diff --git a/.github/workflows/build.yaml b/.github/workflows/build.yaml
index 33b8a7fa3e63..94b8378a2122 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/build.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/build.yaml
@@ -67,6 +67,13 @@ on:
       - develop
       - 'release/**'
   workflow_dispatch:
+    inputs:
+      marker:
+        description: >-
+          Run only the tests carrying this registered pytest marker, e.g. kitless. A job with no
+          marked file passes with an empty report. Empty runs every test.
+        type: string
+        default: ''
 
 # Concurrency control to prevent parallel runs on the same PR
 concurrency:
@@ -266,6 +273,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -294,6 +302,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -322,6 +331,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -349,6 +359,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -376,6 +387,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -403,6 +415,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -434,6 +447,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -468,6 +482,7 @@ jobs:
       id: ov_pins
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -499,6 +514,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -523,6 +539,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -546,6 +563,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -570,6 +588,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -594,6 +613,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -618,6 +638,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -641,6 +662,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -664,6 +686,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -688,6 +711,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -717,6 +741,7 @@ jobs:
       id: ov_pins
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -761,6 +786,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}-curobo
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -802,6 +828,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}-curobo
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -834,6 +861,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -857,6 +885,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -901,6 +930,7 @@ jobs:
       id: ov_pins
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -948,6 +978,7 @@ jobs:
       id: ov_pins
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -1273,6 +1304,7 @@ jobs:
         lfs: true
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
@@ -1317,6 +1349,7 @@ jobs:
       id: ov_pins
     - uses: ./.github/actions/run-package-tests
       with:
+        ci-marker: ${{ inputs.marker || 'ov' }}
         image-tag: ${{ needs.config.outputs.ci_image_tag }}
         isaacsim-base-image: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_name }}
         isaacsim-version: ${{ needs.config.outputs.isaacsim_image_tag }}
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 75823806f714..73153a44bb42 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -373,6 +373,7 @@ markers = [
     "rendering: test exercises the rendering / camera / visualizer pipeline",
     "smoke: tests for core installation, task, and RL functionality",
     "kitless: test must pass inside the Kit-less container, which has no Isaac Sim runtime",
+    "ov: test exercises the OV libraries (ovphysx, ovrtx, ovstage)",
 ]
 
 # Add pypi.nvidia.com so that `uv pip install isaaclab[isaacsim]` works without --extra-index-url.
diff --git a/source/isaaclab/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip b/source/isaaclab/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..9e1cbe23414d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/isaaclab/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Rejected unregistered CI markers in the test orchestrator.
diff --git a/source/isaaclab/test/cli/test_test_orchestrator_result_handling.py b/source/isaaclab/test/cli/test_test_orchestrator_result_handling.py
index 07d712f4ba0b..2f2b69811275 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab/test/cli/test_test_orchestrator_result_handling.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab/test/cli/test_test_orchestrator_result_handling.py
@@ -718,3 +718,14 @@ def test_external_git_asset_tests_receive_extended_startup_deadline():
 
     assert startup_deadline == orchestrator.test_settings.GIT_ASSET_STARTUP_TIMEOUT
     assert orchestrator._resolve_startup_deadline("test_sample.py", timeout=10000, is_cold_cache_test=False) == 120
+
+
+def test_ci_marker_must_be_a_registered_marker_name():
+    """A marker run matches files by name, so an expression or a misspelling must not reach selection."""
+    orchestrator = _load_orchestrator_module()
+
+    registered = orchestrator._registered_markers(str(TOOLS_DIR.parent))
+
+    assert {"kitless", "arm_ci", "isaacsim_ci"} <= registered
+    assert "kitless and not rendering" not in registered
+    assert "kitles" not in registered
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip b/source/isaaclab_newton/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..51bcbf53b393
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Marked the test files that run without Kit as kitless so a marker run can select them.
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_cable_object.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_cable_object.py
index f26608129c86..08a5b294f4cf 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_cable_object.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_cable_object.py
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab_contrib.coupling import CouplerEntryCfg, CouplerProxyCfg, CouplerProxyMappingCfg
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @configclass
 class _CableSceneCfg(InteractiveSceneCfg):
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_joint_coordinates.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_joint_coordinates.py
index 11b19f4c4602..8978b5b4d044 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_joint_coordinates.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_joint_coordinates.py
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 from newton.selection import ArticulationView
 from scipy.spatial.transform import Rotation
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 # One revolute, one ball, one revolute -- the layout that hides an off-by-one when the tables are
 # built by walking the model instead of the view's own per-joint counts.
 COORD_COUNTS = [1, 4, 1]
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_mpm_object.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_mpm_object.py
index fc47a9cac6fd..05158ee4c2e3 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_mpm_object.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/assets/test_mpm_object.py
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 import pytest
 import torch
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 newton = pytest.importorskip("newton")
 
 from isaaclab_newton.assets.mpm_object import MPMObject, MPMObjectCfg
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_clone_xform_math.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_clone_xform_math.py
index 78507b19e4a7..3de464eeabed 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_clone_xform_math.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_clone_xform_math.py
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 import warp as wp
 from isaaclab_newton.cloner.newton_clone_utils import _quat_rotate
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 _TOL = 1e-5
 
