diff --git a/.github/install-dependency-packages.sh b/.github/install-dependency-packages.sh
index e1f648ea..6ba2f927 100755
--- a/.github/install-dependency-packages.sh
+++ b/.github/install-dependency-packages.sh
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ GENERAL_PACKAGE_LIST_LINUX=(
   openssl
   gsl
   davix
+  ### RCDB dependencies
+  mariadb
 )
 IGUANA_PACKAGE_LIST_LINUX=(
   fmt
@@ -56,6 +58,8 @@ GENERAL_PACKAGE_LIST_MACOS=(
   libxext
   openssl
   gsl
+  ### RCDB dependencies
+  mariadb
 )
 IGUANA_PACKAGE_LIST_MACOS=(
   fmt
@@ -139,6 +143,8 @@ case $runner in
     ### link homebrew's gcc, for gfortran
     brew unlink gcc
     brew link gcc
+    ### kluge ssl linker issue (see, e.g., https://github.com/brianmario/mysql2/issues/795)
+    echo "LIBRARY_PATH=${LIBRARY_PATH:+${LIBRARY_PATH}:}$(pkg-config libssl --variable libdir)" | tee -a $GITHUB_ENV
     ;;
 
   *)
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 6c7bb37c..98a4a668 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -351,6 +351,19 @@ jobs:
       - name: set ROOT environment
         if: ${{ matrix.id != 'noROOT' }}
         run: iguana_src/.github/source-ROOT.sh root
+      ###### RCDB
+      - name: get RCDB
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          repository: JeffersonLab/rcdb
+          ref: main
+          path: rcdb_src
+      - name: set RCDB CI vars
+        id: rcdb
+        working-directory: rcdb_src
+        run: |
+          echo prefix=$(pwd) >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
+          echo ver=$(git rev-parse HEAD) >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
       ###### summarize dependencies
       - name: summarize dependencies
         if: ${{ matrix.id == 'cpp' }}
@@ -358,7 +371,8 @@ jobs:
           echo '### Dependencies' >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo '| Dependency | Version |' >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo '| --- | --- |' >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
-          echo "| \`hipo\` | ${{ env.hipo_ref }} |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          echo "| \`hipo\` | \`${{ env.hipo_ref }}\` |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
+          echo "| \`rcdb\` | \`${{ steps.rcdb.outputs.ver }}\` |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo "| \`root\` | $(root --version 2>&1 | head -n1) |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           echo "| \`ruby\` | $(ruby --version) |" >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
           cat pkg_summary.md >> $GITHUB_STEP_SUMMARY
@@ -368,6 +382,8 @@ jobs:
           meson setup iguana_build iguana_src            \
             --prefix=$(pwd)/iguana                       \
             --pkg-config-path=$(pwd)/hipo/lib/pkgconfig  \
+            -Drcdb:home=${{ steps.rcdb.outputs.prefix }} \
+            -Dz_require_rcdb=true                        \
             -Dwerror=true                                \
             -Dinstall_examples=true                      \
             -Dtest_data_file=$(pwd)/test_data.hipo       \
diff --git a/doc/gen/meson.build b/doc/gen/meson.build
index 0626ecff..e7f0e1e8 100644
--- a/doc/gen/meson.build
+++ b/doc/gen/meson.build
@@ -21,5 +21,5 @@ doc_tgt = custom_target(
   build_by_default: true,
   command: [ prog_doxygen, doxyfile ],
   install: true,
-  install_dir: join_paths(get_option('datadir'), 'doc', meson.project_name()),
+  install_dir: get_option('datadir') / 'doc' / meson.project_name(),
 )
diff --git a/doc/ifarm.md b/doc/ifarm.md
index 8ad486b2..de0aa556 100644
--- a/doc/ifarm.md
+++ b/doc/ifarm.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 ```bash
 meson/resolve-dependencies.py --help  # prints the usage guide
 ```
-Use the `--env` option and set the resulting environment variables.
+Use the resulting arguments when setting up or configuring your build directory.
 
 ## Build and Install
 
diff --git a/doc/setup.md b/doc/setup.md
index f0b188a3..513f8bfb 100644
--- a/doc/setup.md
+++ b/doc/setup.md
@@ -70,6 +70,15 @@ cmake --install build-hipo
 - After installation, depending on ROOT's installation prefix you may also need to set your environment so
   ROOT may be found; this is typically done by `source /path/to/root/bin/thisroot.sh`
 
+### 🟩 Optional: `RCDB`: Run Condition Database
+<https://github.com/JeffersonLab/rcdb>
+- RCDB is optional, but needed for algorithms that use, _e.g._, the beam energy
+- You do not need to compile RCDB, just clone the repository
+- You may need to use the latest version on the main branch, rather than the most recent tag
+- Iguana uses `mysql` for RCDB; you may need to install `mariadb` or `mysql` client on your system
+  - [`mariadb` is an open source fork of `mysql`](https://mariadb.org/)
+  - depending on your OS's packages, you may need the "dev" version, _e.g._, `libmariadb-dev`
+
 <a name="building"></a>
 ## 🟠 Building and Installing
 
@@ -87,10 +96,9 @@ Use [`meson/resolve-dependencies.py`](../meson/resolve-dependencies.py) to help
 /path/to/iguana-source/meson/resolve-dependencies.py --help    # prints the usage guide
 ```
 Tell it where your dependencies are installed and it will tell you the build options
-that you need for Step 2; you can also choose to write those build options to an INI (native) file.
+that you need for Step 2.
 
