dont push to cachix

## Why

Workers currently update their custom model-card cache by reacting to
`CustomModelCardAdded` / `CustomModelCardDeleted` events directly. That
is another snapshot footgun: a worker restored from State may never see
the historical add/delete event, so the durable State must include the
desired custom-card set.

## How

- Add `State.custom_model_cards`, keyed by `ModelId`.
- Reduce `CustomModelCardAdded` into State.
- Reduce `CustomModelCardDeleted` into State.
- Add focused reducer tests for add and delete.

This PR only makes custom cards durable in State. A follow-up PR will
make workers reconcile their on-disk custom-card cache from this state
instead of relying on those events directly.

## Tests

- `uv run pytest
src/exo/shared/tests/test_apply/test_apply_custom_model_cards.py
src/exo/shared/tests/test_state_serialization.py`
- `uv run pytest`
- `uv run ruff check src/exo/shared/types/state.py
src/exo/shared/apply.py
src/exo/shared/tests/test_apply/test_apply_custom_model_cards.py`
- `uv run basedpyright`
- `nix fmt`

.github/workflows/pipeline.yml

@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ jobs:
         with:
           name: exo
           authToken: "${{ secrets.CACHIX_AUTH_TOKEN }}"
+          pushFilter: '-docker-image.tar.gz$'
 
       - name: Build Metal packages (macOS only)
         if: runner.os == 'macOS'

python/parts.nix

@@ -183,7 +183,24 @@ let
       inherit venv;
       editablePythonSet = pythonSet.overrideScope editableOverlay;
       mkPythonScript = path: mkApp ''python ${path} "$@"'';
-      mkExo = mkApp ''exo "$@"'';
+      mkOutputs = name:
+        let package = mkApp ''exo "$@"'' name;
+        in {
+          ${name} = package;
+          "${name}-docker-image" = pkgs.dockerTools.buildLayeredImage {
+            name = "${name}-docker-image";
+            config = {
+              Entrypoint = [ (lib.getExe package) ];
+              Env = [
+                "EXO_HOME=/var/lib/${name}"
+              ];
+            };
+
+            extraCommands = ''
+              mkdir -p  var/lib/${name}
+            '';
+          };
+        };
     };
 in
 {
@@ -191,7 +208,7 @@ in
     { self', pkgs, unfreePkgs, lib, ... }:
     let
       inherit (pkgs.stdenv.hostPlatform) isLinux;
-      inherit (mkPythonSet { inherit self' pkgs lib; members = { exo = [ "cpu" ]; }; }) editablePythonSet mkExo;
+      inherit (mkPythonSet { inherit self' pkgs lib; members.exo = [ "cpu" ]; }) editablePythonSet mkOutputs;
 
       # Virtual environment with dev dependencies for testing
       testVenv = (mkPythonSet {
@@ -213,10 +230,13 @@ in
         text = ''exec python ${path} "$@"'';
       };
 
+      defaultOutputs = mkOutputs "exo";
+      cuda12Outputs = (mkPythonSet { inherit self' lib; inherit (unfreePkgs.pkgsCuda.cudaPackages_12) pkgs; members.exo=["cuda12"]; }).mkOutputs "exo-cuda-12";
+      cuda13Outputs = (mkPythonSet { inherit self' lib; inherit (unfreePkgs.pkgsCuda.cudaPackages_13) pkgs; members.exo=["cuda13"]; }).mkOutputs "exo-cuda-13";
     in
     {
       packages = {
-        exo = mkExo "exo";
+        # for devShell
         editableVenv = editablePythonSet.mkVirtualEnv "exo-dev-env" { exo = [ "dev" ]; };
         # for running tests in ci
         exo-test-env = testVenv;
@@ -225,10 +245,9 @@ in
         exo-eval-tool-calls = mkBenchScript "exo-eval-tool-calls" (inputs.self + /bench/eval_tool_calls.py);
         # used by ./tests/run_exo_on.sh
         exo-get-all-models-on-cluster = mkSimplePythonScript "exo-get-all-models-on-cluster" (inputs.self + /tests/get_all_models_on_cluster.py);
-      } // lib.optionalAttrs isLinux {
-        exo-cuda-12 = (mkPythonSet { inherit self' lib; inherit (unfreePkgs.pkgsCuda.cudaPackages_12) pkgs; members = { exo = [ "cuda12" ]; }; }).mkExo "exo-cuda-12";
-        exo-cuda-13 = (mkPythonSet { inherit self' lib; inherit (unfreePkgs.pkgsCuda.cudaPackages_13) pkgs; members = { exo = [ "cuda13" ]; }; }).mkExo "exo-cuda-13";
-      };
+      } // defaultOutputs
+      // lib.optionalAttrs isLinux cuda12Outputs
+      // lib.optionalAttrs isLinux cuda13Outputs;
 
       checks = {
         lint = pkgs.runCommand "ruff-lint" { } ''

src/exo/api/main.py

@@ -133,12 +133,10 @@ from exo.shared.constants import (
 )
 from exo.shared.election import ElectionMessage
 from exo.shared.logging import InterceptLogger
+from exo.shared.models import model_cards
 from exo.shared.models.model_cards import (
     ModelCard,
     ModelId,
-    add_to_card_cache,
-    get_card,
-    get_model_cards,
 )
 from exo.shared.tracing import TraceEvent, compute_stats, export_trace, load_trace_file
 from exo.shared.types.chunks import (
@@ -254,6 +252,7 @@ class API:
         self.node_id: NodeId = node_id
         self.last_completed_election: int = 0
         self.port = port
+        self._sent_image_hashes: set[str] = set()
 
         self.paused: bool = False
         self.paused_ev: anyio.Event = anyio.Event()
@@ -303,6 +302,7 @@ class API:
         self.event_receiver.close()
         self.event_receiver = event_receiver
         self._tg.start_soon(self._apply_state)
+        self._sent_image_hashes = set()
 
     def unpause(self, result_clock: int):
         logger.info("Unpausing API")
@@ -479,6 +479,7 @@ class API:
                 topology=self.state.topology,
                 current_instances=self.state.instances,
                 download_status=self.state.downloads,
+                node_rdma_ctl=self.state.node_rdma_ctl,
             )
         except ValueError as exc:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail=str(exc)) from exc
@@ -542,6 +543,7 @@ class API:
                     current_instances=self.state.instances,
                     required_nodes=required_nodes,
                     download_status=self.state.downloads,
+                    node_rdma_ctl=self.state.node_rdma_ctl,
                 )
             except ValueError as exc:
                 if (model_card.model_id, sharding, instance_meta, 0) not in seen:
@@ -824,8 +826,18 @@ class API:
         )
         command = TextGeneration(task_params=task_params)
 
+        new_images: list[tuple[int, str]] = []
+        for idx, (img, h) in enumerate(zip(images, hashes, strict=True)):
+            if h not in self._sent_image_hashes:
+                self._sent_image_hashes.add(h)
+                new_images.append((idx, img))
+
+        if not new_images:
+            await self._send(command)
+            return command
+
         all_chunks: list[tuple[int, str]] = []
-        for img_idx, img_data in enumerate(images):
+        for img_idx, img_data in new_images:
             for i in range(0, len(img_data), EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE):
                 all_chunks.append((img_idx, img_data[i : i + EXO_MAX_CHUNK_SIZE]))
 
@@ -1621,17 +1633,16 @@ class API:
     async def ollama_tags(self) -> OllamaTagsResponse:
         """Returns list of models in Ollama tags format. We return the downloaded ones only."""
 
