fix(cluster): validate container IDs cluster-wide across all nodes

- Query /cluster/resources via pvesh to check all VMs/CTs on ALL nodes
- Check /etc/pve/nodes/*/qemu-server and /etc/pve/nodes/*/lxc dirs
- Handles pmxcfs sync delays that caused sporadic ID conflicts
- Remove duplicate validate_container_id/get_valid_container_id definitions
- Add max_attempts safeguard to prevent infinite loops

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -403,6 +403,12 @@ Exercise vigilance regarding copycat or coat-tailing sites that seek to exploit
 
 ## 2026-02-14
 
+### 💾 Core
+
+  - #### ✨ New Features
+
+    - core: unified logging system with combined logs [@MickLesk](https://github.com/MickLesk) ([#11761](https://github.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/pull/11761))
+
 ### ❔ Uncategorized
 
   - Disable UniFi script - APT packages no longer available [@Copilot](https://github.com/Copilot) ([#11898](https://github.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/pull/11898))

frontend/public/json/github-versions.json

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 {
-  "generated": "2026-02-14T06:14:47Z",
+  "generated": "2026-02-14T12:08:41Z",
   "versions": [
     {
       "slug": "2fauth",
@@ -284,9 +284,9 @@
     {
       "slug": "domain-locker",
       "repo": "Lissy93/domain-locker",
-      "version": "v0.1.3",
+      "version": "v0.1.4",
       "pinned": false,
-      "date": "2026-02-11T10:03:32Z"
+      "date": "2026-02-14T07:41:29Z"
     },
     {
       "slug": "domain-monitor",
@@ -354,9 +354,9 @@
     {
       "slug": "firefly",
       "repo": "firefly-iii/firefly-iii",
-      "version": "v6.4.18",
+      "version": "v6.4.19",
       "pinned": false,
-      "date": "2026-02-08T07:28:00Z"
+      "date": "2026-02-14T11:55:40Z"
     },
     {
       "slug": "fladder",
@@ -823,9 +823,9 @@
     {
       "slug": "metube",
       "repo": "alexta69/metube",
-      "version": "2026.02.13",
+      "version": "2026.02.14",
       "pinned": false,
-      "date": "2026-02-13T15:18:17Z"
+      "date": "2026-02-14T07:49:11Z"
     },
     {
       "slug": "miniflux",

misc/api.func

@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ explain_exit_code() {
 json_escape() {
   local s="$1"
   s=${s//\\/\\\\}
-  s=${s//"/\\"}
+  s=${s//"/\\"/}
   s=${s//$'\n'/\\n}
   s=${s//$'\r'/}
   s=${s//$'\t'/\\t}
@@ -253,7 +253,8 @@ json_escape() {
 # get_error_text()
 #
 # - Returns last 20 lines of the active log (INSTALL_LOG or BUILD_LOG)
-# - Falls back to empty string if no log is available
+# - Falls back to combined log or BUILD_LOG if primary is not accessible
+# - Handles container paths that don't exist on the host
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 get_error_text() {
   local logfile=""
@@ -265,6 +266,22 @@ get_error_text() {
     logfile="$BUILD_LOG"
   fi
 
+  # If logfile is inside container (e.g. /root/.install-*), try the host copy
+  if [[ -n "$logfile" && ! -s "$logfile" ]]; then
+    # Try combined log: /tmp/<app>-<CTID>-<SESSION_ID>.log
+    if [[ -n "${CTID:-}" && -n "${SESSION_ID:-}" ]]; then
+      local combined_log="/tmp/${NSAPP:-lxc}-${CTID}-${SESSION_ID}.log"
+      if [[ -s "$combined_log" ]]; then
+        logfile="$combined_log"
+      fi
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # Also try BUILD_LOG as fallback if primary log is empty/missing
+  if [[ -z "$logfile" || ! -s "$logfile" ]] && [[ -n "${BUILD_LOG:-}" && -s "${BUILD_LOG}" ]]; then
+    logfile="$BUILD_LOG"
+  fi
+
   if [[ -n "$logfile" && -s "$logfile" ]]; then
     tail -n 20 "$logfile" 2>/dev/null | sed 's/\r$//'
   fi

misc/build.func

@@ -38,15 +38,16 @@
 # - Captures app-declared resource defaults (CPU, RAM, Disk)
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 variables() {
-  NSAPP=$(echo "${APP,,}" | tr -d ' ')              # This function sets the NSAPP variable by converting the value of the APP variable to lowercase and removing any spaces.
-  var_install="${NSAPP}-install"                    # sets the var_install variable by appending "-install" to the value of NSAPP.
-  INTEGER='^[0-9]+([.][0-9]+)?$'                    # it defines the INTEGER regular expression pattern.
-  PVEHOST_NAME=$(hostname)                          # gets the Proxmox Hostname and sets it to Uppercase
-  DIAGNOSTICS="yes"                                 # sets the DIAGNOSTICS variable to "yes", used for the API call.
-  METHOD="default"                                  # sets the METHOD variable to "default", used for the API call.
-  RANDOM_UUID="$(cat /proc/sys/kernel/random/uuid)" # generates a random UUID and sets it to the RANDOM_UUID variable.
-  SESSION_ID="${RANDOM_UUID:0:8}"                   # Short session ID (first 8 chars of UUID) for log files
-  BUILD_LOG="/tmp/create-lxc-${SESSION_ID}.log"     # Host-side container creation log
+  NSAPP=$(echo "${APP,,}" | tr -d ' ')                   # This function sets the NSAPP variable by converting the value of the APP variable to lowercase and removing any spaces.
+  var_install="${NSAPP}-install"                         # sets the var_install variable by appending "-install" to the value of NSAPP.
+  INTEGER='^[0-9]+([.][0-9]+)?$'                         # it defines the INTEGER regular expression pattern.
+  PVEHOST_NAME=$(hostname)                               # gets the Proxmox Hostname and sets it to Uppercase
+  DIAGNOSTICS="yes"                                      # sets the DIAGNOSTICS variable to "yes", used for the API call.
+  METHOD="default"                                       # sets the METHOD variable to "default", used for the API call.
+  RANDOM_UUID="$(cat /proc/sys/kernel/random/uuid)"      # generates a random UUID and sets it to the RANDOM_UUID variable.
+  SESSION_ID="${RANDOM_UUID:0:8}"                        # Short session ID (first 8 chars of UUID) for log files
+  BUILD_LOG="/tmp/create-lxc-${SESSION_ID}.log"          # Host-side container creation log
+  combined_log="/tmp/install-${SESSION_ID}-combined.log" # Combined log (build + install) for failed installations
   CTTYPE="${CTTYPE:-${CT_TYPE:-1}}"
 
