diff --git a/.dockerignore b/.dockerignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8a028b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.dockerignore
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Only requirements.txt, dsc/ and start.py belong in the build context.
+*
+!requirements.txt
+!start.py
+!dsc/
+
+# Keep local artifacts out even though dsc/ is re-included above.
+dsc/**/__pycache__/
+dsc/**/*.py[cod]
diff --git a/IMPROVEMENTS.md b/IMPROVEMENTS.md
index 7143150..a2602c5 100644
--- a/IMPROVEMENTS.md
+++ b/IMPROVEMENTS.md
@@ -171,10 +171,14 @@ Acceptance criteria:
 
 - [ ] Separate configuration, subprocess execution, library resolution, and
   status monitoring so each can be tested independently.
-- [ ] Remove unused imports and unnecessary dependencies.
+- [x] Remove unused imports and unnecessary dependencies. Both pinned
+  requirements are used; `urllib3` is imported directly but only pinned
+  transitively through `requests`.
 - [ ] Add type annotations and static checks at external-input boundaries.
 - [ ] Make logging configurable and avoid forced dependency debug logs.
-- [ ] Add `.dockerignore` and reduce unnecessary image packages.
+- [ ] Add `.dockerignore` and reduce unnecessary image packages. `.dockerignore`
+  is in place; `binutils` and `squashfs-tools` are still shipped in the final
+  image because the AppImage is unpacked in the same stage.
 
 ### Establish a visible maintenance process
 
diff --git a/dsc/client.py b/dsc/client.py
index 6de560a..f91117b 100644
--- a/dsc/client.py
+++ b/dsc/client.py
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import os
 import subprocess
 import time
 from typing import Optional
-from urllib.parse import urlparse
 
 from cached_property import cached_property_with_ttl
 import requests
diff --git a/start.py b/start.py
index 8990974..9406c93 100755
--- a/start.py
+++ b/start.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 import argparse
 import logging
 import os
-import os.path
 import sys
 
 from dsc import SeafileClient, const