diff --git a/misc/vm-core.func b/misc/vm-core.func
index 607a93b76..8ad2dfc37 100644
--- a/misc/vm-core.func
+++ b/misc/vm-core.func
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2021-2026 community-scripts ORG
-# License: MIT | https://git.community-scripts.org/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/raw/branch/main/LICENSE
+# License: MIT | https://raw.githubusercontent.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/main/LICENSE
 
 set -euo pipefail
 SPINNER_PID=""
@@ -14,9 +14,18 @@ declare -A MSG_INFO_SHOWN
 [[ -n "${_CORE_FUNC_LOADED:-}" ]] && return
 _CORE_FUNC_LOADED=1
 
+COMMUNITY_SCRIPTS_URL="${COMMUNITY_SCRIPTS_URL:-https://git.community-scripts.org/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/raw/branch/main}"
+
+load_api_functions() {
+  if ! declare -f post_to_api_vm >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    source /dev/stdin <<<$(curl -fsSL "$COMMUNITY_SCRIPTS_URL/misc/api.func")
+  fi
+}
+
 load_functions() {
   [[ -n "${__FUNCTIONS_LOADED:-}" ]] && return
   __FUNCTIONS_LOADED=1
+  load_api_functions
   color
   formatting
   icons
@@ -31,18 +40,24 @@ load_functions() {
   arch_check
 }
 
+load_cloud_init_functions() {
+  if ! declare -f setup_cloud_init >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    source <(curl -fsSL "$COMMUNITY_SCRIPTS_URL/misc/cloud-init.func") 2>/dev/null || true
+  fi
+}
+
 # Function to download & save header files
 get_header() {
   local app_name=$(echo "${APP,,}" | tr ' ' '-')
   local app_type=${APP_TYPE:-vm}
-  local header_url="https://git.community-scripts.org/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/raw/branch/main/${app_type}/headers/${app_name}"
+  local header_url="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/main/${app_type}/headers/${app_name}"
   local local_header_path="/usr/local/community-scripts/headers/${app_type}/${app_name}"
 
   mkdir -p "$(dirname "$local_header_path")"
 
   if [ ! -s "$local_header_path" ]; then
     if ! curl -fsSL "$header_url" -o "$local_header_path"; then
-      return 250
+      return 1
     fi
   fi
 
@@ -98,6 +113,7 @@ icons() {
   DNSOK="✔️ "
   DNSFAIL="${TAB}✖️${TAB}"
   INFO="${TAB}💡${TAB}${CL}"
+  CLOUD="${TAB}☁️${TAB}${CL}"
   OS="${TAB}🖥️${TAB}${CL}"
   OSVERSION="${TAB}🌟${TAB}${CL}"
   CONTAINERTYPE="${TAB}📦${TAB}${CL}"
@@ -188,18 +204,32 @@ silent() {
   trap 'error_handler' ERR
 
   if [[ $rc -ne 0 ]]; then
-    # Return instead of exit so that callers can use `$STD cmd || true`
-    # When no || is used, set -e + ERR trap catches it via error_handler()
-    export _SILENT_FAILED_RC="$rc"
-    export _SILENT_FAILED_CMD="$cmd"
-    export _SILENT_FAILED_LINE="$caller_line"
-    export _SILENT_FAILED_LOG="$logfile"
+    # Source explain_exit_code if needed
+    if ! declare -f explain_exit_code >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      source <(curl -fsSL "$COMMUNITY_SCRIPTS_URL/misc/error_handler.func") 2>/dev/null || true
+    fi
 
