diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 7ae46c0c64..d665e2f708 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ max-complexity = 33  # default is 10
 "src/pip/__pip-runner__.py" = ["UP"] # Must be compatible with Python 2.7
 
 [tool.ruff.lint.pylint]
-max-args = 15  # default is 5
+max-args = 16  # default is 5
 max-branches = 28  # default is 12
 max-returns = 15  # default is 6
 max-statements = 134  # default is 50
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/build_env/installer.py b/src/pip/_internal/build_env/installer.py
index 845b07b2f9..790ad5f3b7 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/build_env/installer.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/build_env/installer.py
@@ -208,6 +208,7 @@ def __init__(
             use_user_site=False,
             lazy_wheel=False,
             legacy_resolver=False,
+            allow_editables=True,
         )
 
     def install(
@@ -281,7 +282,9 @@ def _install_impl(self, requirements: Iterable[str], prefix: Prefix) -> None:
         reqs_to_build = [
             r for r in resolved_set.requirements_to_install if not r.is_wheel
         ]
-        _, build_failures = build(reqs_to_build, self._wheel_cache, verify=True)
+        _, build_failures = build(
+            reqs_to_build, self._wheel_cache, verify=True, allow_editables=True
+        )
         if build_failures:
             raise InstallWheelBuildError(build_failures)
 
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/cli/req_command.py b/src/pip/_internal/cli/req_command.py
index 820db8f0a8..f09267f35b 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/cli/req_command.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/cli/req_command.py
@@ -162,6 +162,8 @@ def make_requirement_preparer(
         build_tracker: BuildTracker,
         session: PipSession,
         finder: PackageFinder,
+        *,
+        allow_editables: bool,
         use_user_site: bool,
         download_dir: str | None = None,
         verbosity: int = 0,
@@ -242,6 +244,7 @@ def make_requirement_preparer(
             lazy_wheel=lazy_wheel,
             verbosity=verbosity,
             legacy_resolver=legacy_resolver,
+            allow_editables=allow_editables,
         )
 
     @classmethod
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/commands/download.py b/src/pip/_internal/commands/download.py
index 8f7a874e4c..8b34982960 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/commands/download.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/commands/download.py
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ def run(self, options: Values, args: list[str]) -> int:
             download_dir=options.download_dir,
             use_user_site=False,
             verbosity=self.verbosity,
+            allow_editables=False,
         )
 
         resolver = self.make_resolver(
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/commands/install.py b/src/pip/_internal/commands/install.py
index a5955417cb..e1482b9cd4 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/commands/install.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/commands/install.py
@@ -450,12 +450,6 @@ def run(self, options: Values, args: list[str]) -> int:
 
             wheel_cache = WheelCache(options.cache_dir)
 
-            # Only when installing is it permitted to use PEP 660.
-            # In other circumstances (pip wheel, pip download) we generate
-            # regular (i.e. non editable) metadata and wheels.
-            for req in reqs:
-                req.permit_editable_wheels = True
-
             preparer = self.make_requirement_preparer(
                 temp_build_dir=directory,
                 options=options,
@@ -464,6 +458,7 @@ def run(self, options: Values, args: list[str]) -> int:
                 finder=finder,
                 use_user_site=options.use_user_site,
                 verbosity=self.verbosity,
+                allow_editables=True,
             )
             resolver = self.make_resolver(
                 preparer=preparer,
@@ -529,6 +524,7 @@ def run(self, options: Values, args: list[str]) -> int:
                 reqs_to_build,
                 wheel_cache=wheel_cache,
                 verify=True,
+                allow_editables=True,
             )
 
             if build_failures:
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/commands/lock.py b/src/pip/_internal/commands/lock.py
index ef15e8daee..73df8649a8 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/commands/lock.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/commands/lock.py
@@ -126,12 +126,6 @@ def run(self, options: Values, args: list[str]) -> int:
 
         wheel_cache = WheelCache(options.cache_dir)
 
