fix

## Motivation

Coordination files for MLX distributed init were written to the current
working directory (./hosts_*.json)

## Changes

- Move coordination file creation to a tempfile.TemporaryDirectory(),
which auto-cleans on context manager exit

.mlx_typings/mlx/core/__init__.pyi

@@ -215,6 +215,22 @@ class StreamContext:
         traceback: object | None = ...,
     ) -> None: ...
 
+def device_info() -> dict[str, str | int]:
+    """
+    Get information about the GPU device and system settings.
+
+    Currently returns:
+
+    * ``architecture``
+    * ``max_buffer_size``
+    * ``max_recommended_working_set_size``
+    * ``memory_size``
+    * ``resource_limit``
+
+    Returns:
+        dict: A dictionary with string keys and string or integer values.
+    """
+
 def abs(a: array, /, *, stream: Stream | Device | None = ...) -> array:
     """
     Element-wise absolute value.

app/EXO/EXO/ContentView.swift

@@ -15,14 +15,23 @@ struct ContentView: View {
     @EnvironmentObject private var localNetworkChecker: LocalNetworkChecker
     @EnvironmentObject private var updater: SparkleUpdater
     @EnvironmentObject private var thunderboltBridgeService: ThunderboltBridgeService
+    @EnvironmentObject private var settingsWindowController: SettingsWindowController
     @State private var focusedNode: NodeViewModel?
     @State private var deletingInstanceIDs: Set<String> = []
     @State private var showAllNodes = false
     @State private var showAllInstances = false
+    @State private var baseURLCopied = false
     @State private var showAdvanced = false
     @State private var showDebugInfo = false
-    @State private var bugReportInFlight = false
-    @State private var bugReportMessage: String?
+    private enum BugReportPhase: Equatable {
+        case idle
+        case prompting
+        case sending(String)
+        case success(String)
+        case failure(String)
+    }
+    @State private var bugReportPhase: BugReportPhase = .idle
+    @State private var bugReportUserDescription: String = ""
     @State private var uninstallInProgress = false
     @State private var pendingNamespace: String = ""
     @State private var pendingHFToken: String = ""
@@ -258,139 +267,79 @@ struct ContentView: View {
         VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 0) {
             if controller.status != .stopped {
                 dashboardButton
+                baseURLRow
                 Divider()
                     .padding(.vertical, 8)
             } else {
                 Divider()
                     .padding(.vertical, 4)
             }
-            advancedSection
-                .padding(.bottom, 8)
-            controlButton(title: "Quit", tint: .secondary) {
+            HoverButton(
+                title: "Settings",
+                tint: .primary,
+                trailingSystemImage: "gear"
+            ) {
+                settingsWindowController.open(
+                    controller: controller,
+                    updater: updater,
+                    networkStatusService: networkStatusService,
+                    thunderboltBridgeService: thunderboltBridgeService,
+                    stateService: stateService
+                )
+            }
+            HoverButton(
+                title: "Check for Updates",
+                tint: .primary,
+                trailingSystemImage: "arrow.triangle.2.circlepath"
+            ) {
+                updater.checkForUpdates()
+            }
+            .padding(.bottom, 8)
+            HoverButton(title: "Quit", tint: .secondary) {
                 controller.stop()
                 NSApplication.shared.terminate(nil)
             }
         }
     }
 
-    private var advancedSection: some View {
-        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
-            HStack {
-                Text("Advanced")
-                    .font(.caption)
-                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
-                Spacer()
-                collapseButton(isExpanded: $showAdvanced)
-            }
-            .animation(nil, value: showAdvanced)
-            if showAdvanced {
-                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 8) {
-                    VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
-                        Text("Cluster Namespace")
-                            .font(.caption2)
-                            .foregroundColor(.secondary)
-                        HStack {
-                            TextField("optional", text: $pendingNamespace)
-                                .textFieldStyle(.roundedBorder)
-                                .font(.caption2)
-                                .onAppear {
-                                    pendingNamespace = controller.customNamespace
-                                }
-                            Button("Save & Restart") {
-                                controller.customNamespace = pendingNamespace
-                                if controller.status == .running || controller.status == .starting {
-                                    controller.restart()
-                                }
-                            }
-                            .font(.caption2)
-                            .disabled(pendingNamespace == controller.customNamespace)
-                        }
-                    }
-                    VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
-                        Text("HuggingFace Token")
-                            .font(.caption2)
-                            .foregroundColor(.secondary)
-                        HStack {
-                            SecureField("optional", text: $pendingHFToken)
-                                .textFieldStyle(.roundedBorder)
-                                .font(.caption2)
-                                .onAppear {
-                                    pendingHFToken = controller.hfToken
-                                }
-                            Button("Save & Restart") {
-                                controller.hfToken = pendingHFToken
-                                if controller.status == .running || controller.status == .starting {
-                                    controller.restart()
-                                }
-                            }
-                            .font(.caption2)
-                            .disabled(pendingHFToken == controller.hfToken)
-                        }
-                    }
-                    Divider()
-                    HStack {
-                        Toggle(
-                            "Enable Image Models (experimental)", isOn: $pendingEnableImageModels
-                        )
-                        .toggleStyle(.switch)
-                        .font(.caption2)
-                        .onAppear {
-                            pendingEnableImageModels = controller.enableImageModels
-                        }
-
-                        Spacer()
-
-                        Button("Save & Restart") {
-                            controller.enableImageModels = pendingEnableImageModels
-                            if controller.status == .running || controller.status == .starting {
-                                controller.restart()
-                            }
-                        }
-                        .font(.caption2)
-                        .disabled(pendingEnableImageModels == controller.enableImageModels)
-                    }
-                    HoverButton(title: "Check for Updates", small: true) {
-                        updater.checkForUpdates()
-                    }
-                    debugSection
-                    HoverButton(title: "Uninstall", tint: .red, small: true) {
-                        showUninstallConfirmationAlert()
-                    }
-                    .disabled(uninstallInProgress)
-                }
-                .transition(.opacity)
-            }
-        }
-        .animation(.easeInOut(duration: 0.25), value: showAdvanced)
-    }
-
-    private func controlButton(title: String, tint: Color = .primary, action: @escaping () -> Void)
-        -> some View
-    {
-        HoverButton(title: title, tint: tint, trailingSystemImage: nil, action: action)
-    }
-
     private var dashboardButton: some View {
-        Button {
+        HoverButton(
+            title: "Web Dashboard",
+            tint: .primary,
+            trailingSystemImage: "arrow.up.right"
+        ) {
             guard let url = URL(string: "http://localhost:52415/") else { return }
             NSWorkspace.shared.open(url)
-        } label: {
-            HStack {
-                Image(systemName: "arrow.up.right.square")
-                    .imageScale(.small)
-                Text("Dashboard")
-                    .fontWeight(.medium)
-                Spacer()
-            }
-            .padding(.vertical, 8)
-            .padding(.horizontal, 10)
-            .background(
-                RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 8, style: .continuous)
-                    .fill(Color(red: 1.0, green: 0.87, blue: 0.0).opacity(0.2))
-            )
         }
-        .buttonStyle(.plain)
-        .padding(.bottom, 4)
+    }
+
+    private var baseURLRow: some View {
+        HStack(spacing: 6) {
+            Image(systemName: "link")
+                .imageScale(.small)
+                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            Text("localhost:52415/v1")
+                .font(.system(.caption, design: .monospaced))
+                .foregroundColor(.primary)
+            Spacer()
+            Button {
+                NSPasteboard.general.clearContents()
+                NSPasteboard.general.setString("http://localhost:52415/v1", forType: .string)
+                baseURLCopied = true
+                DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 2) {
+                    baseURLCopied = false
+                }
+            } label: {
+                Image(systemName: baseURLCopied ? "checkmark" : "doc.on.doc")
+                    .imageScale(.small)
+                    .foregroundColor(baseURLCopied ? .green : .secondary)
+                    .contentTransition(.symbolEffect(.replace))
+            }
+            .buttonStyle(.plain)
+            .help("Copy API base URL")
+        }
+        .padding(.vertical, 4)
+        .padding(.horizontal, 8)
     }
 
     private func collapseButton(isExpanded: Binding<Bool>) -> some View {
@@ -611,39 +560,115 @@ struct ContentView: View {
     }
 
     private var sendBugReportButton: some View {
-        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
-            Button {
-                Task {
-                    await sendBugReport()
-                }
-            } label: {
-                HStack {
-                    if bugReportInFlight {
-                        ProgressView()
-                            .scaleEffect(0.6)
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
+            switch bugReportPhase {
+            case .idle:
+                Button {
+                    bugReportPhase = .prompting
+                    bugReportUserDescription = ""
+                } label: {
+                    HStack {
+                        Text("Send Bug Report")
+                            .font(.caption)
+                            .fontWeight(.semibold)
+                        Spacer()
                     }
-                    Text("Send Bug Report")
-                        .font(.caption)
-                        .fontWeight(.semibold)
-                    Spacer()
+                    .padding(.vertical, 6)
+                    .padding(.horizontal, 8)
+                    .background(
+                        RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 6)
+                            .fill(Color.accentColor.opacity(0.12))
+                    )
                 }
-                .padding(.vertical, 6)
-                .padding(.horizontal, 8)
+                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+
+            case .prompting:
+                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
+                    Text("What's the issue? (optional)")
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                    TextEditor(text: $bugReportUserDescription)
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .frame(height: 60)
+                        .overlay(
+                            RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 4)
+                                .stroke(Color.secondary.opacity(0.3), lineWidth: 1)
+                        )
+                    HStack(spacing: 8) {
+                        Button("Send") {
+                            Task {
+                                await sendBugReport()
+                            }
+                        }
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .buttonStyle(.borderedProminent)
+                        .controlSize(.small)
+                        Button("Cancel") {
+                            bugReportPhase = .idle
+                        }
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .buttonStyle(.bordered)
+                        .controlSize(.small)
+                    }
+                }
+                .padding(8)
                 .background(
                     RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 6)
-                        .fill(Color.accentColor.opacity(0.12))
+                        .fill(Color.accentColor.opacity(0.06))
                 )
-            }
-            .buttonStyle(.plain)
-            .disabled(bugReportInFlight)
 
-            if let message = bugReportMessage {
-                Text(message)
+            case .sending(let message):
+                HStack(spacing: 6) {
+                    ProgressView()
+                        .scaleEffect(0.6)
+                    Text(message)
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                }
+
+            case .success(let message):
+                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 6) {
+                    Text(message)
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                        .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                    Button {
+                        openGitHubIssue()
+                    } label: {
+                        HStack(spacing: 4) {
+                            Image(systemName: "arrow.up.right.square")
+                                .imageScale(.small)
+                            Text("Create GitHub Issue")
+                                .font(.caption2)
+                        }
+                    }
+                    .buttonStyle(.bordered)
+                    .controlSize(.small)
+                    Button("Done") {
+                        bugReportPhase = .idle
+                        bugReportUserDescription = ""
+                    }
                     .font(.caption2)
+                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
                     .foregroundColor(.secondary)
-                    .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                }
+
+            case .failure(let message):
+                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
+                    Text(message)
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .foregroundColor(.red)
+                        .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+                    Button("Dismiss") {
+                        bugReportPhase = .idle
+                    }
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .buttonStyle(.plain)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                }
             }
         }
+        .animation(.easeInOut(duration: 0.2), value: bugReportPhase)
     }
 
     private var processToggleBinding: Binding<Bool> {
@@ -687,16 +712,58 @@ struct ContentView: View {
     }
 
     private func sendBugReport() async {
-        bugReportInFlight = true
-        bugReportMessage = "Collecting logs..."
+        bugReportPhase = .sending("Collecting logs...")
         let service = BugReportService()
+        let description = bugReportUserDescription.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
         do {
-            let outcome = try await service.sendReport(isManual: true)
-            bugReportMessage = outcome.message
+            let outcome = try await service.sendReport(
+                isManual: true,
+                userDescription: description.isEmpty ? nil : description
+            )
+            if outcome.success {
+                bugReportPhase = .success(outcome.message)
+            } else {
+                bugReportPhase = .failure(outcome.message)
+            }
         } catch {
-            bugReportMessage = error.localizedDescription
+            bugReportPhase = .failure(error.localizedDescription)
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func openGitHubIssue() {
+        let description = bugReportUserDescription.trimmingCharacters(in: .whitespacesAndNewlines)
+
+        var bodyParts: [String] = []
+        bodyParts.append("## Describe the bug")
+        bodyParts.append("")
+        if !description.isEmpty {
+            bodyParts.append(description)
+        } else {
+            bodyParts.append("A clear and concise description of what the bug is.")
+        }
+        bodyParts.append("")
+        bodyParts.append("## Environment")
+        bodyParts.append("")
+        bodyParts.append("- macOS Version: \(ProcessInfo.processInfo.operatingSystemVersionString)")
+        bodyParts.append("- EXO Version: \(buildTag) (\(buildCommit))")
+        bodyParts.append("")
+        bodyParts.append("## Additional context")
+        bodyParts.append("")
+        bodyParts.append("A bug report with diagnostic logs was submitted via the app.")
+
+        let body = bodyParts.joined(separator: "\n")
+
+        var components = URLComponents(string: "https://github.com/exo-explore/exo/issues/new")!
+        components.queryItems = [
+            URLQueryItem(name: "template", value: "bug_report.md"),
+            URLQueryItem(name: "title", value: "[BUG] "),
+            URLQueryItem(name: "body", value: body),
+            URLQueryItem(name: "labels", value: "bug"),
+        ]
+
+        if let url = components.url {
+            NSWorkspace.shared.open(url)
         }
-        bugReportInFlight = false
     }
 
     private func showUninstallConfirmationAlert() {

app/EXO/EXO/EXOApp.swift

@@ -21,7 +21,9 @@ struct EXOApp: App {
     @StateObject private var localNetworkChecker: LocalNetworkChecker
     @StateObject private var updater: SparkleUpdater
     @StateObject private var thunderboltBridgeService: ThunderboltBridgeService
+    @StateObject private var settingsWindowController: SettingsWindowController
     private let terminationObserver: TerminationObserver
+    private let firstLaunchPopout = FirstLaunchPopout()
     private let ciContext = CIContext(options: nil)
 
     init() {
@@ -43,12 +45,13 @@ struct EXOApp: App {
         _updater = StateObject(wrappedValue: updater)
         let thunderboltBridge = ThunderboltBridgeService(clusterStateService: service)
         _thunderboltBridgeService = StateObject(wrappedValue: thunderboltBridge)
+        _settingsWindowController = StateObject(wrappedValue: SettingsWindowController())
         enableLaunchAtLoginIfNeeded()
         // Install LaunchDaemon to disable Thunderbolt Bridge on startup (prevents network loops)
         NetworkSetupHelper.promptAndInstallIfNeeded()
         // Check local network access periodically (warning disappears when user grants permission)
         localNetwork.startPeriodicChecking(interval: 10)
-        controller.scheduleLaunch(after: 15)
+        controller.scheduleLaunch(after: 5)
         service.startPolling()
         networkStatus.startPolling()
     }
@@ -62,8 +65,19 @@ struct EXOApp: App {
                 .environmentObject(localNetworkChecker)
                 .environmentObject(updater)
                 .environmentObject(thunderboltBridgeService)
+                .environmentObject(settingsWindowController)
         } label: {
             menuBarIcon
+                .onReceive(controller.$isFirstLaunchReady) { ready in
+                    if ready {
+                        DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 3.0) {
+                            self.firstLaunchPopout.onComplete = { [weak controller] in
+                                controller?.markOnboardingCompleted()
+                            }
+                            self.firstLaunchPopout.show()
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
         }
         .menuBarExtraStyle(.window)
     }

app/EXO/EXO/ExoProcessController.swift

@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ import Foundation
 private let customNamespaceKey = "EXOCustomNamespace"
 private let hfTokenKey = "EXOHFToken"
 private let enableImageModelsKey = "EXOEnableImageModels"
+private let offlineModeKey = "EXOOfflineMode"
+private let onboardingCompletedKey = "EXOOnboardingCompleted"
 
 @MainActor
 final class ExoProcessController: ObservableObject {
@@ -59,6 +61,17 @@ final class ExoProcessController: ObservableObject {
             UserDefaults.standard.set(enableImageModels, forKey: enableImageModelsKey)
         }
     }
+    @Published var offlineMode: Bool = {
+        return UserDefaults.standard.bool(forKey: offlineModeKey)
+    }()
+    {
+        didSet {
+            UserDefaults.standard.set(offlineMode, forKey: offlineModeKey)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Fires once when EXO transitions to `.running` for the very first time (fresh install).
+    @Published private(set) var isFirstLaunchReady = false
 
     private var process: Process?
     private var runtimeDirectoryURL: URL?
@@ -113,6 +126,9 @@ final class ExoProcessController: ObservableObject {
             try child.run()
             process = child
             status = .running
+
+            // Show welcome popout on every launch
+            isFirstLaunchReady = true
         } catch {
             process = nil
             status = .failed(message: "Launch error")
@@ -164,6 +180,17 @@ final class ExoProcessController: ObservableObject {
         launch()
     }
 
+    /// Mark onboarding as completed (user interacted with the welcome popout).
+    func markOnboardingCompleted() {
+        UserDefaults.standard.set(true, forKey: onboardingCompletedKey)
+    }
+
+    /// Reset onboarding so the welcome popout appears on next launch.
+    func resetOnboarding() {
+        UserDefaults.standard.removeObject(forKey: onboardingCompletedKey)
+        isFirstLaunchReady = false
+    }
+
     func scheduleLaunch(after seconds: TimeInterval) {
         cancelPendingLaunch()
         let start = max(1, Int(ceil(seconds)))
@@ -249,6 +276,9 @@ final class ExoProcessController: ObservableObject {
         if enableImageModels {
             environment["EXO_ENABLE_IMAGE_MODELS"] = "true"
         }
+        if offlineMode {
+            environment["EXO_OFFLINE"] = "true"
+        }
 
         var paths: [String] = []
         if let existing = environment["PATH"], !existing.isEmpty {

app/EXO/EXO/Services/BugReportService.swift

@@ -38,7 +38,8 @@ struct BugReportService {
     func sendReport(
         baseURL: URL = URL(string: "http://127.0.0.1:52415")!,
         now: Date = Date(),
-        isManual: Bool = false
+        isManual: Bool = false,
+        userDescription: String? = nil
     ) async throws -> BugReportOutcome {
         let timestamp = Self.runTimestampString(now)
         let dayPrefix = Self.dayPrefixString(now)
@@ -60,7 +61,8 @@ struct BugReportService {
             ifconfig: ifconfigText,
             debugInfo: debugInfo,
             isManual: isManual,
-            clusterTbBridgeStatus: clusterTbBridgeStatus
+            clusterTbBridgeStatus: clusterTbBridgeStatus,
+            userDescription: userDescription
         )
 
         let eventLogFiles = readAllEventLogs()
@@ -306,7 +308,8 @@ struct BugReportService {
         ifconfig: String,
         debugInfo: DebugInfo,
         isManual: Bool,
-        clusterTbBridgeStatus: [[String: Any]]?
+        clusterTbBridgeStatus: [[String: Any]]?,
+        userDescription: String? = nil
     ) -> Data? {
         let system = readSystemMetadata()
         let exo = readExoMetadata()
@@ -323,6 +326,9 @@ struct BugReportService {
         if let tbStatus = clusterTbBridgeStatus {
             payload["cluster_thunderbolt_bridge"] = tbStatus
         }
+        if let desc = userDescription, !desc.isEmpty {
+            payload["user_description"] = desc
+        }
         return try? JSONSerialization.data(withJSONObject: payload, options: [.prettyPrinted])
     }
 

app/EXO/EXO/Views/FirstLaunchPopout.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,200 @@
+import AppKit
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// A popover callout anchored to the menu bar icon on every launch,
+/// pointing the user to the web dashboard with an arrow connecting to the icon.
+@MainActor
+final class FirstLaunchPopout {
+    private var popover: NSPopover?
+    private var countdownTask: Task<Void, Never>?
+    private static let dashboardURL = "http://localhost:52415/"
+
+    /// Called when the user completes onboarding (clicks Open Dashboard or dismisses).
+    var onComplete: (() -> Void)?
+
+    func show() {
+        guard popover == nil else { return }
+
+        // The status bar button may not exist yet on first launch; retry generously.
+        showWithRetry(attemptsRemaining: 15)
+    }
+
+    private func showWithRetry(attemptsRemaining: Int) {
+        guard attemptsRemaining > 0 else {
+            // Exhausted retries — fall back to just opening the dashboard directly.
+            openDashboard()
+            onComplete?()
+            return
+        }
+
+        guard let button = Self.findStatusItemButton() else {
+            DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 1.0) { [weak self] in
+                self?.showWithRetry(attemptsRemaining: attemptsRemaining - 1)
+            }
+            return
+        }
+
+        let pop = NSPopover()
+        pop.behavior = .applicationDefined
+        pop.animates = true
+        pop.contentSize = NSSize(width: 280, height: 120)
+        pop.contentViewController = NSHostingController(
+            rootView: WelcomeCalloutView(
+                countdownDuration: 10,
+                onDismiss: { [weak self] in
+                    self?.onComplete?()
+                    self?.dismiss()
+                },
+                onOpen: { [weak self] in
+                    self?.openDashboard()
+                    self?.onComplete?()
+                    self?.dismiss()
+                }
+            )
+        )
+
+        self.popover = pop
+        pop.show(relativeTo: button.bounds, of: button, preferredEdge: .minY)
+
+        // Auto-open dashboard after 10s then dismiss
+        countdownTask = Task {
+            try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 10_000_000_000)
+            if !Task.isCancelled {
+                openDashboard()
+                onComplete?()
+                dismiss()
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    func dismiss() {
+        countdownTask?.cancel()
+        countdownTask = nil
+        guard let pop = popover else { return }
+        popover = nil
+        pop.performClose(nil)
+    }
+
+    private func openDashboard() {
+        guard let url = URL(string: Self.dashboardURL) else { return }
+        NSWorkspace.shared.open(url)
+    }
+
+    /// Finds the NSStatusBarButton created by SwiftUI's MenuBarExtra.
+    /// Walks the view hierarchy to find the actual button rather than the content view.
+    private static func findStatusItemButton() -> NSView? {
+        for window in NSApp.windows {
+            let className = NSStringFromClass(type(of: window))
+            // Match NSStatusBarWindow or any internal SwiftUI status bar window
+            guard className.contains("StatusBar") || className.contains("MenuBarExtra") else {
+                continue
+            }
+            if let content = window.contentView {
+                if let button = findButton(in: content) {
+                    return button
+                }
+                // Fall back to the content view itself if it has a non-zero frame
+                if content.frame.width > 0 {
+                    return content
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        return nil
+    }
+
+    /// Recursively searches the view hierarchy for an NSStatusBarButton.
+    private static func findButton(in view: NSView) -> NSView? {
+        let className = NSStringFromClass(type(of: view))
+        if className.contains("StatusBarButton") || className.contains("StatusItem") {
+            return view
+        }
+        for subview in view.subviews {
+            if let found = findButton(in: subview) {
+                return found
+            }
+        }
+        return nil
+    }
+}
+
+/// Minimal welcome callout — friendly pointer, not a wall of text.
+/// Rendered inside the NSPopover which provides its own chrome and arrow.
+private struct WelcomeCalloutView: View {
+    let countdownDuration: Int
+    let onDismiss: () -> Void
+    let onOpen: () -> Void
+    @State private var countdown: Int
+    @State private var timerTask: Task<Void, Never>?
+
+    init(countdownDuration: Int, onDismiss: @escaping () -> Void, onOpen: @escaping () -> Void) {
+        self.countdownDuration = countdownDuration
+        self.onDismiss = onDismiss
+        self.onOpen = onOpen
+        self._countdown = State(initialValue: countdownDuration)
+    }
+
+    var body: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 10) {
+            HStack(alignment: .top) {
+                Text("EXO is running")
+                    .font(.system(.headline, design: .rounded))
+                    .fontWeight(.semibold)
+                    .foregroundColor(.primary)
+                Spacer()
+                Button {
+                    onDismiss()
+                } label: {
+                    Image(systemName: "xmark.circle.fill")
+                        .font(.system(size: 14))
+                        .foregroundStyle(.tertiary)
+                }
+                .buttonStyle(.plain)
+            }
+
+            Text("Run your first model here:")
+                .font(.system(.subheadline, design: .default))
+                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+
+            HStack {
+                Button {
+                    onOpen()
+                } label: {
+                    Label("Open Dashboard", systemImage: "arrow.up.right.square")
+                        .font(.system(.caption, design: .default))
+                        .fontWeight(.medium)
+                }
+                .buttonStyle(.borderedProminent)
+                .tint(.accentColor)
+                .controlSize(.small)
+
+                Spacer()
+
+                if countdown > 0 {
+                    Text("Launching in \(countdown) secs...")
+                        .font(.system(.caption2, design: .default))
+                        .foregroundColor(.secondary.opacity(0.6))
+                        .monospacedDigit()
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        .padding(14)
+        .onAppear {
+            startCountdown()
+        }
+        .onDisappear {
+            timerTask?.cancel()
+            timerTask = nil
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func startCountdown() {
+        timerTask = Task {
+            while countdown > 0 {
+                try? await Task.sleep(nanoseconds: 1_000_000_000)
+                if !Task.isCancelled {
+                    countdown -= 1
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}

app/EXO/EXO/Views/SettingsView.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,489 @@
+import AppKit
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// Native macOS Settings window following Apple HIG.
+/// Organized into General, Model, Advanced, and About sections.
+struct SettingsView: View {
+    @EnvironmentObject private var controller: ExoProcessController
+    @EnvironmentObject private var updater: SparkleUpdater
+    @EnvironmentObject private var networkStatusService: NetworkStatusService
+    @EnvironmentObject private var thunderboltBridgeService: ThunderboltBridgeService
+    @EnvironmentObject private var stateService: ClusterStateService
+
+    @State private var pendingNamespace: String = ""
+    @State private var pendingHFToken: String = ""
+    @State private var pendingEnableImageModels = false
+    @State private var pendingOfflineMode = false
+    @State private var needsRestart = false
+    @State private var bugReportInFlight = false
+    @State private var bugReportMessage: String?
+    @State private var uninstallInProgress = false
+
+    var body: some View {
+        TabView {
+            generalTab
+                .tabItem {
+                    Label("General", systemImage: "gear")
+                }
+            modelTab
+                .tabItem {
+                    Label("Model", systemImage: "cube")
+                }
+            advancedTab
+                .tabItem {
+                    Label("Advanced", systemImage: "wrench.and.screwdriver")
+                }
+            aboutTab
+                .tabItem {
+                    Label("About", systemImage: "info.circle")
+                }
+        }
+        .frame(width: 450, height: 400)
+        .onAppear {
+            pendingNamespace = controller.customNamespace
+            pendingHFToken = controller.hfToken
+            pendingEnableImageModels = controller.enableImageModels
+            pendingOfflineMode = controller.offlineMode
+            needsRestart = false
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - General Tab
+
+    private var generalTab: some View {
+        Form {
+            Section {
+                LabeledContent("Cluster Namespace") {
+                    TextField("default", text: $pendingNamespace)
+                        .textFieldStyle(.roundedBorder)
+                        .frame(width: 200)
+                }
+                Text("Nodes with the same namespace form a cluster. Leave empty for default.")
+                    .font(.caption)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            }
+
+            Section {
+                LabeledContent("HuggingFace Token") {
+                    SecureField("optional", text: $pendingHFToken)
+                        .textFieldStyle(.roundedBorder)
+                        .frame(width: 200)
+                }
+                Text("Required for gated models. Get yours at huggingface.co/settings/tokens")
+                    .font(.caption)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            }
+
+            Section {
+                Toggle("Offline Mode", isOn: $pendingOfflineMode)
+                Text("Skip internet checks and use only locally available models.")
+                    .font(.caption)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            }
+
+            Section {
+                HStack {
+                    Spacer()
+                    Button("Save & Restart") {
+                        applyGeneralSettings()
+                    }
+                    .disabled(!hasGeneralChanges)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        .formStyle(.grouped)
+        .padding()
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Model Tab
+
+    private var modelTab: some View {
+        Form {
+            Section {
+                Toggle("Enable Image Models (experimental)", isOn: $pendingEnableImageModels)
+                Text("Allow text-to-image and image-to-image models in the model picker.")
+                    .font(.caption)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            }
+
+            Section {
+                HStack {
+                    Spacer()
+                    Button("Save & Restart") {
+                        applyModelSettings()
+                    }
+                    .disabled(!hasModelChanges)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        .formStyle(.grouped)
+        .padding()
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Advanced Tab
+
+    private var advancedTab: some View {
+        Form {
+            Section("Onboarding") {
+                HStack {
+                    VStack(alignment: .leading) {
+                        Text("Reset Onboarding")
+                        Text("Opens the dashboard and resets the onboarding wizard.")
+                            .font(.caption)
+                            .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                    }
+                    Spacer()
+                    Button("Reset") {
+                        guard let url = URL(string: "http://localhost:52415/?reset-onboarding")
+                        else { return }
+                        NSWorkspace.shared.open(url)
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            Section("Debug Info") {
+                LabeledContent("Thunderbolt Bridge") {
+                    Text(thunderboltStatusText)
+                        .foregroundColor(thunderboltStatusColor)
+                }
+
+                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
+                    clusterThunderboltBridgeView
+                }
+
+                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
+                    interfaceIpList
+                }
+
+                VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 2) {
+                    rdmaStatusView
+                }
+
+                sendBugReportButton
+            }
+
+            Section("Danger Zone") {
+                Button(role: .destructive) {
+                    showUninstallConfirmationAlert()
+                } label: {
+                    HStack {
+                        Text("Uninstall EXO")
+                        Spacer()
+                        Image(systemName: "trash")
+                            .imageScale(.small)
+                    }
+                }
+                .disabled(uninstallInProgress)
+            }
+        }
+        .formStyle(.grouped)
+        .padding()
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - About Tab
+
+    private var aboutTab: some View {
+        Form {
+            Section {
+                LabeledContent("Version") {
+                    Text(buildTag)
+                        .textSelection(.enabled)
+                }
+                LabeledContent("Commit") {
+                    Text(buildCommit)
+                        .font(.system(.body, design: .monospaced))
+                        .textSelection(.enabled)
+                }
+            }
+
+            Section {
+                Button("Check for Updates") {
+                    updater.checkForUpdates()
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        .formStyle(.grouped)
+        .padding()
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Debug Info Views (moved from ContentView)
+
+    private var thunderboltStatusText: String {
+        switch networkStatusService.status.thunderboltBridgeState {
+        case .some(.disabled):
+            return "Disabled"
+        case .some(.deleted):
+            return "Deleted"
+        case .some(.enabled):
+            return "Enabled"
+        case nil:
+            return "Unknown"
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var thunderboltStatusColor: Color {
+        switch networkStatusService.status.thunderboltBridgeState {
+        case .some(.disabled), .some(.deleted):
+            return .green
+        case .some(.enabled):
+            return .red
+        case nil:
+            return .secondary
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var clusterThunderboltBridgeView: some View {
+        let bridgeStatuses = stateService.latestSnapshot?.nodeThunderboltBridge ?? [:]
+        let localNodeId = stateService.localNodeId
+        let nodeProfiles = stateService.latestSnapshot?.nodeProfiles ?? [:]
+
+        return VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 1) {
+            if bridgeStatuses.isEmpty {
+                Text("Cluster TB Bridge: No data")
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            } else {
+                Text("Cluster TB Bridge Status:")
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                ForEach(Array(bridgeStatuses.keys.sorted()), id: \.self) { nodeId in
+                    if let status = bridgeStatuses[nodeId] {
+                        let nodeName =
+                            nodeProfiles[nodeId]?.friendlyName ?? String(nodeId.prefix(8))
+                        let isLocal = nodeId == localNodeId
+                        let prefix = isLocal ? "  \(nodeName) (local):" : "  \(nodeName):"
+                        let statusText =
+                            !status.exists
+                            ? "N/A"
+                            : (status.enabled ? "Enabled" : "Disabled")
+                        let color: Color =
+                            !status.exists
+                            ? .secondary
+                            : (status.enabled ? .red : .green)
+                        Text("\(prefix) \(statusText)")
+                            .font(.caption2)
+                            .foregroundColor(color)
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var interfaceIpList: some View {
+        let statuses = networkStatusService.status.interfaceStatuses
+        return VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 1) {
+            Text("Interfaces (en0–en7):")
+                .font(.caption2)
+                .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            if statuses.isEmpty {
+                Text("  Unknown")
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            } else {
+                ForEach(statuses, id: \.interfaceName) { status in
+                    let ipText = status.ipAddress ?? "No IP"
+                    Text("  \(status.interfaceName): \(ipText)")
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .foregroundColor(status.ipAddress == nil ? .red : .green)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var rdmaStatusView: some View {
+        let rdmaStatuses = stateService.latestSnapshot?.nodeRdmaCtl ?? [:]
+        let localNodeId = stateService.localNodeId
+        let nodeProfiles = stateService.latestSnapshot?.nodeProfiles ?? [:]
+        let localDevices = networkStatusService.status.localRdmaDevices
+        let localPorts = networkStatusService.status.localRdmaActivePorts
+
+        return VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 1) {
+            if rdmaStatuses.isEmpty {
+                Text("Cluster RDMA: No data")
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            } else {
+                Text("Cluster RDMA Status:")
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                ForEach(Array(rdmaStatuses.keys.sorted()), id: \.self) { nodeId in
+                    if let status = rdmaStatuses[nodeId] {
+                        let nodeName =
+                            nodeProfiles[nodeId]?.friendlyName ?? String(nodeId.prefix(8))
+                        let isLocal = nodeId == localNodeId
+                        let prefix = isLocal ? "  \(nodeName) (local):" : "  \(nodeName):"
+                        let statusText = status.enabled ? "Enabled" : "Disabled"
+                        let color: Color = status.enabled ? .green : .orange
+                        Text("\(prefix) \(statusText)")
+                            .font(.caption2)
+                            .foregroundColor(color)
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            if !localDevices.isEmpty {
+                Text("  Local Devices: \(localDevices.joined(separator: ", "))")
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+            }
+            if !localPorts.isEmpty {
+                Text("  Local Active Ports:")
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                ForEach(localPorts, id: \.device) { port in
+                    Text("    \(port.device) port \(port.port): \(port.state)")
+                        .font(.caption2)
+                        .foregroundColor(.green)
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var sendBugReportButton: some View {
+        VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
+            Button {
+                Task {
+                    await sendBugReport()
+                }
+            } label: {
+                HStack {
+                    if bugReportInFlight {
+                        ProgressView()
+                            .scaleEffect(0.6)
+                    }
+                    Text("Send Bug Report")
+                        .font(.caption)
+                        .fontWeight(.semibold)
+                    Spacer()
+                }
+            }
+            .disabled(bugReportInFlight)
+
+            if let message = bugReportMessage {
+                Text(message)
+                    .font(.caption2)
+                    .foregroundColor(.secondary)
+                    .fixedSize(horizontal: false, vertical: true)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Actions
+
+    private func sendBugReport() async {
+        bugReportInFlight = true
+        bugReportMessage = "Collecting logs..."
+        let service = BugReportService()
+        do {
+            let outcome = try await service.sendReport(isManual: true)
+            bugReportMessage = outcome.message
+        } catch {
+            bugReportMessage = error.localizedDescription
+        }
+        bugReportInFlight = false
+    }
+
+    private func showUninstallConfirmationAlert() {
+        let alert = NSAlert()
+        alert.messageText = "Uninstall EXO"
+        alert.informativeText = """
+            This will remove EXO and all its system components:
+
+            • Network configuration daemon
+            • Launch at login registration
+            • EXO network location
+
+            The app will be moved to Trash.
+            """
+        alert.alertStyle = .warning
+        alert.addButton(withTitle: "Uninstall")
+        alert.addButton(withTitle: "Cancel")
+
+        if let uninstallButton = alert.buttons.first {
+            uninstallButton.hasDestructiveAction = true
+        }
+
+        let response = alert.runModal()
+        if response == .alertFirstButtonReturn {
+            performUninstall()
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func performUninstall() {
+        uninstallInProgress = true
+
+        controller.cancelPendingLaunch()
+        controller.stop()
+        stateService.stopPolling()
+
+        DispatchQueue.global(qos: .utility).async {
+            do {
+                try NetworkSetupHelper.uninstall()
+
+                DispatchQueue.main.async {
+                    LaunchAtLoginHelper.disable()
+                    self.moveAppToTrash()
+
+                    DispatchQueue.main.asyncAfter(deadline: .now() + 0.5) {
+                        NSApplication.shared.terminate(nil)
+                    }
+                }
+            } catch {
+                DispatchQueue.main.async {
+                    let errorAlert = NSAlert()
+                    errorAlert.messageText = "Uninstall Failed"
+                    errorAlert.informativeText = error.localizedDescription
+                    errorAlert.alertStyle = .critical
+                    errorAlert.addButton(withTitle: "OK")
+                    errorAlert.runModal()
+                    self.uninstallInProgress = false
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    private func moveAppToTrash() {
+        guard let appURL = Bundle.main.bundleURL as URL? else { return }
+        do {
+            try FileManager.default.trashItem(at: appURL, resultingItemURL: nil)
+        } catch {
+            // If we can't trash the app, that's OK - user can do it manually
+        }
+    }
+
+    // MARK: - Helpers
+
+    private var hasGeneralChanges: Bool {
+        pendingNamespace != controller.customNamespace || pendingHFToken != controller.hfToken
+            || pendingOfflineMode != controller.offlineMode
+    }
+
+    private var hasModelChanges: Bool {
+        pendingEnableImageModels != controller.enableImageModels
+    }
+
+    private func applyGeneralSettings() {
+        controller.customNamespace = pendingNamespace
+        controller.hfToken = pendingHFToken
+        controller.offlineMode = pendingOfflineMode
+        restartIfRunning()
+    }
+
+    private func applyModelSettings() {
+        controller.enableImageModels = pendingEnableImageModels
+        restartIfRunning()
+    }
+
+    private func restartIfRunning() {
+        if controller.status == .running || controller.status == .starting {
+            controller.restart()
+        }
+    }
+
+    private var buildTag: String {
+        Bundle.main.infoDictionary?["EXOBuildTag"] as? String ?? "unknown"
+    }
+
+    private var buildCommit: String {
+        Bundle.main.infoDictionary?["EXOBuildCommit"] as? String ?? "unknown"
+    }
+}

app/EXO/EXO/Views/SettingsWindowController.swift

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import AppKit
+import SwiftUI
+
+/// Manages a standalone native macOS Settings window.
+/// Ensures only one instance exists and brings it to front on repeated opens.
+@MainActor
+final class SettingsWindowController: ObservableObject {
+    private var window: NSWindow?
+
+    func open(
+        controller: ExoProcessController,
+        updater: SparkleUpdater,
+        networkStatusService: NetworkStatusService,
+        thunderboltBridgeService: ThunderboltBridgeService,
+        stateService: ClusterStateService
+    ) {
+        if let existing = window, existing.isVisible {
+            existing.makeKeyAndOrderFront(nil)
+            NSApp.activate(ignoringOtherApps: true)
+            return
+        }
+
+        let settingsView = SettingsView()
+            .environmentObject(controller)
+            .environmentObject(updater)
+            .environmentObject(networkStatusService)
+            .environmentObject(thunderboltBridgeService)
+            .environmentObject(stateService)
+
+        let hostingView = NSHostingView(rootView: settingsView)
+
+        let newWindow = NSWindow(
+            contentRect: NSRect(x: 0, y: 0, width: 450, height: 400),
+            styleMask: [.titled, .closable],
+            backing: .buffered,
+            defer: false
+        )
+        newWindow.title = "EXO Settings"
+        newWindow.contentView = hostingView
+        newWindow.center()
+        newWindow.isReleasedWhenClosed = false
+        newWindow.makeKeyAndOrderFront(nil)
+        NSApp.activate(ignoringOtherApps: true)
+
+        window = newWindow
+    }
+}

bench/exo_bench.py

@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ def load_tokenizer_for_bench(model_id: str) -> Any:
         model_path = Path(
             snapshot_download(
                 model_id,
-                allow_patterns=["*.json", "*.py", "*.tiktoken"],
+                allow_patterns=["*.json", "*.py", "*.tiktoken", "*.model"],
             )
         )
 