-    return "$rc"
+    local explanation=""
+    if declare -f explain_exit_code >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      explanation="$(explain_exit_code "$rc")"
+    fi
+
+    printf "\e[?25h"
+    if [[ -n "$explanation" ]]; then
+      msg_error "in line ${caller_line}: exit code ${rc} (${explanation})"
+    else
+      msg_error "in line ${caller_line}: exit code ${rc}"
+    fi
+    msg_custom "→" "${YWB}" "${cmd}"
+
+    if [[ -s "$logfile" ]]; then
+      echo -e "\n${TAB}--- Last 20 lines of log ---"
+      tail -n 20 "$logfile"
+      echo -e "${TAB}----------------------------\n"
+    fi
+
+    exit "$rc"
   fi
-
-  # Clear stale flags on success
-  unset _SILENT_FAILED_RC _SILENT_FAILED_CMD _SILENT_FAILED_LINE _SILENT_FAILED_LOG 2>/dev/null || true
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -230,7 +260,7 @@ curl_handler() {
 
   if [[ -z "$url" ]]; then
     msg_error "no valid url or option entered for curl_handler"
-    exit 64
+    exit 1
   fi
 
   $STD msg_info "Fetching: $url"
@@ -259,7 +289,7 @@ curl_handler() {
         rm -f /tmp/curl_error.log
       fi
       __curl_err_handler "$exit_code" "$url" "$curl_stderr"
-      exit "$exit_code"
+      exit 1 # hard exit if exit_code is not 0
     fi
 
     $STD printf "\r\033[K${INFO}${YW}Retry $attempt/$max_retries in ${delay}s...${CL}" >&2
@@ -302,7 +332,7 @@ __curl_err_handler() {
   esac
 
   [[ -n "$curl_msg" ]] && printf "%s\n" "$curl_msg" >&2
-  exit "$exit_code"
+  exit 1
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -317,7 +347,7 @@ shell_check() {
     msg_error "Your default shell is currently not set to Bash. To use these scripts, please switch to the Bash shell."
     echo -e "\nExiting..."
     sleep 2
-    exit 103
+    exit
   fi
 }
 
@@ -338,11 +368,11 @@ clear_line() {
 #
 # - Determines if script should run in verbose mode
 # - Checks VERBOSE and var_verbose variables
-# - Note: Non-TTY (pipe) scenarios are handled separately in msg_info()
+# - Also returns true if not running in TTY (pipe/redirect scenario)
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 is_verbose_mode() {
   local verbose="${VERBOSE:-${var_verbose:-no}}"
-  [[ "$verbose" != "no" ]]
+  [[ "$verbose" != "no" || ! -t 2 ]]
 }
 
 ### dev spinner ###
@@ -481,6 +511,20 @@ msg_debug() {
   fi
 }
 
+error_handler() {
+  local exit_code="$?"
+  local line_number="${1:-unknown}"
+  local command="${2:-unknown}"
+
+  if declare -f post_update_to_api >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    post_update_to_api "failed" "$exit_code"
+  fi
+
+  local error_message="${RD}[ERROR]${CL} in line ${RD}$line_number${CL}: exit code ${RD}$exit_code${CL}: while executing command ${YW}$command${CL}"
+  echo -e "\n$error_message\n"
+  cleanup_vmid
+}
+
 # Displays error message and immediately terminates script
 fatal() {
   msg_error "$1"
@@ -516,9 +560,13 @@ cleanup_vmid() {
 
 cleanup() {
   local exit_code=$?
+  stop_spinner
   if [[ "$(dirs -p | wc -l)" -gt 1 ]]; then
     popd >/dev/null || true
   fi
+  if [[ -n "${TEMP_DIR:-}" && -d "$TEMP_DIR" ]]; then
+    rm -rf "$TEMP_DIR"
+  fi
   # Report final telemetry status if post_to_api_vm was called but no update was sent
   if [[ "${POST_TO_API_DONE:-}" == "true" && "${POST_UPDATE_DONE:-}" != "true" ]]; then
     if declare -f post_update_to_api >/dev/null 2>&1; then
@@ -538,18 +586,37 @@ check_root() {
     msg_error "Please run this script as root."
     echo -e "\nExiting..."
     sleep 2
-    exit 104
+    exit
   fi
 }
 
