diff --git a/client/ayon_core/hooks/pre_global_host_data.py b/client/ayon_core/hooks/pre_global_host_data.py
index 12da6f12f8..23f725901c 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/hooks/pre_global_host_data.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/hooks/pre_global_host_data.py
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 from ayon_api import get_project, get_folder_by_path, get_task_by_name
 
+from ayon_core.pipeline import Anatomy
+from ayon_core.pipeline.anatomy import RootMissingEnv
+
 from ayon_applications import PreLaunchHook
+from ayon_applications.exceptions import ApplicationLaunchFailed
 from ayon_applications.utils import (
     EnvironmentPrepData,
     prepare_app_environments,
     prepare_context_environments
 )
-from ayon_core.pipeline import Anatomy
 
 
 class GlobalHostDataHook(PreLaunchHook):
@@ -67,9 +70,12 @@ class GlobalHostDataHook(PreLaunchHook):
         self.data["project_entity"] = project_entity
 
         # Anatomy
-        self.data["anatomy"] = Anatomy(
-            project_name, project_entity=project_entity
-        )
+        try:
+            self.data["anatomy"] = Anatomy(
+                project_name, project_entity=project_entity
+            )
+        except RootMissingEnv as exc:
+            raise ApplicationLaunchFailed(str(exc))
 
         folder_path = self.data.get("folder_path")
         if not folder_path:
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/__init__.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/__init__.py
index 336d09ccaa..7000f51495 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/__init__.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/__init__.py
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 from .exceptions import (
     ProjectNotSet,
+    RootMissingEnv,
     RootCombinationError,
     TemplateMissingKey,
     AnatomyTemplateUnsolved,
@@ -9,6 +10,7 @@ from .anatomy import Anatomy
 
 __all__ = (
     "ProjectNotSet",
+    "RootMissingEnv",
     "RootCombinationError",
     "TemplateMissingKey",
     "AnatomyTemplateUnsolved",
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/exceptions.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/exceptions.py
index 39f116baf0..24df0e3046 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/exceptions.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/exceptions.py
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ class ProjectNotSet(Exception):
     """Exception raised when is created Anatomy without project name."""
 
 
+class RootMissingEnv(KeyError):
+    """Raised when root requires environment variables which is not filled."""
+    pass
+
+
 class RootCombinationError(Exception):
     """This exception is raised when templates has combined root types."""
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/roots.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/roots.py
index 2773559d49..bd09a9fe51 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/roots.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/anatomy/roots.py
@@ -2,9 +2,11 @@ import os
 import platform
 import numbers
 
-from ayon_core.lib import Logger
+from ayon_core.lib import Logger, StringTemplate
 from ayon_core.lib.path_templates import FormatObject
 
+from .exceptions import RootMissingEnv
+
 
 class RootItem(FormatObject):
     """Represents one item or roots.
@@ -21,18 +23,36 @@ class RootItem(FormatObject):
             multi root setup otherwise None value is expected.
     """
     def __init__(self, parent, root_raw_data, name):
-        super(RootItem, self).__init__()
+        super().__init__()
         self._log = None
-        lowered_platform_keys = {}
-        for key, value in root_raw_data.items():
-            lowered_platform_keys[key.lower()] = value
+        lowered_platform_keys = {
+            key.lower(): value
+            for key, value in root_raw_data.items()
+        }
         self.raw_data = lowered_platform_keys
         self.cleaned_data = self._clean_roots(lowered_platform_keys)
         self.name = name
         self.parent = parent
 
         self.available_platforms = set(lowered_platform_keys.keys())
-        self.value = lowered_platform_keys.get(platform.system().lower())
+
+        current_platform = platform.system().lower()
+        # WARNING: Using environment variables in roots is not considered
+        #   as production safe. Some features may not work as expected, for
+        #   example USD resolver or site sync.
+        try:
+            self.value = lowered_platform_keys[current_platform].format_map(
+                os.environ
+            )
+        except KeyError:
+            result = StringTemplate(self.value).format(os.environ.copy())
+            is_are = "is" if len(result.missing_keys) == 1 else "are"
+            missing_keys = ", ".join(result.missing_keys)
+            raise RootMissingEnv(
+                f"Root \"{name}\" requires environment variable/s"
+                f" {missing_keys} which {is_are} not available."
+            )
+
         self.clean_value = self._clean_root(self.value)
 
