diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/publish/__init__.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/publish/__init__.py
index ede7fc3a35..179d749f48 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/publish/__init__.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/publish/__init__.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from .lib import (
     get_publish_template_name,
 
     publish_plugins_discover,
+    filter_crashed_publish_paths,
     load_help_content_from_plugin,
     load_help_content_from_filepath,
 
@@ -87,6 +88,7 @@ __all__ = (
     "get_publish_template_name",
 
     "publish_plugins_discover",
+    "filter_crashed_publish_paths",
     "load_help_content_from_plugin",
     "load_help_content_from_filepath",
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/publish/lib.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/publish/lib.py
index e512a0116f..8492145979 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/publish/lib.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/publish/lib.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 """Library functions for publishing."""
 from __future__ import annotations
 import os
+import platform
+import re
 import sys
 import inspect
 import copy
@@ -8,19 +10,19 @@ import warnings
 import hashlib
 import xml.etree.ElementTree
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional, Union, List, Any
-import clique
-import speedcopy
 import logging
 
-import pyblish.util
-import pyblish.plugin
-import pyblish.api
-
 from ayon_api import (
     get_server_api_connection,
     get_representations,
     get_last_version_by_product_name
 )
+import clique
+import pyblish.util
+import pyblish.plugin
+import pyblish.api
+import speedcopy
+
 from ayon_core.lib import (
     import_filepath,
     Logger,
@@ -246,6 +248,67 @@ def load_help_content_from_plugin(
     return load_help_content_from_filepath(filepath)
 
 
+def filter_crashed_publish_paths(
+    project_name: str,
+    crashed_paths: set[str],
+    *,
+    project_settings: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None,
+) -> set[str]:
+    """Filter crashed paths happened during plugins discovery.
+
+    Check if plugins discovery has enabled strict mode and filter crashed
+        paths that happened during discover based on regexes from settings.
+
+    Publishing should not start if any paths are returned.
+
+    Args:
+        project_name (str): Project name in which context plugins discovery
+            happened.
+        crashed_paths (set[str]): Crashed paths from plugins discovery report.
+        project_settings (Optional[dict[str, Any]]): Project settings.
+
+    Returns:
+        set[str]: Filtered crashed paths.
+
+    """
+    filtered_paths = set()
+    # Nothing crashed all good...
+    if not crashed_paths:
+        return filtered_paths
+
+    if project_settings is None:
+        project_settings = get_project_settings(project_name)
+
+    discover_validation = (
+        project_settings["core"]["tools"]["publish"]["discover_validation"]
+    )
+    # Strict mode is not enabled.
+    if not discover_validation["enabled"]:
+        return filtered_paths
+
+    regexes = [
+        re.compile(value, re.IGNORECASE)
+        for value in discover_validation["ignore_paths"]
+        if value
+    ]
+    is_windows = platform.system().lower() == "windows"
+    # Fitler path with regexes from settings
+    for path in crashed_paths:
+        # Normalize paths to use forward slashes on windows
+        if is_windows:
+            path = path.replace("\\", "/")
+        is_invalid = True
+        for regex in regexes:
+            if regex.match(path):
+                is_invalid = False
+                break
+
+        if is_invalid:
+            filtered_paths.add(path)
+
+    return filtered_paths
+
+
 def publish_plugins_discover(
         paths: Optional[list[str]] = None) -> DiscoverResult:
     """Find and return available pyblish plug-ins.
@@ -1099,14 +1162,16 @@ def main_cli_publish(
         except ValueError:
             pass
 
+    context = get_global_context()
+    project_settings = get_project_settings(context["project_name"])
+
     install_ayon_plugins()
 
     if addons_manager is None:
-        addons_manager = AddonsManager()
+        addons_manager = AddonsManager(project_settings)
 
     applications_addon = addons_manager.get_enabled_addon("applications")
     if applications_addon is not None:
-        context = get_global_context()
         env = applications_addon.get_farm_publish_environment_variables(
             context["project_name"],
             context["folder_path"],
@@ -1129,17 +1194,33 @@ def main_cli_publish(
     log.info("Running publish ...")
 