   # Parse dev_mode early
@@ -217,7 +218,7 @@ update_motd_ip() {
     local current_os="$(grep ^NAME /etc/os-release | cut -d= -f2 | tr -d '"') - Version: $(grep ^VERSION_ID /etc/os-release | cut -d= -f2 | tr -d '"')"
     local current_hostname="$(hostname)"
     local current_ip="$(hostname -I | awk '{print $1}')"
-    
+
     # Update only if values actually changed
     if ! grep -q "OS:.*$current_os" "$PROFILE_FILE" 2>/dev/null; then
       sed -i "s|OS:.*|OS: \${GN}$current_os\${CL}\\\"|" "$PROFILE_FILE"
@@ -276,8 +277,9 @@ install_ssh_keys_into_ct() {
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # validate_container_id()
 #
-# - Validates if a container ID is available for use
-# - Checks if ID is already used by VM or LXC container
+# - Validates if a container ID is available for use (CLUSTER-WIDE)
+# - Checks cluster resources via pvesh for VMs/CTs on ALL nodes
+# - Falls back to local config file check if pvesh unavailable
 # - Checks if ID is used in LVM logical volumes
 # - Returns 0 if ID is available, 1 if already in use
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -289,11 +291,35 @@ validate_container_id() {
     return 1
   fi
 
-  # Check if config file exists for VM or LXC
+  # CLUSTER-WIDE CHECK: Query all VMs/CTs across all nodes
+  # This catches IDs used on other nodes in the cluster
+  # NOTE: Works on single-node too - Proxmox always has internal cluster structure
+  # Falls back gracefully if pvesh unavailable or returns empty
+  if command -v pvesh &>/dev/null; then
+    local cluster_ids
+    cluster_ids=$(pvesh get /cluster/resources --type vm --output-format json 2>/dev/null | 
+      grep -oP '"vmid":\s*\K[0-9]+' 2>/dev/null || true)
+    if [[ -n "$cluster_ids" ]] && echo "$cluster_ids" | grep -qw "$ctid"; then
+      return 1
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # LOCAL FALLBACK: Check if config file exists for VM or LXC
+  # This handles edge cases where pvesh might not return all info
   if [[ -f "/etc/pve/qemu-server/${ctid}.conf" ]] || [[ -f "/etc/pve/lxc/${ctid}.conf" ]]; then
     return 1
   fi
 
+  # Check ALL nodes in cluster for config files (handles pmxcfs sync delays)
+  # NOTE: On single-node, /etc/pve/nodes/ contains just the one node - still works
+  if [[ -d "/etc/pve/nodes" ]]; then
+    for node_dir in /etc/pve/nodes/*/; do
+      if [[ -f "${node_dir}qemu-server/${ctid}.conf" ]] || [[ -f "${node_dir}lxc/${ctid}.conf" ]]; then
+        return 1
+      fi
+    done
+  fi
+
   # Check if ID is used in LVM logical volumes
   if lvs --noheadings -o lv_name 2>/dev/null | grep -qE "(^|[-_])${ctid}($|[-_])"; then
     return 1
@@ -305,63 +331,30 @@ validate_container_id() {
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # get_valid_container_id()
 #
-# - Returns a valid, unused container ID
+# - Returns a valid, unused container ID (CLUSTER-AWARE)
+# - Uses pvesh /cluster/nextid as starting point (already cluster-aware)
 # - If provided ID is valid, returns it
-# - Otherwise increments from suggested ID until a free one is found
+# - Otherwise increments until a free one is found across entire cluster
 # - Calls validate_container_id() to check availability
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 get_valid_container_id() {
-  local suggested_id="${1:-$(pvesh get /cluster/nextid)}"
-
-  while ! validate_container_id "$suggested_id"; do
-    suggested_id=$((suggested_id + 1))
-  done
-
-  echo "$suggested_id"
-}
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# validate_container_id()
-#
-# - Validates if a container ID is available for use
-# - Checks if ID is already used by VM or LXC container
-# - Checks if ID is used in LVM logical volumes
-# - Returns 0 if ID is available, 1 if already in use
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-validate_container_id() {
-  local ctid="$1"
-
-  # Check if ID is numeric
-  if ! [[ "$ctid" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
-    return 1
-  fi
-
-  # Check if config file exists for VM or LXC
-  if [[ -f "/etc/pve/qemu-server/${ctid}.conf" ]] || [[ -f "/etc/pve/lxc/${ctid}.conf" ]]; then
-    return 1
-  fi
-
-  # Check if ID is used in LVM logical volumes
-  if lvs --noheadings -o lv_name 2>/dev/null | grep -qE "(^|[-_])${ctid}($|[-_])"; then
-    return 1
-  fi
-
-  return 0
-}
-
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# get_valid_container_id()
-#
-# - Returns a valid, unused container ID
-# - If provided ID is valid, returns it
-# - Otherwise increments from suggested ID until a free one is found
-# - Calls validate_container_id() to check availability
-# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-get_valid_container_id() {
-  local suggested_id="${1:-$(pvesh get /cluster/nextid)}"
+  local suggested_id="${1:-$(pvesh get /cluster/nextid 2>/dev/null || echo 100)}"
+
+  # Ensure we have a valid starting ID
+  if ! [[ "$suggested_id" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
+    suggested_id=$(pvesh get /cluster/nextid 2>/dev/null || echo 100)
+  fi
+
+  local max_attempts=1000
+  local attempts=0
 
   while ! validate_container_id "$suggested_id"; do
     suggested_id=$((suggested_id + 1))
+    attempts=$((attempts + 1))
+    if [[ $attempts -ge $max_attempts ]]; then
+      msg_error "Could not find available container ID after $max_attempts attempts"
+      exit 1
+    fi
   done
 
   echo "$suggested_id"
@@ -385,7 +378,7 @@ validate_hostname() {
 
   # Split by dots and validate each label
   local IFS='.'
-  read -ra labels <<< "$hostname"
+  read -ra labels <<<"$hostname"
   for label in "${labels[@]}"; do
     # Each label: 1-63 chars, alphanumeric, hyphens allowed (not at start/end)
     if [[ -z "$label" ]] || [[ ${#label} -gt 63 ]]; then
@@ -489,7 +482,7 @@ validate_ipv6_address() {
   # Check that no segment exceeds 4 hex chars
   local IFS=':'
   local -a segments
-  read -ra segments <<< "$addr"
+  read -ra segments <<<"$addr"
   for seg in "${segments[@]}"; do
     if [[ ${#seg} -gt 4 ]]; then
       return 1
@@ -539,14 +532,14 @@ validate_gateway_in_subnet() {
 
   # Convert IPs to integers
   local IFS='.'
-  read -r i1 i2 i3 i4 <<< "$ip"
-  read -r g1 g2 g3 g4 <<< "$gateway"
+  read -r i1 i2 i3 i4 <<<"$ip"
+  read -r g1 g2 g3 g4 <<<"$gateway"
 
-  local ip_int=$(( (i1 << 24) + (i2 << 16) + (i3 << 8) + i4 ))
-  local gw_int=$(( (g1 << 24) + (g2 << 16) + (g3 << 8) + g4 ))
+  local ip_int=$(((i1 << 24) + (i2 << 16) + (i3 << 8) + i4))
+  local gw_int=$(((g1 << 24) + (g2 << 16) + (g3 << 8) + g4))
 
   # Check if both are in same network
-  if (( (ip_int & mask) != (gw_int & mask) )); then
+  if (((ip_int & mask) != (gw_int & mask))); then
     return 1
   fi
 