-        def none_if_empty(value: str) -> str | None:
-            return value or None
-
-        downloaded_model_ids: set[str] = set()
+        downloaded_model_ids: set[ModelId] = set()
         for node_downloads in self.state.downloads.values():
             for dl in node_downloads:
                 if isinstance(dl, DownloadCompleted):
                     downloaded_model_ids.add(dl.shard_metadata.model_card.model_id)
 
         cards = [
-            c for c in await get_model_cards() if c.model_id in downloaded_model_ids
+            c
+            for c in await model_cards.card_cache.list_all()
+            if c.model_id in downloaded_model_ids
         ]
 
         now = time.strftime("%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ", time.gmtime())
@@ -1644,8 +1655,8 @@ class API:
                     size=card.storage_size.in_bytes,
                     digest="sha256:000000000000",
                     details=OllamaModelDetails(
-                        family=none_if_empty(card.family),
-                        quantization_level=none_if_empty(card.quantization),
+                        family=card.family or None,
+                        quantization_level=card.quantization or None,
                     ),
                 )
                 for card in cards
@@ -1708,7 +1719,7 @@ class API:
 
     async def get_models(self, status: str | None = Query(default=None)) -> ModelList:
         """Returns list of available models, optionally filtered by being downloaded."""
-        cards = await get_model_cards()
+        cards = await model_cards.card_cache.list_all()
 
         if status == "downloaded":
             downloaded_model_ids: set[str] = set()
@@ -1759,7 +1770,7 @@ class API:
 
         # Immediately update the local cache so the subsequent GET /models
         # returns the new model without waiting for the event round-trip.
-        add_to_card_cache(card)
+        model_cards.card_cache.cc[card.model_id] = card
 
         return ModelListModel(
             id=card.model_id,
@@ -1775,7 +1786,7 @@ class API:
 
     async def delete_custom_model(self, model_id: ModelId) -> JSONResponse:
         """Delete a user-added custom model card and sync deletion across the cluster."""
-        card = get_card(model_id)
+        card = model_cards.card_cache.get(model_id)
         if card is None or not card.is_custom:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Custom model card not found")
 

src/exo/download/coordinator.py

@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ from exo.download.download_utils import (
 )
 from exo.download.shard_downloader import ShardDownloader
 from exo.shared.constants import EXO_DEFAULT_MODELS_DIR, EXO_MODELS_READ_ONLY_DIRS
-from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId, get_model_cards
+from exo.shared.models import model_cards
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId
 from exo.shared.types.commands import (
     CancelDownload,
     DeleteDownload,
@@ -422,7 +423,7 @@ class DownloadCoordinator:
                     )
                 # Scan read-only directories for pre-downloaded models
                 if EXO_MODELS_READ_ONLY_DIRS:
-                    for card in await get_model_cards():
+                    for card in await model_cards.card_cache.list_all():
                         mid = card.model_id
                         if mid in self.active_downloads:
                             continue

src/exo/download/impl_shard_downloader.py

@@ -11,11 +11,11 @@ from exo.download.download_utils import (
     download_shard,
 )
 from exo.download.shard_downloader import ShardDownloader
+from exo.shared.models import model_cards
 from exo.shared.models.model_cards import (
     ModelCard,
     ModelId,
     ModelTask,
-    get_model_cards,
 )
 from exo.shared.types.memory import Memory
 from exo.shared.types.worker.shards import (
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ class ResumableShardDownloader(ShardDownloader):
 
         tasks = [
             create_task(download_with_semaphore(model_card))
-            for model_card in await get_model_cards()
+            for model_card in await model_cards.card_cache.list_all()
         ]
 
         for task in asyncio.as_completed(tasks):

src/exo/master/main.py

@@ -365,6 +365,7 @@ class Master:
                                 self.state.node_memory,
                                 self.state.node_network,
                                 download_status=self.state.downloads,
+                                node_rdma_ctl=self.state.node_rdma_ctl,
                             )
                             transition_events = get_transition_events(
                                 self.state.instances, placement, self.state.tasks

src/exo/master/placement.py

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.events import (
     TaskStatusUpdated,
 )
 from exo.shared.types.memory import Memory
-from exo.shared.types.profiling import MemoryUsage, NodeNetworkInfo
+from exo.shared.types.profiling import MemoryUsage, NodeNetworkInfo, NodeRdmaCtlStatus
 from exo.shared.types.tasks import Task, TaskId, TaskStatus
 from exo.shared.types.worker.downloads import (
     DownloadCompleted,
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ def place_instance(
     node_network: Mapping[NodeId, NodeNetworkInfo],
     required_nodes: set[NodeId] | None = None,
     download_status: Mapping[NodeId, Sequence[DownloadProgress]] | None = None,
+    node_rdma_ctl: Mapping[NodeId, NodeRdmaCtlStatus] | None = None,
 ) -> dict[InstanceId, Instance]:
     cycles = topology.get_cycles()
     candidate_cycles = list(filter(lambda it: len(it) >= command.min_nodes, cycles))
@@ -166,8 +167,18 @@ def place_instance(
 
     smallest_cycles = get_smallest_cycles(cycles_with_sufficient_memory)
 
+    rdma_ctl_status = node_rdma_ctl or {}
+
+    def _all_rdma_ctl_enabled(cycle: Cycle) -> bool:
+        return all(
+            ((status := rdma_ctl_status.get(node_id)) is not None and status.enabled)
+            for node_id in cycle
+        )
+
     smallest_rdma_cycles = [
-        cycle for cycle in smallest_cycles if topology.is_rdma_cycle(cycle)
+        cycle
+        for cycle in smallest_cycles
+        if topology.is_rdma_cycle(cycle) and _all_rdma_ctl_enabled(cycle)
     ]
 
     if command.instance_meta == InstanceMeta.MlxJaccl:

src/exo/master/tests/test_placement.py

@@ -21,7 +21,11 @@ from exo.shared.types.events import (
 )
 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.profiling import (
+    NetworkInterfaceInfo,
+    NodeNetworkInfo,
+    NodeRdmaCtlStatus,
+)
 from exo.shared.types.tasks import TaskId, TaskStatus, TextGeneration
 from exo.shared.types.text_generation import (
     InputMessage,
@@ -439,8 +443,21 @@ def test_tensor_rdma_backend_connectivity_matrix(
         min_nodes=1,
     )
 
+    node_rdma_ctl = {
+        node_a: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+        node_b: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+        node_c: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+    }
+
     # act
-    placements = place_instance(cic, topology, {}, node_memory, node_network)
+    placements = place_instance(
+        cic,
+        topology,
+        {},
+        node_memory,
+        node_network,
+        node_rdma_ctl=node_rdma_ctl,
+    )
 
     # assert
     assert len(placements) == 1
@@ -482,6 +499,131 @@ def test_tensor_rdma_backend_connectivity_matrix(
             assert len(ip_part.split(".")) == 4
 
