diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 6a4886c1b..d2ca2b2ff 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -45,9 +45,8 @@ requires-python = ">=3.10"
     "vulture==2.14",
     "pytest~=9.0",
     "pytest-cov~=7.0",
-    "pytest-asyncio~=1.3",
-    "import-linter~=2.10",
-    "pytest-deadfixtures~=3.1",
+    "import-linter~=2.5",
+    "pytest-deadfixtures~=2.2",
     "taplo~=0.9.3",
   ]
   docs = [
diff --git a/src/cloudai/_core/base_runner.py b/src/cloudai/_core/base_runner.py
index a08814f13..10f6bc01c 100644
--- a/src/cloudai/_core/base_runner.py
+++ b/src/cloudai/_core/base_runner.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2024-2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2024-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -14,10 +14,9 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-import asyncio
 import logging
+import time
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from asyncio import Task
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Dict, List
 
@@ -71,33 +70,33 @@ def __init__(self, mode: str, system: System, test_scenario: TestScenario, outpu
         logging.debug(f"{self.__class__.__name__} initialized")
         self.shutting_down = False
 
-    async def shutdown(self):
+    def shutdown(self):
         """Gracefully shut down the runner, terminating all outstanding jobs."""
         self.shutting_down = True
         logging.info("Terminating all jobs...")
         for job in self.jobs:
             logging.info(f"Terminating job {job.id} for test {job.test_run.name}")
             self.system.kill(job)
-        logging.info("All jobs have been killed.")
+        logging.info("Waiting for all jobs to be killed.")
 
-    async def run(self):
-        """Asynchronously run the test scenario."""
+    def run(self):
+        """Run the test scenario."""
         if self.shutting_down:
             return
 
         total_tests = len(self.test_scenario.test_runs)
         dependency_free_trs = self.find_dependency_free_tests()
         for tr in dependency_free_trs:
-            await self.submit_test(tr)
+            self.submit_test(tr)
 
         logging.debug(f"Total tests: {total_tests}, dependency free tests: {[tr.name for tr in dependency_free_trs]}")
         while self.jobs:
-            await self.check_start_post_init_dependencies()
-            await self.monitor_jobs()
+            self.check_start_post_init_dependencies()
+            self.monitor_jobs()
             logging.debug(f"sleeping for {self.monitor_interval} seconds")
-            await asyncio.sleep(self.monitor_interval)
+            time.sleep(self.monitor_interval)
 
-    async def submit_test(self, tr: TestRun):
+    def submit_test(self, tr: TestRun):
         """
         Start a dependency-free test.
 
@@ -118,7 +117,7 @@ async def submit_test(self, tr: TestRun):
     def on_job_submit(self, tr: TestRun) -> None:
         return
 
-    async def delayed_submit_test(self, tr: TestRun, delay: int = 5):
+    def delayed_submit_test(self, tr: TestRun, delay: int = 5):
         """
         Delay the start of a test based on start_post_comp dependency.
 
@@ -127,8 +126,8 @@ async def delayed_submit_test(self, tr: TestRun, delay: int = 5):
             delay (int): Delay in seconds before starting the test.
         """
         logging.debug(f"Delayed start for test {tr.name} by {delay} seconds.")
-        await asyncio.sleep(delay)
-        await self.submit_test(tr)
+        time.sleep(delay)
+        self.submit_test(tr)
 
     @abstractmethod
     def _submit_test(self, tr: TestRun) -> BaseJob:
@@ -143,7 +142,7 @@ def _submit_test(self, tr: TestRun) -> BaseJob:
         """
         pass
 
-    async def check_start_post_init_dependencies(self):
+    def check_start_post_init_dependencies(self):
         """
         Check and handle start_post_init dependencies.
 
