diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index da5f930..42fdcca 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ python api_service/api_server.py
 - Default prefix: `!` (same as main bot)
 - Uses global command syncing instead of per-guild
 - All commands work in DMs and private channels
-- Identical functionality to main bot but with different command registration
+- Loads only a limited set of cogs (settings, help, message, webdrivertorso, owoify, safebooru, rule34, starboard, wordle)
 
 ## 🧩 Project Structure
 
diff --git a/neru_bot.py b/neru_bot.py
index 0c067ef..c578be8 100644
--- a/neru_bot.py
+++ b/neru_bot.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ import asyncio
 import logging
 import asyncpg
 import redis.asyncio as aioredis
-from commands import load_all_cogs
 from error_handler import handle_error
 import settings_manager
 from global_bot_accessor import set_bot_instance
@@ -84,12 +83,31 @@ class NeruBot(commands.Bot):
             else:
                 log.error("CRITICAL: pg_pool or redis_client not initialized in setup_hook. Cannot proceed with settings_manager setup.")
 
-            # Load all cogs
+            # Load only specific cogs
             try:
-                await load_all_cogs(self)
-                log.info("All cogs loaded successfully")
+                # Define the hardcoded list of cogs to load
+                hardcoded_cogs = [
+                    "cogs.settings_cog",
+                    "cogs.help_cog",
+                    "cogs.message_cog",
+                    "cogs.owoify_cog",
+                    "cogs.safebooru_cog",
+                    "cogs.caption_cog",
+                    "cogs.games_cog",
+                    "cogs.ping_cog",
+                ]
+
+                # Load each cog individually
+                for cog in hardcoded_cogs:
+                    try:
+                        await self.load_extension(cog)
+                        log.info(f"Successfully loaded {cog}")
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        log.exception(f"Error loading cog {cog}: {e}")
+
+                log.info(f"Loaded {len(hardcoded_cogs)} hardcoded cogs")
             except Exception as e:
-                log.exception(f"Error loading cogs: {e}")
+                log.exception(f"Error during cog loading process: {e}")
 
             # Apply global allowed_installs and allowed_contexts to all commands
             try: