diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/CLAUDE.md b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/CLAUDE.md
index 81d447fb09d..6943cd7fdff 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/CLAUDE.md
@@ -34,8 +34,11 @@ Target: Lighthouse 95+ on mobile, LCP < 2.0s, CLS < 0.05, minimal hydration cost
 - **No heavy client libraries above the fold.** No animation frameworks (framer-motion etc.), no ReactFlow, no chart libs in the initial bundle. If a below-fold section truly needs one, load it with `next/dynamic` and a dimension-stable placeholder.
 - **Images via `next/image` always.** The LCP element (logo or hero visual) gets `priority`; everything below the fold lazy-loads (the default). Every image has explicit `width`/`height` - zero layout shift.
 - **Prefer CSS over JS.** Hover states, transitions, marquees, and reveal effects in CSS (`transition-*`, `animation`) rather than scroll listeners or animation libraries. Decorative motion respects `prefers-reduced-motion`.
-- **Static rendering.** The page is statically generated with `revalidate` (set in `page.tsx`). Never fetch per-request data in the page tree; anything dynamic (e.g. GitHub stars) is fetched at build/revalidate time on the server or deferred to a tiny client island.
+- **Static rendering.** The page is statically generated with `revalidate` (set in `page.tsx`). Never fetch per-request data in the page tree; anything dynamic (e.g. GitHub stars) is fetched at build/revalidate time or deferred to a client island. A `cookies()`/`headers()`/`unstable_noStore()` call anywhere in the tree - including the root `app/layout.tsx` - silently overrides every page's `revalidate` and forces the whole app dynamic. If a marketing page builds as `ƒ` instead of `○`/`●` (check `bun run build`'s route table), look upstream, not just at the page itself.
 - **Reserve space for everything.** Fixed dimensions or aspect ratios on all media, embeds, and async content. CLS budget is effectively zero.
+- **Decorative canvases and animations are non-interactive.** A hand-built product-demo animation or embedded ReactFlow canvas is presentation only - no drag handlers, no `nodesDraggable`/`panOnDrag`/`elementsSelectable` on ReactFlow. A visitor should never be able to click or drag a decorative element.
+- **Lazy-mount a heavy client island's second occurrence.** If the same animated component appears twice on a page, only the first (usually the hero) loads eagerly - the rest go through a small `'use client'` mount wrapper built on the shared `hooks/use-lazy-mount.ts` hook: `next/dynamic(..., { ssr: false })` gated by the hook's `IntersectionObserver`. See `components/product-demo/components/product-demo-visual-mount/` for the reference pattern, and `.claude/rules/sim-imports.md` for the barrel-cleanup step that must come with it.
+- **Don't prefetch authenticated-app routes from an always-visible CTA.** `<Link>` prefetches its target route's JS once it's in the viewport - a navbar/hero CTA to `/signup` or `/login` is always in view, so it downloads that route's bundle on every pageview. Pass `prefetch={false}` there. Leave the default on CTAs that only enter the viewport on scroll (prefetch-on-approach is the desired behavior there).
 
