In July 2025, Lars Ackermann developed and integrated the FESOM/ECHAM coupling configuration for the esm_tools repository, delivering a new awiesm setup (version 2.6.2) with FESOM 2.6.11. He focused on configuration management and system integration, defining coupling components and updating build configurations to enable seamless interaction between FESOM and ECHAM. Using yaml for configuration, Lars ensured the new setup was properly registered for streamlined deployment and repeatable releases. His work addressed the technical challenge of cross-repository coupling, resulting in a robust, maintainable integration that required only minor build refinements and introduced no major defects during implementation.