     def __format__(self, *args, **kwargs):
@@ -105,10 +125,10 @@ class RootItem(FormatObject):
 
     def _clean_roots(self, raw_data):
         """Clean all values of raw root item values."""
-        cleaned = {}
-        for key, value in raw_data.items():
-            cleaned[key] = self._clean_root(value)
-        return cleaned
+        return {
+            key: self._clean_root(value)
+            for key, value in raw_data.items()
+        }
 
     def path_remapper(self, path, dst_platform=None, src_platform=None):
         """Remap path for specific platform.
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/context_tools.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/context_tools.py
index b9ae906ab4..66556bbb35 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/context_tools.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/context_tools.py
@@ -27,7 +27,8 @@ from .workfile import (
     get_workdir,
     get_custom_workfile_template_by_string_context,
     get_workfile_template_key_from_context,
-    get_last_workfile
+    get_last_workfile,
+    MissingWorkdirError,
 )
 from . import (
     register_loader_plugin_path,
@@ -251,7 +252,7 @@ def uninstall_host():
     pyblish.api.deregister_discovery_filter(filter_pyblish_plugins)
     deregister_loader_plugin_path(LOAD_PATH)
     deregister_inventory_action_path(INVENTORY_PATH)
-    log.info("Global plug-ins unregistred")
+    log.info("Global plug-ins unregistered")
 
     deregister_host()
 
@@ -617,7 +618,18 @@ def version_up_current_workfile():
     last_workfile_path = get_last_workfile(
         work_root, file_template, data, extensions, True
     )
-    new_workfile_path = version_up(last_workfile_path)
+    # `get_last_workfile` will return the first expected file version
+    # if no files exist yet. In that case, if they do not exist we will
+    # want to save v001
+    new_workfile_path = last_workfile_path
     if os.path.exists(new_workfile_path):
         new_workfile_path = version_up(new_workfile_path)
+
+    # Raise an error if the parent folder doesn't exist as `host.save_workfile`
+    # is not supposed/able to create missing folders.
+    parent_folder = os.path.dirname(new_workfile_path)
+    if not os.path.exists(parent_folder):
+        raise MissingWorkdirError(
+            f"Work area directory '{parent_folder}' does not exist.")
+
     host.save_workfile(new_workfile_path)
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/create/context.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/create/context.py
index 26b04ed3ed..6ac6685647 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/create/context.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/create/context.py
@@ -2303,10 +2303,16 @@ class CreateContext:
                 for plugin_name, plugin_value in item_changes.pop(
                     "publish_attributes"
                 ).items():
+                    if plugin_value is None:
+                        current_publish[plugin_name] = None
+                        continue
                     plugin_changes = current_publish.setdefault(
                         plugin_name, {}
                     )
-                    plugin_changes.update(plugin_value)
+                    if plugin_changes is None:
+                        current_publish[plugin_name] = plugin_value
+                    else:
+                        plugin_changes.update(plugin_value)
 
             item_values.update(item_changes)
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/create/structures.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/create/structures.py
index 17bb85b720..6b45a5c610 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/create/structures.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/create/structures.py
@@ -160,29 +160,26 @@ class AttributeValues:
         return self._attr_defs_by_key.get(key, default)
 
     def update(self, value):
-        changes = {}
-        for _key, _value in dict(value).items():
-            if _key in self._data and self._data.get(_key) == _value:
-                continue
-            self._data[_key] = _value
-            changes[_key] = _value
-
+        changes = self._update(value)
         if changes:
             self._parent.attribute_value_changed(self._key, changes)
 
     def pop(self, key, default=None):
-        has_key = key in self._data
-        value = self._data.pop(key, default)
-        # Remove attribute definition if is 'UnknownDef'
-        # - gives option to get rid of unknown values
-        attr_def = self._attr_defs_by_key.get(key)
-        if isinstance(attr_def, UnknownDef):
-            self._attr_defs_by_key.pop(key)
-            self._attr_defs.remove(attr_def)
-        elif has_key:
-            self._parent.attribute_value_changed(self._key, {key: None})
+        value, changes = self._pop(key, default)
+        if changes:
+            self._parent.attribute_value_changed(self._key, changes)
         return value
 
