diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 9416271d1860..b01c53b76121 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -4984,6 +4984,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "assert_fs",
  "cache-key",
+ "clap",
  "configparser",
  "fs-err",
  "futures",
diff --git a/crates/uv-settings/src/combine.rs b/crates/uv-settings/src/combine.rs
index 04eac8fb69b9..1c02fdf8fd2a 100644
--- a/crates/uv-settings/src/combine.rs
+++ b/crates/uv-settings/src/combine.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use distribution_types::IndexUrl;
 use install_wheel_rs::linker::LinkMode;
 use uv_configuration::{ConfigSettings, IndexStrategy, KeyringProviderType, TargetTriple};
 use uv_resolver::{AnnotationStyle, ExcludeNewer, PreReleaseMode, ResolutionMode};
-use uv_toolchain::PythonVersion;
+use uv_toolchain::{PythonVersion, ToolchainPreference};
 
 use crate::{FilesystemOptions, PipOptions};
 
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ impl_combine_or!(PythonVersion);
 impl_combine_or!(ResolutionMode);
 impl_combine_or!(String);
 impl_combine_or!(TargetTriple);
+impl_combine_or!(ToolchainPreference);
 impl_combine_or!(bool);
 
 impl<T> Combine for Option<Vec<T>> {
diff --git a/crates/uv-settings/src/settings.rs b/crates/uv-settings/src/settings.rs
index f8c2e1224827..21c8ecb70776 100644
--- a/crates/uv-settings/src/settings.rs
+++ b/crates/uv-settings/src/settings.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use uv_configuration::{
 use uv_macros::CombineOptions;
 use uv_normalize::{ExtraName, PackageName};
 use uv_resolver::{AnnotationStyle, ExcludeNewer, PreReleaseMode, ResolutionMode};
-use uv_toolchain::PythonVersion;
+use uv_toolchain::{PythonVersion, ToolchainPreference};
 
 /// A `pyproject.toml` with an (optional) `[tool.uv]` section.
 #[allow(dead_code)]
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ pub struct GlobalOptions {
     pub no_cache: Option<bool>,
     pub cache_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
     pub preview: Option<bool>,
+    pub toolchain_preference: Option<ToolchainPreference>,
 }
 
 /// Settings relevant to all installer operations.
diff --git a/crates/uv-toolchain/Cargo.toml b/crates/uv-toolchain/Cargo.toml
index 4e870ccdc8c9..096e13afbbf1 100644
--- a/crates/uv-toolchain/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/uv-toolchain/Cargo.toml
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ uv-state = { workspace = true }
 uv-warnings = { workspace = true }
 
 anyhow = { workspace = true }
+clap = { workspace = true, optional = true }
 configparser = { workspace = true }
 fs-err = { workspace = true, features = ["tokio"] }
 itertools = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/uv-toolchain/src/discovery.rs b/crates/uv-toolchain/src/discovery.rs
index 0362443d5a43..689b64b7e5c4 100644
--- a/crates/uv-toolchain/src/discovery.rs
+++ b/crates/uv-toolchain/src/discovery.rs
@@ -51,12 +51,15 @@ pub enum ToolchainRequest {
     /// Generally these refer to uv-managed toolchain downloads.
     Key(PythonDownloadRequest),
 }
-
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, Default)]
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, serde::Deserialize)]
+#[serde(deny_unknown_fields, rename_all = "kebab-case")]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "clap", derive(clap::ValueEnum))]
+#[cfg_attr(feature = "schemars", derive(schemars::JsonSchema))]
 pub enum ToolchainPreference {
     /// Only use managed interpreters, never use system interpreters.
     OnlyManaged,
     /// Prefer installed managed interpreters, but use system interpreters if not found.
+    /// If neither can be found, download a managed interpreter.
     #[default]
     PreferInstalledManaged,
     /// Prefer managed interpreters, even if one needs to be downloaded, but use system interpreters if found.
@@ -1177,8 +1180,8 @@ impl ToolchainPreference {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Return a [`ToolchainPreference`] based the given settings.
-    pub fn from_settings(preview: PreviewMode) -> Self {
+    /// Return a default [`ToolchainPreference`] based on the environment and preview mode.
+    pub fn default_from(preview: PreviewMode) -> Self {
         if env::var_os("UV_TEST_PYTHON_PATH").is_some() {
             debug!("Only considering system interpreters due to `UV_TEST_PYTHON_PATH`");
             Self::OnlySystem
diff --git a/crates/uv/Cargo.toml b/crates/uv/Cargo.toml
index 0a47cbaafe1f..1521d4fd002d 100644
--- a/crates/uv/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/uv/Cargo.toml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ uv-normalize = { workspace = true }
 uv-requirements = { workspace = true }
 uv-resolver = { workspace = true, features = ["clap"] }
 uv-settings = { workspace = true, features = ["schemars"] }
-uv-toolchain = { workspace = true }
+uv-toolchain = { workspace = true, features = ["clap", "schemars"]}
 uv-types = { workspace = true }
 uv-virtualenv = { workspace = true }
 uv-warnings = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/cli.rs b/crates/uv/src/cli.rs
index f7781f8fe5d7..abb116945d6d 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/cli.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/cli.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use uv_configuration::{
 };
 use uv_normalize::{ExtraName, PackageName};
 use uv_resolver::{AnnotationStyle, ExcludeNewer, PreReleaseMode, ResolutionMode};
-use uv_toolchain::PythonVersion;
+use uv_toolchain::{PythonVersion, ToolchainPreference};
 
