diff --git a/.github/workflows/backend.yml b/.github/workflows/backend.yml
index 705768b59..13e67c6fe 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/backend.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/backend.yml
@@ -32,16 +32,30 @@ jobs:
     if: github.repository == 'mudler/LocalAI'
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
-      matrix-singlearch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch'] }}
       matrix-multiarch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-multiarch'] }}
       matrix-darwin: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-darwin'] }}
       merge-matrix-multiarch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-multiarch'] }}
-      merge-matrix-singlearch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch'] }}
-      has-backends-singlearch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch'] }}
       has-backends-multiarch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-multiarch'] }}
       has-backends-darwin: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-darwin'] }}
       has-merges-multiarch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-multiarch'] }}
-      has-merges-singlearch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch'] }}
+      # Single-arch backends are sharded across SINGLEARCH_SHARDS matrix jobs to
+      # stay under GitHub's 256-jobs-per-matrix limit (see changed-backends.js).
+      matrix-singlearch-1: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-1'] }}
+      merge-matrix-singlearch-1: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-1'] }}
+      has-backends-singlearch-1: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-1'] }}
+      has-merges-singlearch-1: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-1'] }}
+      matrix-singlearch-2: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-2'] }}
+      merge-matrix-singlearch-2: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-2'] }}
+      has-backends-singlearch-2: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-2'] }}
+      has-merges-singlearch-2: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-2'] }}
+      matrix-singlearch-3: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-3'] }}
+      merge-matrix-singlearch-3: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-3'] }}
+      has-backends-singlearch-3: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-3'] }}
+      has-merges-singlearch-3: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-3'] }}
+      matrix-singlearch-4: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-4'] }}
+      merge-matrix-singlearch-4: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-4'] }}
+      has-backends-singlearch-4: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-4'] }}
+      has-merges-singlearch-4: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-4'] }}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v7
@@ -109,9 +123,9 @@ jobs:
   # take their full ~6h cold without blocking manifest assembly for the
   # multi-arch backends whose per-arch digests would otherwise sit untagged
   # on quay long enough to be GC'd.
-  backend-jobs-singlearch:
+  backend-jobs-singlearch-1:
     needs: generate-matrix
-    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch'] == 'true'
+    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-1'] == 'true'
     uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build.yml
     with:
       tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
@@ -138,7 +152,100 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       max-parallel: 8
-      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch']) }}
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-1']) }}
+
+  backend-jobs-singlearch-2:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-2'] == 'true'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+      build-type: ${{ matrix.build-type }}
+      cuda-major-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-major-version }}
+      cuda-minor-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-minor-version }}
+      platforms: ${{ matrix.platforms }}
+      platform-tag: ${{ matrix.platform-tag || '' }}
+      runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
+      builder-base-image: ${{ matrix.builder-base-image || '' }}
+      base-image: ${{ matrix.base-image }}
+      backend: ${{ matrix.backend }}
+      dockerfile: ${{ matrix.dockerfile }}
+      skip-drivers: ${{ matrix.skip-drivers }}
+      context: ${{ matrix.context }}
+      ubuntu-version: ${{ matrix.ubuntu-version }}
+      amdgpu-targets: ${{ matrix.amdgpu-targets || 'gfx908,gfx90a,gfx942,gfx950,gfx1030,gfx1100,gfx1101,gfx1102,gfx1151,gfx1200,gfx1201' }}
+    secrets:
+      dockerUsername: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+      dockerPassword: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_PASSWORD }}
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      max-parallel: 8
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-2']) }}
+
+  backend-jobs-singlearch-3:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-3'] == 'true'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+      build-type: ${{ matrix.build-type }}
+      cuda-major-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-major-version }}
+      cuda-minor-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-minor-version }}
+      platforms: ${{ matrix.platforms }}
+      platform-tag: ${{ matrix.platform-tag || '' }}
+      runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
+      builder-base-image: ${{ matrix.builder-base-image || '' }}
+      base-image: ${{ matrix.base-image }}
+      backend: ${{ matrix.backend }}
+      dockerfile: ${{ matrix.dockerfile }}
+      skip-drivers: ${{ matrix.skip-drivers }}
+      context: ${{ matrix.context }}
+      ubuntu-version: ${{ matrix.ubuntu-version }}
+      amdgpu-targets: ${{ matrix.amdgpu-targets || 'gfx908,gfx90a,gfx942,gfx950,gfx1030,gfx1100,gfx1101,gfx1102,gfx1151,gfx1200,gfx1201' }}
+    secrets:
+      dockerUsername: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+      dockerPassword: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_PASSWORD }}
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      max-parallel: 8
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-3']) }}
+
+  backend-jobs-singlearch-4:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-4'] == 'true'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+      build-type: ${{ matrix.build-type }}
+      cuda-major-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-major-version }}
+      cuda-minor-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-minor-version }}
+      platforms: ${{ matrix.platforms }}
+      platform-tag: ${{ matrix.platform-tag || '' }}
+      runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
+      builder-base-image: ${{ matrix.builder-base-image || '' }}
+      base-image: ${{ matrix.base-image }}
+      backend: ${{ matrix.backend }}
+      dockerfile: ${{ matrix.dockerfile }}
+      skip-drivers: ${{ matrix.skip-drivers }}
+      context: ${{ matrix.context }}
+      ubuntu-version: ${{ matrix.ubuntu-version }}
+      amdgpu-targets: ${{ matrix.amdgpu-targets || 'gfx908,gfx90a,gfx942,gfx950,gfx1030,gfx1100,gfx1101,gfx1102,gfx1151,gfx1200,gfx1201' }}
+    secrets:
+      dockerUsername: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+      dockerPassword: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_PASSWORD }}
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      max-parallel: 8
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-4']) }}
 
