diff --git a/kicad_mcp/tools/export_tools.py b/kicad_mcp/tools/export_tools.py
index 2fc130d..42e8477 100644
--- a/kicad_mcp/tools/export_tools.py
+++ b/kicad_mcp/tools/export_tools.py
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ import os
 import shutil
 import subprocess
 
-from fastmcp import FastMCP, Image
+from fastmcp import FastMCP
+from fastmcp.utilities.types import Image
 
 from kicad_mcp.config import KICAD_APP_PATH, system
 from kicad_mcp.utils.file_utils import get_project_files
diff --git a/kicad_mcp/utils/ipc_client.py b/kicad_mcp/utils/ipc_client.py
index dd481f1..38d6094 100644
--- a/kicad_mcp/utils/ipc_client.py
+++ b/kicad_mcp/utils/ipc_client.py
@@ -46,9 +46,12 @@ class KiCadIPCClient:
         self._current_project: Project | None = None
         self._current_board: Board | None = None
 
-    def connect(self) -> bool:
+    def connect(self, log_failures: bool = False) -> bool:
         """
-        Connect to KiCad IPC server.
+        Connect to KiCad IPC server with lazy connection support.
+        
+        Args:
+            log_failures: Whether to log connection failures (default: False for lazy connections)
         
         Returns:
             True if connection successful, False otherwise
@@ -64,7 +67,10 @@ class KiCadIPCClient:
             logger.info(f"Connected to KiCad {version} via {connection_info}")
             return True
         except Exception as e:
-            logger.error(f"Failed to connect to KiCad IPC server: {e}")
+            if log_failures:
+                logger.error(f"Failed to connect to KiCad IPC server: {e}")
+            else:
+                logger.debug(f"KiCad IPC connection attempt failed: {e}")
             self._kicad = None
             return False
 
@@ -472,24 +478,39 @@ def kicad_ipc_session(project_path: str = None, board_path: str = None):
 def check_kicad_availability() -> dict[str, Any]:
     """
     Check if KiCad IPC API is available and working.
+    Implements lazy connection - only attempts connection when needed.
     
     Returns:
         Dictionary with availability status and version info
     """
     try:
-        with kicad_ipc_session() as client:
-            version = client.get_version()
+        # Quick lazy connection test - don't spam logs for expected failures
+        client = KiCadIPCClient()
+        if client.connect():
+            try:
+                version = client.get_version()
+                client.disconnect()
+                return {
+                    "available": True,
+                    "version": version,
+                    "message": f"KiCad IPC API available (version {version})"
+                }
+            except Exception:
+                client.disconnect()
+                raise
+        else:
             return {
-                "available": True,
-                "version": version,
-                "message": f"KiCad IPC API available (version {version})"
+                "available": False,
+                "version": None,
+                "message": "KiCad not running - start KiCad to enable real-time features"
             }
     except Exception as e:
+        # Only log debug level for expected "KiCad not running" cases
+        logger.debug(f"KiCad IPC availability check: {e}")
         return {
             "available": False,
             "version": None,
-            "message": f"KiCad IPC API not available: {e}",
-            "error": str(e)
+            "message": "KiCad not running - start KiCad to enable real-time features"
         }