diff --git a/openpype/hosts/flame/api/plugin.py b/openpype/hosts/flame/api/plugin.py
index 4bbdc796212..092ce9d106f 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/flame/api/plugin.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/flame/api/plugin.py
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@
 
 from Qt import QtCore, QtWidgets
 
-import openpype.api as openpype
 import qargparse
 from openpype import style
+from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
 from openpype.lib import Logger
 from openpype.pipeline import LegacyCreator, LoaderPlugin
 
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ class Creator(LegacyCreator):
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         super(Creator, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
-        self.presets = openpype.get_current_project_settings()[
+        self.presets = get_current_project_settings()[
             "flame"]["create"].get(self.__class__.__name__, {})
 
         # adding basic current context flame objects
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/hiero/api/plugin.py b/openpype/hosts/hiero/api/plugin.py
index 77fedbbbdc4..ea8a9e836a0 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/hiero/api/plugin.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/hiero/api/plugin.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 from Qt import QtWidgets, QtCore
 import qargparse
 
-import openpype.api as openpype
+from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
 from openpype.lib import Logger
 from openpype.pipeline import LoaderPlugin, LegacyCreator
 from openpype.pipeline.context_tools import get_current_project_asset
@@ -606,7 +606,7 @@ class Creator(LegacyCreator):
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         super(Creator, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
         import openpype.hosts.hiero.api as phiero
-        self.presets = openpype.get_current_project_settings()[
+        self.presets = get_current_project_settings()[
             "hiero"]["create"].get(self.__class__.__name__, {})
 
         # adding basic current context resolve objects
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/api/lib.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/api/lib.py
index 6a8447d6adc..e86ec56bbc0 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/api/lib.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/api/lib.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
     get_last_versions,
     get_representation_by_name
 )
-from openpype.api import get_anatomy_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_anatomy_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     legacy_io,
     discover_loader_plugins,
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/api/lib_rendersettings.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/api/lib_rendersettings.py
index 777a6ffbc9a..b0a283da5ad 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/api/lib_rendersettings.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/api/lib_rendersettings.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 import sys
 
 from openpype.lib import Logger
-from openpype.api import (
+from openpype.settings import (
     get_project_settings,
     get_current_project_settings
 )
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_render.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_render.py
index 5418ec1f2ff..2b2c978d3c1 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_render.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_render.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 from maya import cmds
 from maya.app.renderSetup.model import renderSetup
 
-from openpype.api import (
+from openpype.settings import (
     get_system_settings,
     get_project_settings,
 )
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_unreal_staticmesh.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_unreal_staticmesh.py
index 4e4417ff34a..44cbee05024 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_unreal_staticmesh.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_unreal_staticmesh.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 """Creator for Unreal Static Meshes."""
 from openpype.hosts.maya.api import plugin, lib
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import legacy_io
 from maya import cmds  # noqa
 
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_vrayscene.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_vrayscene.py
index 45c4b7e443f..59d80e6d5ba 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_vrayscene.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/create/create_vrayscene.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     lib,
     plugin
 )
-from openpype.api import (
+from openpype.settings import (
     get_system_settings,
     get_project_settings
 )
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_ass.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_ass.py
index d1b12ceabac..5db6fc3dfa9 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_ass.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_ass.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import os
 import clique
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     load,
     get_representation_path
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_gpucache.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_gpucache.py
index 179819f9043..a09f924c7b5 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_gpucache.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_gpucache.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     load,
     get_representation_path
 )
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 
 
 class GpuCacheLoader(load.LoaderPlugin):
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_redshift_proxy.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_redshift_proxy.py
index d93a9f02a20..c288e23ded4 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_redshift_proxy.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_redshift_proxy.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 import maya.cmds as cmds
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     load,
     get_representation_path
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_reference.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_reference.py
index 5a06661df9f..c762a29326a 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_reference.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_reference.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import os
 from maya import cmds
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import legacy_io
 from openpype.pipeline.create import (
     legacy_create,
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_arnold.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_arnold.py
index d458c5abda4..8a386cecfdb 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_arnold.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_arnold.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import os
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     load,
     get_representation_path
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_redshift.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_redshift.py
index c6a69dfe354..1f02321dc84 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_redshift.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_redshift.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import os
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     load,
     get_representation_path
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_vray.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_vray.py
index 3a16264ec02..9267c59c02b 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_vray.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vdb_to_vray.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import os
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     load,
     get_representation_path
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vrayproxy.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vrayproxy.py
index e3d6166d3a6..720a132aa70 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vrayproxy.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vrayproxy.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 import maya.cmds as cmds
 
 from openpype.client import get_representation_by_name
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     legacy_io,
     load,
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vrayscene.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vrayscene.py
index 61132088ccc..d87992f9a77 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vrayscene.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_vrayscene.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 import os
 import maya.cmds as cmds  # noqa
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     load,
     get_representation_path
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_yeti_cache.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_yeti_cache.py
index 8435ba2493a..e928136f718 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_yeti_cache.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_yeti_cache.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 import clique
 from maya import cmds
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     load,
     get_representation_path
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_yeti_rig.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_yeti_rig.py
index 4b730ad2c1e..651607de8a5 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_yeti_rig.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/load/load_yeti_rig.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import os
 from collections import defaultdict
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 import openpype.hosts.maya.api.plugin
 from openpype.hosts.maya.api import lib
 
