```
 
-✅ **Tests Will Run (Manual)**
+⊘ **Tests Will Skip (Wrong Label)**
 ```
 Changes:
   - docs/installation.md
+  - .style.yapf
 Labels: test-geos-integration
-Result: GEOS integration required (manual override via label)
+Result: Warning - Label not needed, use 'force-geos-integration' to force tests (skipped)
+```
+
+✅ **Tests Will Run (Forced)**
+```
+Changes:
+  - docs/installation.md
+  - .github/workflows/python-package.yml
+Labels: force-geos-integration
+Result: GEOS integration forced (tests will run regardless of changes)
 ```
 
 ## GEOS Integration: How It Works
@@ -393,6 +461,23 @@ When adding new Python packages or modifying existing ones:
 4. **Test Integration**:
    - If package integrates with GEOS, add `test-geos-integration` label to PR
    - Verify all 5 integration tests pass
+   - If only testing CI changes on a docs PR, use `force-geos-integration` label
+
+### PR Label Usage Guide
+
+**For PR Authors:**
+
+| Your PR Changes | Required Label | What Happens |
+|-----------------|----------------|--------------|
+| GEOS-integrated packages<br/>(utils, mesh, xml-tools, etc.) | `test-geos-integration` | ✅ Tests run (required) |
+| Docs/config only | (none) | ⊘ Tests skipped |
+| Docs + you want to test integration | `force-geos-integration` | ✅ Tests run (forced) |
+| CI workflow files | `force-geos-integration` | ✅ Tests run (verify CI works) |
+
+**Common Mistakes:**
+- ❌ Modifying `geos-mesh/` without label → CI fails, add `test-geos-integration`
+- ❌ Adding `test-geos-integration` to docs-only PR → Warning, remove label or use `force-geos-integration`
+- ✅ Modifying `.github/workflows/` with `force-geos-integration` → Tests run to verify CI changes
 
 ## References
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/python-package.yml b/.github/workflows/python-package.yml
index 94c49978..a4c6823c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/python-package.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/python-package.yml
@@ -33,14 +33,29 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           echo "This is not a Pull-Request, skipping"
 
+  check_draft:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [semantic_pull_request]
+    steps:
+      - name: Fail if PR is a draft
+        run: |
+          if [ "${{ github.event.pull_request.draft }}" = "true" ]; then
+            echo "✗ This PR is a draft. CI will not proceed."
+            exit 1
+          else
+            echo "✓ This PR is ready for review."
+          fi
+
+  # build and test the standalone CI
   build:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [check_draft]
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       max-parallel: 3
       matrix:
-        python-version: ["3.10", "3.11", "3.12"]
-        package-name:
+        python-version: ["3.10","3.11","3.12"]
+        package-name: 
           - geos-ats
           - geos-utils
           - geos-geomechanics
@@ -88,7 +103,6 @@ jobs:
 
         echo "Installing main package..."
         python -m pip install ./${{ matrix.package-name }}/[test]
-
     - name: Lint with yapf
       # working-directory: ./${{ matrix.package-name }}
       run: |
@@ -100,11 +114,52 @@ jobs:
       # wrap pytest to avoid error when no tests in the package
         sh -c 'python -m pytest ./${{ matrix.package-name }}; ret=$?; [ $ret = 5 ] && exit 0 || exit $ret'
 
+  # check if GEOS has label for testing GEOS integration
+  check_integration_label:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [build]
+    outputs:
+      has_geos_integration_label: ${{ steps.set-label.outputs.has_label }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Check if PR has 'test-geos-integration' label
+        id: set-label
+        run: |
+          echo "Checking for label..."
+          LABEL_FOUND=false
+          for label in "${{ toJson(github.event.pull_request.labels) }}"; do
+            if [[ "$label" == *"test-geos-integration"* ]]; then
+              LABEL_FOUND=true
+              echo "Label ${label} found"
+              break
+            fi
+          done
+          echo "has_label=$LABEL_FOUND" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+  
+  check_force_integration_label:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [build]
+    outputs:
+      has_geos_integration_force_label: ${{ steps.set-label.outputs.has_label }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Check if PR has 'force-geos-integration' label
+        id: set-label
+        run: |
+          echo "Checking for label..."