     discover_result = publish_plugins_discover()
-    publish_plugins = discover_result.plugins
     print(discover_result.get_report(only_errors=False))
 
+    filtered_crashed_paths = filter_crashed_publish_paths(
+        context["project_name"],
+        set(discover_result.crashed_file_paths),
+        project_settings=project_settings,
+    )
+    if filtered_crashed_paths:
+        joined_paths = "\n".join([
+            f"- {path}"
+            for path in filtered_crashed_paths
+        ])
+        log.error(
+            "Plugin discovery strict mode is enabled."
+            " Crashed plugin paths that prevent from publishing:"
+            f"\n{joined_paths}"
+        )
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+    publish_plugins = discover_result.plugins
+
     # Error exit as soon as any error occurs.
-    error_format = ("Failed {plugin.__name__}: "
-                    "{error} -- {error.traceback}")
+    error_format = "Failed {plugin.__name__}: {error} -- {error.traceback}"
 
     for result in pyblish.util.publish_iter(plugins=publish_plugins):
         if result["error"]:
             log.error(error_format.format(**result))
-            # uninstall()
             sys.exit(1)
 
     log.info("Publish finished.")
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/plugins/publish/extract_thumbnail.py b/client/ayon_core/plugins/publish/extract_thumbnail.py
index b94a4c4dbb..1dde8cfb55 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/plugins/publish/extract_thumbnail.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/plugins/publish/extract_thumbnail.py
@@ -259,7 +259,8 @@ class ExtractThumbnail(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin):
                 repre_thumb_created = self._create_colorspace_thumbnail(
                     full_input_path,
                     full_output_path,
-                    colorspace_data
+                    colorspace_data,
+                    thumbnail_def,
                 )
 
             # Try to use FFMPEG if OIIO is not supported or for cases when
@@ -400,7 +401,7 @@ class ExtractThumbnail(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin):
 
         return review_repres + other_repres
 
-    def _is_valid_images_repre(self, repre):
+    def _is_valid_images_repre(self, repre: dict) -> bool:
         """Check if representation contains valid image files
 
         Args:
@@ -420,10 +421,10 @@ class ExtractThumbnail(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin):
 
     def _create_colorspace_thumbnail(
         self,
-        src_path,
-        dst_path,
-        colorspace_data,
-        thumbnail_def
+        src_path: str,
+        dst_path: str,
+        colorspace_data: dict,
+        thumbnail_def: ThumbnailDef,
     ):
         """Create thumbnail using OIIO tool oiiotool
 
@@ -436,11 +437,12 @@ class ExtractThumbnail(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin):
                     config (dict)
                     display (Optional[str])
                     view (Optional[str])
+            thumbnail_def (ThumbnailDefinition): Thumbnail definition.
 
         Returns:
             str: path to created thumbnail
         """
-        self.log.info("Extracting thumbnail {}".format(dst_path))
+        self.log.info(f"Extracting thumbnail {dst_path}")
         resolution_arg = self._get_resolution_args(
             "oiiotool", src_path, thumbnail_def
         )
@@ -599,10 +601,10 @@ class ExtractThumbnail(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin):
 
     def _create_frame_from_video(
         self,
-        video_file_path,
-        output_dir,
-        thumbnail_def
-    ):
+        video_file_path: str,
+        output_dir: str,
+        thumbnail_def: ThumbnailDef,
+    ) -> Optional[str]:
         """Convert video file to one frame image via ffmpeg"""
         # create output file path
         base_name = os.path.basename(video_file_path)
@@ -703,10 +705,10 @@ class ExtractThumbnail(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin):
 