 # Hand-picked quaternions (xyzw) that cover identity and the 180-degree cases where a sign
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_collision_approximation.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_collision_approximation.py
index fee301834066..a946745358b4 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_collision_approximation.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_collision_approximation.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 
 from pxr import Sdf, Usd, UsdGeom, UsdPhysics, UsdShade
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 _SOURCE = "/World/Asset"
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_newton_builder_world_hook.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_newton_builder_world_hook.py
index b69f6bd41c57..ed1c13df6509 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_newton_builder_world_hook.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_newton_builder_world_hook.py
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 from isaaclab.cloner import make_clone_plan
 from isaaclab.sim import SimulationCfg, SimulationContext, SpawnerCfg, build_simulation_context
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 replicate_module = importlib.import_module("isaaclab_newton.cloner.replicate")
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_rename_builder_labels.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_rename_builder_labels.py
index caafc902e998..7966c168bbc0 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_rename_builder_labels.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_rename_builder_labels.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 
 import newton
 import numpy as np
+import pytest
 import warp as wp
 from isaaclab_newton.cloner import NewtonReplicateContext
 from isaaclab_newton.cloner import newton_clone_utils as newton_clone_utils_module
@@ -27,6 +28,8 @@
 from isaaclab.sim import SimulationContext, SpawnerCfg
 from isaaclab.sim.schemas import define_deformable_curve_properties
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 class TestReplicateBuilderMapping(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_world_prototypes_preserve_repeated_instances_and_default_poses(self):
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_visual_shape_import.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_visual_shape_import.py
index 6cd49c001fba..9ff3a49c13f7 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_visual_shape_import.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/cloner/test_visual_shape_import.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 
 from pxr import Usd, UsdGeom, UsdPhysics
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("load_visual_shapes", [True, False])
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("dynamic", [True, False])
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/controllers/test_newton_controllers.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/controllers/test_newton_controllers.py
index 61b3fa32af33..48b62dec6957 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/controllers/test_newton_controllers.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/controllers/test_newton_controllers.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab.utils import math as math_utils
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 _NUM_ENVS = 3
 _NUM_JOINTS = 7
 _DEVICE = "cpu"
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/controllers/test_newton_ik_solver.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/controllers/test_newton_ik_solver.py
index 7ea6e8733cce..d338747111c1 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/controllers/test_newton_ik_solver.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/controllers/test_newton_ik_solver.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 
 import isaaclab_newton.controllers.ik.newton_ik_objectives as objectives_module
 import isaaclab_newton.controllers.ik.newton_ik_solver as ik_solver_module
+import pytest
 import torch
 import warp as wp
 from isaaclab_newton.controllers.ik.newton_ik_objectives import (
@@ -24,6 +25,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab.utils import configclass
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 # Maps the stub body names used across these tests to Newton link indices.
 _LINKS = {"ee": 0, "torso": 1, "custom": 0}
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/envs/test_events.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/envs/test_events.py
index c60929ae347d..74ecb67b3a9d 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/envs/test_events.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/envs/test_events.py
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@
 from isaaclab.utils import configclass
 from isaaclab.visualizers import VisualizerCfg
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @configclass
 class ActionsCfg:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_mjwarp_tendon_control.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_mjwarp_tendon_control.py
index 93c6413fb639..da9490ca595b 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_mjwarp_tendon_control.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_mjwarp_tendon_control.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 )
 from newton.solvers import SolverMuJoCo
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 _TENDON = int(SolverMuJoCo.TrnType.TENDON)
 _JOINT = 0
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_mpm_reset_mask_contract.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_mpm_reset_mask_contract.py
index c22ba0b0d7e7..21151527d37d 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_mpm_reset_mask_contract.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_mpm_reset_mask_contract.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 from isaaclab_newton.physics import MPMSolverCfg, NewtonManager, NewtonMPMManager
 from newton.solvers import SolverImplicitMPM
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="module")
 def cpu_mpm_solver_and_state():
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_newton_manager_abstraction.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_newton_manager_abstraction.py
index c5f219d72a1f..d46b3d290e97 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_newton_manager_abstraction.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_newton_manager_abstraction.py
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@
 from isaaclab.sim import SimulationCfg, SimulationContext, build_simulation_context
 from isaaclab.test.utils import test_devices
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Lightweight (no sim) parametrisation
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_vbd_core.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_vbd_core.py
index 112aa5dc166d..a8e5f196485a 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_vbd_core.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/physics/test_vbd_core.py
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 from isaaclab.sim import BackendCfg, SimulationContext
 from isaaclab.utils import replace
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 # The soft-contact and simulation axes are independent, so each value is covered once.
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/renderers/test_segmentation.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/renderers/test_segmentation.py
index e38194b21735..8a708f45ccd0 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/renderers/test_segmentation.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/renderers/test_segmentation.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 from isaaclab.renderers.segmentation_colors import BACKGROUND_ID, UNLABELLED_ID, pack_rgba, random_color_from_id
 from isaaclab.sim.utils.semantics import add_labels
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 def _cfg(**overrides):
     """Minimal renderer-cfg stand-in exposing only the fields the mapper reads."""
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/renderers/test_visual_material.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/renderers/test_visual_material.py
index c873f109bb87..2663f8498646 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/renderers/test_visual_material.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/renderers/test_visual_material.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 """Tests for Newton's compiled visual-material writers."""
 
