diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-models.yml b/.github/workflows/test-models.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 2af40a6a1a..0000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/test-models.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,164 +0,0 @@
-# This workflow will install Python dependencies, run tests and lint with a variety of Python versions
-# For more information see: https://help.github.com/actions/language-and-framework-guides/using-python-with-github-actions
-
-name: Validate Models on Shark Runtime
-
-on:
-  push:
-    branches: [ main ]
-    paths-ignore:
-      - '**.md'
-      - 'shark/examples/**'
-  pull_request:
-    branches: [ main ]
-    paths-ignore:
-      - '**.md'
-      - 'shark/examples/**'
-  workflow_dispatch:
-
-# Ensure that only a single job or workflow using the same
-# concurrency group will run at a time. This would cancel
-# any in-progress jobs in the same github workflow and github
-# ref (e.g. refs/heads/main or refs/pull/<pr_number>/merge).
-concurrency:
-  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}
-  cancel-in-progress: true
-
-jobs:
-  build-validate:
-    strategy:
-      fail-fast: true
-      matrix:
-        os: [7950x, icelake, a100, MacStudio, ubuntu-latest]
-        suite: [cpu,cuda,vulkan]
-        python-version: ["3.11"]
-        include:
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            suite: lint
-          - os: MacStudio
-            suite: metal
-        exclude:
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            suite: vulkan
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            suite: cuda
-          - os: ubuntu-latest
-            suite: cpu
-          - os: MacStudio
-            suite: cuda
-          - os: MacStudio
-            suite: cpu
-          - os: MacStudio
-            suite: vulkan
-          - os: icelake
-            suite: vulkan
-          - os: icelake
-            suite: cuda
-          - os: a100
-            suite: cpu
-          - os: 7950x
-            suite: cpu
-          - os: 7950x
-            suite: cuda
-
-    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
-
-    steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
-    
-    - name: Set Environment Variables
-      if: matrix.os != '7950x'
-      run: |
-        echo "SHORT_SHA=`git rev-parse --short=4 HEAD`" >> $GITHUB_ENV
-        echo "DATE=$(date +'%Y-%m-%d')" >> $GITHUB_ENV
-        
-    - name: Set up Python Version File ${{ matrix.python-version }}
-      if: matrix.os == 'a100' ||  matrix.os == 'ubuntu-latest' ||  matrix.os == 'icelake'
-      run: |
-        # See https://github.com/actions/setup-python/issues/433
-        echo ${{ matrix.python-version }} >> $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/.python-version
-    
-    - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
-      if: matrix.os == 'a100' ||  matrix.os == 'ubuntu-latest' ||  matrix.os == 'icelake'
-      uses: actions/setup-python@v4
-      with:
-        python-version: '${{ matrix.python-version }}'
-        #cache: 'pip'
-        #cache-dependency-path: |
-        #  **/requirements-importer.txt
-        #  **/requirements.txt
-          
-    - name: Install dependencies
-      if: matrix.suite == 'lint'
-      run: |
-        python -m pip install --upgrade pip
-        python -m pip install flake8 pytest toml black
-        
-    - name: Lint with flake8
-      if: matrix.suite == 'lint'
-      run: |
-        # black format check
-        black --version
-        black --check .
-        # stop the build if there are Python syntax errors or undefined names
-        flake8 . --statistics
-        # exit-zero treats all errors as warnings. The GitHub editor is 127 chars wide
-        flake8 . --isolated --count --exit-zero --max-complexity=10 --max-line-length=127 \
-          --statistics --exclude lit.cfg.py
-
-    - name: Validate Models on CPU
-      if: matrix.suite == 'cpu'
-      run: |
-        cd $GITHUB_WORKSPACE
-        PYTHON=python${{ matrix.python-version }} IMPORTER=1 ./setup_venv.sh
-        source shark.venv/bin/activate
-        pytest --benchmark=native --update_tank -k cpu 
-        gsutil cp ./bench_results.csv gs://shark-public/builder/bench_results/${DATE}/bench_results_cpu_${SHORT_SHA}.csv
-        gsutil cp gs://shark-public/builder/bench_results/${DATE}/bench_results_cpu_${SHORT_SHA}.csv gs://shark-public/builder/bench_results/latest/bench_results_cpu_latest.csv
-        python build_tools/vicuna_testing.py
-
-    - name: Validate Models on NVIDIA GPU
-      if: matrix.suite == 'cuda'
-      run: |
-        cd $GITHUB_WORKSPACE
-        PYTHON=python${{ matrix.python-version }} ./setup_venv.sh
-        source shark.venv/bin/activate
-        pytest --benchmark=native --update_tank -k cuda
-        gsutil cp ./bench_results.csv gs://shark-public/builder/bench_results/${DATE}/bench_results_cuda_${SHORT_SHA}.csv
-        gsutil cp gs://shark-public/builder/bench_results/${DATE}/bench_results_cuda_${SHORT_SHA}.csv gs://shark-public/builder/bench_results/latest/bench_results_cuda_latest.csv
-        # Disabled due to black image bug
-        # python build_tools/stable_diffusion_testing.py --device=cuda 
-
-    - name: Validate Vulkan Models (MacOS)
-      if: matrix.suite == 'metal' && matrix.os == 'MacStudio'
-      run: |
-        cd $GITHUB_WORKSPACE
-        PYTHON=python${{ matrix.python-version }} ./setup_venv.sh
-        source shark.venv/bin/activate
-        echo $PATH
-        pip list | grep -E "torch|iree"
-      # disabled due to a low-visibility memory issue with pytest on macos.
-      # pytest --ci --ci_sha=${SHORT_SHA} --local_tank_cache="/Volumes/builder/anush/shark_cache" --tank_url="gs://shark_tank/nightly/" -k metal
-
-    - name: Validate Vulkan Models (a100)
-      if: matrix.suite == 'vulkan' && matrix.os == 'a100'
-      run: |
-        cd $GITHUB_WORKSPACE
