diff --git a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/lib.rs b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/lib.rs
index 326de2259..fbdabfe57 100644
--- a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/lib.rs
@@ -72,6 +72,15 @@ pub enum DependencyOverwriteBehavior {
     Error,
 }
 
+pub enum PypiDependencyLocation {
+    // The [pypi-dependencies] or [tool.pixi.pypi-dependencies] table
+    Pixi,
+    // The [project.optional-dependencies] table in a 'pyproject.toml' manifest
+    OptionalDependencies,
+    // The [dependency-groups] table in a 'pyproject.toml' manifest
+    DependencyGroups,
+}
+
 /// Converts an array of Platforms to a non-empty Vec of Option<Platform>
 fn to_options(platforms: &[Platform]) -> Vec<Option<Platform>> {
     match platforms.is_empty() {
diff --git a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/manifests/manifest.rs b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/manifests/manifest.rs
index ab28348df..091a294bc 100644
--- a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/manifests/manifest.rs
+++ b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/manifests/manifest.rs
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ use crate::{
     pypi::PyPiPackageName,
     pyproject::PyProjectManifest,
     to_options, DependencyOverwriteBehavior, Environment, EnvironmentName, Feature, FeatureName,
-    GetFeatureError, ParsedManifest, PrioritizedChannel, SpecType, Target, TargetSelector, Task,
-    TaskName,
+    GetFeatureError, ParsedManifest, PrioritizedChannel, PypiDependencyLocation, SpecType, Target,
+    TargetSelector, Task, TaskName,
 };
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
@@ -384,6 +384,7 @@ impl Manifest {
         feature_name: &FeatureName,
         editable: Option<bool>,
         overwrite_behavior: DependencyOverwriteBehavior,
+        location: &Option<PypiDependencyLocation>,
     ) -> miette::Result<bool> {
         let mut any_added = false;
         for platform in crate::to_options(platforms) {
@@ -398,6 +399,7 @@ impl Manifest {
                         platform,
                         feature_name,
                         editable,
+                        location,
                     )?;
                     any_added = true;
                 }
diff --git a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/manifests/project.rs b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/manifests/project.rs
index c41059e81..f3e111305 100644
--- a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/manifests/project.rs
+++ b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/manifests/project.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use rattler_conda_types::{PackageName, Platform};
 use toml_edit::{value, Array, Item, Table, Value};
 
 use super::TomlManifest;
+use crate::PypiDependencyLocation;
 use crate::{consts, error::TomlError, pypi::PyPiPackageName, PyPiRequirement};
 use crate::{consts::PYPROJECT_PIXI_PREFIX, FeatureName, SpecType, Task};
 
@@ -188,30 +189,43 @@ impl ManifestSource {
     ) -> Result<(), TomlError> {
         // For 'pyproject.toml' manifest, try and remove the dependency from native
         // arrays
-        let array = match self {
+        let remove_requirement =
+            |source: &mut ManifestSource, table, array_name| -> Result<(), TomlError> {
+                let array = source.manifest().get_toml_array(table, array_name)?;
+                if let Some(array) = array {
+                    array.retain(|x| {
+                        let req: pep508_rs::Requirement = x
+                            .as_str()
+                            .unwrap_or("")
+                            .parse()
+                            .expect("should be a valid pep508 dependency");
+                        let name = PyPiPackageName::from_normalized(req.name);
+                        name != *dep
+                    });
+                    if array.is_empty() {
+                        source
+                            .manifest()
+                            .get_or_insert_nested_table(table)?
+                            .remove(array_name);
+                    }
+                }
+                Ok(())
+            };
+
+        match self {
             ManifestSource::PyProjectToml(_) if feature_name.is_default() => {
-                self.manifest().get_toml_array("project", "dependencies")?
+                remove_requirement(self, "project", "dependencies")?;
+            }
+            ManifestSource::PyProjectToml(_) => {
+                let name = feature_name.to_string();
+                remove_requirement(self, "project.optional-dependencies", &name)?;
+                remove_requirement(self, "dependency-groups", &name)?;
             }
-            ManifestSource::PyProjectToml(_) => self
-                .manifest()
-                .get_toml_array("project.optional-dependencies", &feature_name.to_string())?,
-            _ => None,
+            _ => (),
         };
-        if let Some(array) = array {
-            array.retain(|x| {
-                let req: pep508_rs::Requirement = x
-                    .as_str()
-                    .unwrap_or("")
-                    .parse()
-                    .expect("should be a valid pep508 dependency");
-                let name = PyPiPackageName::from_normalized(req.name);
-                name != *dep
-            });
-        }
 