+import pytest
 import torch
 import warp as wp
 from isaaclab_newton.physics import NewtonBackendCfg, NewtonBuilderCfg
@@ -21,6 +22,8 @@
 from isaaclab.renderers.base_renderer import VisualMaterialBatch
 from isaaclab.sim import SimulationContext
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 def _srgb(colors: torch.Tensor) -> torch.Tensor:
     return torch.where(colors <= 0.0031308, 12.92 * colors, 1.055 * colors.pow(1.0 / 2.4) - 0.055)
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_camera_opencv_distortion_newton.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_camera_opencv_distortion_newton.py
index d5fb86f9fc33..a3cdce732fa3 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_camera_opencv_distortion_newton.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_camera_opencv_distortion_newton.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 from isaaclab.utils.configclass import configclass
 from isaaclab.utils.math import create_rotation_matrix_from_view, quat_from_matrix
 
-pytestmark = [pytest.mark.integration, pytest.mark.rendering]
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.integration, pytest.mark.rendering, pytest.mark.kitless]
 
 SIM_DT = 1.0 / 60.0
 WIDTH, HEIGHT = 640, 480
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor.py
index 7babb6d24639..dde406fd214e 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor.py
@@ -57,6 +57,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab_assets.robots.allegro import ALLEGRO_HAND_CFG
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 ##
 # Scene Configuration
 ##
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor_history.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor_history.py
index 934758cdb923..f2bcbac81ce8 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor_history.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor_history.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 import warnings
 
+import pytest
 import torch
 import warp as wp
 from isaaclab_newton.sensors.contact_sensor.contact_sensor_data import ContactSensorData
@@ -17,6 +18,8 @@
     update_contact_sensor_kernel,
 )
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 def test_force_matrix_history_rolls_newest_first_and_honors_mask():
     """Test newest-first ordering of every history buffer without advancing masked environments.
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_frame_transformer.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_frame_transformer.py
index ad1389bc23b2..94d52bf9db7d 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_frame_transformer.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_frame_transformer.py
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@
 ##
 from isaaclab_assets.robots.anymal import ANYMAL_C_CFG  # isort:skip
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 def quat_from_euler_rpy(roll, pitch, yaw, degrees=False):
     """Converts Euler XYZ to Quaternion (x, y, z, w)."""
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_imu.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_imu.py
index fbb77ecbe00a..6e50a335f142 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_imu.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_imu.py
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 from isaaclab.terrains import TerrainImporterCfg
 from isaaclab.utils import configclass
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @configclass
 class ImuTestSceneCfg(InteractiveSceneCfg):
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_joint_wrench_sensor.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_joint_wrench_sensor.py
index 7a7ccf9a74b1..1fa938c8ddca 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_joint_wrench_sensor.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_joint_wrench_sensor.py
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab_assets.robots.ant import ANT_CFG
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 def _make_single_joint_articulation_cfg() -> ArticulationCfg:
     """Single-joint revolute test articulation (root ``CenterPivot`` + arm ``Arm``)."""
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_newton_raycast_sensor.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_newton_raycast_sensor.py
index 6de5c0e0edc4..c1f8318993c2 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_newton_raycast_sensor.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_newton_raycast_sensor.py
@@ -40,6 +40,8 @@
 from isaaclab.terrains import TerrainImporterCfg
 from isaaclab.utils import configclass
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 SENSOR_HEIGHT = 2.0
 RAY_OFFSET = 0.2
 RAY_START_HEIGHT = SENSOR_HEIGHT - RAY_OFFSET
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_pva.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_pva.py
index f7bdb49e9137..34ae63de71dc 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_pva.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_pva.py
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 from isaaclab.terrains import TerrainImporterCfg
 from isaaclab.utils import configclass
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @configclass
 class PvaTestSceneCfg(InteractiveSceneCfg):
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_site_injection.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_site_injection.py
index 119925292059..2d192fc10e61 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_site_injection.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sensors/test_site_injection.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab.utils.warp.math_ops import transform_to_vec_quat
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # transform_to_vec_quat
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_cable_usd_import.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_cable_usd_import.py
index 7bcfae13e9de..cce29078fb39 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_cable_usd_import.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_cable_usd_import.py
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 from isaaclab.sim.spawners.materials import CableMaterialCfg
 from isaaclab.sim.spawners.shapes import CableCfg
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 # Cable joint degrees of freedom, in the order Newton lays them out.
 _SHEAR_X, _SHEAR_Y, _STRETCH, _BEND_X, _BEND_Y, _TWIST = range(6)
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_mpm_spawners.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_mpm_spawners.py
index 234a03ffcda6..bc4a087601b9 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_mpm_spawners.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_mpm_spawners.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 import isaaclab.sim as sim_utils
 