 use crate::commands::{extra_name_with_clap_error, ListFormat, VersionFormat};
 use crate::compat;
@@ -89,6 +89,10 @@ pub(crate) struct GlobalArgs {
     #[arg(global = true, long, overrides_with("offline"), hide = true)]
     pub(crate) no_offline: bool,
 
+    /// Whether to use system or uv-managed Python toolchains.
+    #[arg(global = true, long)]
+    pub(crate) toolchain_preference: Option<ToolchainPreference>,
+
     /// Whether to enable experimental, preview features.
     #[arg(global = true, long, hide = true, env = "UV_PREVIEW", value_parser = clap::builder::BoolishValueParser::new(), overrides_with("no_preview"))]
     pub(crate) preview: bool,
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/pip/compile.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/pip/compile.rs
index 0612b4fa03e8..7bc3447f32e7 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/pip/compile.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/pip/compile.rs
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn pip_compile(
     link_mode: LinkMode,
     python: Option<String>,
     system: bool,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     concurrency: Concurrency,
     native_tls: bool,
     quiet: bool,
@@ -154,11 +155,10 @@ pub(crate) async fn pip_compile(
     }
 
     // Find an interpreter to use for building distributions
-    let preference = ToolchainPreference::from_settings(preview);
     let environments = EnvironmentPreference::from_system_flag(system, false);
     let interpreter = if let Some(python) = python.as_ref() {
         let request = ToolchainRequest::parse(python);
-        Toolchain::find(&request, environments, preference, &cache)
+        Toolchain::find(&request, environments, toolchain_preference, &cache)
     } else {
         // TODO(zanieb): The split here hints at a problem with the abstraction; we should be able to use
         // `Toolchain::find(...)` here.
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn pip_compile(
         } else {
             ToolchainRequest::default()
         };
-        Toolchain::find_best(&request, environments, preference, &cache)
+        Toolchain::find_best(&request, environments, toolchain_preference, &cache)
     }?
     .into_interpreter();
 
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/add.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/add.rs
index 9a905e57c941..857b15fcbb41 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/add.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/add.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use uv_distribution::pyproject_mut::PyProjectTomlMut;
 use uv_git::GitResolver;
 use uv_requirements::{NamedRequirementsResolver, RequirementsSource, RequirementsSpecification};
 use uv_resolver::{FlatIndex, InMemoryIndex, OptionsBuilder};
-use uv_toolchain::ToolchainRequest;
+use uv_toolchain::{ToolchainPreference, ToolchainRequest};
 use uv_types::{BuildIsolation, HashStrategy, InFlight};
 
 use uv_cache::Cache;
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn add(
     branch: Option<String>,
     python: Option<String>,
     settings: ResolverInstallerSettings,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     preview: PreviewMode,
     connectivity: Connectivity,
     concurrency: Concurrency,
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn add(
     let venv = project::init_environment(
         project.workspace(),
         python.as_deref().map(ToolchainRequest::parse),
+        toolchain_preference,
         connectivity,
         native_tls,
         cache,
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/lock.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/lock.rs
index 133814dd084a..2ba87992285d 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/lock.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/lock.rs
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ use uv_resolver::{
     ExcludeNewer, FlatIndex, InMemoryIndex, Lock, OptionsBuilder, PreReleaseMode, RequiresPython,
     ResolutionMode,
 };
-use uv_toolchain::{Interpreter, ToolchainRequest};
+use uv_toolchain::{Interpreter, ToolchainPreference, ToolchainRequest};
 use uv_types::{BuildIsolation, EmptyInstalledPackages, HashStrategy, InFlight};
 use uv_warnings::warn_user;
 