-        # Only when installing is it permitted to use PEP 660.
-        # In other circumstances (pip wheel, pip download) we generate
-        # regular (i.e. non editable) metadata and wheels.
-        for req in reqs:
-            req.permit_editable_wheels = True
-
         preparer = self.make_requirement_preparer(
             temp_build_dir=directory,
             options=options,
@@ -140,6 +134,7 @@ def run(self, options: Values, args: list[str]) -> int:
             finder=finder,
             use_user_site=False,
             verbosity=self.verbosity,
+            allow_editables=True,
         )
         resolver = self.make_resolver(
             preparer=preparer,
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/commands/wheel.py b/src/pip/_internal/commands/wheel.py
index a539a4df29..ee25b8265d 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/commands/wheel.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/commands/wheel.py
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ def run(self, options: Values, args: list[str]) -> int:
             download_dir=options.wheel_dir,
             use_user_site=False,
             verbosity=self.verbosity,
+            allow_editables=False,
         )
 
         resolver = self.make_resolver(
@@ -154,6 +155,7 @@ def run(self, options: Values, args: list[str]) -> int:
             reqs_to_build,
             wheel_cache=wheel_cache,
             verify=(not options.no_verify),
+            allow_editables=False,
         )
         for req in build_successes:
             assert req.link and req.link.is_wheel
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/distributions/base.py b/src/pip/_internal/distributions/base.py
index 01f2aa8f70..66cc5426d8 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/distributions/base.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/distributions/base.py
@@ -52,5 +52,6 @@ def prepare_distribution_metadata(
         build_env_installer: BuildEnvironmentInstaller,
         build_isolation: BuildIsolationMode,
         check_build_deps: bool,
+        allow_editables: bool,
     ) -> None:
         raise NotImplementedError()
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/distributions/installed.py b/src/pip/_internal/distributions/installed.py
index 3321e29787..06cff259a4 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/distributions/installed.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/distributions/installed.py
@@ -29,5 +29,6 @@ def prepare_distribution_metadata(
         build_env_installer: BuildEnvironmentInstaller,
         build_isolation: BuildIsolationMode,
         check_build_deps: bool,
+        allow_editables: bool,
     ) -> None:
         pass
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/distributions/sdist.py b/src/pip/_internal/distributions/sdist.py
index 007c4822eb..ac2cab4086 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/distributions/sdist.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/distributions/sdist.py
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ def prepare_distribution_metadata(
         build_env_installer: BuildEnvironmentInstaller,
         build_isolation: BuildIsolationMode,
         check_build_deps: bool,
+        allow_editables: bool,
     ) -> None:
         # Load pyproject.toml and set up backend environment
         self.req.load_pyproject_toml()
@@ -58,7 +59,9 @@ def prepare_distribution_metadata(
             # to avoid installing build requirements needlessly.
             self.req.editable_sanity_check()
             # Install the dynamic build requirements.
-            self._install_build_reqs(build_env_installer)
+            self._install_build_reqs(
+                build_env_installer, allow_editables=allow_editables
+            )
         else:
             # When not using build isolation, we still need to check that
             # the build backend supports PEP 660.
@@ -74,7 +77,7 @@ def prepare_distribution_metadata(
                 self._raise_conflicts("the backend dependencies", conflicting)
             if missing:
                 self._raise_missing_reqs(missing)
-        self.req.prepare_metadata()
+        self.req.prepare_metadata(allow_editables)
 
     def _prepare_build_env(
         self,
@@ -136,14 +139,16 @@ def _get_build_requires_editable(self) -> Iterable[str]:
                 return backend.get_requires_for_build_editable()
 