-Alternatively, you may use environment variables; see the [note on dependency
-resolution](dependency_resolution.md) for more general guidance.
+See the [note on dependency resolution](dependency_resolution.md) for more general guidance.
 
 
 ### 🟩 Step 2: Generate a build directory
@@ -118,9 +126,11 @@ All build options, their current values, and their descriptions may be found by
 meson configure              # outputs in a pager (`less`); you may scroll, or press 'q' to quit
 meson configure --no-pager   # do not use a pager
 ```
-**but that's a _lot_ of text!** The _most important_ build options are near the bottom, under **"Project options"**.
+**but that's a _lot_ of text!** The _most important_ build options are under the **"Project options"**
+sections: the first such section is for `iguana`, and the rest are for subprojects (_e.g._, `rcdb`).
+
 To see _just_ the project options, run the following (which requires [`jq`](https://jqlang.github.io/jq/)):
-```
+```bash
 /path/to/iguana-source/meson/dump-build-options.sh .
 ```
 
@@ -130,6 +140,9 @@ meson configure -Dinstall_examples=true
 ```
 You can add as many `-D<option>=<value>` arguments as you need.
 
+> [!NOTE]
+> To set a subproject's option, you must prefix the subproject name. For example, for `rcdb`, use `-Drcdb:<option>=<value>`.
+
 ### 🟩 Step 4: Compile and Install
 Now compile and install Iguana:
 ```bash
diff --git a/examples/iguana_ex_fortran_01_action_functions.f b/examples/iguana_ex_fortran_01_action_functions.f
index 5e48021d..92a7766f 100644
--- a/examples/iguana_ex_fortran_01_action_functions.f
+++ b/examples/iguana_ex_fortran_01_action_functions.f
@@ -190,9 +190,10 @@ program iguana_ex_fortran_01_action_functions
 c       'key_vz_filter' must be passed to the action function;
         call iguana_clas12_zvertexfilter_prepareevent(
      &      algo_vz_filter, runnum(1), key_vz_filter)
-c       similarly for the inclusive kinematics algorithm
+c       similarly for the inclusive kinematics algorithm; use '-1'
+c       for the beam energy, so RCDB is used to get the energy
         call iguana_physics_inclusivekinematics_prepareevent(
-     &      algo_inc_kin, runnum(1), key_inc_kin)
+     &      algo_inc_kin, runnum(1), -1, key_inc_kin)
 
 c       call iguana filters
 c       - the `logical` variable `accept` must be initialized to
diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index bc0f21cc..aa7e1222 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ project(
     'libdir': 'lib',
     'licensedir': 'share/licenses/iguana',
     'pkgconfig.relocatable': 'true',
+    'force_fallback_for': ['rcdb'],
   },
   version: run_command(
     meson.project_source_root() / 'meson' / 'detect-version.sh',
@@ -27,6 +28,9 @@ use_chameleon = get_option('bind_fortran')
 pkg = import('pkgconfig')
 fs = import('fs')
 
