diff --git a/.github/workflows/cache-base-image.yml b/.github/workflows/cache-base-image.yml
index e0e28ed2..e0a5e250 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cache-base-image.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cache-base-image.yml
@@ -1,8 +1,26 @@
 name: Update base OS image
-run-name: Updating the base OS and install necessary extra packages
+run-name: Updating the base OS and install necessary extra packages (multiplatform)
+
+# This workflow builds the pgEdge base test image with full reproducibility metadata:
+# - Captures build timestamp, git commit SHA, branch, and Rocky Linux version
+# - Embeds build information in /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt within the image
+# - Tags images with both :latest and :${GIT_COMMIT} for version tracking
+# - Adds OCI labels for standard metadata inspection
+# - Prints all build metadata to workflow output for issue reproduction
 
 on:
   workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      image_name:
+        description: 'Base image name (without registry/owner prefix)'
+        required: false
+        default: 'base-test-image'
+        type: string
+      image_tag:
+        description: 'Additional custom tag (besides :latest and :<commit-sha>)'
+        required: false
+        default: ''
+        type: string
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
@@ -32,9 +50,40 @@ jobs:
         env:
           OWNER: '${{ github.repository_owner }}'
 
-      - name: Set up Docker
+      # Capture build metadata for reproducibility
+      - name: Capture build metadata
+        id: meta
+        run: |
+          echo "BUILD_DATE=$(date -u +'%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ')" >> ${GITHUB_ENV}
+          echo "GIT_COMMIT=$(git rev-parse HEAD)" >> ${GITHUB_ENV}
+          echo "GIT_BRANCH=$(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)" >> ${GITHUB_ENV}
+          echo "ROCKYLINUX_VERSION=$(docker run --rm rockylinux:9 cat /etc/rocky-release)" >> ${GITHUB_ENV}
+          echo "IMAGE_NAME=${{ inputs.image_name || 'base-test-image' }}" >> ${GITHUB_ENV}
+
+          # Print build information
+          echo "========================================="
+          echo "pgEdge Base Image Build Information"
+          echo "========================================="
+          echo "Image Name: ${{ inputs.image_name || 'base-test-image' }}"
+          echo "Custom Tag: ${{ inputs.image_tag }}"
+          echo "Build Date: $(date -u +'%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ')"
+          echo "Git Commit: $(git rev-parse HEAD)"
+          echo "Git Branch: $(git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD)"
+          echo "Rocky Linux: $(docker run --rm rockylinux:9 cat /etc/rocky-release)"
+          echo "Platforms: linux/amd64, linux/arm64"
+          echo "========================================="
+
+      # Set up QEMU for multiplatform builds
+      - name: Set up QEMU
+        uses: docker/setup-qemu-action@49b3bc8e6bdd4a60e6116a5414239cba5943d3cf # v3
+        with:
+          platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
+
+      - name: Set up Docker Buildx
         # Codacy wants us to use full commit SHA. This is for v3
         uses: docker/setup-buildx-action@e468171a9de216ec08956ac3ada2f0791b6bd435 # v3
+        with:
+          platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
 
       # Login to GHCR
       - uses: docker/login-action@5e57cd118135c172c3672efd75eb46360885c0ef
@@ -43,15 +92,85 @@ jobs:
           username: $OWNER_LC
           password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
 
-      # Prepare cached version of the base image
-      - name: Build and push base system image
+      # Prepare cached version of the base image with build metadata
+      - name: Build and push multiplatform base system image
         uses: docker/build-push-action@c382f710d39a5bb4e430307530a720f50c2d3318
         with:
           context: .