     def _install_build_reqs(
-        self, build_env_installer: BuildEnvironmentInstaller
+        self,
+        build_env_installer: BuildEnvironmentInstaller,
+        allow_editables: bool,
     ) -> None:
         # Install any extra build dependencies that the backend requests.
         # This must be done in a second pass, as the pyproject.toml
         # dependencies must be installed before we can call the backend.
         if (
             self.req.editable
-            and self.req.permit_editable_wheels
+            and allow_editables
             and self.req.supports_pyproject_editable
         ):
             build_reqs = self._get_build_requires_editable()
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/distributions/wheel.py b/src/pip/_internal/distributions/wheel.py
index 20db4ab741..8f2a217fd5 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/distributions/wheel.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/distributions/wheel.py
@@ -40,5 +40,6 @@ def prepare_distribution_metadata(
         build_env_installer: BuildEnvironmentInstaller,
         build_isolation: BuildIsolationMode,
         check_build_deps: bool,
+        allow_editables: bool,
     ) -> None:
         pass
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/operations/prepare.py b/src/pip/_internal/operations/prepare.py
index c9e9780254..34a07a18e3 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/operations/prepare.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/operations/prepare.py
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ def _get_prepared_distribution(
     build_env_installer: BuildEnvironmentInstaller,
     build_isolation: BuildIsolationMode,
     check_build_deps: bool,
+    allow_editables: bool,
 ) -> BaseDistribution:
     """Prepare a distribution for installation."""
     abstract_dist = make_distribution_for_install_requirement(req)
@@ -79,7 +80,7 @@ def _get_prepared_distribution(
     if tracker_id is not None:
         with build_tracker.track(req, tracker_id):
             abstract_dist.prepare_distribution_metadata(
-                build_env_installer, build_isolation, check_build_deps
+                build_env_installer, build_isolation, check_build_deps, allow_editables
             )
     return abstract_dist.get_metadata_distribution()
 
@@ -359,6 +360,7 @@ def __init__(
         lazy_wheel: bool,
         verbosity: int,
         legacy_resolver: bool,
+        allow_editables: bool,
     ) -> None:
         super().__init__()
 
@@ -401,6 +403,10 @@ def __init__(
         # Previous "header" printed for a link-based InstallRequirement
         self._previous_requirement_header = ("", "")
 
+        # Do we allow preparing editable wheels?
+        # When using pip wheel, editables must still produce regular wheels
+        self.allow_editables = allow_editables
+
     def _log_preparing_link(self, req: InstallRequirement) -> None:
         """Provide context for the requirement being prepared."""
         if req.link.is_file and not req.is_wheel_from_cache:
@@ -780,6 +786,7 @@ def _prepare_linked_requirement(
             self.build_env_installer,
             self.build_isolation,
             self.check_build_deps,
+            self.allow_editables,
         )
 
         # If a PEP 658 .metadata file was used, check that fields relevant for
@@ -857,6 +864,7 @@ def prepare_editable_requirement(
                 self.build_env_installer,
                 self.build_isolation,
                 self.check_build_deps,
+                self.allow_editables,
             )
 
             req.check_if_exists(self.use_user_site)
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/req/constructors.py b/src/pip/_internal/req/constructors.py
index daae778865..6dcac66737 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/req/constructors.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/req/constructors.py
@@ -260,7 +260,6 @@ def install_req_from_editable(
     hash_options: dict[str, list[str]] | None = None,
     constraint: bool = False,
     user_supplied: bool = False,
-    permit_editable_wheels: bool = False,
     config_settings: dict[str, str | list[str]] | None = None,
 ) -> InstallRequirement:
     if constraint:
@@ -272,7 +271,6 @@ def install_req_from_editable(
         comes_from=comes_from,
         user_supplied=user_supplied,
         editable=True,
-        permit_editable_wheels=permit_editable_wheels,
         link=parts.link,
         constraint=constraint,
         isolated=isolated,
@@ -552,7 +550,6 @@ def install_req_drop_extras(ireq: InstallRequirement) -> InstallRequirement:
         extras=[],
         config_settings=ireq.config_settings,
         user_supplied=ireq.user_supplied,
-        permit_editable_wheels=ireq.permit_editable_wheels,
     )
 
 
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/req/req_install.py b/src/pip/_internal/req/req_install.py
index 5e94679a69..7191f03a1a 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/req/req_install.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/req/req_install.py
@@ -79,7 +79,6 @@ def __init__(
         constraint: bool = False,
         extras: Collection[str] = (),
         user_supplied: bool = False,
-        permit_editable_wheels: bool = False,
         locked_link: Link | None = None,
         locked_version: Version | None = None,
     ) -> None:
@@ -88,7 +87,6 @@ def __init__(
         self.comes_from = comes_from
         self.constraint = constraint
         self.editable = editable
-        self.permit_editable_wheels = permit_editable_wheels
 