@@ -164,9 +163,9 @@ async def check_start_post_init_dependencies(self):
 
             logging.debug(f"start_post_init for test {tr.name} ({is_running=}, {is_completed=}, {self.mode=})")
             if is_running or is_completed:
-                await self.check_and_schedule_start_post_init_dependent_tests(tr)
+                self.check_and_schedule_start_post_init_dependent_tests(tr)
 
-    async def check_and_schedule_start_post_init_dependent_tests(self, started_test_run: TestRun):
+    def check_and_schedule_start_post_init_dependent_tests(self, started_test_run: TestRun):
         """
         Schedule tests with a start_post_init dependency on the provided started_test.
 
@@ -177,7 +176,7 @@ async def check_and_schedule_start_post_init_dependent_tests(self, started_test_
             if tr not in self.testrun_to_job_map:
                 for dep_type, dep in tr.dependencies.items():
                     if (dep_type == "start_post_init") and (dep.test_run == started_test_run):
-                        await self.delayed_submit_test(tr)
+                        self.delayed_submit_test(tr)
 
     def find_dependency_free_tests(self) -> List[TestRun]:
         """
@@ -229,7 +228,7 @@ def get_job_output_path(self, tr: TestRun) -> Path:
 
         return job_output_path
 
-    async def monitor_jobs(self) -> int:
+    def monitor_jobs(self) -> int:
         """
         Monitor the status of jobs, handle end_post_comp dependencies, and schedule start_post_comp dependent jobs.
 
@@ -248,20 +247,20 @@ async def monitor_jobs(self) -> int:
 
                 if self.mode == "dry-run":
                     successful_jobs_count += 1
-                    await self.handle_job_completion(job)
+                    self.handle_job_completion(job)
                 else:
                     if self.test_scenario.job_status_check:
                         job_status_result = self.get_job_status(job)
                         if job_status_result.is_successful:
                             successful_jobs_count += 1
-                            await self.handle_job_completion(job)
+                            self.handle_job_completion(job)
                         else:
                             error_message = (
                                 f"Job {job.id} for test {job.test_run.name} failed: {job_status_result.error_message}"
                             )
                             logging.error(error_message)
-                            await self.handle_job_completion(job)
-                            await self.shutdown()
+                            self.handle_job_completion(job)
+                            self.shutdown()
                             raise JobFailureError(job.test_run.name, error_message, job_status_result.error_message)
                     else:
                         job_status_result = self.get_job_status(job)
@@ -271,7 +270,7 @@ async def monitor_jobs(self) -> int:
                             )
                             logging.error(error_message)
                         successful_jobs_count += 1
-                        await self.handle_job_completion(job)
+                        self.handle_job_completion(job)
 
         return successful_jobs_count
 
@@ -296,7 +295,7 @@ def get_job_status(self, job: BaseJob) -> JobStatusResult:
             return workload_run_results
         return JobStatusResult(is_successful=True)
 
-    async def handle_job_completion(self, completed_job: BaseJob):
+    def handle_job_completion(self, completed_job: BaseJob):
         """
         Handle the completion of a job, including dependency management and iteration control.
 
@@ -316,9 +315,9 @@ async def handle_job_completion(self, completed_job: BaseJob):
                 completed_job.test_run.current_iteration += 1
                 msg = f"Re-running job for iteration {completed_job.test_run.current_iteration}"
                 logging.info(msg)
-                await self.submit_test(completed_job.test_run)
+                self.submit_test(completed_job.test_run)
             else:
-                await self.handle_dependencies(completed_job)
+                self.handle_dependencies(completed_job)
 
     def on_job_completion(self, job: BaseJob) -> None:
         """
@@ -332,37 +331,27 @@ def on_job_completion(self, job: BaseJob) -> None:
         """
         return
 
-    async def handle_dependencies(self, completed_job: BaseJob) -> List[Task]:
+    def handle_dependencies(self, completed_job: BaseJob):
         """
         Handle the start_post_comp and end_post_comp dependencies for a completed job.
 