 ## SEO
 
@@ -72,6 +75,7 @@ Follow `.claude/rules/constitution.md` exactly: Sim is "the open-source AI works
 ├── page.tsx                             # route entry: metadata + <Landing />
 ├── landing.tsx                          # root composition: <main> section order
 ├── workflows/                           # a platform route: page.tsx (metadata) + workflows.tsx (config + shell)
+├── hooks/                               # cross-page client hooks (useLazyMount, …) - bare files, no folder/barrel
 └── components/
     ├── index.ts                         # top barrel
     ├── navbar/{navbar.tsx, index.ts, components/<chip>/…}   # <header><nav>: wordmark, dropdowns, stars, auth chips
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-author-page/content-author-page.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-author-page/content-author-page.tsx
index e57ad9e3c64..229632757ce 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-author-page/content-author-page.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-author-page/content-author-page.tsx
@@ -55,7 +55,6 @@ export function ContentAuthorPage({
                 width={600}
                 height={315}
                 className='h-[160px] w-full object-cover transition-transform group-hover:scale-[1.02]'
-                unoptimized
               />
               <div className='p-3'>
                 <div className='mb-1 text-[var(--text-muted)] text-xs'>
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-index-page/content-index-page.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-index-page/content-index-page.tsx
index 3e304e9b5be..17b589ed834 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-index-page/content-index-page.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-index-page/content-index-page.tsx
@@ -96,7 +96,6 @@ export function ContentIndexPage({
                           sizes='(max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw'
                           className='object-cover'
                           priority={index < 3}
-                          unoptimized
                         />
                       </div>
                       <div className='flex flex-col gap-2'>
@@ -158,7 +157,6 @@ export function ContentIndexPage({
                       fill
                       sizes='140px'
                       className='object-cover'
-                      unoptimized
                     />
                   </div>
                 </Link>
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-post-page/content-post-page.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-post-page/content-post-page.tsx
index 358ec8a1416..3cc6ff442b4 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-post-page/content-post-page.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/content-post-page/content-post-page.tsx
@@ -53,7 +53,6 @@ export function ContentPostPage({
                 sizes='(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 450px'
                 priority
                 itemProp='image'
-                unoptimized
               />
             </div>
           </div>
@@ -142,7 +141,6 @@ export function ContentPostPage({
                         sizes='(max-width: 768px) 100vw, (max-width: 1024px) 50vw, 33vw'
                         className='object-cover'
                         loading='lazy'
-                        unoptimized
                       />
                     </div>
                     <div className='flex flex-col gap-2'>
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero-cta/hero-cta.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero-cta/hero-cta.tsx
index 4503e7de9b0..93a4dee3d6e 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero-cta/hero-cta.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero-cta/hero-cta.tsx
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ export function HeroCta() {
       </ChipLink>
       <ChipLink
         href='/signup'
+        prefetch={false}
         className={cn(CTA_SIZE, 'border border-[var(--border-1)] max-sm:justify-center')}
       >
         Sign up
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/hero-platform-loop.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/hero-platform-loop.tsx
index c154d1beb08..eb3d8b1c72a 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/hero-platform-loop.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/hero-platform-loop.tsx
@@ -59,12 +59,12 @@ const CHROME_INTERIOR = { width: 1024, height: 721 } as const
  * chat|stage divider is covered by this region, so the divider users see is
  * the live `border-l`, appearing exactly as it does in the product.
  *
- * The chat pane stays `pointer-events-none` (decorative); the workflow pane is
- * interactive - blocks are draggable. Remounting the stage per cycle
- * (`key={cycleId}`) resets dragged positions and build state.
+ * Both panes stay `pointer-events-none` (decorative, matching the hero's
+ * `aria-hidden` frame) - blocks are static. Remounting the stage per cycle
+ * (`key={cycleId}`) resets build state.
  *
  * Under `prefers-reduced-motion` the loop never starts: the finished exchange,
- * open stage, and fully-built workflow render statically (still draggable).
+ * open stage, and fully-built workflow render statically.
  */
 export function HeroPlatformLoop() {
   const regionRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/hero-workflow-stage.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/hero-workflow-stage.tsx
index cef1ead45e2..3265e49e389 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/hero-workflow-stage.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/hero-workflow-stage.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 'use client'
 
-import { type CSSProperties, useCallback, useLayoutEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react'
+import { type CSSProperties, useLayoutEffect, useMemo, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 import { cn } from '@sim/emcn'
 import { StageBlockCard } from '@/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/stage-block-card'
 import {
@@ -22,43 +22,26 @@ interface HeroWorkflowStageProps {
   builtCount: number
 }
 
-type Positions = Record<string, { x: number; y: number }>
-
-const initialPositions = (): Positions =>
-  Object.fromEntries(STAGE_BLOCKS.map((b) => [b.id, { x: b.x, y: b.y }]))
-
 const STAGE_BLOCKS_BY_ID = new Map(STAGE_BLOCKS.map((b) => [b.id, b]))
 