 pve_check() {
-  if ! pveversion | grep -Eq "pve-manager/(8\.[1-4]|9\.[0-2])(\.[0-9]+)*"; then
-    msg_error "This version of Proxmox Virtual Environment is not supported"
-    echo -e "Requires Proxmox Virtual Environment Version 8.1 - 8.4 or 9.0 - 9.2."
-    echo -e "Exiting..."
-    sleep 2
-    exit 105
+  local pve_ver
+  pve_ver="$(pveversion | awk -F'/' '{print $2}' | awk -F'-' '{print $1}')"
+
+  if [[ "$pve_ver" =~ ^8\.([0-9]+) ]]; then
+    local minor="${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"
+    if ((minor < 0 || minor > 9)); then
+      msg_error "This version of Proxmox VE is not supported."
+      msg_error "Supported: Proxmox VE version 8.0 – 8.9"
+      exit 105
+    fi
+    return 0
   fi
+
+  if [[ "$pve_ver" =~ ^9\.([0-9]+) ]]; then
+    local minor="${BASH_REMATCH[1]}"
+    if ((minor < 0 || minor > 2)); then
+      msg_error "This version of Proxmox VE is not supported."
+      msg_error "Supported: Proxmox VE version 9.0 – 9.2"
+      exit 105
+    fi
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  msg_error "This version of Proxmox VE is not supported."
+  msg_error "Supported versions: Proxmox VE 8.0 – 8.9 or 9.0 – 9.2"
+  exit 105
 }
 
 arch_check() {
@@ -558,50 +625,487 @@ arch_check() {
     echo -e "\n ${YWB}Visit https://github.com/asylumexp/Proxmox for ARM64 support. \n"
     echo -e "Exiting..."
     sleep 2
-    exit 106
+    exit
+  fi
+}
+
+ssh_check() {
+  if command -v pveversion >/dev/null 2>&1 && [ -n "${SSH_CLIENT:-}" ]; then
+    if whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --defaultno --title "SSH DETECTED" --yesno "It's suggested to use the Proxmox shell instead of SSH, since SSH can create issues while gathering variables. Would you like to proceed with using SSH?" 10 62; then
+      :
+    else
+      clear
+      exit
+    fi
   fi
 }
 