 
+def _build_three_node_rdma_topology() -> tuple[
+    Topology, NodeId, NodeId, NodeId, dict[NodeId, NodeNetworkInfo]
+]:
+    topology = Topology()
+    node_a = NodeId()
+    node_b = NodeId()
+    node_c = NodeId()
+
+    ethernet_interface = NetworkInterfaceInfo(name="en0", ip_address="10.0.0.1")
+    ethernet_conn = SocketConnection(
+        sink_multiaddr=Multiaddr(address="/ip4/10.0.0.1/tcp/8000")
+    )
+    node_network = {
+        node_a: NodeNetworkInfo(interfaces=[ethernet_interface]),
+        node_b: NodeNetworkInfo(interfaces=[ethernet_interface]),
+        node_c: NodeNetworkInfo(interfaces=[ethernet_interface]),
+    }
+
+    for n in (node_a, node_b, node_c):
+        topology.add_node(n)
+
+    rdma_pairs = [
+        (node_a, node_b, 3),
+        (node_b, node_a, 3),
+        (node_b, node_c, 4),
+        (node_c, node_b, 4),
+        (node_a, node_c, 5),
+        (node_c, node_a, 5),
+    ]
+    for src, sink, iface in rdma_pairs:
+        topology.add_connection(
+            Connection(source=src, sink=sink, edge=create_rdma_connection(iface))
+        )
+
+    socket_pairs = [
+        (node_a, node_b),
+        (node_b, node_c),
+        (node_c, node_a),
+        (node_a, node_c),
+        (node_b, node_a),
+        (node_c, node_b),
+    ]
+    for src, sink in socket_pairs:
+        topology.add_connection(Connection(source=src, sink=sink, edge=ethernet_conn))
+
+    return topology, node_a, node_b, node_c, node_network
+
+
+def test_place_mlx_jaccl_rejects_when_a_node_has_rdma_ctl_disabled(
+    model_card: ModelCard,
+):
+    # arrange
+    model_card = model_card.model_copy(
+        update={"n_layers": 12, "storage_size": Memory.from_bytes(1500)}
+    )
+    topology, node_a, node_b, node_c, node_network = _build_three_node_rdma_topology()
+    node_memory = {
+        node_a: create_node_memory(500),
+        node_b: create_node_memory(500),
+        node_c: create_node_memory(500),
+    }
+    node_rdma_ctl = {
+        node_a: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+        node_b: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+        node_c: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=False),
+    }
+    cic = PlaceInstance(
+        sharding=Sharding.Tensor,
+        instance_meta=InstanceMeta.MlxJaccl,
+        command_id=CommandId(),
+        model_card=model_card,
+        min_nodes=3,
+    )
+
+    # act / assert
+    with pytest.raises(
+        ValueError, match="Requested RDMA \\(MlxJaccl\\) but no RDMA-connected cycles"
+    ):
+        place_instance(
+            cic,
+            topology,
+            {},
+            node_memory,
+            node_network,
+            node_rdma_ctl=node_rdma_ctl,
+        )
+
+
+def test_place_mlx_jaccl_rejects_when_node_rdma_ctl_missing(model_card: ModelCard):
+    """A node with no observed rdma_ctl status must not participate in RDMA placement."""
+    # arrange
+    model_card = model_card.model_copy(
+        update={"n_layers": 12, "storage_size": Memory.from_bytes(1500)}
+    )
+    topology, node_a, node_b, node_c, node_network = _build_three_node_rdma_topology()
+    node_memory = {
+        node_a: create_node_memory(500),
+        node_b: create_node_memory(500),
+        node_c: create_node_memory(500),
+    }
+    # node_c has no rdma_ctl entry at all
+    node_rdma_ctl = {
+        node_a: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+        node_b: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+    }
+    cic = PlaceInstance(
+        sharding=Sharding.Tensor,
+        instance_meta=InstanceMeta.MlxJaccl,
+        command_id=CommandId(),
+        model_card=model_card,
+        min_nodes=3,
+    )
+
+    # act / assert
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        place_instance(
+            cic,
+            topology,
+            {},
+            node_memory,
+            node_network,
+            node_rdma_ctl=node_rdma_ctl,
+        )
+
+
 def _make_task(
     instance_id: InstanceId,
     status: TaskStatus = TaskStatus.Running,

src/exo/shared/apply.py

@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ from datetime import datetime
 
 from loguru import logger
 
-from exo.shared.types.common import NodeId
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelCard
+from exo.shared.types.common import ModelId, NodeId
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
     ChunkGenerated,
     CustomModelCardAdded,
@@ -40,14 +41,7 @@ from exo.shared.types.profiling import (
     ThunderboltBridgeStatus,
 )
 from exo.shared.types.state import State
-from exo.shared.types.tasks import (
-    ImageEdits,
-    ImageGeneration,
-    Task,
-    TaskId,
-    TaskStatus,
-    TextGeneration,
-)
+from exo.shared.types.tasks import Task, TaskId, TaskStatus
 from exo.shared.types.topology import Connection, RDMAConnection
 from exo.shared.types.worker.downloads import DownloadProgress
 from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import Instance, InstanceId
@@ -72,6 +66,18 @@ from exo.utils.info_gatherer.info_gatherer import (
 )
 
 
+def _is_rdma_ctl_enabled(
+    node_id: NodeId, node_rdma_ctl: Mapping[NodeId, NodeRdmaCtlStatus]
+) -> bool:
+    """A node is RDMA-capable only if rdma_ctl status has been observed as enabled.
+
+    Missing entries default to ``False`` — if we have not yet observed (or the node
+    cannot run) ``rdma_ctl``, it must not participate in an RDMA-backed instance.
+    """
+    status = node_rdma_ctl.get(node_id)
+    return status is not None and status.enabled
+
+
 def event_apply(event: Event, state: State) -> State:
     """Apply an event to state."""
     match event:
@@ -79,12 +85,15 @@ def event_apply(event: Event, state: State) -> State:
             TestEvent()
             | ChunkGenerated()
             | TaskAcknowledged()
+            | InputChunkReceived()
             | TracesCollected()
             | TracesMerged()
-            | CustomModelCardAdded()
-            | CustomModelCardDeleted()
         ):  # Pass-through events that don't modify state
             return state
+        case CustomModelCardAdded():
+            return apply_custom_model_card_added(event, state)
+        case CustomModelCardDeleted():
+            return apply_custom_model_card_deleted(event, state)
         case InstanceCreated():
             return apply_instance_created(event, state)
         case InstanceDeleted():
@@ -99,8 +108,6 @@ def event_apply(event: Event, state: State) -> State:
             return apply_runner_status_updated(event, state)
         case TaskCreated():
             return apply_task_created(event, state)
-        case InputChunkReceived():
-            return apply_input_chunk_received(event, state)
         case TaskDeleted():
             return apply_task_deleted(event, state)
         case TaskFailed():
@@ -165,32 +172,10 @@ def apply_task_created(event: TaskCreated, state: State) -> State:
     return state.model_copy(update={"tasks": new_tasks})
 