         Args:
             completed_job (BaseJob): The job that has just been completed.
-
-        Returns:
-            List[asyncio.Task]: A list of asyncio.Task objects created for handling the dependencies.
         """
-        tasks = []
-
         # Handling start_post_comp dependencies
         for tr in self.test_scenario.test_runs:
             if tr not in self.testrun_to_job_map:
                 for dep_type, dep in tr.dependencies.items():
                     if dep_type == "start_post_comp" and dep.test_run == completed_job.test_run:
-                        task = await self.delayed_submit_test(tr)
-                        if task:
-                            tasks.append(task)
+                        self.delayed_submit_test(tr)
 
         # Handling end_post_comp dependencies
         for test, dependent_job in self.testrun_to_job_map.items():
             for dep_type, dep in test.dependencies.items():
                 if dep_type == "end_post_comp" and dep.test_run == completed_job.test_run:
-                    task = await self.delayed_kill_job(dependent_job)
-                    tasks.append(task)
-
-        return tasks
+                    self.delayed_kill_job(dependent_job)
 
-    async def delayed_kill_job(self, job: BaseJob, delay: int = 0):
+    def delayed_kill_job(self, job: BaseJob, delay: int = 0):
         """
         Schedule termination of a Standalone job after a specified delay.
 
@@ -371,7 +360,7 @@ async def delayed_kill_job(self, job: BaseJob, delay: int = 0):
             delay (int): Delay in seconds after which the job should be terminated.
         """
         logging.info(f"Scheduling termination of job {job.id} after {delay} seconds.")
-        await asyncio.sleep(delay)
+        time.sleep(delay)
         job.terminated_by_dependency = True
         self.system.kill(job)
 
diff --git a/src/cloudai/_core/runner.py b/src/cloudai/_core/runner.py
index 79c9bf605..b6647a895 100644
--- a/src/cloudai/_core/runner.py
+++ b/src/cloudai/_core/runner.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2024-2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2024-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-import asyncio
 import datetime
 import logging
 from types import FrameType
@@ -80,39 +79,18 @@ def create_runner(self, mode: str, system: System, test_scenario: TestScenario)
 
         return runner_class(mode, system, test_scenario, results_root)
 
-    async def run(self):
+    def run(self):
         """Run the test scenario using the instantiated runner."""
         try:
-            await self.runner.run()
+            self.runner.run()
             logging.debug("All jobs finished successfully.")
-        except asyncio.CancelledError:
-            logging.info("Runner cancelled, performing cleanup...")
-            await self.runner.shutdown()
-            return
         except JobFailureError as exc:
             logging.debug(f"Runner failed JobFailure exception: {exc}", exc_info=True)
 
-    def _cancel_all(self):
-        # the below code might look excessive, this is to address https://docs.astral.sh/ruff/rules/asyncio-dangling-task/
-        shutdown_task = asyncio.create_task(self.runner.shutdown())
-        tasks = {shutdown_task}
-        shutdown_task.add_done_callback(tasks.discard)
-
-        for task in asyncio.all_tasks():
-            if task == shutdown_task:
-                continue
-
-            logging.debug(f"Cancelling task: {task}")
-            try:
-                task.cancel()
-            except asyncio.CancelledError as exc:
-                logging.debug(f"Error cancelling task: {task}, {exc}", exc_info=True)
-                pass
-
     def cancel_on_signal(
         self,
         signum: int,
         frame: Optional[FrameType],  # noqa: Vulture
     ):
         logging.info(f"Signal {signum} received, shutting down...")
-        asyncio.get_running_loop().call_soon_threadsafe(self._cancel_all)
+        self.runner.shutdown()
diff --git a/src/cloudai/cli/handlers.py b/src/cloudai/cli/handlers.py
index d474ff421..c5531698f 100644
--- a/src/cloudai/cli/handlers.py
+++ b/src/cloudai/cli/handlers.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2024-2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2024-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import argparse
-import asyncio
 import copy
 import logging
 import signal
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@ def generate_reports(system: System, test_scenario: TestScenario, result_dir: Pa
 
 
 def handle_non_dse_job(runner: Runner, args: argparse.Namespace) -> None:
-    asyncio.run(runner.run())
+    runner.run()
     generate_reports(runner.runner.system, runner.runner.test_scenario, runner.runner.scenario_root)
     logging.info("All jobs are complete.")
 