           file: tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.el9
+          platforms: linux/amd64,linux/arm64
           push: true
-          tags: ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/base-test-image:latest
+          tags: |
+            ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:latest
+            ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ env.GIT_COMMIT }}
+            ${{ inputs.image_tag && format('ghcr.io/{0}/{1}:{2}', env.OWNER_LC, env.IMAGE_NAME, inputs.image_tag) || '' }}
+          build-args: |
+            BUILD_DATE=${{ env.BUILD_DATE }}
+            GIT_COMMIT=${{ env.GIT_COMMIT }}
+            GIT_BRANCH=${{ env.GIT_BRANCH }}
+            ROCKYLINUX_VERSION=${{ env.ROCKYLINUX_VERSION }}
           cache-from: type=gha,scope=base
           cache-to: type=gha,mode=max,scope=base
+          provenance: false
+          sbom: false
+
+      # Verify multiplatform manifest
+      - name: Inspect multiplatform manifest
+        run: |
+          docker buildx imagetools inspect ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:latest
+
+      # Verify and display build information from the image
+      - name: Display build information
+        run: |
+          echo ""
+          echo "========================================="
+          echo "Multiplatform Image Built Successfully!"
+          echo "========================================="
+          echo "Image Name: ${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}"
+          echo "Platforms: linux/amd64, linux/arm64"
+          echo ""
+          echo "Image Tags:"
+          echo "  - ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:latest"
+          echo "  - ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ env.GIT_COMMIT }}"
+          if [ -n "${{ inputs.image_tag }}" ]; then
+            echo "  - ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ inputs.image_tag }}"
+          fi
+          echo ""
+          echo "To pull this specific build:"
+          echo "  docker pull ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:${{ env.GIT_COMMIT }}"
+          echo ""
+          echo "Docker will automatically select the correct architecture:"
+          echo "  - linux/amd64 for Intel/AMD systems"
+          echo "  - linux/arm64 for Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4)"
+          echo ""
+          echo "To view build info from the image:"
+          echo "  docker run --rm ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:latest cat /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt"
+          echo ""
+          echo "To inspect image labels:"
+          echo "  docker inspect ghcr.io/${{ env.OWNER_LC }}/${{ env.IMAGE_NAME }}:latest | jq '.[0].Config.Labels'"
+          echo "========================================="
 
-# And we have a base image. Check: https://github.com/pgedge/spock/pkgs/container/base-test-image
+# ==============================================================================
+# Build Complete!
+# ==============================================================================
+# The base image is available at:
+#   https://github.com/pgedge/spock/pkgs/container/<image-name>
+#
+# Workflow Inputs (configurable through Actions UI):
+#   - image_name: Base image name (default: 'base-test-image')
+#   - image_tag: Optional custom tag in addition to :latest and :<commit-sha>
+#
+# Each build includes comprehensive reproducibility metadata:
+#   1. /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt - Embedded build information file
+#   2. OCI image labels with build timestamp, commit SHA, and branch
+#   3. Commit-specific tag (:<commit-sha>) for immutable references
+#   4. Optional custom tag (:<custom-tag>) if provided
+#   5. Workflow output with all build parameters
+#
+# To reproduce any build:
+#   1. Check workflow output or image labels for git commit SHA
+#   2. Checkout that commit: git checkout <sha>
+#   3. Run the docker build command shown in /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt
+#
+# Documentation: tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.md
+# ==============================================================================
diff --git a/.github/workflows/spockbench.yml b/.github/workflows/spockbench.yml
index cc0876a3..fa478b0f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/spockbench.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/spockbench.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ on:
   pull_request:
     types: [opened, synchronize, reopened]
 
-
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
diff --git a/tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.el9 b/tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.el9
index b9068f9b..45b86be9 100644
--- a/tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.el9
+++ b/tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.el9
@@ -1,94 +1,148 @@
-# ##############################################################################
-#
-# Base test image for pgEdge Spock development and testing.
+# syntax=docker/dockerfile:1
+
+# ==============================================================================
+# Base Test Image for pgEdge Products Development and Testing
+# ==============================================================================
 #
-# This image includes:
-# - Rocky Linux 9 base with development tools
-# - PostgreSQL build dependencies (LLVM, ICU, SSL, etc.)