         // For both 'pyproject.toml' and 'pixi.toml' manifest,
         // try and remove the dependency from pixi native tables
-
         let table_name = TableName::new()
             .with_prefix(self.table_prefix())
             .with_feature_name(Some(feature_name))
@@ -285,47 +299,72 @@ impl ManifestSource {
         platform: Option<Platform>,
         feature_name: &FeatureName,
         editable: Option<bool>,
+        location: &Option<PypiDependencyLocation>,
     ) -> Result<(), TomlError> {
-        match self {
-            ManifestSource::PyProjectToml(_) => {
-                // Pypi dependencies can be stored in different places
-                // so we remove any potential dependency of the same name before adding it back
-                self.remove_pypi_dependency(
-                    &PyPiPackageName::from_normalized(requirement.name.clone()),
-                    platform,
-                    feature_name,
-                )?;
-                if let FeatureName::Named(name) = feature_name {
-                    self.manifest()
-                        .get_or_insert_toml_array("project.optional-dependencies", name)?
-                        .push(requirement.to_string())
-                } else {
-                    self.manifest()
-                        .get_or_insert_toml_array("project", "dependencies")?
-                        .push(requirement.to_string())
-                }
-            }
-            ManifestSource::PixiToml(_) => {
-                let mut pypi_requirement =
-                    PyPiRequirement::try_from(requirement.clone()).map_err(Box::new)?;
-                if let Some(editable) = editable {
-                    pypi_requirement.set_editable(editable);
-                }
+        // Pypi dependencies can be stored in different places in pyproject.toml manifests
+        // so we remove any potential dependency of the same name before adding it back
+        if matches!(self, ManifestSource::PyProjectToml(_)) {
+            self.remove_pypi_dependency(
+                &PyPiPackageName::from_normalized(requirement.name.clone()),
+                platform,
+                feature_name,
+            )?;
+        }
 