     def _get_resolution_args(
         self,
-        application,
-        input_path,
-        thumbnail_def
-    ):
+        application: str,
+        input_path: str,
+        thumbnail_def: ThumbnailDef,
+    ) -> list:
         # get settings
         if thumbnail_def.target_size["type"] == "source":
             return []
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/plugins/publish/extract_usd_layer_contributions.py b/client/ayon_core/plugins/publish/extract_usd_layer_contributions.py
index 01162fc481..ed3c16b5c2 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/plugins/publish/extract_usd_layer_contributions.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/plugins/publish/extract_usd_layer_contributions.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ from operator import attrgetter
 import dataclasses
 import os
 import platform
+from collections import defaultdict
 from typing import Any, Dict, List
 
 import pyblish.api
@@ -13,10 +14,11 @@ except ImportError:
 from ayon_core.lib import (
     TextDef,
     BoolDef,
+    NumberDef,
     UISeparatorDef,
     UILabelDef,
     EnumDef,
-    filter_profiles, NumberDef
+    filter_profiles,
 )
 try:
     from ayon_core.pipeline.usdlib import (
@@ -278,19 +280,23 @@ class CollectUSDLayerContributions(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin,
     # level, you can add it directly from the publisher at that particular
     # order. Future publishes will then see the existing contribution and will
     # persist adding it to future bootstraps at that order
-    contribution_layers: Dict[str, int] = {
+    contribution_layers: Dict[str, Dict[str, int]] = {
         # asset layers
-        "model": 100,
-        "assembly": 150,
-        "groom": 175,
-        "look": 200,
-        "rig": 300,
+        "asset": {
+            "model": 100,
+            "assembly": 150,
+            "groom": 175,
+            "look": 200,
+            "rig": 300,
+        },
         # shot layers
-        "layout": 200,
-        "animation": 300,
-        "simulation": 400,
-        "fx": 500,
-        "lighting": 600,
+        "shot": {
+            "layout": 200,
+            "animation": 300,
+            "simulation": 400,
+            "fx": 500,
+            "lighting": 600,
+        }
     }
     # Default profiles to set certain instance attribute defaults based on
     # profiles in settings
@@ -305,12 +311,18 @@ class CollectUSDLayerContributions(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin,
 
         cls.enabled = plugin_settings.get("enabled", cls.enabled)
 
-        # Define contribution layers via settings
-        contribution_layers = {}
+        # Define contribution layers via settings by their scope
+        contribution_layers = defaultdict(dict)
         for entry in plugin_settings.get("contribution_layers", []):
-            contribution_layers[entry["name"]] = int(entry["order"])
+            for scope in entry.get("scope", []):
+                contribution_layers[scope][entry["name"]] = int(entry["order"])
         if contribution_layers:
-            cls.contribution_layers = contribution_layers
+            cls.contribution_layers = dict(contribution_layers)
+        else:
+            cls.log.warning(
+                "No scoped contribution layers found in settings, falling back"
+                " to CollectUSDLayerContributions plug-in defaults..."
+            )
 
         cls.profiles = plugin_settings.get("profiles", [])
 
@@ -355,10 +367,11 @@ class CollectUSDLayerContributions(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin,
 
         asset_product = contribution.target_product
         layer_product = "{}_{}".format(asset_product, contribution.layer_id)
-        layer_order: int = self.contribution_layers.get(
-            attr_values["contribution_layer"], 0
-        )
 
+        scope: str = attr_values["contribution_target_product_init"]
+        layer_order: int = (
+            self.contribution_layers[scope][attr_values["contribution_layer"]]
+        )
         # Layer contribution instance
         layer_instance = self.get_or_create_instance(
             product_name=layer_product,
@@ -489,14 +502,14 @@ class CollectUSDLayerContributions(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin,
             profile = {}
 