@@ -1079,117 +1072,117 @@ load_vars_file() {
       # Validate values before setting (skip empty values - they use defaults)
       if [[ -n "$var_val" ]]; then
         case "$var_key" in
-          var_mac)
-            if ! validate_mac_address "$var_val"; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid MAC address '$var_val' in $file, ignoring"
+        var_mac)
+          if ! validate_mac_address "$var_val"; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid MAC address '$var_val' in $file, ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_vlan)
+          if ! validate_vlan_tag "$var_val"; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid VLAN tag '$var_val' in $file (must be 1-4094), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_mtu)
+          if ! validate_mtu "$var_val"; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid MTU '$var_val' in $file (must be 576-65535), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_tags)
+          if ! validate_tags "$var_val"; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid tags '$var_val' in $file (alphanumeric, -, _, ; only), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_timezone)
+          if ! validate_timezone "$var_val"; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid timezone '$var_val' in $file, ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_brg)
+          if ! validate_bridge "$var_val"; then
+            msg_warn "Bridge '$var_val' not found in $file, ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_gateway)
+          if ! validate_gateway_ip "$var_val"; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid gateway IP '$var_val' in $file, ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_hostname)
+          if ! validate_hostname "$var_val"; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid hostname '$var_val' in $file, ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_cpu)
+          if ! [[ "$var_val" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || ((var_val < 1 || var_val > 128)); then
+            msg_warn "Invalid CPU count '$var_val' in $file (must be 1-128), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_ram)
+          if ! [[ "$var_val" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || ((var_val < 256)); then
+            msg_warn "Invalid RAM '$var_val' in $file (must be >= 256 MiB), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_disk)
+          if ! [[ "$var_val" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || ((var_val < 1)); then
+            msg_warn "Invalid disk size '$var_val' in $file (must be >= 1 GB), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_unprivileged)
+          if [[ "$var_val" != "0" && "$var_val" != "1" ]]; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid unprivileged value '$var_val' in $file (must be 0 or 1), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_nesting)
+          if [[ "$var_val" != "0" && "$var_val" != "1" ]]; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid nesting value '$var_val' in $file (must be 0 or 1), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          # Warn about potential issues with systemd-based OS when nesting is disabled via vars file
+          if [[ "$var_val" == "0" && "${var_os:-debian}" != "alpine" ]]; then
+            msg_warn "Nesting disabled in $file - modern systemd-based distributions may require nesting for proper operation"
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_keyctl)
+          if [[ "$var_val" != "0" && "$var_val" != "1" ]]; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid keyctl value '$var_val' in $file (must be 0 or 1), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_net)
+          # var_net can be: dhcp, static IP/CIDR, or IP range
+          if [[ "$var_val" != "dhcp" ]]; then
+            if is_ip_range "$var_val"; then
+              : # IP range is valid, will be resolved at runtime
+            elif ! validate_ip_address "$var_val"; then
+              msg_warn "Invalid network '$var_val' in $file (must be dhcp or IP/CIDR), ignoring"
               continue
             fi
-            ;;
-          var_vlan)
-            if ! validate_vlan_tag "$var_val"; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid VLAN tag '$var_val' in $file (must be 1-4094), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_mtu)
-            if ! validate_mtu "$var_val"; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid MTU '$var_val' in $file (must be 576-65535), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_tags)
-            if ! validate_tags "$var_val"; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid tags '$var_val' in $file (alphanumeric, -, _, ; only), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_timezone)
-            if ! validate_timezone "$var_val"; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid timezone '$var_val' in $file, ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_brg)
-            if ! validate_bridge "$var_val"; then
-              msg_warn "Bridge '$var_val' not found in $file, ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_gateway)
-            if ! validate_gateway_ip "$var_val"; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid gateway IP '$var_val' in $file, ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_hostname)
-            if ! validate_hostname "$var_val"; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid hostname '$var_val' in $file, ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_cpu)
-            if ! [[ "$var_val" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || ((var_val < 1 || var_val > 128)); then
-              msg_warn "Invalid CPU count '$var_val' in $file (must be 1-128), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_ram)
-            if ! [[ "$var_val" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || ((var_val < 256)); then
-              msg_warn "Invalid RAM '$var_val' in $file (must be >= 256 MiB), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_disk)
-            if ! [[ "$var_val" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || ((var_val < 1)); then
-              msg_warn "Invalid disk size '$var_val' in $file (must be >= 1 GB), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_unprivileged)
-            if [[ "$var_val" != "0" && "$var_val" != "1" ]]; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid unprivileged value '$var_val' in $file (must be 0 or 1), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_nesting)
-            if [[ "$var_val" != "0" && "$var_val" != "1" ]]; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid nesting value '$var_val' in $file (must be 0 or 1), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            # Warn about potential issues with systemd-based OS when nesting is disabled via vars file
-            if [[ "$var_val" == "0" && "${var_os:-debian}" != "alpine" ]]; then
-              msg_warn "Nesting disabled in $file - modern systemd-based distributions may require nesting for proper operation"
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_keyctl)
-            if [[ "$var_val" != "0" && "$var_val" != "1" ]]; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid keyctl value '$var_val' in $file (must be 0 or 1), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_net)
-            # var_net can be: dhcp, static IP/CIDR, or IP range
-            if [[ "$var_val" != "dhcp" ]]; then
-              if is_ip_range "$var_val"; then
-                : # IP range is valid, will be resolved at runtime
-              elif ! validate_ip_address "$var_val"; then
-                msg_warn "Invalid network '$var_val' in $file (must be dhcp or IP/CIDR), ignoring"
-                continue
-              fi
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_fuse|var_tun|var_gpu|var_ssh|var_verbose|var_protection)
-            if [[ "$var_val" != "yes" && "$var_val" != "no" ]]; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid boolean '$var_val' for $var_key in $file (must be yes/no), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
-          var_ipv6_method)
-            if [[ "$var_val" != "auto" && "$var_val" != "dhcp" && "$var_val" != "static" && "$var_val" != "none" ]]; then
-              msg_warn "Invalid IPv6 method '$var_val' in $file (must be auto/dhcp/static/none), ignoring"
-              continue
-            fi
-            ;;
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_fuse | var_tun | var_gpu | var_ssh | var_verbose | var_protection)
+          if [[ "$var_val" != "yes" && "$var_val" != "no" ]]; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid boolean '$var_val' for $var_key in $file (must be yes/no), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
+        var_ipv6_method)
+          if [[ "$var_val" != "auto" && "$var_val" != "dhcp" && "$var_val" != "static" && "$var_val" != "none" ]]; then
+            msg_warn "Invalid IPv6 method '$var_val' in $file (must be auto/dhcp/static/none), ignoring"
+            continue
+          fi
+          ;;
         esac
       fi
 
@@ -2764,6 +2757,26 @@ Advanced:
   [[ "$APT_CACHER" == "yes" ]] && echo -e "${INFO}${BOLD}${DGN}APT Cacher: ${BGN}$APT_CACHER_IP${CL}"
   echo -e "${SEARCH}${BOLD}${DGN}Verbose Mode: ${BGN}$VERBOSE${CL}"
   echo -e "${CREATING}${BOLD}${RD}Creating an LXC of ${APP} using the above advanced settings${CL}"
+
+  # Log settings to file
+  log_section "CONTAINER SETTINGS (ADVANCED) - ${APP}"
+  log_msg "Application: ${APP}"
+  log_msg "PVE Version: ${PVEVERSION} (Kernel: ${KERNEL_VERSION})"
+  log_msg "Operating System: $var_os ($var_version)"
+  log_msg "Container Type: $([ "$CT_TYPE" == "1" ] && echo "Unprivileged" || echo "Privileged")"
+  log_msg "Container ID: $CT_ID"
+  log_msg "Hostname: $HN"
+  log_msg "Disk Size: ${DISK_SIZE} GB"
+  log_msg "CPU Cores: $CORE_COUNT"
+  log_msg "RAM Size: ${RAM_SIZE} MiB"
+  log_msg "Bridge: $BRG"
+  log_msg "IPv4: $NET"
+  log_msg "IPv6: $IPV6_METHOD"
+  log_msg "FUSE Support: ${ENABLE_FUSE:-no}"
+  log_msg "Nesting: $([ "${ENABLE_NESTING:-1}" == "1" ] && echo "Enabled" || echo "Disabled")"
+  log_msg "GPU Passthrough: ${ENABLE_GPU:-no}"
+  log_msg "Verbose Mode: $VERBOSE"
+  log_msg "Session ID: ${SESSION_ID}"
 }
 