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/submit_maya_muster.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/submit_maya_muster.py
index c4250a20bd4..df06220fd39 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/submit_maya_muster.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/plugins/publish/submit_maya_muster.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 from openpype.lib import requests_post
 from openpype.hosts.maya.api import lib
 from openpype.pipeline import legacy_io
-from openpype.api import get_system_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_system_settings
 
 
 # mapping between Maya renderer names and Muster template ids
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/maya/startup/userSetup.py b/openpype/hosts/maya/startup/userSetup.py
index 10e68c2ddbe..40cd51f2d82 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/maya/startup/userSetup.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/maya/startup/userSetup.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import os
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import install_host
 from openpype.hosts.maya.api import MayaHost
 from maya import cmds
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/pipeline.py b/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/pipeline.py
index b347fc0d09e..7db420f6afb 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/pipeline.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/pipeline.py
@@ -7,9 +7,7 @@
 import pyblish.api
 
 import openpype
-from openpype.api import (
-    get_current_project_settings
-)
+from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
 from openpype.lib import register_event_callback, Logger
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     register_loader_plugin_path,
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/plugin.py b/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/plugin.py
index 37ce03dc55c..91bb90ff996 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/plugin.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/plugin.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 import nuke
 
-from openpype.api import get_current_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     LegacyCreator,
     LoaderPlugin,
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/resolve/api/plugin.py b/openpype/hosts/resolve/api/plugin.py
index b03125d5026..3995077d21e 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/resolve/api/plugin.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/resolve/api/plugin.py
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ class Creator(LegacyCreator):
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         super(Creator, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
-        from openpype.api import get_current_project_settings
+        from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
         resolve_p_settings = get_current_project_settings().get("resolve")
         self.presets = {}
         if resolve_p_settings:
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/traypublisher/plugins/create/create_from_settings.py b/openpype/hosts/traypublisher/plugins/create/create_from_settings.py
index 5d80c20309a..df6253b0c28 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/traypublisher/plugins/create/create_from_settings.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/traypublisher/plugins/create/create_from_settings.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import os
 from openpype.lib import Logger
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 
 log = Logger.get_logger(__name__)
 
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/tvpaint/api/pipeline.py b/openpype/hosts/tvpaint/api/pipeline.py
index 427c9272648..cbaa0598094 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/tvpaint/api/pipeline.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/tvpaint/api/pipeline.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 from openpype.client import get_project, get_asset_by_name
 from openpype.hosts import tvpaint
-from openpype.api import get_current_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
 from openpype.lib import register_event_callback
 from openpype.pipeline import (
     legacy_io,
diff --git a/openpype/hosts/unreal/plugins/load/load_layout.py b/openpype/hosts/unreal/plugins/load/load_layout.py
index 926c932a859..c1d66ddf2a8 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/unreal/plugins/load/load_layout.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/unreal/plugins/load/load_layout.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
     legacy_io,
 )
 from openpype.pipeline.context_tools import get_current_project_asset
-from openpype.api import get_current_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
 from openpype.hosts.unreal.api import plugin
 from openpype.hosts.unreal.api import pipeline as unreal_pipeline
 
diff --git a/openpype/modules/ftrack/event_handlers_user/action_create_cust_attrs.py b/openpype/modules/ftrack/event_handlers_user/action_create_cust_attrs.py
index d04440a5648..c19cfd1502f 100644
--- a/openpype/modules/ftrack/event_handlers_user/action_create_cust_attrs.py
+++ b/openpype/modules/ftrack/event_handlers_user/action_create_cust_attrs.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
     tool_definitions_from_app_manager
 )
 
-from openpype.api import get_system_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_system_settings
 from openpype.lib import ApplicationManager
 
 """
diff --git a/openpype/modules/ftrack/launch_hooks/post_ftrack_changes.py b/openpype/modules/ftrack/launch_hooks/post_ftrack_changes.py
index d5a95fad91f..86ecffd5b80 100644
--- a/openpype/modules/ftrack/launch_hooks/post_ftrack_changes.py
+++ b/openpype/modules/ftrack/launch_hooks/post_ftrack_changes.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import os
 
 import ftrack_api
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.lib import PostLaunchHook
 
 
diff --git a/openpype/modules/job_queue/module.py b/openpype/modules/job_queue/module.py
index f1d7251e85b..7075fcea14d 100644
--- a/openpype/modules/job_queue/module.py
+++ b/openpype/modules/job_queue/module.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 
 import click
 from openpype.modules import OpenPypeModule
-from openpype.api import get_system_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_system_settings
 
