diff --git a/client/ayon_nuke/api/lib.py b/client/ayon_nuke/api/lib.py
index 49db43a56f..4e9d946e70 100644
--- a/client/ayon_nuke/api/lib.py
+++ b/client/ayon_nuke/api/lib.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 import ayon_api
 
 from ayon_core.host import HostDirmap
-from ayon_core.tools.utils import host_tools
 from ayon_core.pipeline.workfile.workfile_template_builder import (
     TemplateProfileNotFound
 )
@@ -1561,7 +1560,7 @@ def set_viewers_colorspace(self, imageio_nuke):
 
         if erased_viewers:
             log.warning(
-                "Attention! Viewer nodes {} were erased."
+                "Attention! Viewer nodes {} were erased. "
                 "It had wrong color profile".format(erased_viewers))
 
     # TODO: move into ./colorspace.py
@@ -2469,6 +2468,9 @@ def launch_workfiles_app():
 def _launch_workfile_app():
     # Safeguard to not show window when application is still starting up
     #   or is already closing down.
+    if not nuke.GUI:
+        raise RuntimeError("Invalid in non-GUI mode.")
+
     closing_down = QtWidgets.QApplication.closingDown()
     starting_up = QtWidgets.QApplication.startingUp()
 
@@ -2486,6 +2488,7 @@ def _launch_workfile_app():
     #   - this happened on Centos 7 and it is because the focus of nuke
     #       changes to the main window after showing because of initialization
     #       which moves workfiles tool under it
+    from ayon_core.tools.utils import host_tools
     host_tools.show_workfiles(parent=None, on_top=True)
 
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_nuke/api/pipeline.py b/client/ayon_nuke/api/pipeline.py
index ce815f1bdf..dec42e71de 100644
--- a/client/ayon_nuke/api/pipeline.py
+++ b/client/ayon_nuke/api/pipeline.py
@@ -27,9 +27,7 @@
     registered_host,
 )
 from ayon_core.pipeline.workfile import BuildWorkfile
-from ayon_core.tools.utils import host_tools
 from ayon_nuke import NUKE_ROOT_DIR
-from ayon_core.tools.workfile_template_build import open_template_ui
 
 # Function 'get_current_project_settings' was moved in ayon-core 1.5.1
 try:
@@ -142,16 +140,18 @@ def install(self):
         # Register AYON event for workfiles loading.
         register_event_callback("workio.open_file", check_inventory_versions)
         register_event_callback("taskChanged", change_context_label)
-        project_settings = get_current_project_settings()
-        if nuke.GUI:
-            _install_menu(project_settings)
 
-            # add script menu
-            add_scripts_menu()
-            add_scripts_gizmo()
+    def setup_ui_callbacks_and_menu(self):
+        """Setup AYON menus."""
+        if not nuke.GUI:
+            raise RuntimeError("Cannot set up in non-GUI mode.")
 
+        project_settings = get_current_project_settings()
         add_nuke_callbacks(project_settings)
+        _install_menu(project_settings)
 
+        add_scripts_menu()
+        add_scripts_gizmo()
         launch_workfiles_app()
 
     def get_context_data(self):
@@ -224,14 +224,6 @@ def reload_config():
             reload(module)
 
 
-def _show_workfiles():
-    # Make sure parent is not set
-    # - this makes Workfiles tool as separated window which
-    #   avoid issues with reopening
-    # - it is possible to explicitly change on top flag of the tool
-    host_tools.show_workfiles(parent=None, on_top=False)
-
-
 def get_context_label():
     return "{0}, {1}".format(
         get_current_folder_path(),
@@ -241,6 +233,9 @@ def get_context_label():
 
 def _install_menu(project_settings: dict):
     """Install AYON menu into Nuke's main menu bar."""
+    # local imports, modules not available in non-GUI mode
+    from ayon_core.tools.utils import host_tools
+    from ayon_core.tools.workfile_template_build import open_template_ui
 
     # uninstall original AYON menu
     main_window = get_main_window()
@@ -274,6 +269,13 @@ def _install_menu(project_settings: dict):
             shortcut_str
         )
 
+    def _show_workfiles():
+        # Make sure parent is not set
+        # - this makes Workfiles tool as separated window which
+        #   avoid issues with reopening
+        # - it is possible to explicitly change on top flag of the tool
+        host_tools.show_workfiles(parent=None, on_top=False)
+
     menu.addCommand(
         "Work Files...",
         _show_workfiles
diff --git a/client/ayon_nuke/api/push_to_project.py b/client/ayon_nuke/api/push_to_project.py
index b907c8f24d..63d0e5c102 100644
--- a/client/ayon_nuke/api/push_to_project.py
+++ b/client/ayon_nuke/api/push_to_project.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 from ayon_core.pipeline import Anatomy, registered_host
 from ayon_core.pipeline.template_data import get_template_data
 from ayon_core.pipeline.workfile import get_workdir_with_workdir_data
-from ayon_core.tools import context_dialog
 
 from .utils import bake_gizmos_recursively
 from .lib import MENU_LABEL
@@ -46,6 +45,10 @@ def bake_container(container):
 
 
 def main():
+    if not nuke.GUI:
+        raise RuntimeError("Invalid in non-GUI mode.")
+
+    from ayon_core.tools import context_dialog
     context = context_dialog.ask_for_context()
 
     if context is None:
diff --git a/client/ayon_nuke/api/utils.py b/client/ayon_nuke/api/utils.py
index 2d0f766bb8..5ddebd1971 100644
--- a/client/ayon_nuke/api/utils.py
+++ b/client/ayon_nuke/api/utils.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 
 from ayon_core import resources
 from ayon_core.pipeline import registered_host
-from ayon_core.tools.utils import show_message_dialog
 from ayon_core.pipeline.create import CreateContext
 