 # ==============================================================================
@@ -2871,6 +2884,7 @@ diagnostics_menu() {
 # - Prints summary of default values (ID, OS, type, disk, RAM, CPU, etc.)
 # - Uses icons and formatting for readability
 # - Convert CT_TYPE to description
+# - Also logs settings to log file for debugging
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 echo_default() {
   CT_TYPE_DESC="Unprivileged"
@@ -2892,6 +2906,20 @@ echo_default() {
   fi
   echo -e "${CREATING}${BOLD}${BL}Creating a ${APP} LXC using the above default settings${CL}"
   echo -e "  "
+
+  # Log settings to file
+  log_section "CONTAINER SETTINGS - ${APP}"
+  log_msg "Application: ${APP}"
+  log_msg "PVE Version: ${PVEVERSION} (Kernel: ${KERNEL_VERSION})"
+  log_msg "Container ID: ${CT_ID}"
+  log_msg "Operating System: $var_os ($var_version)"
+  log_msg "Container Type: $CT_TYPE_DESC"
+  log_msg "Disk Size: ${DISK_SIZE} GB"
+  log_msg "CPU Cores: ${CORE_COUNT}"
+  log_msg "RAM Size: ${RAM_SIZE} MiB"
+  [[ -n "${var_gpu:-}" && "${var_gpu}" == "yes" ]] && log_msg "GPU Passthrough: Enabled"
+  [[ "$VERBOSE" == "yes" ]] && log_msg "Verbose Mode: Enabled"
+  log_msg "Session ID: ${SESSION_ID}"
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -4049,30 +4077,56 @@ EOF'
     # Copy install log from container BEFORE API call so get_error_text() can read it
     local build_log_copied=false
     local install_log_copied=false
-    local host_install_log="/tmp/install-lxc-${CTID}-${SESSION_ID}.log"
+    local combined_log="/tmp/${NSAPP:-lxc}-${CTID}-${SESSION_ID}.log"
 
     if [[ -n "$CTID" && -n "${SESSION_ID:-}" ]]; then
-      # Copy BUILD_LOG (creation log) if it exists
+      # Create combined log with header
+      {
+        echo "================================================================================"
+        echo "COMBINED INSTALLATION LOG - ${APP:-LXC}"
+        echo "Container ID: ${CTID}"
+        echo "Session ID: ${SESSION_ID}"
+        echo "Timestamp: $(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')"
+        echo "================================================================================"
+        echo ""
+      } >"$combined_log"
+
+      # Append BUILD_LOG (host-side creation log) if it exists
       if [[ -f "${BUILD_LOG}" ]]; then
-        cp "${BUILD_LOG}" "/tmp/create-lxc-${CTID}-${SESSION_ID}.log" 2>/dev/null && build_log_copied=true
+        {
+          echo "================================================================================"
+          echo "PHASE 1: CONTAINER CREATION (Host)"
+          echo "================================================================================"
+          cat "${BUILD_LOG}"
+          echo ""
+        } >>"$combined_log"
+        build_log_copied=true
       fi
 
-      # Copy INSTALL_LOG from container to host
-      if pct pull "$CTID" "/root/.install-${SESSION_ID}.log" "$host_install_log" 2>/dev/null; then
+      # Copy and append INSTALL_LOG from container
+      local temp_install_log="/tmp/.install-temp-${SESSION_ID}.log"
+      if pct pull "$CTID" "/root/.install-${SESSION_ID}.log" "$temp_install_log" 2>/dev/null; then
+        {
+          echo "================================================================================"
+          echo "PHASE 2: APPLICATION INSTALLATION (Container)"
+          echo "================================================================================"
+          cat "$temp_install_log"
+          echo ""
+        } >>"$combined_log"
+        rm -f "$temp_install_log"
         install_log_copied=true
-        # Point INSTALL_LOG to host copy so get_error_text() finds it
-        INSTALL_LOG="$host_install_log"
+        # Point INSTALL_LOG to combined log so get_error_text() finds it
+        INSTALL_LOG="$combined_log"
       fi
     fi
 
     # Report failure to telemetry API (now with log available on host)
     post_update_to_api "failed" "$install_exit_code"
 
-    # Show available logs
+    # Show combined log location
     if [[ -n "$CTID" && -n "${SESSION_ID:-}" ]]; then
       echo ""
-      [[ "$build_log_copied" == true ]] && echo -e "${GN}✔${CL} Container creation log: ${BL}/tmp/create-lxc-${CTID}-${SESSION_ID}.log${CL}"
-      [[ "$install_log_copied" == true ]] && echo -e "${GN}✔${CL} Installation log: ${BL}${host_install_log}${CL}"
+      echo -e "${GN}✔${CL} Installation log: ${BL}${combined_log}${CL}"
     fi
 
     # Dev mode: Keep container or open breakpoint shell
@@ -5137,6 +5191,61 @@ EOF
 # SECTION 10: ERROR HANDLING & EXIT TRAPS
 # ==============================================================================
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# ensure_log_on_host()
+#
+# - Ensures INSTALL_LOG points to a readable file on the host
+# - If INSTALL_LOG points to a container path (e.g. /root/.install-*),
+#   tries to pull it from the container and create a combined log
+# - This allows get_error_text() to find actual error output for telemetry
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ensure_log_on_host() {
+  # Already readable on host? Nothing to do.
+  [[ -n "${INSTALL_LOG:-}" && -s "${INSTALL_LOG}" ]] && return 0
+
+  # Try pulling from container and creating combined log
+  if [[ -n "${CTID:-}" && -n "${SESSION_ID:-}" ]] && command -v pct &>/dev/null; then
+    local combined_log="/tmp/${NSAPP:-lxc}-${CTID}-${SESSION_ID}.log"
+    if [[ ! -s "$combined_log" ]]; then
+      # Create combined log
+      {
+        echo "================================================================================"
+        echo "COMBINED INSTALLATION LOG - ${APP:-LXC}"
+        echo "Container ID: ${CTID}"
+        echo "Session ID: ${SESSION_ID}"
+        echo "Timestamp: $(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')"
+        echo "================================================================================"
+        echo ""
+      } >"$combined_log" 2>/dev/null || return 0
+      # Append BUILD_LOG if it exists
+      if [[ -f "${BUILD_LOG:-}" ]]; then
+        {
+          echo "================================================================================"
+          echo "PHASE 1: CONTAINER CREATION (Host)"
+          echo "================================================================================"
+          cat "${BUILD_LOG}"
+          echo ""
+        } >>"$combined_log"
+      fi
+      # Pull INSTALL_LOG from container
+      local temp_log="/tmp/.install-temp-${SESSION_ID}.log"
+      if pct pull "$CTID" "/root/.install-${SESSION_ID}.log" "$temp_log" 2>/dev/null; then
+        {
+          echo "================================================================================"
+          echo "PHASE 2: APPLICATION INSTALLATION (Container)"
+          echo "================================================================================"
+          cat "$temp_log"
+          echo ""
+        } >>"$combined_log"
+        rm -f "$temp_log"
+      fi
+    fi
+    if [[ -s "$combined_log" ]]; then
+      INSTALL_LOG="$combined_log"
+    fi
+  fi
+}
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # api_exit_script()
 #
@@ -5149,6 +5258,7 @@ EOF
 api_exit_script() {
   exit_code=$?
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
+    ensure_log_on_host
     post_update_to_api "failed" "$exit_code"
   fi
 }
@@ -5156,6 +5266,6 @@ api_exit_script() {
 if command -v pveversion >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   trap 'api_exit_script' EXIT
 fi
-trap 'post_update_to_api "failed" "$?"' ERR
-trap 'post_update_to_api "failed" "130"' SIGINT
-trap 'post_update_to_api "failed" "143"' SIGTERM
+trap 'ensure_log_on_host; post_update_to_api "failed" "$?"' ERR
+trap 'ensure_log_on_host; post_update_to_api "failed" "130"' SIGINT
+trap 'ensure_log_on_host; post_update_to_api "failed" "143"' SIGTERM

