diffusion: fix layerwise offload for ModelOpt quantized DiTs (#22594)

docs/diffusion/quantization.md

@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ backend.
 | quant_family     | checkpoint form                                                                            | canonical CLI                                        | supported models                                             | extra dependency                      | platform / notes                                                                                                      |
 |------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
 | `fp8`            | Quantized transformer component folder, or safetensors with `quantization_config` metadata | `--transformer-path` or `--transformer-weights-path` | ALL                                                          | None                                  | Component-folder and single-file flows are both supported                                                             |
-| `modelopt-fp8`   | Converted ModelOpt FP8 transformer directory or repo with `config.json`                    | `--transformer-weights-path`                         | FLUX.2, Wan2.2                                               | None                                  | Override config is read from the quantized transformer repo; `dit_cpu_offload` and `dit_layerwise_offload` are auto-disabled |
+| `modelopt-fp8`   | Converted ModelOpt FP8 transformer directory or repo with `config.json`                    | `--transformer-weights-path`                         | FLUX.2, Wan2.2                                               | None                                  | Override config is read from the quantized transformer repo; `dit_layerwise_offload` is supported and `dit_cpu_offload` stays disabled |
 | `nvfp4-modelopt` | NVFP4 safetensors file, sharded directory, or repo providing transformer weights           | `--transformer-weights-path`                         | FLUX.2                                                       | `comfy-kitchen` optional on Blackwell | Blackwell can use a best-performance kit when available; otherwise SGLang falls back to the generic ModelOpt FP4 path |
 | `nunchaku-svdq`  | Pre-quantized Nunchaku transformer weights, usually named `svdq-{int4\|fp4}_r{rank}-...`   | `--transformer-weights-path`                         | Model-specific support such as Qwen-Image, FLUX, and Z-Image | `nunchaku`                            | SGLang can infer precision and rank from the filename and supports both `int4` and `nvfp4`                            |
 | `msmodelslim`    | Pre-quantized msmodelslim transformer weights                                              | `--model-path`                                       | Wan2.2 family                                                | None                                  | Currently only compatible with the Ascend NPU family and supports both `w8a8` and `w4a4`                              |
@@ -98,9 +98,10 @@ sglang generate \
 - If the override repo or local directory contains its own `config.json`,
   SGLang reads the quantization config from that override instead of relying on
   the base model config.
-- `dit_cpu_offload` and `dit_layerwise_offload` are automatically disabled for
+- `dit_layerwise_offload` is supported for ModelOpt FP8 checkpoints.
-  ModelOpt FP8 checkpoints because the runtime expects the transformed FP8
+- `dit_cpu_offload` still stays disabled for ModelOpt FP8 checkpoints.
-  weights to remain GPU-resident in their column-major layout.
+- The layerwise offload path now preserves the non-contiguous FP8 weight stride
+  expected by the runtime FP8 GEMM path.
 - To build the converted checkpoint yourself from a ModelOpt diffusers export,
   use `python -m sglang.multimodal_gen.tools.build_modelopt_fp8_transformer`.
 

python/sglang/multimodal_gen/.claude/skills/sglang-diffusion-modelopt-quant/SKILL.md

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ This skill owns the ModelOpt-to-SGLang bridge. It is not a generic kernel-tuning
 - Use ModelOpt's official `quantize.py` as the PTQ source of truth.
 - Keep the workflow generic. Put model-specific fallback logic in small isolated branches, not in the main conversion path.
 - Benchmark only when BF16 and quantized commands are identical except for the checkpoint override being tested.
-- For diffusion FP8, pin `dit_cpu_offload=false` and `dit_layerwise_offload=false`.
+- For diffusion FP8, keep `dit_cpu_offload=false`. `dit_layerwise_offload=true` is valid on the fixed path when you want lower DiT residency.
 - For multi-transformer pipelines, use per-component overrides when different components need different checkpoints.
 - When a branch is missing the validated helper tools, refresh `python/sglang/multimodal_gen/tools/build_modelopt_fp8_transformer.py`, `python/sglang/multimodal_gen/tools/build_modelopt_nvfp4_transformer.py`, and `python/sglang/multimodal_gen/tools/compare_diffusion_trajectory_similarity.py` instead of inventing one-off scripts elsewhere.
 - After validating a new ModelOpt quant path, update the ModelOpt support matrix in `docs/diffusion/quantization.md` before closing the task.
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ This repo now contains:
 - diffusion-side ModelOpt FP8 linear loading
 - diffusion-side NVFP4 loading from ModelOpt exports
 - FLUX.2 packed-QKV detection that distinguishes packed NVFP4 checkpoints from standard diffusers exports
-- automatic protection against incompatible FP8 offload modes
+- automatic protection against incompatible FP8 CPU offload while keeping layerwise DiT offload available
 - FP8 transformer build:
   [`python/sglang/multimodal_gen/tools/build_modelopt_fp8_transformer.py`](../../../tools/build_modelopt_fp8_transformer.py)
 - trajectory similarity validation:
@@ -279,18 +279,18 @@ Do not turn one validated model quirk into a generic rule unless another family
 Current diffusion ModelOpt FP8 support requires:
 