+# build subprojects
+rcdb_subproj = subproject('rcdb', required: get_option('z_require_rcdb'))
+
 # resolve dependencies
 prog_minver = find_program('meson' / 'minimum-version.sh')
 # NOTE: those that are typically installed by package managers should use `meson/minimum-version.sh`
@@ -56,13 +60,23 @@ prog_ruby = find_program(
   version: '>=' + run_command(prog_minver, 'ruby', check: true).stdout().strip(),
   required: use_chameleon,
 )
+rcdb_dep = dependency(
+  'rcdb',
+  fallback: ['rcdb', 'rcdb_dep'],
+  required: get_option('z_require_rcdb'),
+)
+thread_dep = dependency(
+  'threads',
+  required: true, # FIXME: actually, it's only needed for multi-threading tests/examples
+)
 
 # list of dependencies
 # FIXME: for users which use LD_LIBRARY_PATH, we should try to keep this list
 # ordered such that the ones users are *least likely* to try to build
 # themselves are listed last (see FIXME in meson/this_iguana.sh.in)
+# NOTE: omit ROOT (handled differently, and most ROOT users already have it in their environment)
 dep_list = []
-foreach dep : [ hipo_dep, fmt_dep, yamlcpp_dep, ROOT_dep ]
+foreach dep : [ hipo_dep, fmt_dep, yamlcpp_dep, rcdb_dep ]
   if dep.found()
     dep_list += dep
   endif
@@ -75,9 +89,6 @@ dep_pkgconfig_dirs = []
 foreach dep : dep_list
 
   # get library and include dirs
-  if dep.name() == 'ROOT'
-    continue # skip ROOT (handled differently, and most ROOT users already have it in their environment)
-  endif
   if dep.type_name() == 'pkgconfig'
     libdirs = [ dep.get_variable(pkgconfig: 'libdir') ]
     incdirs = [ dep.get_variable(pkgconfig: 'includedir') ]
@@ -88,7 +99,13 @@ foreach dep : dep_list
     endforeach
     incdirs = ROOT_dep.get_variable(cmake: 'PACKAGE_INCLUDE_DIRS').split(';')
   else
-    error('Cannot determine how dependency "' + dep.name() + '" was found')
+    name = dep.get_variable(internal: 'name', default_value: dep.name())
+    if name == 'rcdb'
+      incdirs = [ dep.get_variable(internal: 'includedir') ]
+    else
+      warning(f'Unknown dependency "@name@"')
+      continue
+    endif
   endif
 
   # append to `dep_*_dirs` arrays, uniquely
@@ -148,7 +165,7 @@ endif
 # general project vars
 project_inc = include_directories('src')
 project_libs = []
-project_deps = declare_dependency(dependencies: [ fmt_dep, yamlcpp_dep, hipo_dep ]) # do NOT include ROOT here
+project_deps = declare_dependency(dependencies: dep_list) # do NOT include ROOT here
 project_etc = get_option('sysconfdir') / meson.project_name()
 project_test_env = environment()
 project_pkg_vars = [
diff --git a/meson.options b/meson.options
index e9445485..e916cc99 100644
--- a/meson.options
+++ b/meson.options
@@ -16,3 +16,4 @@ option('test_multithreading',      type: 'integer', value: 4, min: 0, descriptio
 # expert options: the defaults should be reasonable for a local installation; different values may be preferred for installation in common areas
 option('z_install_envfile',     type: 'boolean', value: true,  description: 'Install a sourceable environment variable file')
 option('z_require_root',        type: 'boolean', value: false, description: 'Fail if ROOT is not found')
+option('z_require_rcdb',        type: 'boolean', value: false, description: 'Fail if RCDB is not found')
diff --git a/meson/release/install-cvmfs.sh b/meson/release/install-cvmfs.sh
index 96433f46..efc8bd63 100755
--- a/meson/release/install-cvmfs.sh
+++ b/meson/release/install-cvmfs.sh
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ msg "meson setup"
 meson setup $buildDir $sourceDir \
   --native-file=$nativeFile      \
   --prefix=$installDir           \
+  -Drcdb:home=$RCDB_HOME         \
   -Dtest_data_file=$testFile
 msg "meson install"
 meson install -C $buildDir
diff --git a/meson/resolve-dependencies.py b/meson/resolve-dependencies.py
index f01e7242..9a6ec8c9 100755
--- a/meson/resolve-dependencies.py
+++ b/meson/resolve-dependencies.py
@@ -22,21 +22,20 @@ class Formatter(argparse.ArgumentDefaultsHelpFormatter, argparse.RawDescriptionH
 parser_deps.add_argument('--fmt', default=SYSTEM_ASSUMPTION, type=str, help='path to `fmt` installation')
 parser_deps.add_argument('--yaml', default=SYSTEM_ASSUMPTION, type=str, help='path to `yaml-cpp` installation')
 parser_deps.add_argument('--root', default=SYSTEM_ASSUMPTION, type=str, help='path to `ROOT` installation')
+parser_deps.add_argument('--rcdb', default='$RCDB_HOME', type=str, help='path to `RCDB` installation')
 parser_output = parser.add_argument_group('output control')
-parser_output.add_argument('--cli', default=False, action=argparse.BooleanOptionalAction, help='only print the `meson` CLI options, and nothing else')
-parser_output.add_argument('--env', default=False, action=argparse.BooleanOptionalAction, help='generate environment variable `export` commands instead')
-parser_output.add_argument('--ini', default=NOT_USED, type=str, help='if set, generate an INI file (meson native file) with this name; you may then use it with `meson setup --native-file=_____`')
+parser_output.add_argument('--verbose', default=False, action=argparse.BooleanOptionalAction, help='verbose output')
 args = parser.parse_args()
 