 
-def apply_input_chunk_received(event: InputChunkReceived, state: State) -> State:
-    command_chunks = {
-        **state.input_chunks.get(event.command_id, {}),
-        event.chunk.chunk_index: event.chunk,
-    }
-    return state.model_copy(
-        update={
-            "input_chunks": {**state.input_chunks, event.command_id: command_chunks}
-        }
-    )
-
-
 def apply_task_deleted(event: TaskDeleted, state: State) -> State:
-    task = state.tasks.get(event.task_id)
     new_tasks: Mapping[TaskId, Task] = {
         tid: task for tid, task in state.tasks.items() if tid != event.task_id
     }
-    if isinstance(task, (TextGeneration, ImageGeneration, ImageEdits)):
-        new_input_chunks = {
-            command_id: chunks
-            for command_id, chunks in state.input_chunks.items()
-            if command_id != task.command_id
-        }
-        return state.model_copy(
-            update={"tasks": new_tasks, "input_chunks": new_input_chunks}
-        )
     return state.model_copy(update={"tasks": new_tasks})
 
 
@@ -427,6 +412,9 @@ def apply_node_gathered_info(event: NodeGatheredInfo, state: State) -> State:
                 for nid in state.node_thunderbolt
                 for tb_ident in state.node_thunderbolt[nid].interfaces
             }
+            source_is_rdma_enabled = _is_rdma_ctl_enabled(
+                event.node_id, state.node_rdma_ctl
+            )
             as_rdma_conns = [
                 Connection(
                     source=event.node_id,
@@ -439,6 +427,10 @@ def apply_node_gathered_info(event: NodeGatheredInfo, state: State) -> State:
                 for tb_conn in info.conns
                 if tb_conn.source_uuid in conn_map
                 if tb_conn.sink_uuid in conn_map
+                if source_is_rdma_enabled
+                and _is_rdma_ctl_enabled(
+                    conn_map[tb_conn.sink_uuid][0], state.node_rdma_ctl
+                )
             ]
             topology.replace_all_out_rdma_connections(event.node_id, as_rdma_conns)
         case ThunderboltBridgeInfo():
@@ -462,6 +454,12 @@ def apply_node_gathered_info(event: NodeGatheredInfo, state: State) -> State:
                 **state.node_rdma_ctl,
                 event.node_id: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=info.enabled),
             }
+            # If RDMA just got disabled on this node, drop any RDMA edges touching it
+            # so placement / topology consumers cannot pick a disabled node for an
+            # RDMA-backed instance. (Edges will repopulate on the next
+            # MacThunderboltConnections poll once both endpoints are enabled again.)
+            if not info.enabled:
+                topology.remove_all_rdma_connections_touching(event.node_id)
 
     return state.model_copy(update=update)
 
@@ -477,3 +475,22 @@ def apply_topology_edge_deleted(event: TopologyEdgeDeleted, state: State) -> Sta
     topology.remove_connection(event.conn)
     # TODO: Clean up removing the reverse connection
     return state.model_copy(update={"topology": topology})
+
+
+def apply_custom_model_card_added(event: CustomModelCardAdded, state: State) -> State:
+    new_cards: Mapping[ModelId, ModelCard] = {
+        **state.custom_model_cards,
+        event.model_card.model_id: event.model_card,
+    }
+    return state.model_copy(update={"custom_model_cards": new_cards})
+
+
+def apply_custom_model_card_deleted(
+    event: CustomModelCardDeleted, state: State
+) -> State:
+    new_cards: Mapping[ModelId, ModelCard] = {
+        model_id: card
+        for model_id, card in state.custom_model_cards.items()
+        if model_id != event.model_id
+    }
+    return state.model_copy(update={"custom_model_cards": new_cards})

src/exo/shared/constants.py

@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ from pathlib import Path
 
 from exo.utils.dashboard_path import find_dashboard, find_resources
 
-_EXO_HOME_ENV = os.environ.get("EXO_HOME", None)
+_EXO_HOME_ENV = os.environ.get("EXO_HOME", "")
 
 
 def _get_xdg_dir(env_var: str, fallback: str) -> Path:
     """Get XDG directory, prioritising EXO_HOME environment variable if its set. On non-Linux platforms, default to ~/.exo."""
 
-    if _EXO_HOME_ENV is not None:
+    if _EXO_HOME_ENV != "":
         return Path.home() / _EXO_HOME_ENV
 
     if sys.platform != "linux":

src/exo/shared/models/model_cards.py

@@ -39,7 +39,57 @@ _BUILTIN_CARD_DIRS = [
     Path(RESOURCES_DIR) / "image_model_cards",
 ]
 
-_card_cache: dict[ModelId, "ModelCard"] = {}
+
+class _CardCache:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.cc: dict[ModelId, "ModelCard"] = {}
+
+    def get(self, model_id: ModelId) -> "ModelCard | None":
+        return self.cc.get(model_id)
+
+    async def save(self, card: "ModelCard"):
+        self.cc[card.model_id] = card
+        try:
+            await card.save_to_custom_dir()
+        except OSError as e:
+            logger.warning(f"failed to save custom model card ({e.strerror})")
+
+    async def pop(self, model_id: ModelId) -> "ModelCard | None":
+        """Delete a user-added custom model card. Returns True if deleted."""
+        card_path = _custom_cards_dir / (ModelId(model_id).normalize() + ".toml")
+        try:
+            if await card_path.exists():
+                await card_path.unlink()
+                return self.cc.pop(model_id, None)
+        except OSError as e:
+            logger.warning(f"failed to delete custom model card ({e.strerror})")
+
+    async def list_all(self) -> list["ModelCard"]:
+        if len(self.cc) == 0:
+            await self.refresh()
+        if EXO_ENABLE_IMAGE_MODELS:
+            return list(self.cc.values())
+        return [c for c in self.cc.values() if not _is_image_card(c)]
+
+    async def _load_cards_from_dir(self, directory: Path, *, is_custom: bool) -> None:
+        """Load all TOML model cards from a directory into the cache."""
+        async for toml_file in directory.rglob("*.toml"):
+            try:
+                card = await ModelCard.load_from_path(toml_file)
+                if is_custom:
+                    card = card.model_copy(update={"is_custom": True})
+                if self.get(card.model_id) is None:
+                    self.cc[card.model_id] = card
+            except (ValidationError, TOMLKitError):
+                pass
+
+    async def refresh(self) -> None:
+        for path in _BUILTIN_CARD_DIRS:
+            await self._load_cards_from_dir(path, is_custom=False)
+        await self._load_cards_from_dir(_custom_cards_dir, is_custom=True)
+
+
+card_cache = _CardCache()
 
 
 def detect_vision_from_config(model_id: ModelId) -> "VisionCardConfig | None":
@@ -59,42 +109,10 @@ def detect_vision_from_config(model_id: ModelId) -> "VisionCardConfig | None":
     return None
 
 
-async def _load_cards_from_dir(directory: Path, *, is_custom: bool) -> None:
-    """Load all TOML model cards from a directory into the cache."""
-    async for toml_file in directory.rglob("*.toml"):
-        try:
-            card = await ModelCard.load_from_path(toml_file)
-            if is_custom:
-                card = card.model_copy(update={"is_custom": True})
-            if card.model_id not in _card_cache:
-                _card_cache[card.model_id] = card
-        except (ValidationError, TOMLKitError):
-            pass
-
-
-async def _refresh_card_cache() -> None:
-    for path in _BUILTIN_CARD_DIRS:
-        await _load_cards_from_dir(path, is_custom=False)
-    await _load_cards_from_dir(_custom_cards_dir, is_custom=True)
-
-
 def _is_image_card(card: "ModelCard") -> bool:
     return any(t in (ModelTask.TextToImage, ModelTask.ImageToImage) for t in card.tasks)
 