 - `dit_cpu_offload=false`
-- `dit_layerwise_offload=false`
+- `dit_layerwise_offload` may be enabled when you want lower DiT residency
 
 Reason:
 
 - the FP8 linear path depends on a CUTLASS-compatible weight layout after loading
-- the offload and restore path does not preserve that layout
+- `dit_cpu_offload` is still treated conservatively
-- in particular, layerwise offload can flatten and rebuild FP8 weights in a way that breaks the column-major requirement used by the FP8 GEMM path
+- the fixed layerwise offload path now preserves non-contiguous tensor strides instead of flattening and rebuilding FP8 weights into a contiguous layout
 
 Runtime behavior:
 
-- SGLang currently force-disables these two flags when it detects `modelopt_fp8`
+- SGLang still force-disables `dit_cpu_offload` when it detects `modelopt_fp8`
-- benchmark commands should still pin them explicitly so the command line itself makes the comparison rule obvious
+- benchmark commands should still pin offload flags explicitly so the command line itself makes the comparison rule obvious
 
 ## Claim Discipline
 

python/sglang/multimodal_gen/runtime/loader/transformer_load_utils.py

@@ -186,26 +186,13 @@ class _ModelOptFp8OffloadAdapter(_TransformerQuantAdapter):
         if quant_name != "modelopt_fp8":
             return
 
-        disabled_args: list[str] = []
-
         if server_args.dit_cpu_offload:
             server_args.dit_cpu_offload = False
-            disabled_args.append("dit_cpu_offload")
+            logger.warning(
-
+                "ModelOpt FP8 diffusion checkpoints currently keep dit_cpu_offload "
-        if server_args.dit_layerwise_offload:
+                "disabled. Layerwise DiT offload stays enabled because the runtime "
-            server_args.dit_layerwise_offload = False
+                "now preserves the restored FP8 tensor strides.",
-            disabled_args.append("dit_layerwise_offload")
+            )
-
-        if not disabled_args:
-            return
-
-        logger.warning(
-            "ModelOpt FP8 diffusion checkpoints currently require the transformer "
-            "FP8 weights to stay GPU-resident in their column-major layout; "
-            "disabling %s for this run. Text encoder / VAE offload settings are "
-            "left unchanged.",
-            ", ".join(disabled_args),
-        )
 
     def prepare(self) -> None:
         _ModelOptFp8OffloadAdapter._maybe_disable_incompatible_dit_offload_modes(

python/sglang/multimodal_gen/runtime/utils/layerwise_offload.py

@@ -56,6 +56,9 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
         # layer_idx -> {dtype: consolidated_pinned_cpu_tensor}
         # stores the consolidated weight from a same layer, of same dtype
         self._consolidated_cpu_weights: Dict[int, Dict[torch.dtype, torch.Tensor]] = {}
+        # layer_idx -> {name: pinned_cpu_tensor_with_original_stride}
+        # stores tensors whose original non-contiguous stride/layout must be preserved
+        self._strided_cpu_weights: Dict[int, Dict[str, torch.Tensor]] = {}
         # layer_idx -> {name: {dtype, offset, numel, shape}}
         # stores the offset and numel of each weight from a same layer, of same dtype
         self._weight_metadata: Dict[int, Dict[str, Dict[str, Any]]] = {}
@@ -88,6 +91,21 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
             self._offload_placeholders[dtype] = placeholder
         return placeholder
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def _get_alignment_numel(dtype: torch.dtype, alignment_bytes: int = 32) -> int:
+        element_size = torch.empty((), dtype=dtype).element_size()
+        return max(1, alignment_bytes // element_size)
+
+    @classmethod
+    def _align_numel_offset(
+        cls, offset: int, dtype: torch.dtype, alignment_bytes: int = 32
+    ) -> int:
+        alignment_numel = cls._get_alignment_numel(dtype, alignment_bytes)
+        remainder = offset % alignment_numel
+        if remainder == 0:
+            return offset
+        return offset + alignment_numel - remainder
+
     @torch.compiler.disable
     def _initialize(self) -> None:
         if not self.enabled:
@@ -110,10 +128,49 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
         # 2. concat and offload (in pinned memory)
         for layer_idx, dtype_to_params in layer_groups.items():
             self._consolidated_cpu_weights[layer_idx] = {}
+            self._strided_cpu_weights[layer_idx] = {}
             self._weight_metadata[layer_idx] = {}
 