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ def main() -> int:
     )
 
     logger.info("Planning phase: checking downloads...")
-    run_planning_phase(
+    download_duration_s = run_planning_phase(
         client,
         full_model_id,
         selected[0],
@@ -346,6 +346,10 @@ def main() -> int:
         args.timeout,
         settle_deadline,
     )
+    if download_duration_s is not None:
+        logger.info(f"Download: {download_duration_s:.1f}s (freshly downloaded)")
+    else:
+        logger.info("Download: model already cached")
 
     all_rows: list[dict[str, Any]] = []
 
@@ -409,6 +413,11 @@ def main() -> int:
                             "pp_tokens": actual_pp_tokens,
                             "tg": tg,
                             "repeat_index": r,
+                            **(
+                                {"download_duration_s": download_duration_s}
+                                if download_duration_s is not None
+                                else {}
+                            ),
                         }
                     )
                     runs.append(row)

bench/harness.py

@@ -289,8 +289,12 @@ def run_planning_phase(
     danger_delete: bool,
     timeout: float,
     settle_deadline: float | None,
-) -> None:
-    """Check disk space and ensure model is downloaded before benchmarking."""
+) -> float | None:
+    """Check disk space and ensure model is downloaded before benchmarking.
+
+    Returns the wall-clock download duration in seconds if a fresh download
+    was needed, or None if the model was already cached on all nodes.
+    """
     # Get model size from /models
     models = client.request_json("GET", "/models") or {}
     model_bytes = 0
@@ -303,7 +307,7 @@ def run_planning_phase(
         logger.warning(
             f"Could not determine size for {full_model_id}, skipping disk check"
         )
-        return
+        return None
 
     # Get nodes from preview
     inner = unwrap_instance(preview["instance"])
@@ -314,6 +318,8 @@ def run_planning_phase(
     downloads = state.get("downloads", {})
     node_disk = state.get("nodeDisk", {})
 
+    needs_download = False
+
     for node_id in node_ids:
         node_downloads = downloads.get(node_id, [])
 
@@ -329,6 +335,8 @@ def run_planning_phase(
         if already_downloaded:
             continue
 
+        needs_download = True
+
         # Wait for disk info if settle_deadline is set
         disk_info = node_disk.get(node_id, {})
         backoff = _SETTLE_INITIAL_BACKOFF_S
@@ -357,16 +365,17 @@ def run_planning_phase(
                 f"have {avail // (1024**3)}GB. Use --danger-delete-downloads to free space."
             )
 
-        # Delete from smallest to largest
+        # Delete from smallest to largest (skip read-only models from EXO_MODELS_PATH)
         completed = [
             (
                 unwrap_instance(p["DownloadCompleted"]["shardMetadata"])["modelCard"][
                     "modelId"
                 ],
-                p["DownloadCompleted"]["totalBytes"]["inBytes"],
+                p["DownloadCompleted"]["total"]["inBytes"],
             )
             for p in node_downloads
             if "DownloadCompleted" in p
+            and not p["DownloadCompleted"].get("readOnly", False)
         ]
         for del_model, size in sorted(completed, key=lambda x: x[1]):
             logger.info(f"Deleting {del_model} from {node_id} ({size // (1024**2)}MB)")
@@ -379,6 +388,7 @@ def run_planning_phase(
             raise RuntimeError(f"Could not free enough space on {node_id}")
 
     # Start downloads (idempotent)
+    download_t0 = time.perf_counter() if needs_download else None
     for node_id in node_ids:
         runner_id = inner["shardAssignments"]["nodeToRunner"][node_id]
         shard = runner_to_shard[runner_id]
@@ -421,7 +431,9 @@ def run_planning_phase(
             if not done:
                 all_done = False
         if all_done:
-            return
+            if download_t0 is not None:
+                return time.perf_counter() - download_t0
+            return None
         time.sleep(1)
 
     raise TimeoutError("Downloads did not complete in time")

bench/pyproject.toml

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ dependencies = [
     "huggingface-hub>=0.33.4",
     "tiktoken>=0.12.0",
     "jinja2>=3.1.0",
+    "protobuf>=5.29.0",
 ]
 
 [build-system]

dashboard/src/app.css

@@ -202,6 +202,23 @@
 	filter: drop-shadow(0 0 3px oklch(0.85 0.18 85 / 0.5));
 }
 
+/* Onboarding step 2: connection line between devices */
+.onboarding-connection-line {
+	stroke: oklch(0.85 0.18 85 / 0.5);
+	stroke-width: 1.5px;
+	stroke-dasharray: 6, 6;
+	animation: flowAnimation 1s linear infinite;
+	filter: drop-shadow(0 0 4px oklch(0.85 0.18 85 / 0.4));
+}
+
+/* Onboarding step 4: red connection line for disconnect */
+.onboarding-connection-line-red {
+	stroke: rgba(220, 38, 38, 0.7);
+	stroke-width: 1.5px;
+	stroke-dasharray: 6, 6;
+	filter: drop-shadow(0 0 2px rgba(220, 38, 38, 0.3));
+}
+
 .graph-link-active {
 	stroke: oklch(0.85 0.18 85 / 0.8);
 	stroke-width: 2px;
@@ -320,3 +337,51 @@ input:focus, textarea:focus {
 		transform: translate(400px, 400px);
 	}
 }
+
+/* Onboarding smooth fade-in */
+@keyframes onb-fade-in {
+	from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(8px); }
+	to { opacity: 1; transform: none; }
+}
+
+/* Opacity-only fade-in — no transform, safe for containers with fixed-position children */
+@keyframes onb-fade-opacity {
+	from { opacity: 0; }
+	to { opacity: 1; }
+}
+
+/* Respect reduced motion preference */
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+	.shooting-star,
+	.shooting-star::before {
+		animation: none !important;
+		opacity: 0 !important;
+	}
+	.graph-link {
+		animation: none;
+	}
+	.status-pulse {
+		animation: none;
+	}
+	.cursor-blink {
+		animation: none;
+	}
+	.onboarding-connection-line {
+		animation: none;
+	}
+	.onboarding-connection-line-red {
+		animation: none;
+	}
+	[style*="onb-fade-in"],
+	[style*="onb-fade-opacity"] {
+		animation: none !important;
+		opacity: 1 !important;
+	}
+	*,
+	*::before,
+	*::after {
+		transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
+		animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
+		animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
+	}
+}

dashboard/src/lib/components/ChatForm.svelte

@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@
     editingImage,
     clearEditingImage,
     selectedChatModel,
-    setSelectedChatModel,
-    instances,
     ttftMs,
     tps,
     totalTokens,
@@ -29,6 +27,19 @@
     showModelSelector?: boolean;
     modelTasks?: Record<string, string[]>;
     modelCapabilities?: Record<string, string[]>;
+    onSend?: () => void;
+    onAutoSend?: (
+      content: string,
+      files?: {
+        id: string;
+        name: string;
+        type: string;
+        textContent?: string;
+        preview?: string;
+      }[],
+    ) => void;
+    onOpenModelPicker?: () => void;
+    modelDisplayOverride?: string;
   }
 
   let {
@@ -39,6 +50,10 @@
     showModelSelector = false,
     modelTasks = {},
     modelCapabilities = {},
+    onSend,
+    onAutoSend,
+    onOpenModelPicker,
+    modelDisplayOverride,
   }: Props = $props();
 
   let message = $state("");
@@ -49,27 +64,12 @@
   const thinkingEnabled = $derived(thinkingEnabledStore());
   let loading = $derived(isLoading());
   const currentModel = $derived(selectedChatModel());
-  const instanceData = $derived(instances());
   const currentTtft = $derived(ttftMs());
   const currentTps = $derived(tps());
   const currentTokens = $derived(totalTokens());
   const currentEditingImage = $derived(editingImage());
   const isEditMode = $derived(currentEditingImage !== null);
 
-  // Custom dropdown state
-  let isModelDropdownOpen = $state(false);
-  let dropdownButtonRef: HTMLButtonElement | undefined = $state();
-  let dropdownPosition = $derived(() => {
-    if (!dropdownButtonRef || !isModelDropdownOpen)
-      return { top: 0, left: 0, width: 0 };
-    const rect = dropdownButtonRef.getBoundingClientRect();
-    return {
-      top: rect.top,
-      left: rect.left,
-      width: rect.width,
-    };
-  });
-
   // Accept all supported file types
   const acceptString = getAcceptString(["image", "text", "pdf"]);
 
@@ -122,73 +122,14 @@
         uploadedFiles.length > 0),
   );
 
-  // Extract available models from running instances
-  const availableModels = $derived(() => {
-    const models: Array<{ id: string; label: string; isImageModel: boolean }> =
-      [];
-    for (const [, instance] of Object.entries(instanceData)) {
-      const modelId = getInstanceModelId(instance);
-      if (
-        modelId &&
-        modelId !== "Unknown" &&
-        !models.some((m) => m.id === modelId)
-      ) {
-        models.push({
-          id: modelId,
-          label: modelId.split("/").pop() || modelId,
-          isImageModel: modelSupportsImageGeneration(modelId),
-        });
-      }
-    }
-    return models;
-  });
-
-  // Track previous model IDs to detect newly added models (plain variable to avoid reactive loop)
-  let previousModelIds: Set<string> = new Set();
-
-  // Auto-select the first available model if none is selected, if current selection is stale, or if a new model is added
-  $effect(() => {
-    const models = availableModels();
-    const currentModelIds = new Set(models.map((m) => m.id));
-
-    if (models.length > 0) {
-      // Find newly added models (in current but not in previous)
-      const newModels = models.filter((m) => !previousModelIds.has(m.id));
-
-      // If no model selected, select the first available
-      if (!currentModel) {
-        setSelectedChatModel(models[0].id);
-      }
-      // If current model is stale (no longer has a running instance), reset to first available
-      else if (!models.some((m) => m.id === currentModel)) {
-        setSelectedChatModel(models[0].id);
-      }
-      // If a new model was just added, select it
-      else if (newModels.length > 0 && previousModelIds.size > 0) {
-        setSelectedChatModel(newModels[0].id);
-      }
-    } else {
-      // No instances running - clear the selected model
-      if (currentModel) {
-        setSelectedChatModel("");
-      }
-    }
-
-    // Update previous model IDs for next comparison
-    previousModelIds = currentModelIds;
-  });
-
-  function getInstanceModelId(instanceWrapped: unknown): string {
-    if (!instanceWrapped || typeof instanceWrapped !== "object") return "";
-    const keys = Object.keys(instanceWrapped as Record<string, unknown>);
-    if (keys.length === 1) {
-      const instance = (instanceWrapped as Record<string, unknown>)[
-        keys[0]
-      ] as { shardAssignments?: { modelId?: string } };
-      return instance?.shardAssignments?.modelId || "";
-    }
-    return "";
-  }
+  // Short label for the currently selected model
+  const currentModelLabel = $derived(
+    currentModel
+      ? currentModel.split("/").pop() || currentModel
+      : modelDisplayOverride
+        ? modelDisplayOverride.split("/").pop() || modelDisplayOverride
+        : "",
+  );
 
   async function handleFiles(files: File[]) {
     if (files.length === 0) return;
@@ -275,6 +216,15 @@
     uploadedFiles = [];
     resetTextareaHeight();
 
+    // When onAutoSend is provided, the parent controls all send logic
+    // (including launching non-running models before sending)
+    if (onAutoSend) {
+      onAutoSend(content, files);
+      onSend?.();
+      setTimeout(() => textareaRef?.focus(), 10);
+      return;
+    }
+
     // Use image editing if in edit mode
     if (isEditMode && currentEditingImage && content) {
       editImage(content, currentEditingImage.imageDataUrl);
@@ -306,6 +256,8 @@
       );
     }
 
+    onSend?.();
+
     // Refocus the textarea after sending
     setTimeout(() => textareaRef?.focus(), 10);
   }
@@ -416,7 +368,7 @@
     {/if}
 
     <!-- Model selector (when enabled) -->
-    {#if showModelSelector && availableModels().length > 0}
+    {#if showModelSelector}
       <div
         class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 px-3 py-2 border-b border-exo-medium-gray/30"
       >
@@ -425,33 +377,22 @@
             class="text-xs text-exo-light-gray uppercase tracking-wider flex-shrink-0"
             >MODEL:</span
           >
-          <!-- Custom dropdown -->
+          <!-- Model button — opens the full model picker -->
           <div class="relative flex-1 max-w-xs">
             <button
-              bind:this={dropdownButtonRef}
               type="button"
-              onclick={() => (isModelDropdownOpen = !isModelDropdownOpen)}
-              class="w-full bg-exo-medium-gray/50 border border-exo-yellow/30 rounded pl-3 pr-8 py-1.5 text-xs font-mono text-left tracking-wide cursor-pointer transition-all duration-200 hover:border-exo-yellow/50 focus:outline-none focus:border-exo-yellow/70 {isModelDropdownOpen
-                ? 'border-exo-yellow/70'
-                : ''}"
+              onclick={() => onOpenModelPicker?.()}
+              class="w-full bg-exo-medium-gray/50 border border-exo-yellow/30 rounded pl-3 pr-8 py-1.5 text-xs font-mono text-left tracking-wide cursor-pointer transition-all duration-200 hover:border-exo-yellow/50 focus:outline-none focus:border-exo-yellow/70"
             >
-              {#if availableModels().find((m) => m.id === currentModel)}
-                <span class="text-exo-yellow truncate"
-                  >{availableModels().find((m) => m.id === currentModel)
-                    ?.label}</span
-                >
-              {:else if availableModels().length > 0}
-                <span class="text-exo-yellow truncate"
-                  >{availableModels()[0].label}</span
+              {#if currentModelLabel}
+                <span class="text-exo-yellow truncate">{currentModelLabel}</span
                 >
               {:else}
                 <span class="text-exo-light-gray/50">— SELECT MODEL —</span>
               {/if}
             </button>
             <div
-              class="absolute right-2 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 pointer-events-none transition-transform duration-200 {isModelDropdownOpen
-                ? 'rotate-180'
-                : ''}"
+              class="absolute right-2 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 pointer-events-none"
             >
               <svg
                 class="w-3 h-3 text-exo-yellow/60"
@@ -468,78 +409,6 @@
               </svg>
             </div>
           </div>
-
-          {#if isModelDropdownOpen}
-            <!-- Backdrop to close dropdown -->
-            <button
-              type="button"
-              class="fixed inset-0 z-[9998] cursor-default"
-              onclick={() => (isModelDropdownOpen = false)}
-              aria-label="Close dropdown"
-            ></button>
-
-            <!-- Dropdown Panel - fixed positioning to escape overflow:hidden -->
-            <div
-              class="fixed bg-exo-dark-gray border border-exo-yellow/30 rounded shadow-lg shadow-black/50 z-[9999] max-h-48 overflow-y-auto"
-              style="bottom: calc(100vh - {dropdownPosition()
-                .top}px + 4px); left: {dropdownPosition()
-                .left}px; width: {dropdownPosition().width}px;"
-            >
-              <div class="py-1">
-                {#each availableModels() as model}
-                  <button
-                    type="button"
-                    onclick={() => {
-                      setSelectedChatModel(model.id);
-                      isModelDropdownOpen = false;
-                    }}
-                    class="w-full px-3 py-2 text-left text-xs font-mono tracking-wide transition-colors duration-100 flex items-center gap-2 {currentModel ===
-                    model.id
-                      ? 'bg-transparent text-exo-yellow'
-                      : 'text-exo-light-gray hover:text-exo-yellow'}"
-                  >
-                    {#if currentModel === model.id}
-                      <svg
-                        class="w-3 h-3 flex-shrink-0"
-                        fill="currentColor"
-                        viewBox="0 0 20 20"
-                      >
-                        <path
-                          fill-rule="evenodd"
-                          d="M16.707 5.293a1 1 0 010 1.414l-8 8a1 1 0 01-1.414 0l-4-4a1 1 0 011.414-1.414L8 12.586l7.293-7.293a1 1 0 011.414 0z"
-                          clip-rule="evenodd"
-                        />
-                      </svg>
-                    {:else}
-                      <span class="w-3"></span>
-                    {/if}
-                    {#if model.isImageModel}
-                      <svg
-                        class="w-3.5 h-3.5 flex-shrink-0 text-exo-yellow"
-                        fill="none"
-                        viewBox="0 0 24 24"
-                        stroke="currentColor"
-                        stroke-width="2"
-                        aria-label="Image generation model"
-                      >
-                        <rect
-                          x="3"
-                          y="3"
-                          width="18"
-                          height="18"
-                          rx="2"
-                          ry="2"
-                        />
-                        <circle cx="8.5" cy="8.5" r="1.5" />
-                        <polyline points="21 15 16 10 5 21" />
-                      </svg>
-                    {/if}
-                    <span class="truncate flex-1">{model.label}</span>
-                  </button>
-                {/each}
-              </div>
-            </div>
-          {/if}
         </div>
         <!-- Thinking toggle -->
         {#if modelSupportsThinking()}

dashboard/src/lib/components/ChatMessages.svelte

@@ -807,8 +807,8 @@
       >
         AWAITING INPUT
       </p>
-      <p class="text-sm sm:text-xs text-exo-light-gray tracking-wider mt-1">
-        ENTER A QUERY TO BEGIN
+      <p class="text-xs text-white/30 tracking-wider mt-1.5 font-mono">
+        Type a message below &middot; Shift+Enter for newline
       </p>
     </div>
   {/if}
@@ -823,6 +823,7 @@
       onclick={scrollToBottom}
       class="sticky bottom-4 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 w-10 h-10 rounded-full bg-exo-dark-gray/90 border border-exo-medium-gray/50 flex items-center justify-center text-exo-light-gray hover:text-exo-yellow hover:border-exo-yellow/50 transition-all shadow-lg cursor-pointer z-10"
       title="Scroll to bottom"
+      aria-label="Scroll to bottom of messages"
     >
       <svg
         class="w-5 h-5"

dashboard/src/lib/components/ChatModelSelector.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,401 @@
+<script lang="ts" module>
+  export interface ChatModelInfo {
+    id: string;
+    name: string;
+    base_model: string;
+    storage_size_megabytes: number;
+    capabilities: string[];
+    family: string;
+    quantization: string;
+  }
+
+  // Auto mode tier list (for when user just starts typing)
+  export const AUTO_TIERS: string[][] = [
+    // Tier 1 (frontier)
+    ["DeepSeek V3.1", "GLM-5", "Kimi K2.5", "Qwen3 Coder Next"],
+    // Tier 2 (excellent)
+    [
+      "Kimi K2",
+      "Qwen3 235B",
+      "MiniMax M2.5",
+      "Step 3.5 Flash",
+      "Qwen3 Next 80B",
+    ],
+    // Tier 3 (great)
+    [
+      "GLM 4.7",
+      "MiniMax M2.1",
+      "Qwen3 Coder 480B",
+      "GLM 4.5 Air",
+      "Llama 3.3 70B",
+    ],
+    // Tier 4 (good)
+    ["GPT-OSS 120B", "Qwen3 30B", "Llama 3.1 70B", "GLM 4.7 Flash"],
+    // Tier 5 (small/fast)
+    [
+      "Llama 3.1 8B",
+      "GPT-OSS 20B",
+      "Llama 3.2 3B",
+      "Qwen3 0.6B",
+      "Llama 3.2 1B",
+    ],
+  ];
+
+  /** Return the tier index (0 = best) for a base_model name. */
+  export function getAutoTierIndex(baseModel: string): number {
+    for (let i = 0; i < AUTO_TIERS.length; i++) {
+      if (AUTO_TIERS[i].includes(baseModel)) return i;
+    }
+    return AUTO_TIERS.length; // not in any tier → lowest priority
+  }
+
+  /** Auto mode: walk tiers top-down, pick biggest fitting variant from highest tier. */
+  export function pickAutoModel(
+    modelList: ChatModelInfo[],
+    memoryGB: number,
+  ): ChatModelInfo | null {
+    for (const tier of AUTO_TIERS) {
+      const candidates: ChatModelInfo[] = [];
+      for (const baseModel of tier) {
+        const variants = modelList
+          .filter(
+            (m) =>
+              m.base_model === baseModel &&
+              (m.storage_size_megabytes || 0) / 1024 <= memoryGB &&
+              (m.storage_size_megabytes || 0) > 0,
+          )
+          .sort(
+            (a, b) =>
+              (b.storage_size_megabytes || 0) - (a.storage_size_megabytes || 0),
+          );
+        if (variants[0]) candidates.push(variants[0]);
+      }
+      if (candidates.length > 0) {
+        candidates.sort(
+          (a, b) =>
+            (b.storage_size_megabytes || 0) - (a.storage_size_megabytes || 0),
+        );
+        return candidates[0];
+      }
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+</script>
+
+<script lang="ts">
+  interface CategoryRecommendation {
+    category: "coding" | "writing" | "agentic" | "biggest";
+    label: string;
+    model: ChatModelInfo | null;
+    tooltip: string;
+  }
+
+  interface Props {
+    models: ChatModelInfo[];
+    clusterLabel: string;
+    totalMemoryGB: number;
+    onSelect: (modelId: string, category: string) => void;
+    onAddModel: () => void;
+    class?: string;
+  }
+
+  let {
+    models,
+    clusterLabel,
+    totalMemoryGB,
+    onSelect,
+    onAddModel,
+    class: className = "",
+  }: Props = $props();
+
+  // --- Hardcoded Rankings ---
+  const CODING_RANKING = [
+    "Qwen3 Coder Next",
+    "Qwen3 Coder 480B",
+    "Qwen3 30B",
+    "GPT-OSS 20B",
+    "Llama 3.1 8B",
+    "Llama 3.2 3B",
+    "Qwen3 0.6B",
+  ];
+
+  const WRITING_RANKING = [
+    "Kimi K2.5",
+    "Kimi K2",
+    "Qwen3 Next 80B",
+    "Llama 3.3 70B",
+    "MiniMax M2.5",
+    "GLM 4.5 Air",
+    "GLM 4.7 Flash",
+    "GPT-OSS 20B",
+    "Llama 3.1 8B",
+    "Llama 3.2 3B",
+    "Qwen3 0.6B",
+  ];
+
+  const AGENTIC_RANKING = [
+    "DeepSeek V3.1",
+    "GLM-5",
+    "Qwen3 235B",
+    "Step 3.5 Flash",
+    "GLM 4.7",
+    "MiniMax M2.1",
+    "GPT-OSS 120B",
+    "Llama 3.3 70B",
+    "Llama 3.1 70B",
+    "GLM 4.7 Flash",
+    "GPT-OSS 20B",
+    "Qwen3 30B",
+    "Llama 3.1 8B",
+    "Llama 3.2 3B",
+    "Qwen3 0.6B",
+  ];
+
+  function getModelSizeGB(m: ChatModelInfo): number {
+    return (m.storage_size_megabytes || 0) / 1024;
+  }
+
+  function fitsInMemory(m: ChatModelInfo): boolean {
+    return getModelSizeGB(m) <= totalMemoryGB && getModelSizeGB(m) > 0;
+  }
+
+  /** For a given base_model name, find the biggest quant variant that fits in memory. */
+  function pickBestVariant(baseModel: string): ChatModelInfo | null {
+    const variants = models
+      .filter((m) => m.base_model === baseModel && fitsInMemory(m))
+      .sort((a, b) => getModelSizeGB(b) - getModelSizeGB(a));
+    return variants[0] ?? null;
+  }
+
+  /** Walk a ranked list of base_model names, return the first that has a fitting variant. */
+  function pickFromRanking(ranking: string[]): ChatModelInfo | null {
+    for (const baseModel of ranking) {
+      const pick = pickBestVariant(baseModel);
+      if (pick) return pick;
+    }
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  /** Pick the single biggest model that fits. */
+  function pickBiggest(): ChatModelInfo | null {
+    const fitting = models
+      .filter((m) => fitsInMemory(m))
+      .sort((a, b) => getModelSizeGB(b) - getModelSizeGB(a));
+    return fitting[0] ?? null;
+  }
+
+  const recommendations = $derived.by((): CategoryRecommendation[] => {
+    return [
+      {
+        category: "coding",
+        label: "Best for Coding",
+        model: pickFromRanking(CODING_RANKING),
+        tooltip:
+          "Ranked by coding benchmark performance (LiveCodeBench, SWE-bench)",
+      },
+      {
+        category: "writing",
+        label: "Best for Writing",
+        model: pickFromRanking(WRITING_RANKING),
+        tooltip: "Ranked by creative writing quality and instruction following",
+      },
+      {
+        category: "agentic",
+        label: "Best Agentic",
+        model: pickFromRanking(AGENTIC_RANKING),
+        tooltip: "Ranked by reasoning, planning, and tool-use capability",
+      },
+      {
+        category: "biggest",
+        label: "Biggest",
+        model: pickBiggest(),
+        tooltip: "Largest model that fits in your available memory",
+      },
+    ];
+  });
+
+  function formatSize(mb: number): string {
+    const gb = mb / 1024;
+    if (gb >= 100) return `${Math.round(gb)} GB`;
+    return `${gb.toFixed(1)} GB`;
+  }
+
+  // Category icons (SVG paths)
+  const categoryIcons: Record<string, string> = {
+    coding:
+      "M8 9l3 3-3 3m5 0h3M5 20h14a2 2 0 002-2V6a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v12a2 2 0 002 2z",
+    writing:
+      "M11 5H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v11a2 2 0 002 2h11a2 2 0 002-2v-5m-1.414-9.414a2 2 0 112.828 2.828L11.828 15H9v-2.828l8.586-8.586z",
+    agentic:
+      "M9.663 17h4.673M12 3v1m6.364 1.636l-.707.707M21 12h-1M4 12H3m3.343-5.657l-.707-.707m2.828 9.9a5 5 0 117.072 0l-.548.547A3.374 3.374 0 0014 18.469V19a2 2 0 11-4 0v-.531c0-.895-.356-1.754-.988-2.386l-.548-.547z",
+    biggest:
+      "M19 11H5m14 0a2 2 0 012 2v6a2 2 0 01-2 2H5a2 2 0 01-2-2v-6a2 2 0 012-2m14 0V9a2 2 0 00-2-2M5 11V9a2 2 0 012-2m0 0V5a2 2 0 012-2h6a2 2 0 012 2v2M7 7h10",
+  };
+
+  let hoveredTooltip = $state<string | null>(null);
+  let tooltipAnchor = $state<{ x: number; y: number } | null>(null);
+
+  function showTooltip(category: string, e: MouseEvent | FocusEvent) {
+    hoveredTooltip = category;
+    const target = e.currentTarget as HTMLElement;
+    const rect = target.getBoundingClientRect();
+    tooltipAnchor = { x: rect.left + rect.width / 2, y: rect.top };
+  }
+
+  function hideTooltip() {
+    hoveredTooltip = null;
+    tooltipAnchor = null;
+  }
+</script>
+
+<div class="flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-6 {className}">
+  <!-- Header -->
+  <div class="text-center">
+    <p class="text-xs text-exo-light-gray uppercase tracking-[0.2em] mb-1">
+      Recommended for your
+    </p>
+    <p class="text-sm text-white font-mono tracking-wide">{clusterLabel}</p>
+  </div>
+
+  <!-- Category Cards Grid -->
+  <div class="grid grid-cols-2 gap-3 w-full max-w-md">
+    {#each recommendations as rec}
+      {#if rec.model}
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          onclick={() => rec.model && onSelect(rec.model.id, rec.category)}
+          class="group relative flex flex-col items-start gap-2 p-4 rounded-lg border border-exo-medium-gray/50 bg-exo-dark-gray/50 hover:border-exo-yellow/40 hover:bg-exo-dark-gray transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer text-left"
+        >
+          <!-- Category icon + label -->
+          <div class="flex items-center gap-2 w-full">
+            <svg
+              class="w-4 h-4 text-exo-yellow/70 group-hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors flex-shrink-0"
+              fill="none"
+              viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+              stroke="currentColor"
+              stroke-width="1.5"
+            >
+              <path
+                stroke-linecap="round"
+                stroke-linejoin="round"
+                d={categoryIcons[rec.category]}
+              />
+            </svg>
+            <span
+              class="text-xs font-mono uppercase tracking-wider text-exo-light-gray group-hover:text-white transition-colors"
+            >
+              {rec.label}
+            </span>
+            <!-- Info tooltip -->
+            <div class="ml-auto flex-shrink-0">
+              <span
+                role="button"
+                tabindex="-1"
+                class="text-exo-light-gray/40 hover:text-exo-light-gray transition-colors cursor-help inline-flex"
+                onmouseenter={(e: MouseEvent) => showTooltip(rec.category, e)}
+                onmouseleave={() => hideTooltip()}
+                onclick={(e: MouseEvent) => {
+                  e.stopPropagation();
+                  if (hoveredTooltip === rec.category) {
+                    hideTooltip();
+                  } else {
+                    showTooltip(rec.category, e);
+                  }
+                }}
+              >
+                <svg
+                  class="w-3.5 h-3.5"
+                  fill="none"
+                  viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+                  stroke="currentColor"
+                  stroke-width="2"
+                >
+                  <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
+                  <path d="M12 16v-4m0-4h.01" />
+                </svg>
+              </span>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <!-- Model name + size -->
+          <div class="w-full">
+            <p class="text-sm text-white font-mono truncate">
+              {rec.model.base_model}
+            </p>
+            <p class="text-xs text-exo-light-gray/60 font-mono mt-0.5">
+              {formatSize(rec.model.storage_size_megabytes)}
+              {#if rec.model.quantization}
+                <span class="text-exo-light-gray/40"
+                  >&middot; {rec.model.quantization}</span
+                >
+              {/if}
+            </p>
+          </div>
+        </button>
+      {:else}
+        <!-- No model fits for this category -->
+        <div
+          class="flex flex-col items-start gap-2 p-4 rounded-lg border border-exo-medium-gray/30 bg-exo-dark-gray/30 opacity-50"
+        >
+          <div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+            <svg
+              class="w-4 h-4 text-exo-light-gray/40 flex-shrink-0"
+              fill="none"
+              viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+              stroke="currentColor"
+              stroke-width="1.5"
+            >
+              <path
+                stroke-linecap="round"
+                stroke-linejoin="round"
+                d={categoryIcons[rec.category]}
+              />
+            </svg>
+            <span
+              class="text-xs font-mono uppercase tracking-wider text-exo-light-gray/50"
+              >{rec.label}</span
+            >
+          </div>
+          <p class="text-xs text-exo-light-gray/40 font-mono">No model fits</p>
+        </div>
+      {/if}
+    {/each}
+  </div>
+
+  <!-- Add Model Button -->
+  <button
+    type="button"
+    onclick={onAddModel}
+    class="flex items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 text-xs font-mono uppercase tracking-wider text-exo-light-gray hover:text-exo-yellow border border-exo-medium-gray/30 hover:border-exo-yellow/30 rounded-lg transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer"
+  >
+    <svg
+      class="w-3.5 h-3.5"
+      fill="none"
+      viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+      stroke="currentColor"
+      stroke-width="2"
+    >
+      <path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" d="M12 4v16m8-8H4" />
+    </svg>
+    Add Model
+  </button>
+
+  <!-- Auto hint -->
+  <p class="text-xs text-exo-light-gray/40 font-mono tracking-wide text-center">
+    Or just start typing &mdash; we'll pick the best model automatically
+  </p>
+</div>
+
+<!-- Fixed-position tooltip (escapes overflow-hidden ancestors) -->
+{#if hoveredTooltip && tooltipAnchor}
+  {@const rec = recommendations.find((r) => r.category === hoveredTooltip)}
+  {#if rec}
+    <div
+      class="fixed z-[9999] px-3 py-2 bg-exo-black border border-exo-medium-gray/50 rounded text-xs text-exo-light-gray whitespace-nowrap shadow-lg pointer-events-none"
+      style="left: {tooltipAnchor.x}px; top: {tooltipAnchor.y -
+        8}px; transform: translate(-50%, -100%);"
+    >
+      {rec.tooltip}
+    </div>
+  {/if}
+{/if}

dashboard/src/lib/components/ChatSidebar.svelte

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
   import {
     conversations,
     activeConversationId,
-    createConversation,
     loadConversation,
     deleteConversation,
     deleteAllConversations,
@@ -17,9 +16,15 @@
 
   interface Props {
     class?: string;
+    onNewChat?: () => void;
+    onSelectConversation?: () => void;
   }
 
-  let { class: className = "" }: Props = $props();
+  let {
+    class: className = "",
+    onNewChat,
+    onSelectConversation,
+  }: Props = $props();
 
   const conversationList = $derived(conversations());
   const activeId = $derived(activeConversationId());
@@ -42,10 +47,11 @@
   );
 
   function handleNewChat() {
-    createConversation();
+    onNewChat?.();
   }
 
   function handleSelectConversation(id: string) {
+    onSelectConversation?.();
     loadConversation(id);
   }
 