 exit_script() {
   clear
   echo -e "\n${CROSS}${RD}User exited script${CL}\n"
-  exit 0
+  exit
+}
+
+sanitize_vm_hostname() {
+  local hostname="${1,,}"
+  hostname=$(echo "$hostname" | tr -cs 'a-z0-9-' '-' | sed 's/^-//;s/-$//')
+  echo "${hostname:0:63}"
+}
+
+vm_confirm_new_vm() {
+  local title="$1"
+  local message="$2"
+  local height="${3:-10}"
+  local width="${4:-58}"
+
+  whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "$title" --yesno "$message" "$height" "$width"
+}
+
+vm_choose_settings_mode() {
+  local message="${1:-Use Default Settings?}"
+  local height="${2:-10}"
+  local width="${3:-58}"
+
+  whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "SETTINGS" --yesno "$message" --no-button Advanced "$height" "$width"
+}
+
+vm_confirm_advanced_settings() {
+  local message="$1"
+  local height="${2:-10}"
+  local width="${3:-58}"
+
+  whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "ADVANCED SETTINGS COMPLETE" --yesno "$message" --no-button Do-Over "$height" "$width"
+}
+
+vm_prompt_vmid() {
+  local default_vmid="${1:-$(get_valid_nextid)}"
+
+  while true; do
+    if VMID=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Set Virtual Machine ID" 8 58 "$default_vmid" --title "VIRTUAL MACHINE ID" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$VMID" ]; then
+        VMID=$(get_valid_nextid)
+      fi
+      if pct status "$VMID" &>/dev/null || qm status "$VMID" &>/dev/null; then
+        echo -e "${CROSS}${RD} ID $VMID is already in use${CL}"
+        sleep 2
+        continue
+      fi
+      echo -e "${CONTAINERID}${BOLD}${DGN}Virtual Machine ID: ${BGN}$VMID${CL}"
+      break
+    else
+      exit_script
+    fi
+  done
+}
+
+vm_apply_machine_type() {
+  local machine_type="${1:-i440fx}"
+
+  if [ "$machine_type" = "q35" ]; then
+    MACHINE_TYPE="q35"
+    FORMAT=""
+    MACHINE=" -machine q35"
+  else
+    MACHINE_TYPE="i440fx"
+    FORMAT=",efitype=4m"
+    MACHINE=""
+  fi
+}
+
+vm_machine_type_label() {
+  case "${1:-i440fx}" in
+  q35)
+    echo "Q35 (Modern)"
+    ;;
+  *)
+    echo "i440fx"
+    ;;
+  esac
+}
+
+vm_prompt_machine_type() {
+  local default_machine="${1:-i440fx}"
+  local i440fx_default="ON"
+  local q35_default="OFF"
+  local machine_choice
+
+  if [ "$default_machine" = "q35" ]; then
+    i440fx_default="OFF"
+    q35_default="ON"
+  fi
+
+  if machine_choice=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "MACHINE TYPE" --radiolist --cancel-button Exit-Script "Choose Type" 10 58 2 \
+    "i440fx" "Machine i440fx" "$i440fx_default" \
+    "q35" "Machine q35" "$q35_default" \
+    3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+    vm_apply_machine_type "$machine_choice"
+    echo -e "${CONTAINERTYPE}${BOLD}${DGN}Machine Type: ${BGN}$(vm_machine_type_label "$MACHINE_TYPE")${CL}"
+  else
+    exit_script
+  fi
+}
+
+vm_prompt_cloud_init() {
+  local default_user="${1:-root}"
+
+  USE_CLOUD_INIT="no"
+  load_cloud_init_functions
+
+  if ! declare -f configure_cloud_init_interactive >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    echo -e "${CLOUD}${BOLD}${DGN}Cloud-Init: ${BGN}unavailable${CL}"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  configure_cloud_init_interactive "$default_user" || true
+  USE_CLOUD_INIT="${CLOUDINIT_ENABLE:-no}"
+  echo -e "${CLOUD}${BOLD}${DGN}Cloud-Init: ${BGN}${USE_CLOUD_INIT}${CL}"
+
+  if [ "$USE_CLOUD_INIT" = "yes" ] && declare -f configure_cloudinit_ssh_keys >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    configure_cloudinit_ssh_keys || true
+  fi
+
+  return 0
+}
+
+vm_prompt_disk_size() {
+  local default_size="${1:-8G}"
+  local prompt_message="${2:-Set Disk Size in GiB (e.g., 10, 20)}"
+
+  if DISK_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "$prompt_message" 8 58 "$default_size" --title "DISK SIZE" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+    DISK_SIZE=$(echo "$DISK_SIZE" | tr -d ' ')
+    if [[ "$DISK_SIZE" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+      DISK_SIZE="${DISK_SIZE}G"
+      echo -e "${DISKSIZE}${BOLD}${DGN}Disk Size: ${BGN}$DISK_SIZE${CL}"
+    elif [[ "$DISK_SIZE" =~ ^[0-9]+G$ ]]; then
+      echo -e "${DISKSIZE}${BOLD}${DGN}Disk Size: ${BGN}$DISK_SIZE${CL}"
+    else
+      echo -e "${DISKSIZE}${BOLD}${RD}Invalid Disk Size. Please use a number (e.g., 10 or 10G).${CL}"
+      exit_script
+    fi
+  else
+    exit_script
+  fi
+}
+
+vm_prompt_disk_cache() {
+  local default_cache="${1:-none}"
+  local none_default="ON"
+  local write_default="OFF"
+  local cache_choice
+
+  if [ "$default_cache" = "writethrough" ]; then
+    none_default="OFF"
+    write_default="ON"
+  fi
+
+  if cache_choice=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "DISK CACHE" --radiolist "Choose" --cancel-button Exit-Script 10 58 2 \
