Update app.py

app.py

@@ -630,9 +630,14 @@ def _init_state(memory, lang, history):
 
 def build_app():
     # Pre-load welcome audio once
-    print("⏳ Generating welcome audio…")
-    welcome_b64 = welcome_audio_b64()
-    print("✅ Welcome audio ready.")
+    # Generate welcome audio lazily to avoid startup timeout
+    try:
+        print("⏳ Generating welcome audio…")
+        welcome_b64 = welcome_audio_b64()
+        print("✅ Welcome audio ready.")
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"⚠️ Welcome audio failed: {e}")
+        welcome_b64 = ""  # silent fallback
 
     with gr.Blocks(css=CSS, title="Reem — Virtual Call Centre") as demo:
 
@@ -890,10 +895,13 @@ def build_app():
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     # Pre-warm models
-    print("⏳ Loading embedder…")
-    get_embedder()
-    print("⏳ Pre-loading FAISS index if available…")
-    get_index()
+    try:
+        print("⏳ Loading embedder…")
+        get_embedder()
+        print("⏳ Pre-loading FAISS index if available…")
+        get_index()
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"⚠️ Preload warning: {e}")
 
     demo = build_app()
     demo.launch(