+    def set_value(self, value):
+        pop_keys = set(value.keys()) - set(self._data.keys())
+        changes = self._update(value)
+        for key in pop_keys:
+            _, key_changes = self._pop(key, None)
+            changes.update(key_changes)
+
+        if changes:
+            self._parent.attribute_value_changed(self._key, changes)
+
     def reset_values(self):
         self._data = {}
 
@@ -228,6 +225,29 @@ class AttributeValues:
 
         return serialize_attr_defs(self._attr_defs)
 
+    def _update(self, value):
+        changes = {}
+        for key, value in dict(value).items():
+            if key in self._data and self._data.get(key) == value:
+                continue
+            self._data[key] = value
+            changes[key] = value
+        return changes
+
+    def _pop(self, key, default):
+        has_key = key in self._data
+        value = self._data.pop(key, default)
+        # Remove attribute definition if is 'UnknownDef'
+        # - gives option to get rid of unknown values
+        attr_def = self._attr_defs_by_key.get(key)
+        changes = {}
+        if isinstance(attr_def, UnknownDef):
+            self._attr_defs_by_key.pop(key)
+            self._attr_defs.remove(attr_def)
+        elif has_key:
+            changes[key] = None
+        return value, changes
+
 
 class CreatorAttributeValues(AttributeValues):
     """Creator specific attribute values of an instance."""
@@ -270,6 +290,23 @@ class PublishAttributes:
     def __getitem__(self, key):
         return self._data[key]
 
+    def __setitem__(self, key, value):
+        """Set value for plugin.
+
+        Args:
+            key (str): Plugin name.
+            value (dict[str, Any]): Value to set.
+
+        """
+        current_value = self._data.get(key)
+        if isinstance(current_value, PublishAttributeValues):
+            current_value.set_value(value)
+        else:
+            self._data[key] = value
+
+    def __delitem__(self, key):
+        self.pop(key)
+
     def __contains__(self, key):
         return key in self._data
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/thumbnails.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/thumbnails.py
index 401d95f273..658372888f 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/thumbnails.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/thumbnails.py
@@ -226,11 +226,26 @@ class _CacheItems:
     thumbnails_cache = ThumbnailsCache()
 
 
-def get_thumbnail_path(project_name, thumbnail_id):
+def get_thumbnail_path(
+    project_name: str,
+    entity_type: str,
+    entity_id: str,
+    thumbnail_id: str
+):
     """Get path to thumbnail image.
 
+    Thumbnail is cached by thumbnail id but is received using entity type and
+        entity id.
+
+    Notes:
+        Function 'get_thumbnail_by_id' can't be used because does not work
+            for artists. The endpoint can't validate artist permissions.
+
     Args:
         project_name (str): Project where thumbnail belongs to.
+        entity_type (str): Entity type "folder", "task", "version"
+            and "workfile".
+        entity_id (str): Entity id.
         thumbnail_id (Union[str, None]): Thumbnail id.
 
     Returns:
@@ -251,7 +266,7 @@ def get_thumbnail_path(project_name, thumbnail_id):
     #   'get_thumbnail_by_id' did not return output of
     #   'ServerAPI' method.
     con = ayon_api.get_server_api_connection()
-    result = con.get_thumbnail_by_id(project_name, thumbnail_id)
+    result = con.get_thumbnail(project_name, entity_type, entity_id)
 
     if result is not None and result.is_valid:
         return _CacheItems.thumbnails_cache.store_thumbnail(
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/workfile/__init__.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/workfile/__init__.py
index 05f939024c..aa7e150bca 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/workfile/__init__.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/workfile/__init__.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ from .path_resolving import (
 from .utils import (
     should_use_last_workfile_on_launch,
     should_open_workfiles_tool_on_launch,
+    MissingWorkdirError,
 )
 
 from .build_workfile import BuildWorkfile
@@ -46,6 +47,7 @@ __all__ = (
 
     "should_use_last_workfile_on_launch",
     "should_open_workfiles_tool_on_launch",
+    "MissingWorkdirError",
 