misc/core.func

@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ icons() {
   BRIDGE="${TAB}🌉${TAB}${CL}"
   NETWORK="${TAB}📡${TAB}${CL}"
   GATEWAY="${TAB}🌐${TAB}${CL}"
-  DISABLEIPV6="${TAB}🚫${TAB}${CL}"
+  ICON_DISABLEIPV6="${TAB}🚫${TAB}${CL}"
   DEFAULT="${TAB}⚙️${TAB}${CL}"
   MACADDRESS="${TAB}🔗${TAB}${CL}"
   VLANTAG="${TAB}🏷️${TAB}${CL}"
@@ -413,6 +413,69 @@ get_active_logfile() {
 # Legacy compatibility: SILENT_LOGFILE points to active log
 SILENT_LOGFILE="$(get_active_logfile)"
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# strip_ansi()
+#
+# - Removes ANSI escape sequences from input text
+# - Used to clean colored output for log files
+# - Handles both piped input and arguments
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+strip_ansi() {
+  if [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; then
+    echo -e "$*" | sed 's/\x1b\[[0-9;]*m//g; s/\x1b\[[0-9;]*[a-zA-Z]//g'
+  else
+    sed 's/\x1b\[[0-9;]*m//g; s/\x1b\[[0-9;]*[a-zA-Z]//g'
+  fi
+}
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# log_msg()
+#
+# - Writes message to active log file without ANSI codes
+# - Adds timestamp prefix for log correlation
+# - Creates log file if it doesn't exist
+# - Arguments: message text (can include ANSI codes, will be stripped)
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+log_msg() {
+  local msg="$*"
+  local logfile
+  logfile="$(get_active_logfile)"
+
+  [[ -z "$msg" ]] && return
+  [[ -z "$logfile" ]] && return
+
+  # Ensure log directory exists
+  mkdir -p "$(dirname "$logfile")" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+  # Strip ANSI codes and write with timestamp
+  local clean_msg
+  clean_msg=$(strip_ansi "$msg")
+  echo "[$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')] $clean_msg" >>"$logfile"
+}
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# log_section()
+#
+# - Writes a section header to the log file
+# - Used for separating different phases of installation
+# - Arguments: section name
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+log_section() {
+  local section="$1"
+  local logfile
+  logfile="$(get_active_logfile)"
+
+  [[ -z "$logfile" ]] && return
+  mkdir -p "$(dirname "$logfile")" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+  {
+    echo ""
+    echo "================================================================================"
+    echo "[$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')] $section"
+    echo "================================================================================"
+  } >>"$logfile"
+}
+
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # silent()
 #
@@ -488,7 +551,7 @@ spinner() {
   local i=0
   while true; do
     local index=$((i++ % ${#chars[@]}))
-    printf "\r\033[2K%s %b" "${CS_YWB}${TAB}${chars[$index]}${TAB}${CS_CL}" "${CS_YWB}${msg}${CS_CL}"
+    printf "\r\033[2K%s %b" "${CS_YWB}${chars[$index]}${CS_CL}" "${CS_YWB}${msg}${CS_CL}"
     sleep 0.1
   done
 }
@@ -555,6 +618,9 @@ msg_info() {
   [[ -n "${MSG_INFO_SHOWN["$msg"]+x}" ]] && return
   MSG_INFO_SHOWN["$msg"]=1
 
+  # Log to file
+  log_msg "[INFO] $msg"
+
   stop_spinner
   SPINNER_MSG="$msg"
 