@@ -185,11 +191,7 @@
 
     let instanceType: string | null = null;
     if (instanceTag === "MlxRingInstance") instanceType = "MLX Ring";
-    else if (
-      instanceTag === "MlxIbvInstance" ||
-      instanceTag === "MlxJacclInstance"
-    )
-      instanceType = "MLX RDMA";
+    else if (instanceTag === "MlxJacclInstance") instanceType = "MLX RDMA";
 
     let sharding: string | null = null;
     const inst = instance as {
@@ -307,7 +309,7 @@
       <div class="py-2">
         <div class="px-4 py-2">
           <span
-            class="text-sm text-white/70 font-mono tracking-wider uppercase"
+            class="text-xs text-exo-light-gray font-mono tracking-wider uppercase"
           >
             {searchQuery ? "SEARCH RESULTS" : "CONVERSATIONS"}
           </span>
@@ -376,39 +378,37 @@
                 onkeydown={(e) =>
                   e.key === "Enter" &&
                   handleSelectConversation(conversation.id)}
-                class="group w-full flex items-center justify-between p-2 rounded mb-1 transition-all text-left cursor-pointer
+                class="group w-full flex items-center justify-between p-2.5 rounded-lg mb-1 transition-all text-left cursor-pointer
 									{activeId === conversation.id
-                  ? 'bg-transparent border border-exo-yellow/30'
-                  : 'hover:border-exo-yellow/20 border border-transparent'}"
+                  ? 'bg-exo-yellow/5 border border-exo-yellow/30'
+                  : 'hover:bg-white/[0.03] hover:border-white/10 border border-transparent'}"
               >
                 <div class="flex-1 min-w-0 pr-2">
                   <div
-                    class="text-sm truncate {activeId === conversation.id
+                    class="text-sm font-medium truncate {activeId ===
+                    conversation.id
                       ? 'text-exo-yellow'
-                      : 'text-white/90'}"
+                      : 'text-white'}"
                   >
                     {conversation.name}
                   </div>
-                  <div class="text-sm text-white/50 mt-0.5">
+                  <div class="text-xs text-white/60 mt-0.5">
                     {formatDate(conversation.updatedAt)}
                   </div>
-                  <div class="text-sm text-white/70 truncate">
+                  <div class="text-xs text-exo-light-gray truncate">
                     {info.modelLabel}
                   </div>
-                  <div class="text-xs text-white/60 font-mono">
-                    Strategy: <span class="text-white/80"
-                      >{info.strategyLabel}</span
-                    >
-                  </div>
                   {#if stats}
-                    <div class="text-xs text-white/60 font-mono mt-1">
-                      {#if stats.ttftMs}<span class="text-white/40">TTFT</span>
-                        {stats.ttftMs.toFixed(
-                          0,
-                        )}ms{/if}{#if stats.ttftMs && stats.tps}<span
-                          class="text-white/30 mx-1.5">•</span
-                        >{/if}{#if stats.tps}{stats.tps.toFixed(1)}
-                        <span class="text-white/40">tok/s</span>{/if}
+                    <div class="text-xs text-white/70 font-mono mt-1">
+                      {#if stats.ttftMs}<span class="text-white/50">TTFT</span>
+                        <span class="text-exo-yellow/80"
+                          >{stats.ttftMs.toFixed(0)}ms</span
+                        >{/if}{#if stats.ttftMs && stats.tps}<span
+                          class="text-white/30 mx-1.5">·</span
+                        >{/if}{#if stats.tps}<span class="text-exo-yellow/80"
+                          >{stats.tps.toFixed(1)}</span
+                        >
+                        <span class="text-white/50">tok/s</span>{/if}
                     </div>
                   {/if}
                 </div>

dashboard/src/lib/components/ConnectionBanner.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  import { isConnected } from "$lib/stores/app.svelte";
+  import { slide } from "svelte/transition";
+
+  const connected = $derived(isConnected());
+</script>
+
+{#if !connected}
+  <div
+    transition:slide={{ duration: 200 }}
+    class="relative z-50 flex items-center justify-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 bg-red-950/80 border-b border-red-500/30"
+    role="alert"
+    aria-live="assertive"
+  >
+    <div class="w-2 h-2 bg-red-500 rounded-full animate-pulse"></div>
+    <span class="text-xs font-mono text-red-300 tracking-wider uppercase">
+      Connection lost &mdash; Reconnecting to backend&hellip;
+    </span>
+  </div>
+{/if}

dashboard/src/lib/components/DeviceIcon.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,277 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  /**
+   * DeviceIcon — renders a device icon as an SVG <g> element.
+   * Uses the exact same proportional math as TopologyGraph.svelte
+   * so that devices look identical in both the topology view and
+   * the onboarding animation.
+   *
+   * Must be placed inside an <svg> element.
+   */
+
+  interface Props {
+    /** "macbook pro" | "mac studio" | "mac mini" etc. */
+    deviceType: string;
+    /** Center X coordinate in SVG space */
+    cx: number;
+    /** Center Y coordinate in SVG space */
+    cy: number;
+    /** Base sizing factor (equivalent to TopologyGraph's nodeRadius) */
+    size?: number;
+    /** RAM usage 0–100 */
+    ramPercent?: number;
+    /** Unique id suffix for clip-path ids */
+    uid?: string;
+  }
+
+  let {
+    deviceType,
+    cx,
+    cy,
+    size = 60,
+    ramPercent = 60,
+    uid = "dev",
+  }: Props = $props();
+
+  // Apple logo path — same constant used by TopologyGraph
+  const APPLE_LOGO_PATH =
+    "M788.1 340.9c-5.8 4.5-108.2 62.2-108.2 190.5 0 148.4 130.3 200.9 134.2 202.2-.6 3.2-20.7 71.9-68.7 141.9-42.8 61.6-87.5 123.1-155.5 123.1s-85.5-39.5-164-39.5c-76.5 0-103.7 40.8-165.9 40.8s-105.6-57-155.5-127C46.7 790.7 0 663 0 541.8c0-194.4 126.4-297.5 250.8-297.5 66.1 0 121.2 43.4 162.7 43.4 39.5 0 101.1-46 176.3-46 28.5 0 130.9 2.6 198.3 99.2zm-234-181.5c31.1-36.9 53.1-88.1 53.1-139.3 0-7.1-.6-14.3-1.9-20.1-50.6 1.9-110.8 33.7-147.1 75.8-28.5 32.4-55.1 83.6-55.1 135.5 0 7.8 1.3 15.6 1.9 18.1 3.2.6 8.4 1.3 13.6 1.3 45.4 0 102.5-30.4 135.5-71.3z";
+  const LOGO_NATIVE_WIDTH = 814;
+  const LOGO_NATIVE_HEIGHT = 1000;
+
+  const wireColor = "rgba(179,179,179,0.8)";
+  const strokeWidth = 1.5;
+
+  const modelLower = $derived(deviceType.toLowerCase());
+
+  // ── Mac Studio dimensions (same ratios as TopologyGraph) ──
+  const studioW = $derived(size * 1.25);
+  const studioH = $derived(size * 0.85);
+  const studioX = $derived(cx - studioW / 2);
+  const studioY = $derived(cy - studioH / 2);
+  const studioCorner = 4;
+  const studioTopH = $derived(studioH * 0.15);
+
+  // Studio front panel details
+  const studioSlotH = $derived(studioH * 0.14);
+  const studioVSlotW = $derived(studioW * 0.05);
+  const studioVSlotY = $derived(
+    studioY + studioTopH + (studioH - studioTopH) * 0.6,
+  );
+  const studioVSlot1X = $derived(studioX + studioW * 0.18);
+  const studioVSlot2X = $derived(studioX + studioW * 0.28);
+  const studioHSlotW = $derived(studioW * 0.2);
+  const studioHSlotX = $derived(studioX + studioW * 0.5 - studioHSlotW / 2);
+
+  // Studio memory fill
+  const studioMemTotalH = $derived(studioH - studioTopH);
+  const studioMemH = $derived((ramPercent / 100) * studioMemTotalH);
+
+  // ── MacBook dimensions (same ratios as TopologyGraph) ──
+  const mbW = $derived((size * 1.6 * 0.85) / 1.15);
+  const mbH = $derived(size * 0.85);
+  const mbX = $derived(cx - mbW / 2);
+  const mbY = $derived(cy - mbH / 2);
+
+  const mbScreenH = $derived(mbH * 0.7);
+  const mbBaseH = $derived(mbH * 0.3);
+  const mbScreenW = $derived(mbW * 0.85);
+  const mbScreenX = $derived(cx - mbScreenW / 2);
+  const mbBezel = 3;
+
+  // MacBook memory fill
+  const mbMemTotalH = $derived(mbScreenH - mbBezel * 2);
+  const mbMemH = $derived((ramPercent / 100) * mbMemTotalH);
+
+  // Apple logo sizing
+  const mbLogoTargetH = $derived(mbScreenH * 0.22);
+  const mbLogoScale = $derived(mbLogoTargetH / LOGO_NATIVE_HEIGHT);
+  const mbLogoX = $derived(cx - (LOGO_NATIVE_WIDTH * mbLogoScale) / 2);
+  const mbLogoY = $derived(
+    mbY + mbScreenH / 2 - (LOGO_NATIVE_HEIGHT * mbLogoScale) / 2,
+  );
+
+  // MacBook base (trapezoidal)
+  const mbBaseY = $derived(mbY + mbScreenH);
+  const mbBaseTopW = $derived(mbScreenW);
+  const mbBaseBottomW = $derived(mbW);
+  const mbBaseTopX = $derived(cx - mbBaseTopW / 2);
+  const mbBaseBottomX = $derived(cx - mbBaseBottomW / 2);
+
+  // Keyboard
+  const mbKbX = $derived(mbBaseTopX + 6);
+  const mbKbY = $derived(mbBaseY + 3);
+  const mbKbW = $derived(mbBaseTopW - 12);
+  const mbKbH = $derived(mbBaseH * 0.55);
+
+  // Trackpad
+  const mbTpW = $derived(mbBaseTopW * 0.4);
+  const mbTpX = $derived(cx - mbTpW / 2);
+  const mbTpY = $derived(mbBaseY + mbKbH + 5);
+  const mbTpH = $derived(mbBaseH * 0.3);
+
+  // Clip IDs
+  const screenClipId = $derived(`di-screen-${uid}`);
+  const studioClipId = $derived(`di-studio-${uid}`);
+</script>
+
+{#if modelLower === "mac studio" || modelLower === "mac mini"}
+  <!-- Mac Studio / Mac Mini -->
+  <defs>
+    <clipPath id={studioClipId}>
+      <rect
+        x={studioX}
+        y={studioY + studioTopH}
+        width={studioW}
+        height={studioH - studioTopH}
+        rx={studioCorner - 1}
+      />
+    </clipPath>
+  </defs>
+
+  <!-- Main body -->
+  <rect
+    x={studioX}
+    y={studioY}
+    width={studioW}
+    height={studioH}
+    rx={studioCorner}
+    fill="#1a1a1a"
+    stroke={wireColor}
+    stroke-width={strokeWidth}
+  />
+
+  <!-- Memory fill -->
+  {#if ramPercent > 0}
+    <rect
+      x={studioX}
+      y={studioY + studioTopH + (studioMemTotalH - studioMemH)}
+      width={studioW}
+      height={studioMemH}
+      fill="rgba(255,215,0,0.75)"
+      clip-path="url(#{studioClipId})"
+    />
+  {/if}
+
+  <!-- Top surface divider -->
+  <line
+    x1={studioX}
+    y1={studioY + studioTopH}
+    x2={studioX + studioW}
+    y2={studioY + studioTopH}
+    stroke="rgba(179,179,179,0.3)"
+    stroke-width="0.5"
+  />
+
+  <!-- Front panel: vertical slots -->
+  <rect
+    x={studioVSlot1X - studioVSlotW / 2}
+    y={studioVSlotY}
+    width={studioVSlotW}
+    height={studioSlotH}
+    fill="rgba(0,0,0,0.35)"
+    rx="1.5"
+  />
+  <rect
+    x={studioVSlot2X - studioVSlotW / 2}
+    y={studioVSlotY}
+    width={studioVSlotW}
+    height={studioSlotH}
+    fill="rgba(0,0,0,0.35)"
+    rx="1.5"
+  />
+
+  <!-- Horizontal slot (SD card) -->
+  <rect
+    x={studioHSlotX}
+    y={studioVSlotY}
+    width={studioHSlotW}
+    height={studioSlotH * 0.6}
+    fill="rgba(0,0,0,0.35)"
+    rx="1"
+  />
+{:else}
+  <!-- MacBook Pro -->
+  <defs>
+    <clipPath id={screenClipId}>
+      <rect
+        x={mbScreenX + mbBezel}
+        y={mbY + mbBezel}
+        width={mbScreenW - mbBezel * 2}
+        height={mbScreenH - mbBezel * 2}
+        rx="2"
+      />
+    </clipPath>
+  </defs>
+
+  <!-- Screen outer frame -->
+  <rect
+    x={mbScreenX}
+    y={mbY}
+    width={mbScreenW}
+    height={mbScreenH}
+    rx="3"
+    fill="#1a1a1a"
+    stroke={wireColor}
+    stroke-width={strokeWidth}
+  />
+
+  <!-- Screen inner (dark) -->
+  <rect
+    x={mbScreenX + mbBezel}
+    y={mbY + mbBezel}
+    width={mbScreenW - mbBezel * 2}
+    height={mbScreenH - mbBezel * 2}
+    rx="2"
+    fill="#0a0a12"
+  />
+
+  <!-- Memory fill on screen -->
+  {#if ramPercent > 0}
+    <rect
+      x={mbScreenX + mbBezel}
+      y={mbY + mbBezel + (mbMemTotalH - mbMemH)}
+      width={mbScreenW - mbBezel * 2}
+      height={mbMemH}
+      fill="rgba(255,215,0,0.85)"
+      clip-path="url(#{screenClipId})"
+    />
+  {/if}
+
+  <!-- Apple logo -->
+  <path
+    d={APPLE_LOGO_PATH}
+    transform="translate({mbLogoX}, {mbLogoY}) scale({mbLogoScale})"
+    fill="#FFFFFF"
+    opacity="0.9"
+  />
+
+  <!-- Keyboard base (trapezoidal) -->
+  <path
+    d="M {mbBaseTopX} {mbBaseY} L {mbBaseTopX +
+      mbBaseTopW} {mbBaseY} L {mbBaseBottomX + mbBaseBottomW} {mbBaseY +
+      mbBaseH} L {mbBaseBottomX} {mbBaseY + mbBaseH} Z"
+    fill="#2c2c2c"
+    stroke={wireColor}
+    stroke-width="1"
+  />
+
+  <!-- Keyboard area -->
+  <rect
+    x={mbKbX}
+    y={mbKbY}
+    width={mbKbW}
+    height={mbKbH}
+    fill="rgba(0,0,0,0.2)"
+    rx="2"
+  />
+
+  <!-- Trackpad -->
+  <rect
+    x={mbTpX}
+    y={mbTpY}
+    width={mbTpW}
+    height={mbTpH}
+    fill="rgba(255,255,255,0.08)"
+    rx="2"
+  />
+{/if}

dashboard/src/lib/components/HeaderNav.svelte

@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
   export let showSidebarToggle = false;
   export let sidebarVisible = true;
   export let onToggleSidebar: (() => void) | null = null;
+  export let downloadProgress: {
+    count: number;
+    percentage: number;
+  } | null = null;
 
   function handleHome(): void {
     if (onHome) {
@@ -33,13 +37,17 @@
     <div class="absolute left-6 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2">
       <button
         onclick={handleToggleSidebar}
-        class="p-2 rounded border border-exo-medium-gray/40 hover:border-exo-yellow/50 transition-colors cursor-pointer"
+        class="p-2 rounded border border-exo-light-gray/30 hover:border-exo-yellow/50 hover:bg-exo-medium-gray/30 transition-colors cursor-pointer"
         title={sidebarVisible ? "Hide sidebar" : "Show sidebar"}
+        aria-label={sidebarVisible
+          ? "Hide conversation sidebar"
+          : "Show conversation sidebar"}
+        aria-pressed={sidebarVisible}
       >
         <svg
           class="w-5 h-5 {sidebarVisible
             ? 'text-exo-yellow'
-            : 'text-exo-medium-gray'}"
+            : 'text-exo-light-gray'}"
           fill="none"
           viewBox="0 0 24 24"
           stroke="currentColor"
@@ -75,18 +83,19 @@
     <img
       src="/exo-logo.png"
       alt="EXO"
-      class="h-18 drop-shadow-[0_0_20px_rgba(255,215,0,0.5)]"
+      class="h-18 drop-shadow-[0_0_4px_rgba(255,215,0,0.3)]"
     />
   </button>
 
   <!-- Right: Home + Downloads -->
-  <div
+  <nav
     class="absolute right-6 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 flex items-center gap-4"
+    aria-label="Main navigation"
   >
     {#if showHome}
       <button
         onclick={handleHome}
-        class="text-sm text-exo-light-gray hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors tracking-wider uppercase flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer"
+        class="text-sm text-white/70 hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors tracking-wider uppercase flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer"
         title="Back to topology view"
       >
         <svg
@@ -107,23 +116,59 @@
     {/if}
     <a
       href="/#/downloads"
-      class="text-sm text-exo-light-gray hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors tracking-wider uppercase flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer"
+      class="text-sm text-white/70 hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors tracking-wider uppercase flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer"
       title="View downloads overview"
     >
-      <svg
-        class="w-4 h-4"
-        viewBox="0 0 24 24"
-        fill="none"
-        stroke="currentColor"
-        stroke-width="2"
-        stroke-linecap="round"
-        stroke-linejoin="round"
-      >
-        <path d="M12 3v12" />
-        <path d="M7 12l5 5 5-5" />
-        <path d="M5 21h14" />
-      </svg>
+      {#if downloadProgress}
+        <!-- Compact download progress indicator -->
+        <div class="relative w-4 h-4 flex-shrink-0">
+          <svg class="w-4 h-4 -rotate-90" viewBox="0 0 20 20">
+            <circle
+              cx="10"
+              cy="10"
+              r="8"
+              fill="none"
+              stroke="currentColor"
+              stroke-width="2"
+              opacity="0.2"
+            />
+            <circle
+              cx="10"
+              cy="10"
+              r="8"
+              fill="none"
+              stroke="currentColor"
+              stroke-width="2"
+              stroke-dasharray={2 * Math.PI * 8}
+              stroke-dashoffset={2 *
+                Math.PI *
+                8 *
+                (1 - downloadProgress.percentage / 100)}
+              class="text-blue-400 transition-all duration-300"
+            />
+          </svg>
+          <div
+            class="absolute inset-0 flex items-center justify-center text-[6px] font-mono text-blue-400"
+          >
+            {downloadProgress.count}
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      {:else}
+        <svg
+          class="w-4 h-4"
+          viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+          fill="none"
+          stroke="currentColor"
+          stroke-width="2"
+          stroke-linecap="round"
+          stroke-linejoin="round"
+        >
+          <path d="M12 3v12" />
+          <path d="M7 12l5 5 5-5" />
+          <path d="M5 21h14" />
+        </svg>
+      {/if}
       Downloads
     </a>
-  </div>
+  </nav>
 </header>

dashboard/src/lib/components/ModelCard.svelte

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     } | null;
     nodes?: Record<string, NodeInfo>;
     sharding?: "Pipeline" | "Tensor";
-    runtime?: "MlxRing" | "MlxIbv" | "MlxJaccl";
+    runtime?: "MlxRing" | "MlxJaccl";
     onLaunch?: () => void;
     tags?: string[];
     apiPreview?: PlacementPreview | null;
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@
   // Debug mode state
   const isDebugMode = $derived(debugMode());
   const topology = $derived(topologyData());
-  const isRdma = $derived(runtime === "MlxIbv" || runtime === "MlxJaccl");
+  const isRdma = $derived(runtime === "MlxJaccl");
 
   // Get interface name for an IP from node data
   function getInterfaceForIp(nodeId: string, ip?: string): string | null {
@@ -567,20 +567,46 @@
     <div class="flex items-center gap-1.5 mb-2">
       <span
         class="px-1.5 py-0.5 text-xs font-mono tracking-wider uppercase bg-exo-medium-gray/30 text-exo-light-gray border border-exo-medium-gray/40"
+        title={sharding === "Pipeline"
+          ? "Pipeline: splits model into sequential stages across devices. Lower network overhead."
+          : "Tensor: splits each layer across devices. Best with high-bandwidth connections (Thunderbolt)."}
       >
         {sharding}
       </span>
       <span
         class="px-1.5 py-0.5 text-xs font-mono tracking-wider uppercase bg-exo-medium-gray/30 text-exo-light-gray border border-exo-medium-gray/40"
+        title={runtime === "MlxRing"
+          ? "Ring: standard networking. Works over any connection (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Thunderbolt)."
+          : "RDMA: direct memory access over Thunderbolt. Significantly faster for multi-device inference."}
       >
         {runtime === "MlxRing"
           ? "MLX Ring"
-          : runtime === "MlxIbv" || runtime === "MlxJaccl"
+          : runtime === "MlxJaccl"
             ? "MLX RDMA"
             : runtime}
       </span>
     </div>
 
+    <!-- Download Status -->
+    {#if isDownloading && progress}
+      <div class="mb-2 space-y-1">
+        <div class="flex items-center justify-between text-xs font-mono">
+          <span class="text-blue-400 tracking-wider uppercase">Downloading</span
+          >
+          <span class="text-white/60"
+            >{percentage.toFixed(1)}% &middot; {formatSpeed(progress.speed)}
+            &middot; {formatEta(progress.etaMs)}</span
+          >
+        </div>
+        <div class="h-1 bg-exo-medium-gray/30 rounded overflow-hidden">
+          <div
+            class="h-full bg-blue-500/70 transition-all duration-300"
+            style="width: {percentage}%"
+          ></div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    {/if}
+
     <!-- Mini Topology Preview -->
     {#if placementPreview().nodes.length > 0}
       {@const preview = placementPreview()}

dashboard/src/lib/components/ModelFilterPopover.svelte

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
     capabilities: string[];
     sizeRange: { min: number; max: number } | null;
     downloadedOnly: boolean;
+    readyOnly: boolean;
   }
 
   type ModelFilterPopoverProps = {
@@ -190,34 +191,58 @@
       </div>
     </div>
 
-    <!-- Downloaded only -->
+    <!-- Availability filters -->
     <div>
       <h4 class="text-xs font-mono text-white/50 mb-2">Availability</h4>
-      <button
-        type="button"
-        class="px-2 py-1 text-xs font-mono rounded transition-colors {filters.downloadedOnly
-          ? 'bg-green-500/20 text-green-400 border border-green-500/30'
-          : 'bg-white/5 text-white/60 hover:bg-white/10 border border-transparent'}"
-        onclick={() =>
-          onChange({ ...filters, downloadedOnly: !filters.downloadedOnly })}
-      >
-        <svg
-          class="w-3.5 h-3.5 inline-block"
-          viewBox="0 0 24 24"
-          fill="none"
-          stroke="currentColor"
-          stroke-width="2"
-          stroke-linecap="round"
-          stroke-linejoin="round"
+      <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-1.5">
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          class="px-2 py-1 text-xs font-mono rounded transition-colors {filters.downloadedOnly
+            ? 'bg-green-500/20 text-green-400 border border-green-500/30'
+            : 'bg-white/5 text-white/60 hover:bg-white/10 border border-transparent'}"
+          onclick={() =>
+            onChange({ ...filters, downloadedOnly: !filters.downloadedOnly })}
         >
-          <path
-            class="text-white/40"
-            d="M20 20a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8a2 2 0 0 0-2-2h-7.9a2 2 0 0 1-1.69-.9L9.6 3.9A2 2 0 0 0 7.93 3H4a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v13a2 2 0 0 0 2 2Z"
-          />
-          <path class="text-green-400" d="m9 13 2 2 4-4" />
-        </svg>
-        <span class="ml-1">Downloaded</span>
-      </button>
+          <svg
+            class="w-3.5 h-3.5 inline-block"
+            viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+            fill="none"
+            stroke="currentColor"
+            stroke-width="2"
+            stroke-linecap="round"
+            stroke-linejoin="round"
+          >
+            <path
+              class="text-white/40"
+              d="M20 20a2 2 0 0 0 2-2V8a2 2 0 0 0-2-2h-7.9a2 2 0 0 1-1.69-.9L9.6 3.9A2 2 0 0 0 7.93 3H4a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v13a2 2 0 0 0 2 2Z"
+            />
+            <path class="text-green-400" d="m9 13 2 2 4-4" />
+          </svg>
+          <span class="ml-1">Downloaded</span>
+        </button>
+        <button
+          type="button"
+          class="px-2 py-1 text-xs font-mono rounded transition-colors {filters.readyOnly
+            ? 'bg-green-500/20 text-green-400 border border-green-500/30'
+            : 'bg-white/5 text-white/60 hover:bg-white/10 border border-transparent'}"
+          onclick={() =>
+            onChange({ ...filters, readyOnly: !filters.readyOnly })}
+        >
+          <svg
+            class="w-3.5 h-3.5 inline-block"
+            viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+            fill="none"
+            stroke="currentColor"
+            stroke-width="2"
+            stroke-linecap="round"
+            stroke-linejoin="round"
+          >
+            <circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10" />
+            <path d="m9 12 2 2 4-4" />
+          </svg>
+          <span class="ml-1">Ready</span>
+        </button>
+      </div>
     </div>
 
     <!-- Size range -->

dashboard/src/lib/components/ModelPickerGroup.svelte

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
     onShowInfo: (group: ModelGroup) => void;
     downloadStatusMap?: Map<string, DownloadAvailability>;
     launchedAt?: number;
+    instanceStatuses?: Record<string, { status: string; statusClass: string }>;
   };
 
   let {
@@ -56,6 +57,7 @@
     onShowInfo,
     downloadStatusMap,
     launchedAt,
+    instanceStatuses = {},
   }: ModelPickerGroupProps = $props();
 
   // Group-level download status: show if any variant is downloaded
@@ -92,6 +94,12 @@
   const anyVariantFits = $derived(
     group.variants.some((v) => canModelFit(v.id)),
   );
+  // Check if any variant has an active instance (ready, loading, downloading)
+  const anyVariantHasInstance = $derived(
+    instanceStatuses
+      ? group.variants.some((v) => instanceStatuses[v.id] != null)
+      : false,
+  );
   const groupFitStatus = $derived.by((): ModelFitStatus => {
     let hasClusterCapacityOnly = false;
     for (const variant of group.variants) {
@@ -122,16 +130,35 @@
     !group.hasMultipleVariants &&
       group.variants.some((v) => v.id === selectedModelId),
   );
+
+  // Group-level instance status: show the "best" status across all variants
+  const groupInstanceStatus = $derived.by(() => {
+    if (!instanceStatuses) return null;
+    const readyStatuses = ["READY", "LOADED", "RUNNING"];
+    const loadingStatuses = ["LOADING", "WARMING UP"];
+    let bestStatus: { status: string; statusClass: string } | null = null;
+    for (const variant of group.variants) {
+      const s = instanceStatuses[variant.id];
+      if (!s) continue;
+      if (readyStatuses.includes(s.status)) return s; // Ready is best
+      if (loadingStatuses.includes(s.status) || s.status === "DOWNLOADING") {
+        bestStatus = s;
+      }
+    }
+    return bestStatus;
+  });
 </script>
 
 <div
-  class="border-b border-white/5 last:border-b-0 {!anyVariantFits
+  class="border-b border-white/5 last:border-b-0 {!anyVariantFits &&
+  !anyVariantHasInstance
     ? 'opacity-50'
     : ''}"
 >
   <!-- Main row -->
   <div
-    class="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2.5 transition-colors {anyVariantFits
+    class="flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2.5 transition-colors {anyVariantFits ||
+    anyVariantHasInstance
       ? 'hover:bg-white/5 cursor-pointer'
       : 'cursor-not-allowed'} {isMainSelected
       ? 'bg-exo-yellow/10 border-l-2 border-exo-yellow'
@@ -141,7 +168,7 @@
         onToggleExpand();
       } else {
         const modelId = group.variants[0]?.id;
-        if (modelId && canModelFit(modelId)) {
+        if (modelId && (canModelFit(modelId) || instanceStatuses[modelId])) {
           onSelectModel(modelId);
         }
       }
@@ -155,7 +182,7 @@
           onToggleExpand();
         } else {
           const modelId = group.variants[0]?.id;
-          if (modelId && canModelFit(modelId)) {
+          if (modelId && (canModelFit(modelId) || instanceStatuses[modelId])) {
             onSelectModel(modelId);
           }
         }
@@ -346,6 +373,47 @@
       </span>
     {/if}
 
+    <!-- Instance status badge -->
+    {#if groupInstanceStatus}
+      {#if groupInstanceStatus.status === "READY" || groupInstanceStatus.status === "LOADED" || groupInstanceStatus.status === "RUNNING"}
+        <span class="flex-shrink-0" title="Running">
+          <svg
+            class="w-3 h-3 text-green-400"
+            viewBox="0 0 12 12"
+            fill="currentColor"
+          >
+            <circle cx="6" cy="6" r="5" />
+          </svg>
+        </span>
+      {:else if groupInstanceStatus.status === "DOWNLOADING"}
+        <span class="flex-shrink-0 animate-pulse" title="Downloading">
+          <svg
+            class="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-blue-400"
+            viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+            fill="none"
+            stroke="currentColor"
+            stroke-width="2"
+            stroke-linecap="round"
+            stroke-linejoin="round"
+          >
+            <path d="M21 15v4a2 2 0 01-2 2H5a2 2 0 01-2-2v-4" />
+            <polyline points="7 10 12 15 17 10" />
+            <line x1="12" y1="15" x2="12" y2="3" />
+          </svg>
+        </span>
+      {:else if groupInstanceStatus.status === "LOADING" || groupInstanceStatus.status === "WARMING UP"}
+        <span class="flex-shrink-0 animate-pulse" title="Loading">
+          <svg
+            class="w-3 h-3 text-yellow-400"
+            viewBox="0 0 12 12"
+            fill="currentColor"
+          >
+            <circle cx="6" cy="6" r="5" />
+          </svg>
+        </span>
+      {/if}
+    {/if}
+
     <!-- Check mark if selected (single-variant) -->
     {#if isMainSelected}
       <svg
@@ -420,20 +488,30 @@
       {#each group.variants as variant}
         {@const fitStatus = getModelFitStatus(variant.id)}
         {@const modelCanFit = canModelFit(variant.id)}
+        {@const variantHasInstance = instanceStatuses[variant.id] != null}
         {@const isSelected = selectedModelId === variant.id}
-        <button
-          type="button"
-          class="w-full flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2 pl-10 hover:bg-white/5 transition-colors text-left {!modelCanFit
+        <div
+          class="w-full flex items-center gap-3 px-3 py-2 pl-10 hover:bg-white/5 transition-colors text-left {!modelCanFit &&
+          !variantHasInstance
             ? 'opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed'
             : 'cursor-pointer'} {isSelected
             ? 'bg-exo-yellow/10 border-l-2 border-exo-yellow'
             : 'border-l-2 border-transparent'}"
-          disabled={!modelCanFit}
+          role="button"
+          tabindex="0"
           onclick={() => {
-            if (modelCanFit) {
+            if (modelCanFit || variantHasInstance) {
               onSelectModel(variant.id);
             }
           }}
+          onkeydown={(e) => {
+            if (e.key === "Enter" || e.key === " ") {
+              e.preventDefault();
+              if (modelCanFit) {
+                onSelectModel(variant.id);
+              }
+            }
+          }}
         >
           <!-- Quantization badge -->
           <span
@@ -478,6 +556,48 @@
             {/if}
           {/if}
 
+          <!-- Instance status badge -->
+          {#if instanceStatuses[variant.id]}
+            {@const instStatus = instanceStatuses[variant.id]}
+            {#if instStatus.status === "READY" || instStatus.status === "LOADED" || instStatus.status === "RUNNING"}
+              <span class="flex-shrink-0" title="Running">
+                <svg
+                  class="w-3 h-3 text-green-400"
+                  viewBox="0 0 12 12"
+                  fill="currentColor"
+                >
+                  <circle cx="6" cy="6" r="5" />
+                </svg>
+              </span>
+            {:else if instStatus.status === "DOWNLOADING"}
+              <span class="flex-shrink-0 animate-pulse" title="Downloading">
+                <svg
+                  class="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-blue-400"
+                  viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+                  fill="none"
+                  stroke="currentColor"
+                  stroke-width="2"
+                  stroke-linecap="round"
+                  stroke-linejoin="round"
+                >
+                  <path d="M21 15v4a2 2 0 01-2 2H5a2 2 0 01-2-2v-4" />
+                  <polyline points="7 10 12 15 17 10" />
+                  <line x1="12" y1="15" x2="12" y2="3" />
+                </svg>
+              </span>
+            {:else if instStatus.status === "LOADING" || instStatus.status === "WARMING UP"}
+              <span class="flex-shrink-0 animate-pulse" title="Loading">
+                <svg
+                  class="w-3 h-3 text-yellow-400"
+                  viewBox="0 0 12 12"
+                  fill="currentColor"
+                >
+                  <circle cx="6" cy="6" r="5" />
+                </svg>
+              </span>
+            {/if}
+          {/if}
+
           <!-- Check mark if selected -->
           {#if isSelected}
             <svg
@@ -490,7 +610,36 @@
               />
             </svg>
           {/if}
-        </button>
+
+          <!-- Info button -->
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            class="p-1 rounded hover:bg-white/10 transition-colors flex-shrink-0"
+            onclick={(e) => {
+              e.stopPropagation();
+              onShowInfo({
+                id: variant.id,
+                name: variant.name || variant.id,
+                capabilities: group.capabilities,
+                family: group.family,
+                variants: [variant],
+                smallestVariant: variant,
+                hasMultipleVariants: false,
+              });
+            }}
+            title="View variant details"
+          >
+            <svg
+              class="w-4 h-4 text-white/30 hover:text-white/50"
+              viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+              fill="currentColor"
+            >
+              <path
+                d="M12 2C6.48 2 2 6.48 2 12s4.48 10 10 10 10-4.48 10-10S17.52 2 12 2zm1 15h-2v-6h2v6zm0-8h-2V7h2v2z"
+              />
+            </svg>
+          </button>
+        </div>
       {/each}
     </div>
   {/if}

dashboard/src/lib/components/ModelPickerModal.svelte

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@
     capabilities: string[];
     sizeRange: { min: number; max: number } | null;
     downloadedOnly: boolean;
+    readyOnly: boolean;
   }
 
   interface HuggingFaceModel {
@@ -49,6 +50,11 @@
 
   type ModelFitStatus = "fits_now" | "fits_cluster_capacity" | "too_large";
 
+  export type InstanceStatus = {
+    status: string;
+    statusClass: string;
+  };
+
   type ModelPickerModalProps = {
     isOpen: boolean;
     models: ModelInfo[];
@@ -75,6 +81,7 @@
         macmon_info?: { memory?: { ram_total?: number } };
       }
     >;
+    instanceStatuses?: Record<string, InstanceStatus>;
   };
 
   let {
@@ -96,6 +103,7 @@
     usedMemoryGB,
     downloadsData,
     topologyNodes,
+    instanceStatuses = {},
   }: ModelPickerModalProps = $props();
 
   // Local state
@@ -107,6 +115,7 @@
     capabilities: [],
     sizeRange: null,
     downloadedOnly: false,
+    readyOnly: false,
   });
   let infoGroup = $state<ModelGroup | null>(null);
 
@@ -440,6 +449,16 @@
       );
     }
 
+    // Filter to ready/running models only
+    if (filters.readyOnly) {
+      result = result.filter((g) =>
+        g.variants.some((v) => {
+          const s = instanceStatuses[v.id];
+          return s && s.statusClass === "ready";
+        }),
+      );
+    }
+
     // Sort: fits-now first, then fits-cluster-capacity, then too-large
     result.sort((a, b) => {
       const getGroupFitRank = (group: ModelGroup): number => {
@@ -512,6 +531,18 @@
     );
   });
 
+  // Split filtered groups into recommended (fits_now) and others for visual separation
+  const recommendedGroups = $derived(
+    filteredGroups.filter((g) =>
+      g.variants.some((v) => getModelFitStatus(v.id) === "fits_now"),
+    ),
+  );
+  const otherGroups = $derived(
+    filteredGroups.filter(
+      (g) => !g.variants.some((v) => getModelFitStatus(v.id) === "fits_now"),
+    ),
+  );
+
   function toggleGroupExpanded(groupId: string) {
     const next = new Set(expandedGroups);
     if (next.has(groupId)) {
@@ -538,13 +569,19 @@
   }
 
   function clearFilters() {
-    filters = { capabilities: [], sizeRange: null, downloadedOnly: false };
+    filters = {
+      capabilities: [],
+      sizeRange: null,
+      downloadedOnly: false,
+      readyOnly: false,
+    };
   }
 
   const hasActiveFilters = $derived(
     filters.capabilities.length > 0 ||
       filters.sizeRange !== null ||
-      filters.downloadedOnly,
+      filters.downloadedOnly ||
+      filters.readyOnly,
   );
 </script>
 