-pytestmark = pytest.mark.unit
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.unit, pytest.mark.kitless]
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_mpm_visualization.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_mpm_visualization.py
index 3b7e283e0988..82739938bf01 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_mpm_visualization.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_mpm_visualization.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 
 import isaaclab.sim as sim_utils
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 _PRIM_PATHS = ["/World/envs/env_0/Sand/Particles", "/World/envs/env_1/Sand/Particles"]
 """Environment-namespaced points prims, matching the ``{ENV_REGEX_NS}/<asset>/Particles`` paths used by MPMObject."""
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_views_xform_prim_newton.py b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_views_xform_prim_newton.py
index 236ddce46764..c7cc19fc7c7d 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_views_xform_prim_newton.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_newton/test/sim/test_views_xform_prim_newton.py
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@
 from isaaclab.sim import SimulationCfg, build_simulation_context
 from isaaclab.utils import configclass
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 NEWTON_SIM_CFG = SimulationCfg(physics=NewtonCfg(solver_cfg=MJWarpSolverCfg()))
 WORLD_MARKER_POS = (5.0, 3.0, 1.0)
 SITE_PATH = "/World/Robot/SiteFrame"
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip b/source/isaaclab_ov/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..51bcbf53b393
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Marked the test files that run without Kit as kitless so a marker run can select them.
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_articulation.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_articulation.py
index 86cf41b91585..b22678bc7a95 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_articulation.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_articulation.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
 
 from isaaclab_assets import FRANKA_PANDA_CFG  # noqa: E402
 
-pytestmark = pytest.mark.integration
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.integration, pytest.mark.kitless]
 
 _FIXTURE = Path(__file__).parent / "data" / "articulation_ordering_branching.usda"
 _STIFFNESS, _DAMPING, _MAX_FORCE = 5.0, 0.5, 100.0
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_deformable_object.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_deformable_object.py
index b965811c1de8..15481b91858a 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_deformable_object.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_deformable_object.py
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@
     pretriangulated_surface_deformable_spawn_cfg,
 )
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 wp.init()
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_rigid_object.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_rigid_object.py
index d6a5276fbcfa..04b2d0cfeb10 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_rigid_object.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/assets/test_rigid_object.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 from isaaclab.utils import configclass  # noqa: E402
 from isaaclab.utils.math import quat_apply_inverse, quat_mul  # noqa: E402
 
-pytestmark = pytest.mark.integration
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.integration, pytest.mark.kitless]
 