 /**
  * The hero window's live workflow canvas - the right-pane counterpart of the
  * chat loop. Blocks pop in one by one as `builtCount` advances (staggered
- * scale/fade entrances, edges stroke-draw once both endpoints exist), and every
- * block is DRAGGABLE: pointer-drag updates its position (scaled to design
- * space) and its edges follow live. The edge SVG is `overflow-visible` -
- * SVGs clip at their viewport by default, which cut the lines the moment a
- * dragged block left the design-canvas bounds while the HTML block cards
- * escaped freely. Positions reset when the parent remounts the stage for a
- * new loop pass (`key={cycleId}`).
+ * scale/fade entrances, edges stroke-draw once both endpoints exist) at their
+ * fixed positions. The edge SVG is `overflow-visible` - SVGs clip
+ * at their viewport by default, which would cut the lines if a block ever sat
+ * outside the design-canvas bounds.
+ *
+ * Decorative and `aria-hidden` (via the parent frame), so blocks are NOT
+ * draggable - `pointer-events-none`, matching the rest of the hero animation.
  *
  * Blocks reuse the hero-visual's {@link WorkflowBlockContent} (the faithful
  * icon-tile + rows card body) in a card shell with vertical-flow handle nubs
  * (top in / bottom out), matching the real editor's vertical layout.
  */
 export function HeroWorkflowStage({ builtCount }: HeroWorkflowStageProps) {
-  const [positions, setPositions] = useState<Positions>(initialPositions)
   const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
   const [scale, setScale] = useState(MAX_STAGE_SCALE)
-  const dragRef = useRef<{
-    id: string
-    pointerId: number
-    startX: number
-    startY: number
-    originX: number
-    originY: number
-    /** Total design-px -> visual-px factor for the dragged block (this stage's
-     * fit scale x the platform loop's design-space scale), captured at grab. */
-    visualScale: number
-  } | null>(null)
 
   // Fit the design canvas to the card: scale down when the pane narrows so the
   // branch blocks never clip, capped at the full-width scale. Measures LAYOUT
@@ -86,43 +69,6 @@ export function HeroWorkflowStage({ builtCount }: HeroWorkflowStageProps) {
     return () => ro.disconnect()
   }, [])
 
-  const onPointerDown = useCallback(
-    (e: React.PointerEvent<HTMLDivElement>, id: string) => {
-      if (dragRef.current) return
-      const pos = positions[id]
-      dragRef.current = {
-        id,
-        pointerId: e.pointerId,
-        startX: e.clientX,
-        startY: e.clientY,
-        originX: pos.x,
-        originY: pos.y,
-        // Rendered width / design width = the block's total visual scale, all
-        // ancestor transforms included - no need to thread each factor through.
-        visualScale: e.currentTarget.getBoundingClientRect().width / BLOCK_WIDTH,
-      }
-      e.currentTarget.setPointerCapture(e.pointerId)
-    },
-    [positions]
-  )
-
-  const onPointerMove = useCallback((e: React.PointerEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
-    const drag = dragRef.current
-    if (!drag || e.pointerId !== drag.pointerId || drag.visualScale <= 0) return
-    const dx = (e.clientX - drag.startX) / drag.visualScale
-    const dy = (e.clientY - drag.startY) / drag.visualScale
-    setPositions((prev) => ({
-      ...prev,
-      [drag.id]: { x: drag.originX + dx, y: drag.originY + dy },
-    }))
-  }, [])
-
-  const onPointerEnd = useCallback((e: React.PointerEvent<HTMLDivElement>) => {
-    const drag = dragRef.current
-    if (!drag || e.pointerId !== drag.pointerId) return
-    dragRef.current = null
-  }, [])
-
   const builtIds = useMemo(
     () => new Set(STAGE_BLOCKS.slice(0, builtCount).map((b) => b.id)),
     [builtCount]
@@ -162,8 +108,8 @@ export function HeroWorkflowStage({ builtCount }: HeroWorkflowStageProps) {
               const target = STAGE_BLOCKS_BY_ID.get(to)
               if (!source || !target) return null
               const visible = builtIds.has(from) && builtIds.has(to)
-              const s = handleAnchors(source, positions[from]).out
-              const t = handleAnchors(target, positions[to]).in
+              const s = handleAnchors(source).out
+              const t = handleAnchors(target).in
               return (
                 <path
                   key={`${from}-${to}`}
@@ -181,20 +127,14 @@ export function HeroWorkflowStage({ builtCount }: HeroWorkflowStageProps) {
 
