diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 42d18337af3..9914fb62d28 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -673,7 +673,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           cmake -S lang/cpp -B build \
             -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug \
-            -DVORTEX_DEBUG_INFO=0 \
+            -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON \
             -DCMAKE_C_COMPILER=clang \
             -DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER=clang++ \
             -DVORTEX_SANITIZER=asan \
@@ -879,6 +879,7 @@ jobs:
           RUSTUP_TOOLCHAIN: ${{ env.NIGHTLY_TOOLCHAIN }}
         run: |
           cmake -S vortex-ffi -B vortex-ffi/build \
+            -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON \
             -DVORTEX_CARGO_PROFILE=ci \
             -DVORTEX_BUILD_TESTS=ON
           cmake --build vortex-ffi/build --parallel "$(nproc)"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/rust-instrumented.yml b/.github/workflows/rust-instrumented.yml
index e64753fd3b6..80cdb9be282 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/rust-instrumented.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/rust-instrumented.yml
@@ -262,6 +262,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           cmake -S . -B build \
             -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug \
+            -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON \
             -DCMAKE_C_COMPILER=clang \
             -DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER=clang++ \
             -DVORTEX_SANITIZER=${{ matrix.sanitizer }} \
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index dd146ef57c8..883a29a2e3c 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 #   target_link_libraries(my_c_target PRIVATE Vortex::ffi_static)
 #   target_link_libraries(my_cpp_target PRIVATE Vortex::cpp_static)
 #
+# Use Vortex::ffi_shared and Vortex::cpp_shared for shared linkage.
+#
 # See lang/cpp/README.md for build options and embedding requirements,
 # and vortex-ffi/README.md for C API development.
 
diff --git a/lang/cpp/CMakeLists.txt b/lang/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
index 4d969b375bd..a4acdfcdb05 100644
--- a/lang/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/lang/cpp/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright the Vortex contributors
 
-# Entry point for the static Vortex C++ wrapper. It consumes the Rust FFI
-# archive from vortex-ffi and exports Vortex::cpp_static. It supports standalone
+# Entry point for the Vortex C++ wrapper. It consumes the Rust FFI library
+# from vortex-ffi and exports static and shared targets. It supports standalone
 # configuration and add_subdirectory() from the repository root or a parent.
 
 # CMake 3.25 is required for block() and FetchContent SYSTEM.
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ if(_vortex_top_level AND NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
     set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Debug)
 endif()
 
+option(BUILD_SHARED_LIBS "Use shared libraries for Vortex builds, tests, and examples" OFF)
 option(VORTEX_BUILD_TESTS "Build Vortex tests" OFF)
 option(VORTEX_BUILD_EXAMPLES "Build Vortex examples" OFF)
 option(VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS
@@ -50,27 +51,44 @@ endif()
 # The C++ wrapper over the C FFI. Public headers live under include/.
 file(GLOB _vortex_cpp_sources CONFIGURE_DEPENDS "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/src/*.cpp")
 