   # Apply tags to per-arch digests via `imagetools create`. Split into two
   # jobs that mirror the build split so each merge waits ONLY on its
@@ -174,10 +281,12 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-multiarch']) }}
 
-  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch:
-    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch]
-    # See note on backend-merge-jobs-multiarch above for !cancelled().
-    if: ${{ !cancelled() && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch'] == 'true' }}
+  # One merge shard per build shard: backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-<n> needs only
+  # backend-jobs-singlearch-<n>, preserving the "merge waits only on its own
+  # build" property while staying under the 256-jobs-per-matrix limit.
+  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-1:
+    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch-1]
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-1'] == 'true' }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_merge.yml
     with:
       tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
@@ -189,7 +298,55 @@ jobs:
       quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
-      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch']) }}
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-1']) }}
+
+  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-2:
+    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch-2]
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-2'] == 'true' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_merge.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+    secrets:
+      dockerUsername: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+      dockerPassword: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_PASSWORD }}
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-2']) }}
+
+  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-3:
+    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch-3]
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-3'] == 'true' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_merge.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+    secrets:
+      dockerUsername: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+      dockerPassword: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_PASSWORD }}
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-3']) }}
+
+  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-4:
+    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch-4]
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-4'] == 'true' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_merge.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+    secrets:
+      dockerUsername: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_USERNAME }}
+      dockerPassword: ${{ secrets.DOCKERHUB_PASSWORD }}
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-4']) }}
 