@@ -813,6 +850,7 @@
                 onShowInfo={(g) => (infoGroup = g)}
                 downloadStatusMap={getVariantDownloadMap(group)}
                 launchedAt={recentTimestamps.get(group.variants[0]?.id ?? "")}
+                {instanceStatuses}
               />
             {/each}
           {/if}
@@ -840,7 +878,34 @@
             {/if}
           </div>
         {:else}
-          {#each filteredGroups as group}
+          <!-- Recommended for your cluster -->
+          {#if recommendedGroups.length > 0 && otherGroups.length > 0 && !searchQuery.trim()}
+            <div
+              class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 bg-green-950/60 border-b border-green-500/20 backdrop-blur-sm"
+            >
+              <svg
+                class="w-3.5 h-3.5 text-green-400 flex-shrink-0"
+                fill="none"
+                viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+                stroke="currentColor"
+                stroke-width="2"
+              >
+                <path
+                  stroke-linecap="round"
+                  stroke-linejoin="round"
+                  d="M9 12.75L11.25 15 15 9.75M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"
+                />
+              </svg>
+              <span
+                class="text-xs font-mono text-green-400 tracking-wider uppercase"
+                >Recommended for your cluster</span
+              >
+              <span class="text-xs font-mono text-green-400/50"
+                >— fits in available memory</span
+              >
+            </div>
+          {/if}
+          {#each recommendedGroups as group}
             <ModelPickerGroup
               {group}
               isExpanded={expandedGroups.has(group.id)}
@@ -853,6 +918,34 @@
               {onToggleFavorite}
               onShowInfo={(g) => (infoGroup = g)}
               downloadStatusMap={getVariantDownloadMap(group)}
+              {instanceStatuses}
+            />
+          {/each}
+          <!-- Other models -->
+          {#if otherGroups.length > 0 && recommendedGroups.length > 0 && !searchQuery.trim()}
+            <div
+              class="sticky top-0 z-10 flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 bg-exo-dark-gray/80 border-y border-exo-medium-gray/20 backdrop-blur-sm"
+            >
+              <span
+                class="text-xs font-mono text-white/40 tracking-wider uppercase"
+                >Other models</span
+              >
+            </div>
+          {/if}
+          {#each otherGroups as group}
+            <ModelPickerGroup
+              {group}
+              isExpanded={expandedGroups.has(group.id)}
+              isFavorite={favorites.has(group.id)}
+              {selectedModelId}
+              {canModelFit}
+              {getModelFitStatus}
+              onToggleExpand={() => toggleGroupExpanded(group.id)}
+              onSelectModel={handleSelect}
+              {onToggleFavorite}
+              onShowInfo={(g) => (infoGroup = g)}
+              downloadStatusMap={getVariantDownloadMap(group)}
+              {instanceStatuses}
             />
           {/each}
         {/if}
@@ -875,6 +968,11 @@
             >Downloaded</span
           >
         {/if}
+        {#if filters.readyOnly}
+          <span class="px-1.5 py-0.5 bg-green-500/20 text-green-400 rounded"
+            >Ready</span
+          >
+        {/if}
         {#if filters.sizeRange}
           <span class="px-1.5 py-0.5 bg-exo-yellow/20 text-exo-yellow rounded">
             {filters.sizeRange.min}GB - {filters.sizeRange.max}GB

dashboard/src/lib/components/ToastContainer.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  import { toasts, dismissToast, type Toast } from "$lib/stores/toast.svelte";
+  import { fly, fade } from "svelte/transition";
+  import { flip } from "svelte/animate";
+
+  const items = $derived(toasts());
+
+  const typeStyles: Record<
+    Toast["type"],
+    { border: string; icon: string; iconColor: string }
+  > = {
+    success: {
+      border: "border-l-green-500",
+      icon: "M9 12.75L11.25 15 15 9.75M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z",
+      iconColor: "text-green-400",
+    },
+    error: {
+      border: "border-l-red-500",
+      icon: "M12 9v3.75m9-.75a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0zm-9 3.75h.008v.008H12v-.008z",
+      iconColor: "text-red-400",
+    },
+    warning: {
+      border: "border-l-yellow-500",
+      icon: "M12 9v3.75m-9.303 3.376c-.866 1.5.217 3.374 1.948 3.374h14.71c1.73 0 2.813-1.874 1.948-3.374L13.949 3.378c-.866-1.5-3.032-1.5-3.898 0L2.697 16.126z",
+      iconColor: "text-yellow-400",
+    },
+    info: {
+      border: "border-l-blue-500",
+      icon: "M11.25 11.25l.041-.02a.75.75 0 011.063.852l-.708 2.836a.75.75 0 001.063.853l.041-.021M21 12a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0zm-9-3.75h.008v.008H12V8.25z",
+      iconColor: "text-blue-400",
+    },
+  };
+</script>
+
+{#if items.length > 0}
+  <div
+    class="fixed bottom-6 right-6 z-[9999] flex flex-col gap-2 pointer-events-none"
+    role="log"
+    aria-live="polite"
+    aria-label="Notifications"
+  >
+    {#each items as toast (toast.id)}
+      {@const style = typeStyles[toast.type]}
+      <div
+        class="pointer-events-auto max-w-sm w-80 bg-exo-dark-gray/95 backdrop-blur-sm border border-exo-medium-gray/60 border-l-[3px] {style.border} rounded shadow-lg shadow-black/40"
+        in:fly={{ x: 80, duration: 250 }}
+        out:fade={{ duration: 150 }}
+        animate:flip={{ duration: 200 }}
+        role="alert"
+      >
+        <div class="flex items-start gap-3 px-4 py-3">
+          <!-- Icon -->
+          <svg
+            class="w-5 h-5 flex-shrink-0 mt-0.5 {style.iconColor}"
+            fill="none"
+            viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+            stroke-width="1.5"
+            stroke="currentColor"
+          >
+            <path
+              stroke-linecap="round"
+              stroke-linejoin="round"
+              d={style.icon}
+            />
+          </svg>
+
+          <!-- Message -->
+          <p class="flex-1 text-sm text-white/90 font-mono leading-snug">
+            {toast.message}
+          </p>
+
+          <!-- Dismiss button -->
+          <button
+            onclick={() => dismissToast(toast.id)}
+            class="flex-shrink-0 p-0.5 text-white/40 hover:text-white/80 transition-colors cursor-pointer"
+            aria-label="Dismiss notification"
+          >
+            <svg
+              class="w-4 h-4"
+              fill="none"
+              viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+              stroke-width="2"
+              stroke="currentColor"
+            >
+              <path
+                stroke-linecap="round"
+                stroke-linejoin="round"
+                d="M6 18L18 6M6 6l12 12"
+              />
+            </svg>
+          </button>
+        </div>
+
+        <!-- Auto-dismiss progress bar -->
+        {#if toast.duration > 0}
+          <div class="h-0.5 bg-white/5 rounded-b overflow-hidden">
+            <div
+              class="h-full {style.border.replace('border-l-', 'bg-')}/60"
+              style="animation: shrink {toast.duration}ms linear forwards"
+            ></div>
+          </div>
+        {/if}
+      </div>
+    {/each}
+  </div>
+{/if}
+
+<style>
+  @keyframes shrink {
+    from {
+      width: 100%;
+    }
+    to {
+      width: 0%;
+    }
+  }
+</style>

dashboard/src/lib/components/index.ts

@@ -12,3 +12,4 @@ export { default as HuggingFaceResultItem } from "./HuggingFaceResultItem.svelte
 export { default as ModelFilterPopover } from "./ModelFilterPopover.svelte";
 export { default as ModelPickerGroup } from "./ModelPickerGroup.svelte";
 export { default as ModelPickerModal } from "./ModelPickerModal.svelte";
+export { default as ChatModelSelector } from "./ChatModelSelector.svelte";

dashboard/src/lib/stores/app.svelte.ts

@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ export interface ModelDownloadStatus {
 export interface PlacementPreview {
   model_id: string;
   sharding: "Pipeline" | "Tensor";
-  instance_meta: "MlxRing" | "MlxIbv" | "MlxJaccl";
+  instance_meta: "MlxRing" | "MlxJaccl";
   instance: unknown | null;
   memory_delta_by_node: Record<string, number> | null;
   error: string | null;
@@ -219,7 +219,6 @@ interface RawStateResponse {
     string,
     {
       MlxRingInstance?: Instance;
-      MlxIbvInstance?: Instance;
       MlxJacclInstance?: Instance;
     }
   >;
@@ -590,6 +589,12 @@ class AppStore {
   // Image editing state
   editingImage = $state<EditingImage | null>(null);
 
+  /** True when the backend is reachable. */
+  isConnected = $state<boolean>(true);
+  /** Number of consecutive fetch failures. */
+  private consecutiveFailures = 0;
+  private static readonly CONNECTION_LOST_THRESHOLD = 3;
+
   private fetchInterval: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null;
   private previewsInterval: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null;
   private lastConversationPersistTs = 0;
@@ -842,6 +847,10 @@ class AppStore {
     this.thinkingEnabled = conversation.enableThinking ?? true;
     this.refreshConversationModelFromInstances();
 
+    // Sync global selection to the loaded conversation's model so reactive
+    // effects in +page.svelte can determine the correct chat launch state.
+    this.selectedChatModel = conversation.modelId || "";
+
     return true;
   }
 
@@ -912,11 +921,7 @@ class AppStore {
 
     let instanceType: string | null = null;
     if (instanceTag === "MlxRingInstance") instanceType = "MLX Ring";
-    else if (
-      instanceTag === "MlxIbvInstance" ||
-      instanceTag === "MlxJacclInstance"
-    )
-      instanceType = "MLX RDMA";
+    else if (instanceTag === "MlxJacclInstance") instanceType = "MLX RDMA";
 
     let sharding: string | null = null;
     const inst = instance as {
@@ -1295,7 +1300,19 @@ class AppStore {
       // Thunderbolt bridge status per node
       this.nodeThunderboltBridge = data.nodeThunderboltBridge ?? {};
       this.lastUpdate = Date.now();
+      // Connection recovered
+      if (!this.isConnected) {
+        this.isConnected = true;
+      }
+      this.consecutiveFailures = 0;
     } catch (error) {
+      this.consecutiveFailures++;
+      if (
+        this.consecutiveFailures >= AppStore.CONNECTION_LOST_THRESHOLD &&
+        this.isConnected
+      ) {
+        this.isConnected = false;
+      }
       console.error("Error fetching state:", error);
     }
   }
@@ -1836,7 +1853,7 @@ class AppStore {
           assistantMessage.id,
           (msg) => {
             msg.content =
-              "Error: No model available. Please launch an instance first.";
+              "No model is loaded yet. Select a model from the sidebar to get started — it will download and load automatically.";
           },
         );
         this.syncActiveMessagesIfNeeded(targetConversationId);
@@ -2307,7 +2324,7 @@ class AppStore {
       const modelToUse = this.getModelForRequest();
       if (!modelToUse) {
         throw new Error(
-          "No model selected and no running instances available. Please launch an instance first.",
+          "No model is loaded yet. Select a model from the sidebar to get started — it will download and load automatically.",
         );
       }
 
@@ -3250,6 +3267,9 @@ export const setChatSidebarVisible = (visible: boolean) =>
   appStore.setChatSidebarVisible(visible);
 export const refreshState = () => appStore.fetchState();
 
+// Connection status
+export const isConnected = () => appStore.isConnected;
+
 // Node identities (for OS version mismatch detection)
 export const nodeIdentities = () => appStore.nodeIdentities;
 

dashboard/src/lib/stores/toast.svelte.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+/**
+ * Toast notification store - Global notification system for the EXO dashboard.
+ *
+ * Usage:
+ *   import { addToast, dismissToast, toasts } from "$lib/stores/toast.svelte";
+ *   addToast({ type: "success", message: "Model launched" });
+ *   addToast({ type: "error", message: "Connection lost", persistent: true });
+ */
+
+type ToastType = "success" | "error" | "warning" | "info";
+
+export interface Toast {
+  id: string;
+  type: ToastType;
+  message: string;
+  /** Auto-dismiss after this many ms. 0 = persistent (must be dismissed manually). */
+  duration: number;
+  createdAt: number;
+}
+
+interface ToastInput {
+  type: ToastType;
+  message: string;
+  /** If true, toast stays until manually dismissed. Default: false. */
+  persistent?: boolean;
+  /** Auto-dismiss duration in ms. Default: 4000 for success/info, 6000 for error/warning. */
+  duration?: number;
+}
+
+const DEFAULT_DURATIONS: Record<ToastType, number> = {
+  success: 4000,
+  info: 4000,
+  warning: 6000,
+  error: 6000,
+};
+
+let toastList = $state<Toast[]>([]);
+const timers = new Map<string, ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>>();
+
+function generateId(): string {
+  return `toast-${Date.now()}-${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 8)}`;
+}
+
+export function addToast(input: ToastInput): string {
+  const id = generateId();
+  const duration = input.persistent
+    ? 0
+    : (input.duration ?? DEFAULT_DURATIONS[input.type]);
+
+  const toast: Toast = {
+    id,
+    type: input.type,
+    message: input.message,
+    duration,
+    createdAt: Date.now(),
+  };
+
+  toastList = [...toastList, toast];
+
+  if (duration > 0) {
+    const timer = setTimeout(() => dismissToast(id), duration);
+    timers.set(id, timer);
+  }
+
+  return id;
+}
+
+export function dismissToast(id: string): void {
+  const timer = timers.get(id);
+  if (timer) {
+    clearTimeout(timer);
+    timers.delete(id);
+  }
+  toastList = toastList.filter((t) => t.id !== id);
+}
+
+/** Dismiss all toasts matching a message (useful for dedup). */
+export function dismissByMessage(message: string): void {
+  const matching = toastList.filter((t) => t.message === message);
+  for (const t of matching) {
+    dismissToast(t.id);
+  }
+}
+
+export function toasts(): Toast[] {
+  return toastList;
+}

dashboard/src/routes/+layout.svelte

@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import "../app.css";
+  import ToastContainer from "$lib/components/ToastContainer.svelte";
+  import ConnectionBanner from "$lib/components/ConnectionBanner.svelte";
 
   let { children } = $props();
 </script>
@@ -10,5 +12,7 @@
 </svelte:head>
 
 <div class="min-h-screen bg-background text-foreground">
+  <ConnectionBanner />
   {@render children?.()}
+  <ToastContainer />
 </div>

dashboard/src/routes/downloads/+page.svelte

@@ -29,7 +29,12 @@
         etaMs: number;
         modelDirectory?: string;
       }
-    | { kind: "pending"; modelDirectory?: string }
+    | {
+        kind: "pending";
+        downloaded: number;
+        total: number;
+        modelDirectory?: string;
+      }
     | { kind: "failed"; modelDirectory?: string }
     | { kind: "not_present" };
 
@@ -255,7 +260,20 @@
           } else if (tag === "DownloadFailed") {
             cell = { kind: "failed", modelDirectory };
           } else {
-            cell = { kind: "pending", modelDirectory };
+            const downloaded = getBytes(
+              payload.downloaded ??
+                payload.downloaded_bytes ??
+                payload.downloadedBytes,
+            );
+            const total = getBytes(
+              payload.total ?? payload.total_bytes ?? payload.totalBytes,
+            );
+            cell = {
+              kind: "pending",
+              downloaded,
+              total,
+              modelDirectory,
+            };
           }
 
           const existing = row.cells[nodeId];
@@ -265,14 +283,51 @@
         }
       }
 
+      function rowSortKey(row: ModelRow): number {
+        // in progress (4) -> completed (3) -> paused (2) -> not started (1) -> not present (0)
+        let best = 0;
+        for (const cell of Object.values(row.cells)) {
+          let score = 0;
+          if (cell.kind === "downloading") score = 4;
+          else if (cell.kind === "completed") score = 3;
+          else if (cell.kind === "pending" && cell.downloaded > 0)
+            score = 2; // paused
+          else if (cell.kind === "pending" || cell.kind === "failed") score = 1; // not started
+          if (score > best) best = score;
+        }
+        return best;
+      }
+
+      function totalCompletedBytes(row: ModelRow): number {
+        let total = 0;
+        for (const cell of Object.values(row.cells)) {
+          if (cell.kind === "completed") total += cell.totalBytes;
+        }
+        return total;
+      }
+
       const rows = Array.from(rowMap.values()).sort((a, b) => {
-        const aCompleted = Object.values(a.cells).filter(
-          (c) => c.kind === "completed",
-        ).length;
-        const bCompleted = Object.values(b.cells).filter(
-          (c) => c.kind === "completed",
-        ).length;
-        if (aCompleted !== bCompleted) return bCompleted - aCompleted;
+        const aPriority = rowSortKey(a);
+        const bPriority = rowSortKey(b);
+        if (aPriority !== bPriority) return bPriority - aPriority;
+        // Within completed or paused, sort by biggest size first
+        if (aPriority === 3 && bPriority === 3) {
+          const sizeDiff = totalCompletedBytes(b) - totalCompletedBytes(a);
+          if (sizeDiff !== 0) return sizeDiff;
+        }
+        if (aPriority === 2 && bPriority === 2) {
+          const aSize = Math.max(
+            ...Object.values(a.cells).map((c) =>
+              c.kind === "pending" ? c.total : 0,
+            ),
+          );
+          const bSize = Math.max(
+            ...Object.values(b.cells).map((c) =>
+              c.kind === "pending" ? c.total : 0,
+            ),
+          );
+          if (aSize !== bSize) return bSize - aSize;
+        }
         return a.modelId.localeCompare(b.modelId);
       });
 
@@ -357,7 +412,7 @@
                   <div>{col.label}</div>
                   {#if col.diskAvailable != null}
                     <div
-                      class="text-[9px] text-exo-light-gray/60 normal-case tracking-normal mt-0.5"
+                      class="text-[9px] text-white/70 normal-case tracking-normal mt-0.5"
                     >
                       {formatBytes(col.diskAvailable)} free
                     </div>
@@ -381,7 +436,7 @@
                       </div>
                       {#if row.prettyName}
                         <div
-                          class="text-[10px] text-exo-light-gray/60"
+                          class="text-[10px] text-white/60"
                           title={row.modelId}
                         >
                           {row.modelId}
@@ -395,7 +450,7 @@
                       title="View model details"
                     >
                       <svg
-                        class="w-4 h-4 text-white/30 hover:text-white/60"
+                        class="w-4 h-4 text-white/60 hover:text-white/80"
                         viewBox="0 0 24 24"
                         fill="currentColor"
                       >
@@ -414,11 +469,11 @@
                   <td class="px-4 py-3 text-center align-middle">
                     {#if cell.kind === "completed"}
                       <div
-                        class="flex flex-col items-center gap-0.5"
+                        class="flex flex-col items-center gap-1"
                         title="Completed ({formatBytes(cell.totalBytes)})"
                       >
                         <svg
-                          class="w-5 h-5 text-green-400"
+                          class="w-7 h-7 text-green-400"
                           viewBox="0 0 20 20"
                           fill="currentColor"
                         >
@@ -428,18 +483,18 @@
                             clip-rule="evenodd"
                           ></path>
                         </svg>
-                        <span class="text-[10px] text-exo-light-gray/70"
+                        <span class="text-xs text-white/70"
                           >{formatBytes(cell.totalBytes)}</span
                         >
                         <button
                           type="button"
-                          class="text-exo-light-gray/40 hover:text-red-400 transition-colors mt-0.5"
+                          class="text-white/50 hover:text-red-400 transition-colors mt-0.5 cursor-pointer"
                           onclick={() =>
                             deleteDownload(col.nodeId, row.modelId)}
                           title="Delete from this node"
                         >
                           <svg
-                            class="w-3.5 h-3.5"
+                            class="w-5 h-5"
                             viewBox="0 0 20 20"
                             fill="none"
                             stroke="currentColor"
@@ -462,11 +517,11 @@
                           cell.speed,
                         )} - ETA {formatEta(cell.etaMs)}"
                       >
-                        <span class="text-exo-yellow text-xs font-medium"
+                        <span class="text-exo-yellow text-sm font-medium"
                           >{clampPercent(cell.percentage).toFixed(1)}%</span
                         >
                         <div
-                          class="w-14 h-1.5 bg-exo-black/60 rounded-sm overflow-hidden"
+                          class="w-16 h-2 bg-exo-black/60 rounded-sm overflow-hidden"
                         >
                           <div
                             class="h-full bg-gradient-to-r from-exo-yellow to-exo-yellow/70 transition-all duration-300"
@@ -475,24 +530,93 @@
                             ).toFixed(1)}%"
                           ></div>
                         </div>
-                        <span class="text-[9px] text-exo-light-gray/60"
+                        <span class="text-[10px] text-white/70"
                           >{formatSpeed(cell.speed)}</span
                         >
                       </div>
                     {:else if cell.kind === "pending"}
                       <div
-                        class="flex flex-col items-center gap-0.5"
-                        title="Download pending"
+                        class="flex flex-col items-center gap-1"
+                        title={cell.downloaded > 0
+                          ? `${formatBytes(cell.downloaded)} / ${formatBytes(cell.total)} downloaded (paused)`
+                          : "Download pending"}
                       >
-                        <span class="text-exo-light-gray/50 text-sm">...</span>
+                        {#if cell.downloaded > 0 && cell.total > 0}
+                          <span class="text-white/70 text-xs"
+                            >{formatBytes(cell.downloaded)} / {formatBytes(
+                              cell.total,
+                            )}</span
+                          >
+                          <div
+                            class="w-full h-1.5 bg-white/10 rounded-full overflow-hidden"
+                          >
+                            <div
+                              class="h-full bg-exo-light-gray/40 rounded-full"
+                              style="width: {(
+                                (cell.downloaded / cell.total) *
+                                100
+                              ).toFixed(1)}%"
+                            ></div>
+                          </div>
+                          {#if row.shardMetadata}
+                            <button
+                              type="button"
+                              class="text-white/50 hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors cursor-pointer"
+                              onclick={() =>
+                                startDownload(col.nodeId, row.shardMetadata!)}
+                              title="Resume download on this node"
+                            >
+                              <svg
+                                class="w-5 h-5"
+                                viewBox="0 0 20 20"
+                                fill="none"
+                                stroke="currentColor"
+                                stroke-width="2"
+                              >
+                                <path
+                                  d="M10 3v10m0 0l-3-3m3 3l3-3M3 17h14"
+                                  stroke-linecap="round"
+                                  stroke-linejoin="round"
+                                ></path>
+                              </svg>
+                            </button>
+                          {:else}
+                            <span class="text-white/50 text-[10px]">paused</span
+                            >
+                          {/if}
+                        {:else if row.shardMetadata}
+                          <button
+                            type="button"
+                            class="text-white/50 hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors cursor-pointer"
+                            onclick={() =>
+                              startDownload(col.nodeId, row.shardMetadata!)}
+                            title="Start download on this node"
+                          >
+                            <svg
+                              class="w-6 h-6"
+                              viewBox="0 0 20 20"
+                              fill="none"
+                              stroke="currentColor"
+                              stroke-width="2"
+                            >
+                              <path
+                                d="M10 3v10m0 0l-3-3m3 3l3-3M3 17h14"
+                                stroke-linecap="round"
+                                stroke-linejoin="round"
+                              ></path>
+                            </svg>
+                          </button>
+                        {:else}
+                          <span class="text-white/40 text-sm">...</span>
+                        {/if}
                       </div>
                     {:else if cell.kind === "failed"}
                       <div
-                        class="flex flex-col items-center gap-0.5"
+                        class="flex flex-col items-center gap-1"
                         title="Download failed"
                       >
                         <svg
-                          class="w-5 h-5 text-red-400"
+                          class="w-7 h-7 text-red-400"
                           viewBox="0 0 20 20"
                           fill="currentColor"
                         >
@@ -505,13 +629,13 @@
                         {#if row.shardMetadata}
                           <button
                             type="button"
-                            class="text-exo-light-gray/40 hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors"
+                            class="text-white/50 hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors cursor-pointer"
                             onclick={() =>
                               startDownload(col.nodeId, row.shardMetadata!)}
                             title="Retry download on this node"
                           >
                             <svg
-                              class="w-3.5 h-3.5"
+                              class="w-5 h-5"
                               viewBox="0 0 20 20"
                               fill="none"
                               stroke="currentColor"
@@ -537,13 +661,13 @@
                         {#if row.shardMetadata}
                           <button
                             type="button"
-                            class="text-exo-light-gray/30 hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors mt-0.5 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100"
+                            class="text-white/50 hover:text-exo-yellow transition-colors mt-0.5 opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 cursor-pointer"
                             onclick={() =>
                               startDownload(col.nodeId, row.shardMetadata!)}
                             title="Download to this node"
                           >
                             <svg
-                              class="w-3.5 h-3.5"
+                              class="w-5 h-5"
                               viewBox="0 0 20 20"
                               fill="none"
                               stroke="currentColor"

nix/mlx.nix

@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ let
 
   mlx = stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
     pname = "mlx";
-    version = let v = "0.30.7.dev20260218+14841977"; in
+    version = let v = "0.30.7.dev20260225+257d5692"; in
       assert v == uvLockMlxVersion || throw "MLX version mismatch: nix/mlx.nix has ${v} but uv.lock has ${uvLockMlxVersion}. Update both the version and hash in nix/mlx.nix.";
       v;
     pyproject = true;
@@ -49,8 +49,8 @@ let
     src = fetchFromGitHub {
       owner = "rltakashige";
       repo = "mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv";
-      rev = "1484197707f35186ad3bd614357c7c47fdf86ebc";
-      hash = "sha256-FupCMoK/SF/ldfKuvMSAKECcOP8c+ANgkQlPZttDsLk=";
+      rev = "257d5692fc7af6bba3b8afaeb63c549b7d1e43d5";
+      hash = "sha256-GosFIWxIB48Egb1MqJrR3xhsUsQeWdRk5rV93USY6wQ=";
     };
 
     patches = [

packaging/dmg/create-dmg.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# create-dmg.sh — Build a polished macOS DMG installer for EXO
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ./packaging/dmg/create-dmg.sh <app-path> <output-dmg> [volume-name]
+#
+# Example:
+#   ./packaging/dmg/create-dmg.sh output/EXO.app EXO-1.0.0.dmg "EXO"
+#
+# Creates a DMG with:
+#   - Custom background image with drag-to-Applications arrow
+#   - App icon on left, Applications alias on right
+#   - Proper window size and icon positioning
+set -euo pipefail
+
+APP_PATH="${1:?Usage: create-dmg.sh <app-path> <output-dmg> [volume-name]}"
+OUTPUT_DMG="${2:?Usage: create-dmg.sh <app-path> <output-dmg> [volume-name]}"
+VOLUME_NAME="${3:-EXO}"
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
+BACKGROUND_SCRIPT="${SCRIPT_DIR}/generate-background.py"
+TEMP_DIR="$(mktemp -d)"
+DMG_STAGING="${TEMP_DIR}/dmg-root"
+TEMP_DMG="${TEMP_DIR}/temp.dmg"
+BACKGROUND_PNG="${TEMP_DIR}/background.png"
+
+cleanup() { rm -rf "$TEMP_DIR"; }
+trap cleanup EXIT
+
+echo "==> Creating DMG installer for ${VOLUME_NAME}"
+
+# ── Step 1: Generate background image ────────────────────────────────────────
+if command -v python3 &>/dev/null; then
+  python3 "$BACKGROUND_SCRIPT" "$BACKGROUND_PNG"
+  echo "    Background image generated"
+else
+  echo "    Warning: python3 not found, skipping custom background"
+  BACKGROUND_PNG=""
+fi
+
+# ── Step 2: Prepare staging directory ─────────────────────────────────────────
+mkdir -p "$DMG_STAGING"
+cp -R "$APP_PATH" "$DMG_STAGING/"
+ln -s /Applications "$DMG_STAGING/Applications"
+
+# ── Step 3: Create writable DMG ──────────────────────────────────────────────
+# Calculate required size (app size + 20MB headroom)
+APP_SIZE_KB=$(du -sk "$APP_PATH" | cut -f1)
+DMG_SIZE_KB=$((APP_SIZE_KB + 20480))
+
+hdiutil create \
+  -volname "$VOLUME_NAME" \
+  -size "${DMG_SIZE_KB}k" \
+  -fs HFS+ \
+  -layout SPUD \
+  "$TEMP_DMG"
+
+# ── Step 4: Mount and configure ──────────────────────────────────────────────
+MOUNT_DIR=$(hdiutil attach "$TEMP_DMG" -readwrite -noverify | awk -F'\t' '/Apple_HFS/ {gsub(/^[[:space:]]+|[[:space:]]+$/, "", $NF); print $NF}')
+echo "    Mounted at: $MOUNT_DIR"
+
+# Copy contents
+cp -R "$DMG_STAGING/"* "$MOUNT_DIR/"
+
+# Add background image
+if [[ -n $BACKGROUND_PNG && -f $BACKGROUND_PNG ]]; then
+  mkdir -p "$MOUNT_DIR/.background"
+  cp "$BACKGROUND_PNG" "$MOUNT_DIR/.background/background.png"
+fi
+
+# ── Step 5: Configure window appearance via AppleScript ──────────────────────
+# Window: 800×400, app icon on left, Applications on right (matches Ollama layout)
+# Background image is 1600×740 (2× retina for 800×400 logical window).
+APP_NAME="$(basename "$APP_PATH")"
+
+osascript <<APPLESCRIPT
+tell application "Finder"
+    tell disk "$VOLUME_NAME"
+        open
+        set current view of container window to icon view
+        set toolbar visible of container window to false
+        set statusbar visible of container window to false
+        set bounds of container window to {200, 120, 1000, 520}
+        set opts to icon view options of container window
+        set icon size of opts to 128
+        set text size of opts to 12
+        set arrangement of opts to not arranged
+        if exists file ".background:background.png" then
+            set background picture of opts to file ".background:background.png"
+        end if
+        set position of item "$APP_NAME" of container window to {200, 190}
+        set position of item "Applications" of container window to {600, 190}
+        close
+        open
+        update without registering applications
+        delay 1
+        close
+    end tell
+end tell
+APPLESCRIPT
+
+echo "    Window layout configured"
+
+# Ensure Finder updates are flushed
+sync
+
+# ── Step 6: Finalise ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+hdiutil detach "$MOUNT_DIR" -quiet
+hdiutil convert "$TEMP_DMG" -format UDZO -imagekey zlib-level=9 -o "$OUTPUT_DMG"
+
+echo "==> DMG created: $OUTPUT_DMG"
+echo "    Size: $(du -h "$OUTPUT_DMG" | cut -f1)"

packaging/dmg/generate-background.py

@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Generate the DMG background image with a centered drag-to-Applications arrow.
+
+The output is a 1600×740 retina PNG (2× for 800×400 logical window).
+Icons are positioned at (200, 190) and (600, 190) in logical coordinates;
+the arrow is drawn centered between them.
+
+Usage:
+    python3 generate-background.py [output.png]
+
+If no output path is given, overwrites the bundled background.png in-place.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import math
+import sys
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from PIL import Image, ImageDraw
+
+# Retina dimensions (2× logical 800×400)
+WIDTH = 1600
+HEIGHT = 740
+
+# Icon positions in logical coords → retina coords
+# App icon at (200, 190), Applications at (600, 190)
+APP_X = 200 * 2  # 400
+APPS_X = 600 * 2  # 1200
+ICON_Y = 190 * 2  # 380
+
+# Arrow drawn between icons, slightly above icon center
+ARROW_START_X = APP_X + 160  # past the icon
+ARROW_END_X = APPS_X - 160  # before the Applications icon
+ARROW_Y = ICON_Y  # same height as icons
+ARROW_RISE = 120  # upward arc height
+
+
+def draw_arrow(draw: ImageDraw.ImageDraw) -> None:
+    """Draw a hand-drawn-style curved arrow from app icon toward Applications."""
+    color = (30, 30, 30)
+    line_width = 8
+
+    # Compute bezier curve points for a gentle upward arc
+    points: list[tuple[float, float]] = []
+    steps = 80
+    for i in range(steps + 1):
+        t = i / steps
+        # Quadratic bezier: start → control → end
+        cx = (ARROW_START_X + ARROW_END_X) / 2
+        cy = ARROW_Y - ARROW_RISE
+        x = (1 - t) ** 2 * ARROW_START_X + 2 * (1 - t) * t * cx + t**2 * ARROW_END_X
+        y = (1 - t) ** 2 * ARROW_Y + 2 * (1 - t) * t * cy + t**2 * ARROW_Y
+        points.append((x, y))
+
+    # Draw the curve as connected line segments
+    for i in range(len(points) - 1):
+        draw.line([points[i], points[i + 1]], fill=color, width=line_width)
+
+    # Arrowhead at the end
+    end_x, end_y = points[-1]
+    # Direction from second-to-last to last point
+    prev_x, prev_y = points[-3]
+    angle = math.atan2(end_y - prev_y, end_x - prev_x)
+    head_len = 36
+    head_angle = math.radians(25)
+
+    left_x = end_x - head_len * math.cos(angle - head_angle)
+    left_y = end_y - head_len * math.sin(angle - head_angle)
+    right_x = end_x - head_len * math.cos(angle + head_angle)
+    right_y = end_y - head_len * math.sin(angle + head_angle)
+
+    draw.polygon(
+        [(end_x, end_y), (left_x, left_y), (right_x, right_y)],
+        fill=color,
+    )
+
+
+def generate_background(output_path: str) -> None:
+    """Generate a white DMG background with a centered arrow."""
+    img = Image.new("RGBA", (WIDTH, HEIGHT), (255, 255, 255, 255))
+    draw = ImageDraw.Draw(img)
+    draw_arrow(draw)
+    img.save(output_path, "PNG")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    default_output = str(Path(__file__).parent / "background.png")
+    out = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) >= 2 else default_output
+    generate_background(out)
+    print(f"Background image written to {out}")

pyproject.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "exo"
-version = "0.3.0"
+version = "0.3.68"
 description = "Exo"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.13"

resources/inference_model_cards/mlx-community--Qwen3-Coder-Next-4bit.toml

@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ n_layers = 48
 hidden_size = 2048
 supports_tensor = true
 tasks = ["TextGeneration"]
+family = "qwen"
+quantization = "4bit"
+base_model = "Qwen3 Coder Next"
+capabilities = ["text", "code"]
 
 [storage_size]
 in_bytes = 45644286500

resources/inference_model_cards/mlx-community--Qwen3-Coder-Next-5bit.toml

@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ n_layers = 48
 hidden_size = 2048
 supports_tensor = true
 tasks = ["TextGeneration"]
+family = "qwen"
+quantization = "5bit"
+base_model = "Qwen3 Coder Next"
+capabilities = ["text", "code"]
 
 [storage_size]
 in_bytes = 57657697020

resources/inference_model_cards/mlx-community--Qwen3-Coder-Next-6bit.toml

@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ n_layers = 48
 hidden_size = 2048
 supports_tensor = true
 tasks = ["TextGeneration"]
+family = "qwen"
+quantization = "6bit"
+base_model = "Qwen3 Coder Next"
+capabilities = ["text", "code"]
 
 [storage_size]
 in_bytes = 68899327465

resources/inference_model_cards/mlx-community--Qwen3-Coder-Next-8bit.toml

@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ n_layers = 48
 hidden_size = 2048
 supports_tensor = true
 tasks = ["TextGeneration"]
+family = "qwen"
+quantization = "8bit"
+base_model = "Qwen3 Coder Next"
+capabilities = ["text", "code"]
 
 [storage_size]
 in_bytes = 89357758772

resources/inference_model_cards/mlx-community--Qwen3-Coder-Next-bf16.toml

@@ -3,6 +3,10 @@ n_layers = 48
 hidden_size = 2048
 supports_tensor = true
 tasks = ["TextGeneration"]
+family = "qwen"
+quantization = "bf16"
+base_model = "Qwen3 Coder Next"
+capabilities = ["text", "code"]
 
 [storage_size]
 in_bytes = 157548627945

rust/exo_pyo3_bindings/exo_pyo3_bindings.pyi

@@ -104,6 +104,12 @@ class NetworkingHandle:
         will sleep until a message is sent.
         """
 
+@typing.final
+class MessageTooLargeError(builtins.Exception):
+    def __new__(cls, *args: typing.Any) -> MessageTooLargeError: ...
+    def __repr__(self) -> builtins.str: ...
+    def __str__(self) -> builtins.str: ...
+
 @typing.final
 class NoPeersSubscribedToTopicError(builtins.Exception):
     def __new__(cls, *args: typing.Any) -> NoPeersSubscribedToTopicError: ...

rust/exo_pyo3_bindings/src/networking.rs

@@ -98,6 +98,37 @@ mod exception {
             Self::MSG.to_string()
         }
     }
+
+    #[gen_stub_pyclass]
+    #[pyclass(frozen, extends=PyException, name="MessageTooLargeError")]
+    pub struct PyMessageTooLargeError {}
+
+    impl PyMessageTooLargeError {
+        const MSG: &'static str = "Gossipsub message exceeds max_transmit_size. Reduce prompt length or increase the limit.";
+
+        pub(crate) fn new_err() -> PyErr {
+            PyErr::new::<Self, _>(())
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[gen_stub_pymethods]
+    #[pymethods]
+    impl PyMessageTooLargeError {
+        #[new]
+        #[pyo3(signature = (*args))]
+        #[allow(unused_variables)]
+        pub(crate) fn new(args: &Bound<'_, PyTuple>) -> Self {
+            Self {}
+        }
+
+        fn __repr__(&self) -> String {
+            format!("MessageTooLargeError(\"{}\")", Self::MSG)
+        }
+
+        fn __str__(&self) -> String {
+            Self::MSG.to_string()
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 /// Connection or disconnection event discriminant type.
@@ -200,6 +231,8 @@ async fn networking_task(
                             Err(exception::PyNoPeersSubscribedToTopicError::new_err())
                         } else if let Err(PublishError::AllQueuesFull(_)) = result {
                             Err(exception::PyAllQueuesFullError::new_err())
+                        } else if let Err(PublishError::MessageTooLarge) = result {
+                            Err(exception::PyMessageTooLargeError::new_err())
                         } else {
                             result.pyerr()
                         };
@@ -561,6 +594,7 @@ impl PyNetworkingHandle {
 pub fn networking_submodule(m: &Bound<'_, PyModule>) -> PyResult<()> {
     m.add_class::<exception::PyNoPeersSubscribedToTopicError>()?;
     m.add_class::<exception::PyAllQueuesFullError>()?;
+    m.add_class::<exception::PyMessageTooLargeError>()?;
 
     m.add_class::<PyConnectionUpdateType>()?;
     m.add_class::<PyConnectionUpdate>()?;

src/exo/download/coordinator.py

@@ -1,31 +1,33 @@
 import asyncio
-import socket
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
-from typing import Iterator
+from random import random
 
 import anyio
 from anyio import current_time
-from anyio.abc import TaskGroup
 from loguru import logger
 
 from exo.download.download_utils import (
     RepoDownloadProgress,
     delete_model,
     map_repo_download_progress_to_download_progress_data,
+    resolve_model_in_path,
 )
 from exo.download.shard_downloader import ShardDownloader
-from exo.shared.constants import EXO_MODELS_DIR
-from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId
+from exo.shared.constants import EXO_MODELS_DIR, EXO_MODELS_PATH
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId, get_model_cards
 from exo.shared.types.commands import (
     CancelDownload,
     DeleteDownload,
     ForwarderDownloadCommand,
     StartDownload,
 )
-from exo.shared.types.common import NodeId, SessionId
+from exo.shared.types.common import NodeId, SessionId, SystemId
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
     Event,
-    ForwarderEvent,
+    EventId,
+    # TODO(evan): just for acks, should delete this ASAP
+    GlobalForwarderEvent,
+    LocalForwarderEvent,
     NodeDownloadProgress,
 )
 from exo.shared.types.worker.downloads import (
@@ -35,8 +37,9 @@ from exo.shared.types.worker.downloads import (
     DownloadPending,
     DownloadProgress,
 )
-from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import ShardMetadata
+from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import PipelineShardMetadata, ShardMetadata
 from exo.utils.channels import Receiver, Sender, channel
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -45,10 +48,16 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
     session_id: SessionId
     shard_downloader: ShardDownloader
     download_command_receiver: Receiver[ForwarderDownloadCommand]
-    local_event_sender: Sender[ForwarderEvent]
-    event_index_counter: Iterator[int]
+    local_event_sender: Sender[LocalForwarderEvent]
+
+    # ack stuff
+    _global_event_receiver: Receiver[GlobalForwarderEvent]
+    _out_for_delivery: dict[EventId, LocalForwarderEvent] = field(default_factory=dict)
+
     offline: bool = False
 