           {STAGE_BLOCKS.map((block) => {
             const built = builtIds.has(block.id)
-            const pos = positions[block.id]
             return (
               <div
                 key={block.id}
                 className={cn(
-                  'absolute cursor-grab touch-none select-none active:cursor-grabbing',
-                  'transition-[opacity,scale] duration-300 ease-[cubic-bezier(0.22,1,0.36,1)]',
-                  built ? 'scale-100 opacity-100' : 'pointer-events-none scale-[0.94] opacity-0'
+                  'pointer-events-none absolute transition-[opacity,scale] duration-300 ease-[cubic-bezier(0.22,1,0.36,1)]',
+                  built ? 'scale-100 opacity-100' : 'scale-[0.94] opacity-0'
                 )}
-                style={{ left: pos.x, top: pos.y, width: BLOCK_WIDTH }}
-                onPointerDown={(e) => onPointerDown(e, block.id)}
-                onPointerMove={onPointerMove}
-                onPointerUp={onPointerEnd}
-                onPointerCancel={onPointerEnd}
+                style={{ left: block.x, top: block.y, width: BLOCK_WIDTH }}
               >
                 <StageBlockCard block={block} />
               </div>
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/stage-data.ts b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/stage-data.ts
index 17db30a2a86..4dbaf430bb0 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/stage-data.ts
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-platform-loop/stage-data.ts
@@ -120,10 +120,10 @@ export function verticalSmoothStep(sx: number, sy: number, tx: number, ty: numbe
   ].join(' ')
 }
 
-/** Handle anchor points for a block at a live position. */
-export function handleAnchors(block: BlockDef, pos: { x: number; y: number }) {
+/** Handle anchor points for a block at its fixed position. */
+export function handleAnchors(block: BlockDef) {
   return {
-    out: { x: pos.x + BLOCK_WIDTH / 2, y: pos.y + blockHeight(block) },
-    in: { x: pos.x + BLOCK_WIDTH / 2, y: pos.y },
+    out: { x: block.x + BLOCK_WIDTH / 2, y: block.y + blockHeight(block) },
+    in: { x: block.x + BLOCK_WIDTH / 2, y: block.y },
   }
 }
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/index.ts b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/index.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 8085f6b062f..00000000000
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/index.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-export { HeroVisual } from './hero-visual/hero-visual'
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/hero.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/hero.tsx
index 0b690055a45..14fb4a10f26 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/hero.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/hero/hero.tsx
@@ -40,9 +40,9 @@ import { TrustedBy } from '@/app/(landing)/components/trusted-by'
  * SIDEBAR
  * remains visible from the shot: the {@link HeroPlatformLoop} island overlays
  * the container interior (full-width chat that stages the workflow pane in,
- * replaying the conversation with the goo ThinkingLoader; blocks stay
- * draggable), inset a hair INSIDE the shot's own baked outlines so the visible
- * chrome is the real UI's pixels - never re-drawn.
+ * replaying the conversation with the goo ThinkingLoader), inset a hair INSIDE
+ * the shot's own baked outlines so the visible chrome is the real UI's pixels
+ * - never re-drawn.
  * The frame is `1300/720` and the window `1080/620` at `83.08%` width, centered
  * - matching cursor.com's hero media proportions, with backdrop showing on all
  * four sides. Decorative, `aria-hidden`; the `--surface-3` fill remains as the
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/components/landing-preview-workflow/landing-preview-workflow.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/components/landing-preview-workflow/landing-preview-workflow.tsx
index b1484c909db..0584ccfb944 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/components/landing-preview-workflow/landing-preview-workflow.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/components/landing-preview-workflow/landing-preview-workflow.tsx
@@ -117,13 +117,13 @@ function PreviewFlow({ workflow, animate = false }: LandingPreviewWorkflowProps)
       edgeTypes={EDGE_TYPES}
       defaultEdgeOptions={{ type: 'previewEdge' }}
       elementsSelectable={false}
-      nodesDraggable
+      nodesDraggable={false}
       nodesConnectable={false}
       zoomOnScroll={false}
       zoomOnDoubleClick={false}
       panOnScroll={false}
       zoomOnPinch={false}
-      panOnDrag
+      panOnDrag={false}
       preventScrolling={false}
       autoPanOnNodeDrag={false}
       proOptions={PRO_OPTIONS}
@@ -136,7 +136,8 @@ function PreviewFlow({ workflow, animate = false }: LandingPreviewWorkflowProps)
 }
 