 # verbosity
-verbose = not args.cli
 def print_verbose(message):
-    if(verbose):
+    if(args.verbose):
         print(message)
 
 # functions to set dependency paths
 pkg_config_path   = set()
 cmake_prefix_path = set()
+extra_args        = []
 def use_system(dep):
     print_verbose(f'{dep}: {SYSTEM_ASSUMPTION}')
 def use_pkg_config(dep, pc_file, arg):
@@ -63,71 +62,49 @@ def use_cmake(dep, arg):
         cmake_prefix_path.add(path)
     else:
         use_system(dep)
+def use_env_var(dep, build_var_name, user_val, env_var_name):
+    if(user_val == f'${env_var_name}'):
+        if env_var_name in os.environ:
+            print_verbose(f'{dep}: using environment variable "{env_var_name}" for build variable "{build_var_name}"')
+            extra_args.append([build_var_name, os.environ[env_var_name]])
+        else:
+            print(f'{dep}: you did not specify where {dep} is found, and the fallback environment variable "${env_var_name}" is not set; {dep} will be ignored', file=sys.stderr)
+    else:
+        print_verbose(f'{dep}: using user value "{user_val}" for build variable "{build_var_name}"')
+        extra_args.append([build_var_name, user_val])
 
 # resolve dependencies #########################
 use_pkg_config('hipo', 'hipo4.pc',    args.hipo)
 use_pkg_config('fmt',  'fmt.pc',      args.fmt)
 use_pkg_config('yaml', 'yaml-cpp.pc', args.yaml)
 use_cmake('ROOT', args.root)
+use_env_var('rcdb', 'rcdb:home', args.rcdb, 'RCDB_HOME')
 ################################################
 