-                let dependency_table = TableName::new()
-                    .with_prefix(self.table_prefix())
-                    .with_platform(platform.as_ref())
-                    .with_feature_name(Some(feature_name))
-                    .with_table(Some(consts::PYPI_DEPENDENCIES));
-
-                self.manifest()
-                    .get_or_insert_nested_table(dependency_table.to_string().as_str())?
-                    .insert(
-                        requirement.name.as_ref(),
-                        Item::Value(pypi_requirement.into()),
-                    );
+        // The '[pypi-dependencies]' or '[tool.pixi.pypi-dependencies]' table is selected
+        //  - For 'pixi.toml' manifests where it is the only choice
+        //  - When explicitly requested
+        //  - When a specific platform is requested, as markers are not supported (https://github.com/prefix-dev/pixi/issues/2149)
+        //  - When an editable install is requested
+        if matches!(self, ManifestSource::PixiToml(_))
+            || matches!(location, Some(PypiDependencyLocation::Pixi))
+            || platform.is_some()
+            || editable.is_some_and(|e| e)
+        {
+            let mut pypi_requirement =
+                PyPiRequirement::try_from(requirement.clone()).map_err(Box::new)?;
+            if let Some(editable) = editable {
+                pypi_requirement.set_editable(editable);
             }
-        };
+
+            let dependency_table = TableName::new()
+                .with_prefix(self.table_prefix())
+                .with_platform(platform.as_ref())
+                .with_feature_name(Some(feature_name))
+                .with_table(Some(consts::PYPI_DEPENDENCIES));
+
+            self.manifest()
+                .get_or_insert_nested_table(dependency_table.to_string().as_str())?
+                .insert(
+                    requirement.name.as_ref(),
+                    Item::Value(pypi_requirement.into()),
+                );
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+
+        // Otherwise:
+        //   - the [project.dependencies] array is selected for the default feature
+        //   - the [dependency-groups.feature_name] array is selected unless
+        //   - optional-dependencies is explicitly requested as location
+        let add_requirement =
+            |source: &mut ManifestSource, table, array| -> Result<(), TomlError> {
+                source
+                    .manifest()
+                    .get_or_insert_toml_array(table, array)?
+                    .push(requirement.to_string());
+                Ok(())
+            };
+        if feature_name.is_default() {
+            add_requirement(self, "project", "dependencies")?
+        } else if matches!(location, Some(PypiDependencyLocation::OptionalDependencies)) {
+            add_requirement(
+                self,
+                "project.optional-dependencies",
+                &feature_name.to_string(),
+            )?
+        } else {
+            add_requirement(self, "dependency-groups", &feature_name.to_string())?
+        }
         Ok(())
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/pyproject.rs b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/pyproject.rs
index 4e0596734..c6c116920 100644
--- a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/pyproject.rs
+++ b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/pyproject.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use miette::{Diagnostic, IntoDiagnostic, Report, WrapErr};
 use pep440_rs::VersionSpecifiers;
 use pep508_rs::Requirement;
 use pixi_spec::PixiSpec;
-use pyproject_toml::{self, Project};
+use pyproject_toml::{self, pep735_resolve::Pep735Error, Contact, Project};
 use rattler_conda_types::{PackageName, ParseStrictness::Lenient, VersionSpec};
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use thiserror::Error;
@@ -165,11 +165,10 @@ impl PyProjectManifest {
             return Some(
                 pyproject_authors
                     .iter()
-                    .filter_map(|contact| match (contact.name(), contact.email()) {
-                        (Some(name), Some(email)) => Some(format!("{} <{}>", name, email)),
-                        (Some(name), None) => Some(name.to_string()),
-                        (None, Some(email)) => Some(email.to_string()),
-                        (None, None) => None,
+                    .map(|contact| match contact {
+                        Contact::NameEmail { name, email } => format!("{} <{}>", name, email),
+                        Contact::Name { name } => name.clone(),
+                        Contact::Email { email } => email.clone(),
                     })
                     .collect(),
             );
@@ -192,6 +191,11 @@ impl PyProjectManifest {
         self.project().and_then(|p| p.optional_dependencies.clone())
     }
 
+    /// Returns dependency groups from the `[dependency-groups]` table
+    fn dependency_groups(&self) -> Option<Result<IndexMap<String, Vec<Requirement>>, Pep735Error>> {
+        self.dependency_groups.as_ref().map(|dg| dg.resolve())
+    }
+
     /// Builds a list of pixi environments from pyproject groups of extra
     /// dependencies:
     ///  - one environment is created per group of extra, with the same name as
@@ -226,6 +230,8 @@ impl PyProjectManifest {
 pub enum PyProjectToManifestError {
     #[error("Unsupported pep508 requirement: '{0}'")]
     DependencyError(Requirement, #[source] DependencyError),
+    #[error(transparent)]
+    DependencyGroupError(#[from] Pep735Error),
 }
 
 impl TryFrom<PyProjectManifest> for ParsedManifest {
@@ -289,32 +295,37 @@ impl TryFrom<PyProjectManifest> for ParsedManifest {
             }
         }
 