+    "0" "None (Default)" "$none_default" \
+    "1" "Write Through" "$write_default" \
+    3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+    if [ "$cache_choice" = "1" ]; then
+      DISK_CACHE="cache=writethrough,"
+      echo -e "${DISKSIZE}${BOLD}${DGN}Disk Cache: ${BGN}Write Through${CL}"
+    else
+      DISK_CACHE=""
+      echo -e "${DISKSIZE}${BOLD}${DGN}Disk Cache: ${BGN}None${CL}"
+    fi
+  else
+    exit_script
+  fi
+}
+
+vm_prompt_hostname() {
+  local default_hostname="${1:-vm}"
+  local adjusted_hostname
+  local input_hostname
+
+  if input_hostname=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Set Hostname" 8 58 "$default_hostname" --title "HOSTNAME" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+    if [ -z "$input_hostname" ]; then
+      HN="$default_hostname"
+    else
+      adjusted_hostname=$(sanitize_vm_hostname "$input_hostname")
+      HN="${adjusted_hostname:-$default_hostname}"
+      if [ "$HN" != "${input_hostname,,}" ]; then
+        whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "HOSTNAME ADJUSTED" --msgbox "Invalid characters detected. Hostname has been adjusted to:\n\n  $HN" 10 58
+      fi
+    fi
+    echo -e "${HOSTNAME}${BOLD}${DGN}Hostname: ${BGN}$HN${CL}"
+  else
+    exit_script
+  fi
+}
+
+vm_prompt_cpu_model() {
+  local default_model="${1:-kvm64}"
+  local kvm_default="ON"
+  local host_default="OFF"
+  local cpu_choice
+
+  if [ "$default_model" = "host" ]; then
+    kvm_default="OFF"
+    host_default="ON"
+  fi
+
+  if cpu_choice=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "CPU MODEL" --radiolist "Choose" --cancel-button Exit-Script 10 58 2 \
+    "0" "KVM64 (Default)" "$kvm_default" \
+    "1" "Host" "$host_default" \
+    3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+    if [ "$cpu_choice" = "1" ]; then
+      CPU_TYPE=" -cpu host"
+      echo -e "${OS}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Model: ${BGN}Host${CL}"
+    else
+      CPU_TYPE=""
+      echo -e "${OS}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Model: ${BGN}KVM64${CL}"
+    fi
+  else
+    exit_script
+  fi
+}
+
+vm_prompt_cpu_cores() {
+  local default_cores="${1:-2}"
+
+  while true; do
+    if CORE_COUNT=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate CPU Cores" 8 58 "$default_cores" --title "CORE COUNT" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$CORE_COUNT" ]; then
+        CORE_COUNT="$default_cores"
+      fi
+      if [[ "$CORE_COUNT" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${CPUCORE}${BOLD}${DGN}CPU Cores: ${BGN}$CORE_COUNT${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "CPU Cores must be a positive integer (e.g., 2)." 8 58
+    else
+      exit_script
+    fi
+  done
+}
+
+vm_prompt_ram() {
+  local default_ram="${1:-2048}"
+
+  while true; do
+    if RAM_SIZE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Allocate RAM in MiB" 8 58 "$default_ram" --title "RAM" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$RAM_SIZE" ]; then
+        RAM_SIZE="$default_ram"
+      fi
+      if [[ "$RAM_SIZE" =~ ^[1-9][0-9]*$ ]]; then
+        echo -e "${RAMSIZE}${BOLD}${DGN}RAM Size: ${BGN}$RAM_SIZE${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "RAM Size must be a positive integer in MiB (e.g., 2048)." 8 58
+    else
+      exit_script
+    fi
+  done
+}
+
+vm_prompt_bridge() {
+  local default_bridge="${1:-vmbr0}"
+
+  if BRG=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Set a Bridge" 8 58 "$default_bridge" --title "BRIDGE" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+    if [ -z "$BRG" ]; then
+      BRG="$default_bridge"
+    fi
+    echo -e "${BRIDGE}${BOLD}${DGN}Bridge: ${BGN}$BRG${CL}"
+  else
+    exit_script
+  fi
+}
+
+vm_prompt_mac() {
+  local default_mac="${1:-$GEN_MAC}"
+  local input_mac
+
+  while true; do
+    if input_mac=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Set a MAC Address" 8 58 "$default_mac" --title "MAC ADDRESS" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$input_mac" ]; then
+        MAC="$default_mac"
+        echo -e "${MACADDRESS}${BOLD}${DGN}MAC Address: ${BGN}$MAC${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      if [[ "$input_mac" =~ ^([0-9A-Fa-f]{2}:){5}[0-9A-Fa-f]{2}$ ]]; then
+        MAC="$input_mac"
+        echo -e "${MACADDRESS}${BOLD}${DGN}MAC Address: ${BGN}$MAC${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "Invalid MAC address format. Use XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX (e.g., AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF)." 8 58
+    else
+      exit_script
+    fi
+  done
+}
+
+vm_prompt_vlan() {
+  local default_vlan="${1:-}"
+  local input_vlan
+
+  while true; do