 
-# generate a native file
-if(args.ini!=NOT_USED):
-    def ini_string_arr(arr):
-        contents = ','.join(map(lambda s: f'\'{s}\'', arr))
-        return f'[{contents}]'
-    ini_config = ConfigParser(allow_no_value=True)
-    ini_config.add_section('built-in options')
-    if(len(cmake_prefix_path) > 0):
-        ini_config.set('built-in options', 'cmake_prefix_path', ini_string_arr(cmake_prefix_path))
-    if(len(pkg_config_path) > 0):
-        ini_config.set('built-in options', 'pkg_config_path', ini_string_arr(pkg_config_path))
-    with open(args.ini, 'w') as fp:
-        ini_config.write(fp)
-
 # generate CLI options
-if(verbose or args.cli):
-    if(len(pkg_config_path)==0 and len(cmake_prefix_path)==0):
-        print_verbose(textwrap.dedent(f'''
-        ==========================================================================================
-        All of your dependencies are assumed to be in the system default locations.
-        - If they are not, please run:
-            {sys.argv[0]} --help
-        - Otherwise, you do not need to set or modify any build options for dependency resolution.
-        ==========================================================================================
-        '''))
-        exit(0)
-    else:
-        if(args.env):
-            print_verbose(textwrap.dedent('''
-            ==================================================
-            |  Here are the environment variables you need:  |
-            ==================================================
-            '''))
-        else:
-            print_verbose(textwrap.dedent('''
-            ===============================================
-            |  Here are the build options that you need:  |
-            ===============================================
-            '''))
-        cli_opts = []
-        if(len(pkg_config_path) > 0):
-            if(args.env):
-                cli_opts.append(f'export PKG_CONFIG_PATH={":".join(pkg_config_path)}' + '${PKG_CONFIG_PATH:+:${PKG_CONFIG_PATH}}')
-            else:
-                cli_opts.append(f'--pkg-config-path={",".join(pkg_config_path)}')
-        if(len(cmake_prefix_path) > 0):
-            if(args.env):
-                cli_opts.append(f'export CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH={":".join(cmake_prefix_path)}' + '${CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH:+:${CMAKE_PREFIX_PATH}}')
-            else:
-                cli_opts.append(f'--cmake-prefix-path={",".join(cmake_prefix_path)}')
-        if(args.ini==NOT_USED):
-            if(args.env):
-                for cli_opt in cli_opts:
-                    print(cli_opt)
-            else:
-                print(f'{" ".join(cli_opts)}')
-        else:
-            print(f'--native-file={args.ini}')
-        print_verbose('\n')
+if(len(pkg_config_path)==0 and len(cmake_prefix_path)==0 and len(extra_args)==0):
+    print_verbose(textwrap.dedent(f'''
+    ==========================================================================================
+    All of your dependencies are assumed to be in the system default locations.
+    - If they are not, please run:
+        {sys.argv[0]} --help
+    - Otherwise, you do not need to set or modify any build options for dependency resolution.
+    ==========================================================================================
+    '''))
+else:
+    print_verbose(textwrap.dedent('''
+    ===============================================
+    |  Here are the build options that you need:  |
+    ===============================================
+    '''))
+    cli_opts = []
+    if(len(pkg_config_path) > 0):
+        cli_opts.append(f'--pkg-config-path={",".join(pkg_config_path)}')
+    if(len(cmake_prefix_path) > 0):
+        cli_opts.append(f'--cmake-prefix-path={",".join(cmake_prefix_path)}')
+    if(len(extra_args) > 0):
+        for extra_arg in extra_args:
+            cli_opts.append(f'-D{extra_arg[0]}={extra_arg[1]}')
+    print(f'{" ".join(cli_opts)}')
+    print_verbose('\n')
diff --git a/src/iguana/algorithms/meson.build b/src/iguana/algorithms/meson.build
index a4386db5..a15f8838 100644
--- a/src/iguana/algorithms/meson.build
+++ b/src/iguana/algorithms/meson.build
@@ -134,8 +134,6 @@ foreach algo : algo_dict
         ],
       )
       algo_bind_c_sources += tgt[0]
-    else
-      warning('Algorithm "' + algo_name + '" has no bindings')
     endif
 
   else
@@ -154,8 +152,6 @@ foreach algo : algo_dict
         vdor_headers += algo_dir / src_file
       endforeach
     endif
-  else
-    warning('Algorithm "' + algo_name + '" has no validator')
   endif
 
 endforeach
diff --git a/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Action.yaml b/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Action.yaml
index fe2e2e4d..81aeabb5 100644
--- a/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Action.yaml
+++ b/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Action.yaml
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ actions:
     inputs:
       - name: runnum
         type: int
+      - name: beam_energy
+        type: double
     outputs:
       - type: concurrent_key_t
         cast: int
diff --git a/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Algorithm.cc b/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Algorithm.cc
index 5f9b54e5..3b52b119 100644
--- a/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Algorithm.cc
+++ b/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Algorithm.cc
@@ -32,6 +32,9 @@ namespace iguana::physics {
     i_qz     = result_schema.getEntryOrder("qz");
     i_qE     = result_schema.getEntryOrder("qE");
 