   backend-jobs-darwin:
     needs: generate-matrix
diff --git a/.github/workflows/backend_pr.yml b/.github/workflows/backend_pr.yml
index 9517651e4..c13c444c4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/backend_pr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/backend_pr.yml
@@ -11,16 +11,30 @@ jobs:
   generate-matrix:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     outputs:
-      matrix-singlearch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch'] }}
       matrix-multiarch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-multiarch'] }}
       matrix-darwin: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-darwin'] }}
       merge-matrix-multiarch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-multiarch'] }}
-      merge-matrix-singlearch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch'] }}
-      has-backends-singlearch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch'] }}
       has-backends-multiarch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-multiarch'] }}
       has-backends-darwin: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-darwin'] }}
       has-merges-multiarch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-multiarch'] }}
-      has-merges-singlearch: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch'] }}
+      # Single-arch backends are sharded across SINGLEARCH_SHARDS matrix jobs to
+      # stay under GitHub's 256-jobs-per-matrix limit (see changed-backends.js).
+      matrix-singlearch-1: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-1'] }}
+      merge-matrix-singlearch-1: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-1'] }}
+      has-backends-singlearch-1: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-1'] }}
+      has-merges-singlearch-1: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-1'] }}
+      matrix-singlearch-2: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-2'] }}
+      merge-matrix-singlearch-2: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-2'] }}
+      has-backends-singlearch-2: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-2'] }}
+      has-merges-singlearch-2: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-2'] }}
+      matrix-singlearch-3: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-3'] }}
+      merge-matrix-singlearch-3: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-3'] }}
+      has-backends-singlearch-3: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-3'] }}
+      has-merges-singlearch-3: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-3'] }}
+      matrix-singlearch-4: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-4'] }}
+      merge-matrix-singlearch-4: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-4'] }}
+      has-backends-singlearch-4: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-4'] }}
+      has-merges-singlearch-4: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-4'] }}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
         uses: actions/checkout@v7
@@ -71,10 +85,10 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: true
       max-parallel: 8
       matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-multiarch']) }}
-  backend-jobs-singlearch:
+  backend-jobs-singlearch-1:
     needs: generate-matrix
+    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-1'] == 'true'
     uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build.yml
-    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch'] == 'true'
     with:
       tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
       tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
@@ -98,7 +112,94 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: true
       max-parallel: 8
-      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch']) }}
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-1']) }}
+
+  backend-jobs-singlearch-2:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-2'] == 'true'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+      build-type: ${{ matrix.build-type }}
+      cuda-major-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-major-version }}
+      cuda-minor-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-minor-version }}
+      platforms: ${{ matrix.platforms }}
+      platform-tag: ${{ matrix.platform-tag || '' }}
+      runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
+      builder-base-image: ${{ matrix.builder-base-image || '' }}
+      base-image: ${{ matrix.base-image }}
+      backend: ${{ matrix.backend }}
+      dockerfile: ${{ matrix.dockerfile }}
+      skip-drivers: ${{ matrix.skip-drivers }}
+      context: ${{ matrix.context }}
+      ubuntu-version: ${{ matrix.ubuntu-version }}
+      amdgpu-targets: ${{ matrix.amdgpu-targets || 'gfx908,gfx90a,gfx942,gfx950,gfx1030,gfx1100,gfx1101,gfx1102,gfx1151,gfx1200,gfx1201' }}
+    secrets:
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: true
+      max-parallel: 8
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-2']) }}
+
+  backend-jobs-singlearch-3:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-3'] == 'true'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+      build-type: ${{ matrix.build-type }}
+      cuda-major-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-major-version }}
+      cuda-minor-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-minor-version }}
+      platforms: ${{ matrix.platforms }}
+      platform-tag: ${{ matrix.platform-tag || '' }}
+      runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
+      builder-base-image: ${{ matrix.builder-base-image || '' }}
+      base-image: ${{ matrix.base-image }}
+      backend: ${{ matrix.backend }}
+      dockerfile: ${{ matrix.dockerfile }}
+      skip-drivers: ${{ matrix.skip-drivers }}
+      context: ${{ matrix.context }}
+      ubuntu-version: ${{ matrix.ubuntu-version }}
+      amdgpu-targets: ${{ matrix.amdgpu-targets || 'gfx908,gfx90a,gfx942,gfx950,gfx1030,gfx1100,gfx1101,gfx1102,gfx1151,gfx1200,gfx1201' }}
+    secrets:
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: true
+      max-parallel: 8
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-3']) }}
+
+  backend-jobs-singlearch-4:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    if: needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-backends-singlearch-4'] == 'true'
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+      build-type: ${{ matrix.build-type }}
+      cuda-major-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-major-version }}
+      cuda-minor-version: ${{ matrix.cuda-minor-version }}
+      platforms: ${{ matrix.platforms }}
+      platform-tag: ${{ matrix.platform-tag || '' }}
+      runs-on: ${{ matrix.runs-on }}
+      builder-base-image: ${{ matrix.builder-base-image || '' }}
+      base-image: ${{ matrix.base-image }}
+      backend: ${{ matrix.backend }}
+      dockerfile: ${{ matrix.dockerfile }}
+      skip-drivers: ${{ matrix.skip-drivers }}
+      context: ${{ matrix.context }}
+      ubuntu-version: ${{ matrix.ubuntu-version }}
+      amdgpu-targets: ${{ matrix.amdgpu-targets || 'gfx908,gfx90a,gfx942,gfx950,gfx1030,gfx1100,gfx1101,gfx1102,gfx1151,gfx1200,gfx1201' }}
+    secrets:
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: true
+      max-parallel: 8
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['matrix-singlearch-4']) }}
   backend-merge-jobs-multiarch:
     needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-multiarch]
     # backend_merge.yml's push-side steps are all gated on
@@ -118,9 +219,9 @@ jobs:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-multiarch']) }}
 