-        // For each extra group, create a feature of the same name if it does not exist,
-        // and add pypi dependencies from project.optional-dependencies,
-        // filtering out self-references
-        if let Some(extras) = item.optional_dependencies() {
-            let project_name = item.package_name();
-            for (extra, reqs) in extras {
-                let feature_name = FeatureName::Named(extra.to_string());
-                let target = manifest
-                    .features
-                    .entry(feature_name.clone())
-                    .or_insert_with(move || Feature::new(feature_name))
-                    .targets
-                    .default_mut();
-                for requirement in reqs.iter() {
-                    // filter out any self references in groups of extra dependencies
-                    if project_name.as_ref() != Some(&requirement.name) {
-                        target
-                            .try_add_pep508_dependency(
-                                requirement,
-                                None,
-                                DependencyOverwriteBehavior::Error,
-                            )
-                            .map_err(|err| {
-                                PyProjectToManifestError::DependencyError(requirement.clone(), err)
-                            })?;
-                    }
+        // Define an iterator over both optional dependencies and dependency groups
+        let groups = item
+            .optional_dependencies()
+            .into_iter()
+            .chain(item.dependency_groups().transpose()?)
+            .flat_map(|map| map.into_iter());
+
+        // For each group of optional dependency or dependency group,
+        // create a feature of the same name if it does not exist,
+        // and add pypi dependencies, filtering out self-references in optional dependencies
+        let project_name = item.package_name();
+        for (group, reqs) in groups {
+            let feature_name = FeatureName::Named(group.to_string());
+            let target = manifest
+                .features
+                .entry(feature_name.clone())
+                .or_insert_with(move || Feature::new(feature_name))
+                .targets
+                .default_mut();
+            for requirement in reqs.iter() {
+                // filter out any self references in groups of extra dependencies
+                if project_name.as_ref() != Some(&requirement.name) {
+                    target
+                        .try_add_pep508_dependency(
+                            requirement,
+                            None,
+                            DependencyOverwriteBehavior::Error,
+                        )
+                        .map_err(|err| {
+                            PyProjectToManifestError::DependencyError(requirement.clone(), err)
+                        })?;
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -534,6 +545,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &FeatureName::Default,
                 None,
                 DependencyOverwriteBehavior::Overwrite,
+                &None,
             )
             .unwrap();
 
@@ -557,6 +569,7 @@ mod tests {
                 &FeatureName::Named("test".to_string()),
                 None,
                 DependencyOverwriteBehavior::Overwrite,
+                &None,
             )
             .unwrap();
         assert!(manifest
diff --git a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/snapshots/pixi_manifest__pyproject__tests__add_pypi_dependency.snap b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/snapshots/pixi_manifest__pyproject__tests__add_pypi_dependency.snap
index 889d21ee5..ec1fbaac8 100644
--- a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/snapshots/pixi_manifest__pyproject__tests__add_pypi_dependency.snap
+++ b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/snapshots/pixi_manifest__pyproject__tests__add_pypi_dependency.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 ---
 source: crates/pixi_manifest/src/pyproject.rs
-assertion_line: 464
 expression: manifest.document.to_string()
 ---
         [project]
@@ -13,12 +12,12 @@ expression: manifest.document.to_string()
         requires-python = ">=3.11"
         dependencies = ["flask==2.*", "numpy>=3.12"]
 
-[project.optional-dependencies]
-test = ["pytest>=3.12"]
-
         [tool.pixi.project]
         channels = ["conda-forge"]
         platforms = ["linux-64"]
 
         [tool.pixi.tasks]
         start = "python -m flask run --port=5050"
+
+[dependency-groups]
+test = ["pytest>=3.12"]
diff --git a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/snapshots/pixi_manifest__pyproject__tests__remove_pypi_dependency.snap b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/snapshots/pixi_manifest__pyproject__tests__remove_pypi_dependency.snap
index b2ea7e17a..10c33d19e 100644
--- a/crates/pixi_manifest/src/snapshots/pixi_manifest__pyproject__tests__remove_pypi_dependency.snap
+++ b/crates/pixi_manifest/src/snapshots/pixi_manifest__pyproject__tests__remove_pypi_dependency.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 ---
 source: crates/pixi_manifest/src/pyproject.rs
-assertion_line: 489
 expression: manifest.document.to_string()
 ---
         [project]
@@ -11,7 +10,6 @@ expression: manifest.document.to_string()
         homepage = "https://github.com/prefix/pixi"
         readme = "README.md"
         requires-python = ">=3.11"
-        dependencies = []
 