+    // instantiate RCDB reader
+    m_rcdb = std::make_unique<RCDBReader>("RCDB|" + GetName());
+
     // parse config file
     ParseYAMLConfig();
     o_runnum         = ConcurrentParamFactory::Create<int>();
@@ -152,32 +155,32 @@ namespace iguana::physics {
 
   ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-  concurrent_key_t InclusiveKinematics::PrepareEvent(int const runnum) const
+  concurrent_key_t InclusiveKinematics::PrepareEvent(int const runnum, double const beam_energy) const
   {
     m_log->Trace("calling PrepareEvent({})", runnum);
     if(o_runnum->NeedsHashing()) {
       std::hash<int> hash_ftn;
       auto hash_key = hash_ftn(runnum);
       if(!o_runnum->HasKey(hash_key))
-        Reload(runnum, hash_key);
+        Reload(runnum, beam_energy, hash_key);
       return hash_key;
     } else {
       if(o_runnum->IsEmpty() || o_runnum->Load(0) != runnum)
-        Reload(runnum, 0);
+        Reload(runnum, beam_energy, 0);
       return 0;
     }
   }
 
   ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-  void InclusiveKinematics::Reload(int const runnum, concurrent_key_t key) const
+  void InclusiveKinematics::Reload(int const runnum, double const user_beam_energy, concurrent_key_t key) const
   {
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> const lock(m_mutex);
-    m_log->Trace("-> calling Reload({}, {})", runnum, key);
+    m_log->Trace("-> calling Reload({}, {}, {})", runnum, user_beam_energy, key);
     o_runnum->Save(runnum, key);
 
     // parse config params
-    auto beam_energy     = GetOptionScalar<double>("beam_energy", {"initial_state", GetConfig()->InRange("runs", runnum), "beam_energy"});
+    auto beam_energy     = user_beam_energy < 0 ? m_rcdb->GetBeamEnergy(runnum) : user_beam_energy;
     auto beam_direction  = GetOptionVector<double>("beam_direction", {"initial_state", GetConfig()->InRange("runs", runnum), "beam_direction"});
     auto target_particle = GetOptionScalar<std::string>("target_particle", {"initial_state", GetConfig()->InRange("runs", runnum), "target_particle"});
 
diff --git a/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Algorithm.h b/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Algorithm.h
index b406ade9..dda8da34 100644
--- a/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Algorithm.h
+++ b/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Algorithm.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include "iguana/algorithms/Algorithm.h"
 #include "iguana/algorithms/TypeDefs.h"
 #include "iguana/services/ConcurrentParam.h"
+#include "iguana/services/RCDBReader.h"
 
 namespace iguana::physics {
 
@@ -57,8 +58,9 @@ namespace iguana::physics {
       /// @action_function{reload} prepare the event
       /// @when_to_call{for each event}
       /// @param runnum the run number
+      /// @param beam_energy the beam energy; if negative (the default), RCDB will be used to get the beam energy from `runnum`
       /// @returns the key to be used in `::ComputeFromLepton`
-      concurrent_key_t PrepareEvent(int const runnum) const;
+      concurrent_key_t PrepareEvent(int const runnum, double const beam_energy = -1) const;
 
       /// @action_function{scalar creator} compute kinematics from the scattered lepton.
       /// @param lepton_px scattered lepton momentum component @f$p_x@f$ (GeV)
@@ -84,7 +86,7 @@ namespace iguana::physics {
       /// @returns the bank row of the scattered lepton, or `-1` if not found
       int FindScatteredLepton(hipo::bank const& particle_bank, concurrent_key_t const key) const;
 
-      void Reload(int const runnum, concurrent_key_t key) const;
+      void Reload(int const runnum, double const user_beam_energy, concurrent_key_t key) const;
 
       // banklist indices
       hipo::banklist::size_type b_particle;
@@ -114,6 +116,8 @@ namespace iguana::physics {
       enum method_lepton_finder { highest_energy_FD_trigger };
       method_reconstruction o_method_reconstruction;
       method_lepton_finder o_method_lepton_finder;
+
+      std::unique_ptr<RCDBReader> m_rcdb;
   };
 