+    if input_vlan=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Set a Vlan (leave blank for default)" 8 58 "$default_vlan" --title "VLAN" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$input_vlan" ]; then
+        VLAN=""
+        echo -e "${VLANTAG}${BOLD}${DGN}VLAN: ${BGN}Default${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      if [[ "$input_vlan" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] && [ "$input_vlan" -ge 1 ] && [ "$input_vlan" -le 4094 ]; then
+        VLAN=",tag=$input_vlan"
+        echo -e "${VLANTAG}${BOLD}${DGN}VLAN: ${BGN}$input_vlan${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "VLAN must be a number between 1 and 4094, or leave blank for default." 8 58
+    else
+      exit_script
+    fi
+  done
+}
+
+vm_prompt_mtu() {
+  local default_mtu="${1:-}"
+  local input_mtu
+
+  while true; do
+    if input_mtu=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --inputbox "Set Interface MTU Size (leave blank for default)" 8 58 "$default_mtu" --title "MTU SIZE" --cancel-button Exit-Script 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3); then
+      if [ -z "$input_mtu" ]; then
+        MTU=""
+        echo -e "${DEFAULT}${BOLD}${DGN}Interface MTU Size: ${BGN}Default${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      if [[ "$input_mtu" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] && [ "$input_mtu" -ge 576 ] && [ "$input_mtu" -le 65520 ]; then
+        MTU=",mtu=$input_mtu"
+        echo -e "${DEFAULT}${BOLD}${DGN}Interface MTU Size: ${BGN}$input_mtu${CL}"
+        break
+      fi
+      whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "INVALID INPUT" --msgbox "MTU Size must be a number between 576 and 65520, or leave blank for default." 8 58
+    else
+      exit_script
+    fi
+  done
+}
+
+vm_prompt_start_vm() {
+  local default_start="${1:-yes}"
+  local default_flag=()
+
+  if [ "$default_start" = "no" ]; then
+    default_flag=(--defaultno)
+  fi
+
+  if whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" "${default_flag[@]}" --title "START VIRTUAL MACHINE" --yesno "Start VM when completed?" 10 58; then
+    START_VM="yes"
+  else
+    START_VM="no"
+  fi
+
+  echo -e "${GATEWAY}${BOLD}${DGN}Start VM when completed: ${BGN}${START_VM}${CL}"
+}
+
+vm_apply_storage_layout() {
+  local storage_type="$1"
+
+  case $storage_type in
+  nfs | dir | cifs)
+    DISK_EXT=".qcow2"
+    DISK_REF="$VMID/"
+    DISK_IMPORT_FORMAT="qcow2"
+    THIN=""
+    ;;
+  btrfs)
+    DISK_EXT=".raw"
+    DISK_REF="$VMID/"
+    DISK_IMPORT_FORMAT="raw"
+    FORMAT=",efitype=4m"
+    THIN=""
+    ;;
+  *)
+    DISK_EXT=""
+    DISK_REF=""
+    DISK_IMPORT_FORMAT="raw"
+    ;;
+  esac
+}
+
+vm_select_storage() {
+  local hostname="${1:-${HN:-vm}}"
+  local storage_menu=()
+  local msg_max_length=0
+  local line tag type free item
+  local offset=2
+  local valid_storage
+
+  msg_info "Validating Storage"
+
+  while read -r line; do
+    tag=$(echo "$line" | awk '{print $1}')
+    type=$(echo "$line" | awk '{printf "%-10s", $2}')
+    free=$(echo "$line" | numfmt --field 4-6 --from-unit=K --to=iec --format %.2f | awk '{printf( "%9sB", $6)}')
+    item="  Type: $type Free: $free "
+    if [[ $((${#item} + offset)) -gt $msg_max_length ]]; then
+      msg_max_length=$((${#item} + offset))
+    fi
+    storage_menu+=("$tag" "$item" "OFF")
+  done < <(pvesm status -content images | awk 'NR>1')
+
+  valid_storage=$(pvesm status -content images | awk 'NR>1')
+  if [ -z "$valid_storage" ]; then
+    msg_error "Unable to detect a valid storage location."
+    exit
+  elif [ $((${#storage_menu[@]} / 3)) -eq 1 ]; then
+    STORAGE=${storage_menu[0]}
+  else
+    if [ -n "${SPINNER_PID:-}" ] && ps -p "$SPINNER_PID" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      kill "$SPINNER_PID" >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+      SPINNER_ACTIVE=0
+      printf "\r\e[2K" >&2
+    fi
+    while [ -z "${STORAGE:+x}" ]; do
+      STORAGE=$(whiptail --backtitle "Proxmox VE Helper Scripts" --title "Storage Pools" --radiolist \
+        "Which storage pool would you like to use for ${hostname}?\nTo make a selection, use the Spacebar.\n" \
+        16 $(($msg_max_length + 23)) 6 \
+        "${storage_menu[@]}" 3>&1 1>&2 2>&3)
+    done
+  fi
+
+  msg_ok "Using ${CL}${BL}$STORAGE${CL} ${GN}for Storage Location."
+  msg_ok "Virtual Machine ID is ${CL}${BL}$VMID${CL}."
+
+  STORAGE_TYPE=$(pvesm status -storage "$STORAGE" | awk 'NR>1 {print $2}')
+  vm_apply_storage_layout "$STORAGE_TYPE"
+}
+
+vm_define_disk_references() {
+  local disk_count="${1:-2}"
+  local i disk_name
+
+  for ((i = 0; i < disk_count; i++)); do
+    disk_name="vm-${VMID}-disk-${i}${DISK_EXT:-}"
+    printf -v "DISK${i}" '%s' "$disk_name"
+    printf -v "DISK${i}_REF" '%s' "${STORAGE}:${DISK_REF:-}${disk_name}"
+  done
 }
 