+          LABEL_FOUND=false
+          for label in "${{ toJson(github.event.pull_request.labels) }}"; do
+            if [[ "$label" == *"force-geos-integration"* ]]; then
+              LABEL_FOUND=true
+              echo "Label ${label} found"
+              break
+            fi
+          done
+          echo "has_label=$LABEL_FOUND" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+
   # Step 3: Check if GEOS integration is required based on changed files
   check_geos_integration_required:
     name: Check GEOS Integration Required
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    needs: [semantic_pull_request, build]
+    needs: [build]
     if: github.event_name == 'pull_request'
     outputs:
       geos_integration_required: ${{ steps.check_changes.outputs.required }}
@@ -114,7 +169,6 @@ jobs:
       uses: actions/checkout@v4
       with:
         fetch-depth: 0  # Fetch all history to compare with base branch
-
     - name: Check if GEOS integration is required
       id: check_changes
       run: |
@@ -159,16 +213,6 @@ jobs:
           "^geos-xml-viewer/"
         )
 
-        # Check if label is present (overrides automatic detection)
-        HAS_LABEL=$(echo '${{ toJson(github.event.pull_request.labels.*.name) }}' | grep -q "test-geos-integration" && echo "true" || echo "false")
-
-        if [[ "$HAS_LABEL" == "true" ]]; then
-          echo "✓ Label 'test-geos-integration' found - GEOS integration test will run"
-          echo "required=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          echo "skip_reason=none" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
-          exit 0
-        fi
-
         # Check if any changed file affects GEOS-integrated packages
         REQUIRES_GEOS_TEST=false
         AFFECTED_PACKAGES=""
@@ -221,19 +265,99 @@ jobs:
           echo "required=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
           echo "skip_reason=no-geos-integrated-changes" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
         fi
+  
+  geos_ci_dispatch:
+    name: Dispatch cases of GEOS CI
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs: 
+      is_GEOS_CI_skipped: ${{ steps.dispatch.outputs.skipped }}
+      fwd_geos_integration_required: ${{ steps.dispatch.outputs.fwd_geos_integration_required }}
+      fwd_skip_reason: ${{ steps.dispatch.outputs.skip_reason }}
+    needs: [check_geos_integration_required, check_integration_label, check_force_integration_label]
+    steps:
+      - name: Dispatch flag and req cases
+        id: dispatch
+        run: |
+          GEOS_REQUIRED="${{ needs.check_geos_integration_required.outputs.geos_integration_required }}"
+          HAS_TEST_LABEL="${{ needs.check_integration_label.outputs.has_geos_integration_label }}"
+          HAS_FORCE_LABEL="${{ needs.check_force_integration_label.outputs.has_geos_integration_force_label }}"
+          SKIP_REASON="${{ needs.check_geos_integration_required.outputs.skip_reason }}"
+          
+          echo "fwd_geos_integration_required=${GEOS_REQUIRED}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "fwd_skip_reason=${SKIP_REASON}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          
+          echo "=== GEOS Integration Dispatch ==="
+          echo "GEOS Required (by file changes): ${GEOS_REQUIRED}"
+          echo "Has 'test-geos-integration' label: ${HAS_TEST_LABEL}"
+          echo "Has 'force-geos-integration' label: ${HAS_FORCE_LABEL}"
+          echo ""
+          
+          # Case 1: Force label - always run tests
+          if [[ "$HAS_FORCE_LABEL" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "✓ 'force-geos-integration' label present - forcing GEOS integration tests"
+            echo "skipped=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          
+          # Case 2: GEOS required AND test label present - run tests
+          if [[ "$GEOS_REQUIRED" == "true" && "$HAS_TEST_LABEL" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "✓ GEOS integration required and 'test-geos-integration' label present"
+            echo "  Will proceed with GEOS integration tests"
+            echo "skipped=false" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          
