diff --git a/cpu_http.py b/cpu_http.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..11c7808350
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cpu_http.py
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+from functools import partial
+from multiprocessing import Process
+
+from inference.core.cache import cache
+from inference.core.env import (
+    ACTIVE_LEARNING_ENABLED,
+    ENABLE_STREAM_API,
+    GCP_SERVERLESS,
+    LAMBDA,
+    MAX_ACTIVE_MODELS,
+    STREAM_API_PRELOADED_PROCESSES,
+)
+from inference.core.interfaces.http.http_api import HttpInterface
+from inference.core.interfaces.stream_manager.manager_app.app import start
+from inference.core.managers.active_learning import (
+    ActiveLearningManager,
+    BackgroundTaskActiveLearningManager,
+)
+from inference.core.managers.base import ModelManager
+from inference.core.managers.decorators.fixed_size_cache import WithFixedSizeCache
+from inference.core.registries.roboflow import (
+    RoboflowModelRegistry,
+)
+from inference.models.utils import ROBOFLOW_MODEL_TYPES
+
+if ENABLE_STREAM_API:
+    stream_manager_process = Process(
+        target=partial(start, expected_warmed_up_pipelines=STREAM_API_PRELOADED_PROCESSES),
+    )
+    stream_manager_process.start()
+
+model_registry = RoboflowModelRegistry(ROBOFLOW_MODEL_TYPES)
+
+if ACTIVE_LEARNING_ENABLED:
+    if LAMBDA or GCP_SERVERLESS:
+        model_manager = ActiveLearningManager(
+            model_registry=model_registry, cache=cache
+        )
+    else:
+        model_manager = BackgroundTaskActiveLearningManager(
+            model_registry=model_registry, cache=cache
+        )
+else:
+    model_manager = ModelManager(model_registry=model_registry)
+
+model_manager = WithFixedSizeCache(model_manager, max_size=MAX_ACTIVE_MODELS)
+model_manager.init_pingback()
+interface = HttpInterface(model_manager)
+app = interface.app
diff --git a/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/loader.py b/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/loader.py
index 2cda554056..da88b92514 100644
--- a/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/loader.py
+++ b/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/loader.py
@@ -338,6 +338,9 @@
 from inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.image_slicer.v2 import (
     ImageSlicerBlockV2,
 )
+from inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.load_image_from_url.v1 import (
+    LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1,
+)
 from inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.perspective_correction.v1 import (
     PerspectiveCorrectionBlockV1,
 )
@@ -533,6 +536,7 @@
 def load_blocks() -> List[Type[WorkflowBlock]]:
     return [
         AbsoluteStaticCropBlockV1,
+        LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1,
         DynamicCropBlockV1,
         DetectionsFilterBlockV1,
         DetectionOffsetBlockV1,
diff --git a/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/transformations/load_image_from_url/__init__.py b/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/transformations/load_image_from_url/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e69de29bb2
diff --git a/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/transformations/load_image_from_url/v1.py b/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/transformations/load_image_from_url/v1.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..26b951b71c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/inference/core/workflows/core_steps/transformations/load_image_from_url/v1.py
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+import hashlib
+from typing import List, Literal, Type, Union
+from uuid import uuid4
+
+from pydantic import ConfigDict, Field
+
+from inference.core.cache.lru_cache import LRUCache
+from inference.core.utils.image_utils import load_image_from_url
+from inference.core.workflows.execution_engine.entities.base import (
+    ImageParentMetadata,
+    OutputDefinition,
+    WorkflowImageData,
+)
+from inference.core.workflows.execution_engine.entities.types import (
+    BOOLEAN_KIND,
+    IMAGE_KIND,
+    STRING_KIND,
+    Selector,
+)
+from inference.core.workflows.prototypes.block import (
+    BlockResult,
+    WorkflowBlock,
+    WorkflowBlockManifest,
+)
+
+LONG_DESCRIPTION = """
+Load an image from a URL.
+
+This block downloads an image from the provided URL and makes it available
+for use in the workflow pipeline. Optionally, the block can cache downloaded
+images to avoid re-fetching the same URL multiple times.