             for dtype, weights in dtype_to_params.items():
-                total_numel = sum(t.numel() for _, t in weights)
+                contiguous_weights: List[Tuple[str, torch.Tensor]] = []
+                for name, weight in weights:
+                    if weight.is_contiguous():
+                        contiguous_weights.append((name, weight))
+                        continue
+
+                    # Preserve non-contiguous layouts such as the transposed FP8
+                    # weight views expected by CUTLASS kernels.
+                    cpu_tensor = torch.empty_strided(
+                        size=weight.shape,
+                        stride=weight.stride(),
+                        dtype=dtype,
+                        pin_memory=self.pin_cpu_memory,
+                    )
+                    cpu_tensor.copy_(weight)
+                    self._strided_cpu_weights[layer_idx][name] = cpu_tensor
+                    self._weight_metadata[layer_idx][name] = {
+                        "dtype": dtype,
+                        "shape": weight.shape,
+                        "stride": weight.stride(),
+                        "preserve_strides": True,
+                    }
+                    weight.data = self._get_shared_empty_tensor(dtype)
+
+                if not contiguous_weights:
+                    continue
+
+                current_offset = 0
+                aligned_offsets: Dict[str, int] = {}
+                for name, weight in contiguous_weights:
+                    # Some fused diffusion kernels require tensor base pointers to
+                    # satisfy a 32-byte alignment contract. Reusing one flat buffer
+                    # is still fine, but each logical tensor slice must start on an
+                    # aligned offset inside that buffer.
+                    current_offset = self._align_numel_offset(current_offset, dtype)
+                    aligned_offsets[name] = current_offset
+                    current_offset += weight.numel()
+
+                total_numel = current_offset
 
                 # create concatenated CPU buffer (in pinned memory)
                 cpu_buffer = torch.empty(
@@ -121,8 +178,8 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
                 )
 
                 # offload weights to the buffer
-                current_offset = 0
+                for name, weight in contiguous_weights:
-                for name, weight in weights:
+                    current_offset = aligned_offsets[name]
                     numel = weight.numel()
                     cpu_buffer[current_offset : current_offset + numel].copy_(
                         weight.flatten()
@@ -132,6 +189,8 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
                         "offset": current_offset,
                         "numel": numel,
                         "shape": weight.shape,
+                        "stride": weight.stride(),
+                        "preserve_strides": False,
                     }
 
                     weight.data = self._get_shared_empty_tensor(dtype)
@@ -190,22 +249,39 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
                 gpu_buffer.copy_(cpu_buffer, non_blocking=non_blocking)
                 gpu_buffers[dtype] = gpu_buffer
 
-        # record the prefetch event of this layer
+            # restore model's weights by their metadata using the same copy stream
+            # so the recorded event covers both flat-buffer and stride-preserving copies.
+            for name, meta in self._weight_metadata[layer_idx].items():
+                target = self.get_target_with_name(name)
+                if meta.get("preserve_strides", False):
+                    # Recreate the original view layout instead of flatten+view.
+                    # ModelOpt FP8 relies on a transposed runtime weight layout,
+                    # so preserving stride is part of correctness, not just an
+                    # optimization detail.
+                    cpu_tensor = self._strided_cpu_weights[layer_idx][name]
+                    gpu_tensor = torch.empty_strided(
+                        size=meta["shape"],
+                        stride=meta["stride"],
+                        dtype=meta["dtype"],
+                        device=self.device,
+                    )
+                    gpu_tensor.copy_(cpu_tensor, non_blocking=non_blocking)
+                    target.data = gpu_tensor
+                    continue
+
+                dtype = meta["dtype"]
+                gpu_buffer = gpu_buffers[dtype]
+
+                # map the parameter's data to the correct slice of the GPU buffer
+                target.data = gpu_buffer[
+                    meta["offset"] : meta["offset"] + meta["numel"]
+                ].view(meta["shape"])
+
+        # record the prefetch event of this layer after all copies are enqueued
         event = torch.get_device_module().Event()
         event.record(self.copy_stream)
         self._prefetch_events[layer_idx] = event
 