 /**
- * Lightweight ReactFlow canvas displaying an interactive workflow preview.
+ * Lightweight ReactFlow canvas displaying a static workflow preview -
+ * decorative, so panning, dragging, zooming, and selecting are all disabled.
  * The key on workflow.id forces a clean remount on switch - instant fitView,
  * no timers, no flicker.
  */
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/landing-preview-mount.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/landing-preview-mount.tsx
index 17031b8799e..b4e120fae45 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/landing-preview-mount.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/landing-preview-mount.tsx
@@ -1,30 +1,24 @@
 'use client'
 
-import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 import dynamic from 'next/dynamic'
 import type { SidebarView } from '@/app/(landing)/components/landing-preview/components/landing-preview-sidebar/landing-preview-sidebar'
+import { useLazyMount } from '@/app/(landing)/hooks/use-lazy-mount'
 
 /** Dimension-stable placeholder sized to the preview's exact footprint (zero CLS). */
 const PLACEHOLDER_CLASS = 'aspect-[1116/615] w-full rounded bg-[var(--surface-1)]'
 
-/**
- * Load the preview chunk a little before it scrolls into view so it's ready by
- * the time the user reaches it, without paying for it on initial load.
- */
-const PRELOAD_ROOT_MARGIN = '400px'
-
 /**
  * Client mount for the {@link LandingPreview} - the heavy, animated workspace
  * island (framer-motion + reactflow). Isolated here so the sections that show it
  * stay Server Components: only this leaf is `'use client'`.
  *
  * Loaded with `ssr: false` so the framer-motion/reactflow bundle never ships in
- * the server-rendered HTML, and **gated on viewport proximity**: the chunk only
- * downloads once an {@link IntersectionObserver} reports the mount is near the
- * viewport, so the below-the-fold previews don't pull the heavy bundle into the
- * initial homepage load. A dimension-stable placeholder (the preview's exact
- * `aspect-[1116/615]` footprint, filled with the canvas surface) holds the space
- * before and during load, so there is zero layout shift or flash.
+ * the server-rendered HTML, and gated on viewport proximity via
+ * {@link useLazyMount} so the below-the-fold previews don't pull the heavy
+ * bundle into the initial homepage load. A dimension-stable placeholder (the
+ * preview's exact `aspect-[1116/615]` footprint, filled with the canvas
+ * surface) holds the space before and during load, so there is zero layout
+ * shift or flash.
  */
 const LandingPreview = dynamic(
   () =>
@@ -47,28 +41,7 @@ interface LandingPreviewMountProps {
 }
 