         [tool.pixi.project]
         channels = ["conda-forge"]
diff --git a/docs/advanced/pyproject_toml.md b/docs/advanced/pyproject_toml.md
index 73fa512d7..18420c2c7 100644
--- a/docs/advanced/pyproject_toml.md
+++ b/docs/advanced/pyproject_toml.md
@@ -155,6 +155,57 @@ In this example, three environments will be created by pixi:
 
 All environments will be solved together, as indicated by the common `solve-group`, and added to the lock file. You can edit the `[tool.pixi.environments]` section manually to adapt it to your use case (e.g. if you do not need a particular environment).
 
+## Dependency groups
+
+If your python project includes dependency groups, pixi will automatically interpret them as [pixi features](../reference/project_configuration.md#the-feature-table) of the same name with the associated `pypi-dependencies`.
+
+You can add them to pixi environments manually, or use `pixi init` to setup the project, which will create one environment per dependency group.
+
+For instance, imagine you have a project folder with a `pyproject.toml` file similar to:
+
+```toml
+[project]
+name = "my_project"
+dependencies = ["package1"]
+
+[dependency-groups]
+test = ["pytest"]
+docs = ["sphinx"]
+dev = [{include-group = "test"}, {include-group = "docs"}]
+```
+
+Running `pixi init` in that project folder will transform the `pyproject.toml` file into:
+
+```toml
+[project]
+name = "my_project"
+dependencies = ["package1"]
+
+[dependency-groups]
+test = ["pytest"]
+docs = ["sphinx"]
+dev = [{include-group = "test"}, {include-group = "docs"}]
+
+[tool.pixi.project]
+channels = ["conda-forge"]
+platforms = ["linux-64"] # if executed on linux
+
+[tool.pixi.environments]
+default = {features = [], solve-group = "default"}
+test = {features = ["test"], solve-group = "default"}
+docs = {features = ["docs"], solve-group = "default"}
+dev = {features = ["dev"], solve-group = "default"}
+```
+
+In this example, four environments will be created by pixi:
+
+- **default** with 'package1' as pypi dependency
+- **test** with 'package1' and 'pytest' as pypi dependencies
+- **docs** with 'package1', 'sphinx' as pypi dependencies
+- **dev** with 'package1', 'sphinx' and 'pytest' as pypi dependencies
+
+All environments will be solved together, as indicated by the common `solve-group`, and added to the lock file. You can edit the `[tool.pixi.environments]` section manually to adapt it to your use case (e.g. if you do not need a particular environment).
+
 ## Example
 
 As the `pyproject.toml` file supports the full pixi spec with `[tool.pixi]` prepended an example would look like this:
diff --git a/docs/reference/cli.md b/docs/reference/cli.md
index 3bd9242a9..82ad768e6 100644
--- a/docs/reference/cli.md
+++ b/docs/reference/cli.md
@@ -53,13 +53,23 @@ pixi init --format pixi --scm gitlab
 ## `add`
 
 Adds dependencies to the [manifest file](project_configuration.md).
-It will only add if the package with its version constraint is able to work with rest of the dependencies in the project.
+It will only add dependencies compatible with the rest of the dependencies in the project.
 [More info](../features/multi_platform_configuration.md) on multi-platform configuration.
 