-        # restore model's weights by their metadata using gpu buffer
-        for name, meta in self._weight_metadata[layer_idx].items():
-            dtype = meta["dtype"]
-            gpu_buffer = gpu_buffers[dtype]
-
-            # map the parameter's data to the correct slice of the GPU buffer
-            target = self.get_target_with_name(name)
-            target.data = gpu_buffer[
-                meta["offset"] : meta["offset"] + meta["numel"]
-            ].view(meta["shape"])
-
         self._gpu_layers.add(layer_idx)
 
     @torch.compiler.disable
@@ -266,6 +342,10 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
         # Collect current GPU weights and write back to CPU buffer
         for name, meta in self._weight_metadata.get(layer_idx, {}).items():
             target = self.get_target_with_name(name)
+            if meta.get("preserve_strides", False):
+                self._strided_cpu_weights[layer_idx][name].copy_(target.data.cpu())
+                continue
+
             gpu_weight = target.data.flatten().cpu()
 
             dtype = meta["dtype"]
@@ -331,12 +411,17 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
                 )
 
             dtype = meta["dtype"]
-            offset = meta["offset"]
+            if meta.get("preserve_strides", False):
-            numel = meta["numel"]
+                self._strided_cpu_weights[layer_idx][name].copy_(
-            cpu_buffer = self._consolidated_cpu_weights[layer_idx][dtype]
+                    loaded_weight.to(dtype=dtype)
-            cpu_buffer[offset : offset + numel].copy_(
+                )
-                loaded_weight.to(dtype=dtype).flatten()
+            else:
-            )
+                offset = meta["offset"]
+                numel = meta["numel"]
+                cpu_buffer = self._consolidated_cpu_weights[layer_idx][dtype]
+                cpu_buffer[offset : offset + numel].copy_(
+                    loaded_weight.to(dtype=dtype).flatten()
+                )
 
             # If this layer is currently on GPU, update the live parameter.
             if layer_idx in self._gpu_layers:
@@ -358,6 +443,14 @@ class LayerwiseOffloadManager:
         """
         for layer_idx in sorted(self._weight_metadata):
             for name, meta in self._weight_metadata[layer_idx].items():
+                if meta.get("preserve_strides", False):
+                    # Some quantized weights rely on a non-contiguous layout.
+                    # Yield the strided tensor directly instead of rebuilding it
+                    # from the flat buffer, which would silently lose the
+                    # original stride information.
+                    yield name, self._strided_cpu_weights[layer_idx][name]
+                    continue
+
                 dtype = meta["dtype"]
                 offset = meta["offset"]
                 numel = meta["numel"]