     "BuildWorkfile",
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/workfile/utils.py b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/workfile/utils.py
index 53de3269b2..25be061dec 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/pipeline/workfile/utils.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/pipeline/workfile/utils.py
@@ -2,6 +2,11 @@ from ayon_core.lib import filter_profiles
 from ayon_core.settings import get_project_settings
 
 
+class MissingWorkdirError(Exception):
+    """Raised when accessing a work directory not found on disk."""
+    pass
+
+
 def should_use_last_workfile_on_launch(
     project_name,
     host_name,
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/tools/common_models/thumbnails.py b/client/ayon_core/tools/common_models/thumbnails.py
index 2fa1e36e5c..5111d0be28 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/tools/common_models/thumbnails.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/tools/common_models/thumbnails.py
@@ -21,8 +21,50 @@ class ThumbnailsModel:
         self._folders_cache.reset()
         self._versions_cache.reset()
 
-    def get_thumbnail_path(self, project_name, thumbnail_id):
-        return self._get_thumbnail_path(project_name, thumbnail_id)
+    def get_thumbnail_paths(
+        self,
+        project_name,
+        entity_type,
+        entity_ids,
+    ):
+        thumbnail_paths = set()
+        if not project_name or not entity_type or not entity_ids:
+            return thumbnail_paths
+
+        thumbnail_id_by_entity_id = {}
+        if entity_type == "folder":
+            thumbnail_id_by_entity_id = self.get_folder_thumbnail_ids(
+                project_name, entity_ids
+            )
+
+        elif entity_type == "version":
+            thumbnail_id_by_entity_id = self.get_version_thumbnail_ids(
+                project_name, entity_ids
+            )
+
+        if not thumbnail_id_by_entity_id:
+            return thumbnail_paths
+
+        entity_ids_by_thumbnail_id = collections.defaultdict(set)
+        for entity_id, thumbnail_id in thumbnail_id_by_entity_id.items():
+            if not thumbnail_id:
+                continue
+            entity_ids_by_thumbnail_id[thumbnail_id].add(entity_id)
+
+        output = {
+            entity_id: None
+            for entity_id in entity_ids
+        }
+        for thumbnail_id, entity_ids in entity_ids_by_thumbnail_id.items():
+            thumbnail_path = self._get_thumbnail_path(
+                project_name, entity_type, next(iter(entity_ids)), thumbnail_id
+            )
+            if not thumbnail_path:
+                continue
+            for entity_id in entity_ids:
+                output[entity_id] = thumbnail_path
+
+        return output
 
     def get_folder_thumbnail_ids(self, project_name, folder_ids):
         project_cache = self._folders_cache[project_name]
@@ -56,7 +98,13 @@ class ThumbnailsModel:
             output[version_id] = cache.get_data()
         return output
 
-    def _get_thumbnail_path(self, project_name, thumbnail_id):
+    def _get_thumbnail_path(
+        self,
+        project_name,
+        entity_type,
+        entity_id,
+        thumbnail_id
+    ):
         if not thumbnail_id:
             return None
 
@@ -64,7 +112,12 @@ class ThumbnailsModel:
         if thumbnail_id in project_cache:
             return project_cache[thumbnail_id]
 
-        filepath = get_thumbnail_path(project_name, thumbnail_id)
+        filepath = get_thumbnail_path(
+            project_name,
+            entity_type,
+            entity_id,
+            thumbnail_id
+        )
         project_cache[thumbnail_id] = filepath
         return filepath
 
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/abstract.py b/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/abstract.py
index 26b476de1f..d0d7cd430b 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/abstract.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/abstract.py
@@ -733,7 +733,12 @@ class FrontendLoaderController(_BaseLoaderController):
         pass
 
     @abstractmethod
-    def get_thumbnail_path(self, project_name, thumbnail_id):
+    def get_thumbnail_paths(
+        self,
+        project_name,
+        entity_type,
+        entity_ids
+    ):
         """Get thumbnail path for thumbnail id.
 
         This method should get a path to a thumbnail based on thumbnail id.
@@ -742,10 +747,11 @@ class FrontendLoaderController(_BaseLoaderController):
 
         Args:
             project_name (str): Project name.
-            thumbnail_id (str): Thumbnail id.
+            entity_type (str): Entity type.
+            entity_ids (set[str]): Entity ids.
 