-        PYTHON=python${{ matrix.python-version }} ./setup_venv.sh
-        source shark.venv/bin/activate
-        pytest --update_tank -k vulkan
-        python build_tools/stable_diffusion_testing.py --device=vulkan --no-exit_on_fail
-
-    - name: Validate Vulkan Models (Windows)
-      if: matrix.suite == 'vulkan' && matrix.os == '7950x'
-      run: |
-        ./setup_venv.ps1
-        pytest -k vulkan -s --ci
-
-    - name: Validate Stable Diffusion Models (Windows)
-      if: matrix.suite == 'vulkan' && matrix.os == '7950x'
-      run: |
-        ./setup_venv.ps1
-        python process_skipfiles.py
-        pyinstaller .\apps\stable_diffusion\shark_sd.spec
-        python build_tools/stable_diffusion_testing.py --device=vulkan
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-studio.yml b/.github/workflows/test-studio.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e12795b2c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-studio.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+# This workflow will install Python dependencies, run tests and lint with a variety of Python versions
+# For more information see: https://help.github.com/actions/language-and-framework-guides/using-python-with-github-actions
+
+name: Validate Shark Studio
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [ main ]
+    paths-ignore:
+      - '**.md'
+      - 'shark/examples/**'
+  pull_request:
+    branches: [ main ]
+    paths-ignore:
+      - '**.md'
+      - 'shark/examples/**'
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+# Ensure that only a single job or workflow using the same
+# concurrency group will run at a time. This would cancel
+# any in-progress jobs in the same github workflow and github
+# ref (e.g. refs/heads/main or refs/pull/<pr_number>/merge).
+concurrency:
+  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}
+  cancel-in-progress: true
+
+jobs:
+  build-validate:
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: true
+      matrix:
+        os: [nodai-ubuntu-builder-large]
+        suite: [cpu] #,cuda,vulkan]
+        python-version: ["3.11"]
+        include:
+          - os: nodai-ubuntu-builder-large
+            suite: lint
+
+    runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
+
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+    
+    - name: Set Environment Variables
+      run: |
+        echo "SHORT_SHA=`git rev-parse --short=4 HEAD`" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+        echo "DATE=$(date +'%Y-%m-%d')" >> $GITHUB_ENV
+        
+    - name: Set up Python Version File ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+      run: |
+        echo ${{ matrix.python-version }} >> $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/.python-version
+    
+    - name: Set up Python ${{ matrix.python-version }}
+      uses: actions/setup-python@v4
+      with:
+        python-version: '${{ matrix.python-version }}'
+          
+    - name: Install dependencies
+      if: matrix.suite == 'lint'
+      run: |
+        python -m pip install --upgrade pip
+        python -m pip install flake8 pytest toml black
+        
+    - name: Lint with flake8
+      if: matrix.suite == 'lint'
+      run: |
+        # black format check
+        black --version
+        black --check apps/shark_studio 
+        # stop the build if there are Python syntax errors or undefined names
+        flake8 . --statistics
+        # exit-zero treats all errors as warnings. The GitHub editor is 127 chars wide
+        flake8 . --isolated --count --exit-zero --max-complexity=10 --max-line-length=127 \
+          --statistics --exclude lit.cfg.py
+
+    - name: Validate Models on CPU
+      if: matrix.suite == 'cpu'
+      run: |
+        cd $GITHUB_WORKSPACE
+        python${{ matrix.python-version }} -m venv shark.venv
+        source shark.venv/bin/activate
+        pip install -r requirements.txt
+        pip install -e .
+        pip uninstall -y torch
+        pip install torch==2.1.0+cpu -f https://download.pytorch.org/whl/torch_stable.html
+        python apps/shark_studio/tests/api_test.py
diff --git a/apps/shark_studio/api/llm.py b/apps/shark_studio/api/llm.py
index 46ef9ec6bf..1e042bf883 100644
--- a/apps/shark_studio/api/llm.py
+++ b/apps/shark_studio/api/llm.py
@@ -64,8 +64,7 @@ def __init__(
         self.use_system_prompt = use_system_prompt
         self.global_iter = 0
         if os.path.exists(self.vmfb_name) and (
-            os.path.exists(self.external_weight_file)
-            or external_weights is None
+            os.path.exists(self.external_weight_file) or external_weights is None
         ):
             self.iree_module_dict = dict()
             (
@@ -85,9 +84,7 @@ def __init__(
                 token=hf_auth_token,
             )
         elif not os.path.exists(self.tempfile_name):
-            self.torch_ir, self.tokenizer = llm_model_map[model_name][
-                "initializer"
-            ](
+            self.torch_ir, self.tokenizer = llm_model_map[model_name]["initializer"](
                 self.hf_model_name,
                 hf_auth_token,
                 compile_to="torch",
@@ -150,9 +147,7 @@ def format_out(results):
                         self.iree_module_dict["config"].device, input_tensor
                     )
                 ]
-                token = self.iree_module_dict["vmfb"]["run_initialize"](
-                    *device_inputs
-                )
+                token = self.iree_module_dict["vmfb"]["run_initialize"](*device_inputs)
             else:
                 device_inputs = [
                     ireert.asdevicearray(
@@ -160,9 +155,7 @@ def format_out(results):
                         token,
                     )
                 ]
-                token = self.iree_module_dict["vmfb"]["run_forward"](
-                    *device_inputs
-                )
+                token = self.iree_module_dict["vmfb"]["run_forward"](*device_inputs)
 