python/sglang/multimodal_gen/test/unit/test_layerwise_offload.py

@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+from contextlib import nullcontext
+from types import SimpleNamespace
+
+import torch
+
+from sglang.multimodal_gen.runtime.layers.quantization.modelopt_quant import (
+    ModelOptFp8Config,
+)
+from sglang.multimodal_gen.runtime.loader.transformer_load_utils import (
+    _ModelOptFp8OffloadAdapter,
+)
+from sglang.multimodal_gen.runtime.utils import (
+    layerwise_offload as layerwise_offload_mod,
+)
+from sglang.multimodal_gen.runtime.utils.layerwise_offload import (
+    LayerwiseOffloadManager,
+)
+
+
+class _FakeStream:
+    def wait_stream(self, _stream) -> None:
+        return None
+
+    def wait_event(self, _event) -> None:
+        return None
+
+
+class _FakeEvent:
+    def record(self, _stream) -> None:
+        return None
+
+
+class _FakeDeviceModule:
+    Stream = _FakeStream
+    Event = _FakeEvent
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def is_available() -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def current_device() -> int:
+        return 0
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def current_stream() -> _FakeStream:
+        return _FakeStream()
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def stream(_stream):
+        return nullcontext()
+
+
+class _DummyBlock(torch.nn.Module):
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        super().__init__()
+        base = torch.arange(12, dtype=torch.float32).reshape(3, 4)
+        self.weight = torch.nn.Parameter(base.t())
+        self.bias = torch.nn.Parameter(torch.arange(3, dtype=torch.float32))
+
+
+class _DummyModel(torch.nn.Module):
+    def __init__(self) -> None:
+        super().__init__()
+        self.blocks = torch.nn.ModuleList([_DummyBlock()])
+
+
+def test_layerwise_offload_preserves_non_contiguous_stride(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        layerwise_offload_mod.torch, "get_device_module", lambda: _FakeDeviceModule
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(layerwise_offload_mod.current_platform, "device_type", "cpu")
+
+    model = _DummyModel()
+    original_weight = model.blocks[0].weight.detach().clone()
+    original_stride = model.blocks[0].weight.stride()
+    assert not model.blocks[0].weight.is_contiguous()
+
+    manager = LayerwiseOffloadManager(
+        model=model,
+        layers_attr_str="blocks",
+        num_layers=1,
+        enabled=True,
+        pin_cpu_memory=False,
+        prefetch_size=1,
+    )
+
+    meta = manager._weight_metadata[0]["blocks.0.weight"]
+    assert meta["preserve_strides"] is True
+
+    restored_weight = model.blocks[0].weight.data
+    assert restored_weight.shape == original_weight.shape
+    assert restored_weight.stride() == original_stride
+    assert not restored_weight.is_contiguous()
+    assert torch.equal(restored_weight, original_weight)
+
+    manager.release_layer(0)
+    manager.prefetch_layer(0, non_blocking=False)
+
+    reloaded_weight = model.blocks[0].weight.data
+    assert reloaded_weight.stride() == original_stride
+    assert not reloaded_weight.is_contiguous()
+    assert torch.equal(reloaded_weight, original_weight)
+
+
+def test_modelopt_fp8_adapter_keeps_layerwise_offload_enabled():
+    server_args = SimpleNamespace(
+        dit_cpu_offload=True,
+        dit_layerwise_offload=True,
+    )
+    quant_config = ModelOptFp8Config(is_checkpoint_fp8_serialized=True)
+
+    _ModelOptFp8OffloadAdapter._maybe_disable_incompatible_dit_offload_modes(
+        server_args=server_args,
+        quant_config=quant_config,
+    )
+
+    assert server_args.dit_cpu_offload is False
+    assert server_args.dit_layerwise_offload is True
+
+
+def test_layerwise_offload_aligns_contiguous_tensor_offsets(monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        layerwise_offload_mod.torch, "get_device_module", lambda: _FakeDeviceModule
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(layerwise_offload_mod.current_platform, "device_type", "cpu")
+
+    class _AlignedDummyBlock(torch.nn.Module):
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            super().__init__()
+            self.weight = torch.nn.Parameter(
+                torch.arange(9, dtype=torch.float32).reshape(3, 3)
+            )
+            self.bias = torch.nn.Parameter(torch.arange(3, dtype=torch.float32))
+
+    class _AlignedDummyModel(torch.nn.Module):
+        def __init__(self) -> None:
+            super().__init__()
+            self.blocks = torch.nn.ModuleList([_AlignedDummyBlock()])
+
+    model = _AlignedDummyModel()
+    original_weight = model.blocks[0].weight.detach().clone()
+    original_bias = model.blocks[0].bias.detach().clone()
+
+    manager = LayerwiseOffloadManager(
+        model=model,
+        layers_attr_str="blocks",
+        num_layers=1,
+        enabled=True,
+        pin_cpu_memory=False,
+        prefetch_size=1,
+    )
+
+    weight_meta = manager._weight_metadata[0]["blocks.0.weight"]
+    bias_meta = manager._weight_metadata[0]["blocks.0.bias"]
+    assert weight_meta["preserve_strides"] is False
+    assert bias_meta["preserve_strides"] is False
+    assert weight_meta["offset"] == 0
+    assert bias_meta["offset"] % 8 == 0
+
+    restored_weight = model.blocks[0].weight.data
+    restored_bias = model.blocks[0].bias.data
+    assert restored_weight.data_ptr() % 32 == 0
+    assert restored_bias.data_ptr() % 32 == 0
+    assert torch.equal(restored_weight, original_weight)
+    assert torch.equal(restored_bias, original_bias)