-  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch:
-    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch]
-    if: ${{ !cancelled() && github.event_name != 'pull_request' && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch'] == 'true' }}
+  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-1:
+    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch-1]
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() && github.event_name != 'pull_request' && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-1'] == 'true' }}
     uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_merge.yml
     with:
       tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
@@ -130,7 +231,49 @@ jobs:
       quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
-      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch']) }}
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-1']) }}
+
+  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-2:
+    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch-2]
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() && github.event_name != 'pull_request' && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-2'] == 'true' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_merge.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+    secrets:
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-2']) }}
+
+  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-3:
+    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch-3]
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() && github.event_name != 'pull_request' && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-3'] == 'true' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_merge.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+    secrets:
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-3']) }}
+
+  backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-4:
+    needs: [generate-matrix, backend-jobs-singlearch-4]
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() && github.event_name != 'pull_request' && needs.generate-matrix.outputs['has-merges-singlearch-4'] == 'true' }}
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_merge.yml
+    with:
+      tag-latest: ${{ matrix.tag-latest }}
+      tag-suffix: ${{ matrix.tag-suffix }}
+    secrets:
+      quayUsername: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_USERNAME }}
+      quayPassword: ${{ secrets.LOCALAI_REGISTRY_PASSWORD }}
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs['merge-matrix-singlearch-4']) }}
   backend-jobs-darwin:
     needs: generate-matrix
     uses: ./.github/workflows/backend_build_darwin.yml
diff --git a/scripts/changed-backends.js b/scripts/changed-backends.js
index 758cdb869..3e0355f62 100644
--- a/scripts/changed-backends.js
+++ b/scripts/changed-backends.js
@@ -209,23 +209,75 @@ function splitByArch(entries) {
   return { multiarch, singlearch };
 }
 