+    _system_id: SystemId = field(default_factory=SystemId)
+
     # Local state
     download_status: dict[ModelId, DownloadProgress] = field(default_factory=dict)
     active_downloads: dict[ModelId, asyncio.Task[None]] = field(default_factory=dict)
@@ -56,15 +65,13 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
     # Internal event channel for forwarding (initialized in __post_init__)
     event_sender: Sender[Event] = field(init=False)
     event_receiver: Receiver[Event] = field(init=False)
-    _tg: TaskGroup = field(init=False, default_factory=anyio.create_task_group)
+    _tg: TaskGroup = field(init=False, default_factory=TaskGroup)
 
     # Per-model throttle for download progress events
     _last_progress_time: dict[ModelId, float] = field(default_factory=dict)
 
     def __post_init__(self) -> None:
         self.event_sender, self.event_receiver = channel[Event]()
-        if self.offline:
-            self.shard_downloader.set_internet_connection(False)
         self.shard_downloader.on_progress(self._download_progress_callback)
 
     def _model_dir(self, model_id: ModelId) -> str:
@@ -113,45 +120,33 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
         logger.info(
             f"Starting DownloadCoordinator{' (offline mode)' if self.offline else ''}"
         )
-        if not self.offline:
-            self._test_internet_connection()
-        async with self._tg as tg:
-            tg.start_soon(self._command_processor)
-            tg.start_soon(self._forward_events)
-            tg.start_soon(self._emit_existing_download_progress)
-            if not self.offline:
-                tg.start_soon(self._check_internet_connection)
-
-    def _test_internet_connection(self) -> None:
-        # Try multiple endpoints since some ISPs/networks block specific IPs
-        for host in ("1.1.1.1", "8.8.8.8", "1.0.0.1"):
-            try:
-                socket.create_connection((host, 443), timeout=3).close()
-                self.shard_downloader.set_internet_connection(True)
-                logger.debug(f"Internet connectivity: True (via {host})")
-                return
-            except OSError:
-                continue
-        self.shard_downloader.set_internet_connection(False)
-        logger.debug("Internet connectivity: False")
-
-    async def _check_internet_connection(self) -> None:
-        first_connection = True
-        while True:
-            await asyncio.sleep(10)
-
-            # Assume that internet connection is set to False on 443 errors.
-            if self.shard_downloader.internet_connection:
-                continue
-
-            self._test_internet_connection()
-
-            if first_connection and self.shard_downloader.internet_connection:
-                first_connection = False
-                self._tg.start_soon(self._emit_existing_download_progress)
+        try:
+            async with self._tg as tg:
+                tg.start_soon(self._command_processor)
+                tg.start_soon(self._forward_events)
+                tg.start_soon(self._emit_existing_download_progress)
+                tg.start_soon(self._resend_out_for_delivery)
+                tg.start_soon(self._clear_ofd)
+        finally:
+            for task in self.active_downloads.values():
+                task.cancel()
 
     def shutdown(self) -> None:
-        self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel()
+        self._tg.cancel_tasks()
+
+    # directly copied from worker
+    async def _resend_out_for_delivery(self) -> None:
+        # This can also be massively tightened, we should check events are at least a certain age before resending.
+        # Exponential backoff would also certainly help here.
+        while True:
+            await anyio.sleep(1 + random())
+            for event in self._out_for_delivery.copy().values():
+                await self.local_event_sender.send(event)
+
+    async def _clear_ofd(self) -> None:
+        with self._global_event_receiver as events:
+            async for event in events:
+                self._out_for_delivery.pop(event.event.event_id, None)
 
     async def _command_processor(self) -> None:
         with self.download_command_receiver as commands:
@@ -185,6 +180,25 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
                 )
                 return
 
+        # Check EXO_MODELS_PATH for pre-downloaded models
+        found_path = resolve_model_in_path(model_id)
+        if found_path is not None:
+            logger.info(
+                f"DownloadCoordinator: Model {model_id} found in EXO_MODELS_PATH at {found_path}"
+            )
+            completed = DownloadCompleted(
+                shard_metadata=shard,
+                node_id=self.node_id,
+                total=shard.model_card.storage_size,
+                model_directory=str(found_path),
+                read_only=True,
+            )
+            self.download_status[model_id] = completed
+            await self.event_sender.send(
+                NodeDownloadProgress(download_progress=completed)
+            )
+            return
+
         # Emit pending status
         progress = DownloadPending(
             shard_metadata=shard,
@@ -269,6 +283,15 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
         self.active_downloads[model_id] = task
 
     async def _delete_download(self, model_id: ModelId) -> None:
+        # Protect read-only models (from EXO_MODELS_PATH) from deletion
+        if model_id in self.download_status:
+            current = self.download_status[model_id]
+            if isinstance(current, DownloadCompleted) and current.read_only:
+                logger.warning(
+                    f"Refusing to delete read-only model {model_id} (from EXO_MODELS_PATH)"
+                )
+                return
+
         # Cancel if active
         if model_id in self.active_downloads:
             logger.info(f"Cancelling active download for {model_id} before deletion")
@@ -298,19 +321,21 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
             del self.download_status[model_id]
 
     async def _forward_events(self) -> None:
+        idx = 0
         with self.event_receiver as events:
             async for event in events:
-                idx = next(self.event_index_counter)
-                fe = ForwarderEvent(
+                fe = LocalForwarderEvent(
                     origin_idx=idx,
-                    origin=self.node_id,
+                    origin=self._system_id,
                     session=self.session_id,
                     event=event,
                 )
+                idx += 1
                 logger.debug(
                     f"DownloadCoordinator published event {idx}: {str(event)[:100]}"
                 )
                 await self.local_event_sender.send(fe)
+                self._out_for_delivery[event.event_id] = fe
 
     async def _emit_existing_download_progress(self) -> None:
         try:
@@ -345,6 +370,8 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
                                 model_directory=self._model_dir(
                                     progress.shard.model_card.model_id
                                 ),
+                                downloaded=progress.downloaded,
+                                total=progress.total,
                             )
                         else:
                             status = DownloadOngoing(
@@ -364,6 +391,39 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
                     await self.event_sender.send(
                         NodeDownloadProgress(download_progress=status)
                     )
+                # Scan EXO_MODELS_PATH for pre-downloaded models
+                if EXO_MODELS_PATH is not None:
+                    for card in await get_model_cards():
+                        mid = card.model_id
+                        if mid in self.active_downloads:
+                            continue
+                        if isinstance(
+                            self.download_status.get(mid),
+                            (DownloadCompleted, DownloadOngoing, DownloadFailed),
+                        ):
+                            continue
+                        found = resolve_model_in_path(mid)
+                        if found is not None:
+                            path_shard = PipelineShardMetadata(
+                                model_card=card,
+                                device_rank=0,
+                                world_size=1,
+                                start_layer=0,
+                                end_layer=card.n_layers,
+                                n_layers=card.n_layers,
+                            )
+                            path_completed: DownloadProgress = DownloadCompleted(
+                                node_id=self.node_id,
+                                shard_metadata=path_shard,
+                                total=card.storage_size,
+                                model_directory=str(found),
+                                read_only=True,
+                            )
+                            self.download_status[mid] = path_completed
+                            await self.event_sender.send(
+                                NodeDownloadProgress(download_progress=path_completed)
+                            )
+
                 logger.debug(
                     "DownloadCoordinator: Done emitting existing download progress."
                 )

src/exo/download/download_utils.py

@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ from huggingface_hub import (
 )
 from loguru import logger
 from pydantic import (
-    DirectoryPath,
     TypeAdapter,
 )
 
@@ -31,7 +30,7 @@ from exo.download.huggingface_utils import (
     get_hf_endpoint,
     get_hf_token,
 )
-from exo.shared.constants import EXO_MODELS_DIR
+from exo.shared.constants import EXO_MODELS_DIR, EXO_MODELS_PATH
 from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelTask
 from exo.shared.types.common import ModelId
 from exo.shared.types.memory import Memory
@@ -111,7 +110,27 @@ def map_repo_download_progress_to_download_progress_data(
     )
 
 
-def build_model_path(model_id: ModelId) -> DirectoryPath:
+def resolve_model_in_path(model_id: ModelId) -> Path | None:
+    """Search EXO_MODELS_PATH directories for a pre-existing model.
+
+    Checks each directory for the normalized name (org--model).  A candidate
+    is only returned if ``is_model_directory_complete`` confirms all weight
+    files are present.
+    """
+    if EXO_MODELS_PATH is None:
+        return None
+    normalized = model_id.normalize()
+    for search_dir in EXO_MODELS_PATH:
+        candidate = search_dir / normalized
+        if candidate.is_dir() and is_model_directory_complete(candidate):
+            return candidate
+    return None
+
+
+def build_model_path(model_id: ModelId) -> Path:
+    found = resolve_model_in_path(model_id)
+    if found is not None:
+        return found
     return EXO_MODELS_DIR / model_id.normalize()
 
 
@@ -158,6 +177,72 @@ async def seed_models(seed_dir: str | Path):
                     logger.error(traceback.format_exc())
 
 
+def _scan_model_directory(
+    model_dir: Path, recursive: bool = False
+) -> list[FileListEntry] | None:
+    """Scan a local model directory and build a file list.
+
+    Requires at least one ``*.safetensors.index.json``.  Every weight file
+    referenced by the index that is missing on disk gets ``size=None``.
+    """
+    index_files = list(model_dir.glob("**/*.safetensors.index.json"))
+    if not index_files:
+        return None
+
+    entries_by_path: dict[str, FileListEntry] = {}
+
+    if recursive:
+        for dirpath, _, filenames in os.walk(model_dir):
+            for filename in filenames:
+                if filename.endswith(".partial"):
+                    continue
+                full_path = Path(dirpath) / filename
+                rel_path = str(full_path.relative_to(model_dir))
+                entries_by_path[rel_path] = FileListEntry(
+                    type="file",
+                    path=rel_path,
+                    size=full_path.stat().st_size,
+                )
+    else:
+        for item in model_dir.iterdir():
+            if item.is_file() and not item.name.endswith(".partial"):
+                entries_by_path[item.name] = FileListEntry(
+                    type="file",
+                    path=item.name,
+                    size=item.stat().st_size,
+                )
+
+    # Add expected weight files from index that haven't been downloaded yet
+    for index_file in index_files:
+        try:
+            index_data = ModelSafetensorsIndex.model_validate_json(
+                index_file.read_text()
+            )
+            relative_dir = index_file.parent.relative_to(model_dir)
+            for filename in set(index_data.weight_map.values()):
+                rel_path = (
+                    str(relative_dir / filename)
+                    if relative_dir != Path(".")
+                    else filename
+                )
+                if rel_path not in entries_by_path:
+                    entries_by_path[rel_path] = FileListEntry(
+                        type="file",
+                        path=rel_path,
+                        size=None,
+                    )
+        except Exception:
+            continue
+
+    return list(entries_by_path.values())
+
+
+def is_model_directory_complete(model_dir: Path) -> bool:
+    """Check if a model directory contains all required weight files."""
+    file_list = _scan_model_directory(model_dir, recursive=True)
+    return file_list is not None and all(f.size is not None for f in file_list)
+
+
 async def _build_file_list_from_local_directory(
     model_id: ModelId,
     recursive: bool = False,
@@ -172,59 +257,7 @@ async def _build_file_list_from_local_directory(
     if not await aios.path.exists(model_dir):
         return None
 
-    def _scan() -> list[FileListEntry] | None:
-        index_files = list(model_dir.glob("**/*.safetensors.index.json"))
-        if not index_files:
-            return None
-
-        entries_by_path: dict[str, FileListEntry] = {}
-
-        if recursive:
-            for dirpath, _, filenames in os.walk(model_dir):
-                for filename in filenames:
-                    if filename.endswith(".partial"):
-                        continue
-                    full_path = Path(dirpath) / filename
-                    rel_path = str(full_path.relative_to(model_dir))
-                    entries_by_path[rel_path] = FileListEntry(
-                        type="file",
-                        path=rel_path,
-                        size=full_path.stat().st_size,
-                    )
-        else:
-            for item in model_dir.iterdir():
-                if item.is_file() and not item.name.endswith(".partial"):
-                    entries_by_path[item.name] = FileListEntry(
-                        type="file",
-                        path=item.name,
-                        size=item.stat().st_size,
-                    )
-
-        # Add expected weight files from index that haven't been downloaded yet
-        for index_file in index_files:
-            try:
-                index_data = ModelSafetensorsIndex.model_validate_json(
-                    index_file.read_text()
-                )
-                relative_dir = index_file.parent.relative_to(model_dir)
-                for filename in set(index_data.weight_map.values()):
-                    rel_path = (
-                        str(relative_dir / filename)
-                        if relative_dir != Path(".")
-                        else filename
-                    )
-                    if rel_path not in entries_by_path:
-                        entries_by_path[rel_path] = FileListEntry(
-                            type="file",
-                            path=rel_path,
-                            size=None,
-                        )
-            except Exception:
-                continue
-
-        return list(entries_by_path.values())
-
-    file_list = await asyncio.to_thread(_scan)
+    file_list = await asyncio.to_thread(_scan_model_directory, model_dir, recursive)
     if not file_list:
         return None
     return file_list
@@ -790,6 +823,7 @@ async def download_shard(
 
     for file in filtered_file_list:
         downloaded_bytes = await get_downloaded_size(target_dir / file.path)
+        final_file_exists = await aios.path.exists(target_dir / file.path)
         file_progress[file.path] = RepoFileDownloadProgress(
             repo_id=shard.model_card.model_id,
             repo_revision=revision,
@@ -799,7 +833,9 @@ async def download_shard(
             total=Memory.from_bytes(file.size or 0),
             speed=0,
             eta=timedelta(0),
-            status="complete" if downloaded_bytes == file.size else "not_started",
+            status="complete"
+            if final_file_exists and downloaded_bytes == file.size
+            else "not_started",
             start_time=time.time(),
         )
 

src/exo/download/impl_shard_downloader.py

@@ -15,9 +15,13 @@ from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import (
 )
 
 
-def exo_shard_downloader(max_parallel_downloads: int = 8) -> ShardDownloader:
+def exo_shard_downloader(
+    max_parallel_downloads: int = 8, offline: bool = False
+) -> ShardDownloader:
     return SingletonShardDownloader(
-        CachedShardDownloader(ResumableShardDownloader(max_parallel_downloads))
+        CachedShardDownloader(
+            ResumableShardDownloader(max_parallel_downloads, offline=offline)
+        )
     )
 
 
@@ -50,10 +54,6 @@ class SingletonShardDownloader(ShardDownloader):
         self.shard_downloader = shard_downloader
         self.active_downloads: dict[ShardMetadata, asyncio.Task[Path]] = {}
 
-    def set_internet_connection(self, value: bool) -> None:
-        self.internet_connection = value
-        self.shard_downloader.set_internet_connection(value)
-
     def on_progress(
         self,
         callback: Callable[[ShardMetadata, RepoDownloadProgress], Awaitable[None]],
@@ -90,10 +90,6 @@ class CachedShardDownloader(ShardDownloader):
         self.shard_downloader = shard_downloader
         self.cache: dict[tuple[str, ShardMetadata], Path] = {}
 
-    def set_internet_connection(self, value: bool) -> None:
-        self.internet_connection = value
-        self.shard_downloader.set_internet_connection(value)
-
     def on_progress(
         self,
         callback: Callable[[ShardMetadata, RepoDownloadProgress], Awaitable[None]],
@@ -123,8 +119,9 @@ class CachedShardDownloader(ShardDownloader):
 
 
 class ResumableShardDownloader(ShardDownloader):
-    def __init__(self, max_parallel_downloads: int = 8):
+    def __init__(self, max_parallel_downloads: int = 8, offline: bool = False):
         self.max_parallel_downloads = max_parallel_downloads
+        self.offline = offline
         self.on_progress_callbacks: list[
             Callable[[ShardMetadata, RepoDownloadProgress], Awaitable[None]]
         ] = []
@@ -151,8 +148,7 @@ class ResumableShardDownloader(ShardDownloader):
             self.on_progress_wrapper,
             max_parallel_downloads=self.max_parallel_downloads,
             allow_patterns=allow_patterns,
-            skip_internet=not self.internet_connection,
-            on_connection_lost=lambda: self.set_internet_connection(False),
+            skip_internet=self.offline,
         )
         return target_dir
 
@@ -168,8 +164,7 @@ class ResumableShardDownloader(ShardDownloader):
                 shard,
                 self.on_progress_wrapper,
                 skip_download=True,
-                skip_internet=not self.internet_connection,
-                on_connection_lost=lambda: self.set_internet_connection(False),
+                skip_internet=self.offline,
             )
 
         semaphore = asyncio.Semaphore(self.max_parallel_downloads)
@@ -198,7 +193,6 @@ class ResumableShardDownloader(ShardDownloader):
             shard,
             self.on_progress_wrapper,
             skip_download=True,
-            skip_internet=not self.internet_connection,
-            on_connection_lost=lambda: self.set_internet_connection(False),
+            skip_internet=self.offline,
         )
         return progress

src/exo/download/shard_downloader.py

@@ -16,11 +16,6 @@ from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import (
 
 # TODO: the PipelineShardMetadata getting reinstantiated is a bit messy. Should this be a classmethod?
 class ShardDownloader(ABC):
-    internet_connection: bool = False
-
-    def set_internet_connection(self, value: bool) -> None:
-        self.internet_connection = value
-
     @abstractmethod
     async def ensure_shard(
         self, shard: ShardMetadata, config_only: bool = False

src/exo/download/tests/test_coordinator_ack.py

@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+from typing import Any
+
+import anyio
+import pytest
+
+from exo.download.coordinator import DownloadCoordinator
+from exo.download.shard_downloader import NoopShardDownloader
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelCard, ModelTask
+from exo.shared.types.common import ModelId, NodeId, SessionId
+from exo.shared.types.events import (
+    GlobalForwarderEvent,
+    LocalForwarderEvent,
+    NodeDownloadProgress,
+)
+from exo.shared.types.memory import Memory
+from exo.shared.types.worker.downloads import (
+    DownloadPending,
+)
+from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import PipelineShardMetadata
+from exo.utils.channels import channel
+
+# Use the built‑in NoopShardDownloader directly – it already implements the required abstract interface.
+# No additional subclass is needed for this test.
+
+
+@pytest.mark.anyio
+async def test_ack_behaviour():
+    # Create channels (type Any for simplicity)
+    _, command_receiver = channel[Any]()
+    local_sender, _ = channel[Any]()
+    global_sender, global_receiver = channel[Any]()
+
+    # Minimal identifiers
+    node_id = NodeId()
+    session_id = SessionId(master_node_id=node_id, election_clock=0)
+
+    # Create a dummy model card and shard metadata
+    model_id = ModelId("test/model")
+    model_card = ModelCard(
+        model_id=model_id,
+        storage_size=Memory.from_bytes(0),
+        n_layers=1,
+        hidden_size=1,
+        supports_tensor=True,
+        tasks=[ModelTask.TextGeneration],
+    )
+    shard = PipelineShardMetadata(
+        model_card=model_card,
+        device_rank=0,
+        world_size=1,
+        start_layer=0,
+        end_layer=1,
+        n_layers=1,
+    )
+
+    # Instantiate the coordinator with the dummy downloader
+    coord = DownloadCoordinator(
+        node_id=node_id,
+        session_id=session_id,
+        shard_downloader=NoopShardDownloader(),
+        download_command_receiver=command_receiver,
+        local_event_sender=local_sender,
+        _global_event_receiver=global_receiver,
+    )
+
+    async with anyio.create_task_group() as tg:
+        # Start the forwarding and ack‑clearing loops
+        tg.start_soon(coord._forward_events)  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage]
+        tg.start_soon(coord._clear_ofd)  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage]
+
+        # Send a pending download progress event via the internal event sender
+        pending = DownloadPending(
+            node_id=node_id,
+            shard_metadata=shard,
+            model_directory="/tmp/model",
+        )
+        await coord.event_sender.send(NodeDownloadProgress(download_progress=pending))
+        # Allow the forwarder to process the event
+        await anyio.sleep(0.1)
+
+        # There should be exactly one entry awaiting ACK
+        assert len(coord._out_for_delivery) == 1  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage]
+        # Retrieve the stored LocalForwarderEvent
+        stored_fe: LocalForwarderEvent = next(iter(coord._out_for_delivery.values()))  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage]
+        # Simulate receiving a global ack for this event
+        ack = GlobalForwarderEvent(
+            origin_idx=0,
+            origin=node_id,
+            session=session_id,
+            event=stored_fe.event,
+        )
+        await global_sender.send(ack)
+        # Give the clear‑ofd task a moment to process the ack
+        await anyio.sleep(0.1)
+        # The out‑for‑delivery map should now be empty
+        assert len(coord._out_for_delivery) == 0  # pyright: ignore[reportPrivateUsage]
+        # Cancel background tasks
+        tg.cancel_scope.cancel()

src/exo/main.py

@@ -1,14 +1,12 @@
 import argparse
-import itertools
 import multiprocessing as mp
 import os
 import resource
 import signal
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
-from typing import Iterator, Self
+from typing import Self
 
 import anyio
-from anyio.abc import TaskGroup
 from loguru import logger
 from pydantic import PositiveInt
 
@@ -24,6 +22,7 @@ from exo.shared.logging import logger_cleanup, logger_setup
 from exo.shared.types.common import NodeId, SessionId
 from exo.utils.channels import Receiver, channel
 from exo.utils.pydantic_ext import CamelCaseModel
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 from exo.worker.main import Worker
 
 
@@ -38,12 +37,11 @@ class Node:
     api: API | None
 
     node_id: NodeId
-    event_index_counter: Iterator[int]
     offline: bool
-    _tg: TaskGroup = field(init=False, default_factory=anyio.create_task_group)
+    _tg: TaskGroup = field(init=False, default_factory=TaskGroup)
 
     @classmethod
-    async def create(cls, args: "Args") -> "Self":
+    async def create(cls, args: "Args") -> Self:
         keypair = get_node_id_keypair()
         node_id = NodeId(keypair.to_node_id())
         session_id = SessionId(master_node_id=node_id, election_clock=0)
@@ -57,19 +55,17 @@ class Node:
 
         logger.info(f"Starting node {node_id}")
 
-        # Create shared event index counter for Worker and DownloadCoordinator
-        event_index_counter = itertools.count()
-
         # Create DownloadCoordinator (unless --no-downloads)
         if not args.no_downloads:
             download_coordinator = DownloadCoordinator(
                 node_id,
                 session_id,
-                exo_shard_downloader(),
+                exo_shard_downloader(offline=args.offline),
                 download_command_receiver=router.receiver(topics.DOWNLOAD_COMMANDS),
                 local_event_sender=router.sender(topics.LOCAL_EVENTS),
-                event_index_counter=event_index_counter,
                 offline=args.offline,
+                # TODO(evan): remove
+                _global_event_receiver=router.receiver(topics.GLOBAL_EVENTS),
             )
         else:
             download_coordinator = None
@@ -95,7 +91,6 @@ class Node:
                 local_event_sender=router.sender(topics.LOCAL_EVENTS),
                 command_sender=router.sender(topics.COMMANDS),
                 download_command_sender=router.sender(topics.DOWNLOAD_COMMANDS),
-                event_index_counter=event_index_counter,
             )
         else:
             worker = None
@@ -133,7 +128,6 @@ class Node:
             master,
             api,
             node_id,
-            event_index_counter,
             args.offline,
         )
 
@@ -155,11 +149,11 @@ class Node:
 
     def shutdown(self):
         # if this is our second call to shutdown, just sys.exit
-        if self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel_called:
+        if self._tg.cancel_called():
             import sys
 
             sys.exit(1)
-        self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel()
+        self._tg.cancel_tasks()
 
     async def _elect_loop(self):
         with self.election_result_receiver as results:
@@ -212,20 +206,21 @@ class Node:
                     )
                 if result.is_new_master:
                     await anyio.sleep(0)
-                    # Fresh counter for new session (buffer expects indices from 0)
-                    self.event_index_counter = itertools.count()
                     if self.download_coordinator:
                         self.download_coordinator.shutdown()
                         self.download_coordinator = DownloadCoordinator(
                             self.node_id,
                             result.session_id,
-                            exo_shard_downloader(),
+                            exo_shard_downloader(offline=self.offline),
                             download_command_receiver=self.router.receiver(
                                 topics.DOWNLOAD_COMMANDS
                             ),
                             local_event_sender=self.router.sender(topics.LOCAL_EVENTS),
-                            event_index_counter=self.event_index_counter,
                             offline=self.offline,
+                            # TODO(evan): remove
+                            _global_event_receiver=self.router.receiver(
+                                topics.GLOBAL_EVENTS
+                            ),
                         )
                         self._tg.start_soon(self.download_coordinator.run)
                     if self.worker:
@@ -242,7 +237,6 @@ class Node:
                             download_command_sender=self.router.sender(
                                 topics.DOWNLOAD_COMMANDS
                             ),
-                            event_index_counter=self.event_index_counter,
                         )
                         self._tg.start_soon(self.worker.run)
                     if self.api:
@@ -258,7 +252,7 @@ def main():
     target = min(max(soft, 65535), hard)
     resource.setrlimit(resource.RLIMIT_NOFILE, (target, hard))
 
-    mp.set_start_method("spawn")
+    mp.set_start_method("spawn", force=True)
     # TODO: Refactor the current verbosity system
     logger_setup(EXO_LOG, args.verbosity)
     logger.info("Starting EXO")
@@ -276,9 +270,16 @@ def main():
         logger.info("FAST_SYNCH forced OFF")
 
     node = anyio.run(Node.create, args)
-    anyio.run(node.run)
-    logger.info("EXO Shutdown complete")
-    logger_cleanup()
+    try:
+        anyio.run(node.run)
+    except BaseException as exception:
+        logger.opt(exception=exception).critical(
+            "EXO terminated due to unhandled exception"
+        )
+        raise
+    finally:
+        logger.info("EXO Shutdown complete")
+        logger_cleanup()
 
 
 class Args(CamelCaseModel):
@@ -289,7 +290,7 @@ class Args(CamelCaseModel):
     tb_only: bool = False
     no_worker: bool = False
     no_downloads: bool = False
-    offline: bool = False
+    offline: bool = os.getenv("EXO_OFFLINE", "false").lower() == "true"
     fast_synch: bool | None = None  # None = auto, True = force on, False = force off
 
     @classmethod
@@ -340,6 +341,7 @@ class Args(CamelCaseModel):
         parser.add_argument(
             "--offline",
             action="store_true",
+            default=os.getenv("EXO_OFFLINE", "false").lower() == "true",
             help="Run in offline/air-gapped mode: skip internet checks, use only pre-staged local models",
         )
         fast_synch_group = parser.add_mutually_exclusive_group()

src/exo/master/api.py

@@ -11,8 +11,7 @@ from typing import Annotated, Literal, cast
 from uuid import uuid4
 
 import anyio
-from anyio import BrokenResourceError, create_task_group
-from anyio.abc import TaskGroup
+from anyio import BrokenResourceError
 from fastapi import FastAPI, File, Form, HTTPException, Query, Request, UploadFile
 from fastapi.middleware.cors import CORSMiddleware
 from fastapi.responses import FileResponse, JSONResponse, StreamingResponse
@@ -51,6 +50,7 @@ from exo.master.placement import place_instance as get_instance_placements
 from exo.shared.apply import apply
 from exo.shared.constants import (
     DASHBOARD_DIR,
+    EXO_CACHE_HOME,
     EXO_EVENT_LOG_DIR,
     EXO_IMAGE_CACHE_DIR,
     EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE,
@@ -140,11 +140,11 @@ from exo.shared.types.commands import (
     TaskFinished,
     TextGeneration,
 )
-from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, Id, NodeId, SessionId
+from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, Id, NodeId, SessionId, SystemId
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
     ChunkGenerated,
     Event,
-    ForwarderEvent,
+    GlobalForwarderEvent,
     IndexedEvent,
     TracesMerged,
 )
@@ -173,8 +173,10 @@ from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import Sharding
 from exo.utils.banner import print_startup_banner
 from exo.utils.channels import Receiver, Sender, channel
 from exo.utils.event_buffer import OrderedBuffer
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 
 _API_EVENT_LOG_DIR = EXO_EVENT_LOG_DIR / "api"
+ONBOARDING_COMPLETE_FILE = EXO_CACHE_HOME / "onboarding_complete"
 
 
 def _format_to_content_type(image_format: Literal["png", "jpeg", "webp"] | None) -> str:
@@ -197,8 +199,7 @@ class API:
         session_id: SessionId,
         *,
         port: int,
-        # Ideally this would be a MasterForwarderEvent but type system says no :(
-        global_event_receiver: Receiver[ForwarderEvent],
+        global_event_receiver: Receiver[GlobalForwarderEvent],
         command_sender: Sender[ForwarderCommand],
         download_command_sender: Sender[ForwarderDownloadCommand],
         # This lets us pause the API if an election is running
@@ -206,6 +207,7 @@ class API:
     ) -> None:
         self.state = State()
         self._event_log = DiskEventLog(_API_EVENT_LOG_DIR)
+        self._system_id = SystemId()
         self.command_sender = command_sender
         self.download_command_sender = download_command_sender
         self.global_event_receiver = global_event_receiver
@@ -250,13 +252,14 @@ class API:
             CommandId, Sender[ImageChunk | ErrorChunk]
         ] = {}
         self._image_store = ImageStore(EXO_IMAGE_CACHE_DIR)
-        self._tg: TaskGroup | None = None
+        self._tg: TaskGroup = TaskGroup()
 
     def reset(self, new_session_id: SessionId, result_clock: int):
         logger.info("Resetting API State")
         self._event_log.close()
         self._event_log = DiskEventLog(_API_EVENT_LOG_DIR)
         self.state = State()
+        self._system_id = SystemId()
         self.session_id = new_session_id
         self.event_buffer = OrderedBuffer[Event]()
         self._text_generation_queues = {}
@@ -344,6 +347,8 @@ class API:
         self.app.get("/v1/traces/{task_id}")(self.get_trace)
         self.app.get("/v1/traces/{task_id}/stats")(self.get_trace_stats)
         self.app.get("/v1/traces/{task_id}/raw")(self.get_trace_raw)
+        self.app.get("/onboarding")(self.get_onboarding)
+        self.app.post("/onboarding")(self.complete_onboarding)
 
     async def place_instance(self, payload: PlaceInstanceParams):
         command = PlaceInstance(
@@ -519,15 +524,15 @@ class API:
 
             if (
                 model_card.model_id,
-                sharding,
-                instance_meta,
+                instance.sharding(),
+                instance.instance_meta(),
                 len(placement_node_ids),
             ) not in seen:
                 previews.append(
                     PlacementPreview(
                         model_id=model_card.model_id,
-                        sharding=sharding,
-                        instance_meta=instance_meta,
+                        sharding=instance.sharding(),
+                        instance_meta=instance.instance_meta(),
                         instance=instance,
                         memory_delta_by_node=memory_delta_by_node or None,
                         error=None,
@@ -536,8 +541,8 @@ class API:
             seen.add(
                 (
                     model_card.model_id,
-                    sharding,
-                    instance_meta,
+                    instance.sharding(),
+                    instance.instance_meta(),
                     len(placement_node_ids),
                 )
             )
@@ -589,7 +594,7 @@ class API:
             command = TaskCancelled(cancelled_command_id=command_id)
             with anyio.CancelScope(shield=True):
                 await self.command_sender.send(
-                    ForwarderCommand(origin=self.node_id, command=command)
+                    ForwarderCommand(origin=self._system_id, command=command)
                 )
             raise
         finally:
@@ -937,7 +942,7 @@ class API:
             command = TaskCancelled(cancelled_command_id=command_id)
             with anyio.CancelScope(shield=True):
                 await self.command_sender.send(
-                    ForwarderCommand(origin=self.node_id, command=command)
+                    ForwarderCommand(origin=self._system_id, command=command)
                 )
             raise
         finally:
@@ -1023,7 +1028,7 @@ class API:
             command = TaskCancelled(cancelled_command_id=command_id)
             with anyio.CancelScope(shield=True):
                 await self.command_sender.send(
-                    ForwarderCommand(origin=self.node_id, command=command)
+                    ForwarderCommand(origin=self._system_id, command=command)
                 )
             raise
         finally:
@@ -1586,8 +1591,7 @@ class API:
         shutdown_ev = anyio.Event()
 
         try:
-            async with create_task_group() as tg:
-                self._tg = tg
+            async with self._tg as tg:
                 logger.info("Starting API")
                 tg.start_soon(self._apply_state)
                 tg.start_soon(self._pause_on_new_election)
@@ -1621,6 +1625,8 @@ class API:
     async def _apply_state(self):
         with self.global_event_receiver as events:
             async for f_event in events:
+                if f_event.session != self.session_id:
+                    continue
                 if f_event.origin != self.session_id.master_node_id:
                     continue
                 self.event_buffer.ingest(f_event.origin_idx, f_event.event)
@@ -1684,12 +1690,12 @@ class API:
         while self.paused:
             await self.paused_ev.wait()
         await self.command_sender.send(
-            ForwarderCommand(origin=self.node_id, command=command)
+            ForwarderCommand(origin=self._system_id, command=command)
         )
 
     async def _send_download(self, command: DownloadCommand):
         await self.download_command_sender.send(
-            ForwarderDownloadCommand(origin=self.node_id, command=command)
+            ForwarderDownloadCommand(origin=self._system_id, command=command)
         )
 
     async def start_download(
@@ -1811,3 +1817,11 @@ class API:
             media_type="application/json",
             filename=f"trace_{task_id}.json",
         )
+
+    async def get_onboarding(self) -> JSONResponse:
+        return JSONResponse({"completed": ONBOARDING_COMPLETE_FILE.exists()})
+
+    async def complete_onboarding(self) -> JSONResponse:
+        ONBOARDING_COMPLETE_FILE.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        ONBOARDING_COMPLETE_FILE.write_text("true")
+        return JSONResponse({"completed": True})

src/exo/master/main.py

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 
 import anyio
-from anyio.abc import TaskGroup
 from loguru import logger
 
 from exo.master.event_log import DiskEventLog
@@ -29,13 +28,14 @@ from exo.shared.types.commands import (
     TestCommand,
     TextGeneration,
 )
-from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId, SessionId
+from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId, SessionId, SystemId
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
     Event,
-    ForwarderEvent,
+    GlobalForwarderEvent,
     IndexedEvent,
     InputChunkReceived,
     InstanceDeleted,
+    LocalForwarderEvent,
     NodeGatheredInfo,
     NodeTimedOut,
     TaskCreated,
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.tasks import (
 from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import InstanceId
 from exo.utils.channels import Receiver, Sender, channel
 from exo.utils.event_buffer import MultiSourceBuffer
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 
 
 class Master:
@@ -71,12 +72,12 @@ class Master:
         session_id: SessionId,
         *,
         command_receiver: Receiver[ForwarderCommand],
-        local_event_receiver: Receiver[ForwarderEvent],
-        global_event_sender: Sender[ForwarderEvent],
+        local_event_receiver: Receiver[LocalForwarderEvent],
+        global_event_sender: Sender[GlobalForwarderEvent],
         download_command_sender: Sender[ForwarderDownloadCommand],
     ):
         self.state = State()
-        self._tg: TaskGroup = anyio.create_task_group()
+        self._tg: TaskGroup = TaskGroup()
         self.node_id = node_id
         self.session_id = session_id
         self.command_task_mapping: dict[CommandId, TaskId] = {}
@@ -87,10 +88,11 @@ class Master:
         send, recv = channel[Event]()
         self.event_sender: Sender[Event] = send
         self._loopback_event_receiver: Receiver[Event] = recv
-        self._loopback_event_sender: Sender[ForwarderEvent] = (
+        self._loopback_event_sender: Sender[LocalForwarderEvent] = (
             local_event_receiver.clone_sender()
         )
-        self._multi_buffer = MultiSourceBuffer[NodeId, Event]()
+        self._system_id = SystemId()
+        self._multi_buffer = MultiSourceBuffer[SystemId, Event]()
         self._event_log = DiskEventLog(EXO_EVENT_LOG_DIR / "master")
         self._pending_traces: dict[TaskId, dict[int, list[TraceEventData]]] = {}
         self._expected_ranks: dict[TaskId, set[int]] = {}
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ class Master:
 
     async def shutdown(self):
         logger.info("Stopping Master")
-        self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel()
+        self._tg.cancel_tasks()
 
     async def _command_processor(self) -> None:
         with self.command_receiver as commands:
@@ -288,7 +290,7 @@ class Master:
                             ):
                                 await self.download_command_sender.send(
                                     ForwarderDownloadCommand(
-                                        origin=self.node_id, command=cmd
+                                        origin=self._system_id, command=cmd
                                     )
                                 )
                             generated_events.extend(transition_events)
@@ -414,8 +416,8 @@ class Master:
         with self._loopback_event_receiver as events:
             async for event in events:
                 await self._loopback_event_sender.send(
-                    ForwarderEvent(
-                        origin=NodeId(f"master_{self.node_id}"),
+                    LocalForwarderEvent(
+                        origin=self._system_id,
                         origin_idx=local_index,
                         session=self.session_id,
                         event=event,
@@ -427,7 +429,7 @@ class Master:
     async def _send_event(self, event: IndexedEvent):
         # Convenience method since this line is ugly
         await self.global_event_sender.send(
-            ForwarderEvent(
+            GlobalForwarderEvent(
                 origin=self.node_id,
                 origin_idx=event.idx,
                 session=self.session_id,

src/exo/master/placement.py

@@ -112,7 +112,11 @@ def place_instance(
         cycle for cycle in smallest_cycles if topology.is_rdma_cycle(cycle)
     ]
 
-    if command.instance_meta == InstanceMeta.MlxJaccl and smallest_rdma_cycles != []:
+    if command.instance_meta == InstanceMeta.MlxJaccl:
+        if not smallest_rdma_cycles:
+            raise ValueError(
+                "Requested RDMA (MlxJaccl) but no RDMA-connected cycles available"
+            )
         smallest_cycles = smallest_rdma_cycles
 
     cycles_with_leaf_nodes: list[Cycle] = [
@@ -129,6 +133,11 @@ def place_instance(
         ),
     )
 