diff --git a/src/cloudai/configurator/cloudai_gym.py b/src/cloudai/configurator/cloudai_gym.py
index 1be1c0f76..b5495b891 100644
--- a/src/cloudai/configurator/cloudai_gym.py
+++ b/src/cloudai/configurator/cloudai_gym.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-import asyncio
 import copy
 import csv
 import logging
@@ -113,7 +112,7 @@ def step(self, action: Any) -> Tuple[list, float, bool, dict]:
         self.runner.testrun_to_job_map.clear()
 
         try:
-            asyncio.run(self.runner.run())
+            self.runner.run()
         except Exception as e:
             logging.error(f"Error running step {self.test_run.step}: {e}")
 
diff --git a/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_rest_client.py b/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_rest_client.py
index 7188d3b52..8186dec91 100644
--- a/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_rest_client.py
+++ b/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_rest_client.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 from typing import Any, Dict, Optional
 
 import requests
-import websockets
+from websockets.sync.client import connect as ws_connect
 
 
 class RunAIRestClient:
@@ -496,7 +496,7 @@ def is_cluster_api_available(self, cluster_domain: str) -> bool:
         response = requests.get(url, headers=headers)
         return "OK" in response.text
 
-    async def fetch_training_logs(
+    def fetch_training_logs(
         self, cluster_domain: str, project_name: str, training_task_name: str, output_file_path: Path
     ):
         if not self.is_cluster_api_available(cluster_domain):
@@ -512,9 +512,11 @@ async def fetch_training_logs(
         }
 
         ssl_context = ssl._create_unverified_context()
-        async with websockets.connect(url, extra_headers=headers, ssl=ssl_context) as websocket:
-            with output_file_path.open("w") as log_file:
-                async for message in websocket:
-                    if isinstance(message, bytes):
-                        message = message.decode("utf-8")
-                    log_file.write(str(message))
+        with (
+            ws_connect(url, additional_headers=headers, ssl=ssl_context) as websocket,
+            output_file_path.open("w") as log_file,
+        ):
+            for message in websocket:
+                if isinstance(message, bytes):
+                    message = message.decode("utf-8")
+                log_file.write(str(message))
diff --git a/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_runner.py b/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_runner.py
index 7263a1064..d8f0701e2 100644
--- a/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_runner.py
+++ b/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_runner.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -41,12 +41,12 @@ def _submit_test(self, tr: TestRun) -> RunAIJob:
         else:
             raise RuntimeError("Invalid mode for submitting a test.")
 
-    async def job_completion_callback(self, job: BaseJob) -> None:
+    def on_job_completion(self, job: BaseJob) -> None:
         runai_system = cast(RunAISystem, self.system)
-        job = cast(RunAIJob, job)
-        workload_id = str(job.id)
-        runai_system.get_workload_events(workload_id, job.test_run.output_path / "events.txt")
-        await runai_system.store_logs(workload_id, job.test_run.output_path / "stdout.txt")
+        runai_job = cast(RunAIJob, job)
+        workload_id = str(runai_job.id)
+        runai_system.get_workload_events(workload_id, runai_job.test_run.output_path / "events.txt")
+        runai_system.store_logs(workload_id, runai_job.test_run.output_path / "stdout.txt")
 
     def kill_job(self, job: BaseJob) -> None:
         runai_system = cast(RunAISystem, self.system)
diff --git a/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_system.py b/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_system.py
index 05e5f0135..2cd80f050 100644
--- a/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_system.py
+++ b/src/cloudai/systems/runai/runai_system.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ def resume_training(self, workload_id: str) -> None:
         self.api_client.resume_training(workload_id)
 