 
-def get_card(model_id: ModelId) -> "ModelCard | None":
-    """Look up a single model card from the cache by ID."""
-    return _card_cache.get(model_id)
-
-
-async def get_model_cards() -> list["ModelCard"]:
-    if len(_card_cache) == 0:
-        await _refresh_card_cache()
-    if EXO_ENABLE_IMAGE_MODELS:
-        return list(_card_cache.values())
-    return [c for c in _card_cache.values() if not _is_image_card(c)]
-
-
 class ModelTask(str, Enum):
     TextGeneration = "TextGeneration"
     TextToImage = "TextToImage"
@@ -196,14 +214,13 @@ class ModelCard(FrozenModel):
     # Is it okay that model card.load defaults to network access if the card doesn't exist? do we want to be more explicit here?
     @staticmethod
     async def load(model_id: ModelId) -> "ModelCard":
-        if model_id not in _card_cache:
-            await _refresh_card_cache()
-        if (mc := _card_cache.get(model_id)) is not None:
+        if card_cache.get(model_id) is None:
+            await card_cache.refresh()
+        if (mc := card_cache.get(model_id)) is not None:
             return mc
 
         mc = await ModelCard.fetch_from_hf(model_id)
         await mc.save_to_custom_dir()
-        _card_cache[model_id] = mc
         return mc
 
     @staticmethod
@@ -233,21 +250,6 @@ class ModelCard(FrozenModel):
         )
 
 
-def add_to_card_cache(card: "ModelCard") -> None:
-    """Add or update a model card in the in-memory cache."""
-    _card_cache[card.model_id] = card
-
-
-async def delete_custom_card(model_id: ModelId) -> bool:
-    """Delete a user-added custom model card. Returns True if deleted."""
-    card_path = _custom_cards_dir / (ModelId(model_id).normalize() + ".toml")
-    if await card_path.exists():
-        await card_path.unlink()
-        _card_cache.pop(model_id, None)
-        return True
-    return False
-
-
 class ConfigData(BaseModel):
     model_config = {"extra": "ignore"}  # Allow unknown fields
 

src/exo/shared/tests/test_apply/test_apply_custom_model_cards.py

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+from exo.shared.apply import apply
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelCard, ModelTask
+from exo.shared.types.common import ModelId
+from exo.shared.types.events import (
+    CustomModelCardAdded,
+    CustomModelCardDeleted,
+    IndexedEvent,
+)
+from exo.shared.types.memory import Memory
+from exo.shared.types.state import State
+
+
+def _model_card(model_id: ModelId) -> ModelCard:
+    return ModelCard(
+        model_id=model_id,
+        n_layers=1,
+        storage_size=Memory.from_bytes(1),
+        hidden_size=1,
+        supports_tensor=True,
+        tasks=[ModelTask.TextGeneration],
+    )
+
+
+def test_custom_model_card_added_is_reduced_into_state() -> None:
+    card = _model_card(ModelId("custom/model"))
+
+    state = apply(
+        State(),
+        IndexedEvent(idx=0, event=CustomModelCardAdded(model_card=card)),
+    )
+
+    assert state.custom_model_cards == {card.model_id: card}
+
+
+def test_custom_model_card_deleted_removes_card_from_state() -> None:
+    card = _model_card(ModelId("custom/model"))
+    state = State(custom_model_cards={card.model_id: card}, last_event_applied_idx=0)
+
+    state = apply(
+        state,
+        IndexedEvent(idx=1, event=CustomModelCardDeleted(model_id=card.model_id)),
+    )
+
+    assert state.custom_model_cards == {}

src/exo/shared/tests/test_apply/test_apply_input_chunks.py

@@ -1,85 +0,0 @@
-from exo.shared.apply import apply
-from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId
-from exo.shared.types.chunks import InputImageChunk
-from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId
-from exo.shared.types.events import (
-    IndexedEvent,
-    InputChunkReceived,
-    TaskCreated,
-    TaskDeleted,
-)
-from exo.shared.types.state import State
-from exo.shared.types.tasks import TaskId, TaskStatus, TextGeneration
-from exo.shared.types.text_generation import (
-    InputMessage,
-    InputMessageContent,
-    TextGenerationTaskParams,
-)
-from exo.shared.types.worker.instances import InstanceId
-
-
-def test_apply_input_chunk_received_stores_chunk_in_state() -> None:
-    command_id = CommandId("command-1")
-    chunk = InputImageChunk(
-        model=ModelId("mlx-community/test-model"),
-        command_id=command_id,
-        data="abc",
-        chunk_index=0,
-        total_chunks=1,
-        image_index=0,
-    )
-
-    state = apply(
-        State(),
-        IndexedEvent(
-            idx=0,
-            event=InputChunkReceived(command_id=command_id, chunk=chunk),
-        ),
-    )
-
-    assert state.input_chunks == {command_id: {0: chunk}}
-
-
-def test_apply_task_deleted_removes_chunks_for_generation_command() -> None:
-    command_id = CommandId("command-1")
-    task_id = TaskId("task-1")
-    chunk = InputImageChunk(
-        model=ModelId("mlx-community/test-model"),
-        command_id=command_id,
-        data="abc",
-        chunk_index=0,
-        total_chunks=1,
-        image_index=0,
-    )
-    task = TextGeneration(
-        task_id=task_id,
-        instance_id=InstanceId("instance-1"),
-        task_status=TaskStatus.Pending,
-        command_id=command_id,
-        task_params=TextGenerationTaskParams(
-            model=ModelId("mlx-community/test-model"),
-            input=[
-                InputMessage(role="user", content=InputMessageContent("hello")),
-            ],
-        ),
-    )
-
-    state = State()
-    state = apply(
-        state,
-        IndexedEvent(
-            idx=0,
-            event=InputChunkReceived(command_id=command_id, chunk=chunk),
-        ),
-    )
-    state = apply(
-        state,
-        IndexedEvent(idx=1, event=TaskCreated(task_id=task_id, task=task)),
-    )
-    state = apply(
-        state,
-        IndexedEvent(idx=2, event=TaskDeleted(task_id=task_id)),
-    )
-
-    assert state.tasks == {}
-    assert state.input_chunks == {}