 _NUM_CUBES = 2
 _NUM_ENVS, _NUM_BODIES = 2, 3
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/conftest.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/conftest.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..49ad9038118e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/conftest.py
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# Copyright (c) 2022-2026, The Isaac Lab Project Developers (https://github.com/isaac-sim/IsaacLab/blob/main/CONTRIBUTORS.md).
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+
+"""Every test in this package exercises the OV libraries."""
+
+import pytest
+
+
+def pytest_itemcollected(item):
+    # Runs before ``-m`` deselects, so ``-m ov`` keeps these tests. The CI runner finds
+    # this marker by reading this file, as it does a module-level ``pytestmark``.
+    item.add_marker(pytest.mark.ov)
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/envs/test_events.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/envs/test_events.py
index b84fab5973a6..7348f79d112b 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/envs/test_events.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/envs/test_events.py
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@
 from isaaclab.sim import SimulationCfg, build_simulation_context
 from isaaclab.test.utils import DeviceScope, test_devices
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="module", params=test_devices(DeviceScope.CUDA))
 def event_env(request, tmp_path_factory):
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_compat.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_compat.py
index 53aaef7d3e54..46ca1cfa9a94 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_compat.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_compat.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
         bool(_MISSING_MODULES),
         reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}",
     ),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
 ]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_gravity.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_gravity.py
index 8661417e0bb9..beb117425a48 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_gravity.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_gravity.py
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 from isaaclab.sim import SimulationCfg, build_simulation_context
 from isaaclab.test.utils import DeviceScope, test_devices
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("device", test_devices(DeviceScope.CUDA))
 def test_gravity_event_changes_rigid_body_motion(device):
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_manager_lifecycle.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_manager_lifecycle.py
index 10fba55987d9..0b60cd9204ef 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_manager_lifecycle.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_manager_lifecycle.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab.test.utils import DeviceScope, test_devices
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 pytest.importorskip("ovphysx.types", reason="ovphysx wheel not installed")
 
 _CPU_DEVICES = test_devices(DeviceScope.CPU)
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_scene_data_backend.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_scene_data_backend.py
index 5228f92205bc..54ca18d3daef 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_scene_data_backend.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/physics/test_ovphysx_scene_data_backend.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 
 import pytest
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 # The OVPhysX runtime wheel is optional. Skip gracefully when it is not installed;
 # CI jobs that need OVPhysX coverage install it explicitly.
 pytest.importorskip("ovphysx.types", reason="ovphysx wheel not installed")
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor.py
index b919fae68fc2..d8f1683504c5 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor.py
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@
 from isaaclab.test.utils import test_devices  # noqa: E402
 from isaaclab.utils import configclass, replace  # noqa: E402
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 wp.init()
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor_kernels.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor_kernels.py
index 0f751a084d2d..a3011b3b0cd7 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor_kernels.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_contact_sensor_kernels.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab.test.utils import DeviceScope, test_devices
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("device", test_devices(DeviceScope.CUDA))
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("use_mask, capacity", [(False, None), (True, 5)])
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_frame_transformer.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_frame_transformer.py
index 6ac9e360f630..a4acb7a881cc 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_frame_transformer.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_frame_transformer.py
@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@
 import torch
 import warp as wp
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 # OVRTX-only CI jobs collect the consolidated isaaclab_ov test suite without
 # the optional ovphysx wheel. Skip the OVPhysX tests gracefully in that case.
 pytest.importorskip("ovphysx.types", reason="ovphysx wheel not installed")
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_imu.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_imu.py
index 8ea15cae95c7..9a36e76181df 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_imu.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_imu.py
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 import pytest
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 pytest.importorskip("ovphysx.types", reason="ovphysx wheel not installed")
 _TT_module = pytest.importorskip(
     "isaaclab_ov.tensor_types",
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_joint_wrench_sensor.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_joint_wrench_sensor.py
index b35efb30eb6d..5d57caa46435 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_joint_wrench_sensor.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_joint_wrench_sensor.py
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab_assets.robots.ant import ANT_CFG  # noqa: E402
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 wp.init()
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_pva.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_pva.py
index 39dff9597416..b10bbf60f8f1 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_pva.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_pva.py
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 import pytest
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 pytest.importorskip("ovphysx.types", reason="ovphysx wheel not installed")
 _TT_module = pytest.importorskip(
     "isaaclab_ov.tensor_types",
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_ray_caster.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_ray_caster.py
index ff504b841cd1..e25f4c87d391 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_ray_caster.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sensors/test_ray_caster.py
@@ -9,11 +9,14 @@
 