 }
diff --git a/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Config.yaml b/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Config.yaml
index 65479733..d9573cd7 100644
--- a/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Config.yaml
+++ b/src/iguana/algorithms/physics/InclusiveKinematics/Config.yaml
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 physics::InclusiveKinematics:
 
-  initial_state: # FIXME: add run ranges
+  initial_state:
     - default:
-      beam_energy: 10.6
       beam_direction: [ 0.0, 0.0, 1.0 ]
       target_particle: proton
 
diff --git a/src/iguana/services/RCDBReader.cc b/src/iguana/services/RCDBReader.cc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a096eb51
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/iguana/services/RCDBReader.cc
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+#include "RCDBReader.h"
+
+namespace iguana {
+
+  RCDBReader::RCDBReader(std::string_view name) : Object(name)
+  {
+#ifdef USE_RCDB
+    auto url_ptr = std::getenv("RCDB_CONNECTION");
+    m_url = url_ptr != nullptr ? std::string(url_ptr) : default_url;
+    m_log->Debug("RCDB URL: {}", m_url);
+    m_rcdb_connection = std::make_unique<rcdb::Connection>(m_url, true);
+#endif
+  }
+
+  double RCDBReader::GetBeamEnergy(int const runnum)
+  {
+    double const default_value = 10.6;
+#ifdef USE_RCDB
+    auto cnd = m_rcdb_connection->GetCondition(runnum, "beam_energy");
+    if(!cnd) {
+      m_log->Error("Failed to find beam energy from RCDB for run {}; assuming it is {} GeV", runnum, default_value);
+      return default_value;
+    }
+    return cnd->ToDouble() / 1e3; // convert [MeV] -> [GeV]
+#else
+    std::call_once(m_error_once, [&]() { m_log->Error("RCDB dependency not found; RCDBReader::GetBeamEnergy will return the default value of {} GeV.", default_value); });
+    return default_value;
+#endif
+  }
+
+}
diff --git a/src/iguana/services/RCDBReader.h b/src/iguana/services/RCDBReader.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..72a397f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/iguana/services/RCDBReader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include "Object.h"
+#include <mutex>
+
+#ifdef USE_RCDB
+#include <RCDB/Connection.h>
+#endif
+
+namespace iguana {
+
+  /// @brief RCDB reader
+  class RCDBReader : public Object
+  {
+
+    public:
+
+      /// @param name the name of this reader
+      RCDBReader(std::string_view name = "rcdb");
+
+      /// @param runnum run number
+      /// @returns the beam energy in GeV
+      double GetBeamEnergy(int const runnum);
+
+    private:
+
+      std::string m_url;
+      std::string const default_url = "mysql://rcdb@clasdb.jlab.org/rcdb";
+      std::once_flag m_error_once;
+
+#ifdef USE_RCDB
+      std::unique_ptr<rcdb::Connection> m_rcdb_connection;
+#endif
+
+  };
+}
diff --git a/src/iguana/services/meson.build b/src/iguana/services/meson.build
index 2ef22157..f3635e94 100644
--- a/src/iguana/services/meson.build
+++ b/src/iguana/services/meson.build
@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
-services_sources = [ 'Logger.cc', 'Object.cc', 'ConfigFileReader.cc', 'YAMLReader.cc', 'ConcurrentParam.cc', 'GlobalParam.cc' ]
-services_headers = [ 'Logger.h', 'Object.h', 'ConfigFileReader.h', 'YAMLReader.h', 'ConcurrentParam.h', 'GlobalParam.h' ]
+services_sources = [ 'Logger.cc', 'Object.cc', 'ConfigFileReader.cc', 'YAMLReader.cc', 'ConcurrentParam.cc', 'GlobalParam.cc', 'RCDBReader.cc' ]
+services_headers = [ 'Logger.h', 'Object.h', 'ConfigFileReader.h', 'YAMLReader.h', 'ConcurrentParam.h', 'GlobalParam.h', 'RCDBReader.h' ]
+
+if rcdb_dep.found()
+  add_project_arguments('-DUSE_RCDB', language: ['cpp'])
+endif
 