     # ============================ Logs ============================
-    async def store_logs(self, workload_id: str, output_file_path: Path):
+    def store_logs(self, workload_id: str, output_file_path: Path):
         """Store logs for a given workload."""
         training_data = self.api_client.get_training(workload_id)
         training = RunAITraining(**training_data)
@@ -202,4 +202,4 @@ async def store_logs(self, workload_id: str, output_file_path: Path):
             logging.error(f"Domain for cluster {cluster_id} not found.")
             return
 
-        await self.api_client.fetch_training_logs(cluster_domain, project.name, training.name, output_file_path)
+        self.api_client.fetch_training_logs(cluster_domain, project.name, training.name, output_file_path)
diff --git a/src/cloudai/systems/slurm/single_sbatch_runner.py b/src/cloudai/systems/slurm/single_sbatch_runner.py
index 51b922fe0..7bb563e26 100644
--- a/src/cloudai/systems/slurm/single_sbatch_runner.py
+++ b/src/cloudai/systems/slurm/single_sbatch_runner.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-import asyncio
 import copy
 import logging
+import time
 from datetime import timedelta
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Generator, Optional, cast
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ def all_trs(self) -> Generator[TestRun, None, None]:
                 tr.output_path = self.get_job_output_path(tr)
                 yield tr
 
-    async def run(self):
+    def run(self):
         if self.shutting_down:
             return
 
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ async def run(self):
             if self.shutting_down:
                 break
             is_completed = True if self.mode == "dry-run" else self.system.is_job_completed(job)
-            await asyncio.sleep(self.system.monitor_interval)
+            time.sleep(self.system.monitor_interval)
 
         self.handle_dse()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_acceptance.py b/tests/test_acceptance.py
index df3bbc06b..a07a87365 100644
--- a/tests/test_acceptance.py
+++ b/tests/test_acceptance.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ def do_dry_run(self, tmp_path_factory: pytest.TempPathFactory, request: pytest.F
             log_file="debug.log",
         )
         with (
-            patch("asyncio.sleep", return_value=None),
+            patch("time.sleep", return_value=None),
             patch("cloudai.systems.slurm.SlurmSystem.is_job_completed", return_value=True),
             patch("cloudai.systems.slurm.SlurmSystem.is_job_running", return_value=True),
             patch("cloudai.util.command_shell.CommandShell.execute") as mock_execute,
diff --git a/tests/test_base_runner.py b/tests/test_base_runner.py
index 07fbb8d98..6598dc87c 100644
--- a/tests/test_base_runner.py
+++ b/tests/test_base_runner.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # SPDX-FileCopyrightText: NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES
-# Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 #
 # Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-import asyncio
 from copy import deepcopy
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import cast
@@ -50,12 +49,11 @@ def _submit_test(self, tr: TestRun) -> BaseJob:
         self.submitted_trs.append(tr)
         return BaseJob(tr, 0)
 
-    async def delayed_submit_test(self, tr: TestRun, delay: int = 0):
-        await super().delayed_submit_test(tr, 0)
+    def delayed_submit_test(self, tr: TestRun, delay: int = 0):
+        super().delayed_submit_test(tr, 0)
 
-    async def delayed_kill_job(self, job: BaseJob, delay: int = 0):
+    def delayed_kill_job(self, job: BaseJob, delay: int = 0):
         self.killed_by_dependency.append(job)
-        await asyncio.sleep(0)
 
 
 class MyWorkload(TestDefinition):
@@ -127,40 +125,37 @@ class TestHandleDependencies:
     def tr_main(self, runner: MyRunner) -> TestRun:
         return runner.test_scenario.test_runs[0]
 
-    @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_no_dependencies(self, runner: MyRunner, tr_main: TestRun):
-        await runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_main, 0))
+    def test_no_dependencies(self, runner: MyRunner, tr_main: TestRun):
+        runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_main, 0))
         assert len(runner.submitted_trs) == 0
 
-    @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_start_post_comp(self, runner: MyRunner, tr_main: TestRun):
+    def test_start_post_comp(self, runner: MyRunner, tr_main: TestRun):
         tr_dep = deepcopy(tr_main)
         tr_dep.dependencies = {"start_post_comp": TestDependency(tr_main)}
         runner.test_scenario.test_runs.append(tr_dep)
 