             total_time = time.time() - st_time
             history.append(format_out(token))
diff --git a/apps/shark_studio/api/utils.py b/apps/shark_studio/api/utils.py
index bb5e150364..4072491cbf 100644
--- a/apps/shark_studio/api/utils.py
+++ b/apps/shark_studio/api/utils.py
@@ -8,7 +8,5 @@ def get_available_devices():
 
 def get_resource_path(relative_path):
     """Get absolute path to resource, works for dev and for PyInstaller"""
-    base_path = getattr(
-        sys, "_MEIPASS", os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
-    )
+    base_path = getattr(sys, "_MEIPASS", os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
     return os.path.join(base_path, relative_path)
diff --git a/apps/shark_studio/tests/api_test.py b/apps/shark_studio/tests/api_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c88a1e70cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/shark_studio/tests/api_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+# Copyright 2023 Nod Labs, Inc
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License v2.0 with LLVM Exceptions.
+# See https://llvm.org/LICENSE.txt for license information.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0 WITH LLVM-exception
+
+import logging
+import unittest
+from apps.shark_studio.api.llm import LanguageModel
+
+
+class LLMAPITest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def testLLMSimple(self):
+        lm = LanguageModel(
+            "Trelis/Llama-2-7b-chat-hf-function-calling-v2",
+            hf_auth_token=None,
+            device="cpu-task",
+            external_weights="safetensors",
+        )
+        count = 0
+        for msg, _ in lm.chat("hi, what are you?"):
+            # skip first token output
+            if count == 0:
+                count += 1
+                continue
+            assert (
+                msg.strip(" ") == "Hello"
+            ), f"LLM API failed to return correct response, expected 'Hello', received {msg}"
+            break
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    logging.basicConfig(level=logging.DEBUG)
+    unittest.main()
diff --git a/apps/shark_studio/web/index.py b/apps/shark_studio/web/index.py
index 28c1573bd9..3ef6bc5739 100644
--- a/apps/shark_studio/web/index.py
+++ b/apps/shark_studio/web/index.py
@@ -93,9 +93,7 @@ def launch_app(address):
 