         # Define defaults
-        default_enabled = profile.get("contribution_enabled", True)
+        default_enabled: bool = profile.get("contribution_enabled", True)
         default_contribution_layer = profile.get(
             "contribution_layer", None)
-        default_apply_as_variant = profile.get(
+        default_apply_as_variant: bool = profile.get(
             "contribution_apply_as_variant", False)
-        default_target_product = profile.get(
+        default_target_product: str = profile.get(
             "contribution_target_product", "usdAsset")
-        default_init_as = (
+        default_init_as: str = (
             "asset"
             if profile.get("contribution_target_product") == "usdAsset"
             else "shot")
@@ -509,6 +522,12 @@ class CollectUSDLayerContributions(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin,
         visible = publish_attributes.get("contribution_enabled", True)
         variant_visible = visible and publish_attributes.get(
             "contribution_apply_as_variant", True)
+        init_as: str = publish_attributes.get(
+            "contribution_target_product_init", default_init_as)
+
+        contribution_layers = cls.contribution_layers.get(
+            init_as, {}
+        )
 
         return [
             UISeparatorDef("usd_container_settings1"),
@@ -558,7 +577,7 @@ class CollectUSDLayerContributions(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin,
                         "predefined ordering.\nA higher order (further down "
                         "the list) will contribute as a stronger opinion."
                     ),
-                    items=list(cls.contribution_layers.keys()),
+                    items=list(contribution_layers.keys()),
                     default=default_contribution_layer,
                     visible=visible),
             # TODO: We may want to make the visibility of this optional
@@ -619,7 +638,11 @@ class CollectUSDLayerContributions(pyblish.api.InstancePlugin,
 
         # Update attributes if any of the following plug-in attributes
         # change:
-        keys = ["contribution_enabled", "contribution_apply_as_variant"]
+        keys = {
+            "contribution_enabled",
+            "contribution_apply_as_variant",
+            "contribution_target_product_init",
+        }
 
         for instance_change in event["changes"]:
             instance = instance_change["instance"]
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/models/publish.py b/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/models/publish.py
index 97070d106f..cd99a952e3 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/models/publish.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/models/publish.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ from ayon_core.pipeline.plugin_discover import DiscoverResult
 from ayon_core.pipeline.publish import (
     get_publish_instance_label,
     PublishError,
+    filter_crashed_publish_paths,
 )
 from ayon_core.tools.publisher.abstract import AbstractPublisherBackend
 
@@ -107,11 +108,14 @@ class PublishReportMaker:
         creator_discover_result: Optional[DiscoverResult] = None,
         convertor_discover_result: Optional[DiscoverResult] = None,
         publish_discover_result: Optional[DiscoverResult] = None,
+        blocking_crashed_paths: Optional[list[str]] = None,
     ):
         self._create_discover_result: Union[DiscoverResult, None] = None
         self._convert_discover_result: Union[DiscoverResult, None] = None
         self._publish_discover_result: Union[DiscoverResult, None] = None
 
+        self._blocking_crashed_paths: list[str] = []
+
         self._all_instances_by_id: Dict[str, pyblish.api.Instance] = {}
         self._plugin_data_by_id: Dict[str, Any] = {}
         self._current_plugin_id: Optional[str] = None
@@ -120,6 +124,7 @@ class PublishReportMaker:
             creator_discover_result,
             convertor_discover_result,
             publish_discover_result,
+            blocking_crashed_paths,
         )
 
     def reset(
@@ -127,12 +132,14 @@ class PublishReportMaker:
         creator_discover_result: Union[DiscoverResult, None],
         convertor_discover_result: Union[DiscoverResult, None],
         publish_discover_result: Union[DiscoverResult, None],
+        blocking_crashed_paths: list[str],
     ):
         """Reset report and clear all data."""
 