-        await runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_dep, 0))  # self, should not trigger anything
+        runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_dep, 0))  # self, should not trigger anything
         assert len(runner.submitted_trs) == 0
 
-        await runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_main, 0))
+        runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_main, 0))
         assert len(runner.submitted_trs) == 1
         assert runner.submitted_trs[0] == tr_dep
 
-    @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_end_post_comp(self, runner: MyRunner, tr_main: TestRun):
+    def test_end_post_comp(self, runner: MyRunner, tr_main: TestRun):
         tr_dep = deepcopy(tr_main)
         tr_dep.dependencies = {"end_post_comp": TestDependency(tr_main)}
         runner.test_scenario.test_runs.append(tr_dep)
 
         # self not running, main completed -> nothing to kill
-        await runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_main, 0))
+        runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_main, 0))
         assert len(runner.killed_by_dependency) == 0
 
         # self is running, main completed -> should kill
-        await runner.submit_test(tr_dep)
+        runner.submit_test(tr_dep)
 
-        await runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_dep, 0))  # self, should not kill
+        runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_dep, 0))  # self, should not kill
         assert len(runner.killed_by_dependency) == 0
 
-        await runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_main, 0))
+        runner.handle_dependencies(BaseJob(tr_main, 0))
         assert len(runner.killed_by_dependency) == 1
         assert runner.killed_by_dependency[0].test_run == tr_dep
diff --git a/uv.lock b/uv.lock
index 38543764d..3bd37f9da 100644
--- a/uv.lock
+++ b/uv.lock
@@ -106,15 +106,6 @@ wheels = [
     { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/77/f5/21d2de20e8b8b0408f0681956ca2c69f1320a3848ac50e6e7f39c6159675/babel-2.18.0-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:e2b422b277c2b9a9630c1d7903c2a00d0830c409c59ac8cae9081c92f1aeba35", size = 10196845, upload-time = "2026-02-01T12:30:53.445Z" },
 ]
 
-[[package]]
-name = "backports-asyncio-runner"
-version = "1.2.0"
-source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
-sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/8e/ff/70dca7d7cb1cbc0edb2c6cc0c38b65cba36cccc491eca64cabd5fe7f8670/backports_asyncio_runner-1.2.0.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:a5aa7b2b7d8f8bfcaa2b57313f70792df84e32a2a746f585213373f900b42162", size = 69893, upload-time = "2025-07-02T02:27:15.685Z" }
-wheels = [
-    { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/a0/59/76ab57e3fe74484f48a53f8e337171b4a2349e506eabe136d7e01d059086/backports_asyncio_runner-1.2.0-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:0da0a936a8aeb554eccb426dc55af3ba63bcdc69fa1a600b5bb305413a4477b5", size = 12313, upload-time = "2025-07-02T02:27:14.263Z" },
-]
-
 [[package]]
 name = "beautifulsoup4"
 version = "4.14.3"
@@ -301,7 +292,6 @@ dev = [
     { name = "pandas-stubs" },
     { name = "pyright" },
     { name = "pytest" },
-    { name = "pytest-asyncio" },
     { name = "pytest-cov" },
     { name = "pytest-deadfixtures" },
     { name = "ruff" },
@@ -333,7 +323,7 @@ requires-dist = [
     { name = "build", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=1.4" },
     { name = "click", specifier = "~=8.3" },
     { name = "huggingface-hub", specifier = "~=1.4" },
-    { name = "import-linter", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=2.10" },
+    { name = "import-linter", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=2.5" },
     { name = "jinja2", specifier = "~=3.1.6" },
     { name = "kubernetes", specifier = "~=35.0" },
     { name = "nvidia-sphinx-theme", marker = "extra == 'docs'", specifier = "~=0.0.8" },
@@ -342,9 +332,8 @@ requires-dist = [
     { name = "pydantic", specifier = "~=2.12" },
     { name = "pyright", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=1.1" },
     { name = "pytest", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=9.0" },
-    { name = "pytest-asyncio", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=1.3" },
     { name = "pytest-cov", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=7.0" },
-    { name = "pytest-deadfixtures", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=3.1" },
+    { name = "pytest-deadfixtures", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=2.2" },
     { name = "rich", specifier = "~=14.3" },
     { name = "ruff", marker = "extra == 'dev'", specifier = "~=0.15" },
     { name = "sphinx", marker = "extra == 'docs'", specifier = "~=8.1" },
@@ -2046,20 +2035,6 @@ wheels = [
     { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/3b/ab/b3226f0bd7cdcf710fbede2b3548584366da3b19b5021e74f5bde2a8fa3f/pytest-9.0.2-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:711ffd45bf766d5264d487b917733b453d917afd2b0ad65223959f59089f875b", size = 374801, upload-time = "2025-12-06T21:30:49.154Z" },
 ]
 