@@ -598,7 +664,10 @@ msg_ok() {
   stop_spinner
   clear_line
   echo -e "$CM ${GN}${msg}${CL}"
-  unset MSG_INFO_SHOWN["$msg"]
+  log_msg "[OK] $msg"
+  local sanitized_msg
+  sanitized_msg=$(printf '%s' "$msg" | sed 's/\x1b\[[0-9;]*m//g; s/[^a-zA-Z0-9_]/_/g')
+  unset 'MSG_INFO_SHOWN['"$sanitized_msg"']' 2>/dev/null || true
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -613,6 +682,7 @@ msg_error() {
   stop_spinner
   local msg="$1"
   echo -e "${BFR:-}${CROSS:-✖️} ${RD}${msg}${CL}" >&2
+  log_msg "[ERROR] $msg"
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -627,6 +697,7 @@ msg_warn() {
   stop_spinner
   local msg="$1"
   echo -e "${BFR:-}${INFO:-ℹ️} ${YWB}${msg}${CL}" >&2
+  log_msg "[WARN] $msg"
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -644,6 +715,7 @@ msg_custom() {
   [[ -z "$msg" ]] && return
   stop_spinner
   echo -e "${BFR:-} ${symbol} ${color}${msg}${CL:-\e[0m}"
+  log_msg "$msg"
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -808,6 +880,562 @@ is_verbose_mode() {
   [[ "$verbose" != "no" || ! -t 2 ]]
 }
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# is_unattended()
+#
+# - Detects if script is running in unattended/non-interactive mode
+# - Checks MODE variable first (primary method)
+# - Falls back to legacy flags (PHS_SILENT, var_unattended)
+# - Returns 0 (true) if unattended, 1 (false) otherwise
+# - Used by prompt functions to auto-apply defaults
+#
+# Modes that are unattended:
+#   - default (1)      : Use script defaults, no prompts
+#   - mydefaults (3)   : Use user's default.vars, no prompts
+#   - appdefaults (4)  : Use app-specific defaults, no prompts
+#
+# Modes that are interactive:
+#   - advanced (2)     : Full wizard with all options
+#
+# Note: Even in advanced mode, install scripts run unattended because
+#       all values are already collected during the wizard phase.
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+is_unattended() {
+  # Primary: Check MODE variable (case-insensitive)
+  local mode="${MODE:-${mode:-}}"
+  mode="${mode,,}" # lowercase
+
+  case "$mode" in
+  default | 1)
+    return 0
+    ;;
+  mydefaults | userdefaults | 3)
+    return 0
+    ;;
+  appdefaults | 4)
+    return 0
+    ;;
+  advanced | 2)
+    # Advanced mode is interactive ONLY during wizard
+    # Inside container (install scripts), it should be unattended
+    # Check if we're inside a container (no pveversion command)
+    if ! command -v pveversion &>/dev/null; then
+      # We're inside the container - all values already collected
+      return 0
+    fi
+    # On host during wizard - interactive
+    return 1
+    ;;
+  esac
+
+  # Legacy fallbacks for compatibility
+  [[ "${PHS_SILENT:-0}" == "1" ]] && return 0
+  [[ "${var_unattended:-}" =~ ^(yes|true|1)$ ]] && return 0
+  [[ "${UNATTENDED:-}" =~ ^(yes|true|1)$ ]] && return 0
+
+  # No TTY available = unattended
+  [[ ! -t 0 ]] && return 0
+
+  # Default: interactive
+  return 1
+}
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# show_missing_values_warning()
+#
+# - Displays a summary of required values that used fallback defaults
+# - Should be called at the end of install scripts
+# - Only shows warning if MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES array has entries
+# - Provides clear guidance on what needs manual configuration
+#
+# Global:
+#   MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES - Array of variable names that need configuration
+#
+# Example:
+#   # At end of install script:
+#   show_missing_values_warning
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+show_missing_values_warning() {
+  if [[ ${#MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES[@]} -gt 0 ]]; then
+    echo ""
+    echo -e "${YW}╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗${CL}"
+    echo -e "${YW}║  ⚠️  MANUAL CONFIGURATION REQUIRED                          ║${CL}"
+    echo -e "${YW}╠════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣${CL}"
+    echo -e "${YW}║  The following values were not provided and need to be     ║${CL}"
+    echo -e "${YW}║  configured manually for the service to work properly:     ║${CL}"
+    echo -e "${YW}╟────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢${CL}"
+    for val in "${MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES[@]}"; do
+      printf "${YW}║${CL}  • %-56s ${YW}║${CL}\n" "$val"
+    done
+    echo -e "${YW}╟────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╢${CL}"
+    echo -e "${YW}║  Check the service configuration files or environment      ║${CL}"
+    echo -e "${YW}║  variables and update the placeholder values.              ║${CL}"
+    echo -e "${YW}╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝${CL}"
+    echo ""
+    return 1
+  fi
+  return 0
+}
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# prompt_confirm()
+#
+# - Prompts user for yes/no confirmation with timeout and unattended support
+# - In unattended mode: immediately returns default value
+# - In interactive mode: waits for user input with configurable timeout
+# - After timeout: auto-applies default value
+#
+# Arguments:
+#   $1 - Prompt message (required)
+#   $2 - Default value: "y" or "n" (optional, default: "n")
+#   $3 - Timeout in seconds (optional, default: 60)
+#
+# Returns:
+#   0 - User confirmed (yes)
+#   1 - User declined (no) or timeout with default "n"
+#
+# Example:
+#   if prompt_confirm "Proceed with installation?" "y" 30; then
+#     echo "Installing..."
+#   fi
+#
+#   # Unattended: prompt_confirm will use default without waiting
+#   var_unattended=yes
+#   prompt_confirm "Delete files?" "n" && echo "Deleting" || echo "Skipped"
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+prompt_confirm() {
+  local message="${1:-Confirm?}"
+  local default="${2:-n}"
+  local timeout="${3:-60}"
+  local response
+
+  # Normalize default to lowercase
+  default="${default,,}"
+  [[ "$default" != "y" ]] && default="n"
+
+  # Build prompt hint
+  local hint
+  if [[ "$default" == "y" ]]; then
+    hint="[Y/n]"
+  else
+    hint="[y/N]"
+  fi
+
+  # Unattended mode: apply default immediately
+  if is_unattended; then
+    if [[ "$default" == "y" ]]; then
+      return 0
+    else
+      return 1
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # Check if running in a TTY
+  if [[ ! -t 0 ]]; then