         self._create_discover_result = creator_discover_result
         self._convert_discover_result = convertor_discover_result
         self._publish_discover_result = publish_discover_result
+        self._blocking_crashed_paths = blocking_crashed_paths
 
         self._all_instances_by_id = {}
         self._plugin_data_by_id = {}
@@ -242,9 +249,10 @@ class PublishReportMaker:
             "instances": instances_details,
             "context": self._extract_context_data(publish_context),
             "crashed_file_paths": crashed_file_paths,
+            "blocking_crashed_paths": list(self._blocking_crashed_paths),
             "id": uuid.uuid4().hex,
             "created_at": now.isoformat(),
-            "report_version": "1.1.0",
+            "report_version": "1.1.1",
         }
 
     def _add_plugin_data_item(self, plugin: pyblish.api.Plugin):
@@ -959,11 +967,16 @@ class PublishModel:
         self._publish_plugins_proxy = PublishPluginsProxy(
             publish_plugins
         )
-
+        blocking_crashed_paths = filter_crashed_publish_paths(
+            create_context.get_current_project_name(),
+            set(create_context.publish_discover_result.crashed_file_paths),
+            project_settings=create_context.get_current_project_settings(),
+        )
         self._publish_report.reset(
             create_context.creator_discover_result,
             create_context.convertor_discover_result,
             create_context.publish_discover_result,
+            blocking_crashed_paths,
         )
         for plugin in create_context.publish_plugins_mismatch_targets:
             self._publish_report.set_plugin_skipped(plugin.id)
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/publish_report_viewer/report_items.py b/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/publish_report_viewer/report_items.py
index a3c5a7a2fd..24955d18c3 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/publish_report_viewer/report_items.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/publish_report_viewer/report_items.py
@@ -139,3 +139,6 @@ class PublishReport:
         self.logs = logs
 
         self.crashed_plugin_paths = report_data["crashed_file_paths"]
+        self.blocking_crashed_paths = report_data.get(
+            "blocking_crashed_paths", []
+        )
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/publish_report_viewer/widgets.py b/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/publish_report_viewer/widgets.py
index 5fa1c04dc0..225dd15ade 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/publish_report_viewer/widgets.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/publish_report_viewer/widgets.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from ayon_core.tools.utils import (
     SeparatorWidget,
     IconButton,
     paint_image_with_color,
+    get_qt_icon,
 )
 from ayon_core.resources import get_image_path
 from ayon_core.style import get_objected_colors
@@ -46,10 +47,13 @@ def get_pretty_milliseconds(value):
 
 
 class PluginLoadReportModel(QtGui.QStandardItemModel):
+    _blocking_icon = None
+
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
         self._traceback_by_filepath = {}
         self._items_by_filepath = {}
+        self._blocking_crashed_paths = set()
         self._is_active = True
         self._need_refresh = False
 
@@ -75,6 +79,7 @@ class PluginLoadReportModel(QtGui.QStandardItemModel):
 
         for filepath in to_remove:
             self._traceback_by_filepath.pop(filepath)
+        self._blocking_crashed_paths = set(report.blocking_crashed_paths)
         self._update_items()
 
     def _update_items(self):
@@ -83,6 +88,7 @@ class PluginLoadReportModel(QtGui.QStandardItemModel):
         parent = self.invisibleRootItem()
         if not self._traceback_by_filepath:
             parent.removeRows(0, parent.rowCount())
+            self._items_by_filepath = {}
             return
 
         new_items = []
@@ -91,12 +97,18 @@ class PluginLoadReportModel(QtGui.QStandardItemModel):
             set(self._items_by_filepath) - set(self._traceback_by_filepath)
         )
         for filepath in self._traceback_by_filepath:
-            if filepath in self._items_by_filepath:
-                continue
-            item = QtGui.QStandardItem(filepath)
-            new_items.append(item)
-            new_items_by_filepath[filepath] = item
-            self._items_by_filepath[filepath] = item
+            item = self._items_by_filepath.get(filepath)
+            if item is None:
+                item = QtGui.QStandardItem(filepath)
+                new_items.append(item)
+                new_items_by_filepath[filepath] = item
+                self._items_by_filepath[filepath] = item
+
+            icon = None
+            if filepath.replace("\\", "/") in self._blocking_crashed_paths:
+                icon = self._get_blocking_icon()
+
+            item.setData(icon, QtCore.Qt.DecorationRole)
 
         if new_items:
             parent.appendRows(new_items)
@@ -113,6 +125,16 @@ class PluginLoadReportModel(QtGui.QStandardItemModel):
             item = self._items_by_filepath.pop(filepath)
             parent.removeRow(item.row())
 