-# Consumers inherit the FFI archive, its headers, and its system libraries
-# through this target. Hidden visibility keeps wrapper symbols out of a parent
-# shared library's exports.
-add_library(vortex_cxx STATIC ${_vortex_cpp_sources})
-set_target_properties(vortex_cxx PROPERTIES
+add_library(vortex_cxx_static STATIC ${_vortex_cpp_sources})
+set_target_properties(vortex_cxx_static PROPERTIES
+    OUTPUT_NAME vortex_cxx
+    # Allow embedding the static archive in a shared library.
     POSITION_INDEPENDENT_CODE ON
-    CXX_VISIBILITY_PRESET hidden
-    VISIBILITY_INLINES_HIDDEN ON)
-target_compile_features(vortex_cxx PUBLIC cxx_std_20)
-target_include_directories(vortex_cxx PUBLIC "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/include")
-target_link_libraries(vortex_cxx PUBLIC Vortex::ffi_static)
-
-# Warning policy is private to Vortex-owned sources so embedding this target
-# never injects warning flags into consumers.
-target_compile_options(vortex_cxx PRIVATE -Wall -Wextra -Wpedantic)
-if(VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS)
-    target_compile_options(vortex_cxx PRIVATE -Werror)
+    # Keep embedded wrapper symbols out of the parent library's exports.
+    CXX_VISIBILITY_PRESET hidden)
+target_link_libraries(vortex_cxx_static PUBLIC Vortex::ffi_static)
+add_library(Vortex::cpp_static ALIAS vortex_cxx_static)
+
+# CMake enables PIC automatically for SHARED targets.
+add_library(vortex_cxx_shared SHARED ${_vortex_cpp_sources})
+# Override an inherited hidden preset so the shared C++ API remains exported.
+set_target_properties(vortex_cxx_shared PROPERTIES
+    OUTPUT_NAME vortex_cxx
+    CXX_VISIBILITY_PRESET default)
+target_link_libraries(vortex_cxx_shared PUBLIC Vortex::ffi_shared)
+add_library(Vortex::cpp_shared ALIAS vortex_cxx_shared)
+
+if(BUILD_SHARED_LIBS)
+    set_target_properties(vortex_cxx_static PROPERTIES EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL TRUE)
+    set(_vortex_cpp_target Vortex::cpp_shared)
+else()
+    set_target_properties(vortex_cxx_shared PROPERTIES EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL TRUE)
+    set(_vortex_cpp_target Vortex::cpp_static)
 endif()
 
-# The only supported consumer-facing name for the C++ API.
-add_library(Vortex::cpp_static ALIAS vortex_cxx)
+foreach(_target IN ITEMS vortex_cxx_static vortex_cxx_shared)
+    # Hide inline symbols in the shared library and when embedding the static archive.
+    set_target_properties(${_target} PROPERTIES VISIBILITY_INLINES_HIDDEN ON)
+    target_compile_features(${_target} PUBLIC cxx_std_20)
+    target_include_directories(${_target} PUBLIC "${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/include")
+    # Warning policy must not propagate into consumers.
+    target_compile_options(${_target} PRIVATE -Wall -Wextra -Wpedantic)
+    if(VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS)
+        target_compile_options(${_target} PRIVATE -Werror)
+    endif()
+endforeach()
 
 # Test and example dependencies are fetched at configure time and never installed.
 if(VORTEX_BUILD_TESTS OR VORTEX_BUILD_EXAMPLES)
diff --git a/lang/cpp/README.md b/lang/cpp/README.md
index 950f11fe001..14c93312ae9 100644
--- a/lang/cpp/README.md
+++ b/lang/cpp/README.md
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ cmake --build build/cpp --parallel
 CMake runs Cargo for you. Configuration and builds download uncached dependencies.
 
 **Native builds only:** GNU/Linux x86_64 and aarch64, plus macOS arm64 for standalone development.
-Cross-compilation, universal binaries, Windows, musl, and shared Vortex targets are unsupported.
+Cross-compilation, universal binaries, Windows, and musl are unsupported.
 
 ## Embed in a CMake project
 
@@ -25,12 +25,14 @@ Vendor or fetch a pinned, complete checkout:
 
 ```cmake
 add_subdirectory(path/to/vortex vortex)
-target_link_libraries(my_cpp_target PRIVATE Vortex::cpp_static)
-target_link_libraries(my_c_target PRIVATE Vortex::ffi_static)
+target_link_libraries(my_cpp_target PRIVATE Vortex::cpp_shared)
+target_link_libraries(my_c_target PRIVATE Vortex::ffi_shared)
 ```
 
 Vortex leaves parent build settings unchanged. Its archives are position-independent.
 