+    # Single-node: force Pipeline/Ring (Tensor and Jaccl require multi-node)
+    if len(selected_cycle) == 1:
+        command.instance_meta = InstanceMeta.MlxRing
+        command.sharding = Sharding.Pipeline
+
     shard_assignments = get_shard_assignments(
         command.model_card, selected_cycle, command.sharding, node_memory
     )
@@ -138,9 +147,6 @@ def place_instance(
     instance_id = InstanceId()
     target_instances = dict(deepcopy(current_instances))
 
-    if len(selected_cycle) == 1:
-        command.instance_meta = InstanceMeta.MlxRing
-
     match command.instance_meta:
         case InstanceMeta.MlxJaccl:
             # TODO(evan): shard assignments should contain information about ranks, this is ugly

src/exo/master/tests/test_master.py

@@ -15,11 +15,12 @@ from exo.shared.types.commands import (
     PlaceInstance,
     TextGeneration,
 )
-from exo.shared.types.common import ModelId, NodeId, SessionId
+from exo.shared.types.common import ModelId, NodeId, SessionId, SystemId
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
-    ForwarderEvent,
+    GlobalForwarderEvent,
     IndexedEvent,
     InstanceCreated,
+    LocalForwarderEvent,
     NodeGatheredInfo,
     TaskCreated,
 )
@@ -45,9 +46,9 @@ async def test_master():
     node_id = NodeId(keypair.to_node_id())
     session_id = SessionId(master_node_id=node_id, election_clock=0)
 
-    ge_sender, global_event_receiver = channel[ForwarderEvent]()
+    ge_sender, global_event_receiver = channel[GlobalForwarderEvent]()
     command_sender, co_receiver = channel[ForwarderCommand]()
-    local_event_sender, le_receiver = channel[ForwarderEvent]()
+    local_event_sender, le_receiver = channel[LocalForwarderEvent]()
     fcds, _fcdr = channel[ForwarderDownloadCommand]()
 
     all_events: list[IndexedEvent] = []
@@ -75,13 +76,12 @@ async def test_master():
     async with anyio.create_task_group() as tg:
         tg.start_soon(master.run)
 
-        sender_node_id = NodeId(f"{keypair.to_node_id()}_sender")
         # inject a NodeGatheredInfo event
         logger.info("inject a NodeGatheredInfo event")
         await local_event_sender.send(
-            ForwarderEvent(
+            LocalForwarderEvent(
                 origin_idx=0,
-                origin=sender_node_id,
+                origin=SystemId("Worker"),
                 session=session_id,
                 event=(
                     NodeGatheredInfo(
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ async def test_master():
         logger.info("inject a CreateInstance Command")
         await command_sender.send(
             ForwarderCommand(
-                origin=node_id,
+                origin=SystemId("API"),
                 command=(
                     PlaceInstance(
                         command_id=CommandId(),
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ async def test_master():
         logger.info("inject a TextGeneration Command")
         await command_sender.send(
             ForwarderCommand(
-                origin=node_id,
+                origin=SystemId("API"),
                 command=(
                     TextGeneration(
                         command_id=CommandId(),

src/exo/master/tests/test_placement.py

@@ -14,10 +14,12 @@ from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelCard, ModelId, ModelTask
 from exo.shared.topology import Topology
 from exo.shared.types.commands import PlaceInstance
 from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId
-from exo.shared.types.events import InstanceCreated, InstanceDeleted
+from exo.shared.types.events import InstanceCreated, InstanceDeleted, TaskStatusUpdated
 from exo.shared.types.memory import Memory
 from exo.shared.types.multiaddr import Multiaddr
 from exo.shared.types.profiling import NetworkInterfaceInfo, NodeNetworkInfo
+from exo.shared.types.tasks import TaskId, TaskStatus, TextGeneration
+from exo.shared.types.text_generation import InputMessage, TextGenerationTaskParams
 from exo.shared.types.topology import Connection, SocketConnection
 from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import (
     Instance,
@@ -456,3 +458,117 @@ def test_tensor_rdma_backend_connectivity_matrix(
         else:
             ip_part = coordinator.split(":")[0]
             assert len(ip_part.split(".")) == 4
+
+
+def _make_task(
+    instance_id: InstanceId,
+    status: TaskStatus = TaskStatus.Running,
+) -> TextGeneration:
+    return TextGeneration(
+        task_id=TaskId(),
+        task_status=status,
+        instance_id=instance_id,
+        command_id=CommandId(),
+        task_params=TextGenerationTaskParams(
+            model=ModelId("test-model"),
+            input=[InputMessage(role="user", content="hello")],
+        ),
+    )
+
+
+def test_get_transition_events_delete_instance_cancels_running_tasks(
+    instance: Instance,
+):
+    # arrange
+    instance_id = InstanceId()
+    current_instances: dict[InstanceId, Instance] = {instance_id: instance}
+    target_instances: dict[InstanceId, Instance] = {}
+    task = _make_task(instance_id, TaskStatus.Running)
+    tasks = {task.task_id: task}
+
+    # act
+    events = get_transition_events(current_instances, target_instances, tasks)
+
+    # assert – cancellation event should come before the deletion event
+    assert len(events) == 2
+    assert isinstance(events[0], TaskStatusUpdated)
+    assert events[0].task_id == task.task_id
+    assert events[0].task_status == TaskStatus.Cancelled
+    assert isinstance(events[1], InstanceDeleted)
+    assert events[1].instance_id == instance_id
+
+
+def test_get_transition_events_delete_instance_cancels_pending_tasks(
+    instance: Instance,
+):
+    # arrange
+    instance_id = InstanceId()
+    current_instances: dict[InstanceId, Instance] = {instance_id: instance}
+    target_instances: dict[InstanceId, Instance] = {}
+    task = _make_task(instance_id, TaskStatus.Pending)
+    tasks = {task.task_id: task}
+
+    # act
+    events = get_transition_events(current_instances, target_instances, tasks)
+
+    # assert
+    assert len(events) == 2
+    assert isinstance(events[0], TaskStatusUpdated)
+    assert events[0].task_id == task.task_id
+    assert events[0].task_status == TaskStatus.Cancelled
+    assert isinstance(events[1], InstanceDeleted)
+
+
+def test_get_transition_events_delete_instance_ignores_completed_tasks(
+    instance: Instance,
+):
+    # arrange
+    instance_id = InstanceId()
+    current_instances: dict[InstanceId, Instance] = {instance_id: instance}
+    target_instances: dict[InstanceId, Instance] = {}
+    tasks = {
+        t.task_id: t
+        for t in [
+            _make_task(instance_id, TaskStatus.Complete),
+            _make_task(instance_id, TaskStatus.Failed),
+            _make_task(instance_id, TaskStatus.TimedOut),
+            _make_task(instance_id, TaskStatus.Cancelled),
+        ]
+    }
+
+    # act
+    events = get_transition_events(current_instances, target_instances, tasks)
+
+    # assert – only the InstanceDeleted event, no cancellations
+    assert len(events) == 1
+    assert isinstance(events[0], InstanceDeleted)
+
+
+def test_get_transition_events_delete_instance_cancels_only_matching_tasks(
+    instance: Instance,
+):
+    # arrange
+    instance_id_a = InstanceId()
+    instance_id_b = InstanceId()
+    current_instances: dict[InstanceId, Instance] = {
+        instance_id_a: instance,
+        instance_id_b: instance,
+    }
+    # only delete instance A, keep instance B
+    target_instances: dict[InstanceId, Instance] = {instance_id_b: instance}
+
+    task_a = _make_task(instance_id_a, TaskStatus.Running)
+    task_b = _make_task(instance_id_b, TaskStatus.Running)
+    tasks = {task_a.task_id: task_a, task_b.task_id: task_b}
+
+    # act
+    events = get_transition_events(current_instances, target_instances, tasks)
+
+    # assert – only task_a should be cancelled
+    cancel_events = [e for e in events if isinstance(e, TaskStatusUpdated)]
+    delete_events = [e for e in events if isinstance(e, InstanceDeleted)]
+    assert len(cancel_events) == 1
+    assert cancel_events[0].task_id == task_a.task_id
+    assert cancel_events[0].task_status == TaskStatus.Cancelled
+    assert len(delete_events) == 1
+    assert delete_events[0].instance_id == instance_id_a

src/exo/routing/router.py

@@ -8,14 +8,13 @@ from typing import cast
 from anyio import (
     BrokenResourceError,
     ClosedResourceError,
-    create_task_group,
     move_on_after,
     sleep_forever,
 )
-from anyio.abc import TaskGroup
 from exo_pyo3_bindings import (
     AllQueuesFullError,
     Keypair,
+    MessageTooLargeError,
     NetworkingHandle,
     NoPeersSubscribedToTopicError,
 )
@@ -25,6 +24,7 @@ from loguru import logger
 from exo.shared.constants import EXO_NODE_ID_KEYPAIR
 from exo.utils.channels import Receiver, Sender, channel
 from exo.utils.pydantic_ext import CamelCaseModel
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 
 from .connection_message import ConnectionMessage
 from .topics import CONNECTION_MESSAGES, PublishPolicy, TypedTopic
@@ -111,10 +111,9 @@ class Router:
         self._net: NetworkingHandle = handle
         self._tmp_networking_sender: Sender[tuple[str, bytes]] | None = send
         self._id_count = count()
-        self._tg: TaskGroup | None = None
+        self._tg: TaskGroup = TaskGroup()
 
     async def register_topic[T: CamelCaseModel](self, topic: TypedTopic[T]):
-        assert self._tg is None, "Attempted to register topic after setup time"
         send = self._tmp_networking_sender
         if send:
             self._tmp_networking_sender = None
@@ -148,8 +147,7 @@ class Router:
     async def run(self):
         logger.debug("Starting Router")
         try:
-            async with create_task_group() as tg:
-                self._tg = tg
+            async with self._tg as tg:
                 for topic in self.topic_routers:
                     router = self.topic_routers[topic]
                     tg.start_soon(router.run)
@@ -165,9 +163,7 @@ class Router:
 
     async def shutdown(self):
         logger.debug("Shutting down Router")
-        if not self._tg:
-            return
-        self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel()
+        self._tg.cancel_tasks()
 
     async def _networking_subscribe(self, topic: str):
         await self._net.gossipsub_subscribe(topic)
@@ -178,28 +174,42 @@ class Router:
         logger.info(f"Unsubscribed from {topic}")
 
     async def _networking_recv(self):
-        while True:
-            topic, data = await self._net.gossipsub_recv()
-            logger.trace(f"Received message on {topic} with payload {data}")
-            if topic not in self.topic_routers:
-                logger.warning(f"Received message on unknown or inactive topic {topic}")
-                continue
+        try:
+            while True:
+                topic, data = await self._net.gossipsub_recv()
+                logger.trace(f"Received message on {topic} with payload {data}")
+                if topic not in self.topic_routers:
+                    logger.warning(
+                        f"Received message on unknown or inactive topic {topic}"
+                    )
+                    continue
 
-            router = self.topic_routers[topic]
-            await router.publish_bytes(data)
+                router = self.topic_routers[topic]
+                await router.publish_bytes(data)
+        except Exception as exception:
+            logger.opt(exception=exception).error(
+                "Gossipsub receive loop terminated unexpectedly"
+            )
+            raise
 
     async def _networking_recv_connection_messages(self):
-        while True:
-            update = await self._net.connection_update_recv()
-            message = ConnectionMessage.from_update(update)
-            logger.trace(
-                f"Received message on connection_messages with payload {message}"
+        try:
+            while True:
+                update = await self._net.connection_update_recv()
+                message = ConnectionMessage.from_update(update)
+                logger.trace(
+                    f"Received message on connection_messages with payload {message}"
+                )
+                if CONNECTION_MESSAGES.topic in self.topic_routers:
+                    router = self.topic_routers[CONNECTION_MESSAGES.topic]
+                    assert router.topic.model_type == ConnectionMessage
+                    router = cast(TopicRouter[ConnectionMessage], router)
+                    await router.publish(message)
+        except Exception as exception:
+            logger.opt(exception=exception).error(
+                "Connection update receive loop terminated unexpectedly"
             )
-            if CONNECTION_MESSAGES.topic in self.topic_routers:
-                router = self.topic_routers[CONNECTION_MESSAGES.topic]
-                assert router.topic.model_type == ConnectionMessage
-                router = cast(TopicRouter[ConnectionMessage], router)
-                await router.publish(message)
+            raise
 
     async def _networking_publish(self):
         with self.networking_receiver as networked_items:
@@ -211,6 +221,10 @@ class Router:
                     pass
                 except AllQueuesFullError:
                     logger.warning(f"All peer queues full, dropping message on {topic}")
+                except MessageTooLargeError:
+                    logger.warning(
+                        f"Message too large for gossipsub on {topic} ({len(data)} bytes), dropping"
+                    )
 
 
 def get_node_id_keypair(

src/exo/routing/topics.py

@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ from exo.routing.connection_message import ConnectionMessage
 from exo.shared.election import ElectionMessage
 from exo.shared.types.commands import ForwarderCommand, ForwarderDownloadCommand
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
-    ForwarderEvent,
+    GlobalForwarderEvent,
+    LocalForwarderEvent,
 )
 from exo.utils.pydantic_ext import CamelCaseModel
 
@@ -36,8 +37,8 @@ class TypedTopic[T: CamelCaseModel]:
         return self.model_type.model_validate_json(b.decode("utf-8"))
 
 
-GLOBAL_EVENTS = TypedTopic("global_events", PublishPolicy.Always, ForwarderEvent)
-LOCAL_EVENTS = TypedTopic("local_events", PublishPolicy.Always, ForwarderEvent)
+GLOBAL_EVENTS = TypedTopic("global_events", PublishPolicy.Always, GlobalForwarderEvent)
+LOCAL_EVENTS = TypedTopic("local_events", PublishPolicy.Always, LocalForwarderEvent)
 COMMANDS = TypedTopic("commands", PublishPolicy.Always, ForwarderCommand)
 ELECTION_MESSAGES = TypedTopic(
     "election_messages", PublishPolicy.Always, ElectionMessage

src/exo/shared/constants.py

@@ -33,6 +33,15 @@ EXO_MODELS_DIR = (
     if _EXO_MODELS_DIR_ENV is None
     else Path.home() / _EXO_MODELS_DIR_ENV
 )
+
+# Read-only search path for pre-downloaded models (colon-separated directories)
+_EXO_MODELS_PATH_ENV = os.environ.get("EXO_MODELS_PATH", None)
+EXO_MODELS_PATH: tuple[Path, ...] | None = (
+    tuple(Path(p).expanduser() for p in _EXO_MODELS_PATH_ENV.split(":") if p)
+    if _EXO_MODELS_PATH_ENV is not None
+    else None
+)
+
 _RESOURCES_DIR_ENV = os.environ.get("EXO_RESOURCES_DIR", None)
 RESOURCES_DIR = (
     find_resources() if _RESOURCES_DIR_ENV is None else Path.home() / _RESOURCES_DIR_ENV
@@ -69,4 +78,6 @@ EXO_ENABLE_IMAGE_MODELS = (
     os.getenv("EXO_ENABLE_IMAGE_MODELS", "false").lower() == "true"
 )
 
+EXO_OFFLINE = os.getenv("EXO_OFFLINE", "false").lower() == "true"
+
 EXO_TRACING_ENABLED = os.getenv("EXO_TRACING_ENABLED", "false").lower() == "true"

src/exo/shared/election.py

@@ -4,10 +4,8 @@ import anyio
 from anyio import (
     CancelScope,
     Event,
-    create_task_group,
     get_cancelled_exc_class,
 )
-from anyio.abc import TaskGroup
 from loguru import logger
 
 from exo.routing.connection_message import ConnectionMessage
@@ -15,6 +13,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.commands import ForwarderCommand
 from exo.shared.types.common import NodeId, SessionId
 from exo.utils.channels import Receiver, Sender
 from exo.utils.pydantic_ext import CamelCaseModel
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 
 DEFAULT_ELECTION_TIMEOUT = 3.0
 
@@ -82,13 +81,12 @@ class Election:
         self._candidates: list[ElectionMessage] = []
         self._campaign_cancel_scope: CancelScope | None = None
         self._campaign_done: Event | None = None
-        self._tg: TaskGroup | None = None
+        self._tg = TaskGroup()
 
     async def run(self):
         logger.info("Starting Election")
         try:
-            async with create_task_group() as tg:
-                self._tg = tg
+            async with self._tg as tg:
                 tg.start_soon(self._election_receiver)
                 tg.start_soon(self._connection_receiver)
                 tg.start_soon(self._command_counter)
@@ -124,12 +122,7 @@ class Election:
         )
 
     async def shutdown(self) -> None:
-        if not self._tg:
-            logger.warning(
-                "Attempted to shutdown election service that was not running"
-            )
-            return
-        self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel()
+        self._tg.cancel_tasks()
 
     async def _election_receiver(self) -> None:
         with self._em_receiver as election_messages:
@@ -143,7 +136,6 @@ class Election:
                 if message.clock > self.clock:
                     self.clock = message.clock
                     logger.debug(f"New clock: {self.clock}")
-                    assert self._tg is not None
                     logger.debug("Starting new campaign")
                     candidates: list[ElectionMessage] = [message]
                     logger.debug(f"Candidates: {candidates}")
@@ -178,7 +170,6 @@ class Election:
                 # These messages are strictly peer to peer
                 self.clock += 1
                 logger.debug(f"New clock: {self.clock}")
-                assert self._tg is not None
                 candidates: list[ElectionMessage] = []
                 self._candidates = candidates
                 logger.debug("Starting new campaign")

src/exo/shared/models/model_cards.py

@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ class ModelCard(CamelCaseModel):
     base_model: str = ""
     capabilities: list[str] = []
     uses_cfg: bool = False
+    trust_remote_code: bool = True
 
     @field_validator("tasks", mode="before")
     @classmethod
@@ -137,6 +138,7 @@ class ModelCard(CamelCaseModel):
             hidden_size=config_data.hidden_size or 0,
             supports_tensor=config_data.supports_tensor,
             tasks=[ModelTask.TextGeneration],
+            trust_remote_code=False,
         )
         await mc.save_to_custom_dir()
         _card_cache[model_id] = mc

src/exo/shared/tests/test_election.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from anyio import create_task_group, fail_after, move_on_after
 from exo.routing.connection_message import ConnectionMessage, ConnectionMessageType
 from exo.shared.election import Election, ElectionMessage, ElectionResult
 from exo.shared.types.commands import ForwarderCommand, TestCommand
-from exo.shared.types.common import NodeId, SessionId
+from exo.shared.types.common import NodeId, SessionId, SystemId
 from exo.utils.channels import channel
 
 # ======= #
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ async def test_tie_breaker_prefers_node_with_more_commands_seen() -> None:
             # Pump local commands so our commands_seen is high before the round starts
             for _ in range(50):
                 await co_tx.send(
-                    ForwarderCommand(origin=NodeId("SOMEONE"), command=TestCommand())
+                    ForwarderCommand(origin=SystemId("SOMEONE"), command=TestCommand())
                 )
 
             # Trigger a round at clock=1 with a peer of equal seniority but fewer commands

src/exo/shared/types/commands.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.api import (
     ImageGenerationTaskParams,
 )
 from exo.shared.types.chunks import InputImageChunk
-from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId
+from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId, SystemId
 from exo.shared.types.text_generation import TextGenerationTaskParams
 from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import Instance, InstanceId, InstanceMeta
 from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import Sharding, ShardMetadata
@@ -100,10 +100,10 @@ Command = (
 
 
 class ForwarderCommand(CamelCaseModel):
-    origin: NodeId
+    origin: SystemId
     command: Command
 
 
 class ForwarderDownloadCommand(CamelCaseModel):
-    origin: NodeId
+    origin: SystemId
     command: DownloadCommand

src/exo/shared/types/common.py

@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ class NodeId(Id):
     pass
 
 
+class SystemId(Id):
+    pass
+
+
 class ModelId(Id):
     def normalize(self) -> str:
         return self.replace("/", "--")

src/exo/shared/types/events.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from pydantic import Field
 
 from exo.shared.topology import Connection
 from exo.shared.types.chunks import GenerationChunk, InputImageChunk
-from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, Id, NodeId, SessionId
+from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, Id, NodeId, SessionId, SystemId
 from exo.shared.types.tasks import Task, TaskId, TaskStatus
 from exo.shared.types.worker.downloads import DownloadProgress
 from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import Instance, InstanceId
@@ -162,10 +162,19 @@ class IndexedEvent(CamelCaseModel):
     event: Event
 
 
-class ForwarderEvent(CamelCaseModel):
+class GlobalForwarderEvent(CamelCaseModel):
     """An event the forwarder will serialize and send over the network"""
 
     origin_idx: int = Field(ge=0)
     origin: NodeId
     session: SessionId
     event: Event
+
+
+class LocalForwarderEvent(CamelCaseModel):
+    """An event the forwarder will serialize and send over the network"""
+
+    origin_idx: int = Field(ge=0)
+    origin: SystemId
+    session: SessionId
+    event: Event

src/exo/shared/types/worker/downloads.py

@@ -30,11 +30,13 @@ class BaseDownloadProgress(TaggedModel):
 
 
 class DownloadPending(BaseDownloadProgress):
-    pass
+    downloaded: Memory = Memory()
+    total: Memory = Memory()
 
 
 class DownloadCompleted(BaseDownloadProgress):
     total: Memory
+    read_only: bool = False
 
 
 class DownloadFailed(BaseDownloadProgress):

src/exo/shared/types/worker/instances.py

@@ -2,8 +2,15 @@ from enum import Enum
 
 from pydantic import model_validator
 
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelTask
 from exo.shared.types.common import Host, Id, NodeId
-from exo.shared.types.worker.runners import RunnerId, ShardAssignments, ShardMetadata
+from exo.shared.types.worker.runners import RunnerId, ShardAssignments
+from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import (
+    PipelineShardMetadata,
+    Sharding,
+    ShardMetadata,
+    TensorShardMetadata,
+)
 from exo.utils.pydantic_ext import CamelCaseModel, TaggedModel
 
 
@@ -23,16 +30,40 @@ class BaseInstance(TaggedModel):
     def shard(self, runner_id: RunnerId) -> ShardMetadata | None:
         return self.shard_assignments.runner_to_shard.get(runner_id, None)
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def instance_meta() -> InstanceMeta: ...
+
+    def sharding(self) -> Sharding:
+        if all(
+            isinstance(sm, PipelineShardMetadata)
+            for sm in self.shard_assignments.runner_to_shard.values()
+        ):
+            return Sharding.Pipeline
+        if all(
+            isinstance(sm, TensorShardMetadata)
+            for sm in self.shard_assignments.runner_to_shard.values()
+        ):
+            return Sharding.Tensor
+        raise ValueError("shard metadata malformed")
+
 
 class MlxRingInstance(BaseInstance):
     hosts_by_node: dict[NodeId, list[Host]]
     ephemeral_port: int
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def instance_meta() -> InstanceMeta:
+        return InstanceMeta.MlxRing
+
 
 class MlxJacclInstance(BaseInstance):
     jaccl_devices: list[list[str | None]]
     jaccl_coordinators: dict[NodeId, str]
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def instance_meta() -> InstanceMeta:
+        return InstanceMeta.MlxJaccl
+
 
 # TODO: Single node instance
 Instance = MlxRingInstance | MlxJacclInstance
@@ -49,6 +80,13 @@ class BoundInstance(CamelCaseModel):
         assert shard is not None
         return shard
 
+    @property
+    def is_image_model(self) -> bool:
+        return (
+            ModelTask.TextToImage in self.bound_shard.model_card.tasks
+            or ModelTask.ImageToImage in self.bound_shard.model_card.tasks
+        )
+
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     def validate_shard_exists(self) -> "BoundInstance":
         assert (

src/exo/shared/types/worker/runners.py

@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ class RunnerConnected(BaseRunnerStatus):
 
 
 class RunnerLoading(BaseRunnerStatus):
-    pass
+    layers_loaded: int = 0
+    total_layers: int = 0
 
 
 class RunnerLoaded(BaseRunnerStatus):

src/exo/utils/banner.py

@@ -1,8 +1,27 @@
+import logging
+import os
 import sys
+import webbrowser
+
+from exo.shared.constants import EXO_CONFIG_HOME
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+_FIRST_RUN_MARKER = EXO_CONFIG_HOME / ".dashboard_opened"
+
+
+def _is_first_run() -> bool:
+    return not _FIRST_RUN_MARKER.exists()
+
+
+def _mark_first_run_done() -> None:
+    _FIRST_RUN_MARKER.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    _FIRST_RUN_MARKER.touch()
 
 
 def print_startup_banner(port: int) -> None:
     dashboard_url = f"http://localhost:{port}"
+    first_run = _is_first_run()
     banner = f"""
 ╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
 ║                                                                       ║
@@ -30,3 +49,14 @@ def print_startup_banner(port: int) -> None:
 """
 
     print(banner, file=sys.stderr)
+
+    if first_run:
+        # Skip browser open when running inside the native macOS app —
+        # FirstLaunchPopout.swift handles the auto-open with a countdown.
+        if not os.environ.get("EXO_RUNTIME_DIR"):
+            try:
+                webbrowser.open(dashboard_url)
+                logger.info("First run detected — opening dashboard in browser")
+            except Exception:
+                logger.debug("Could not auto-open browser", exc_info=True)
+        _mark_first_run_done()

src/exo/utils/channels.py

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from math import inf
 from multiprocessing.synchronize import Event
 from queue import Empty, Full
 from types import TracebackType
-from typing import Self
+from typing import Any, Self
 
 from anyio import (
     CapacityLimiter,
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ class MpSender[T]:
     ) -> None:
         self.close()
 
-    def __getstate__(self):
+    def __getstate__(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
         d = self.__dict__.copy()
         d.pop("__orig_class__", None)
         return d

src/exo/utils/info_gatherer/info_gatherer.py

@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@ from subprocess import CalledProcessError
 from typing import Self, cast
 
 import anyio
-from anyio import create_task_group, fail_after, open_process, to_thread
-from anyio.abc import TaskGroup
+from anyio import fail_after, open_process, to_thread
 from anyio.streams.buffered import BufferedByteReceiveStream
 from anyio.streams.text import TextReceiveStream
 from loguru import logger
@@ -30,6 +29,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.thunderbolt import (
 )
 from exo.utils.channels import Sender
 from exo.utils.pydantic_ext import TaggedModel
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 
 from .macmon import MacmonMetrics
 from .system_info import (
@@ -381,7 +381,7 @@ class InfoGatherer:
     static_info_poll_interval: float | None = 60
     rdma_ctl_poll_interval: float | None = 10 if IS_DARWIN else None
     disk_poll_interval: float | None = 30
-    _tg: TaskGroup = field(init=False, default_factory=create_task_group)
+    _tg: TaskGroup = field(init=False, default_factory=TaskGroup)
 
     async def run(self):
         async with self._tg as tg:
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ class InfoGatherer:
                 await self.info_sender.send(nc)
 
     def shutdown(self):
-        self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel()
+        self._tg.cancel_tasks()
 
     async def _monitor_static_info(self):
         if self.static_info_poll_interval is None:

src/exo/utils/task_group.py

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+from collections.abc import Awaitable, Callable
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from types import TracebackType
+from typing import Any, Unpack
+
+from anyio import create_task_group
+from anyio.abc import TaskGroup as TaskGroupABC
+
+
+@dataclass
+class TaskGroup:
+    _tg: TaskGroupABC | None = field(default=None, init=False)
+    _queued: list[tuple[Any, Any, Any]] | None = field(default_factory=list, init=False)
+
+    def is_running(self) -> bool:
+        return self._tg is not None
+
+    def cancel_tasks(self):
+        assert self._tg
+        self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel()
+
+    def cancel_called(self) -> bool:
+        assert self._tg
+        return self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel_called
+
+    def start_soon[*T](
+        self,
+        func: Callable[[Unpack[T]], Awaitable[Any]],
+        *args: Unpack[T],
+        name: object = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        assert self._tg is not None
+        assert self._queued is None
+        self._tg.start_soon(func, *args, name=name)
+
+    def queue[*T](
+        self,
+        func: Callable[[Unpack[T]], Awaitable[Any]],
+        *args: Unpack[T],
+        name: object = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        assert self._tg is None
+        assert self._queued is not None
+        self._queued.append((func, args, name))
+
+    async def __aenter__(self) -> TaskGroupABC:
+        assert self._tg is None
+        assert self._queued is not None
+        self._tg = create_task_group()
+        r = await self._tg.__aenter__()
+        for func, args, name in self._queued:  # pyright: ignore[reportAny]
+            self._tg.start_soon(func, *args, name=name)  # pyright: ignore[reportAny]
+        self._queued = None
+        return r
+
+    async def __aexit__(
+        self,
+        exc_type: type[BaseException] | None,
+        exc_val: BaseException | None,
+        exc_tb: TracebackType | None,
+    ) -> bool:
+        """Exit the task group context waiting for all tasks to finish."""
+        assert self._tg is not None, "aenter sets self.lazy, so it exists when we aexit"
+        assert self._queued is None
+        return await self._tg.__aexit__(exc_type, exc_val, exc_tb)

src/exo/worker/engines/mlx/auto_parallel.py

@@ -32,13 +32,12 @@ from mlx_lm.models.minimax import MiniMaxAttention
 from mlx_lm.models.minimax import Model as MiniMaxModel
 from mlx_lm.models.ministral3 import Model as Ministral3Model
 from mlx_lm.models.qwen3_moe import Model as Qwen3MoeModel
-from mlx_lm.models.qwen3_moe import Qwen3MoeSparseMoeBlock
+from mlx_lm.models.qwen3_moe import Qwen3MoeDecoderLayer, Qwen3MoeSparseMoeBlock
 from mlx_lm.models.qwen3_next import Model as Qwen3NextModel
 from mlx_lm.models.qwen3_next import Qwen3NextDecoderLayer, Qwen3NextSparseMoeBlock
 from mlx_lm.models.step3p5 import Model as Step35Model
 from mlx_lm.models.step3p5 import Step3p5MLP as Step35MLP
 from mlx_lm.models.step3p5 import Step3p5Model as Step35InnerModel
-from transformers.models.qwen3.modeling_qwen3 import Qwen3DecoderLayer
 
 from exo.shared.logging import logger
 from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import PipelineShardMetadata
@@ -47,6 +46,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from mlx_lm.models.cache import Cache
 
 TimeoutCallback = Callable[[], None]
+LayerLoadedCallback = Callable[[int, int], None]  # (layers_loaded, total_layers)
 
 
 def eval_with_timeout(
@@ -128,11 +128,11 @@ class PipelineFirstLayer(CustomMlxLayer):
 
     def __call__(self, x: mx.array, *args: object, **kwargs: object) -> mx.array:
         if self.r != 0:
+            # We want to avoid GPU timeout errors by evalling the distributed operation
+            # so that it stays on CPU, which does not have a timeout.
+            mx.eval(x)
             x = mx.distributed.recv_like(x, (self.r - 1), group=self.group)
-            if self.is_prefill:
-                # We want to avoid GPU timeout errors by evalling the distributed operation
-                # so that it stays on CPU, which does not have a timeout.
-                mx.eval(x)
+            mx.eval(x)
         return self.original_layer(x, *args, **kwargs)
 
 
@@ -158,6 +158,10 @@ class PipelineLastLayer(CustomMlxLayer):
 
         output: mx.array = self.original_layer(x, *args, **kwargs)
 
+        # Eval layer output to materialize it before send — this splits the graph
+        # so the send is isolated and the receiving rank's recv can complete.
+        mx.eval(output)
+
         if self.r != self.s - 1:
             output = mx.distributed.send(
                 output, (self.r + 1) % self.s, group=self.group
@@ -167,15 +171,15 @@ class PipelineLastLayer(CustomMlxLayer):
                 # doesn't have .keys directly; access via first sub-cache.
                 _cache = cache[0] if hasattr(cache, "caches") else cache  # type: ignore
                 _cache.keys = mx.depends(_cache.keys, output)  # type: ignore
-            if self.is_prefill:
-                mx.eval(output)
-                if cache is not None:
-                    mx.eval(_cache.keys)  # type: ignore
+            mx.eval(output)
+            if cache is not None:
+                mx.eval(_cache.keys)  # type: ignore
 
         if not self.is_prefill:
             output = mx.distributed.all_gather(output, group=self.group)[
                 -output.shape[0] :
             ]
+            mx.eval(output)
 
         return output
 
@@ -186,7 +190,7 @@ def set_pipeline_prefill(model: nn.Module, is_prefill: bool) -> None:
             layer.is_prefill = is_prefill
 
 
-def _inner_model(model: nn.Module) -> nn.Module:
+def get_inner_model(model: nn.Module) -> nn.Module:
     inner = getattr(model, "model", None)
     if isinstance(inner, nn.Module):
         return inner
@@ -204,7 +208,7 @@ def _inner_model(model: nn.Module) -> nn.Module:
     raise ValueError("Model must either have a 'model' or 'transformer' attribute")
 
 
-def _get_layers(inner_model_instance: nn.Module) -> list[_LayerCallable]:
+def get_layers(inner_model_instance: nn.Module) -> list[_LayerCallable]:
     # Handle both model.layers and model.h cases
     layers: list[_LayerCallable]
     if hasattr(inner_model_instance, "layers"):
@@ -221,6 +225,7 @@ def pipeline_auto_parallel(
     model: nn.Module,
     group: mx.distributed.Group,
     model_shard_meta: PipelineShardMetadata,
+    on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
 ) -> nn.Module:
     """
     Automatically parallelize a model across multiple devices.
@@ -230,16 +235,19 @@ def pipeline_auto_parallel(
     Returns:
     The parallelized model
     """
-    inner_model_instance: nn.Module = _inner_model(model)
+    inner_model_instance: nn.Module = get_inner_model(model)
 
-    layers = _get_layers(inner_model_instance)
+    layers = get_layers(inner_model_instance)
 
     start_layer, end_layer = model_shard_meta.start_layer, model_shard_meta.end_layer
     device_rank, world_size = model_shard_meta.device_rank, model_shard_meta.world_size
 
     layers = layers[start_layer:end_layer]
-    for layer in layers:
+    total = len(layers)
+    for i, layer in enumerate(layers):
         mx.eval(layer)  # type: ignore
+        if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+            on_layer_loaded(i, total)
 
     layers[0] = PipelineFirstLayer(layers[0], device_rank, group=group)
     layers[-1] = PipelineLastLayer(
@@ -351,8 +359,9 @@ def patch_tensor_model[T](model: T) -> T:
 def tensor_auto_parallel(
     model: nn.Module,
     group: mx.distributed.Group,
-    timeout_seconds: float = 60.0,
-    on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None = None,
+    timeout_seconds: float,
+    on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+    on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
 ) -> nn.Module:
     all_to_sharded_linear = partial(
         shard_linear,
@@ -462,7 +471,7 @@ def tensor_auto_parallel(
         raise ValueError(f"Unsupported model type: {type(model)}")
 
     model = tensor_parallel_sharding_strategy.shard_model(
-        model, timeout_seconds, on_timeout
+        model, timeout_seconds, on_timeout, on_layer_loaded
     )
     return patch_tensor_model(model)
 
@@ -489,6 +498,7 @@ class TensorParallelShardingStrategy(ABC):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module: ...
 