src/exo/shared/tests/test_apply/test_apply_rdma_gating.py

@@ -0,0 +1,231 @@
+from datetime import datetime, timezone
+
+from exo.shared.apply import apply_node_gathered_info
+from exo.shared.topology import Topology
+from exo.shared.types.common import NodeId
+from exo.shared.types.events import NodeGatheredInfo
+from exo.shared.types.profiling import (
+    NodeRdmaCtlStatus,
+    NodeThunderboltInfo,
+)
+from exo.shared.types.state import State
+from exo.shared.types.thunderbolt import ThunderboltConnection, ThunderboltIdentifier
+from exo.shared.types.topology import RDMAConnection
+from exo.utils.info_gatherer.info_gatherer import (
+    MacThunderboltConnections,
+    RdmaCtlStatus,
+)
+
+
+def _now() -> str:
+    return datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat()
+
+
+def _make_state_with_thunderbolt_idents(
+    *node_ids_and_uuids: tuple[NodeId, str, str],
+    rdma_ctl: dict[NodeId, NodeRdmaCtlStatus] | None = None,
+) -> State:
+    """Build a State with Thunderbolt identifiers per node so the apply MacThunderboltConnections
+    case can resolve uuid -> (node, iface)."""
+    node_thunderbolt = {
+        nid: NodeThunderboltInfo(
+            interfaces=[ThunderboltIdentifier(rdma_interface=iface, domain_uuid=uuid)]
+        )
+        for nid, uuid, iface in node_ids_and_uuids
+    }
+    return State(
+        node_thunderbolt=node_thunderbolt,
+        node_rdma_ctl=rdma_ctl or {},
+    )
+
+
+def _has_rdma_edge(topology: Topology, source: NodeId, sink: NodeId) -> bool:
+    return any(
+        isinstance(edge, RDMAConnection)
+        for edge in topology.get_all_connections_between(source, sink)
+    )
+
+
+def test_mac_thunderbolt_connections_emits_rdma_when_both_endpoints_enabled():
+    node_a = NodeId()
+    node_b = NodeId()
+    state = _make_state_with_thunderbolt_idents(
+        (node_a, "uuid-a", "rdma_en1"),
+        (node_b, "uuid-b", "rdma_en1"),
+        rdma_ctl={
+            node_a: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+            node_b: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+        },
+    )
+
+    event = NodeGatheredInfo(
+        node_id=node_a,
+        when=_now(),
+        info=MacThunderboltConnections(
+            conns=[ThunderboltConnection(source_uuid="uuid-a", sink_uuid="uuid-b")]
+        ),
+    )
+
+    new_state = apply_node_gathered_info(event, state)
+
+    assert _has_rdma_edge(new_state.topology, node_a, node_b)
+
+
+def test_mac_thunderbolt_connections_skips_rdma_when_source_rdma_ctl_disabled():
+    node_a = NodeId()
+    node_b = NodeId()
+    state = _make_state_with_thunderbolt_idents(
+        (node_a, "uuid-a", "rdma_en1"),
+        (node_b, "uuid-b", "rdma_en1"),
+        rdma_ctl={
+            node_a: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=False),
+            node_b: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+        },
+    )
+
+    event = NodeGatheredInfo(
+        node_id=node_a,
+        when=_now(),
+        info=MacThunderboltConnections(
+            conns=[ThunderboltConnection(source_uuid="uuid-a", sink_uuid="uuid-b")]
+        ),
+    )
+
+    new_state = apply_node_gathered_info(event, state)
+
+    assert not _has_rdma_edge(new_state.topology, node_a, node_b)
+
+
+def test_mac_thunderbolt_connections_skips_rdma_when_sink_rdma_ctl_disabled():
+    node_a = NodeId()
+    node_b = NodeId()
+    state = _make_state_with_thunderbolt_idents(
+        (node_a, "uuid-a", "rdma_en1"),
+        (node_b, "uuid-b", "rdma_en1"),
+        rdma_ctl={
+            node_a: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+            node_b: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=False),
+        },
+    )
+
+    event = NodeGatheredInfo(
+        node_id=node_a,
+        when=_now(),
+        info=MacThunderboltConnections(
+            conns=[ThunderboltConnection(source_uuid="uuid-a", sink_uuid="uuid-b")]
+        ),
+    )
+
+    new_state = apply_node_gathered_info(event, state)
+
+    assert not _has_rdma_edge(new_state.topology, node_a, node_b)
+
+
+def test_mac_thunderbolt_connections_skips_rdma_when_rdma_ctl_status_missing():
+    """Missing rdma_ctl status defaults to not-enabled — node is RDMA-incapable."""
+    node_a = NodeId()
+    node_b = NodeId()
+    state = _make_state_with_thunderbolt_idents(
+        (node_a, "uuid-a", "rdma_en1"),
+        (node_b, "uuid-b", "rdma_en1"),
+        rdma_ctl={
+            node_a: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+            # node_b intentionally absent
+        },
+    )
+
+    event = NodeGatheredInfo(
+        node_id=node_a,
+        when=_now(),
+        info=MacThunderboltConnections(
+            conns=[ThunderboltConnection(source_uuid="uuid-a", sink_uuid="uuid-b")]
+        ),
+    )
+
+    new_state = apply_node_gathered_info(event, state)
+
+    assert not _has_rdma_edge(new_state.topology, node_a, node_b)
+
+
+def test_rdma_ctl_status_disabled_purges_existing_rdma_edges():
+    """When a node reports rdma_ctl disabled, all RDMA edges touching it must be removed."""
+    node_a = NodeId()
+    node_b = NodeId()
+
+    # Start with both nodes RDMA-enabled and existing RDMA edges in the topology.
+    state = _make_state_with_thunderbolt_idents(
+        (node_a, "uuid-a", "rdma_en1"),
+        (node_b, "uuid-b", "rdma_en1"),
+        rdma_ctl={
+            node_a: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+            node_b: NodeRdmaCtlStatus(enabled=True),
+        },
+    )
+    state = apply_node_gathered_info(
+        NodeGatheredInfo(
+            node_id=node_a,
+            when=_now(),
+            info=MacThunderboltConnections(
+                conns=[ThunderboltConnection(source_uuid="uuid-a", sink_uuid="uuid-b")]
+            ),
+        ),
+        state,
+    )
+    state = apply_node_gathered_info(
+        NodeGatheredInfo(
+            node_id=node_b,
+            when=_now(),
+            info=MacThunderboltConnections(
+                conns=[ThunderboltConnection(source_uuid="uuid-b", sink_uuid="uuid-a")]
+            ),
+        ),
+        state,
+    )
+    assert _has_rdma_edge(state.topology, node_a, node_b)
+    assert _has_rdma_edge(state.topology, node_b, node_a)
+
+    # Now node_a flips to rdma_ctl disabled — both directions of RDMA edge must drop.
+    state = apply_node_gathered_info(
+        NodeGatheredInfo(
+            node_id=node_a, when=_now(), info=RdmaCtlStatus(enabled=False)
+        ),
+        state,
+    )
+
+    assert not _has_rdma_edge(state.topology, node_a, node_b)
+    assert not _has_rdma_edge(state.topology, node_b, node_a)
+    assert state.node_rdma_ctl[node_a].enabled is False
+
+
+def test_topology_remove_all_rdma_connections_touching_keeps_socket_edges():
+    """Purging RDMA edges for a disabled node must not affect non-RDMA edges."""
+    from exo.shared.types.multiaddr import Multiaddr
+    from exo.shared.types.topology import Connection, SocketConnection
+
+    topology = Topology()
+    node_a = NodeId()
+    node_b = NodeId()
+    topology.add_node(node_a)
+    topology.add_node(node_b)
+    topology.add_connection(
+        Connection(
+            source=node_a,
+            sink=node_b,
+            edge=RDMAConnection(
+                source_rdma_iface="rdma_en1", sink_rdma_iface="rdma_en1"
+            ),
+        )
+    )
+    socket_edge = SocketConnection(
+        sink_multiaddr=Multiaddr(address="/ip4/10.0.0.1/tcp/8000")
+    )
+    topology.add_connection(Connection(source=node_a, sink=node_b, edge=socket_edge))
+
+    topology.remove_all_rdma_connections_touching(node_a)
+
+    assert not _has_rdma_edge(topology, node_a, node_b)
+    # Socket edge survives.
+    assert any(
+        isinstance(edge, SocketConnection)
+        for edge in topology.get_all_connections_between(node_a, node_b)
+    )

src/exo/shared/topology.py

@@ -169,6 +169,22 @@ class Topology:
         for conn in new_connections:
             self.add_connection(conn)
 