+For static linkage, use `Vortex::ffi_static` and `Vortex::cpp_static`.
+
 ## Build options
 
 Pass `-D<OPTION>=<VALUE>` or set options before `add_subdirectory`. Both bindings share these
@@ -38,6 +40,7 @@ options. Defaults below are for standalone builds.
 
 | Option                      | Default  | Purpose                                                     |
 | --------------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `BUILD_SHARED_LIBS`         | `OFF`    | Build shared Vortex libraries.                              |
 | `VORTEX_BUILD_TESTS`        | `OFF`    | C API and C++23 wrapper tests.                              |
 | `VORTEX_BUILD_EXAMPLES`     | `OFF`    | C/C++ examples.                                             |
 | `VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS` | `ON`     | Warnings as errors for Vortex targets only.                 |
@@ -48,6 +51,7 @@ options. Defaults below are for standalone builds.
 | `VORTEX_DEBUG_INFO`         | `2`      | C/C++ and Rust debug info: `0` none, `1` limited, `2` full. |
 | `VORTEX_ENABLE_CUDA`        | `OFF`    | Linux-only [CUDA build](#cuda).                             |
 
+As a standard CMake option, `BUILD_SHARED_LIBS` also affects dependencies such as Catch2.
 Embedded builds default `VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS` to `OFF`. Parents must call
 `enable_testing()` to register tests.
 
@@ -172,7 +176,7 @@ This does not retarget the prebuilt nvCOMP SDK.
 
 - Kernel sources are generated in the checkout. Compiled kernels live in Cargo's build directory
   and are embedded in the archive as fat binaries.
-- CMake does not stage shared libraries. `libvortex_cub.so` must remain at its Cargo build path
+- CMake does not stage CUDA dependency libraries. `libvortex_cub.so` must remain at its Cargo build path
   or beside the executable. `libnvcomp.so` is loaded from its original Cargo build path.
 - CUDA operations require a compatible NVIDIA driver and an accessible GPU.
 
diff --git a/lang/cpp/examples/CMakeLists.txt b/lang/cpp/examples/CMakeLists.txt
index a89908f1078..f5edc544957 100644
--- a/lang/cpp/examples/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/lang/cpp/examples/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -12,5 +12,6 @@ foreach(_name reader writer dtype scan scan_to_arrow)
         RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}")
     # Drop the inherited per-config override so the local output directory takes effect.
     set_property(TARGET cpp_${_name} PROPERTY RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY_${_config_upper})
-    target_link_libraries(cpp_${_name} PRIVATE Vortex::cpp_static nanoarrow_shared)
+    target_link_libraries(cpp_${_name} PRIVATE ${_vortex_cpp_target})
 endforeach()
+target_link_libraries(cpp_scan_to_arrow PRIVATE nanoarrow_shared)
diff --git a/lang/cpp/gcov-report.sh b/lang/cpp/gcov-report.sh
index dfd432f9a03..b32ba5423ac 100755
--- a/lang/cpp/gcov-report.sh
+++ b/lang/cpp/gcov-report.sh
@@ -9,9 +9,18 @@
 set -eu
 cd "$(dirname "$0")"
 
+coverage_key='$<TARGET_PROPERTY:BINARY_DIR>/$<TARGET_PROPERTY:NAME>'
+coverage_launcher="cmake;-E;env;SCCACHE_C_CUSTOM_CACHE_BUSTER=${SCCACHE_C_CUSTOM_CACHE_BUSTER:-}:$coverage_key"
+coverage_launcher="$coverage_launcher${CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_LAUNCHER:+;$CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_LAUNCHER}"
+
+# CMAKE_SHARED_LINKER_FLAGS links gcov into C-linked shared libraries.
+# CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_LAUNCHER keeps cached .gcda paths target-specific.
 cmake -S . -B build \
+    -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=ON \
     -DVORTEX_BUILD_TESTS=ON \
-    -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS=--coverage
+    -DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS=--coverage \
+    -DCMAKE_SHARED_LINKER_FLAGS=--coverage \
+    -DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER_LAUNCHER="$coverage_launcher"
 
 # getconf works on Linux and macOS; nproc is not installed on stock macOS.
 cmake --build build \
@@ -19,7 +28,7 @@ cmake --build build \
 ctest --test-dir build --output-on-failure
 