         Returns:
-            Union[str, None]: Thumbnail path or None if not found.
+            dict[str, Union[str, None]]: Thumbnail path by entity id.
         """
 
         pass
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/control.py b/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/control.py
index 7959a63edb..b3a80b34d4 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/control.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/control.py
@@ -259,9 +259,14 @@ class LoaderController(BackendLoaderController, FrontendLoaderController):
             project_name, version_ids
         )
 
-    def get_thumbnail_path(self, project_name, thumbnail_id):
-        return self._thumbnails_model.get_thumbnail_path(
-            project_name, thumbnail_id
+    def get_thumbnail_paths(
+        self,
+        project_name,
+        entity_type,
+        entity_ids,
+    ):
+        return self._thumbnails_model.get_thumbnail_paths(
+            project_name, entity_type, entity_ids
         )
 
     def change_products_group(self, project_name, product_ids, group_name):
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/ui/window.py b/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/ui/window.py
index b846484c39..3d2e15c630 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/ui/window.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/tools/loader/ui/window.py
@@ -501,38 +501,29 @@ class LoaderWindow(QtWidgets.QWidget):
         self._update_thumbnails()
 
     def _update_thumbnails(self):
+        # TODO make this threaded and show loading animation while running
         project_name = self._selected_project_name
-        thumbnail_ids = set()
+        entity_type = None
+        entity_ids = set()
         if self._selected_version_ids:
-            thumbnail_id_by_entity_id = (
-                self._controller.get_version_thumbnail_ids(
-                    project_name,
-                    self._selected_version_ids
-                )
-            )
-            thumbnail_ids = set(thumbnail_id_by_entity_id.values())
+            entity_ids = set(self._selected_version_ids)
+            entity_type = "version"
         elif self._selected_folder_ids:
-            thumbnail_id_by_entity_id = (
-                self._controller.get_folder_thumbnail_ids(
-                    project_name,
-                    self._selected_folder_ids
-                )
-            )
-            thumbnail_ids = set(thumbnail_id_by_entity_id.values())
+            entity_ids = set(self._selected_folder_ids)
+            entity_type = "folder"
 
-        thumbnail_ids.discard(None)
-
-        if not thumbnail_ids:
-            self._thumbnails_widget.set_current_thumbnails(None)
-            return
-
-        thumbnail_paths = set()
-        for thumbnail_id in thumbnail_ids:
-            thumbnail_path = self._controller.get_thumbnail_path(
-                project_name, thumbnail_id)
-            thumbnail_paths.add(thumbnail_path)
+        thumbnail_path_by_entity_id = self._controller.get_thumbnail_paths(
+            project_name, entity_type, entity_ids
+        )
+        thumbnail_paths = set(thumbnail_path_by_entity_id.values())
         thumbnail_paths.discard(None)
-        self._thumbnails_widget.set_current_thumbnail_paths(thumbnail_paths)
+
+        if thumbnail_paths:
+           self._thumbnails_widget.set_current_thumbnail_paths(
+               thumbnail_paths
+           )
+        else:
+            self._thumbnails_widget.set_current_thumbnails(None)
 
     def _on_projects_refresh(self):
         self._refresh_handler.set_project_refreshed()
diff --git a/client/ayon_core/version.py b/client/ayon_core/version.py
index d021a03e7e..962ec487a7 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/version.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/version.py
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 """Package declaring AYON addon 'core' version."""
-__version__ = "1.1.6+dev"
+__version__ = "1.1.7+dev"
diff --git a/package.py b/package.py
index 9af45719a7..fe870315cf 100644
--- a/package.py
+++ b/package.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 name = "core"
 title = "Core"
-version = "1.1.6+dev"
+version = "1.1.7+dev"
 
 client_dir = "ayon_core"
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 1ab501fbce..4844f65807 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 [tool.poetry]
 name = "ayon-core"
-version = "1.1.6+dev"
+version = "1.1.7+dev"
 description = ""
 authors = ["Ynput Team <team@ynput.io>"]
 readme = "README.md"