+    def remove_all_rdma_connections_touching(self, node_id: NodeId) -> None:
+        """Remove every RDMA edge incident to ``node_id`` (incoming or outgoing)."""
+        if node_id not in self._vertex_indices:
+            return
+        rx_idx = self._vertex_indices[node_id]
+        rdma_edge_idxs = [
+            edge_idx
+            for edge_idx in (
+                *self._graph.out_edge_indices(rx_idx),
+                *self._graph.in_edge_indices(rx_idx),
+            )
+            if isinstance(self._graph.get_edge_data_by_index(edge_idx), RDMAConnection)
+        ]
+        for edge_idx in rdma_edge_idxs:
+            self._graph.remove_edge_from_index(edge_idx)
+
     def remove_connection(self, conn: Connection) -> None:
         if (
             conn.source not in self._vertex_indices

src/exo/shared/types/state.py

@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ from typing import Any, cast
 from pydantic import ConfigDict, Field, field_serializer, field_validator
 from pydantic.alias_generators import to_camel
 
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelCard
 from exo.shared.topology import Topology, TopologySnapshot
-from exo.shared.types.chunks import InputImageChunk
-from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId
+from exo.shared.types.common import ModelId, NodeId
 from exo.shared.types.instance_link import InstanceLink, InstanceLinkId
 from exo.shared.types.profiling import (
     DiskUsage,
@@ -46,9 +46,6 @@ class State(FrozenModel):
     runners: Mapping[RunnerId, RunnerStatus] = {}
     downloads: Mapping[NodeId, Sequence[DownloadProgress]] = {}
     tasks: Mapping[TaskId, Task] = {}
-    # Durable request input chunks for active image requests. Workers rebuild
-    # local image caches from this state instead of reading events directly.
-    input_chunks: Mapping[CommandId, Mapping[int, InputImageChunk]] = {}
     last_seen: Mapping[NodeId, datetime] = {}
     topology: Topology = Field(default_factory=Topology)
     last_event_applied_idx: int = Field(default=-1, ge=-1)
@@ -69,6 +66,9 @@ class State(FrozenModel):
     instance_links: Mapping[InstanceLinkId, InstanceLink] = {}
     prefill_server_ports: Mapping[RunnerId, int] = {}
 
+    # User-added model cards. Workers can reconcile their on-disk custom card cache
+    custom_model_cards: Mapping[ModelId, ModelCard] = {}
+
     @field_serializer("topology", mode="plain")
     def _encode_topology(self, value: Topology) -> TopologySnapshot:
         return value.to_snapshot()

src/exo/shared/types/text_generation.py

@@ -135,9 +135,9 @@ class TextGenerationTaskParams(BaseModel, frozen=True):
     prefill_endpoint: str | None = None
 
     def with_card_sampling_defaults(self) -> "TextGenerationTaskParams":
-        from exo.shared.models.model_cards import get_card
+        from exo.shared.models import model_cards
 
-        card = get_card(self.model)
+        card = model_cards.card_cache.get(self.model)
         if card is None:
             return self
 

src/exo/worker/engines/image/builder.py

@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ class ImageEngine(Engine):
         Generator[tuple[TaskId, Chunk | FinishedResponse | CancelledResponse]] | None
     ) = field(init=False, default=None)
     queue: deque[ImageTask] = field(init=False, default_factory=deque)
+    _cancelled_tasks: set[TaskId] = field(init=False, default_factory=set)
 
     def warmup(self) -> None:
         image = warmup_image_generator(model=self.image_model)
@@ -168,7 +169,11 @@ class ImageEngine(Engine):
             task = self.queue.popleft()
             self.current_gen = self._run_image_task(task.task_id, task.task_params)
             resp = next(self.current_gen, None)
-        return (resp,) if resp is not None else ()
+        return (
+            (resp,)
+            if resp is not None and _is_primary_output_node(self.shard_metadata)
+            else ()
+        )
 
     def close(self) -> None:
         with contextlib.suppress(NameError, AttributeError):

src/exo/worker/main.py

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ from exo.api.types import ImageEditsTaskParams
 from exo.download.download_utils import is_read_only_model_dir, resolve_existing_model
 from exo.shared.apply import apply
 from exo.shared.constants import EXO_MAX_INSTANCE_RETRIES
-from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId, add_to_card_cache, delete_custom_card
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelId, card_cache
 from exo.shared.types.chunks import InputImageChunk
 from exo.shared.types.commands import (
     DeleteInstance,
@@ -20,10 +20,9 @@ from exo.shared.types.commands import (
 )
 from exo.shared.types.common import CommandId, NodeId, SystemId
 from exo.shared.types.events import (
-    CustomModelCardAdded,
-    CustomModelCardDeleted,
     Event,
     IndexedEvent,
+    InputChunkReceived,
     InstanceDeleted,
     NodeDownloadProgress,
     NodeGatheredInfo,
@@ -109,6 +108,8 @@ class Worker:
                 tg.start_soon(self.plan_step)
                 tg.start_soon(self._event_applier)
                 tg.start_soon(self._poll_connection_updates)
+                tg.start_soon(self._reconcile_custom_cards)
+
         finally:
             # Actual shutdown code - waits for all tasks to complete before executing.
             logger.info("Stopping Worker")
@@ -140,41 +141,48 @@ class Worker:
                 if isinstance(event, InstanceDeleted):
                     self._instance_backoff.reset(event.instance_id)
 
-                if isinstance(event, CustomModelCardAdded):
-                    await event.model_card.save_to_custom_dir()
-                    add_to_card_cache(event.model_card)
+                # Buffer input image chunks for image editing
+                if isinstance(event, InputChunkReceived):
+                    cmd_id = event.command_id
+                    if cmd_id not in self.input_chunk_buffer:
+                        self.input_chunk_buffer[cmd_id] = {}
+                        self.input_chunk_counts[cmd_id] = event.chunk.total_chunks
 
-                if isinstance(event, CustomModelCardDeleted):
-                    await delete_custom_card(event.model_id)
+                    self.input_chunk_buffer[cmd_id][event.chunk.chunk_index] = (
+                        event.chunk
+                    )
+                    if (
+                        len(self.input_chunk_buffer[cmd_id])
+                        == self.input_chunk_counts[cmd_id]
+                    ):
+                        per_image: defaultdict[int, list[InputImageChunk]] = (
+                            defaultdict(list)
+                        )
+                        for chunk in self.input_chunk_buffer[cmd_id].values():
+                            per_image[chunk.image_index].append(chunk)
+                        for chunks_for_image in per_image.values():
+                            sorted_chunks = sorted(
+                                chunks_for_image, key=lambda c: c.chunk_index
+                            )
+                            img = Base64Image("".join(c.data for c in sorted_chunks))
+                            self.image_cache[
+                                Base64ImageHash(
+                                    hashlib.sha256(img.encode("ascii")).hexdigest()
+                                )
+                            ] = img
 
-                self._sync_input_views_from_state()
+    async def _reconcile_custom_cards(self) -> None:
+        while True:
+            await anyio.sleep(1)
+            target = dict(self.state.custom_model_cards)
+            for model_id, card in target.items():
+                if card_cache.get(model_id) == card:
+                    continue
+                await card_cache.save(card)
 