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn lock(
     python: Option<String>,
     settings: ResolverSettings,
     preview: PreviewMode,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     connectivity: Connectivity,
     concurrency: Concurrency,
     native_tls: bool,
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn lock(
     let interpreter = project::find_interpreter(
         &workspace,
         python.as_deref().map(ToolchainRequest::parse),
+        toolchain_preference,
         connectivity,
         native_tls,
         cache,
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/mod.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/mod.rs
index 46b0b4c4b28a..0fad46f1f3b7 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/mod.rs
@@ -139,6 +139,7 @@ pub(crate) fn interpreter_meets_requirements(
 pub(crate) async fn find_interpreter(
     workspace: &Workspace,
     python_request: Option<ToolchainRequest>,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     connectivity: Connectivity,
     native_tls: bool,
     cache: &Cache,
@@ -183,8 +184,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn find_interpreter(
     // Locate the Python interpreter to use in the environment
     let interpreter = Toolchain::find_or_fetch(
         python_request,
-        EnvironmentPreference::Any,
-        ToolchainPreference::from_settings(PreviewMode::Enabled),
+        EnvironmentPreference::OnlySystem,
+        toolchain_preference,
         client_builder,
         cache,
     )
@@ -215,6 +216,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn find_interpreter(
 pub(crate) async fn init_environment(
     workspace: &Workspace,
     python: Option<ToolchainRequest>,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     connectivity: Connectivity,
     native_tls: bool,
     cache: &Cache,
@@ -248,8 +250,16 @@ pub(crate) async fn init_environment(
     };
 
     // Find an interpreter to create the environment with
-    let interpreter =
-        find_interpreter(workspace, python, connectivity, native_tls, cache, printer).await?;
+    let interpreter = find_interpreter(
+        workspace,
+        python,
+        toolchain_preference,
+        connectivity,
+        native_tls,
+        cache,
+        printer,
+    )
+    .await?;
 
     let venv = workspace.venv();
     writeln!(
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/remove.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/remove.rs
index da097495a471..f63d7d198b56 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/remove.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/remove.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use uv_client::Connectivity;
 use uv_configuration::{Concurrency, ExtrasSpecification, PreviewMode};
 use uv_distribution::pyproject_mut::PyProjectTomlMut;
 use uv_distribution::ProjectWorkspace;
-use uv_toolchain::ToolchainRequest;
+use uv_toolchain::{ToolchainPreference, ToolchainRequest};
 use uv_warnings::warn_user;
 
 use crate::commands::pip::operations::Modifications;
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn remove(
     requirements: Vec<PackageName>,
     dev: bool,
     python: Option<String>,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     preview: PreviewMode,
     connectivity: Connectivity,
     concurrency: Concurrency,
@@ -85,6 +86,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn remove(
     let venv = project::init_environment(
         project.workspace(),
         python.as_deref().map(ToolchainRequest::parse),
+        toolchain_preference,
         connectivity,
         native_tls,
         cache,
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/run.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/run.rs
index ac21e76436ea..36b887db5527 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/run.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/run.rs
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn run(
     settings: ResolverInstallerSettings,
     isolated: bool,
     preview: PreviewMode,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     connectivity: Connectivity,
     concurrency: Concurrency,
     native_tls: bool,
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn run(
         let venv = project::init_environment(
             project.workspace(),
             python.as_deref().map(ToolchainRequest::parse),
+            toolchain_preference,
             connectivity,
             native_tls,
             cache,
@@ -141,7 +143,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn run(
             Toolchain::find_or_fetch(
                 python.as_deref().map(ToolchainRequest::parse),
                 EnvironmentPreference::Any,
-                ToolchainPreference::from_settings(PreviewMode::Enabled),
+                toolchain_preference,
                 client_builder,
                 cache,
             )
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/sync.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/sync.rs
index 551ba6687539..ca1b1f575f0a 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/project/sync.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/project/sync.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ use uv_git::GitResolver;
 use uv_installer::SitePackages;
 use uv_normalize::PackageName;
 use uv_resolver::{FlatIndex, InMemoryIndex, Lock};
-use uv_toolchain::{PythonEnvironment, ToolchainRequest};
+use uv_toolchain::{PythonEnvironment, ToolchainPreference, ToolchainRequest};
 use uv_types::{BuildIsolation, HashStrategy, InFlight};
 use uv_warnings::warn_user;
 