 # lcov matches exclude globs against full source paths.
-geninfo build/CMakeFiles/vortex_cxx.dir/ \
+geninfo build/CMakeFiles/vortex_cxx_shared.dir/ \
     build/tests/CMakeFiles/vortex_cxx_test.dir/ \
     --rc geninfo_unexecuted_blocks=1 \
     --exclude '/usr/*' --exclude '*/_deps/*' --exclude '*/tests/*' \
diff --git a/lang/cpp/tests/CMakeLists.txt b/lang/cpp/tests/CMakeLists.txt
index 02d8327e4df..d9e96f12c1b 100644
--- a/lang/cpp/tests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/lang/cpp/tests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ add_executable(vortex_cxx_test ${TEST_FILES})
 target_compile_features(vortex_cxx_test PRIVATE cxx_std_23)
 target_include_directories(vortex_cxx_test PRIVATE ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR})
 target_link_libraries(vortex_cxx_test PRIVATE
-    Vortex::cpp_static
+    ${_vortex_cpp_target}
     Catch2::Catch2WithMain
     magic_enum::magic_enum
     nanoarrow_shared)
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/CMakeLists.txt b/vortex-ffi/CMakeLists.txt
index 8e2db94db14..ecd4aa90887 100644
--- a/vortex-ffi/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/vortex-ffi/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright the Vortex contributors
 
-# Entry point for the Rust FFI archive. It builds vortex-ffi with Cargo and
-# exports Vortex::ffi_static for C consumers; lang/cpp layers the C++ wrapper on
-# top. It supports standalone configuration and add_subdirectory() from a parent.
+# Entry point for the Rust FFI libraries. It exports Vortex::ffi_static and
+# Vortex::ffi_shared for C consumers; lang/cpp layers the C++ wrapper on top.
+# It supports standalone configuration and add_subdirectory() from a parent.
 
 # CMake 3.25 is required for block() and FetchContent SYSTEM.
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.25)
@@ -33,13 +33,14 @@ if(_vortex_top_level AND NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
     set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Debug)
 endif()
 
+option(BUILD_SHARED_LIBS "Use shared libraries for Vortex builds, tests, and examples" OFF)
 option(VORTEX_BUILD_TESTS "Build Vortex tests" OFF)
 option(VORTEX_BUILD_EXAMPLES "Build Vortex examples" OFF)
 option(VORTEX_ENABLE_CUDA "Build the CUDA-enabled Vortex FFI" OFF)
 set(VORTEX_CARGO_PROFILE "" CACHE STRING "Override the Cargo profile selected from CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE")
 
-# Sanitizers instrument the Rust archive, its C dependencies, and every target
-# that links Vortex::ffi_static; Configure.cmake enforces the toolchain constraints.
+# Sanitizers instrument the Rust archive, its C dependencies, and consumers of
+# either FFI target; Configure.cmake enforces the toolchain constraints.
 set(VORTEX_SANITIZER "" CACHE STRING
     "Comma-separated sanitizers for Vortex and its consumers: asan, lsan, ubsan, tsan")
 option(VORTEX_SANITIZE_RUST_STD
@@ -50,11 +51,15 @@ option(VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS
     "Treat warnings in Vortex-owned sources as errors"
     "${_vortex_top_level}")
 
-# Define the Cargo build and the imported vortex_ffi_static archive.
+# Define the Cargo build and both FFI library targets.
 include(cmake/Configure.cmake)
 
-# The only supported consumer-facing name for the C API.
 add_library(Vortex::ffi_static ALIAS vortex_ffi_static)
+add_library(Vortex::ffi_shared ALIAS vortex_ffi_shared)
+set(_vortex_ffi_target Vortex::ffi_static)
+if(BUILD_SHARED_LIBS)
+    set(_vortex_ffi_target Vortex::ffi_shared)
+endif()
 
 # Test and example dependencies are fetched at configure time and never installed.
 if(VORTEX_BUILD_TESTS OR VORTEX_BUILD_EXAMPLES)
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/README.md b/vortex-ffi/README.md
index ac180656359..aede05497b8 100644
--- a/vortex-ffi/README.md
+++ b/vortex-ffi/README.md
@@ -6,12 +6,13 @@ Add a complete Vortex checkout. CMake builds the Rust archive for you:
 
 ```cmake
 add_subdirectory(path/to/vortex vortex)
-target_link_libraries(my_target PRIVATE Vortex::ffi_static)
+target_link_libraries(my_target PRIVATE Vortex::ffi_shared)
 ```
 
-The target supplies the archive, headers, and native libraries. You can also add `vortex-ffi`
-directly. See the [CMake build guide](../lang/cpp/README.md) for shared requirements, options,
-and deployment limits.
+The target supplies the library and headers. For static linkage, use `Vortex::ffi_static`.
+Both targets are available regardless of `BUILD_SHARED_LIBS`. You can also add `vortex-ffi`
+directly. See the [CMake build guide](../lang/cpp/README.md) for requirements, options, and
+deployment limits.
 