-# - Testing tools (Perl Test::More, SSH)
-# - pgedge user with sudo access
+# Description:
+#   This image provides a Rocky Linux 9 base with all necessary dependencies
+#   for building and testing PostgreSQL extensions, specifically pgEdge Spock.
 #
-# Built and published to: ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest
+# Included Components:
+#   - Rocky Linux 9 base OS with development tools
+#   - PostgreSQL build dependencies (compilers, libraries, etc.)
+#   - Testing frameworks (Perl Test::More)
+#   - SSH server for testing connectivity
+#   - pgedge user with sudo privileges
 #
-# ##############################################################################
+# Build Target: ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest
+# ==============================================================================
 
+# Use the latest Rocky Linux 9 base image
 FROM rockylinux:9
 
-# Update system and install base development tools
-RUN dnf -y update && \
+# Define build arguments for customization and reproducibility
+ARG PGEDGE_USER=pgedge
+ARG BUILD_DATE
+ARG GIT_COMMIT
+ARG GIT_BRANCH
+ARG ROCKYLINUX_VERSION
+
+# Set metadata labels for reproducibility
+LABEL org.opencontainers.image.title="pgEdge Dev Base Test Image" \
+      org.opencontainers.image.description="Base image for pgEdge development and testing" \
+      org.opencontainers.image.vendor="pgEdge" \
+      org.opencontainers.image.maintainer="andrei.lepikhov@pgedge.com" \
+      org.opencontainers.image.licenses="BSD" \
+      org.opencontainers.image.created="${BUILD_DATE}" \
+      org.opencontainers.image.revision="${GIT_COMMIT}" \
+      org.opencontainers.image.source="https://github.com/pgedge/spock" \
+      com.pgedge.base-os.version="${ROCKYLINUX_VERSION}" \
+      com.pgedge.git.branch="${GIT_BRANCH}"
+
+# ==============================================================================
+# Build Information for Reproducibility
+# ==============================================================================
+RUN set -eux && \
+    mkdir -p /etc/pgedge && \
+    printf "pgEdge Base Test Image Build Information\n" > /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "=========================================\n\n" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "Build Date: %s\n" "${BUILD_DATE:-unknown}" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "Git Commit: %s\n" "${GIT_COMMIT:-unknown}" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "Git Branch: %s\n" "${GIT_BRANCH:-unknown}" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "Rocky Linux: %s\n" "${ROCKYLINUX_VERSION:-unknown}" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "\nTo reproduce this exact build:\n" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "  git clone https://github.com/pgedge/spock.git\n" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "  git checkout %s\n" "${GIT_COMMIT:-unknown}" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "  docker build -f tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.el9 \\\\\n" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "    --build-arg BUILD_DATE=%s \\\\\n" "${BUILD_DATE:-unknown}" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "    --build-arg GIT_COMMIT=%s \\\\\n" "${GIT_COMMIT:-unknown}" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "    --build-arg GIT_BRANCH=%s .\n" "${GIT_BRANCH:-unknown}" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    printf "\n" >> /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt && \
+    cat /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt
+
+# ==============================================================================
+# System Update and Base Development Tools Installation
+# ==============================================================================
+RUN set -eux && \
     dnf -y upgrade && \
     dnf -y install sudo && \
-    dnf -y groupinstall "Development Tools"
-
-# Create pgedge user with sudo privileges
-RUN useradd -m pgedge -s /bin/bash && \
-    echo pgedge:asdf | chpasswd && \
-    echo "pgedge ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL" > /etc/sudoers.d/pgedge && \
-    chmod 0440 /etc/sudoers.d/pgedge && \
-    chown -R pgedge:pgedge /home/pgedge
+    dnf -y groupinstall "Development Tools" && \
+    dnf clean all && \
+    rm -rf /var/cache/dnf/*
 
-# Install PostgreSQL build dependencies and testing tools
-# Note: List inlined to avoid requiring build context with external files
-RUN dnf install --allowerasing --enablerepo=crb -y \
-    bison \
-    clang \
-    curl \
-    cyrus-sasl-gssapi \