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn sync(
     dev: bool,
     modifications: Modifications,
     python: Option<String>,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     settings: InstallerSettings,
     preview: PreviewMode,
     connectivity: Connectivity,
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn sync(
     let venv = project::init_environment(
         project.workspace(),
         python.as_deref().map(ToolchainRequest::parse),
+        toolchain_preference,
         connectivity,
         native_tls,
         cache,
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/tool/run.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/tool/run.rs
index 2aacde8f52fd..769210fb39f7 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/tool/run.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/tool/run.rs
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn run(
     settings: ResolverInstallerSettings,
     _isolated: bool,
     preview: PreviewMode,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     connectivity: Connectivity,
     concurrency: Concurrency,
     native_tls: bool,
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn run(
             .map(ToolchainRequest::parse)
             .unwrap_or_default(),
         EnvironmentPreference::OnlySystem,
-        ToolchainPreference::from_settings(preview),
+        toolchain_preference,
         cache,
     )?
     .into_interpreter();
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/toolchain/find.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/toolchain/find.rs
index 6d531cf5d312..842dd9499974 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/toolchain/find.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/toolchain/find.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ use crate::printer::Printer;
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
 pub(crate) async fn find(
     request: Option<String>,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     preview: PreviewMode,
     cache: &Cache,
     printer: Printer,
@@ -29,7 +30,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn find(
     let toolchain = Toolchain::find(
         &request,
         EnvironmentPreference::OnlySystem,
-        ToolchainPreference::from_settings(PreviewMode::Enabled),
+        toolchain_preference,
         cache,
     )?;
 
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/toolchain/list.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/toolchain/list.rs
index 2eef17772462..cf0e61f2facf 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/toolchain/list.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/toolchain/list.rs
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn list(
     kinds: ToolchainListKinds,
     all_versions: bool,
     all_platforms: bool,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     preview: PreviewMode,
     cache: &Cache,
     printer: Printer,
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn list(
     let installed = find_toolchains(
         &ToolchainRequest::Any,
         EnvironmentPreference::OnlySystem,
-        ToolchainPreference::from_settings(preview),
+        toolchain_preference,
         cache,
     )
     // Raise discovery errors if critical
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/commands/venv.rs b/crates/uv/src/commands/venv.rs
index 7944a09eb5e4..b035bd73b603 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/commands/venv.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/commands/venv.rs
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ use crate::shell::Shell;
 pub(crate) async fn venv(
     path: &Path,
     python_request: Option<&str>,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     link_mode: LinkMode,
     index_locations: &IndexLocations,
     index_strategy: IndexStrategy,
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ pub(crate) async fn venv(
         connectivity,
         seed,
         preview,
+        toolchain_preference,
         allow_existing,
         exclude_newer,
         native_tls,
@@ -118,6 +120,7 @@ async fn venv_impl(
     connectivity: Connectivity,
     seed: bool,
     preview: PreviewMode,
+    toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
     allow_existing: bool,
     exclude_newer: Option<ExcludeNewer>,
     native_tls: bool,
@@ -137,7 +140,7 @@ async fn venv_impl(
     let interpreter = Toolchain::find_or_fetch(
         interpreter_request,
         EnvironmentPreference::OnlySystem,
-        ToolchainPreference::from_settings(preview),
+        toolchain_preference,
         client_builder,
         cache,
     )
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/main.rs b/crates/uv/src/main.rs
index c05ac2af571f..79a4a57b1cf2 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/main.rs
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
     };
 
     // Resolve the global settings.
-    let globals = GlobalSettings::resolve(&cli.global_args, filesystem.as_ref());
+    let globals = GlobalSettings::resolve(&cli.command, &cli.global_args, filesystem.as_ref());
 