 ### Examples and tests
 
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/cmake/Configure.cmake b/vortex-ffi/cmake/Configure.cmake
index 7ae8ad06405..5a700d4c692 100644
--- a/vortex-ffi/cmake/Configure.cmake
+++ b/vortex-ffi/cmake/Configure.cmake
@@ -373,9 +373,45 @@ block(SCOPE_FOR VARIABLES)
         INTERFACE_INCLUDE_DIRECTORIES "${_ffi_include_dir}")
     add_dependencies(vortex_ffi_static vortex_ffi_cargo_build)
     _vortex_attach_system_dependencies(vortex_ffi_static "${VORTEX_RUST_TARGET}")
+    # Link Rust once, and keep its internal symbols out of the shared C ABI.
+    add_library(vortex_ffi_shared SHARED "${CMAKE_CURRENT_LIST_DIR}/shared.c")
+    if(NOT BUILD_SHARED_LIBS OR NOT PROJECT_IS_TOP_LEVEL)
+        set_target_properties(vortex_ffi_shared PROPERTIES EXCLUDE_FROM_ALL TRUE)
+    endif()
+    target_link_libraries(vortex_ffi_shared PRIVATE
+        "$<LINK_LIBRARY:WHOLE_ARCHIVE,vortex_ffi_static>")
+    target_include_directories(vortex_ffi_shared INTERFACE "${_ffi_include_dir}")
+    set_target_properties(vortex_ffi_shared PROPERTIES OUTPUT_NAME vortex_ffi)
+    if(APPLE)
+        target_link_options(vortex_ffi_shared PRIVATE
+            # Export only the C ABI; Mach-O prefixes C symbols with an underscore.
+            "LINKER:-exported_symbol,_vx_*"
+            # Discard unreachable code and data pulled in by whole-archive linking.
+            "LINKER:-dead_strip")
+    elseif(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME STREQUAL "Linux")
+        # Keep the generated linker script in the build tree.
+        set(_exports "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/vortex-ffi-exports.map")
+        # Export vx_*; localize all other symbols. GENERATE preserves unchanged timestamps.
+        file(GENERATE OUTPUT "${_exports}" CONTENT "{ global: vx_*; local: *; };\n")
+        target_link_options(vortex_ffi_shared PRIVATE
+            # Apply the export allowlist to the Rust archive and its dependencies.
+            "LINKER:--version-script=${_exports}"
+            # Discard sections unreachable from exported symbols and other linker roots.
+            "LINKER:--gc-sections")
+        # Relink if the generated export policy changes.
+        set_property(TARGET vortex_ffi_shared APPEND PROPERTY LINK_DEPENDS "${_exports}")
+
+        # GNU ld depfiles break on spaces; CMake already tracks the archive and script.
+        # Defer disabling linker depfiles so child directories keep their settings.
+        cmake_language(DEFER CALL set CMAKE_LINK_DEPENDS_USE_LINKER FALSE)
+    else()
+        message(FATAL_ERROR "Vortex shared-library exports are not configured for ${CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME}")
+    endif()
     if(_sanitizer_compile_flag)
-        target_compile_options(vortex_ffi_static INTERFACE "${_sanitizer_compile_flag}")
-        target_link_options(vortex_ffi_static INTERFACE "${_sanitizer_compile_flag}")
+        foreach(_target IN ITEMS vortex_ffi_static vortex_ffi_shared)
+            target_compile_options(${_target} INTERFACE "${_sanitizer_compile_flag}")
+            target_link_options(${_target} INTERFACE "${_sanitizer_compile_flag}")
+        endforeach()
     endif()
 
