diff --git a/python/packages/core/agent_framework/__init__.py b/python/packages/core/agent_framework/__init__.py
index a098159a50..13d7bade00 100644
--- a/python/packages/core/agent_framework/__init__.py
+++ b/python/packages/core/agent_framework/__init__.py
@@ -277,11 +277,11 @@
     "USER_AGENT_TELEMETRY_DISABLED_ENV_VAR",
     "Agent",
     "AgentContext",
-    "AgentFrameworkException",
     "AgentEvalConverter",
     "AgentExecutor",
     "AgentExecutorRequest",
     "AgentExecutorResponse",
+    "AgentFrameworkException",
     "AgentMiddleware",
     "AgentMiddlewareLayer",
     "AgentMiddlewareTypes",
diff --git a/python/packages/core/tests/core/test_exceptions.py b/python/packages/core/tests/core/test_exceptions.py
index 47b3a53197..bf164cdbe2 100644
--- a/python/packages/core/tests/core/test_exceptions.py
+++ b/python/packages/core/tests/core/test_exceptions.py
@@ -2,8 +2,6 @@
 
 """Tests for AgentFrameworkException inner_exception handling."""
 
-import pytest
-
 from agent_framework import AgentFrameworkException
 
 
diff --git a/python/samples/01-get-started/05_functional_workflow_with_agents.py b/python/samples/01-get-started/05_functional_workflow_with_agents.py
index 05e5f2637f..7ffb0165c4 100644
--- a/python/samples/01-get-started/05_functional_workflow_with_agents.py
+++ b/python/samples/01-get-started/05_functional_workflow_with_agents.py
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ async def poem_workflow(topic: str) -> str:
     poem = (await writer.run(f"Write a poem about: {topic}")).text
     review = (await reviewer.run(f"Review this poem: {poem}")).text
     return f"Poem:\n{poem}\n\nReview: {review}"
+
+
 # </create_workflow>
 
 
diff --git a/python/samples/01-get-started/06_functional_workflow_basics.py b/python/samples/01-get-started/06_functional_workflow_basics.py
index 8033a7ac4e..a679e70a99 100644
--- a/python/samples/01-get-started/06_functional_workflow_basics.py
+++ b/python/samples/01-get-started/06_functional_workflow_basics.py
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ async def text_workflow(text: str) -> str:
     """Uppercase the text, then reverse it."""
     upper = await to_upper_case(text)
     return await reverse_text(upper)
+
+
 # </create_workflow>
 
 
diff --git a/python/samples/04-hosting/a2a/agent_framework_to_a2a.py b/python/samples/04-hosting/a2a/agent_framework_to_a2a.py
index 0693b61b0a..6e68f21a02 100644
--- a/python/samples/04-hosting/a2a/agent_framework_to_a2a.py
+++ b/python/samples/04-hosting/a2a/agent_framework_to_a2a.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
     agent = Agent(
         client=OpenAIChatClient(),
         name="Europe Travel Agent",
-        instructions="You are a helpful Europe Travel Agent. You can help users search and book flights and hotels across Europe."
+        instructions="You are a helpful Europe Travel Agent. You can help users search and book flights and hotels across Europe.",
     )
 
     request_handler = DefaultRequestHandler(
diff --git a/python/samples/04-hosting/azure_functions/README.md b/python/samples/04-hosting/azure_functions/README.md
index cd410771c6..0580dee843 100644
--- a/python/samples/04-hosting/azure_functions/README.md
+++ b/python/samples/04-hosting/azure_functions/README.md
@@ -19,18 +19,22 @@ All of these samples are set up to run in Azure Functions. Azure Functions has a
 
 ### 2. Create and activate a virtual environment
 
+Using [uv](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/) (recommended):
+
 **Windows (PowerShell):**
 ```powershell
-python -m venv .venv
+uv venv .venv
 .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
 ```
 
 **Linux/macOS:**
 ```bash
-python -m venv .venv
+uv venv .venv
 source .venv/bin/activate
 ```
 
+> **Note:** `python -m venv .venv` also works, but can hang indefinitely on Windows with Microsoft Store Python due to a known `ensurepip` issue. Use `uv venv .venv` to avoid this.
+
 ### 3. Running the samples
 
 - [Start the Azurite emulator](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-install-azurite?tabs=npm%2Cblob-storage#run-azurite)
diff --git a/python/samples/04-hosting/foundry-hosted-agents/README.md b/python/samples/04-hosting/foundry-hosted-agents/README.md
index dcb7dcd24d..609356eda0 100644
--- a/python/samples/04-hosting/foundry-hosted-agents/README.md
+++ b/python/samples/04-hosting/foundry-hosted-agents/README.md
@@ -6,18 +6,25 @@ Read more about Foundry Hosted Agents [here](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/a
 
 ## Environment setup
 
-1. Navigate to the sample directory you want to run. For example:
+1. Navigate to the sample directory you want to run. For example, create and activate a virtual environment using [uv](https://docs.astral.sh/uv/) (recommended):
 
    ```bash
-   python -m venv .venv
+   uv venv .venv
+   ```
+
+   ```bash
+   # Windows (PowerShell)
+   .venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
 
-   # Windows
-   .venv\Scripts\Activate
+   # Windows (Command Prompt)
+   .venv\Scripts\activate.bat
 
    # macOS/Linux
    source .venv/bin/activate
    ```
 
+   > **Note:** `python -m venv .venv` also works, but can hang indefinitely on Windows with Microsoft Store Python due to a known `ensurepip` issue. Use `uv venv .venv` to avoid this.
+
 2. Install dependencies:
 
    ```bash