+    @classmethod
+    def _get_blocking_icon(cls):
+        if cls._blocking_icon is None:
+            cls._blocking_icon = get_qt_icon({
+                    "type": "material-symbols",
+                    "name": "block",
+                    "color": "red",
+                })
+        return cls._blocking_icon
+
 
 class DetailWidget(QtWidgets.QTextEdit):
     def __init__(self, text, *args, **kwargs):
@@ -856,7 +878,7 @@ class PublishReportViewerWidget(QtWidgets.QFrame):
         report = PublishReport(report_data)
         self.set_report(report)
 
-    def set_report(self, report):
+    def set_report(self, report: PublishReport) -> None:
         self._ignore_selection_changes = True
 
         self._report_item = report
@@ -866,6 +888,10 @@ class PublishReportViewerWidget(QtWidgets.QFrame):
         self._logs_text_widget.set_report(report)
         self._plugin_load_report_widget.set_report(report)
         self._plugins_details_widget.set_report(report)
+        if report.blocking_crashed_paths:
+            self._details_tab_widget.setCurrentWidget(
+                self._plugin_load_report_widget
+            )
 
         self._ignore_selection_changes = False
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/window.py b/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/window.py
index 19994f9f62..6f7444ed04 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/window.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/tools/publisher/window.py
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
 import os
 import json
 import time
 import collections
 import copy
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import Optional, Any
 
 from qtpy import QtWidgets, QtCore, QtGui
 
@@ -393,6 +395,9 @@ class PublisherWindow(QtWidgets.QDialog):
         self._publish_frame_visible = None
         self._tab_on_reset = None
 
+        self._create_context_valid: bool = True
+        self._blocked_by_crashed_paths: bool = False
+
         self._error_messages_to_show = collections.deque()
         self._errors_dialog_message_timer = errors_dialog_message_timer
 
@@ -406,6 +411,8 @@ class PublisherWindow(QtWidgets.QDialog):
         self._show_counter = 0
         self._window_is_visible = False
 
+        self._update_footer_state()
+
     @property
     def controller(self) -> AbstractPublisherFrontend:
         """Kept for compatibility with traypublisher."""
@@ -664,11 +671,33 @@ class PublisherWindow(QtWidgets.QDialog):
 
         self._tab_on_reset = tab
 
-    def _update_publish_details_widget(self, force=False):
-        if not force and not self._is_on_details_tab():
+    def set_current_tab(self, tab):
+        if tab == "create":
+            self._go_to_create_tab()
+        elif tab == "publish":
+            self._go_to_publish_tab()
+        elif tab == "report":
+            self._go_to_report_tab()
+        elif tab == "details":
+            self._go_to_details_tab()
+
+        if not self._window_is_visible:
+            self.set_tab_on_reset(tab)
+
+    def _update_publish_details_widget(
+        self,
+        force: bool = False,
+        report_data: Optional[dict[str, Any]] = None,
+    ) -> None:
+        if (
+            report_data is None
+            and not force
+            and not self._is_on_details_tab()
+        ):
             return
 
-        report_data = self._controller.get_publish_report()
+        if report_data is None:
+            report_data = self._controller.get_publish_report()
         self._publish_details_widget.set_report_data(report_data)
 
     def _on_help_click(self):
@@ -752,19 +781,6 @@ class PublisherWindow(QtWidgets.QDialog):
     def _set_current_tab(self, identifier):
         self._tabs_widget.set_current_tab(identifier)
 
-    def set_current_tab(self, tab):
-        if tab == "create":
-            self._go_to_create_tab()
-        elif tab == "publish":
-            self._go_to_publish_tab()
-        elif tab == "report":
-            self._go_to_report_tab()
-        elif tab == "details":
-            self._go_to_details_tab()
-
-        if not self._window_is_visible:
-            self.set_tab_on_reset(tab)
-
     def _is_current_tab(self, identifier):
         return self._tabs_widget.is_current_tab(identifier)
 