-    dnsutils \
-    flex \
-    jansson-devel \
-    krb5-devel \
-    libicu-devel \
-    libpq \
-    libpq-devel \
-    libuuid \
-    libuuid-devel \
-    libxslt \
-    libxslt-devel \
-    llvm \
-    llvm-devel \
-    lz4 \
-    lz4-devel \
-    nc \
-    openldap \
-    openldap-devel \
-    openssh-clients \
-    openssh-server \
-    openssl-devel \
-    pam-devel \
-    perl \
-    perl-App-cpanminus \
-    perl-devel \
-    perl-IPC-Run \
-    pkgconfig \
-    procps \
-    python3 \
-    python3-devel \
-    sudo \
-    systemd-devel \
-    unzip \
-    uuid \
-    uuid-devel \
-    vim \
-    zlib \
-    zlib-devel && \
-    dnf clean all
+# ==============================================================================
+# User Creation and Configuration
+# ==============================================================================
+RUN set -eux && \
+    useradd -m -s /bin/bash ${PGEDGE_USER} && \
+    echo "${PGEDGE_USER}:asdf" | chpasswd && \
+    echo "${PGEDGE_USER} ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:ALL" > /etc/sudoers.d/${PGEDGE_USER} && \
+    chmod 0440 /etc/sudoers.d/${PGEDGE_USER} && \
+    chown -R ${PGEDGE_USER}:${PGEDGE_USER} /home/${PGEDGE_USER}
 
-# Install Perl testing dependencies
-RUN cpanm Test::More
+# ==============================================================================
+# PostgreSQL Build Dependencies and Testing Tools
+# ==============================================================================
+# Install all required packages in a single RUN to minimize layers
+RUN set -eux && \
+    dnf install --allowerasing --enablerepo=crb -y \
+        bind-utils \
+        bison \
+        clang \
+        curl \
+        cyrus-sasl-gssapi \
+        flex \
+        gcc \
+        git \
+        jansson-devel \
+        krb5-devel \
+        libicu-devel \
+        libpq \
+        libpq-devel \
+        libuuid-devel \
+        libxml2-devel \
+        libxslt-devel \
+        llvm \
+        llvm-devel \
+        lz4-devel \
+        make \
+        nc \
+        openldap-devel \
+        openssh-clients \
+        openssh-server \
+        openssl-devel \
+        pam-devel \
+        perl \
+        perl-devel \
+        perl-IPC-Run \
+        perl-Test-Simple \
+        pkgconfig \
+        procps \
+        python3 \
+        python3-devel \
+        readline-devel \
+        systemd-devel \
+        unzip \
+        uuid-devel \
+        zlib-devel \
+        libzstd-devel && \
+    dnf clean all && \
+    rm -rf /var/cache/dnf/* /tmp/* /var/tmp/*
 
-# Setup SSH for pgedge user (not root!)
-# This allows SSH-based testing as the pgedge user
-USER pgedge
-RUN mkdir -p ~/.ssh && \
-    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -N "" -f ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 && \
-    cat ~/.ssh/*.pub >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys && \
+# ==============================================================================
+# SSH Configuration for Testing
+# ==============================================================================
+# Switch to pgedge user for SSH setup (security best practice)
+USER ${PGEDGE_USER}
+RUN set -eux && \
+    mkdir -p ~/.ssh && \
+    ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -N "" -f ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 -C "${PGEDGE_USER}@localhost" && \
+    cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub >> ~/.ssh/authorized_keys && \
     chmod 700 ~/.ssh && \
-    chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
-
-# Set default working directory
-WORKDIR /home/pgedge
+    chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys ~/.ssh/id_ed25519
 
-# Metadata
-LABEL maintainer="andrei.lepikhov@pgedge.com"
-LABEL description="Base image for pgEdge Spock PostgreSQL extension development and testing"
+# ==============================================================================
+# Working Directory and Final Setup
+# ==============================================================================
+WORKDIR /home/${PGEDGE_USER}
diff --git a/tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.md b/tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9fda6705
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.md
@@ -0,0 +1,310 @@
+# pgEdge Base Test Image
+
+## Overview
+
+This document describes the **pgEdge Base Test Image** (`ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image`), a foundational Docker image designed for building and testing PostgreSQL extensions, specifically the pgEdge Spock logical replication extension.