 from types import SimpleNamespace
 
+import pytest
 import torch
 import warp as wp
 from isaaclab_ov import tensor_types as TT
 from isaaclab_ov.sensors.ray_caster import ray_caster as ray_caster_module
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 class _FakeBinding:
     shape = (3, 7)
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sim/test_ovphysx_view.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sim/test_ovphysx_view.py
index 8bca85fad3cd..9d50cf817045 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sim/test_ovphysx_view.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sim/test_ovphysx_view.py
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@
 )
 from ovphysx.types import TensorType  # noqa: E402
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 wp.init()
 wp.set_device("cpu")
 _HAS_CUDA = wp.get_cuda_device_count() > 0
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sim/test_views_xform_prim_ovphysx.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sim/test_views_xform_prim_ovphysx.py
index b08cbd83c0a6..2cda878bb83a 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sim/test_views_xform_prim_ovphysx.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/sim/test_views_xform_prim_ovphysx.py
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 from isaaclab.sim import SimulationCfg, build_simulation_context  # noqa: E402
 from isaaclab.sim.views import FrameView  # noqa: E402
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 OVPHYSX_SIM_CFG = SimulationCfg(physics=OvPhysxCfg())
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_cloner.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_cloner.py
index 4503b1752acd..9f9edbf6ade5 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_cloner.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_cloner.py
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 from isaaclab.cloner import make_clone_plan
 from isaaclab.physics import PhysicsManager
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 def _pose_matrix(position: tuple[float, float, float], quaternion: tuple[float, float, float, float]) -> Gf.Matrix4d:
     """Build a USD pose matrix from an xyzw quaternion."""
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_annotator_utils.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_annotator_utils.py
index 7cf343b56485..3ff13f345ae2 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_annotator_utils.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_annotator_utils.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
         bool(_MISSING_MODULES),
         reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}",
     ),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
 ]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_clone_plan.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_clone_plan.py
index 9c078b1a376c..3a2cfa6bb396 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_clone_plan.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_clone_plan.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
         bool(_MISSING_MODULES),
         reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}",
     ),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
 ]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_compat.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_compat.py
index 96abc4ff7cfc..c86e98a85cb1 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_compat.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_compat.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
         bool(_MISSING_MODULES),
         reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}",
     ),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
 ]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_deformable_bindings.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_deformable_bindings.py
index 51bbdd2542c4..2888aa2f5a62 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_deformable_bindings.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_deformable_bindings.py
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@
 
 _REQUIRED_MODULES = ("isaaclab_ov", "ovrtx", "pxr")
 _MISSING_MODULES = [module for module in _REQUIRED_MODULES if importlib.util.find_spec(module) is None]
-pytestmark = pytest.mark.skipif(bool(_MISSING_MODULES), reason=f"requires optional modules: {_MISSING_MODULES}")
+pytestmark = [
+    pytest.mark.skipif(bool(_MISSING_MODULES), reason=f"requires optional modules: {_MISSING_MODULES}"),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
+]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
     import isaaclab_ov.renderers.ovrtx_renderer as ovrtx_renderer_module
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_contract.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_contract.py
index 7317f8f8b12d..59374a252b07 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_contract.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_contract.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
         bool(_MISSING_MODULES),
         reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}",
     ),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
 ]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_kernels.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_kernels.py
index 09d5dcb5e52c..0d5e0831c3fa 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_kernels.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_kernels.py
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab.renderers.segmentation_colors import pack_rgba, random_color_from_id
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 DEVICE = "cuda:0"
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_rigid_object_rendering.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_rigid_object_rendering.py
index 5289866d9a23..5b89ae8d5c50 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_rigid_object_rendering.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_renderer_rigid_object_rendering.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
     pytest.mark.rendering,
     pytest.mark.isaacsim_ci,
     pytest.mark.skipif(bool(_MISSING_MODULES), reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}"),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
 ]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_shader_cache_redirect.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_shader_cache_redirect.py
index dda1a37cba0a..2d9708753913 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_shader_cache_redirect.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_shader_cache_redirect.py
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@
     redirect_shader_cache,
 )
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 _CACHE_PATH = "/tmp/isaaclab-ovrtx-kitless-cache"
 
 # Only ever forwarded to the patched applier factory, so its contents never matter.
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_usd.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_usd.py
index ded8dc4feffb..fbcd69503b47 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_usd.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_usd.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
         bool(_MISSING_MODULES),
         reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}",
     ),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
 ]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_visual_material_sync.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_visual_material_sync.py
index 83e4f140cfb9..805a0115ee3b 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_visual_material_sync.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovrtx_visual_material_sync.py
@@ -15,9 +15,10 @@
 _REQUIRED_MODULES = ("isaaclab_ov", "ovrtx")
 _MISSING_MODULES = [module for module in _REQUIRED_MODULES if importlib.util.find_spec(module) is None]
 