+// GitHub Actions refuses to instantiate a matrix with more than 256 jobs. When
+// it happens the job doesn't error visibly — it hangs forever at "Waiting for
+// pending jobs" and the whole run is marked `failure` while every *other* job
+// stays green (seen on the v4.6.1 tag build, run 28786533892: 268 single-arch
+// entries, zero single-arch jobs ever created). The single-arch list is the
+// one that grows unbounded as backends are added, so we shard it across a
+// fixed number of matrix jobs instead of feeding one oversized matrix.
+//
+// SINGLEARCH_SHARDS MUST equal the number of backend-jobs-singlearch-<n>
+// (and backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-<n>) blocks defined in backend.yml and
+// backend_pr.yml. Bump all three together.
+const SINGLEARCH_SHARDS = 4;
+const GHA_MATRIX_LIMIT = 256;
+
+// Split `arr` into exactly `shards` balanced, contiguous chunks. Earlier chunks
+// absorb the remainder when the length doesn't divide evenly; trailing chunks
+// may be empty when there are fewer entries than shards (those emit a
+// has-backends-singlearch-<n>=false flag so their job is skipped).
+function chunkEqually(arr, shards) {
+  const out = [];
+  const base = Math.floor(arr.length / shards);
+  const rem = arr.length % shards;
+  let idx = 0;
+  for (let i = 0; i < shards; i++) {
+    const size = base + (i < rem ? 1 : 0);
+    out.push(arr.slice(idx, idx + size));
+    idx += size;
+  }
+  return out;
+}
+
+// Emit the sharded single-arch build + merge matrices and their has-* gates.
+// Called with the full or filtered single-arch entry list.
+function emitSinglearchShards(singlearch) {
+  const shards = chunkEqually(singlearch, SINGLEARCH_SHARDS);
+  for (let i = 0; i < SINGLEARCH_SHARDS; i++) {
+    const shard = shards[i];
+    // Fail loudly rather than let GitHub silently drop the overflow: a shard at
+    // or above the limit means SINGLEARCH_SHARDS (and the matching job blocks in
+    // both workflows) need to grow.
+    if (shard.length >= GHA_MATRIX_LIMIT) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `single-arch shard ${i + 1} has ${shard.length} entries (>= ${GHA_MATRIX_LIMIT}, ` +
+        `GitHub's per-matrix job limit). Increase SINGLEARCH_SHARDS in ` +
+        `scripts/changed-backends.js and add matching backend-jobs-singlearch-<n> / ` +
+        `backend-merge-jobs-singlearch-<n> blocks to backend.yml and backend_pr.yml.`
+      );
+    }
+    const merge = computeMergeMatrix(shard);
+    const n = i + 1;
+    fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-backends-singlearch-${n}=${shard.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false'}\n`);
+    fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-merges-singlearch-${n}=${merge.include.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false'}\n`);
+    fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `matrix-singlearch-${n}=${JSON.stringify({ include: shard })}\n`);
+    fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `merge-matrix-singlearch-${n}=${JSON.stringify(merge)}\n`);
+  }
+}
+
 function emitFullMatrix() {
   const { multiarch, singlearch } = splitByArch(includes);
   const mergeMatrixMultiarch = computeMergeMatrix(multiarch);
-  const mergeMatrixSinglearch = computeMergeMatrix(singlearch);
   const hasMergesMultiarch = mergeMatrixMultiarch.include.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false';
-  const hasMergesSinglearch = mergeMatrixSinglearch.include.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false';
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `run-all=true\n`);
-  fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-backends-singlearch=${singlearch.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false'}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-backends-multiarch=${multiarch.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false'}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-backends-darwin=true\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-merges-multiarch=${hasMergesMultiarch}\n`);
-  fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-merges-singlearch=${hasMergesSinglearch}\n`);
-  fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `matrix-singlearch=${JSON.stringify({ include: singlearch })}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `matrix-multiarch=${JSON.stringify({ include: multiarch })}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `matrix-darwin=${JSON.stringify({ include: includesDarwin })}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `merge-matrix-multiarch=${JSON.stringify(mergeMatrixMultiarch)}\n`);
-  fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `merge-matrix-singlearch=${JSON.stringify(mergeMatrixSinglearch)}\n`);
+  emitSinglearchShards(singlearch);
   for (const backend of allBackendPaths.keys()) {
     fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `${backend}=true\n`);
   }
@@ -249,29 +301,23 @@ function emitFilteredMatrix(changedFiles) {
   console.log("Filtered files Darwin:", filteredDarwin);
 
   const { multiarch, singlearch } = splitByArch(filtered);
-  const hasBackendsSinglearch = singlearch.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false';
   const hasBackendsMultiarch = multiarch.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false';
   const hasBackendsDarwin = filteredDarwin.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false';
-  console.log("Has single-arch backends?:", hasBackendsSinglearch);
+  console.log("Has single-arch backends?:", singlearch.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false');
   console.log("Has multi-arch backends?:", hasBackendsMultiarch);
   console.log("Has Darwin backends?:", hasBackendsDarwin);
 
   const mergeMatrixMultiarch = computeMergeMatrix(multiarch);
-  const mergeMatrixSinglearch = computeMergeMatrix(singlearch);
   const hasMergesMultiarch = mergeMatrixMultiarch.include.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false';
-  const hasMergesSinglearch = mergeMatrixSinglearch.include.length > 0 ? 'true' : 'false';
 
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `run-all=false\n`);
-  fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-backends-singlearch=${hasBackendsSinglearch}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-backends-multiarch=${hasBackendsMultiarch}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-backends-darwin=${hasBackendsDarwin}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-merges-multiarch=${hasMergesMultiarch}\n`);
-  fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `has-merges-singlearch=${hasMergesSinglearch}\n`);
-  fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `matrix-singlearch=${JSON.stringify({ include: singlearch })}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `matrix-multiarch=${JSON.stringify({ include: multiarch })}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `matrix-darwin=${JSON.stringify({ include: filteredDarwin })}\n`);
   fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `merge-matrix-multiarch=${JSON.stringify(mergeMatrixMultiarch)}\n`);
-  fs.appendFileSync(process.env.GITHUB_OUTPUT, `merge-matrix-singlearch=${JSON.stringify(mergeMatrixSinglearch)}\n`);
+  emitSinglearchShards(singlearch);
 
   // Per-backend boolean outputs
   for (const [backend, pathPrefix] of allBackendPaths) {