 check_hostname_conflict() {
   local hostname="$1"
   if qm list | awk '{print $2}' | grep -qx "$hostname"; then
     msg_error "Hostname $hostname already in use by another VM."
-    exit 206
+    exit 1
   fi
 }
 
 set_description() {
-  local app_name script_slug script_url donate_url
-  app_name=$(echo "${APP,,}" | tr ' ' '-')
-  script_slug="${SCRIPT_SLUG:-${app_name}}"
-  script_slug="$(echo "$script_slug" | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]' | tr ' ' '-')"
-  script_url="https://community-scripts.org/scripts/${script_slug}"
-  donate_url="https://community-scripts.org/donate"
+  local description_title="${APP:-${NSAPP} VM}"
 
   DESCRIPTION=$(
     cat <<EOF
 <div align='center'>
-  <a href='https://community-scripts.org' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>
+  <a href='https://Helper-Scripts.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>
     <img src='https://raw.githubusercontent.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/main/misc/images/logo-81x112.png' alt='Logo' style='width:81px;height:112px;'/>
   </a>
 
-  <h2 style='font-size: 24px; margin: 20px 0;'>${NSAPP} VM</h2>
+  <h2 style='font-size: 24px; margin: 20px 0;'>${description_title}</h2>
 
   <p style='margin: 16px 0;'>
-    <a href='${donate_url}' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>
-      <img src='https://img.shields.io/badge/❤️-Sponsoring%20%26%20Donations-FF5E5B' alt='Sponsoring and donations' />
-    </a>
-  </p>
-
-  <p style='margin: 12px 0;'>
-    <a href='${script_url}' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>
-      <img src='https://img.shields.io/badge/📦-Open%20Script%20Page-00617f' alt='Open script page' />
+    <a href='https://ko-fi.com/community_scripts' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>
+      <img src='https://img.shields.io/badge/&#x2615;-Buy us a coffee-blue' alt='spend Coffee' />
     </a>
   </p>