 export function LandingPreviewMount({ autoplay, view, workflowId }: LandingPreviewMountProps) {
-  const ref = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
-  const [inView, setInView] = useState(false)
-
-  useEffect(() => {
-    if (inView) return
-    // Graceful degradation: without IntersectionObserver support, load eagerly
-    // rather than leave the preview stuck on its placeholder.
-    if (typeof IntersectionObserver === 'undefined') {
-      setInView(true)
-      return
-    }
-    const el = ref.current
-    if (!el) return
-    const observer = new IntersectionObserver(
-      ([entry]) => {
-        if (entry.isIntersecting) setInView(true)
-      },
-      { rootMargin: PRELOAD_ROOT_MARGIN }
-    )
-    observer.observe(el)
-    return () => observer.disconnect()
-  }, [inView])
+  const { ref, inView } = useLazyMount('400px')
 
   return (
     <div ref={ref}>
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/navbar/components/mobile-nav/mobile-nav.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/navbar/components/mobile-nav/mobile-nav.tsx
index f0750f04fe4..96e5a74d7ca 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/navbar/components/mobile-nav/mobile-nav.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/navbar/components/mobile-nav/mobile-nav.tsx
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ export function MobileNav({ stars }: MobileNavProps) {
 
   return (
     <div className='ml-auto flex items-center gap-2 lg:hidden'>
-      <ChipLink variant='primary' href='/signup'>
+      <ChipLink variant='primary' href='/signup' prefetch={false}>
         Sign up
       </ChipLink>
       <button
@@ -154,6 +154,7 @@ export function MobileNav({ stars }: MobileNavProps) {
               href='/login'
               fullWidth
               flush
+              prefetch={false}
               className='h-[40px] justify-center border border-[var(--border-1)] [&>span]:flex-none'
               onClick={() => setOpen(false)}
             >
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/navbar/navbar.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/navbar/navbar.tsx
index 898c81fdc7c..e0fcbc8f9c9 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/navbar/navbar.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/navbar/navbar.tsx
@@ -81,11 +81,13 @@ export function Navbar({ stars, logoOnly = false }: NavbarProps) {
             </div>
 
             <div className='ml-auto hidden items-center gap-1 lg:flex'>
-              <ChipLink href='/login'>Log in</ChipLink>
+              <ChipLink href='/login' prefetch={false}>
+                Log in
+              </ChipLink>
               <ChipLink href='/demo' className='border border-[var(--border-1)]'>
                 Contact sales
               </ChipLink>
-              <ChipLink variant='primary' href='/signup'>
+              <ChipLink variant='primary' href='/signup' prefetch={false}>
                 Sign up
               </ChipLink>
             </div>
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/product-demo-visual-mount/index.ts b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/product-demo-visual-mount/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..53304d8970f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/product-demo-visual-mount/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+export { ProductDemoVisualMount } from './product-demo-visual-mount'
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/product-demo-visual-mount/product-demo-visual-mount.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/product-demo-visual-mount/product-demo-visual-mount.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b5d3f3a4ca3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/product-demo-visual-mount/product-demo-visual-mount.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+'use client'
+
+import dynamic from 'next/dynamic'
+import { useLazyMount } from '@/app/(landing)/hooks/use-lazy-mount'
+
+/**
+ * `ssr: false` so the animation's client bundle never ships in the
+ * server-rendered HTML for a section that starts below the fold.
+ */
+const HeroVisual = dynamic(
+  () =>
+    import('@/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-visual/hero-visual').then(
+      (mod) => mod.HeroVisual
+    ),
+  { ssr: false }
+)
+
+/**
+ * Client mount for the {@link HeroVisual} island reused in the Product Demo
+ * section. Isolated here so `ProductDemo` stays a Server Component: only this
+ * leaf is `'use client'`.
+ *
+ * Gated on viewport proximity via {@link useLazyMount} so the below-the-fold
+ * section doesn't pull the animation's JS - or start its
+ * `requestAnimationFrame` loop - into the initial homepage load. The parent
+ * frame (`product-demo.tsx`) already reserves fixed pixel dimensions for this
+ * slot, so there is no placeholder to size - an empty div holds the spot with
+ * zero layout shift.
+ */
+export function ProductDemoVisualMount() {
+  const { ref, inView } = useLazyMount('400px')
+
+  return (
+    <div ref={ref} className='absolute inset-0'>
+      {inView && <HeroVisual />}
+    </div>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/product-demo.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/product-demo.tsx
index 4181163ec2f..5515f151c81 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/product-demo.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/product-demo.tsx
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
-import { HeroVisual } from '@/app/(landing)/components/hero/components/hero-visual/hero-visual'
 import { LoaderMarks } from '@/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/loader-marks'
+import { ProductDemoVisualMount } from '@/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/product-demo-visual-mount'
 