+
+**Image Registry**: `ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest`
+**Base OS**: Rocky Linux 9
+**Platforms**: linux/amd64 (x86_64), linux/arm64 (Apple Silicon)
+**Purpose**: Development and testing environment for PostgreSQL extension development
+
+## Purpose
+
+This image provides a **complete, reproducible build environment** for PostgreSQL and its extensions. It eliminates the need to manually install dozens of dependencies and ensures consistent builds across different development machines and CI/CD environments.
+
+### Key Use Cases
+
+1. **PostgreSQL Extension Development**: Build and test custom PostgreSQL extensions with all necessary compilation tools and libraries
+2. **CI/CD Integration**: Use as a base image for automated testing pipelines
+3. **Multi-version Testing**: Easily test extensions against different PostgreSQL versions
+4. **Consistent Build Environment**: Reproducible builds across different systems and CI/CD platforms
+
+## What This Image Provides
+
+### 1. Complete Development Toolchain
+
+- **Compilers**: GCC, Clang, LLVM with LLVM-dev support
+- **Build Tools**: GNU Make, CMake, Autoconf, Automake, Bison, Flex
+- **Version Control**: Git for cloning PostgreSQL and extension sources
+- **Debugging Tools**: GDB and debugging symbols support
+
+### 2. PostgreSQL Build Dependencies
+
+The image includes **all** libraries required to build PostgreSQL with maximum feature set:
+
+| Library | Purpose | Configure Flag |
+|---------|---------|----------------|
+| `zstd-devel` | Zstandard compression | `--with-zstd` |
+| `lz4-devel` | LZ4 compression | `--with-lz4` |
+| `libicu-devel` | Unicode and internationalization | `--with-icu` |
+| `libxml2-devel` | XML support | `--with-libxml` |
+| `libxslt-devel` | XSLT transformations | `--with-libxslt` |
+| `openssl-devel` | SSL/TLS connections | `--with-openssl` |
+| `krb5-devel` | Kerberos authentication | `--with-gssapi` |
+| `openldap-devel` | LDAP authentication | `--with-ldap` |
+| `pam-devel` | PAM authentication | `--with-pam` |
+| `systemd-devel` | Systemd integration | `--with-systemd` |
+| `python3-devel` | PL/Python language | `--with-python` |
+| `readline-devel` | Enhanced psql CLI | Built-in |
+| `llvm-devel` | JIT compilation | `--with-llvm` |
+| `libuuid-devel` | UUID generation | `--with-uuid=ossp` |
+
+### 3. Testing Infrastructure
+
+- **Perl Testing Framework**: `perl-IPC-Run`, `Test::More` for PostgreSQL TAP tests
+- **SSH Configuration**: Pre-configured SSH keys for multi-node testing scenarios
+- **Network Tools**: `nc` (netcat), `bind-utils` (dig, nslookup) for connectivity testing
+- **Process Tools**: `procps` for monitoring and debugging
+
+### 4. User Configuration
+
+- **Non-root user**: `pgedge` user with sudo privileges (password: `asdf`)
+- **Home directory**: `/home/pgedge`
+- **SSH keys**: Ed25519 key pair pre-generated and authorized for localhost
+- **Working directory**: Set to `/home/pgedge` by default
+
+## Build Inputs
+
+### Required at Build Time
+
+- **Base Image**: `rockylinux:9` (pulled from Docker Hub)
+- **Build Arguments**:
+  - `PGEDGE_USER` (default: `pgedge`) - Name of the non-root user
+
+### Downloaded During Build
+
+1. **System Packages** (~500MB compressed):
+   - Rocky Linux 9 base system updates
+   - Development Tools group install
+   - 40+ development packages and their dependencies
+
+2. **Perl Modules** (via CPAN):
+   - `Test::More` - PostgreSQL TAP test framework
+