 
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ def submit_render_on_farm(node):
             _submit_render_on_farm(node)
 
 
-def _submit_render_on_farm(node):
+def _submit_render_on_farm(node) -> bool:
     """Render on farm submission
 
     This function prepares the context for farm submission, validates it,
@@ -118,6 +117,9 @@ def _submit_render_on_farm(node):
 
     Args:
         node (Node): The node for which the farm submission is being made.
+
+    Returns:
+        bool: Did the submission succeed?
     """
 
     host = registered_host()
@@ -161,12 +163,17 @@ def _submit_render_on_farm(node):
         error_message += "\n"
         error_message += err.formatted_traceback
 
-    if not success:
-        show_message_dialog(
-            "Publish Errors", error_message, level="critical"
-        )
-        return
-
-    show_message_dialog(
-        "Submission Successful", "Submission to the farm was successful."
-    )
+    if nuke.GUI:
+        from ayon_core.tools.utils import show_message_dialog
+        if success:
+            show_message_dialog(
+                "Submission Successful",
+                "Submission to the farm was successful."
+            )
+        else:
+            show_message_dialog(
+                 "Publish Errors",
+                 error_message, level="critical"
+            )
+
+    return success
diff --git a/client/ayon_nuke/api/workfile_template_builder.py b/client/ayon_nuke/api/workfile_template_builder.py
index 766c9d64d4..3307881f5f 100644
--- a/client/ayon_nuke/api/workfile_template_builder.py
+++ b/client/ayon_nuke/api/workfile_template_builder.py
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
     AbstractTemplateBuilder,
     PlaceholderPlugin,
 )
-from ayon_core.tools.workfile_template_build import (
-    WorkfileBuildPlaceholderDialog,
-)
+
 from .lib import (
     imprint,
     reset_selection,
@@ -147,6 +145,13 @@ def update_workfile_template(*args):
 
 
 def create_placeholder(*args):
+    if not nuke.GUI:
+        raise RuntimeError("Invalid in non-GUI mode.")
+
+    from ayon_core.tools.workfile_template_build import (
+        WorkfileBuildPlaceholderDialog,
+    )
+
     host = registered_host()
     builder = NukeTemplateBuilder(host)
     window = WorkfileBuildPlaceholderDialog(host, builder,
@@ -155,6 +160,13 @@ def create_placeholder(*args):
 
 
 def update_placeholder(*args):
+    if not nuke.GUI:
+        raise RuntimeError("Invalid in non-GUI mode.")
+
+    from ayon_core.tools.workfile_template_build import (
+        WorkfileBuildPlaceholderDialog,
+    )
+
     host = registered_host()
     builder = NukeTemplateBuilder(host)
     placeholder_items_by_id = {
diff --git a/client/ayon_nuke/startup/init.py b/client/ayon_nuke/startup/init.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..86396c30c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/ayon_nuke/startup/init.py
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+from ayon_core.pipeline import install_host
+from ayon_nuke.api import NukeHost
+
+# Attempt to register host.
+try:
+    host = NukeHost()
+    install_host(host)
+
+# Current environment might not be 100% fully AYON compatible.
+# e.g. on farm, using Deadline or RoyalRender native Nuke plugin.
+# If an incomplete AYON environment is provided, the host
+# will not be able to install.
+# We still allow Nuke to start as-is, might be enough for rendering.
+# Otherwise it'll raise on AYON dependency with more meaningful error.
+except Exception as error:
+    print(
+        f"Cannot initialize AYON Nuke host: {error}. "
+        "This might result in unexpected results."
+    )
diff --git a/client/ayon_nuke/startup/menu.py b/client/ayon_nuke/startup/menu.py
index c3dd8cda8f..53e89d68b5 100644
--- a/client/ayon_nuke/startup/menu.py
+++ b/client/ayon_nuke/startup/menu.py
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
-from ayon_core.pipeline import install_host
-from ayon_nuke.api import NukeHost
+from ayon_core.pipeline import registered_host
 
-host = NukeHost()
-install_host(host)
+
+# This code gets only called from GUI mode.
+# Unlike the non-GUI mode (e.g. farm),
+# we do expect a valid host at this time.
+nuke_host = registered_host()
+if nuke_host is None:
+    raise RuntimeError("Cannot find expected registered Nuke host.")
+
+nuke_host.setup_ui_callbacks_and_menu()