     // Resolve the cache settings.
     let cache_settings = CacheSettings::resolve(cli.cache_args, filesystem.as_ref());
@@ -280,6 +280,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
                 args.settings.link_mode,
                 args.settings.python,
                 args.settings.system,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 args.settings.concurrency,
                 globals.native_tls,
                 globals.quiet,
@@ -585,6 +586,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
             commands::venv(
                 &args.name,
                 args.settings.python.as_deref(),
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 args.settings.link_mode,
                 &args.settings.index_locations,
                 args.settings.index_strategy,
@@ -626,6 +628,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
                 args.settings,
                 globals.isolated,
                 globals.preview,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 globals.connectivity,
                 Concurrency::default(),
                 globals.native_tls,
@@ -647,6 +650,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
                 args.dev,
                 args.modifications,
                 args.python,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 args.settings,
                 globals.preview,
                 globals.connectivity,
@@ -669,6 +673,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
                 args.python,
                 args.settings,
                 globals.preview,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 globals.connectivity,
                 Concurrency::default(),
                 globals.native_tls,
@@ -696,6 +701,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
                 args.branch,
                 args.python,
                 args.settings,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 globals.preview,
                 globals.connectivity,
                 Concurrency::default(),
@@ -717,6 +723,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
                 args.requirements,
                 args.dev,
                 args.python,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 globals.preview,
                 globals.connectivity,
                 Concurrency::default(),
@@ -756,6 +763,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
                 args.settings,
                 globals.isolated,
                 globals.preview,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 globals.connectivity,
                 Concurrency::default(),
                 globals.native_tls,
@@ -778,6 +786,7 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
                 args.kinds,
                 args.all_versions,
                 args.all_platforms,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
                 globals.preview,
                 &cache,
                 printer,
@@ -814,7 +823,14 @@ async fn run() -> Result<ExitStatus> {
             // Initialize the cache.
             let cache = cache.init()?;
 
-            commands::toolchain_find(args.request, globals.preview, &cache, printer).await
+            commands::toolchain_find(
+                args.request,
+                globals.toolchain_preference,
+                globals.preview,
+                &cache,
+                printer,
+            )
+            .await
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/uv/src/settings.rs b/crates/uv/src/settings.rs
index 494a07eb426a..b93f563ce7a7 100644
--- a/crates/uv/src/settings.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/src/settings.rs
@@ -22,12 +22,12 @@ use uv_settings::{
     Combine, FilesystemOptions, InstallerOptions, Options, PipOptions, ResolverInstallerOptions,
     ResolverOptions,
 };
-use uv_toolchain::{Prefix, PythonVersion, Target};
+use uv_toolchain::{Prefix, PythonVersion, Target, ToolchainPreference};
 
 use crate::cli::{
-    AddArgs, BuildArgs, ColorChoice, ExternalCommand, GlobalArgs, IndexArgs, InstallerArgs,
-    LockArgs, Maybe, PipCheckArgs, PipCompileArgs, PipFreezeArgs, PipInstallArgs, PipListArgs,
-    PipShowArgs, PipSyncArgs, PipUninstallArgs, RefreshArgs, RemoveArgs, ResolverArgs,
+    AddArgs, BuildArgs, ColorChoice, Commands, ExternalCommand, GlobalArgs, IndexArgs,
+    InstallerArgs, LockArgs, Maybe, PipCheckArgs, PipCompileArgs, PipFreezeArgs, PipInstallArgs,
+    PipListArgs, PipShowArgs, PipSyncArgs, PipUninstallArgs, RefreshArgs, RemoveArgs, ResolverArgs,
     ResolverInstallerArgs, RunArgs, SyncArgs, ToolRunArgs, ToolchainFindArgs, ToolchainInstallArgs,
     ToolchainListArgs, VenvArgs,
 };
@@ -46,11 +46,35 @@ pub(crate) struct GlobalSettings {
     pub(crate) isolated: bool,
     pub(crate) show_settings: bool,
     pub(crate) preview: PreviewMode,
+    pub(crate) toolchain_preference: ToolchainPreference,
 }
 