-If the project manifest is a `pyproject.toml`, adding a pypi dependency will add it to the native pyproject `project.dependencies` array, or to the native `project.optional-dependencies` table if a feature is specified:
+If the project manifest is a `pyproject.toml`, by default, adding a pypi dependency will add it to the native `project.dependencies` array, or to the native `dependency-groups` table if a feature is specified:
 
 - `pixi add --pypi boto3` would add `boto3` to the `project.dependencies` array
-- `pixi add --pypi boto3 --feature aws` would add `boto3` to the `project.dependencies.aws` array
+- `pixi add --pypi boto3 --feature aws` would add `boto3` to the `dependency-groups.aws` array
+
+Note that if `--platform` or `--editable` are specified, the pypi dependency
+will be added to the `tool.pixi.pypi-dependencies` table instead as native
+arrays have no support for platform-specific or editable dependencies.
+
+Specifying `--location` to `pixi` will force adding the pypi dependency
+to the `tool.pixi.pypi-dependencies` table. Specifying `--location` to
+`optional-dependencies` will force adding the pypi dependency
+to the `project.optional-dependencies` table (this will only have an effect
+if a non-default feature is also specified).
 
 These dependencies will be read by pixi as if they had been added to the pixi `pypi-dependencies` tables of the default or a named feature.
 