@@ -865,26 +881,56 @@ class PublisherWindow(QtWidgets.QDialog):
         # Reset style
         self._comment_input.setStyleSheet("")
 
-    def _set_footer_enabled(self, enabled):
-        self._save_btn.setEnabled(True)
+    def _set_create_context_valid(self, valid: bool) -> None:
+        self._create_context_valid = valid
+        self._update_footer_state()
+
+    def _set_blocked(self, blocked: bool) -> None:
+        self._blocked_by_crashed_paths = blocked
+        self._overview_widget.setEnabled(not blocked)
+        self._update_footer_state()
+        if not blocked:
+            return
+
+        self.set_tab_on_reset("details")
+        self._go_to_details_tab()
+
+        QtWidgets.QMessageBox.critical(
+            self,
+            "Failed to load plugins",
+            (
+                "Failed to load plugins that do prevent you from"
+                " using publish tool.\n"
+                "Please contact your TD or administrator."
+            )
+        )
+
+    def _update_footer_state(self) -> None:
+        enabled = (
+            not self._blocked_by_crashed_paths
+            and self._create_context_valid
+        )
+        save_enabled = not self._blocked_by_crashed_paths
+
+        self._save_btn.setEnabled(save_enabled)
         self._reset_btn.setEnabled(True)
-        if enabled:
-            self._stop_btn.setEnabled(False)
-            self._validate_btn.setEnabled(True)
-            self._publish_btn.setEnabled(True)
-        else:
-            self._stop_btn.setEnabled(enabled)
-            self._validate_btn.setEnabled(enabled)
-            self._publish_btn.setEnabled(enabled)
+        self._stop_btn.setEnabled(False)
+        self._validate_btn.setEnabled(enabled)
+        self._publish_btn.setEnabled(enabled)
 
     def _on_publish_reset(self):
         self._create_tab.setEnabled(True)
         self._set_comment_input_visiblity(True)
         self._set_publish_overlay_visibility(False)
         self._set_publish_visibility(False)
-        self._update_publish_details_widget()
+
+        report_data = self._controller.get_publish_report()
+        blocked = bool(report_data["blocking_crashed_paths"])
+        self._set_blocked(blocked)
+        self._update_publish_details_widget(report_data=report_data)
 
     def _on_controller_reset(self):
+        self._update_publish_details_widget(force=True)
         self._first_reset, first_reset = False, self._first_reset
         if self._tab_on_reset is not None:
             self._tab_on_reset, new_tab = None, self._tab_on_reset
@@ -952,7 +998,7 @@ class PublisherWindow(QtWidgets.QDialog):
 
     def _validate_create_instances(self):
         if not self._controller.is_host_valid():
-            self._set_footer_enabled(True)
+            self._set_create_context_valid(True)
             return
 
         active_instances_by_id = {
@@ -973,7 +1019,7 @@ class PublisherWindow(QtWidgets.QDialog):
             if all_valid is None:
                 all_valid = True
 
-        self._set_footer_enabled(bool(all_valid))
+        self._set_create_context_valid(bool(all_valid))
 
     def _on_create_model_reset(self):
         self._validate_create_instances()
diff --git a/server/settings/publish_plugins.py b/server/settings/publish_plugins.py
index da22e4206f..eb41c75699 100644
--- a/server/settings/publish_plugins.py
+++ b/server/settings/publish_plugins.py
@@ -74,13 +74,35 @@ class CollectFramesFixDefModel(BaseSettingsModel):
     )
 