 
@@ -498,13 +508,13 @@ class LlamaShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module:
         model = cast(LlamaModel, model)
-        for layer in model.layers:
+        total = len(model.layers)
+        for i, layer in enumerate(model.layers):
             # Force load weights before sharding to avoid FAST_SYNCH deadlock
-            eval_with_timeout(
-                layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / len(model.layers), on_timeout
-            )
+            eval_with_timeout(layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / total, on_timeout)
             layer.self_attn.q_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.q_proj)
             layer.self_attn.k_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.k_proj)
             layer.self_attn.v_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.v_proj)
@@ -517,11 +527,13 @@ class LlamaShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
             layer.mlp.down_proj = self.sharded_to_all_linear(layer.mlp.down_proj)
             layer.mlp.up_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.mlp.up_proj)
             mx.eval(layer)
+            if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                on_layer_loaded(i, total)
         return model
 
 
 def _set_layers(model: nn.Module, layers: list[_LayerCallable]) -> None:
-    inner_model_instance = _inner_model(model)
+    inner_model_instance = get_inner_model(model)
     if hasattr(inner_model_instance, "layers"):
         inner_model_instance.layers = layers
 
@@ -552,13 +564,13 @@ class DeepSeekShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module:
         model = cast(DeepseekV3Model, model)
+        total = len(model.layers)
 
-        for layer in model.layers:
-            eval_with_timeout(
-                layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / len(model.layers), on_timeout
-            )
+        for i, layer in enumerate(model.layers):
+            eval_with_timeout(layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / total, on_timeout)
 
             # Shard the self attention
             if layer.self_attn.q_lora_rank is None:
@@ -609,6 +621,8 @@ class DeepSeekShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
                 layer.mlp.sharding_group = self.group
 
             mx.eval(layer)
+            if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                on_layer_loaded(i, total)
 
         return model
 
@@ -635,13 +649,15 @@ class GLM4MoeLiteShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module:
         model = cast(GLM4MoeLiteModel, model)
-        for layer in model.layers:  # type: ignore
+        total = len(model.layers)  # type: ignore
+        for i, layer in enumerate(model.layers):  # type: ignore
             layer = cast(Glm4MoeLiteDecoderLayer, layer)
             eval_with_timeout(
                 layer.parameters(),
-                timeout_seconds / len(model.layers),  # type: ignore
+                timeout_seconds / total,
                 on_timeout,
             )
             if layer.self_attn.q_lora_rank is None:  # type: ignore
@@ -689,6 +705,8 @@ class GLM4MoeLiteShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
                 layer.mlp = ShardedMoE(layer.mlp)  # type: ignore
                 layer.mlp.sharding_group = self.group  # type: ignore
             mx.eval(layer)
+            if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                on_layer_loaded(i, total)
 
         return model
 
@@ -777,12 +795,12 @@ class MiniMaxShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module:
         model = cast(MiniMaxModel, model)
-        for layer in model.layers:
-            eval_with_timeout(
-                layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / len(model.layers), on_timeout
-            )
+        total = len(model.layers)
+        for i, layer in enumerate(model.layers):
+            eval_with_timeout(layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / total, on_timeout)
             # Shard the self attention
             layer.self_attn.q_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.q_proj)
             layer.self_attn.k_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.k_proj)
@@ -807,6 +825,8 @@ class MiniMaxShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
             layer.block_sparse_moe = ShardedMoE(layer.block_sparse_moe)  # pyright: ignore[reportAttributeAccessIssue, reportArgumentType]
             layer.block_sparse_moe.sharding_group = self.group  # pyright: ignore[reportAttributeAccessIssue]
             mx.eval(layer)
+            if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                on_layer_loaded(i, total)
         return model
 
 
@@ -816,14 +836,14 @@ class QwenShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module:
         model = cast(Qwen3MoeModel | Qwen3NextModel, model)
-        for layer in model.layers:
-            eval_with_timeout(
-                layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / len(model.layers), on_timeout
-            )
+        total = len(model.layers)
+        for i, layer in enumerate(model.layers):
+            eval_with_timeout(layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / total, on_timeout)
             # Shard the self attention
-            if isinstance(layer, Qwen3DecoderLayer):
+            if isinstance(layer, Qwen3MoeDecoderLayer):
                 layer.self_attn.q_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(
                     layer.self_attn.q_proj
                 )
@@ -836,6 +856,8 @@ class QwenShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
                 layer.self_attn.o_proj = self.sharded_to_all_linear(
                     layer.self_attn.o_proj
                 )
+                layer.self_attn.n_heads //= self.N
+                layer.self_attn.n_kv_heads //= self.N
             else:
                 assert isinstance(layer, Qwen3NextDecoderLayer)
                 if hasattr(layer, "linear_attn"):
@@ -930,6 +952,8 @@ class QwenShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
                 layer.mlp.up_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.mlp.up_proj)
 
             mx.eval(layer)
+            if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                on_layer_loaded(i, total)
         return model
 
 
@@ -939,12 +963,12 @@ class Glm4MoeShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module:
         model = cast(Glm4MoeModel, model)
-        for layer in model.layers:
-            eval_with_timeout(
-                layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / len(model.layers), on_timeout
-            )
+        total = len(model.layers)
+        for i, layer in enumerate(model.layers):
+            eval_with_timeout(layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / total, on_timeout)
 
             layer.self_attn.q_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.q_proj)
             layer.self_attn.k_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.k_proj)
@@ -976,6 +1000,8 @@ class Glm4MoeShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
                 layer.mlp.up_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.mlp.up_proj)
 
             mx.eval(layer)
+            if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                on_layer_loaded(i, total)
         return model
 
 
@@ -985,13 +1011,13 @@ class GptOssShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module:
         model = cast(GptOssMoeModel, model)
+        total = len(model.layers)
 
-        for layer in model.layers:
-            eval_with_timeout(
-                layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / len(model.layers), on_timeout
-            )
+        for i, layer in enumerate(model.layers):
+            eval_with_timeout(layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / total, on_timeout)
             layer.self_attn.q_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.q_proj)
             layer.self_attn.k_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.k_proj)
             layer.self_attn.v_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.v_proj)
@@ -1017,6 +1043,8 @@ class GptOssShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
             layer.mlp = ShardedMoE(layer.mlp)  # type: ignore
             layer.mlp.sharding_group = self.group  # pyright: ignore[reportAttributeAccessIssue]
             mx.eval(layer)
+            if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                on_layer_loaded(i, total)
         return model
 
 
@@ -1026,13 +1054,13 @@ class Step35ShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
         model: nn.Module,
         timeout_seconds: float,
         on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+        on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
     ) -> nn.Module:
         model = cast(Step35Model, model)
+        total = len(model.layers)
 
-        for layer in model.layers:
-            eval_with_timeout(
-                layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / len(model.layers), on_timeout
-            )
+        for i, layer in enumerate(model.layers):
+            eval_with_timeout(layer.parameters(), timeout_seconds / total, on_timeout)
             layer.self_attn.q_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.q_proj)
             layer.self_attn.k_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.k_proj)
             layer.self_attn.v_proj = self.all_to_sharded_linear(layer.self_attn.v_proj)
@@ -1060,4 +1088,6 @@ class Step35ShardingStrategy(TensorParallelShardingStrategy):
                 self.sharded_to_all_linear_in_place(layer.mlp.switch_mlp.down_proj)
 
             mx.eval(layer)
+            if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                on_layer_loaded(i, total)
         return model

src/exo/worker/engines/mlx/generator/generate.py

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import math
 import time
 from copy import deepcopy
 from typing import Callable, Generator, cast, get_args
@@ -248,6 +249,9 @@ def extract_top_logprobs(
     for i in range(top_logprobs):
         token_id = int(top_indices[i].item())
         token_logprob = float(top_values[i].item())
+        if math.isnan(token_logprob):
+            continue
+
         # Decode token ID to string
         token_str = tokenizer.decode([token_id])
         # Get byte representation

src/exo/worker/engines/mlx/utils_mlx.py

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import json
 import os
 import re
 import sys
+import tempfile
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Any, cast
@@ -23,9 +24,7 @@ from mlx_lm.models.deepseek_v3 import DeepseekV3Model
 from mlx_lm.tokenizer_utils import TokenizerWrapper
 
 from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId
-from exo.worker.engines.mlx.constants import (
-    TRUST_REMOTE_CODE,
-)
+from exo.worker.engines.mlx.constants import TRUST_REMOTE_CODE
 
 try:
     from mlx_lm.tokenizer_utils import load_tokenizer
@@ -55,8 +54,11 @@ from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import (
 )
 from exo.worker.engines.mlx import Model
 from exo.worker.engines.mlx.auto_parallel import (
+    LayerLoadedCallback,
     TimeoutCallback,
     eval_with_timeout,
+    get_inner_model,
+    get_layers,
     pipeline_auto_parallel,
     tensor_auto_parallel,
 )
@@ -97,14 +99,13 @@ def mlx_distributed_init(
     rank = bound_instance.bound_shard.device_rank
     logger.info(f"Starting initialization for rank {rank}")
 
-    coordination_file = None
-    try:
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
+        coordination_file = str(
+            Path(tmpdir) / f"hosts_{bound_instance.instance.instance_id}_{rank}.json"
+        )
         # TODO: singleton instances
         match bound_instance.instance:
             case MlxRingInstance(hosts_by_node=hosts_by_node, ephemeral_port=_):
-                coordination_file = (
-                    f"./hosts_{bound_instance.instance.instance_id}_{rank}.json"
-                )
                 hosts_for_node = hosts_by_node[bound_instance.bound_node_id]
                 hosts_json = HostList.from_hosts(hosts_for_node).model_dump_json()
 
@@ -127,9 +128,6 @@ def mlx_distributed_init(
                     jaccl_devices[i][i] is None for i in range(len(jaccl_devices))
                 )
                 # Use RDMA connectivity matrix
-                coordination_file = (
-                    f"./hosts_{bound_instance.instance.instance_id}_{rank}.json"
-                )
                 jaccl_devices_json = json.dumps(jaccl_devices)
 
                 with open(coordination_file, "w") as f:
@@ -149,10 +147,6 @@ def mlx_distributed_init(
         logger.info(f"Rank {rank} mlx distributed initialization complete")
 
         return group
-    finally:
-        with contextlib.suppress(FileNotFoundError):
-            if coordination_file:
-                os.remove(coordination_file)
 
 
 def initialize_mlx(
@@ -171,13 +165,28 @@ def initialize_mlx(
 def load_mlx_items(
     bound_instance: BoundInstance,
     group: Group | None,
-    on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None = None,
+    on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+    on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
 ) -> tuple[Model, TokenizerWrapper]:
     if group is None:
         logger.info(f"Single device used for {bound_instance.instance}")
         model_path = build_model_path(bound_instance.bound_shard.model_card.model_id)
         start_time = time.perf_counter()
-        model, _ = load_model(model_path, strict=True)
+        model, _ = load_model(model_path, lazy=True, strict=False)
+        # Eval layers one by one for progress reporting
+        try:
+            inner = get_inner_model(model)
+            layers = get_layers(inner)
+            total = len(layers)
+            for i, layer in enumerate(layers):
+                mx.eval(layer)  # type: ignore
+                if on_layer_loaded is not None:
+                    on_layer_loaded(i, total)
+        except ValueError as e:
+            logger.opt(exception=e).debug(
+                "Model architecture doesn't support layer-by-layer progress tracking",
+            )
+        mx.eval(model)
         end_time = time.perf_counter()
         logger.info(f"Time taken to load model: {(end_time - start_time):.2f}s")
         tokenizer = get_tokenizer(model_path, bound_instance.bound_shard)
@@ -186,7 +195,10 @@ def load_mlx_items(
         logger.info("Starting distributed init")
         start_time = time.perf_counter()
         model, tokenizer = shard_and_load(
-            bound_instance.bound_shard, group=group, on_timeout=on_timeout
+            bound_instance.bound_shard,
+            group=group,
+            on_timeout=on_timeout,
+            on_layer_loaded=on_layer_loaded,
         )
         end_time = time.perf_counter()
         logger.info(
@@ -195,13 +207,16 @@ def load_mlx_items(
 
     set_wired_limit_for_model(get_weights_size(bound_instance.bound_shard))
 
+    mx.clear_cache()
+
     return cast(Model, model), tokenizer
 
 
 def shard_and_load(
     shard_metadata: ShardMetadata,
     group: Group,
-    on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None = None,
+    on_timeout: TimeoutCallback | None,
+    on_layer_loaded: LayerLoadedCallback | None,
 ) -> tuple[nn.Module, TokenizerWrapper]:
     model_path = build_model_path(shard_metadata.model_card.model_id)
 
@@ -242,10 +257,14 @@ def shard_and_load(
     match shard_metadata:
         case TensorShardMetadata():
             logger.info(f"loading model from {model_path} with tensor parallelism")
-            model = tensor_auto_parallel(model, group, timeout_seconds, on_timeout)
+            model = tensor_auto_parallel(
+                model, group, timeout_seconds, on_timeout, on_layer_loaded
+            )
         case PipelineShardMetadata():
             logger.info(f"loading model from {model_path} with pipeline parallelism")
-            model = pipeline_auto_parallel(model, group, shard_metadata)
+            model = pipeline_auto_parallel(
+                model, group, shard_metadata, on_layer_loaded=on_layer_loaded
+            )
             eval_with_timeout(model.parameters(), timeout_seconds, on_timeout)
         case CfgShardMetadata():
             raise ValueError(
@@ -267,7 +286,11 @@ def shard_and_load(
 
 def get_tokenizer(model_path: Path, shard_metadata: ShardMetadata) -> TokenizerWrapper:
     """Load tokenizer for a model shard. Delegates to load_tokenizer_for_model_id."""
-    return load_tokenizer_for_model_id(shard_metadata.model_card.model_id, model_path)
+    return load_tokenizer_for_model_id(
+        shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+        model_path,
+        trust_remote_code=shard_metadata.model_card.trust_remote_code,
+    )
 
 
 def get_eos_token_ids_for_model(model_id: ModelId) -> list[int] | None:
@@ -299,7 +322,7 @@ def get_eos_token_ids_for_model(model_id: ModelId) -> list[int] | None:
 
 
 def load_tokenizer_for_model_id(
-    model_id: ModelId, model_path: Path
+    model_id: ModelId, model_path: Path, *, trust_remote_code: bool = TRUST_REMOTE_CODE
 ) -> TokenizerWrapper:
     """
     Load tokenizer for a model given its ID and local path.
@@ -368,7 +391,7 @@ def load_tokenizer_for_model_id(
 
     tokenizer = load_tokenizer(
         model_path,
-        tokenizer_config_extra={"trust_remote_code": TRUST_REMOTE_CODE},
+        tokenizer_config_extra={"trust_remote_code": trust_remote_code},
         eos_token_ids=eos_token_ids,
     )
 
@@ -616,7 +639,7 @@ class NullKVCache(KVCache):
         raise NotImplementedError("We should not be setting a NullKVCache.")
 
 
-def mlx_force_oom(size: int = 40000) -> None:
+def mlx_force_oom(size: int = 200000) -> None:
     """
     Force an Out-Of-Memory (OOM) error in MLX by performing large tensor operations.
     """
@@ -643,7 +666,7 @@ def set_wired_limit_for_model(model_size: Memory):
         return
 
     max_rec_size = Memory.from_bytes(
-        int(mx.metal.device_info()["max_recommended_working_set_size"])
+        int(mx.device_info()["max_recommended_working_set_size"])
     )
     if model_size > 0.9 * max_rec_size:
         logger.warning(

src/exo/worker/main.py

@@ -1,13 +1,12 @@
 from collections import defaultdict
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 from random import random
-from typing import Iterator
 
 import anyio
-from anyio import CancelScope, create_task_group, fail_after
-from anyio.abc import TaskGroup
+from anyio import CancelScope, fail_after
 from loguru import logger
 
+from exo.download.download_utils import resolve_model_in_path
 from exo.shared.apply import apply
 from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId
 from exo.shared.types.api import ImageEditsTaskParams
@@ -17,13 +16,15 @@ from exo.shared.types.commands import (
     RequestEventLog,
     StartDownload,
 )
-from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId, SessionId
+from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId, SessionId, SystemId
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
     Event,
     EventId,
-    ForwarderEvent,
+    GlobalForwarderEvent,
     IndexedEvent,
     InputChunkReceived,
+    LocalForwarderEvent,
+    NodeDownloadProgress,
     NodeGatheredInfo,
     TaskCreated,
     TaskStatusUpdated,
@@ -42,12 +43,14 @@ from exo.shared.types.tasks import (
     TaskStatus,
 )
 from exo.shared.types.topology import Connection, SocketConnection
+from exo.shared.types.worker.downloads import DownloadCompleted
 from exo.shared.types.worker.runners import RunnerId
 from exo.utils.channels import Receiver, Sender, channel
 from exo.utils.event_buffer import OrderedBuffer
 from exo.utils.info_gatherer.info_gatherer import GatheredInfo, InfoGatherer
 from exo.utils.info_gatherer.net_profile import check_reachable
 from exo.utils.keyed_backoff import KeyedBackoff
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 from exo.worker.plan import plan
 from exo.worker.runner.runner_supervisor import RunnerSupervisor
 
@@ -58,34 +61,34 @@ class Worker:
         node_id: NodeId,
         session_id: SessionId,
         *,
-        global_event_receiver: Receiver[ForwarderEvent],
-        local_event_sender: Sender[ForwarderEvent],
+        global_event_receiver: Receiver[GlobalForwarderEvent],
+        local_event_sender: Sender[LocalForwarderEvent],
         # This is for requesting updates. It doesn't need to be a general command sender right now,
         # but I think it's the correct way to be thinking about commands
         command_sender: Sender[ForwarderCommand],
         download_command_sender: Sender[ForwarderDownloadCommand],
-        event_index_counter: Iterator[int],
     ):
         self.node_id: NodeId = node_id
         self.session_id: SessionId = session_id
 
         self.global_event_receiver = global_event_receiver
         self.local_event_sender = local_event_sender
-        self.event_index_counter = event_index_counter
         self.command_sender = command_sender
         self.download_command_sender = download_command_sender
         self.event_buffer = OrderedBuffer[Event]()
-        self.out_for_delivery: dict[EventId, ForwarderEvent] = {}
+        self.out_for_delivery: dict[EventId, LocalForwarderEvent] = {}
 
         self.state: State = State()
         self.runners: dict[RunnerId, RunnerSupervisor] = {}
-        self._tg: TaskGroup = create_task_group()
+        self._tg: TaskGroup = TaskGroup()
 
         self._nack_cancel_scope: CancelScope | None = None
         self._nack_attempts: int = 0
         self._nack_base_seconds: float = 0.5
         self._nack_cap_seconds: float = 10.0
 
+        self._system_id = SystemId()
+
         self.event_sender, self.event_receiver = channel[Event]()
 
         # Buffer for input image chunks (for image editing)
@@ -132,6 +135,8 @@ class Worker:
     async def _event_applier(self):
         with self.global_event_receiver as events:
             async for f_event in events:
+                if f_event.session != self.session_id:
+                    continue
                 if f_event.origin != self.session_id.master_node_id:
                     continue
                 self.event_buffer.ingest(f_event.origin_idx, f_event.event)
@@ -210,20 +215,44 @@ class Worker:
                     model_id = shard.model_card.model_id
                     self._download_backoff.record_attempt(model_id)
 
-                    await self.download_command_sender.send(
-                        ForwarderDownloadCommand(
-                            origin=self.node_id,
-                            command=StartDownload(
-                                target_node_id=self.node_id,
-                                shard_metadata=shard,
-                            ),
+                    found_path = resolve_model_in_path(model_id)
+                    if found_path is not None:
+                        logger.info(
+                            f"Model {model_id} found in EXO_MODELS_PATH at {found_path}"
                         )
-                    )
-                    await self.event_sender.send(
-                        TaskStatusUpdated(
-                            task_id=task.task_id, task_status=TaskStatus.Running
+                        await self.event_sender.send(
+                            NodeDownloadProgress(
+                                download_progress=DownloadCompleted(
+                                    node_id=self.node_id,
+                                    shard_metadata=shard,
+                                    model_directory=str(found_path),
+                                    total=shard.model_card.storage_size,
+                                    read_only=True,
+                                )
+                            )
+                        )
+                        await self.event_sender.send(
+                            TaskStatusUpdated(
+                                task_id=task.task_id,
+                                task_status=TaskStatus.Complete,
+                            )
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        await self.download_command_sender.send(
+                            ForwarderDownloadCommand(
+                                origin=self._system_id,
+                                command=StartDownload(
+                                    target_node_id=self.node_id,
+                                    shard_metadata=shard,
+                                ),
+                            )
+                        )
+                        await self.event_sender.send(
+                            TaskStatusUpdated(
+                                task_id=task.task_id,
+                                task_status=TaskStatus.Running,
+                            )
                         )
-                    )
                 case Shutdown(runner_id=runner_id):
                     runner = self.runners.pop(runner_id)
                     try:
@@ -288,7 +317,7 @@ class Worker:
                     await self._start_runner_task(task)
 
     def shutdown(self):
-        self._tg.cancel_scope.cancel()
+        self._tg.cancel_tasks()
 
     async def _start_runner_task(self, task: Task):
         if (instance := self.state.instances.get(task.instance_id)) is not None:
@@ -317,7 +346,7 @@ class Worker:
                 )
                 await self.command_sender.send(
                     ForwarderCommand(
-                        origin=self.node_id,
+                        origin=self._system_id,
                         command=RequestEventLog(since_idx=since_idx),
                     )
                 )
@@ -344,15 +373,16 @@ class Worker:
         return runner
 
     async def _forward_events(self) -> None:
+        idx = 0
         with self.event_receiver as events:
             async for event in events:
-                idx = next(self.event_index_counter)
-                fe = ForwarderEvent(
+                fe = LocalForwarderEvent(
                     origin_idx=idx,
-                    origin=self.node_id,
+                    origin=self._system_id,
                     session=self.session_id,
                     event=event,
                 )
+                idx += 1
                 logger.debug(f"Worker published event {idx}: {str(event)[:100]}")
                 await self.local_event_sender.send(fe)
                 self.out_for_delivery[event.event_id] = fe

src/exo/worker/runner/bootstrap.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import loguru
 
 from exo.shared.types.events import Event, RunnerStatusUpdated
 from exo.shared.types.tasks import Task, TaskId
-from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import BoundInstance, MlxJacclInstance
+from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import BoundInstance
 from exo.shared.types.worker.runners import RunnerFailed
 from exo.utils.channels import ClosedResourceError, MpReceiver, MpSender
 
@@ -18,28 +18,26 @@ def entrypoint(
     cancel_receiver: MpReceiver[TaskId],
     _logger: "loguru.Logger",
 ) -> None:
+    global logger
+    logger = _logger
+
     fast_synch_override = os.environ.get("EXO_FAST_SYNCH")
-    if fast_synch_override == "on" or (
-        fast_synch_override != "off"
-        and (
-            isinstance(bound_instance.instance, MlxJacclInstance)
-            and len(bound_instance.instance.jaccl_devices) >= 2
-        )
-    ):
+    if fast_synch_override != "off":
         os.environ["MLX_METAL_FAST_SYNCH"] = "1"
     else:
         os.environ["MLX_METAL_FAST_SYNCH"] = "0"
 
-    global logger
-    logger = _logger
-
     logger.info(f"Fast synch flag: {os.environ['MLX_METAL_FAST_SYNCH']}")
 
     # Import main after setting global logger - this lets us just import logger from this module
     try:
-        from exo.worker.runner.runner import main
+        if bound_instance.is_image_model:
+            from exo.worker.runner.image_models.runner import main
+        else:
+            from exo.worker.runner.llm_inference.runner import main
 
         main(bound_instance, event_sender, task_receiver, cancel_receiver)
+
     except ClosedResourceError:
         logger.warning("Runner communication closed unexpectedly")
     except Exception as e:

src/exo/worker/runner/image_models/runner.py

@@ -0,0 +1,453 @@
+import base64
+import resource
+import time
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
+
+import mlx.core as mx
+
+from exo.shared.constants import EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE, EXO_TRACING_ENABLED
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelTask
+from exo.shared.tracing import clear_trace_buffer, get_trace_buffer
+from exo.shared.types.api import ImageGenerationStats
+from exo.shared.types.chunks import ErrorChunk, ImageChunk
+from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, ModelId
+from exo.shared.types.events import (
+    ChunkGenerated,
+    Event,
+    RunnerStatusUpdated,
+    TaskAcknowledged,
+    TaskStatusUpdated,
+    TraceEventData,
+    TracesCollected,
+)
+from exo.shared.types.tasks import (
+    ConnectToGroup,
+    ImageEdits,
+    ImageGeneration,
+    LoadModel,
+    Shutdown,
+    StartWarmup,
+    Task,
+    TaskId,
+    TaskStatus,
+)
+from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import BoundInstance
+from exo.shared.types.worker.runner_response import (
+    ImageGenerationResponse,
+    PartialImageResponse,
+)
+from exo.shared.types.worker.runners import (
+    RunnerConnected,
+    RunnerConnecting,
+    RunnerFailed,
+    RunnerIdle,
+    RunnerLoaded,
+    RunnerLoading,
+    RunnerReady,
+    RunnerRunning,
+    RunnerShutdown,
+    RunnerShuttingDown,
+    RunnerStatus,
+    RunnerWarmingUp,
+)
+from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import (
+    CfgShardMetadata,
+    PipelineShardMetadata,
+    ShardMetadata,
+)
+from exo.utils.channels import MpReceiver, MpSender
+from exo.worker.engines.image import (
+    DistributedImageModel,
+    generate_image,
+    initialize_image_model,
+    warmup_image_generator,
+)
+from exo.worker.engines.mlx.utils_mlx import (
+    initialize_mlx,
+)
+from exo.worker.runner.bootstrap import logger
+
+
+def _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata: ShardMetadata) -> bool:
+    """Check if this node is the primary output node for image generation.
+
+    For CFG models: the last pipeline stage in CFG group 0 (positive prompt).
+    For non-CFG models: the last pipeline stage.
+    """
+    if isinstance(shard_metadata, CfgShardMetadata):
+        is_pipeline_last = (
+            shard_metadata.pipeline_rank == shard_metadata.pipeline_world_size - 1
+        )
+        return is_pipeline_last and shard_metadata.cfg_rank == 0
+    elif isinstance(shard_metadata, PipelineShardMetadata):
+        return shard_metadata.device_rank == shard_metadata.world_size - 1
+    return False
+
+
+def _process_image_response(
+    response: ImageGenerationResponse | PartialImageResponse,
+    command_id: CommandId,
+    shard_metadata: ShardMetadata,
+    event_sender: MpSender[Event],
+    image_index: int,
+) -> None:
+    """Process a single image response and send chunks."""
+    encoded_data = base64.b64encode(response.image_data).decode("utf-8")
+    is_partial = isinstance(response, PartialImageResponse)
+    # Extract stats from final ImageGenerationResponse if available
+    stats = response.stats if isinstance(response, ImageGenerationResponse) else None
+    _send_image_chunk(
+        encoded_data=encoded_data,
+        command_id=command_id,
+        model_id=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+        event_sender=event_sender,
+        image_index=response.image_index,
+        is_partial=is_partial,
+        partial_index=response.partial_index if is_partial else None,
+        total_partials=response.total_partials if is_partial else None,
+        stats=stats,
+        image_format=response.format,
+    )
+
+
+def _send_traces_if_enabled(
+    event_sender: MpSender[Event],
+    task_id: TaskId,
+    rank: int,
+) -> None:
+    if not EXO_TRACING_ENABLED:
+        return
+
+    traces = get_trace_buffer()
+    if traces:
+        trace_data = [
+            TraceEventData(
+                name=t.name,
+                start_us=t.start_us,
+                duration_us=t.duration_us,
+                rank=t.rank,
+                category=t.category,
+            )
+            for t in traces
+        ]
+        event_sender.send(
+            TracesCollected(
+                task_id=task_id,
+                rank=rank,
+                traces=trace_data,
+            )
+        )
+    clear_trace_buffer()
+
+
+def _send_image_chunk(
+    encoded_data: str,
+    command_id: CommandId,
+    model_id: ModelId,
+    event_sender: MpSender[Event],
+    image_index: int,
+    is_partial: bool,
+    partial_index: int | None = None,
+    total_partials: int | None = None,
+    stats: ImageGenerationStats | None = None,
+    image_format: Literal["png", "jpeg", "webp"] | None = None,
+) -> None:
+    """Send base64-encoded image data as chunks via events."""
+    data_chunks = [
+        encoded_data[i : i + EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE]
+        for i in range(0, len(encoded_data), EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE)
+    ]
+    total_chunks = len(data_chunks)
+    for chunk_index, chunk_data in enumerate(data_chunks):
+        # Only include stats on the last chunk of the final image
+        chunk_stats = (
+            stats if chunk_index == total_chunks - 1 and not is_partial else None
+        )
+        event_sender.send(
+            ChunkGenerated(
+                command_id=command_id,
+                chunk=ImageChunk(
+                    model=model_id,
+                    data=chunk_data,
+                    chunk_index=chunk_index,
+                    total_chunks=total_chunks,
+                    image_index=image_index,
+                    is_partial=is_partial,
+                    partial_index=partial_index,
+                    total_partials=total_partials,
+                    stats=chunk_stats,
+                    format=image_format,
+                ),
+            )
+        )
+
+
+def main(
+    bound_instance: BoundInstance,
+    event_sender: MpSender[Event],
+    task_receiver: MpReceiver[Task],
+    cancel_receiver: MpReceiver[TaskId],
+):
+    soft, hard = resource.getrlimit(resource.RLIMIT_NOFILE)
+    resource.setrlimit(resource.RLIMIT_NOFILE, (min(max(soft, 2048), hard), hard))
+
+    instance, runner_id, shard_metadata = (
+        bound_instance.instance,
+        bound_instance.bound_runner_id,
+        bound_instance.bound_shard,
+    )
+    device_rank = shard_metadata.device_rank
+    logger.info("hello from the runner")
+    if getattr(shard_metadata, "immediate_exception", False):
+        raise Exception("Fake exception - runner failed to spin up.")
+    if timeout := getattr(shard_metadata, "should_timeout", 0):
+        time.sleep(timeout)
+
+    setup_start_time = time.time()
+    cancelled_tasks = set[TaskId]()
+
+    image_model: DistributedImageModel | None = None
+    group = None
+
+    current_status: RunnerStatus = RunnerIdle()
+    logger.info("runner created")
+    event_sender.send(
+        RunnerStatusUpdated(runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status)
+    )
+    seen = set[TaskId]()
+    with task_receiver as tasks:
+        for task in tasks:
+            if task.task_id in seen:
+                logger.warning("repeat task - potential error")
+            seen.add(task.task_id)
+            cancelled_tasks.discard(TaskId("CANCEL_CURRENT_TASK"))
+            event_sender.send(
+                TaskStatusUpdated(task_id=task.task_id, task_status=TaskStatus.Running)
+            )
+            match task:
+                case ConnectToGroup() if isinstance(
+                    current_status, (RunnerIdle, RunnerFailed)
+                ):
+                    logger.info("runner connecting")
+                    current_status = RunnerConnecting()
+                    event_sender.send(
+                        RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                            runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status
+                        )
+                    )
+                    event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
+                    group = initialize_mlx(bound_instance)
+
+                    logger.info("runner connected")
+                    current_status = RunnerConnected()
+
+                # we load the model if it's connected with a group, or idle without a group. we should never tell a model to connect if it doesn't need to
+                case LoadModel() if (
+                    isinstance(current_status, RunnerConnected) and group is not None
+                ) or (isinstance(current_status, RunnerIdle) and group is None):
+                    current_status = RunnerLoading()
+                    logger.info("runner loading")
+                    event_sender.send(
+                        RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                            runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status
+                        )
+                    )
+                    event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
+
+                    assert (
+                        ModelTask.TextToImage in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks
+                        or ModelTask.ImageToImage in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks
+                    ), f"Incorrect model task(s): {shard_metadata.model_card.tasks}"
+
+                    image_model = initialize_image_model(bound_instance)
+                    current_status = RunnerLoaded()
+                    logger.info("runner loaded")
+
+                case StartWarmup() if isinstance(current_status, RunnerLoaded):
+                    current_status = RunnerWarmingUp()
+                    logger.info("runner warming up")
+                    event_sender.send(
+                        RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                            runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status
+                        )
+                    )
+                    event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
+
+                    logger.info(f"warming up inference for instance: {instance}")
+
+                    assert image_model
+                    image = warmup_image_generator(model=image_model)
+                    if image is not None:
+                        logger.info(f"warmed up by generating {image.size} image")
+                    else:
+                        logger.info("warmup completed (non-primary node)")
+
+                    logger.info(
+                        f"runner initialized in {time.time() - setup_start_time} seconds"
+                    )
+
+                    current_status = RunnerReady()
+                    logger.info("runner ready")
+
+                case ImageGeneration(
+                    task_params=task_params, command_id=command_id
+                ) if isinstance(current_status, RunnerReady):
+                    assert image_model
+                    logger.info(f"received image generation request: {str(task)[:500]}")
+                    current_status = RunnerRunning()
+                    logger.info("runner running")
+                    event_sender.send(
+                        RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                            runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status
+                        )
+                    )
+                    event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
+
+                    try:
+                        image_index = 0
+                        for response in generate_image(
+                            model=image_model, task=task_params
+                        ):
+                            is_primary_output = _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata)
+
+                            if is_primary_output:
+                                match response:
+                                    case PartialImageResponse():
+                                        logger.info(
+                                            f"sending partial ImageChunk {response.partial_index}/{response.total_partials}"
+                                        )
+                                        _process_image_response(
+                                            response,
+                                            command_id,
+                                            shard_metadata,
+                                            event_sender,
+                                            image_index,
+                                        )
+                                    case ImageGenerationResponse():
+                                        logger.info("sending final ImageChunk")
+                                        _process_image_response(
+                                            response,
+                                            command_id,
+                                            shard_metadata,
+                                            event_sender,
+                                            image_index,
+                                        )
+                                        image_index += 1
+                    # can we make this more explicit?
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        if _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata):
+                            event_sender.send(
+                                ChunkGenerated(
+                                    command_id=command_id,
+                                    chunk=ErrorChunk(
+                                        model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+                                        finish_reason="error",
+                                        error_message=str(e),
+                                    ),
+                                )
+                            )
+                        raise
+                    finally:
+                        _send_traces_if_enabled(event_sender, task.task_id, device_rank)
+
+                    current_status = RunnerReady()
+                    logger.info("runner ready")
+
+                case ImageEdits(task_params=task_params, command_id=command_id) if (
+                    isinstance(current_status, RunnerReady)
+                ):
+                    assert image_model
+                    logger.info(f"received image edits request: {str(task)[:500]}")
+                    current_status = RunnerRunning()
+                    logger.info("runner running")
+                    event_sender.send(
+                        RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                            runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status
+                        )
+                    )
+                    event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
+
+                    try:
+                        image_index = 0
+                        for response in generate_image(
+                            model=image_model, task=task_params
+                        ):
+                            if _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata):
+                                match response:
+                                    case PartialImageResponse():
+                                        logger.info(
+                                            f"sending partial ImageChunk {response.partial_index}/{response.total_partials}"
+                                        )
+                                        _process_image_response(
+                                            response,
+                                            command_id,
+                                            shard_metadata,
+                                            event_sender,
+                                            image_index,
+                                        )
+                                    case ImageGenerationResponse():
+                                        logger.info("sending final ImageChunk")
+                                        _process_image_response(
+                                            response,
+                                            command_id,
+                                            shard_metadata,
+                                            event_sender,
+                                            image_index,
+                                        )
+                                        image_index += 1
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        if _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata):
+                            event_sender.send(
+                                ChunkGenerated(
+                                    command_id=command_id,
+                                    chunk=ErrorChunk(
+                                        model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+                                        finish_reason="error",
+                                        error_message=str(e),
+                                    ),
+                                )
+                            )
+                        raise
+                    finally:
+                        _send_traces_if_enabled(event_sender, task.task_id, device_rank)
+
+                    current_status = RunnerReady()
+                    logger.info("runner ready")
+
+                case Shutdown():
+                    current_status = RunnerShuttingDown()
+                    logger.info("runner shutting down")
+                    if not TYPE_CHECKING:
+                        del image_model, group
+                        mx.clear_cache()
+                        import gc
+
+                        gc.collect()
+
+                    event_sender.send(
+                        RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                            runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status
+                        )
+                    )
+                    event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
+
+                    current_status = RunnerShutdown()
+                case _:
+                    raise ValueError(
+                        f"Received {task.__class__.__name__} outside of state machine in {current_status=}"
+                    )
+            was_cancelled = (task.task_id in cancelled_tasks) or (
+                TaskId("CANCEL_CURRENT_TASK") in cancelled_tasks
+            )
+            if not was_cancelled:
+                event_sender.send(
+                    TaskStatusUpdated(
+                        task_id=task.task_id, task_status=TaskStatus.Complete
+                    )
+                )
+            event_sender.send(
+                RunnerStatusUpdated(runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status)
+            )
+
+            if isinstance(current_status, RunnerShutdown):
+                break

src/exo/worker/runner/llm_inference/runner.py

@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
-import base64
 import math
 import resource
 import time
 from collections.abc import Generator
 from functools import cache
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Literal
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, cast
 
 import mlx.core as mx
 from mlx_lm.models.deepseek_v32 import Model as DeepseekV32Model
@@ -18,31 +17,22 @@ from openai_harmony import (  # pyright: ignore[reportMissingTypeStubs]
     load_harmony_encoding,
 )
 
-from exo.shared.constants import EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE, EXO_TRACING_ENABLED
-from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId, ModelTask
-from exo.shared.tracing import clear_trace_buffer, get_trace_buffer
-from exo.shared.types.api import ImageGenerationStats
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelTask
 from exo.shared.types.chunks import (
     ErrorChunk,
-    ImageChunk,
     PrefillProgressChunk,
     TokenChunk,
     ToolCallChunk,
 )
-from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
     ChunkGenerated,
     Event,
     RunnerStatusUpdated,
     TaskAcknowledged,
     TaskStatusUpdated,
-    TraceEventData,
-    TracesCollected,
 )
 from exo.shared.types.tasks import (
     ConnectToGroup,
-    ImageEdits,
-    ImageGeneration,
     LoadModel,
     Shutdown,
     StartWarmup,
@@ -55,8 +45,6 @@ from exo.shared.types.text_generation import TextGenerationTaskParams
 from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import BoundInstance
 from exo.shared.types.worker.runner_response import (
     GenerationResponse,
-    ImageGenerationResponse,
-    PartialImageResponse,
     ToolCallItem,
     ToolCallResponse,
 )
@@ -74,18 +62,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.worker.runners import (
     RunnerStatus,
     RunnerWarmingUp,
 )
-from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import (
-    CfgShardMetadata,
-    PipelineShardMetadata,
-    ShardMetadata,
-)
 from exo.utils.channels import MpReceiver, MpSender
-from exo.worker.engines.image import (
-    DistributedImageModel,
-    generate_image,
-    initialize_image_model,
-    warmup_image_generator,
-)
 from exo.worker.engines.mlx import Model
 from exo.worker.engines.mlx.cache import KVPrefixCache
 from exo.worker.engines.mlx.generator.generate import (
@@ -106,22 +83,6 @@ from exo.worker.runner.bootstrap import logger
 from .tool_parsers import ToolParser, make_mlx_parser
 
 
-def _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata: ShardMetadata) -> bool:
-    """Check if this node is the primary output node for image generation.
-
-    For CFG models: the last pipeline stage in CFG group 0 (positive prompt).
-    For non-CFG models: the last pipeline stage.
-    """
-    if isinstance(shard_metadata, CfgShardMetadata):
-        is_pipeline_last = (
-            shard_metadata.pipeline_rank == shard_metadata.pipeline_world_size - 1
-        )
-        return is_pipeline_last and shard_metadata.cfg_rank == 0
-    elif isinstance(shard_metadata, PipelineShardMetadata):
-        return shard_metadata.device_rank == shard_metadata.world_size - 1
-    return False
-
-
 def main(
     bound_instance: BoundInstance,
     event_sender: MpSender[Event],
@@ -136,6 +97,7 @@ def main(
         bound_instance.bound_runner_id,
         bound_instance.bound_shard,
     )
+    model_id = shard_metadata.model_card.model_id
     device_rank = shard_metadata.device_rank
     logger.info("hello from the runner")
     if getattr(shard_metadata, "immediate_exception", False):
@@ -146,9 +108,7 @@ def main(
     setup_start_time = time.time()
     cancelled_tasks = set[TaskId]()
 