-    def _sync_input_views_from_state(self) -> None:
-        self.input_chunk_buffer = {
-            command_id: dict(chunks)
-            for command_id, chunks in self.state.input_chunks.items()
-        }
-        self.input_chunk_counts = {
-            command_id: next(iter(chunks.values())).total_chunks
-            for command_id, chunks in self.input_chunk_buffer.items()
-            if chunks
-        }
-
-        self.image_cache = {}
-        for command_id, chunks in self.input_chunk_buffer.items():
-            expected_chunks = self.input_chunk_counts.get(command_id)
-            if expected_chunks is None or len(chunks) != expected_chunks:
-                continue
-
-            per_image: defaultdict[int, list[InputImageChunk]] = defaultdict(list)
-            for chunk in chunks.values():
-                per_image[chunk.image_index].append(chunk)
-            for chunks_for_image in per_image.values():
-                sorted_chunks = sorted(chunks_for_image, key=lambda c: c.chunk_index)
-                image = Base64Image("".join(chunk.data for chunk in sorted_chunks))
-                self.image_cache[
-                    Base64ImageHash(hashlib.sha256(image.encode("ascii")).hexdigest())
-                ] = image
+            for card in await card_cache.list_all():
+                if card.model_id not in target:
+                    await card_cache.pop(card.model_id)
 
     async def plan_step(self):
         while True:
@@ -186,7 +194,7 @@ class Worker:
                 self.state.instances,
                 self.state.runners,
                 self.state.tasks,
-                self.state.input_chunks,
+                self.input_chunk_buffer,
                 self.image_cache,
                 self._instance_backoff,
                 self._download_backoff,
@@ -318,9 +326,15 @@ class Worker:
                             advanced_params=task.task_params.advanced_params,
                         ),
                     )
+                    # Cleanup buffers
+                    if cmd_id in self.input_chunk_buffer:
+                        del self.input_chunk_buffer[cmd_id]
+                    if cmd_id in self.input_chunk_counts:
+                        del self.input_chunk_counts[cmd_id]
                     await self._start_runner_task(modified_task)
 
                 case TextGeneration() if task.task_params.image_hashes:
+                    cmd_id = task.command_id
                     resolved_images = [
                         self.image_cache[h]
                         for _, h in sorted(task.task_params.image_hashes.items())
@@ -332,6 +346,10 @@ class Worker:
                             )
                         }
                     )
+                    if cmd_id in self.input_chunk_buffer:
+                        del self.input_chunk_buffer[cmd_id]
+                    if cmd_id in self.input_chunk_counts:
+                        del self.input_chunk_counts[cmd_id]
                     await self._start_runner_task(modified_task)
                 case LoadModel(instance_id=instance_id):
                     if (instance := self.state.instances.get(instance_id)) is not None:

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

@@ -138,8 +138,10 @@ class SequentialGenerator(Engine):
     def agree_on_tasks(self) -> None:
         """Agree between all ranks about the task ordering (some may have received in different order or not at all)."""
         agreed, different = mx_all_gather_tasks(self._maybe_queue, self.group)
-        self._queue.extend(task for task in self._maybe_queue if task in agreed)
-        self._maybe_queue = [task for task in self._maybe_queue if task in different]
+        # Extend from `agreed` (sorted by task_id on all ranks) to guarantee every
+        # rank enqueues tasks in the same order, preventing TP collective deadlocks.
+        self._queue.extend(agreed)
+        self._maybe_queue = list(different)
 
     def agree_on_cancellations(self) -> None:
         """Agree between all ranks about which tasks to cancel."""
@@ -197,9 +199,14 @@ class SequentialGenerator(Engine):
             self._active = None
             raise
 
-        return itertools.chain(
-            output,
-            map(lambda task: (task, CancelledResponse()), self._cancelled_tasks),
+        return filter(
+            lambda chunk: (
+                not isinstance(chunk[1], GenerationChunk) or self.device_rank == 0
+            ),
+            itertools.chain(
+                output,
+                map(lambda task: (task, CancelledResponse()), self._cancelled_tasks),
+            ),
         )
 
     def _start_next(self) -> None:
@@ -368,8 +375,10 @@ class BatchGenerator(Engine):
     def agree_on_tasks(self) -> None:
         """Agree between all ranks about the task ordering (some may have received in different order or not at all)."""
         agreed, different = mx_all_gather_tasks(self._maybe_queue, self.group)
-        self._queue.extend(task for task in self._maybe_queue if task in agreed)
-        self._maybe_queue = [task for task in self._maybe_queue if task in different]
+        # Extend from `agreed` (sorted by task_id on all ranks) to guarantee every
+        # rank enqueues tasks in the same order, preventing TP collective deadlocks.
+        self._queue.extend(agreed)
+        self._maybe_queue = list(different)
 
     def agree_on_cancellations(self) -> None:
         """Agree between all ranks about which tasks to cancel."""
@@ -449,7 +458,12 @@ class BatchGenerator(Engine):
                 output.append((task.task_id, FinishedResponse()))
                 del self._active_tasks[uid]
 
-        return itertools.chain(output, self._apply_cancellations())
+        return filter(
+            lambda chunk: (
+                not isinstance(chunk[1], GenerationChunk) or self.device_rank == 0
+            ),
+            itertools.chain(output, self._apply_cancellations()),
+        )
 
     def _apply_cancellations(
         self,

src/exo/worker/runner/runner.py

@@ -390,5 +390,5 @@ class Runner:
         chunk: Chunk,
         command_id: CommandId,
     ):
-        if self.device_rank == 0:
-            self.event_sender.send(ChunkGenerated(command_id=command_id, chunk=chunk))
+        assert isinstance(self.generator, Engine)
+        self.event_sender.send(ChunkGenerated(command_id=command_id, chunk=chunk))

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

@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ from exo.download.download_utils import (
     fetch_file_list_with_cache,
     resolve_model_dir,
 )
-from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelCard, ModelId, get_model_cards
+from exo.shared.models.model_cards import ModelCard, ModelId, card_cache
 from exo.worker.engines.mlx.utils_mlx import (
     get_eos_token_ids_for_model,
     load_tokenizer_for_model_id,
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ def get_test_models() -> list[ModelCard]:
     """Get a representative sample of models to test."""
     # Pick one model from each family to test
     families: dict[str, ModelCard] = {}
-    for card in asyncio.run(get_model_cards()):
+    for card in asyncio.run(card_cache.list_all()):
         # Extract family name (e.g., "llama-3.1" from "llama-3.1-8b")
         parts = card.model_id.short().split("-")
         family = "-".join(parts[:2]) if len(parts) >= 2 else parts[0]
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ async def test_tokenizer_special_tokens(model_card: ModelCard) -> None:
 async def test_kimi_tokenizer_specifically():
     """Test Kimi tokenizer with its specific patches and quirks."""
     kimi_models = [
-        card for card in await get_model_cards() if "kimi" in card.model_id.lower()
+        card for card in await card_cache.list_all() if "kimi" in card.model_id.lower()
     ]
 
     if not kimi_models:
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ async def test_glm_tokenizer_specifically():
 
     glm_model_cards = [
         card
-        for card in await get_model_cards()
+        for card in await card_cache.list_all()
         if contains(card, "glm")
         and not contains(card, "-5")
         and not contains(card, "4.7")