 
+def usd_contribution_layer_types():
+    return [
+        {"value": "asset", "label": "Asset"},
+        {"value": "shot", "label": "Shot"},
+    ]
+
+
 class ContributionLayersModel(BaseSettingsModel):
     _layout = "compact"
-    name: str = SettingsField(title="Name")
-    order: str = SettingsField(
+    name: str = SettingsField(
+        default="",
+        regex="[A-Za-z0-9_-]+",
+        title="Name")
+    scope: list[str] = SettingsField(
+        # This should actually be returned from a callable to `default_factory`
+        # because lists are mutable. However, the frontend can't interpret
+        # the callable. It will fail to apply it as the default. Specifying
+        # this default directly did not show any ill side effects.
+        default=["asset", "shot"],
+        title="Scope",
+        min_items=1,
+        enum_resolver=usd_contribution_layer_types)
+    order: int = SettingsField(
+        default=0,
         title="Order",
-        description="Higher order means a higher strength and stacks the "
-                    "layer on top.")
+        description=(
+            "Higher order means a higher strength and stacks the layer on top."
+        )
+    )
 
 
 class CollectUSDLayerContributionsProfileModel(BaseSettingsModel):
@@ -1382,17 +1404,17 @@ DEFAULT_PUBLISH_VALUES = {
         "enabled": True,
         "contribution_layers": [
             # Asset layers
-            {"name": "model", "order": 100},
-            {"name": "assembly", "order": 150},
-            {"name": "groom", "order": 175},
-            {"name": "look", "order": 200},
-            {"name": "rig", "order": 300},
+            {"name": "model", "order": 100, "scope": ["asset"]},
+            {"name": "assembly", "order": 150, "scope": ["asset"]},
+            {"name": "groom", "order": 175, "scope": ["asset"]},
+            {"name": "look", "order": 200, "scope": ["asset"]},
+            {"name": "rig", "order": 300, "scope": ["asset"]},
             # Shot layers
-            {"name": "layout", "order": 200},
-            {"name": "animation", "order": 300},
-            {"name": "simulation", "order": 400},
-            {"name": "fx", "order": 500},
-            {"name": "lighting", "order": 600},
+            {"name": "layout", "order": 200, "scope": ["shot"]},
+            {"name": "animation", "order": 300, "scope": ["shot"]},
+            {"name": "simulation", "order": 400, "scope": ["shot"]},
+            {"name": "fx", "order": 500, "scope": ["shot"]},
+            {"name": "lighting", "order": 600, "scope": ["shot"]},
         ],
         "profiles": [
             {
diff --git a/server/settings/tools.py b/server/settings/tools.py
index da3b4ebff8..9b16ca5d94 100644
--- a/server/settings/tools.py
+++ b/server/settings/tools.py
@@ -352,6 +352,27 @@ class CustomStagingDirProfileModel(BaseSettingsModel):
     )
 
 
+class DiscoverValidationModel(BaseSettingsModel):
+    """Strictly validate publish plugins discovery.
+
+    Artist won't be able to publish if path to publish plugin fails to be
+        imported.
+
+    """
+    _isGroup = True
+    enabled: bool = SettingsField(
+        False,
+        description="Enable strict mode of plugins discovery",
+    )
+    ignore_paths: list[str] = SettingsField(
+        default_factory=list,
+        title="Ignored paths (regex)",
+        description=(
+            "Paths that do match regex will be skipped in validation."
+        ),
+    )
+
+
 class PublishToolModel(BaseSettingsModel):
     template_name_profiles: list[PublishTemplateNameProfile] = SettingsField(
         default_factory=list,
@@ -369,6 +390,10 @@ class PublishToolModel(BaseSettingsModel):
             title="Custom Staging Dir Profiles"
         )
     )
+    discover_validation: DiscoverValidationModel = SettingsField(
+        default_factory=DiscoverValidationModel,
+        title="Validate plugins discovery",
+    )
     comment_minimum_required_chars: int = SettingsField(
         0,
         title="Publish comment minimum required characters",
@@ -691,6 +716,10 @@ DEFAULT_TOOLS_VALUES = {
                 "template_name": "simpleUnrealTextureHero"
             }
         ],
+        "discover_validation": {
+            "enabled": False,
+            "ignore_paths": [],
+        },
         "comment_minimum_required_chars": 0,
     }
 }