 /**
  * Product-demo band - the looping animated platform walkthrough, promoted out of
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@ import { LoaderMarks } from '@/app/(landing)/components/product-demo/components/
  * copy column on the right. Below `lg` it stacks media-over-copy like the
  * cards do.
  *
- * The visual is the same {@link HeroVisual} client island the hero used to
- * host (decorative, `aria-hidden`). The section carries the shared
+ * The visual is the same `HeroVisual` client island the hero used to host
+ * (decorative, `aria-hidden`), lazy-mounted via {@link ProductDemoVisualMount}
+ * so its bundle and animation loop only load once this below-the-fold section
+ * nears the viewport. The section carries the shared
  * `px-20 max-lg:px-8 max-sm:px-5` gutter and the `max-w-[1460px]` cap so the
  * card aligns with the hero's media frame above and the feature cards below.
  */
@@ -29,9 +31,7 @@ export function ProductDemo() {
           aria-hidden='true'
           className='relative h-[650px] overflow-hidden rounded-[4px] bg-[var(--surface-5)] max-sm:h-[280px] max-lg:h-[360px]'
         >
-          <div className='absolute inset-0'>
-            <HeroVisual />
-          </div>
+          <ProductDemoVisualMount />
         </div>
 
         <div className='flex flex-col justify-center pr-4 max-lg:pr-0 max-lg:pb-2'>
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/hooks/use-lazy-mount.ts b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/hooks/use-lazy-mount.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e7c04cb25f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/hooks/use-lazy-mount.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+'use client'
+
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react'
+
+/**
+ * Gates mounting a heavy client island on viewport proximity via
+ * {@link IntersectionObserver}, so its bundle (and any `requestAnimationFrame`
+ * loop) only loads once the section nears the viewport instead of on initial
+ * page load. Falls back to an eager mount when `IntersectionObserver` is
+ * unavailable, so the section never gets stuck unmounted.
+ *
+ * Pair with `next/dynamic(..., { ssr: false })` for the mounted component.
+ */
+export function useLazyMount(rootMargin: string) {
+  const ref = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
+  const [inView, setInView] = useState(false)
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (inView) return
+    if (typeof IntersectionObserver === 'undefined') {
+      setInView(true)
+      return
+    }
+    const el = ref.current
+    if (!el) return
+    const observer = new IntersectionObserver(
+      ([entry]) => {
+        if (entry.isIntersecting) setInView(true)
+      },
+      { rootMargin }
+    )
+    observer.observe(el)
+    return () => observer.disconnect()
+  }, [inView, rootMargin])
+
+  return { ref, inView }
+}
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/integrations/(shell)/[slug]/page.tsx b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/integrations/(shell)/[slug]/page.tsx
index d0cdedffa71..172e47fa31e 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/(landing)/integrations/(shell)/[slug]/page.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/(landing)/integrations/(shell)/[slug]/page.tsx
@@ -914,7 +914,6 @@ export default async function IntegrationPage({ params }: { params: Promise<{ sl
               width={56}
               height={56}
               className='shrink-0 rounded-xl'
-              unoptimized
             />
             <div className='flex items-center gap-2'>
               <span className='h-px w-5 bg-[var(--border-1)]' aria-hidden='true' />