@@ -79,7 +89,8 @@ These dependencies will be read by pixi as if they had been added to the pixi `p
 - `--no-lockfile-update`: Don't update the lock-file, implies the `--no-install` flag.
 - `--platform <PLATFORM> (-p)`: The platform for which the dependency should be added. (Allowed to be used more than once)
 - `--feature <FEATURE> (-f)`: The feature for which the dependency should be added.
-- `--editable`: Specifies an editable dependency, only use in combination with `--pypi`.
+- `--editable`: Specifies an editable dependency; only used in combination with `--pypi`.
+- `--location`: Specifies where to add the pypi dependency to the manifest; only used in combination with `--pypi`.
 
 ```shell
 pixi add numpy # (1)!
diff --git a/examples/flask-hello-world-pyproject/pixi.lock b/examples/flask-hello-world-pyproject/pixi.lock
index e9cb1d446..e96fa001f 100644
--- a/examples/flask-hello-world-pyproject/pixi.lock
+++ b/examples/flask-hello-world-pyproject/pixi.lock
@@ -32,9 +32,13 @@ environments:
       - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/bb/2a/10164ed1f31196a2f7f3799368a821765c62851ead0e630ab52b8e14b4d0/blinker-1.8.2-py3-none-any.whl
       - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/00/2e/d53fa4befbf2cfa713304affc7ca780ce4fc1fd8710527771b58311a3229/click-8.1.7-py3-none-any.whl
       - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/fd/56/26f0be8adc2b4257df20c1c4260ddd0aa396cf8e75d90ab2f7ff99bc34f9/flask-2.3.3-py3-none-any.whl
+      - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/ef/a6/62565a6e1cf69e10f5727360368e451d4b7f58beeac6173dc9db836a5b46/iniconfig-2.0.0-py3-none-any.whl
       - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/04/96/92447566d16df59b2a776c0fb82dbc4d9e07cd95062562af01e408583fc4/itsdangerous-2.2.0-py3-none-any.whl
       - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/31/80/3a54838c3fb461f6fec263ebf3a3a41771bd05190238de3486aae8540c36/jinja2-3.1.4-py3-none-any.whl
-      - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/87/5b/aae44c6655f3801e81aa3eef09dbbf012431987ba564d7231722f68df02d/MarkupSafe-2.1.5.tar.gz
+      - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/0a/0d/2454f072fae3b5a137c119abf15465d1771319dfe9e4acbb31722a0fff91/MarkupSafe-2.1.5-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_17_x86_64.manylinux2014_x86_64.whl
+      - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/88/ef/eb23f262cca3c0c4eb7ab1933c3b1f03d021f2c48f54763065b6f0e321be/packaging-24.2-py3-none-any.whl
+      - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/88/5f/e351af9a41f866ac3f1fac4ca0613908d9a41741cfcf2228f4ad853b697d/pluggy-1.5.0-py3-none-any.whl
+      - pypi: https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/6b/77/7440a06a8ead44c7757a64362dd22df5760f9b12dc5f11b6188cd2fc27a0/pytest-8.3.3-py3-none-any.whl
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diff --git a/examples/flask-hello-world-pyproject/pyproject.toml b/examples/flask-hello-world-pyproject/pyproject.toml
index c951fab58..ba6e58f6f 100644
--- a/examples/flask-hello-world-pyproject/pyproject.toml
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 build-backend = "hatchling.build"
 requires = ["hatchling"]
@@ -29,3 +26,6 @@ start = "python -m flask --app flask_hello_world_pyproject.app:app run --port=50
 
 [tool.pixi.feature.test.tasks]
 test = "pytest -v tests/*"
+
+[dependency-groups]
+test = ["pytest>=8.3.3,<9"]
diff --git a/src/cli/add.rs b/src/cli/add.rs
index 0c79a6f8b..3c310f8c1 100644
--- a/src/cli/add.rs
+++ b/src/cli/add.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use clap::Parser;
+use clap::{Parser, ValueEnum};
 use indexmap::IndexMap;
 use pixi_manifest::FeatureName;
 
@@ -37,18 +37,28 @@ use crate::{
 ///
 /// Mixing `--platform` and `--build`/`--host` flags is supported
 ///
-/// The `--pypi` option will add the package as a pypi dependency. This can not
+/// The `--pypi` option will add the package as a pypi dependency. This cannot
 /// be mixed with the conda dependencies
 /// - `pixi add --pypi boto3`
 /// - `pixi add --pypi "boto3==version"
 ///
 /// If the project manifest is a `pyproject.toml`, adding a pypi dependency will
 /// add it to the native pyproject `project.dependencies` array or to the native
-/// `project.optional-dependencies` table if a feature is specified:
+/// `dependency-groups` table if a feature is specified:
 /// - `pixi add --pypi boto3` will add `boto3` to the `project.dependencies`
 ///   array
 /// - `pixi add --pypi boto3 --feature aws` will add `boto3` to the
-///   `project.dependencies.aws` array
+///   `dependency-groups.aws` array
+///
+/// Note that if `--platform` or `--editable` are specified, the pypi dependency
+/// will be added to the `tool.pixi.pypi-dependencies` table instead as native
+/// arrays have no support for platform-specific or editable dependencies.
+///
+/// Specifying `--location` to `pixi` will force adding the pypi dependency
+/// to the `tool.pixi.pypi-dependencies` table. Specifying `--location` to
+/// `optional-dependencies` will force adding the pypi dependency
+/// to the `project.optional-dependencies` table (this will only have an effect
+/// if a non-default feature is also specified).
 ///
 /// These dependencies will then be read by pixi as if they had been added to