     def resource_path(relative_path):
         """Get absolute path to resource, works for dev and for PyInstaller"""
-        base_path = getattr(
-            sys, "_MEIPASS", os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
-        )
+        base_path = getattr(sys, "_MEIPASS", os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
         return os.path.join(base_path, relative_path)
 
     dark_theme = resource_path("ui/css/sd_dark_theme.css")
diff --git a/apps/shark_studio/web/ui/chat.py b/apps/shark_studio/web/ui/chat.py
index 4fb9138e1a..5f52a98993 100644
--- a/apps/shark_studio/web/ui/chat.py
+++ b/apps/shark_studio/web/ui/chat.py
@@ -45,9 +45,7 @@ def create_prompt(model_name, history, prompt_prefix):
         msg = system_message + conversation
         msg = msg.strip()
     else:
-        conversation = "".join(
-            ["".join([item[0], item[1]]) for item in history]
-        )
+        conversation = "".join(["".join([item[0], item[1]]) for item in history])
         msg = system_message + conversation
         msg = msg.strip()
     return msg
@@ -65,9 +63,7 @@ def get_default_config():
         compilation_prompt,
         return_tensors="pt",
     ).input_ids
-    compilation_input_ids = torch.tensor(compilation_input_ids).reshape(
-        [1, 19]
-    )
+    compilation_input_ids = torch.tensor(compilation_input_ids).reshape([1, 19])
     firstVicunaCompileInput = (compilation_input_ids,)
     from apps.language_models.src.model_wrappers.vicuna_model import (
         CombinedModel,
@@ -138,17 +134,11 @@ def llm_chat_api(InputData: dict):
     #     print(f"prompt : {InputData['prompt']}")
     # print(f"max_tokens : {InputData['max_tokens']}") # Default to 128 for now
     global vicuna_model
-    model_name = (
-        InputData["model"] if "model" in InputData.keys() else "codegen"
-    )
+    model_name = InputData["model"] if "model" in InputData.keys() else "codegen"
     model_path = llm_model_map[model_name]
     device = "cpu-task"
     precision = "fp16"
-    max_toks = (
-        None
-        if "max_tokens" not in InputData.keys()
-        else InputData["max_tokens"]
-    )
+    max_toks = None if "max_tokens" not in InputData.keys() else InputData["max_tokens"]
     if max_toks is None:
         max_toks = 128 if model_name == "codegen" else 512
 
@@ -185,9 +175,7 @@ def llm_chat_api(InputData: dict):
     # TODO: add role dict for different models
     if is_chat_completion_api:
         # TODO: add funtionality for multiple messages
-        prompt = create_prompt(
-            model_name, [(InputData["messages"][0]["content"], "")]
-        )
+        prompt = create_prompt(model_name, [(InputData["messages"][0]["content"], "")])
     else:
         prompt = InputData["prompt"]
     print("prompt = ", prompt)
@@ -220,9 +208,7 @@ def llm_chat_api(InputData: dict):
     end_time = dt.now().strftime("%Y%m%d%H%M%S%f")
     return {
         "id": end_time,
-        "object": "chat.completion"
-        if is_chat_completion_api
-        else "text_completion",
+        "object": "chat.completion" if is_chat_completion_api else "text_completion",
         "created": int(end_time),
         "choices": choices,
     }
@@ -298,9 +284,7 @@ def view_json_file(file_obj):
 