         # source_dir is the local directory where the linked requirement is
         # located, or unpacked. In case unpacking is needed, creating and
@@ -527,7 +525,7 @@ def editable_sanity_check(self) -> None:
                 f"Consider using a build backend that supports PEP 660."
             )
 
-    def prepare_metadata(self) -> None:
+    def prepare_metadata(self, allow_editables: bool) -> None:
         """Ensure that project metadata is available.
 
         Under PEP 517 and PEP 660, call the backend hook to prepare the metadata.
@@ -537,11 +535,7 @@ def prepare_metadata(self) -> None:
         details = self.name or f"from {self.link}"
 
         assert self.pep517_backend is not None
-        if (
-            self.editable
-            and self.permit_editable_wheels
-            and self.supports_pyproject_editable
-        ):
+        if self.editable and allow_editables and self.supports_pyproject_editable:
             self.metadata_directory = generate_editable_metadata(
                 build_env=self.build_env,
                 backend=self.pep517_backend,
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/resolution/resolvelib/candidates.py b/src/pip/_internal/resolution/resolvelib/candidates.py
index 4bfd829610..b8b853cb76 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/resolution/resolvelib/candidates.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/resolution/resolvelib/candidates.py
@@ -101,7 +101,6 @@ def make_install_req_from_editable(
         comes_from=template.comes_from,
         isolated=template.isolated,
         constraint=template.constraint,
-        permit_editable_wheels=template.permit_editable_wheels,
         hash_options=template.hash_options,
         config_settings=template.config_settings,
     )
diff --git a/src/pip/_internal/wheel_builder.py b/src/pip/_internal/wheel_builder.py
index dd1d2b84b3..8a5526142f 100644
--- a/src/pip/_internal/wheel_builder.py
+++ b/src/pip/_internal/wheel_builder.py
@@ -208,6 +208,7 @@ def build(
     requirements: Iterable[InstallRequirement],
     wheel_cache: WheelCache,
     verify: bool,
+    allow_editables: bool,
 ) -> BuildResult:
     """Build wheels.
 
@@ -232,7 +233,7 @@ def build(
                 req,
                 cache_dir,
                 verify,
-                req.editable and req.permit_editable_wheels,
+                req.editable and allow_editables,
             )
             if wheel_file:
                 # Record the download origin in the cache
diff --git a/tests/unit/resolution_resolvelib/conftest.py b/tests/unit/resolution_resolvelib/conftest.py
index b24ba4e1a2..79d3d36340 100644
--- a/tests/unit/resolution_resolvelib/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/unit/resolution_resolvelib/conftest.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ def preparer(finder: PackageFinder) -> Iterator[RequirementPreparer]:
                     finder=finder,
                     use_user_site=False,
                     verbosity=0,
+                    allow_editables=True,
                 )
 
                 yield preparer
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_req.py b/tests/unit/test_req.py
index 5366ff7e7c..7197db1fc6 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_req.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_req.py
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ def _basic_resolver(
                 lazy_wheel=False,
                 verbosity=0,
                 legacy_resolver=True,
+                allow_editables=True,
             )
             yield Resolver(
                 preparer=preparer,
@@ -861,7 +862,6 @@ def test_install_req_drop_extras(self, inp: str, out: str) -> None:
         assert without_extras.constraint == req.constraint
         assert without_extras.config_settings == req.config_settings
         assert without_extras.user_supplied == req.user_supplied
-        assert without_extras.permit_editable_wheels == req.permit_editable_wheels
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(
         "inp, extras, out",
@@ -908,7 +908,6 @@ def test_install_req_extend_extras(
         assert extended.constraint == req.constraint
         assert extended.config_settings == req.config_settings
         assert extended.user_supplied == req.user_supplied
-        assert extended.permit_editable_wheels == req.permit_editable_wheels
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(