+          # Case 3: GEOS required BUT test label missing - ERROR
+          if [[ "$GEOS_REQUIRED" == "true" && "$HAS_TEST_LABEL" == "false" ]]; then
+            echo "✗ ERROR: GEOS integration is required but 'test-geos-integration' label is missing"
+            echo ""
+            echo "Your PR modifies GEOS-integrated packages:"
+            echo "  - geos-utils, geos-mesh, geos-xml-tools"
+            echo "  - hdf5-wrapper, pygeos-tools, geos-ats"
+            echo ""
+            echo "Action required: Add the 'test-geos-integration' label to this PR"
+            exit 1
+          fi
+          
+          # Case 4: GEOS NOT required BUT test label present - SKIP TESTS
+          if [[ "$GEOS_REQUIRED" == "false" && "$HAS_TEST_LABEL" == "true" ]]; then
+            echo "⊘ SKIPPED: 'test-geos-integration' label present but GEOS integration is not required"
+            echo ""
+            echo "Your changes only affect:"
+            echo "  - Documentation"
+            echo "  - Non-integrated packages"
+            echo "  - Configuration files"
+            echo ""
+            echo "If you want to run GEOS integration tests anyway, use 'force-geos-integration' label to explicitly force testing"
+            echo "skipped=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          
+          # Case 5: GEOS NOT required AND no labels - SKIP TESTS
+          if [[ "$GEOS_REQUIRED" == "false" && "$HAS_TEST_LABEL" == "false" ]]; then
+            echo "⊘ GEOS integration not required and no labels present"
+            echo "  Skipping GEOS integration tests"
+            echo "  Reason: ${SKIP_REASON}"
+            echo "skipped=true" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          
+          # Should never reach here
+          echo "✗ ERROR: Unexpected state in dispatch logic"
+          exit 1
 
   # Step 4: Run GEOS integration tests (only if required or label present)
   geos_integration_test:
     name: GEOS Integration Test
-    needs: [check_geos_integration_required]
-    if: needs.check_geos_integration_required.outputs.geos_integration_required == 'true'
+    needs: [geos_ci_dispatch]
+    if: ${{ needs.geos_ci_dispatch.outputs.is_GEOS_CI_skipped.skipped != 'true' }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/test_geos_integration.yml
 
   # Final validation - Summarize CI results
   final_validation:
     name: Final CI Validation
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    needs: [check_geos_integration_required, geos_integration_test]
+    needs: [geos_ci_dispatch, geos_integration_test]
     if: always() && github.event_name == 'pull_request'
     steps:
     - name: Validate CI completion
@@ -241,8 +365,9 @@ jobs:
         echo "Final CI Validation"
         echo "==================="
 
-        GEOS_REQUIRED="${{ needs.check_geos_integration_required.outputs.geos_integration_required }}"
-        SKIP_REASON="${{ needs.check_geos_integration_required.outputs.skip_reason }}"
+        GEOS_REQUIRED="${{ needs.geos_ci_dispatch.outputs.fwd_geos_integration_required }}"
+        SKIP_REASON="${{ needs.geos_ci_dispatch.outputs.fwd_skip_reason }}"
+       
         GEOS_RESULT="${{ needs.geos_integration_test.result }}"
 
         if [[ "$GEOS_REQUIRED" == "true" ]]; then
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test_geos_integration.yml b/.github/workflows/test_geos_integration.yml
index 2fb9773a..d4c40d34 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test_geos_integration.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test_geos_integration.yml
@@ -282,14 +282,13 @@ jobs:
         fi
 
   integration_summary:
-    name: GEOS Integration Summary
+    name: GEOS Integration Test Summary
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     needs: test_geos_integration
     if: always()
     steps:
       - name: Summarize Results
         run: |
-          echo "## GEOS Integration Test Summary" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           if [[ "${{ needs.test_geos_integration.result }}" == "success" ]]; then
             echo "All integration tests passed successfully!" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           else