     with gr.Row(visible=False):
         with gr.Group():
-            config_file = gr.File(
-                label="Upload sharding configuration", visible=False
-            )
+            config_file = gr.File(label="Upload sharding configuration", visible=False)
             json_view_button = gr.Button(label="View as JSON", visible=False)
         json_view = gr.JSON(interactive=True, visible=False)
         json_view_button.click(
diff --git a/build_tools/stable_diffusion_testing.py b/build_tools/stable_diffusion_testing.py
index ced919732c..8eeb1a7395 100644
--- a/build_tools/stable_diffusion_testing.py
+++ b/build_tools/stable_diffusion_testing.py
@@ -36,9 +36,7 @@ def parse_sd_out(filename, command, device, use_tune, model_name, import_mlir):
                 metrics[val] = line.split(" ")[-1].strip("\n")
 
     metrics["Average step"] = metrics["Average step"].strip("ms/it")
-    metrics["Total image generation"] = metrics[
-        "Total image generation"
-    ].strip("sec")
+    metrics["Total image generation"] = metrics["Total image generation"].strip("sec")
     metrics["device"] = device
     metrics["use_tune"] = use_tune
     metrics["model_name"] = model_name
@@ -84,10 +82,14 @@ def test_loop(
     ]
     import_options = ["--import_mlir", "--no-import_mlir"]
     prompt_text = "--prompt=cyberpunk forest by Salvador Dali"
-    inpaint_prompt_text = "--prompt=Face of a yellow cat, high resolution, sitting on a park bench"
+    inpaint_prompt_text = (
+        "--prompt=Face of a yellow cat, high resolution, sitting on a park bench"
+    )
     if os.name == "nt":
         prompt_text = '--prompt="cyberpunk forest by Salvador Dali"'
-        inpaint_prompt_text = '--prompt="Face of a yellow cat, high resolution, sitting on a park bench"'
+        inpaint_prompt_text = (
+            '--prompt="Face of a yellow cat, high resolution, sitting on a park bench"'
+        )
     if beta:
         extra_flags.append("--beta_models=True")
     extra_flags.append("--no-progress_bar")
@@ -174,9 +176,7 @@ def test_loop(
                     )
                     print(command)
                     print("Successfully generated image")
-                    os.makedirs(
-                        "./test_images/golden/" + model_name, exist_ok=True
-                    )
+                    os.makedirs("./test_images/golden/" + model_name, exist_ok=True)
                     download_public_file(
                         "gs://shark_tank/testdata/golden/" + model_name,
                         "./test_images/golden/" + model_name,
@@ -191,14 +191,10 @@ def test_loop(
                     )
                     test_file = glob(test_file_path)[0]
 
-                    golden_path = (
-                        "./test_images/golden/" + model_name + "/*.png"
-                    )
+                    golden_path = "./test_images/golden/" + model_name + "/*.png"
                     golden_file = glob(golden_path)[0]
                     try:
-                        compare_images(
-                            test_file, golden_file, upload=upload_bool
-                        )
+                        compare_images(test_file, golden_file, upload=upload_bool)
                     except AssertionError as e:
                         print(e)
                         if exit_on_fail == True:
@@ -267,9 +263,7 @@ def prepare_artifacts():
 parser.add_argument(
     "-x", "--exit_on_fail", action=argparse.BooleanOptionalAction, default=True
 )
-parser.add_argument(
-    "-g", "--gen", action=argparse.BooleanOptionalAction, default=False
-)
+parser.add_argument("-g", "--gen", action=argparse.BooleanOptionalAction, default=False)
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     args = parser.parse_args()
diff --git a/dataset/annotation_tool.py b/dataset/annotation_tool.py
index edd088229f..6c6e270978 100644
--- a/dataset/annotation_tool.py
+++ b/dataset/annotation_tool.py
@@ -10,9 +10,7 @@
 
 shark_root = Path(__file__).parent.parent
 demo_css = shark_root.joinpath("web/demo.css").resolve()
-nodlogo_loc = shark_root.joinpath(
-    "web/models/stable_diffusion/logos/nod-logo.png"
-)
+nodlogo_loc = shark_root.joinpath("web/models/stable_diffusion/logos/nod-logo.png")
 
 
 with gr.Blocks(title="Dataset Annotation Tool", css=demo_css) as shark_web:
@@ -75,9 +73,7 @@ def filter_datasets(dataset):
             with jsonlines.open(dataset_path + "/metadata.jsonl") as reader:
                 for line in reader.iter(type=dict, skip_invalid=True):
                     prompt_data[line["file_name"]] = (
-                        [line["text"]]
-                        if type(line["text"]) is str
-                        else line["text"]
+                        [line["text"]] if type(line["text"]) is str else line["text"]
                     )
 