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/_shell/public-env-script.tsx b/apps/sim/app/_shell/public-env-script.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2d6c1f95bb0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/sim/app/_shell/public-env-script.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import { PUBLIC_ENV_KEY } from 'next-runtime-env'
+
+/**
+ * `NEXT_PUBLIC_*` values, captured once at module load (build time / server
+ * start) rather than read per-request - correct on the hosted deployment,
+ * where a build's env never changes between requests. Filter matches
+ * `next-runtime-env`'s own `getPublicEnv()` exactly.
+ */
+const HOSTED_PUBLIC_ENV = Object.fromEntries(
+  Object.entries(process.env).filter(([key]) => /^NEXT_PUBLIC_/i.test(key))
+)
+
+/**
+ * Static, build-time equivalent of `next-runtime-env`'s `<PublicEnvScript>`
+ * for the hosted deployment. It populates `window[PUBLIC_ENV_KEY]` with the
+ * exact same shape `getEnv()` (`lib/core/config/env.ts`) reads client-side,
+ * but without `next-runtime-env`'s unconditional `unstable_noStore()` call -
+ * that call opts the entire app into dynamic rendering, which only pays off
+ * for self-hosted Docker images that re-inject env per deploy without a
+ * rebuild. On hosted, env is fixed per build, so this is safe to render
+ * statically alongside the marketing pages' `revalidate`.
+ *
+ * Escapes `<` in the serialized JSON so an env value containing `</script>`
+ * can't close this tag early and inject markup into every hosted page.
+ */
+export function PublicEnvScript() {
+  const serialized = JSON.stringify(HOSTED_PUBLIC_ENV).replace(/</g, '\\u003c')
+  return (
+    <script
+      id='public-env'
+      dangerouslySetInnerHTML={{
+        __html: `window['${PUBLIC_ENV_KEY}'] = ${serialized}`,
+      }}
+    />
+  )
+}
diff --git a/apps/sim/app/layout.tsx b/apps/sim/app/layout.tsx
index 11b83f0b4a0..baf60659e7e 100644
--- a/apps/sim/app/layout.tsx
+++ b/apps/sim/app/layout.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type { Metadata, Viewport } from 'next'
 import Script from 'next/script'
-import { PublicEnvScript } from 'next-runtime-env'
+import { PublicEnvScript as RuntimePublicEnvScript } from 'next-runtime-env'
 import { NuqsAdapter } from 'nuqs/adapters/next/app'
 import { BrandedLayout } from '@/components/branded-layout'
 import { PostHogProvider } from '@/app/_shell/providers/posthog-provider'
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import { QueryProvider } from '@/app/_shell/providers/query-provider'
 import { SessionProvider } from '@/app/_shell/providers/session-provider'
 import { ThemeProvider } from '@/app/_shell/providers/theme-provider'
 import { TooltipProvider } from '@/app/_shell/providers/tooltip-provider'
+import { PublicEnvScript } from '@/app/_shell/public-env-script'
 import { season } from '@/app/_styles/fonts/season/season'
 
 export const viewport: Viewport = {
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src=
           </>
         )}
 
-        <PublicEnvScript />
+        {isHosted ? <PublicEnvScript /> : <RuntimePublicEnvScript />}
       </head>
       <body className={`${season.variable} font-season`} suppressHydrationWarning>
         {/* Google Tag Manager (noscript) — hosted only */}
diff --git a/apps/sim/lib/content/schema.ts b/apps/sim/lib/content/schema.ts
index 731caaaa213..f1cbb7c302f 100644
--- a/apps/sim/lib/content/schema.ts
+++ b/apps/sim/lib/content/schema.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export const ContentFrontmatterSchema = z
     authors: z.array(z.string()).min(1),
     readingTime: z.number().int().positive().optional(),
     tags: z.array(z.string()).default([]),
-    ogImage: z.string().min(1),
+    ogImage: z.string().min(1), // local path (e.g. /blog/<slug>/cover.jpg) - rendered via next/image without `unoptimized`
     ogAlt: z.string().optional(),
     about: z.array(z.string()).optional(),
     timeRequired: z.string().optional(),