+"""
+
+# Module-level cache instance following common pattern
+image_cache = LRUCache(capacity=64)
+
+
+class BlockManifest(WorkflowBlockManifest):
+    model_config = ConfigDict(
+        json_schema_extra={
+            "name": "Load Image From URL",
+            "version": "v1",
+            "short_description": "Load an image from a URL.",
+            "long_description": LONG_DESCRIPTION,
+            "license": "Apache-2.0",
+            "block_type": "transformation",
+            "ui_manifest": {
+                "section": "transformation",
+                "icon": "fas fa-image",
+                "blockPriority": 1,
+            },
+        }
+    )
+    type: Literal["roboflow_core/load_image_from_url@v1"]
+    url: Union[str, Selector(kind=[STRING_KIND])] = Field(
+        description="URL of the image to load",
+        examples=["https://example.com/image.jpg", "$inputs.image_url"],
+    )
+    cache: Union[bool, Selector(kind=[BOOLEAN_KIND])] = Field(
+        default=True,
+        description="Whether to cache the downloaded image to avoid re-fetching",
+        examples=[True, False, "$inputs.cache_image"],
+    )
+
+    @classmethod
+    def describe_outputs(cls) -> List[OutputDefinition]:
+        return [
+            OutputDefinition(name="image", kind=[IMAGE_KIND]),
+        ]
+
+    @classmethod
+    def get_execution_engine_compatibility(cls) -> str:
+        return ">=1.0.0,<2.0.0"
+
+
+class LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1(WorkflowBlock):
+    @classmethod
+    def get_manifest(cls) -> Type[WorkflowBlockManifest]:
+        return BlockManifest
+
+    def run(self, url: str, cache: bool = True, **kwargs) -> BlockResult:
+        try:
+            # Generate cache key using URL hash (following common pattern)
+            cache_key = hashlib.md5(url.encode("utf-8")).hexdigest()
+
+            # Check cache if enabled
+            if cache:
+                cached_image = image_cache.get(cache_key)
+                if cached_image is not None:
+                    return {"image": cached_image}
+
+            # Load image using secure utility
+            numpy_image = load_image_from_url(value=url)
+
+            # Create proper parent metadata
+            parent_metadata = ImageParentMetadata(parent_id=str(uuid4()))
+
+            workflow_image = WorkflowImageData(
+                parent_metadata=parent_metadata,
+                numpy_image=numpy_image,
+            )
+
+            # Store in cache if enabled
+            if cache:
+                image_cache.set(cache_key, workflow_image)
+
+            return {"image": workflow_image}
+        except Exception as e:
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Failed to load image from URL {url}: {str(e)}")
diff --git a/tests/workflows/unit_tests/core_steps/transformations/test_load_image_from_url.py b/tests/workflows/unit_tests/core_steps/transformations/test_load_image_from_url.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..654e213add
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/workflows/unit_tests/core_steps/transformations/test_load_image_from_url.py
@@ -0,0 +1,193 @@
+import numpy as np
+import pytest
+from pydantic import ValidationError
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.load_image_from_url.v1 import (
+    BlockManifest,
+    LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1,
+)
+from inference.core.workflows.execution_engine.entities.base import (
+    ImageParentMetadata,
+    WorkflowImageData,
+)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("type_alias", ["roboflow_core/load_image_from_url@v1"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("url_input", ["https://example.com/image.jpg", "$inputs.image_url"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("cache_input", [True, False, "$inputs.cache_enabled"])
+def test_load_image_from_url_manifest_validation_when_valid_input_given(
+    type_alias: str, url_input: str, cache_input
+) -> None:
+    # given
+    raw_manifest = {
+        "type": type_alias,
+        "name": "load_image",
+        "url": url_input,
+        "cache": cache_input,
+    }
+
+    # when
+    result = BlockManifest.model_validate(raw_manifest)
+
+    # then
+    assert result == BlockManifest(
+        name="load_image",
+        type=type_alias,
+        url=url_input,
+        cache=cache_input,
+    )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("field_to_delete", ["type", "name", "url"])
+def test_load_image_from_url_manifest_validation_when_required_field_missing(
+    field_to_delete: str,
+) -> None:
+    # given
+    raw_manifest = {
+        "type": "roboflow_core/load_image_from_url@v1",
+        "name": "load_image",
+        "url": "https://example.com/image.jpg",
+        "cache": True,
+    }
+    del raw_manifest[field_to_delete]
+
+    # when
+    with pytest.raises(ValidationError):
+        _ = BlockManifest.model_validate(raw_manifest)
+
+
+def test_load_image_from_url_manifest_validation_with_default_cache() -> None:
+    # given
+    raw_manifest = {
+        "type": "roboflow_core/load_image_from_url@v1",
+        "name": "load_image",
+        "url": "https://example.com/image.jpg",
+        # cache field omitted - should default to True
+    }
+
+    # when
+    result = BlockManifest.model_validate(raw_manifest)
+
+    # then
+    assert result.cache is True
+