+## Image Size and Optimization
+
+**Expected Size**: ~1.5-2GB uncompressed
+
+This large size is **intentional and appropriate** for a development/testing base image because:
+- Contains complete compilation toolchain (LLVM alone is ~300MB)
+- Includes headers and development libraries for all PostgreSQL features
+- Prioritizes developer convenience over minimal size
+- Enables building PostgreSQL with all features without additional dependencies
+
+**Optimization**: The image performs aggressive cleanup:
+```dockerfile
+dnf clean all
+rm -rf /var/cache/dnf/* /tmp/* /var/tmp/*
+rm -rf /root/.cpanm
+```
+
+## Usage Examples
+
+### Basic Usage: Interactive Development
+
+```bash
+# Pull the image
+docker pull ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest
+
+# Start an interactive session
+docker run -it --rm ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest /bin/bash
+
+# Now inside the container as 'pgedge' user
+git clone https://github.com/postgres/postgres.git
+cd postgres
+./configure --prefix=/home/pgedge/pg17 --enable-debug
+make -j4
+make install
+```
+
+### Use as Base Image for Extension Development
+
+```dockerfile
+FROM ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest
+
+# Switch to root for installation
+USER root
+
+# Copy your extension source
+COPY . /home/pgedge/my-extension
+RUN chown -R pgedge:pgedge /home/pgedge/my-extension
+
+# Clone and build PostgreSQL
+RUN git clone --branch REL_16_STABLE --depth 1 \
+        https://github.com/postgres/postgres /home/pgedge/postgres && \
+    cd /home/pgedge/postgres && \
+    ./configure --prefix=/home/pgedge/pg16 && \
+    make -j4 && make install
+
+# Build your extension
+WORKDIR /home/pgedge/my-extension
+RUN make PG_CONFIG=/home/pgedge/pg16/bin/pg_config && \
+    make install PG_CONFIG=/home/pgedge/pg16/bin/pg_config
+
+# Switch back to non-root
+USER pgedge
+```
+
+### CI/CD Integration
+
+```yaml
+# .github/workflows/test.yml
+jobs:
+  test:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    container:
+      image: ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Build and test
+        run: |
+          cd /home/pgedge
+          make PG_CONFIG=/path/to/pg_config
+          make installcheck PG_CONFIG=/path/to/pg_config
+```
+
+## Platform Support
+
+The image is built as a **multiplatform manifest** supporting:
+- **linux/amd64** - Intel/AMD x86_64 systems
+- **linux/arm64** - Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4), AWS Graviton
+
+Docker automatically selects the appropriate architecture when pulling the image:
+
+```bash
+# Docker automatically selects correct architecture
+docker pull ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest
+
+# On Apple Silicon Mac → pulls linux/arm64 (native performance)
+# On Intel/AMD → pulls linux/amd64 (native performance)
+docker run -it ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest /bin/bash
+```
+
+To explicitly pull a specific platform:
+
+```bash
+# Force ARM64 variant
+docker pull --platform linux/arm64 ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest
+
+# Force AMD64 variant
+docker pull --platform linux/amd64 ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest
+```
+
+## Build Reproducibility
+
+Every image build includes comprehensive metadata for exact reproduction:
+
+### Build Information Embedded in Image
+
+Each image contains a `/etc/pgedge/build-info.txt` file with:
+- Build timestamp (ISO 8601 format)