 
 class JobQueueModule(OpenPypeModule):
diff --git a/openpype/modules/kitsu/utils/update_zou_with_op.py b/openpype/modules/kitsu/utils/update_zou_with_op.py
index da924aa5ee2..39baf31b937 100644
--- a/openpype/modules/kitsu/utils/update_zou_with_op.py
+++ b/openpype/modules/kitsu/utils/update_zou_with_op.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
     get_assets,
 )
 from openpype.pipeline import AvalonMongoDB
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.modules.kitsu.utils.credentials import validate_credentials
 
 
diff --git a/openpype/modules/shotgrid/lib/settings.py b/openpype/modules/shotgrid/lib/settings.py
index 924099f04b2..5b0b728f554 100644
--- a/openpype/modules/shotgrid/lib/settings.py
+++ b/openpype/modules/shotgrid/lib/settings.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from openpype.api import get_system_settings, get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_system_settings, get_project_settings
 from openpype.modules.shotgrid.lib.const import MODULE_NAME
 
 
diff --git a/openpype/plugins/publish/collect_settings.py b/openpype/plugins/publish/collect_settings.py
index d56eabd1b5b..a418a6400c4 100644
--- a/openpype/plugins/publish/collect_settings.py
+++ b/openpype/plugins/publish/collect_settings.py
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 from pyblish import api
-from openpype.api import get_current_project_settings, get_system_settings
+from openpype.settings import (
+    get_current_project_settings,
+    get_system_settings,
+)
 
 
 class CollectSettings(api.ContextPlugin):
diff --git a/openpype/tools/creator/window.py b/openpype/tools/creator/window.py
index a3937d6a408..e2396ed29e0 100644
--- a/openpype/tools/creator/window.py
+++ b/openpype/tools/creator/window.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 from openpype.client import get_asset_by_name, get_subsets
 from openpype import style
-from openpype.api import get_current_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
 from openpype.tools.utils.lib import qt_app_context
 from openpype.pipeline import legacy_io
 from openpype.pipeline.create import (
diff --git a/openpype/tools/pyblish_pype/control.py b/openpype/tools/pyblish_pype/control.py
index 05e53a989a8..90bb002ba52 100644
--- a/openpype/tools/pyblish_pype/control.py
+++ b/openpype/tools/pyblish_pype/control.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 from . import util
 from .constants import InstanceStates
 
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_current_project_settings
 
 
 class IterationBreak(Exception):
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ def current_state(self):
 
     def presets_by_hosts(self):
         # Get global filters as base
-        presets = get_project_settings(os.environ['AVALON_PROJECT']) or {}
+        presets = get_current_project_settings()
         if not presets:
             return {}
 
diff --git a/openpype/tools/pyblish_pype/model.py b/openpype/tools/pyblish_pype/model.py
index 1479d91bb50..383d8304a5b 100644
--- a/openpype/tools/pyblish_pype/model.py
+++ b/openpype/tools/pyblish_pype/model.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 from six import text_type
 from .constants import PluginStates, InstanceStates, GroupStates, Roles
 
-from openpype.api import get_system_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_system_settings
 
 
 # ItemTypes
diff --git a/openpype/tools/settings/local_settings/window.py b/openpype/tools/settings/local_settings/window.py
index 761b978ab47..76c2d851e93 100644
--- a/openpype/tools/settings/local_settings/window.py
+++ b/openpype/tools/settings/local_settings/window.py
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@
 
 from openpype import style
 
+from openpype.settings import (
+    SystemSettings,
+    ProjectSettings
+)
 from openpype.settings.lib import (
     get_local_settings,
     save_local_settings
@@ -9,10 +13,6 @@
 from openpype.lib import Logger
 from openpype.tools.settings import CHILD_OFFSET
 from openpype.tools.utils import MessageOverlayObject
-from openpype.api import (
-    SystemSettings,
-    ProjectSettings
-)
 from openpype.modules import ModulesManager
 
 from .widgets import (
diff --git a/openpype/tools/utils/lib.py b/openpype/tools/utils/lib.py
index 31ea26cef9e..d8dd80046ad 100644
--- a/openpype/tools/utils/lib.py
+++ b/openpype/tools/utils/lib.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 )
 from openpype.resources import get_image_path
 from openpype.lib import filter_profiles, Logger
-from openpype.api import get_project_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_project_settings
 from openpype.pipeline import registered_host
 
 log = Logger.get_logger(__name__)
diff --git a/openpype/widgets/password_dialog.py b/openpype/widgets/password_dialog.py
index 9990642ca1c..58add7832f3 100644
--- a/openpype/widgets/password_dialog.py
+++ b/openpype/widgets/password_dialog.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from openpype import style
 from openpype.resources import get_resource
 
-from openpype.api import get_system_settings
+from openpype.settings import get_system_settings
 from openpype.settings.lib import (
     get_local_settings,
     save_local_settings