+
+@patch("inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.load_image_from_url.v1.load_image_from_url")
+def test_load_image_from_url_block_run_success(mock_load_image_from_url) -> None:
+    # given
+    test_url = "https://www.peta.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/wild-raccoon.jpg"
+    mock_numpy_image = np.zeros((480, 640, 3), dtype=np.uint8)
+    mock_load_image_from_url.return_value = mock_numpy_image
+    
+    block = LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1()
+
+    # when
+    result = block.run(url=test_url, cache=True)
+
+    # then
+    assert "image" in result
+    assert isinstance(result["image"], WorkflowImageData)
+    assert np.array_equal(result["image"].numpy_image, mock_numpy_image)
+    assert isinstance(result["image"].parent_metadata, ImageParentMetadata)
+    assert result["image"].parent_metadata.parent_id is not None
+    
+    # Verify the underlying function was called with correct parameters
+    mock_load_image_from_url.assert_called_once_with(value=test_url)
+
+
+@patch("inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.load_image_from_url.v1.load_image_from_url")
+def test_load_image_from_url_block_run_caching_behavior(mock_load_image_from_url) -> None:
+    # given
+    test_url = "https://example.com/cached-image.jpg"
+    mock_numpy_image = np.zeros((50, 50, 3), dtype=np.uint8)
+    mock_load_image_from_url.return_value = mock_numpy_image
+    
+    block = LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1()
+
+    # when - first call should load the image
+    result1 = block.run(url=test_url, cache=True)
+    
+    # when - second call with same URL should use cache
+    result2 = block.run(url=test_url, cache=True)
+
+    # then
+    assert "image" in result1
+    assert "image" in result2
+    
+    # Both results should have identical image data
+    assert np.array_equal(result1["image"].numpy_image, result2["image"].numpy_image)
+    
+    # The underlying function should only be called once due to caching
+    mock_load_image_from_url.assert_called_once_with(value=test_url)
+
+
+@patch("inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.load_image_from_url.v1.load_image_from_url")
+def test_load_image_from_url_block_run_error_handling(mock_load_image_from_url) -> None:
+    # given
+    test_url = "https://nonexistent.example.com/image.jpg"
+    mock_load_image_from_url.side_effect = Exception("Could not load image from url")
+    
+    block = LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1()
+
+    # when/then
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError) as exc_info:
+        block.run(url=test_url, cache=False)
+    
+    assert "Failed to load image from URL" in str(exc_info.value)
+    assert test_url in str(exc_info.value)
+    mock_load_image_from_url.assert_called_once_with(value=test_url)
+
+
+def test_load_image_from_url_block_manifest_outputs() -> None:
+    # given/when
+    outputs = BlockManifest.describe_outputs()
+    
+    # then
+    assert len(outputs) == 1
+    assert outputs[0].name == "image"
+    assert "image" in [kind.name for kind in outputs[0].kind]
+
+
+def test_load_image_from_url_block_compatibility() -> None:
+    # given/when
+    compatibility = BlockManifest.get_execution_engine_compatibility()
+    
+    # then
+    assert compatibility == ">=1.0.0,<2.0.0"
+
+
+# Tests for Requirement 4: URL validation at runtime
+@patch("inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.load_image_from_url.v1.load_image_from_url")
+def test_load_image_from_url_block_validates_invalid_url_format_at_runtime(mock_load_image_from_url) -> None:
+    # given
+    invalid_url = "not-a-valid-url"
+    mock_load_image_from_url.side_effect = Exception("Providing images via non https:// URL is not supported")
+    
+    block = LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1()
+
+    # when/then
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError) as exc_info:
+        block.run(url=invalid_url, cache=False)
+    
+    assert "Failed to load image from URL" in str(exc_info.value)
+    assert invalid_url in str(exc_info.value)
+    mock_load_image_from_url.assert_called_once_with(value=invalid_url)
+
+
+# Tests for Requirement 5: Image extension validation
+@patch("inference.core.workflows.core_steps.transformations.load_image_from_url.v1.load_image_from_url")
+def test_load_image_from_url_block_validates_non_image_extension_at_runtime(mock_load_image_from_url) -> None:
+    # given
+    non_image_url = "https://example.com/document.pdf"
+    mock_load_image_from_url.side_effect = Exception("Could not decode bytes as image")
+    
+    block = LoadImageFromUrlBlockV1()
+
+    # when/then
+    with pytest.raises(RuntimeError) as exc_info:
+        block.run(url=non_image_url, cache=False)
+    
+    assert "Failed to load image from URL" in str(exc_info.value)
+    assert non_image_url in str(exc_info.value)
+    mock_load_image_from_url.assert_called_once_with(value=non_image_url)
diff --git a/watch-dev.sh b/watch-dev.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..caa9fa0dc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/watch-dev.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+PROJECT=roboflow-platform ENABLE_BUILDER=True ENABLE_STREAM_API=True watchmedo auto-restart --pattern="*.py" --recursive -- uvicorn cpu_http:app --port 9001