+- Git commit SHA used to build the image
+- Git branch name
+- Rocky Linux version
+- Exact reproduction commands
+
+View this information from any image:
+```bash
+docker run --rm ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest cat /etc/pgedge/build-info.txt
+```
+
+### OCI Image Labels
+
+Images include standard OCI labels and custom metadata:
+```bash
+docker inspect ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest | jq '.[0].Config.Labels'
+```
+
+Labels include:
+- `org.opencontainers.image.created` - Build timestamp
+- `org.opencontainers.image.revision` - Git commit SHA
+- `org.opencontainers.image.source` - Source repository URL
+- `com.pgedge.base-os.version` - Rocky Linux version
+- `com.pgedge.git.branch` - Git branch name
+
+### Commit-Tagged Images
+
+Each build is tagged with both:
+- `:latest` - Always points to the most recent build
+- `:${GIT_COMMIT}` - Immutable tag referencing the exact git commit
+
+Pull a specific build:
+```bash
+# Replace with actual commit SHA from build output
+docker pull ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:a1b2c3d4e5f6...
+```
+
+### Reproducing a Build
+
+To reproduce an image exactly:
+
+1. **Find the git commit** from the image:
+   ```bash
+   docker inspect ghcr.io/pgedge/base-test-image:latest | \
+     jq -r '.[0].Config.Labels."org.opencontainers.image.revision"'
+   ```
+
+2. **Checkout that commit**:
+   ```bash
+   git clone https://github.com/pgedge/spock.git
+   cd spock
+   git checkout <commit-sha>
+   ```
+
+3. **Build with the same parameters**:
+   ```bash
+   docker build -f tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.el9 \
+     --build-arg BUILD_DATE=<timestamp> \
+     --build-arg GIT_COMMIT=<commit> \
+     --build-arg GIT_BRANCH=<branch> \
+     --build-arg ROCKYLINUX_VERSION=<version> .
+   ```
+
+The exact build command is also printed in `/etc/pgedge/build-info.txt` within the image.
+
+## Maintenance and Updates
+
+### Rebuild Strategy
+
+The base image should be rebuilt when:
+
+1. **Security Updates**: Critical CVEs in Rocky Linux 9 base packages
+2. **Dependency Updates**: New versions of PostgreSQL require updated libraries
+3. **Tool Updates**: Major LLVM or compiler version updates
+4. **Monthly**: Regular rebuild for non-critical updates
+
+### Workflow
+
+The image is built using GitHub Actions workflow:
+- **Workflow**: `.github/workflows/cache-base-image.yml`
+- **Trigger**: Manual dispatch (`workflow_dispatch`)
+- **Cache**: Uses GitHub Actions cache for layer caching
+- **Registry**: Published to GitHub Container Registry (GHCR)
+
+To trigger a rebuild:
+1. Navigate to Actions tab in GitHub
+2. Select "Update base OS image" workflow
+3. Click "Run workflow"
+
+## Downstream Images
+
+This base image is used by:
+
+1. **Dockerfile-step-1.el9**: Builds PostgreSQL with Spock patches and compiles Spock extension
+2. **CI/CD pipelines**: Automated testing workflows
+3. **Developer environments**: Local development containers
+
+## References
+
+- **Source**: `tests/docker/Dockerfile-base.el9`
+- **Registry**: https://github.com/pgedge/spock/pkgs/container/base-test-image
+- **Rocky Linux**: https://rockylinux.org/
+- **PostgreSQL Build Requirements**: https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/install-requirements.html
+- **Docker Multiplatform**: https://docs.docker.com/build/building/multi-platform/
+
+---
+
+**Maintained by**: pgEdge Team
+**Contact**: andrei.lepikhov@pgedge.com
+**License**: BSD