     message(STATUS "Vortex Rust target: ${VORTEX_RUST_TARGET}")
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/cmake/SystemDependencies.cmake b/vortex-ffi/cmake/SystemDependencies.cmake
index 28168639e71..ede189daf05 100644
--- a/vortex-ffi/cmake/SystemDependencies.cmake
+++ b/vortex-ffi/cmake/SystemDependencies.cmake
@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ function(_vortex_attach_system_dependencies target rust_target)
         # The archive needs no C++ runtime, so C and C++ consumers alike only
         # need libSystem from their driver plus these extra libraries.
         find_library(_vortex_core_foundation CoreFoundation REQUIRED NO_CACHE)
-        target_link_libraries("${target}" INTERFACE iconv "${_vortex_core_foundation}")
+        find_library(_vortex_security Security REQUIRED NO_CACHE)
+        target_link_libraries("${target}" INTERFACE
+            iconv "${_vortex_core_foundation}" "${_vortex_security}")
     else()
         message(FATAL_ERROR
             "Vortex has no validated native static-link manifest for Rust target "
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/cmake/shared.c b/vortex-ffi/cmake/shared.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5b6b6284fdf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/vortex-ffi/cmake/shared.c
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright the Vortex contributors
+
+// The implementation is supplied by the whole-archive Rust dependency.
+#include "vortex.h"
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/cmake/tests/test_configure.py b/vortex-ffi/cmake/tests/test_configure.py
index d7f4c6bf272..f99080a0283 100644
--- a/vortex-ffi/cmake/tests/test_configure.py
+++ b/vortex-ffi/cmake/tests/test_configure.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def setUp(self) -> None:
                 file(WRITE "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/defaults.txt"
                     "${CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE}\n${VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS}\n")
                 if(PROJECT_NAME STREQUAL "VortexCXX")
-                    get_target_property(options vortex_cxx COMPILE_OPTIONS)
+                    get_target_property(options vortex_cxx_static COMPILE_OPTIONS)
                     file(APPEND "${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/defaults.txt" "${options}\n")
                 endif()
             endfunction()
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/cmake/tests/test_cuda_architectures.py b/vortex-ffi/cmake/tests/test_cuda_architectures.py
index 15ed2ad7ac1..e063fb1bd98 100644
--- a/vortex-ffi/cmake/tests/test_cuda_architectures.py
+++ b/vortex-ffi/cmake/tests/test_cuda_architectures.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def test_configure_forwards_flags_and_cpu_ignores_policy(self) -> None:
             "source/CMakeLists.txt",
             f"""\
             cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.25)
-            project(CudaArchitectureFixture LANGUAGES NONE)
+            project(CudaArchitectureFixture LANGUAGES C)
             set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME Linux)
             set(APPLE FALSE)
             set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE Debug)
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/examples/CMakeLists.txt b/vortex-ffi/examples/CMakeLists.txt
index be0fdf18cf2..14c69ae479b 100644
--- a/vortex-ffi/examples/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/vortex-ffi/examples/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@ foreach(_name scan scan_to_arrow dtype write_sample)
     if(VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS)
         target_compile_options(ffi_${_name} PRIVATE -Werror)
     endif()
-    target_link_libraries(ffi_${_name} PRIVATE Vortex::ffi_static)
+    target_link_libraries(ffi_${_name} PRIVATE ${_vortex_ffi_target})
 endforeach()
 target_link_libraries(ffi_scan_to_arrow PRIVATE nanoarrow_shared)
diff --git a/vortex-ffi/test/CMakeLists.txt b/vortex-ffi/test/CMakeLists.txt
index c124a007c81..cfe0a967880 100644
--- a/vortex-ffi/test/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/vortex-ffi/test/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ if(VORTEX_WARNINGS_AS_ERRORS)
     target_compile_options(vortex_ffi_test PRIVATE -Werror)
 endif()
 target_link_libraries(vortex_ffi_test PRIVATE
-    Vortex::ffi_static
+    ${_vortex_ffi_target}
     Catch2::Catch2WithMain
     nanoarrow_shared)