diff --git a/server/runner.py b/server/runner.py
index 71c1316..0e87d85 100644
--- a/server/runner.py
+++ b/server/runner.py
@@ -28,6 +28,18 @@ JOBS_DIR = db.DATA / "jobs"
 # primary-only semaphore because the cloud API keys live only on the primary.
 LANE_LIMITS = {"cpu": 3, "net": 6}
 
+# Operators cheap enough (CPU-light, small assets) to keep OFF the big GPUs so
+# qwen-image-edit / trellis / seedvr2 always find an ultra free. For these the
+# dispatcher prefers the home helper on a direct link; every other operator keeps
+# the default local-first order (i.e. still prefers the fast ultras).
+LIGHT_OPS = {"bg_remove_local", "ffmpeg_frames", "ffprobe"}
+# Lower rank = tried first for a LIGHT_OP. m4 (m4pro) is the home helper on a direct
+# ~8ms link; the two ultras (local=m3ultra, m1=ultra) come next so a busy m4pro still
+# falls back fast; the work-site machines are Sydney-DERP-relayed from the farm
+# controller, so they are the last resort.
+# the primary is named by hostname since 2026-08-05 (was "local"); keep both keys
+_LIGHT_ORDER = {"m4": 0, "m1": 1, "m3ultra": 2, "local": 2, "studio": 3, "m4mini": 4, "mini": 5}
+
 
 class Runner:
     def __init__(self):
@@ -210,9 +222,13 @@ class Runner:
 
     async def _acquire_node(self, op_id: str, lane: str) -> dict:
         """Return the first node with free capacity in this lane that supports the
-        operator (local always does; a remote must list it + be reachable). Polls."""
+        operator (local always does; a remote must list it + be reachable). Polls.
+        LIGHT_OPS prefer the home helper (m4pro) so the ultras stay free for heavy work."""
+        order = self.gpu_nodes
+        if op_id in LIGHT_OPS:
+            order = sorted(order, key=lambda n: _LIGHT_ORDER.get(n.get("name", ""), 9))
         while True:
-            for n in self.gpu_nodes:
+            for n in order:
                 if not remote.node_supports(n, op_id):
                     continue
                 cap = self._node_capacity(n, lane)