 impl GlobalSettings {
     /// Resolve the [`GlobalSettings`] from the CLI and filesystem configuration.
-    pub(crate) fn resolve(args: &GlobalArgs, workspace: Option<&FilesystemOptions>) -> Self {
+    pub(crate) fn resolve(
+        command: &Commands,
+        args: &GlobalArgs,
+        workspace: Option<&FilesystemOptions>,
+    ) -> Self {
+        let preview = PreviewMode::from(
+            flag(args.preview, args.no_preview)
+                .combine(workspace.and_then(|workspace| workspace.globals.preview))
+                .unwrap_or(false),
+        );
+
+        // Always use preview mode toolchain preferences during preview commands
+        // TODO(zanieb): There should be a cleaner way to do this, we should probably resolve
+        // force preview to true for these commands but it would break our experimental warning
+        // right now
+        let default_toolchain_preference = if matches!(
+            command,
+            Commands::Project(_) | Commands::Toolchain(_) | Commands::Tool(_)
+        ) {
+            ToolchainPreference::default_from(PreviewMode::Enabled)
+        } else {
+            ToolchainPreference::default_from(preview)
+        };
+
         Self {
             quiet: args.quiet,
             verbose: args.verbose,
@@ -84,11 +108,11 @@ impl GlobalSettings {
             },
             isolated: args.isolated,
             show_settings: args.show_settings,
-            preview: PreviewMode::from(
-                flag(args.preview, args.no_preview)
-                    .combine(workspace.and_then(|workspace| workspace.globals.preview))
-                    .unwrap_or(false),
-            ),
+            preview,
+            toolchain_preference: args
+                .toolchain_preference
+                .combine(workspace.and_then(|workspace| workspace.globals.toolchain_preference))
+                .unwrap_or(default_toolchain_preference),
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/uv/tests/show_settings.rs b/crates/uv/tests/show_settings.rs
index 8e20e3e29dee..251c3080ed55 100644
--- a/crates/uv/tests/show_settings.rs
+++ b/crates/uv/tests/show_settings.rs
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ fn resolve_uv_toml() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -183,6 +184,7 @@ fn resolve_uv_toml() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -310,6 +312,7 @@ fn resolve_uv_toml() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -469,6 +472,7 @@ fn resolve_pyproject_toml() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -597,6 +601,7 @@ fn resolve_pyproject_toml() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -711,6 +716,7 @@ fn resolve_pyproject_toml() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -862,6 +868,7 @@ fn resolve_index_url() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -1013,6 +1020,7 @@ fn resolve_index_url() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -1209,6 +1217,7 @@ fn resolve_find_links() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -1354,6 +1363,7 @@ fn resolve_top_level() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -1474,6 +1484,7 @@ fn resolve_top_level() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -1622,6 +1633,7 @@ fn resolve_top_level() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -1794,6 +1806,7 @@ fn resolve_user_configuration() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -1904,6 +1917,7 @@ fn resolve_user_configuration() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -2014,6 +2028,7 @@ fn resolve_user_configuration() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
@@ -2126,6 +2141,7 @@ fn resolve_user_configuration() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         isolated: false,
         show_settings: true,
         preview: Disabled,
+        toolchain_preference: OnlySystem,
     }
     CacheSettings {
         no_cache: false,
diff --git a/uv.schema.json b/uv.schema.json
index ccce817fe9e5..02e2f2f9257b 100644
--- a/uv.schema.json
+++ b/uv.schema.json
@@ -228,6 +228,16 @@
         "$ref": "#/definitions/Source"
       }
     },
+    "toolchain-preference": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "$ref": "#/definitions/ToolchainPreference"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
     "upgrade": {
       "type": [
         "boolean",
@@ -1150,6 +1160,45 @@
           }
         }
       }
+    },
+    "ToolchainPreference": {
+      "oneOf": [
+        {
+          "description": "Only use managed interpreters, never use system interpreters.",
+          "type": "string",
+          "enum": [
+            "only-managed"
+          ]
+        },
+        {
+          "description": "Prefer installed managed interpreters, but use system interpreters if not found. If neither can be found, download a managed interpreter.",
+          "type": "string",
+          "enum": [
+            "prefer-installed-managed"
+          ]
+        },
+        {
+          "description": "Prefer managed interpreters, even if one needs to be downloaded, but use system interpreters if found.",
+          "type": "string",
+          "enum": [
+            "prefer-managed"
+          ]
+        },
+        {
+          "description": "Prefer system interpreters, only use managed interpreters if no system interpreter is found.",
+          "type": "string",
+          "enum": [
+            "prefer-system"
+          ]
+        },
+        {
+          "description": "Only use system interpreters, never use managed interpreters.",
+          "type": "string",
+          "enum": [
+            "only-system"
+          ]
+        }
+      ]
     }
   }
 }
\ No newline at end of file