-pytestmark = pytest.mark.skipif(
-    bool(_MISSING_MODULES), reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}"
-)
+pytestmark = [
+    pytest.mark.skipif(bool(_MISSING_MODULES), reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}"),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
+]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
     from isaaclab_ov.renderers.ovrtx_renderer import OVRTXRenderer
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovstage_compat.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovstage_compat.py
index fb0cbe0eb77b..e7bee66158bc 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovstage_compat.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_ovstage_compat.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
         bool(_MISSING_MODULES),
         reason=f"requires optional modules: {', '.join(_MISSING_MODULES)}",
     ),
+    pytest.mark.kitless,
 ]
 
 if not _MISSING_MODULES:
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_randomize_rigid_body_collider_offsets_mdp.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_randomize_rigid_body_collider_offsets_mdp.py
index d84bd48f851f..a3e83febfb11 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_randomize_rigid_body_collider_offsets_mdp.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_randomize_rigid_body_collider_offsets_mdp.py
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@
 
 from isaaclab_assets import CARTPOLE_CFG  # isort:skip  # noqa: E402
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 wp.init()
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_randomize_rigid_body_material_mdp.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_randomize_rigid_body_material_mdp.py
index baca4bd4b497..39dc7486467d 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_randomize_rigid_body_material_mdp.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_randomize_rigid_body_material_mdp.py
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@
 from isaaclab.test.utils import DeviceScope, test_devices  # noqa: E402
 from isaaclab.utils.assets import ISAAC_NUCLEUS_DIR  # noqa: E402
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 wp.init()
 
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_runtime_imports.py b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_runtime_imports.py
index 3e3d75abb7aa..f91b6784a482 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_runtime_imports.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_ov/test/test_runtime_imports.py
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@
 import pytest
 from isaaclab_ov._runtime import _OVPHYSX_INSTALL_MESSAGE, import_ovphysx
 
+pytestmark = pytest.mark.kitless
+
 
 def test_import_ovphysx_reports_install_command_when_runtime_missing(monkeypatch):
     """Missing root ``ovphysx`` imports raise the Isaac Lab install hint."""
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip b/source/isaaclab_tasks/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..51bcbf53b393
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/changelog.d/jichuanh-ci-marker-selection.skip
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Marked the test files that run without Kit as kitless so a marker run can select them.
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_cartpole_kitless.py b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_cartpole_kitless.py
index ff2367b550db..e9e830268219 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_cartpole_kitless.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_cartpole_kitless.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
     rendering_test_cartpole,
 )
 
-pytestmark = pytest.mark.arm_ci
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.arm_ci, pytest.mark.kitless, pytest.mark.ov]
 
 _RENDERING_PARAMS = [
     pytest.param(*param.values, False, marks=param.marks, id=param.id)
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_cable_kitless.py b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_cable_kitless.py
index 4170237a2664..e9c6713d64a4 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_cable_kitless.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_cable_kitless.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
     rendering_test_franka_cable,
 )
 
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.kitless, pytest.mark.ov]
+
 _RENDERING_PARAMS = group_rendering_params(make_kitless_rendering_params_franka())
 _COMPARISON_SCORES: list[dict] = []
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_cloth_kitless.py b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_cloth_kitless.py
index 77ba8da567b5..cae5588dd279 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_cloth_kitless.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_cloth_kitless.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
     rendering_test_franka_cloth,
 )
 
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.kitless, pytest.mark.ov]
+
 _RENDERING_PARAMS = group_rendering_params(make_kitless_rendering_params_franka())
 _COMPARISON_SCORES: list[dict] = []
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_soft_kitless.py b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_soft_kitless.py
index e34b3657bcdb..b344e9c2901e 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_soft_kitless.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_franka_soft_kitless.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
     rendering_test_franka_soft,
 )
 
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.kitless, pytest.mark.ov]
+
 _RENDERING_PARAMS = group_rendering_params(make_kitless_rendering_params_franka())
 _COMPARISON_SCORES: list[dict] = []
 
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_kuka_visual_material_randomization_kitless.py b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_kuka_visual_material_randomization_kitless.py
index fbeaf8a2894a..b35be6a4aa5c 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_kuka_visual_material_randomization_kitless.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_kuka_visual_material_randomization_kitless.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
     pytest.mark.integration,
     pytest.mark.rendering,
     pytest.mark.kitless,
+    pytest.mark.ov,
 ]
 
 _RENDERING_PARAMS = make_kitless_visual_material_rendering_params()
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_lift_kuka_hetero_kitless.py b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_lift_kuka_hetero_kitless.py
index 92aa1df826be..1ce0468c561f 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_lift_kuka_hetero_kitless.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_lift_kuka_hetero_kitless.py
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
     rendering_test_lift_kuka,
 )
 