 /// the pixi `pypi-dependencies` tables of the default or of a named feature.
@@ -73,6 +83,29 @@ pub struct Args {
     /// Whether the pypi requirement should be editable
     #[arg(long, requires = "pypi")]
     pub editable: bool,
+
+    /// Where to add the pypi requirement to the manifest
+    #[arg(long, requires = "pypi")]
+    pub location: Option<PypiDependencyLocation>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Parser, Debug, Clone, PartialEq, ValueEnum)]
+pub enum PypiDependencyLocation {
+    // The [pypi-dependencies] or [tool.pixi.pypi-dependencies] table
+    Pixi,
+    // The [project.optional-dependencies] table in a 'pyproject.toml' manifest
+    OptionalDependencies,
+}
+
+impl From<PypiDependencyLocation> for pixi_manifest::PypiDependencyLocation {
+    fn from(val: PypiDependencyLocation) -> Self {
+        match val {
+            PypiDependencyLocation::Pixi => pixi_manifest::PypiDependencyLocation::Pixi,
+            PypiDependencyLocation::OptionalDependencies => {
+                pixi_manifest::PypiDependencyLocation::OptionalDependencies
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 pub async fn execute(args: Args) -> miette::Result<()> {
@@ -112,6 +145,7 @@ pub async fn execute(args: Args) -> miette::Result<()> {
     // TODO: add dry_run logic to add
     let dry_run = false;
 
+    let location = args.location.map(|l| l.into());
     let update_deps = project
         .update_dependencies(
             match_specs,
@@ -120,6 +154,7 @@ pub async fn execute(args: Args) -> miette::Result<()> {
             &args.dependency_config.feature,
             &args.dependency_config.platforms,
             args.editable,
+            &location,
             dry_run,
         )
         .await?;
diff --git a/src/cli/init.rs b/src/cli/init.rs
index 296da842b..3b5a1a9af 100644
--- a/src/cli/init.rs
+++ b/src/cli/init.rs
@@ -257,6 +257,7 @@ pub async fn execute(args: Args) -> miette::Result<()> {
                 &FeatureName::default(),
                 None,
                 DependencyOverwriteBehavior::Overwrite,
+                &None,
             )?;
         }
         project.save()?;
diff --git a/src/cli/upgrade.rs b/src/cli/upgrade.rs
index 428e3a5b0..1c416afd9 100644
--- a/src/cli/upgrade.rs
+++ b/src/cli/upgrade.rs
@@ -179,6 +179,7 @@ pub async fn execute(args: Args) -> miette::Result<()> {
             &args.specs.feature,
             &[],
             false,
+            &None,
             args.dry_run,
         )
         .await?;
diff --git a/src/project/mod.rs b/src/project/mod.rs
index 14254daee..30d8e24da 100644
--- a/src/project/mod.rs
+++ b/src/project/mod.rs
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ use pixi_config::{Config, PinningStrategy};
 use pixi_consts::consts;
 use pixi_manifest::{
     pypi::PyPiPackageName, DependencyOverwriteBehavior, EnvironmentName, Environments, FeatureName,
-    FeaturesExt, HasFeaturesIter, HasManifestRef, Manifest, ParsedManifest, SpecType,
+    FeaturesExt, HasFeaturesIter, HasManifestRef, Manifest, ParsedManifest, PypiDependencyLocation,
+    SpecType,
 };
 use pixi_utils::reqwest::build_reqwest_clients;
 use pypi_mapping::{ChannelName, CustomMapping, MappingLocation, MappingSource};
@@ -639,6 +640,7 @@ impl Project {
         feature_name: &FeatureName,
         platforms: &[Platform],
         editable: bool,
+        location: &Option<PypiDependencyLocation>,
         dry_run: bool,
     ) -> Result<Option<UpdateDeps>, miette::Error> {
         let mut conda_specs_to_add_constraints_for = IndexMap::new();
@@ -670,6 +672,7 @@ impl Project {
                 feature_name,
                 Some(editable),
                 DependencyOverwriteBehavior::Overwrite,
+                location,
             )?;
             if added {
                 if spec.version_or_url.is_none() {
@@ -761,6 +764,7 @@ impl Project {
                 feature_name,
                 platforms,
                 editable,
+                location,
             )?;
             implicit_constraints.extend(pypi_constraints);
         }
@@ -895,6 +899,7 @@ impl Project {
 
     /// Update the pypi specs of newly added packages based on the contents of the
     /// updated lock-file.
+    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
     fn update_pypi_specs_from_lock_file(
         &mut self,
         updated_lock_file: &LockFile,
@@ -903,6 +908,7 @@ impl Project {
         feature_name: &FeatureName,
         platforms: &[Platform],
         editable: bool,
+        location: &Option<PypiDependencyLocation>,
     ) -> miette::Result<HashMap<String, String>> {
         let mut implicit_constraints = HashMap::new();
 
@@ -949,6 +955,7 @@ impl Project {
                     feature_name,
                     Some(editable),
                     DependencyOverwriteBehavior::Overwrite,
+                    location,
                 )?;
             }
         }
diff --git a/tests/integration_rust/common/mod.rs b/tests/integration_rust/common/mod.rs
index 302ab98fe..5c2ef7a0b 100644
--- a/tests/integration_rust/common/mod.rs
+++ b/tests/integration_rust/common/mod.rs
@@ -312,6 +312,7 @@ impl PixiControl {
                     revalidate: false,
                 },
                 editable: false,
+                location: None,
             },
         }
     }