         return gr.Dropdown.update(choices=images[dataset])
@@ -103,9 +99,7 @@ def display_image(dataset, image_name):
             prompt_data[image_name] = []
         prompt_choices = ["Add new"]
         prompt_choices += prompt_data[image_name]
-        return gr.Image.update(value=img), gr.Dropdown.update(
-            choices=prompt_choices
-        )
+        return gr.Image.update(value=img), gr.Dropdown.update(choices=prompt_choices)
 
     image_name.change(
         fn=display_image,
@@ -122,12 +116,7 @@ def edit_prompt(prompts):
     prompts.change(fn=edit_prompt, inputs=prompts, outputs=prompt)
 
     def save_prompt(dataset, image_name, prompts, prompt):
-        if (
-            dataset is None
-            or image_name is None
-            or prompts is None
-            or prompt is None
-        ):
+        if dataset is None or image_name is None or prompts is None or prompt is None:
             return
 
         if prompts == "Add new":
@@ -136,9 +125,7 @@ def save_prompt(dataset, image_name, prompts, prompt):
             idx = prompt_data[image_name].index(prompts)
             prompt_data[image_name][idx] = prompt
 
-        prompt_path = (
-            str(shark_root) + "/dataset/" + dataset + "/metadata.jsonl"
-        )
+        prompt_path = str(shark_root) + "/dataset/" + dataset + "/metadata.jsonl"
         # write prompt jsonlines file
         with open(prompt_path, "w") as f:
             for key, value in prompt_data.items():
@@ -165,9 +152,7 @@ def delete_prompt(dataset, image_name, prompts):
             return
 
         prompt_data[image_name].remove(prompts)
-        prompt_path = (
-            str(shark_root) + "/dataset/" + dataset + "/metadata.jsonl"
-        )
+        prompt_path = str(shark_root) + "/dataset/" + dataset + "/metadata.jsonl"
         # write prompt jsonlines file
         with open(prompt_path, "w") as f:
             for key, value in prompt_data.items():
@@ -230,9 +215,7 @@ def finish_annotation(dataset):
         # upload prompt and remove local data
         dataset_path = str(shark_root) + "/dataset/" + dataset
         dataset_gs_path = args.gs_url + "/" + dataset + "/"
-        os.system(
-            f'gsutil cp "{dataset_path}/metadata.jsonl" "{dataset_gs_path}"'
-        )
+        os.system(f'gsutil cp "{dataset_path}/metadata.jsonl" "{dataset_gs_path}"')
         os.system(f'rm -rf "{dataset_path}"')
 
         return gr.Dropdown.update(value=None)
diff --git a/process_skipfiles.py b/process_skipfiles.py
index a846159451..339c7ebec6 100644
--- a/process_skipfiles.py
+++ b/process_skipfiles.py
@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@
 
 # Temporary workaround for transformers/__init__.py.
 path_to_transformers_hook = Path(
-    get_python_lib()
-    + "/_pyinstaller_hooks_contrib/hooks/stdhooks/hook-transformers.py"
+    get_python_lib() + "/_pyinstaller_hooks_contrib/hooks/stdhooks/hook-transformers.py"
 )
 if path_to_transformers_hook.is_file():
     pass
@@ -59,9 +58,7 @@
 
 # For getting around timm's packaging.
 # Refer: https://github.com/pyinstaller/pyinstaller/issues/5673#issuecomment-808731505
-path_to_timm_activations = Path(
-    get_python_lib() + "/timm/layers/activations_jit.py"
-)
+path_to_timm_activations = Path(get_python_lib() + "/timm/layers/activations_jit.py")
 for line in fileinput.input(path_to_timm_activations, inplace=True):
     if "@torch.jit.script" in line:
         print("@torch.jit._script_if_tracing", end="\n")
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 22e0210c50..876df2f8bb 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -5,14 +5,25 @@ requires = [
     "packaging",
 