 services_lib = shared_library(
   'IguanaServices',
diff --git a/src/iguana/tests/include/TestMultithreading.h b/src/iguana/tests/include/TestMultithreading.h
index b518aceb..84179bf0 100644
--- a/src/iguana/tests/include/TestMultithreading.h
+++ b/src/iguana/tests/include/TestMultithreading.h
@@ -122,9 +122,10 @@ inline int TestMultithreading(
           if(vary_run && run_config_bank_idx.has_value()) {
             // === rapid variation ===
             /*
-            banks[run_config_bank_idx.value()].putInt("run", 0, std::rand() % 3000);
+            banks[run_config_bank_idx.value()].putInt("run", 0, std::rand() % 20000);
             */
             // === slower variation ===
+            ///*
             if(std::rand() % 10 == 0) { // randomly increase or decrease the run number
               auto runnum = banks[run_config_bank_idx.value()].getInt("run", 0);
               runnum += (std::rand() % 2 == 0) ? 1000 : -1000;
@@ -134,6 +135,7 @@ inline int TestMultithreading(
             else if(std::rand() % 10 == 1) {
               banks[run_config_bank_idx.value()].putInt("run", 0, 1); // set the runnum to '1'
             }
+            //*/
           }
 
           // run the iguana algorithm
diff --git a/src/iguana/tests/meson.build b/src/iguana/tests/meson.build
index 3ee9658c..9461415d 100644
--- a/src/iguana/tests/meson.build
+++ b/src/iguana/tests/meson.build
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ test_exe = executable(
   test_exe_name,
   test_exe_name + '.cc',
   include_directories: [ test_exe_inc, project_inc ],
-  dependencies: [ project_deps ],
+  dependencies: [ project_deps, thread_dep ],
   link_with: test_exe_links,
   link_args: ROOT_dep_link_args,
   install: true,
diff --git a/subprojects/rcdb/meson.build b/subprojects/rcdb/meson.build
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..027d07d2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/subprojects/rcdb/meson.build
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+project(
+  'rcdb',
+  'cpp',
+  meson_version: '>=1.2',
+  version: 'iguana subproject',
+)
+require_message = 'RCDB is not required for Iguana, and you may proceed with building Iguana, but some algorithms may be easier to use with RCDB support.'
+
+# check if RCDB is installed
+rcdb_home = get_option('home')
+rcdb_includedir = get_option('home') / 'cpp' / 'include'
+if get_option('home') != ''
+  fs = import('fs')
+  if not fs.is_dir(rcdb_includedir)
+    error(f'RCDB include directory "@rcdb_includedir@" does not exist, so RCDB will not be used; are you sure your build option "rcdb:home" is correct?; @require_message@')
+  endif
+else
+  error(f'RCDB not found; set build option "rcdb:home" to the RCDB installation (e.g., to "$RCDB_HOME"); @require_message@')
+endif
+
+# RCDB dependencies: either mysql or sqlite
+# - looking for mysql here, since clas12root uses this
+# - prioritizing mariadb, an open source fork of mysql
+backend_list = ['mariadb', 'mysql', 'mysqlclient']
+foreach backend_name : backend_list
+  rcdb_backend_dep = dependency(backend_name, required: false)
+  if rcdb_backend_dep.found()
+    message(f'using "@backend_name@" for the RCDB backend')
+    break
+  endif
+endforeach
+if not rcdb_backend_dep.found()
+  error('none of the backends (' + ', '.join(backend_list) + ') were found, so RCDB will not be used in this build; ' + require_message)
+endif
+
+rcdb_dep = declare_dependency(
+  version: get_option('home'), # RCDB lacks an easily accessible version number; instead just use the prefix
+  variables: {
+    'name': meson.project_name(),
+    'includedir': rcdb_includedir,
+  },
+  include_directories: include_directories(
+    rcdb_includedir,
+    is_system: true, # suppress consumer warnings
+  ),
+  compile_args: ['-DRCDB_MYSQL' ],
+  dependencies: [ rcdb_backend_dep ],
+)
diff --git a/subprojects/rcdb/meson.options b/subprojects/rcdb/meson.options
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..beeaa745
--- /dev/null
+++ b/subprojects/rcdb/meson.options
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+option('home', type: 'string', value: '', description: 'Location of RCDB installation; if empty, RCDB-dependent code will not be included')