-[[package]]
-name = "pytest-asyncio"
-version = "1.3.0"
-source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
-dependencies = [
-    { name = "backports-asyncio-runner", marker = "python_full_version < '3.11'" },
-    { name = "pytest" },
-    { name = "typing-extensions", marker = "python_full_version < '3.13'" },
-]
-sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/90/2c/8af215c0f776415f3590cac4f9086ccefd6fd463befeae41cd4d3f193e5a/pytest_asyncio-1.3.0.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:d7f52f36d231b80ee124cd216ffb19369aa168fc10095013c6b014a34d3ee9e5", size = 50087, upload-time = "2025-11-10T16:07:47.256Z" }
-wheels = [
-    { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/e5/35/f8b19922b6a25bc0880171a2f1a003eaeb93657475193ab516fd87cac9da/pytest_asyncio-1.3.0-py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:611e26147c7f77640e6d0a92a38ed17c3e9848063698d5c93d5aa7aa11cebff5", size = 15075, upload-time = "2025-11-10T16:07:45.537Z" },
-]
-
 [[package]]
 name = "pytest-cov"
 version = "7.0.0"
@@ -2076,14 +2051,14 @@ wheels = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "pytest-deadfixtures"
-version = "3.1.0"
+version = "2.2.1"
 source = { registry = "https://pypi.org/simple" }
 dependencies = [
     { name = "pytest" },
 ]
-sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/7b/b5/6fc6a3096e5bc3124c61af17c53d09290a5bfbca51fb8b94068d1e770d0e/pytest_deadfixtures-3.1.0.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:a8010e771183176fa9d918c8c49293ca5568597c8e1453ed2bbd41bcee67bde5", size = 9294, upload-time = "2026-01-15T20:05:40.825Z" }
+sdist = { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/c5/d5/0472e7dd4c5794cd720f8add3ba59b35e45c1bb7482e04b6d6e60ff4eed0/pytest-deadfixtures-2.2.1.tar.gz", hash = "sha256:ca15938a4e8330993ccec9c6c847383d88b3cd574729530647dc6b492daa9c1e", size = 6616, upload-time = "2020-07-23T11:58:09.465Z" }
 wheels = [
-    { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/fb/d0/67f83859706d11717498e1ef5e75f1c61835fd972c902f5bc9cbd9cb5659/pytest_deadfixtures-3.1.0-py2.py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:898ba131c7472bd05551b73e2b99a51898fc3b8255c0589cf8b3c3c804e8f502", size = 7070, upload-time = "2026-01-15T20:05:39.599Z" },
+    { url = "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/4a/c7/d8c3fa6d2de6814c92161fcce984a7d38a63186590a66238e7b749f7fe37/pytest_deadfixtures-2.2.1-py2.py3-none-any.whl", hash = "sha256:db71533f2d9456227084e00a1231e732973e299ccb7c37ab92e95032ab6c083e", size = 5059, upload-time = "2020-07-23T11:58:11.538Z" },
 ]
 
 [[package]]