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.kitless, pytest.mark.ov]
+
 # OVPhysX heterogeneous rendering goldens are not available yet.
 _RENDERING_PARAMS = group_rendering_params(
     [param for param in make_kitless_rendering_params_lift() if param.values[1] != "ovphysx"]
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_lift_kuka_homo_kitless.py b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_lift_kuka_homo_kitless.py
index bda9c02b288c..d3acd63f0723 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_lift_kuka_homo_kitless.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_lift_kuka_homo_kitless.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
     rendering_test_lift_kuka,
 )
 
-pytestmark = pytest.mark.arm_ci
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.arm_ci, pytest.mark.kitless, pytest.mark.ov]
 
 _RENDERING_PARAMS = group_rendering_params(make_kitless_rendering_params_lift())
 _COMPARISON_SCORES: list[dict] = []
diff --git a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_shadow_hand_kitless.py b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_shadow_hand_kitless.py
index b17e9c41a0c3..b360aa070b16 100644
--- a/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_shadow_hand_kitless.py
+++ b/source/isaaclab_tasks/test/core/test_rendering_shadow_hand_kitless.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
     rendering_test_shadow_hand,
 )
 
-pytestmark = pytest.mark.arm_ci
+pytestmark = [pytest.mark.kitless, pytest.mark.ov, pytest.mark.arm_ci]
 
 _RENDERING_PARAMS = group_rendering_params(
     make_kitless_rendering_params(MINIMAL_KITLESS_PHYSICS_RENDERER_AOV_COMBINATIONS)
diff --git a/tools/conftest.py b/tools/conftest.py
index 19b7be193180..512ab8b3e38f 100644
--- a/tools/conftest.py
+++ b/tools/conftest.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 import time
 from collections.abc import Callable
 from dataclasses import dataclass
+from pathlib import Path
 
 import pytest
 import tomllib
@@ -1697,6 +1698,13 @@ def _collect_test_node_ids_by_file(workspace_root: str) -> dict[str, list[str]]:
     return grouped
 
 
+def _registered_markers(workspace_root: str) -> set[str]:
+    """Names of the markers registered in the root ``pyproject.toml``."""
+    with open(os.path.join(workspace_root, "pyproject.toml"), "rb") as stream:
+        entries = tomllib.load(stream)["tool"]["pytest"]["ini_options"]["markers"]
+    return {entry.split(":", 1)[0].strip() for entry in entries}
+
+
 def _write_empty_report():
     """Write an empty JUnit XML report so downstream CI steps find a valid file."""
     os.makedirs("tests", exist_ok=True)
@@ -1758,6 +1766,10 @@ def pytest_sessionstart(session):
     # filter is owned by Isaac Sim's external CI pipeline; the CI_MARKER path
     # leaves that contract untouched.
     ci_marker = os.environ.get("CI_MARKER", "")
+    # The file scan below matches a single marker name, and a job with no marked file passes empty,
+    # so an expression or a misspelt name would pass every job without running anything.
+    if ci_marker and ci_marker not in _registered_markers(workspace_root):
+        pytest.exit(f"CI_MARKER {ci_marker!r} is not a single marker registered in pyproject.toml", returncode=1)
     test_node_ids_by_file = _collect_test_node_ids_by_file(workspace_root)
 
     # Parse include files list (comma-separated paths)
@@ -1819,10 +1831,16 @@ def pytest_sessionstart(session):
         marker_token = f"pytest.mark.{ci_marker}"
         new_test_files = []
         for test_file in test_files:
+            # A folder's conftest.py can mark every test below it.
+            folder = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(test_file))
+            marking_files = [test_file]
+            while folder.startswith(workspace_root) and folder != workspace_root:
+                if os.path.isfile(os.path.join(folder, "conftest.py")):
+                    marking_files.append(os.path.join(folder, "conftest.py"))
+                folder = os.path.dirname(folder)
             try:
-                with open(test_file) as f:
-                    if marker_token in f.read():
-                        new_test_files.append(test_file)
+                if any(marker_token in Path(path).read_text() for path in marking_files):
+                    new_test_files.append(test_file)
             except OSError as exc:
                 raise RuntimeError(
                     f"ci_marker post-scan could not read {test_file}; refusing to"
@@ -1842,6 +1860,10 @@ def pytest_sessionstart(session):
             logger.info("No quarantined tests configured — nothing to run.")
             _write_empty_report()
             pytest.exit("No quarantined tests configured", returncode=0)
+        if ci_marker:
+            logger.info(f"No selected test file carries marker '{ci_marker}' — nothing to run.")
+            _write_empty_report()
+            pytest.exit("No test files found for marker", returncode=0)
         if filter_pattern:
             logger.info(f"No test files found matching filter pattern '{filter_pattern}' — nothing to run.")
             _write_empty_report()