diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index 48fdf262376..a551eb0d1c7 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -76,6 +76,8 @@
 - Language: TypeScript (ESM). Prefer strict typing; avoid `any`.
 - Formatting/linting via Oxlint and Oxfmt; run `pnpm check` before commits.
 - Never add `@ts-nocheck` and do not disable `no-explicit-any`; fix root causes and update Oxlint/Oxfmt config only when required.
+- Dynamic import guardrail: do not mix `await import("x")` and static `import ... from "x"` for the same module in production code paths. If you need lazy loading, create a dedicated `*.runtime.ts` boundary (that re-exports from `x`) and dynamically import that boundary from lazy callers only.
+- Dynamic import verification: after refactors that touch lazy-loading/module boundaries, run `pnpm build` and check for `[INEFFECTIVE_DYNAMIC_IMPORT]` warnings before submitting.
 - Never share class behavior via prototype mutation (`applyPrototypeMixins`, `Object.defineProperty` on `.prototype`, or exporting `Class.prototype` for merges). Use explicit inheritance/composition (`A extends B extends C`) or helper composition so TypeScript can typecheck.
 - If this pattern is needed, stop and get explicit approval before shipping; default behavior is to split/refactor into an explicit class hierarchy and keep members strongly typed.
 - In tests, prefer per-instance stubs over prototype mutation (`SomeClass.prototype.method = ...`) unless a test explicitly documents why prototype-level patching is required.
diff --git a/src/agents/pi-model-discovery-runtime.ts b/src/agents/pi-model-discovery-runtime.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8f57cfab65b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/agents/pi-model-discovery-runtime.ts
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+export { discoverAuthStorage, discoverModels } from "./pi-model-discovery.js";
diff --git a/src/media-understanding/providers/image.ts b/src/media-understanding/providers/image.ts
index 8cf08f5d43b..d0dc13c0086 100644
--- a/src/media-understanding/providers/image.ts
+++ b/src/media-understanding/providers/image.ts
@@ -3,14 +3,23 @@ import { complete } from "@mariozechner/pi-ai";
 import { minimaxUnderstandImage } from "../../agents/minimax-vlm.js";
 import { getApiKeyForModel, requireApiKey } from "../../agents/model-auth.js";
 import { ensureOpenClawModelsJson } from "../../agents/models-config.js";
-import { discoverAuthStorage, discoverModels } from "../../agents/pi-model-discovery.js";
 import { coerceImageAssistantText } from "../../agents/tools/image-tool.helpers.js";
 import type { ImageDescriptionRequest, ImageDescriptionResult } from "../types.js";
 
+let piModelDiscoveryRuntimePromise: Promise<
+  typeof import("../../agents/pi-model-discovery-runtime.js")
+> | null = null;
+
+function loadPiModelDiscoveryRuntime() {
+  piModelDiscoveryRuntimePromise ??= import("../../agents/pi-model-discovery-runtime.js");
+  return piModelDiscoveryRuntimePromise;
+}
+
 export async function describeImageWithModel(
   params: ImageDescriptionRequest,
 ): Promise<ImageDescriptionResult> {
   await ensureOpenClawModelsJson(params.cfg, params.agentDir);
+  const { discoverAuthStorage, discoverModels } = await loadPiModelDiscoveryRuntime();
   const authStorage = discoverAuthStorage(params.agentDir);
   const modelRegistry = discoverModels(authStorage, params.agentDir);
   const model = modelRegistry.find(params.provider, params.model) as Model<Api> | null;