     "numpy>=1.22.4",
-    "torch-mlir>=20230620.875",
     "iree-compiler>=20221022.190",
     "iree-runtime>=20221022.190",
 ]
 build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [tool.black]
-line-length = 79
 include = '\.pyi?$'
-exclude = "apps/language_models/scripts/vicuna.py"
-extend-exclude = "apps/language_models/src/pipelines/minigpt4_pipeline.py"
+exclude = '''
+(
+  /(
+    | apps/stable_diffusion
+    | apps/language_models
+    | shark
+    | benchmarks
+    | tank
+    | build
+    | generated_imgs
+    | shark.venv
+  )/
+  | setup.py
+)
+'''
diff --git a/pytest.ini b/pytest.ini
index 11f57888b2..3857248785 100644
--- a/pytest.ini
+++ b/pytest.ini
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 [pytest]
 addopts = --verbose -s -p no:warnings
-norecursedirs = inference tank/tflite examples benchmarks shark 
+norecursedirs = inference tank/tflite examples benchmarks shark apps/shark_studio
diff --git a/rest_api_tests/api_test.py b/rest_api_tests/api_test.py
index 7a4cf042c2..f3c0b0e170 100644
--- a/rest_api_tests/api_test.py
+++ b/rest_api_tests/api_test.py
@@ -44,14 +44,10 @@ def upscaler_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.post(url=url, json=data, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[upscaler] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[upscaler] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
-        print(
-            f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n"
-        )
+        print(f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
 
 
 def img2img_test(verbose=False):
@@ -96,14 +92,10 @@ def img2img_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.post(url=url, json=data, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[img2img] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[img2img] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
-        print(
-            f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n"
-        )
+        print(f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
 
     # NOTE Uncomment below to save the picture
 
@@ -133,13 +125,9 @@ def inpainting_test(verbose=False):
     image_path = r"./rest_api_tests/dog.png"
 
     img_file = open(image_path, "rb")
-    image = (
-        "data:image/png;base64," + base64.b64encode(img_file.read()).decode()
-    )
+    image = "data:image/png;base64," + base64.b64encode(img_file.read()).decode()
     img_file = open(image_path, "rb")
-    mask = (
-        "data:image/png;base64," + base64.b64encode(img_file.read()).decode()
-    )
+    mask = "data:image/png;base64," + base64.b64encode(img_file.read()).decode()
 
     url = "http://127.0.0.1:8080/sdapi/v1/inpaint"
 
@@ -166,14 +154,10 @@ def inpainting_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.post(url=url, json=data, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[inpaint] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[inpaint] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
-        print(
-            f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n"
-        )
+        print(f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
 
 
 def outpainting_test(verbose=False):
@@ -223,14 +207,10 @@ def outpainting_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.post(url=url, json=data, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[outpaint] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[outpaint] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
-        print(
-            f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n"
-        )
+        print(f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
 
 
 def txt2img_test(verbose=False):
@@ -262,14 +242,10 @@ def txt2img_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.post(url=url, json=data, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[txt2img] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[txt2img] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
-        print(
-            f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n"
-        )
+        print(f"\n{res.json()['info'] if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
 
 
 def sd_models_test(verbose=False):
@@ -283,9 +259,7 @@ def sd_models_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.get(url=url, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[sd_models] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[sd_models] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
         print(f"\n{res.json() if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
@@ -302,9 +276,7 @@ def sd_samplers_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.get(url=url, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[sd_samplers] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[sd_samplers] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
         print(f"\n{res.json() if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
@@ -321,9 +293,7 @@ def options_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.get(url=url, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[options] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[options] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
         print(f"\n{res.json() if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
@@ -340,9 +310,7 @@ def cmd_flags_test(verbose=False):
 
     res = requests.get(url=url, headers=headers, timeout=1000)
 
-    print(
-        f"[cmd-flags] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}"
-    )
+    print(f"[cmd-flags] response from server was : {res.status_code} {res.reason}")
 
     if verbose or res.status_code != 200:
         print(f"\n{res.json() if res.status_code == 200 else res.content}\n")
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index c387fe9add..061873e7a8 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -9,11 +9,6 @@
 
 PACKAGE_VERSION = os.environ.get("SHARK_PACKAGE_VERSION") or "0.0.5"
 backend_deps = []
-if "NO_BACKEND" in os.environ.keys():
-    backend_deps = [
-        "iree-compiler>=20221022.190",
-        "iree-runtime>=20221022.190",
-    ]
 
 setup(
     name="nodai-SHARK",
@@ -39,7 +34,5 @@
     install_requires=[
         "numpy",
         "PyYAML",
-        "torch-mlir",
     ]
-    + backend_deps,
 )