-    # type checker was unhappy with me - splitting these fixed it
     inference_model: Model | None = None
-    image_model: DistributedImageModel | None = None
     tokenizer = None
     tool_parser: ToolParser | None = None
     group = None
@@ -191,7 +151,10 @@ def main(
                 case LoadModel() if (
                     isinstance(current_status, RunnerConnected) and group is not None
                 ) or (isinstance(current_status, RunnerIdle) and group is None):
-                    current_status = RunnerLoading()
+                    total_layers = shard_metadata.end_layer - shard_metadata.start_layer
+                    current_status = RunnerLoading(
+                        layers_loaded=0, total_layers=total_layers
+                    )
                     logger.info("runner loading")
                     event_sender.send(
                         RunnerStatusUpdated(
@@ -211,33 +174,40 @@ def main(
                         )
                         time.sleep(0.5)
 
-                    if ModelTask.TextGeneration in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks:
-                        inference_model, tokenizer = load_mlx_items(
-                            bound_instance, group, on_timeout=on_model_load_timeout
+                    def on_layer_loaded(layers_loaded: int, total: int) -> None:
+                        nonlocal current_status
+                        current_status = RunnerLoading(
+                            layers_loaded=layers_loaded, total_layers=total
                         )
-                        logger.info(
-                            f"model has_tool_calling={tokenizer.has_tool_calling} using tokens {tokenizer.tool_call_start}, {tokenizer.tool_call_end}"
-                        )
-                        if tokenizer.has_tool_calling:
-                            assert tokenizer.tool_call_start
-                            assert tokenizer.tool_call_end
-                            assert tokenizer.tool_parser  # pyright: ignore[reportAny]
-                            tool_parser = make_mlx_parser(
-                                tokenizer.tool_call_start,
-                                tokenizer.tool_call_end,
-                                tokenizer.tool_parser,  # pyright: ignore[reportAny]
+                        event_sender.send(
+                            RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                                runner_id=runner_id,
+                                runner_status=current_status,
                             )
-                        kv_prefix_cache = KVPrefixCache(group)
-
-                    elif (
-                        ModelTask.TextToImage in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks
-                        or ModelTask.ImageToImage in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks
-                    ):
-                        image_model = initialize_image_model(bound_instance)
-                    else:
-                        raise ValueError(
-                            f"Unknown model task(s): {shard_metadata.model_card.tasks}"
                         )
+
+                    assert (
+                        ModelTask.TextGeneration in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks
+                    ), f"Incorrect model task(s): {shard_metadata.model_card.tasks}"
+                    inference_model, tokenizer = load_mlx_items(
+                        bound_instance,
+                        group,
+                        on_timeout=on_model_load_timeout,
+                        on_layer_loaded=on_layer_loaded,
+                    )
+                    logger.info(
+                        f"model has_tool_calling={tokenizer.has_tool_calling} using tokens {tokenizer.tool_call_start}, {tokenizer.tool_call_end}"
+                    )
+                    if tokenizer.has_tool_calling:
+                        assert tokenizer.tool_call_start
+                        assert tokenizer.tool_call_end
+                        assert tokenizer.tool_parser  # pyright: ignore[reportAny]
+                        tool_parser = make_mlx_parser(
+                            tokenizer.tool_call_start,
+                            tokenizer.tool_call_end,
+                            tokenizer.tool_parser,  # pyright: ignore[reportAny]
+                        )
+                    kv_prefix_cache = KVPrefixCache(group)
                     current_status = RunnerLoaded()
                     logger.info("runner loaded")
                 case StartWarmup() if isinstance(current_status, RunnerLoaded):
@@ -251,46 +221,34 @@ def main(
                     event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
 
                     logger.info(f"warming up inference for instance: {instance}")
-                    if ModelTask.TextGeneration in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks:
-                        assert inference_model
-                        assert tokenizer
+                    assert inference_model
+                    assert tokenizer
 
-                        t = time.monotonic()
-                        toks = warmup_inference(
-                            model=inference_model,
-                            tokenizer=tokenizer,
-                            group=group,
+                    t = time.monotonic()
+                    toks = warmup_inference(
+                        model=cast(Model, inference_model),
+                        tokenizer=tokenizer,
+                        group=group,
+                    )
+                    logger.info(f"warmed up by generating {toks} tokens")
+                    check_for_cancel_every = min(
+                        math.ceil(toks / min(time.monotonic() - t, 0.001)), 100
+                    )
+                    if group is not None:
+                        check_for_cancel_every = int(
+                            mx.max(
+                                mx.distributed.all_gather(
+                                    mx.array([check_for_cancel_every]), group=group
+                                )
+                            ).item()
                         )
-                        logger.info(f"warmed up by generating {toks} tokens")
-                        check_for_cancel_every = min(
-                            math.ceil(toks / min(time.monotonic() - t, 0.001)), 100
-                        )
-                        if group is not None:
-                            check_for_cancel_every = int(
-                                mx.max(
-                                    mx.distributed.all_gather(
-                                        mx.array([check_for_cancel_every]), group=group
-                                    )
-                                ).item()
-                            )
-
-                        logger.info(
-                            f"runner checking for cancellation every {check_for_cancel_every} tokens"
-                        )
-                        logger.info(
-                            f"runner initialized in {time.time() - setup_start_time} seconds"
-                        )
-                    elif (
-                        ModelTask.TextToImage in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks
-                        or ModelTask.ImageToImage in shard_metadata.model_card.tasks
-                    ):
-                        assert image_model
-                        image = warmup_image_generator(model=image_model)
-                        if image is not None:
-                            logger.info(f"warmed up by generating {image.size} image")
-                        else:
-                            logger.info("warmup completed (non-primary node)")
 
+                    logger.info(
+                        f"runner checking for cancellation every {check_for_cancel_every} tokens"
+                    )
+                    logger.info(
+                        f"runner initialized in {time.time() - setup_start_time} seconds"
+                    )
                     current_status = RunnerReady()
                     logger.info("runner ready")
                 case TextGeneration(task_params=task_params, command_id=command_id) if (
@@ -324,7 +282,7 @@ def main(
                                 ChunkGenerated(
                                     command_id=command_id,
                                     chunk=PrefillProgressChunk(
-                                        model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+                                        model=model_id,
                                         processed_tokens=processed,
                                         total_tokens=total,
                                     ),
@@ -345,7 +303,7 @@ def main(
 
                         # Generate responses using the actual MLX generation
                         mlx_generator = mlx_generate(
-                            model=inference_model,
+                            model=cast(Model, inference_model),
                             tokenizer=tokenizer,
                             task=task_params,
                             prompt=prompt,
@@ -368,13 +326,16 @@ def main(
                         # Model-specific output parsing for tool calls.
                         if isinstance(inference_model, GptOssModel):
                             mlx_generator = parse_gpt_oss(mlx_generator)
-                        elif isinstance(inference_model, DeepseekV32Model):
+                        elif (
+                            isinstance(inference_model, DeepseekV32Model)
+                            and "deepseek" in model_id.normalize().lower()
+                        ):
                             mlx_generator = parse_deepseek_v32(mlx_generator)
                         elif tool_parser:
                             mlx_generator = parse_tool_calls(mlx_generator, tool_parser)
 
                         completion_tokens = 0
-                        tokens_since_last_cancel_check = 0
+                        tokens_since_last_cancel_check = check_for_cancel_every
                         for response in mlx_generator:
                             tokens_since_last_cancel_check += 1
                             if tokens_since_last_cancel_check >= check_for_cancel_every:
@@ -398,7 +359,7 @@ def main(
                                                 command_id=command_id,
                                                 chunk=ErrorChunk(
                                                     error_message=response.text,
-                                                    model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+                                                    model=model_id,
                                                 ),
                                             )
                                         )
@@ -413,7 +374,7 @@ def main(
                                             ChunkGenerated(
                                                 command_id=command_id,
                                                 chunk=TokenChunk(
-                                                    model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+                                                    model=model_id,
                                                     text=response.text,
                                                     token_id=response.token,
                                                     usage=response.usage,
@@ -432,7 +393,7 @@ def main(
                                                 command_id=command_id,
                                                 chunk=ToolCallChunk(
                                                     tool_calls=response.tool_calls,
-                                                    model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+                                                    model=model_id,
                                                     usage=response.usage,
                                                     stats=response.stats,
                                                 ),
@@ -448,7 +409,7 @@ def main(
                                 ChunkGenerated(
                                     command_id=command_id,
                                     chunk=ErrorChunk(
-                                        model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
+                                        model=model_id,
                                         finish_reason="error",
                                         error_message=str(e),
                                     ),
@@ -458,138 +419,12 @@ def main(
 
                     current_status = RunnerReady()
                     logger.info("runner ready")
-                case ImageGeneration(
-                    task_params=task_params, command_id=command_id
-                ) if isinstance(current_status, RunnerReady):
-                    assert image_model
-                    logger.info(f"received image generation request: {str(task)[:500]}")
-                    current_status = RunnerRunning()
-                    logger.info("runner running")
-                    event_sender.send(
-                        RunnerStatusUpdated(
-                            runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status
-                        )
-                    )
-                    event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
 
-                    try:
-                        image_index = 0
-                        for response in generate_image(
-                            model=image_model, task=task_params
-                        ):
-                            is_primary_output = _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata)
-
-                            if is_primary_output:
-                                match response:
-                                    case PartialImageResponse():
-                                        logger.info(
-                                            f"sending partial ImageChunk {response.partial_index}/{response.total_partials}"
-                                        )
-                                        _process_image_response(
-                                            response,
-                                            command_id,
-                                            shard_metadata,
-                                            event_sender,
-                                            image_index,
-                                        )
-                                    case ImageGenerationResponse():
-                                        logger.info("sending final ImageChunk")
-                                        _process_image_response(
-                                            response,
-                                            command_id,
-                                            shard_metadata,
-                                            event_sender,
-                                            image_index,
-                                        )
-                                        image_index += 1
-                    # can we make this more explicit?
-                    except Exception as e:
-                        if _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata):
-                            event_sender.send(
-                                ChunkGenerated(
-                                    command_id=command_id,
-                                    chunk=ErrorChunk(
-                                        model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
-                                        finish_reason="error",
-                                        error_message=str(e),
-                                    ),
-                                )
-                            )
-                        raise
-                    finally:
-                        _send_traces_if_enabled(
-                            event_sender, task.task_id, shard_metadata.device_rank
-                        )
-
-                    current_status = RunnerReady()
-                    logger.info("runner ready")
-                case ImageEdits(task_params=task_params, command_id=command_id) if (
-                    isinstance(current_status, RunnerReady)
-                ):
-                    assert image_model
-                    logger.info(f"received image edits request: {str(task)[:500]}")
-                    current_status = RunnerRunning()
-                    logger.info("runner running")
-                    event_sender.send(
-                        RunnerStatusUpdated(
-                            runner_id=runner_id, runner_status=current_status
-                        )
-                    )
-                    event_sender.send(TaskAcknowledged(task_id=task.task_id))
-
-                    try:
-                        image_index = 0
-                        for response in generate_image(
-                            model=image_model, task=task_params
-                        ):
-                            if _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata):
-                                match response:
-                                    case PartialImageResponse():
-                                        logger.info(
-                                            f"sending partial ImageChunk {response.partial_index}/{response.total_partials}"
-                                        )
-                                        _process_image_response(
-                                            response,
-                                            command_id,
-                                            shard_metadata,
-                                            event_sender,
-                                            image_index,
-                                        )
-                                    case ImageGenerationResponse():
-                                        logger.info("sending final ImageChunk")
-                                        _process_image_response(
-                                            response,
-                                            command_id,
-                                            shard_metadata,
-                                            event_sender,
-                                            image_index,
-                                        )
-                                        image_index += 1
-                    except Exception as e:
-                        if _is_primary_output_node(shard_metadata):
-                            event_sender.send(
-                                ChunkGenerated(
-                                    command_id=command_id,
-                                    chunk=ErrorChunk(
-                                        model=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
-                                        finish_reason="error",
-                                        error_message=str(e),
-                                    ),
-                                )
-                            )
-                        raise
-                    finally:
-                        _send_traces_if_enabled(
-                            event_sender, task.task_id, shard_metadata.device_rank
-                        )
-
-                    current_status = RunnerReady()
-                    logger.info("runner ready")
                 case Shutdown():
                     current_status = RunnerShuttingDown()
                     logger.info("runner shutting down")
                     if not TYPE_CHECKING:
-                        del inference_model, image_model, tokenizer, group
+                        del inference_model, tokenizer, group
                         mx.clear_cache()
                         import gc
 
@@ -890,111 +725,13 @@ def parse_thinking_models(
         yield response.model_copy(update={"is_thinking": in_thinking})
 
 
-def _send_image_chunk(
-    encoded_data: str,
-    command_id: CommandId,
-    model_id: ModelId,
-    event_sender: MpSender[Event],
-    image_index: int,
-    is_partial: bool,
-    partial_index: int | None = None,
-    total_partials: int | None = None,
-    stats: ImageGenerationStats | None = None,
-    image_format: Literal["png", "jpeg", "webp"] | None = None,
-) -> None:
-    """Send base64-encoded image data as chunks via events."""
-    data_chunks = [
-        encoded_data[i : i + EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE]
-        for i in range(0, len(encoded_data), EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE)
-    ]
-    total_chunks = len(data_chunks)
-    for chunk_index, chunk_data in enumerate(data_chunks):
-        # Only include stats on the last chunk of the final image
-        chunk_stats = (
-            stats if chunk_index == total_chunks - 1 and not is_partial else None
-        )
-        event_sender.send(
-            ChunkGenerated(
-                command_id=command_id,
-                chunk=ImageChunk(
-                    model=model_id,
-                    data=chunk_data,
-                    chunk_index=chunk_index,
-                    total_chunks=total_chunks,
-                    image_index=image_index,
-                    is_partial=is_partial,
-                    partial_index=partial_index,
-                    total_partials=total_partials,
-                    stats=chunk_stats,
-                    format=image_format,
-                ),
-            )
-        )
-
-
-def _send_traces_if_enabled(
-    event_sender: MpSender[Event],
-    task_id: TaskId,
-    rank: int,
-) -> None:
-    if not EXO_TRACING_ENABLED:
-        return
-
-    traces = get_trace_buffer()
-    if traces:
-        trace_data = [
-            TraceEventData(
-                name=t.name,
-                start_us=t.start_us,
-                duration_us=t.duration_us,
-                rank=t.rank,
-                category=t.category,
-            )
-            for t in traces
-        ]
-        event_sender.send(
-            TracesCollected(
-                task_id=task_id,
-                rank=rank,
-                traces=trace_data,
-            )
-        )
-    clear_trace_buffer()
-
-
-def _process_image_response(
-    response: ImageGenerationResponse | PartialImageResponse,
-    command_id: CommandId,
-    shard_metadata: ShardMetadata,
-    event_sender: MpSender[Event],
-    image_index: int,
-) -> None:
-    """Process a single image response and send chunks."""
-    encoded_data = base64.b64encode(response.image_data).decode("utf-8")
-    is_partial = isinstance(response, PartialImageResponse)
-    # Extract stats from final ImageGenerationResponse if available
-    stats = response.stats if isinstance(response, ImageGenerationResponse) else None
-    _send_image_chunk(
-        encoded_data=encoded_data,
-        command_id=command_id,
-        model_id=shard_metadata.model_card.model_id,
-        event_sender=event_sender,
-        image_index=response.image_index,
-        is_partial=is_partial,
-        partial_index=response.partial_index if is_partial else None,
-        total_partials=response.total_partials if is_partial else None,
-        stats=stats,
-        image_format=response.format,
-    )
-
-
 def parse_tool_calls(
     responses: Generator[GenerationResponse], tool_parser: ToolParser
 ) -> Generator[GenerationResponse | ToolCallResponse]:
     in_tool_call = False
     tool_call_text_parts: list[str] = []
     for response in responses:
-        if response.text.startswith(tool_parser.start_parsing):
+        if not in_tool_call and response.text.startswith(tool_parser.start_parsing):
             in_tool_call = True
 
         if in_tool_call:
@@ -1032,10 +769,9 @@ def parse_tool_calls(
                 )
                 yield response
 
-            continue
-
-        # fallthrough
-        yield response
+        else:
+            # fallthrough
+            yield response
 
 
 EXO_RUNNER_MUST_FAIL = "EXO RUNNER MUST FAIL"

src/exo/worker/runner/llm_inference/tool_parsers.py

@@ -58,15 +58,16 @@ def _flatten(p: dict[str, Any]) -> dict[str, str]:
     }
 
 
-json_tool_parser = ToolParser(
-    start_parsing="<tool_call>",
-    end_parsing="</tool_call>",
-    parse_tool_calls=_parse_json_calls,
-)
+def make_json_parser() -> ToolParser:
+    return ToolParser(
+        start_parsing="<tool_call>",
+        end_parsing="</tool_call>",
+        parse_tool_calls=_parse_json_calls,
+    )
 
 
 def infer_tool_parser(chat_template: str) -> ToolParser | None:
     """Attempt to auto-infer a tool parser from the chat template."""
     if "<tool_call>" in chat_template and "tool_call.name" in chat_template:
-        return json_tool_parser
+        return make_json_parser()
     return None

src/exo/worker/runner/runner_supervisor.py

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import contextlib
+import multiprocessing as mp
 import signal
 from dataclasses import dataclass, field
-from multiprocessing import Process
 from typing import Self
 
 import anyio
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.worker.runners import (
 )
 from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import ShardMetadata
 from exo.utils.channels import MpReceiver, MpSender, Sender, mp_channel
+from exo.utils.task_group import TaskGroup
 from exo.worker.runner.bootstrap import entrypoint
 
 PREFILL_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 60
@@ -42,16 +43,20 @@ DECODE_TIMEOUT_SECONDS = 5
 class RunnerSupervisor:
     shard_metadata: ShardMetadata
     bound_instance: BoundInstance
-    runner_process: Process
+    runner_process: mp.Process
     initialize_timeout: float
     _ev_recv: MpReceiver[Event]
     _task_sender: MpSender[Task]
     _event_sender: Sender[Event]
     _cancel_sender: MpSender[TaskId]
+    _tg: TaskGroup = field(default_factory=TaskGroup, init=False)
     status: RunnerStatus = field(default_factory=RunnerIdle, init=False)
     pending: dict[TaskId, anyio.Event] = field(default_factory=dict, init=False)
     completed: set[TaskId] = field(default_factory=set, init=False)
     cancelled: set[TaskId] = field(default_factory=set, init=False)
+    _cancel_watch_runner: anyio.CancelScope = field(
+        default_factory=anyio.CancelScope, init=False
+    )
 
     @classmethod
     def create(
@@ -65,7 +70,7 @@ class RunnerSupervisor:
         task_sender, task_recv = mp_channel[Task]()
         cancel_sender, cancel_recv = mp_channel[TaskId]()
 
-        runner_process = Process(
+        runner_process = mp.Process(
             target=entrypoint,
             args=(
                 bound_instance,
@@ -94,15 +99,25 @@ class RunnerSupervisor:
 
     async def run(self):
         self.runner_process.start()
-        await self._forward_events()
+        async with self._tg as tg:
+            tg.start_soon(self._watch_runner)
+            tg.start_soon(self._forward_events)
 
     def shutdown(self):
         logger.info("Runner supervisor shutting down")
-        self._ev_recv.close()
-        self._task_sender.close()
+        self._tg.cancel_tasks()
+        if not self._cancel_watch_runner.cancel_called:
+            self._cancel_watch_runner.cancel()
+        with contextlib.suppress(ClosedResourceError):
+            self._ev_recv.close()
+        with contextlib.suppress(ClosedResourceError):
+            self._task_sender.close()
+        with contextlib.suppress(ClosedResourceError):
+            self._event_sender.close()
         with contextlib.suppress(ClosedResourceError):
             self._cancel_sender.send(TaskId("CANCEL_CURRENT_TASK"))
-        self._cancel_sender.close()
+        with contextlib.suppress(ClosedResourceError):
+            self._cancel_sender.close()
         self.runner_process.join(5)
         if not self.runner_process.is_alive():
             logger.info("Runner process succesfully terminated")
@@ -151,8 +166,8 @@ class RunnerSupervisor:
             await self._check_runner(TimeoutError("cancel pipe blocked"))
 
     async def _forward_events(self):
-        with self._ev_recv as events:
-            try:
+        try:
+            with self._ev_recv as events:
                 async for event in events:
                     if isinstance(event, RunnerStatusUpdated):
                         self.status = event.runner_status
@@ -176,25 +191,34 @@ class RunnerSupervisor:
                         )
                         self.completed.add(event.task_id)
                     await self._event_sender.send(event)
-            except (ClosedResourceError, BrokenResourceError) as e:
-                await self._check_runner(e)
-                for tid in self.pending:
-                    self.pending[tid].set()
-        self._event_sender.close()
+        except (ClosedResourceError, BrokenResourceError) as e:
+            await self._check_runner(e)
+        finally:
+            for tid in self.pending:
+                self.pending[tid].set()
 
     def __del__(self) -> None:
         if self.runner_process.is_alive():
-            logger.warning("RunnerSupervisor was not stopped cleanly.")
+            logger.critical("RunnerSupervisor was not stopped cleanly.")
             with contextlib.suppress(ValueError):
                 self.runner_process.kill()
 
+    async def _watch_runner(self) -> None:
+        with self._cancel_watch_runner:
+            while True:
+                await anyio.sleep(5)
+                if not self.runner_process.is_alive():
+                    await self._check_runner(RuntimeError("Runner found to be dead"))
+
     async def _check_runner(self, e: Exception) -> None:
+        if not self._cancel_watch_runner.cancel_called:
+            self._cancel_watch_runner.cancel()
         logger.info("Checking runner's status")
         if self.runner_process.is_alive():
             logger.info("Runner was found to be alive, attempting to join process")
             await to_thread.run_sync(self.runner_process.join, 5)
         rc = self.runner_process.exitcode
-        logger.info(f"RunnerSupervisor exited with exit code {rc}")
+        logger.info(f"Runner exited with exit code {rc}")
         if rc == 0:
             return
 
@@ -207,15 +231,19 @@ class RunnerSupervisor:
         else:
             cause = f"exitcode={rc}"
 
-        logger.opt(exception=e).error(f"Runner terminated ({cause})")
+        logger.opt(exception=e).error(f"Runner terminated with {cause}")
 
         try:
-            await self._event_sender.send(
-                RunnerStatusUpdated(
-                    runner_id=self.bound_instance.bound_runner_id,
-                    runner_status=RunnerFailed(error_message=f"Terminated ({cause})"),
+            self.status = RunnerFailed(error_message=f"Terminated ({cause})")
+            with anyio.CancelScope(shield=True):
+                await self._event_sender.send(
+                    RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                        runner_id=self.bound_instance.bound_runner_id,
+                        runner_status=RunnerFailed(
+                            error_message=f"Terminated ({cause})"
+                        ),
+                    )
                 )
-            )
         except (ClosedResourceError, BrokenResourceError):
             logger.warning(
                 "Event sender already closed, unable to report runner failure"

src/exo/worker/tests/unittests/test_mlx/conftest.py

@@ -96,7 +96,9 @@ def run_gpt_oss_pipeline_device(
             n_layers=24,
         )
 
-        model, tokenizer = shard_and_load(shard_meta, group)
+        model, tokenizer = shard_and_load(
+            shard_meta, group, on_timeout=None, on_layer_loaded=None
+        )
         model = cast(Model, model)
 
         # Generate a prompt of exact token length
@@ -172,7 +174,9 @@ def run_gpt_oss_tensor_parallel_device(
             n_layers=24,
         )
 
-        model, tokenizer = shard_and_load(shard_meta, group)
+        model, tokenizer = shard_and_load(
+            shard_meta, group, on_timeout=None, on_layer_loaded=None
+        )
         model = cast(Model, model)
 
         base_text = "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. "

src/exo/worker/tests/unittests/test_runner/test_dsml_e2e.py

@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ from exo.worker.engines.mlx.dsml_encoding import (
     encode_messages,
     parse_dsml_output,
 )
-from exo.worker.runner.runner import parse_deepseek_v32
+from exo.worker.runner.llm_inference.runner import parse_deepseek_v32
 
 # ── Shared fixtures ──────────────────────────────────────────────
 

src/exo/worker/tests/unittests/test_runner/test_event_ordering.py

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from typing import Callable
 import mlx.core as mx
 import pytest
 
-import exo.worker.runner.runner as mlx_runner
+import exo.worker.runner.llm_inference.runner as mlx_runner
 from exo.shared.types.chunks import TokenChunk
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
     ChunkGenerated,
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ def _run(tasks: Iterable[Task]):
         task_receiver.close = nothin
         task_receiver.join = nothin
         with unittest.mock.patch(
-            "exo.worker.runner.runner.mx.distributed.all_gather",
+            "exo.worker.runner.llm_inference.runner.mx.distributed.all_gather",
             make_nothin(mx.array([1])),
         ):
             mlx_runner.main(
@@ -224,7 +224,10 @@ def test_events_processed_in_correct_order(patch_out_mlx: pytest.MonkeyPatch):
             ),
             RunnerStatusUpdated(runner_id=RUNNER_1_ID, runner_status=RunnerConnected()),
             TaskStatusUpdated(task_id=LOAD_TASK_ID, task_status=TaskStatus.Running),
-            RunnerStatusUpdated(runner_id=RUNNER_1_ID, runner_status=RunnerLoading()),
+            RunnerStatusUpdated(
+                runner_id=RUNNER_1_ID,
+                runner_status=RunnerLoading(layers_loaded=0, total_layers=32),
+            ),
             TaskAcknowledged(task_id=LOAD_TASK_ID),
             TaskStatusUpdated(task_id=LOAD_TASK_ID, task_status=TaskStatus.Complete),
             RunnerStatusUpdated(runner_id=RUNNER_1_ID, runner_status=RunnerLoaded()),

src/exo/worker/tests/unittests/test_runner/test_parse_gpt_oss.py

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.worker.runner_response import (
     GenerationResponse,
     ToolCallResponse,
 )
-from exo.worker.runner.runner import parse_gpt_oss
+from exo.worker.runner.llm_inference.runner import parse_gpt_oss
 
 # Token IDs from mlx-community/gpt-oss-20b-MXFP4-Q8 tokenizer.
 # These are stable since they come from the model's vocabulary.

src/exo/worker/tests/unittests/test_runner/test_parse_tool_calls.py

@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ from collections.abc import Generator
 from typing import Any
 
 from exo.shared.types.worker.runner_response import GenerationResponse, ToolCallResponse
-from exo.worker.runner.runner import parse_tool_calls
-from exo.worker.runner.tool_parsers import make_mlx_parser
+from exo.worker.runner.llm_inference.runner import parse_tool_calls
+from exo.worker.runner.llm_inference.tool_parsers import make_mlx_parser
 
 
 def _make_responses(

tests/auto_bench.sh

@@ -17,6 +17,13 @@ git branch -r --contains "$commit" | grep -qE '^\s*origin/' || {
   exit 1
 }
 hosts=("$@")
+
+for host; do
+  ssh -T -o BatchMode=yes -o ServerAliveInterval=30 "$host@$host" \
+    "EXO_LIBP2P_NAMESPACE=$commit /nix/var/nix/profiles/default/bin/nix build github:exo-explore/exo/$commit" &
+done
+wait
+
 cleanup() {
   for host in "${hosts[@]}"; do
     ssh -T -o BatchMode=yes "$host@$host" "pkill -f bin/exo" &
@@ -26,11 +33,6 @@ cleanup() {
 }
 trap 'cleanup' EXIT INT TERM
 
-for host; do
-  ssh -T -o BatchMode=yes -o ServerAliveInterval=30 "$host@$host" \
-    "EXO_LIBP2P_NAMESPACE=$commit /nix/var/nix/profiles/default/bin/nix build github:exo-explore/exo/$commit" &
-done
-wait
 for host; do
   ssh -T -o BatchMode=yes -o ServerAliveInterval=30 "$host@$host" \
     "EXO_LIBP2P_NAMESPACE=$commit /nix/var/nix/profiles/default/bin/nix run github:exo-explore/exo/$commit" &>/dev/null &

tmp/test_trust_remote_code_attack.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# Test that models added via API get trust_remote_code=false
+# Run this against a running exo instance.
+# Usage: ./test_trust_remote_code_attack.sh [host:port]
+
+set -uo pipefail
+
+HOST="${1:-localhost:52415}"
+MODEL_ID="KevTheHermit/security-testing"
+CUSTOM_CARDS_DIR="$HOME/.exo/custom_model_cards"
+CARD_FILE="$CUSTOM_CARDS_DIR/KevTheHermit--security-testing.toml"
+
+echo "=== Test: trust_remote_code attack via API ==="
+echo "Target: $HOST"
+echo ""
+
+# Clean up RCE proof from previous runs
+rm -f /tmp/exo-rce-proof.txt
+
+# Step 0: Clean up any stale card from previous runs
+if [ -f "$CARD_FILE" ]; then
+  echo "[0] Removing stale card from previous run ..."
+  curl -s -X DELETE \
+    "http://$HOST/models/custom/$(python3 -c 'import urllib.parse; print(urllib.parse.quote("'"$MODEL_ID"'", safe=""))')" >/dev/null
+  rm -f "$CARD_FILE"
+  echo "    Done"
+  echo ""
+fi
+
+# Step 1: Add the malicious model via API
+echo "[1] Adding model via POST /models/add ..."
+ADD_RESPONSE=$(curl -s -w "\n%{http_code}" -X POST "http://$HOST/models/add" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d "{\"model_id\":\"$MODEL_ID\"}")
+HTTP_CODE=$(echo "$ADD_RESPONSE" | tail -1)
+BODY=$(echo "$ADD_RESPONSE" | sed '$d')
+echo "    HTTP $HTTP_CODE"
+
+if [ "$HTTP_CODE" -ge 400 ]; then
+  echo "    Model add failed (HTTP $HTTP_CODE) — that's fine if model doesn't exist on HF."
+  echo "    Response: $BODY"
+  echo ""
+  echo "RESULT: Model was rejected at add time. Attack blocked."
+  exit 0
+fi
+
+# Step 2: Verify the saved TOML has trust_remote_code = false
+echo ""
+echo "[2] Checking saved model card TOML ..."
+if [ ! -f "$CARD_FILE" ]; then
+  echo "    FAIL: Card file not found at $CARD_FILE"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+if grep -q 'trust_remote_code = false' "$CARD_FILE"; then
+  echo "    SAFE: trust_remote_code = false (fix is active)"
+else
+  echo "    VULNERABLE: trust_remote_code is not false — remote code WILL be trusted"
+fi
+echo "    Contents:"
+cat "$CARD_FILE"
+
+# Step 3: Place the instance
+echo ""
+echo "[3] Attempting POST /place_instance ..."
+PLACE_RESPONSE=$(curl -s -w "\n%{http_code}" -X POST "http://$HOST/place_instance" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d "{\"model_id\":\"$MODEL_ID\"}")
+PLACE_CODE=$(echo "$PLACE_RESPONSE" | tail -1)
+PLACE_BODY=$(echo "$PLACE_RESPONSE" | sed '$d')
+echo "    HTTP $PLACE_CODE"
+echo "    Response: $PLACE_BODY"
+
+# Step 3b: Send a chat completion to actually trigger tokenizer loading
+echo ""
+echo "[3b] Sending chat completion to trigger tokenizer load ..."
+CHAT_RESPONSE=$(curl -s -w "\n%{http_code}" --max-time 30 -X POST "http://$HOST/v1/chat/completions" \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d "{\"model\":\"$MODEL_ID\",\"messages\":[{\"role\":\"user\",\"content\":\"hello\"}],\"max_tokens\":1}")
+CHAT_CODE=$(echo "$CHAT_RESPONSE" | tail -1)
+CHAT_BODY=$(echo "$CHAT_RESPONSE" | sed '$d')
+echo "    HTTP $CHAT_CODE"
+echo "    Response: $CHAT_BODY"
+echo ""
+echo "[3c] Checking for RCE proof ..."
+sleep 5
+if [ -f /tmp/exo-rce-proof.txt ]; then
+  echo "    VULNERABLE: Remote code executed!"
+  echo "    Contents:"
+  cat /tmp/exo-rce-proof.txt
+else
+  echo "    SAFE: /tmp/exo-rce-proof.txt does not exist — remote code was NOT executed"
+fi
+
+# Step 4: Clean up — delete instance and custom model
+echo ""
+echo "[4] Cleaning up ..."
+
+# Find and delete any instance for this model
+INSTANCE_ID=$(curl -s "http://$HOST/state" | python3 -c "
+import sys, json
+state = json.load(sys.stdin)
+for iid, wrapper in state.get('instances', {}).items():
+    for tag, inst in wrapper.items():
+        sa = inst.get('shardAssignments', {})
+        if sa.get('modelId', '') == '$MODEL_ID':
+            print(iid)
+            sys.exit(0)
+" 2>/dev/null || true)
+
+if [ -n "$INSTANCE_ID" ]; then
+  echo "    Deleting instance $INSTANCE_ID ..."
+  curl -s -X DELETE "http://$HOST/instance/$INSTANCE_ID" >/dev/null
+  echo "    Done"
+else
+  echo "    No instance found to delete"
+fi
+
+echo "    Deleting custom model card ..."
+curl -s -X DELETE \
+  "http://$HOST/models/custom/$(python3 -c 'import urllib.parse; print(urllib.parse.quote("'"$MODEL_ID"'", safe=""))')" >/dev/null
+echo "    Done"
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== DONE ==="

uv.lock

@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ wheels = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "exo"
-version = "0.3.0"
+version = "0.3.68"
 source = { editable = "." }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "aiofiles", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ dependencies = [
     { name = "loguru", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "mflux", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "mlx", version = "0.30.6", source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }, extra = ["cpu"], marker = "sys_platform == 'linux'" },
-    { name = "mlx", version = "0.30.7.dev20260218+14841977", source = { git = "https://github.com/rltakashige/mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv.git?branch=address-rdma-gpu-locks#1484197707f35186ad3bd614357c7c47fdf86ebc" }, marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin'" },
+    { name = "mlx", version = "0.30.7.dev20260225+257d5692", source = { git = "https://github.com/rltakashige/mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv.git?branch=address-rdma-gpu-locks#257d5692fc7af6bba3b8afaeb63c549b7d1e43d5" }, marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin'" },
     { name = "mlx-lm", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "msgspec", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "openai-harmony", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
@@ -451,6 +451,7 @@ dependencies = [
     { name = "huggingface-hub", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "jinja2", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "loguru", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
+    { name = "protobuf", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "tiktoken", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "transformers", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
 ]
@@ -461,6 +462,7 @@ requires-dist = [
     { name = "huggingface-hub", specifier = ">=0.33.4" },
     { name = "jinja2", specifier = ">=3.1.0" },
     { name = "loguru", specifier = ">=0.7.3" },
+    { name = "protobuf", specifier = ">=5.29.0" },
     { name = "tiktoken", specifier = ">=0.12.0" },
     { name = "transformers", specifier = ">=5.0.0" },
 ]
@@ -1023,7 +1025,7 @@ dependencies = [
     { name = "huggingface-hub", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "matplotlib", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "mlx", version = "0.30.6", source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }, extra = ["cuda13"], marker = "sys_platform == 'linux'" },
-    { name = "mlx", version = "0.30.7.dev20260218+14841977", source = { git = "https://github.com/rltakashige/mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv.git?branch=address-rdma-gpu-locks#1484197707f35186ad3bd614357c7c47fdf86ebc" }, marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin'" },
+    { name = "mlx", version = "0.30.7.dev20260225+257d5692", source = { git = "https://github.com/rltakashige/mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv.git?branch=address-rdma-gpu-locks#257d5692fc7af6bba3b8afaeb63c549b7d1e43d5" }, marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin'" },
     { name = "numpy", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "opencv-python", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "piexif", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
@@ -1070,8 +1072,8 @@ cuda13 = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "mlx"
-version = "0.30.7.dev20260218+14841977"
-source = { git = "https://github.com/rltakashige/mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv.git?branch=address-rdma-gpu-locks#1484197707f35186ad3bd614357c7c47fdf86ebc" }
+version = "0.30.7.dev20260225+257d5692"
+source = { git = "https://github.com/rltakashige/mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv.git?branch=address-rdma-gpu-locks#257d5692fc7af6bba3b8afaeb63c549b7d1e43d5" }
 resolution-markers = [
     "sys_platform == 'darwin'",
 ]
@@ -1106,7 +1108,7 @@ version = "0.30.7"
 source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "jinja2", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
-    { name = "mlx", version = "0.30.7.dev20260218+14841977", source = { git = "https://github.com/rltakashige/mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv.git?branch=address-rdma-gpu-locks#1484197707f35186ad3bd614357c7c47fdf86ebc" }, marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin'" },
+    { name = "mlx", version = "0.30.7.dev20260225+257d5692", source = { git = "https://github.com/rltakashige/mlx-jaccl-fix-small-recv.git?branch=address-rdma-gpu-locks#257d5692fc7af6bba3b8afaeb63c549b7d1e43d5" }, marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin'" },
     { name = "numpy", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "protobuf", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },
     { name = "pyyaml", marker = "sys_platform == 'darwin' or sys_platform == 'linux'" },