diff --git a/python/voice_to_notes.spec b/python/voice_to_notes.spec
index 0687bb1..17d3c3f 100644
--- a/python/voice_to_notes.spec
+++ b/python/voice_to_notes.spec
@@ -33,7 +33,13 @@ a = Analysis(
     hookspath=[],
     hooksconfig={},
     runtime_hooks=[],
-    excludes=["tkinter", "test", "unittest", "pip", "setuptools"],
+    excludes=[
+        "tkinter", "test", "unittest", "pip", "setuptools",
+        # ctranslate2.converters imports torch at module level and causes
+        # circular import crashes under PyInstaller. These modules are only
+        # needed for model format conversion, never for inference.
+        "ctranslate2.converters",
+    ],
     win_no_prefer_redirects=False,
     win_private_assemblies=False,
     cipher=block_cipher,
diff --git a/python/voice_to_notes/ipc/handlers.py b/python/voice_to_notes/ipc/handlers.py
index dcc20ef..2e64f85 100644
--- a/python/voice_to_notes/ipc/handlers.py
+++ b/python/voice_to_notes/ipc/handlers.py
@@ -41,11 +41,15 @@ def ping_handler(msg: IPCMessage) -> IPCMessage:
 
 def make_transcribe_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
     """Create a transcription handler with a persistent TranscribeService."""
-    from voice_to_notes.services.transcribe import TranscribeService, result_to_payload
-
-    service = TranscribeService()
+    service = None
 
     def handler(msg: IPCMessage) -> IPCMessage:
+        nonlocal service
+        if service is None:
+            from voice_to_notes.services.transcribe import TranscribeService
+            service = TranscribeService()
+        from voice_to_notes.services.transcribe import result_to_payload
+
         payload = msg.payload
         result = service.transcribe(
             request_id=msg.id,
@@ -66,11 +70,15 @@ def make_transcribe_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
 
 def make_diarize_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
     """Create a diarization handler with a persistent DiarizeService."""
-    from voice_to_notes.services.diarize import DiarizeService, diarization_to_payload
-
-    service = DiarizeService()
+    service = None
 
     def handler(msg: IPCMessage) -> IPCMessage:
+        nonlocal service
+        if service is None:
+            from voice_to_notes.services.diarize import DiarizeService
+            service = DiarizeService()
+        from voice_to_notes.services.diarize import diarization_to_payload
+
         payload = msg.payload
         result = service.diarize(
             request_id=msg.id,
@@ -163,11 +171,15 @@ def make_diarize_download_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
 
 def make_pipeline_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
     """Create a full pipeline handler (transcribe + diarize + merge)."""
-    from voice_to_notes.services.pipeline import PipelineService, pipeline_result_to_payload
-
-    service = PipelineService()
+    service = None
 
     def handler(msg: IPCMessage) -> IPCMessage:
+        nonlocal service
+        if service is None:
+            from voice_to_notes.services.pipeline import PipelineService
+            service = PipelineService()
+        from voice_to_notes.services.pipeline import pipeline_result_to_payload
+
         payload = msg.payload
         result = service.run(
             request_id=msg.id,
@@ -193,11 +205,15 @@ def make_pipeline_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
 
 def make_export_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
     """Create an export handler."""
-    from voice_to_notes.services.export import ExportService, make_export_request
-
-    service = ExportService()
+    service = None
 
     def handler(msg: IPCMessage) -> IPCMessage:
+        nonlocal service
+        if service is None:
+            from voice_to_notes.services.export import ExportService
+            service = ExportService()
+        from voice_to_notes.services.export import make_export_request
+
         request = make_export_request(msg.payload)
         output_path = service.export(request)
         return IPCMessage(
@@ -211,11 +227,14 @@ def make_export_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
 
 def make_ai_chat_handler() -> HandlerFunc:
     """Create an AI chat handler with persistent AIProviderService."""
-    from voice_to_notes.services.ai_provider import create_default_service
-
-    service = create_default_service()
+    service = None
 
     def handler(msg: IPCMessage) -> IPCMessage:
+        nonlocal service
+        if service is None:
+            from voice_to_notes.services.ai_provider import create_default_service
+            service = create_default_service()
+
         payload = msg.payload
         action = payload.get("action", "chat")