+    # Not a TTY, use default
+    if [[ "$default" == "y" ]]; then
+      return 0
+    else
+      return 1
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # Interactive prompt with timeout
+  echo -en "${YW}${message} ${hint} (auto-${default} in ${timeout}s): ${CL}"
+
+  if read -t "$timeout" -r response; then
+    # User provided input
+    response="${response,,}" # lowercase
+    case "$response" in
+    y | yes)
+      return 0
+      ;;
+    n | no)
+      return 1
+      ;;
+    "")
+      # Empty response, use default
+      if [[ "$default" == "y" ]]; then
+        return 0
+      else
+        return 1
+      fi
+      ;;
+    *)
+      # Invalid input, use default
+      echo -e "${YW}Invalid response, using default: ${default}${CL}"
+      if [[ "$default" == "y" ]]; then
+        return 0
+      else
+        return 1
+      fi
+      ;;
+    esac
+  else
+    # Timeout occurred
+    echo "" # Newline after timeout
+    echo -e "${YW}Timeout - auto-selecting: ${default}${CL}"
+    if [[ "$default" == "y" ]]; then
+      return 0
+    else
+      return 1
+    fi
+  fi
+}
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# prompt_input()
+#
+# - Prompts user for text input with timeout and unattended support
+# - In unattended mode: immediately returns default value
+# - In interactive mode: waits for user input with configurable timeout
+# - After timeout: auto-applies default value
+#
+# Arguments:
+#   $1 - Prompt message (required)
+#   $2 - Default value (optional, default: "")
+#   $3 - Timeout in seconds (optional, default: 60)
+#
+# Output:
+#   Prints the user input or default value to stdout
+#
+# Example:
+#   username=$(prompt_input "Enter username:" "admin" 30)
+#   echo "Using username: $username"
+#
+#   # With validation
+#   while true; do
+#     port=$(prompt_input "Enter port:" "8080" 30)
+#     [[ "$port" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] && break
+#     echo "Invalid port number"
+#   done
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+prompt_input() {
+  local message="${1:-Enter value:}"
+  local default="${2:-}"
+  local timeout="${3:-60}"
+  local response
+
+  # Build display default hint
+  local hint=""
+  [[ -n "$default" ]] && hint=" (default: ${default})"
+
+  # Unattended mode: return default immediately
+  if is_unattended; then
+    echo "$default"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  # Check if running in a TTY
+  if [[ ! -t 0 ]]; then
+    # Not a TTY, use default
+    echo "$default"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  # Interactive prompt with timeout
+  echo -en "${YW}${message}${hint} (auto-default in ${timeout}s): ${CL}" >&2
+
+  if read -t "$timeout" -r response; then
+    # User provided input (or pressed Enter for empty)
+    if [[ -n "$response" ]]; then
+      echo "$response"
+    else
+      echo "$default"
+    fi
+  else
+    # Timeout occurred
+    echo "" >&2 # Newline after timeout
+    echo -e "${YW}Timeout - using default: ${default}${CL}" >&2
+    echo "$default"
+  fi
+}
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# prompt_input_required()
+#
+# - Prompts user for REQUIRED text input with fallback support
+# - In unattended mode: Uses fallback value if no env var set (with warning)
+# - In interactive mode: loops until user provides non-empty input
+# - Tracks missing required values for end-of-script summary
+#
+# Arguments:
+#   $1 - Prompt message (required)
+#   $2 - Fallback/example value for unattended mode (optional)
+#   $3 - Timeout in seconds (optional, default: 120)
+#   $4 - Environment variable name hint for error messages (optional)
+#
+# Output:
+#   Prints the user input or fallback value to stdout
+#
+# Returns:
+#   0 - Success (value provided or fallback used)
+#   1 - Failed (interactive timeout without input)
+#
+# Global:
+#   MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES - Array tracking fields that used fallbacks
+#
+# Example:
+#   # With fallback - script continues even in unattended mode
+#   token=$(prompt_input_required "Enter API Token:" "YOUR_TOKEN_HERE" 60 "var_api_token")
+#
+#   # Check at end of script if any values need manual configuration
+#   if [[ ${#MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES[@]} -gt 0 ]]; then
+#     msg_warn "Please configure: ${MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES[*]}"
+#   fi
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Global array to track missing required values
+declare -g -a MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES=()
+
+prompt_input_required() {
+  local message="${1:-Enter required value:}"
+  local fallback="${2:-CHANGE_ME}"
+  local timeout="${3:-120}"
+  local env_var_hint="${4:-}"
+  local response=""
+
+  # Check if value is already set via environment variable (if hint provided)
+  if [[ -n "$env_var_hint" ]]; then
+    local env_value="${!env_var_hint:-}"
+    if [[ -n "$env_value" ]]; then
+      echo "$env_value"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  fi
+
+  # Unattended mode: use fallback with warning
+  if is_unattended; then
+    if [[ -n "$env_var_hint" ]]; then
+      echo -e "${YW}⚠ Required value '${env_var_hint}' not set - using fallback: ${fallback}${CL}" >&2
+      MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES+=("$env_var_hint")
+    else
+      echo -e "${YW}⚠ Required value not provided - using fallback: ${fallback}${CL}" >&2
+      MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES+=("(unnamed)")
+    fi
+    echo "$fallback"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  # Check if running in a TTY
+  if [[ ! -t 0 ]]; then
+    echo -e "${YW}⚠ Not interactive - using fallback: ${fallback}${CL}" >&2
+    MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES+=("${env_var_hint:-unnamed}")
+    echo "$fallback"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  # Interactive prompt - loop until non-empty input or use fallback on timeout
+  local attempts=0
+  while [[ -z "$response" ]]; do
+    attempts=$((attempts + 1))
+
+    if [[ $attempts -gt 3 ]]; then
+      echo -e "${YW}Too many empty inputs - using fallback: ${fallback}${CL}" >&2
+      MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES+=("${env_var_hint:-manual_input}")
+      echo "$fallback"
+      return 0
+    fi
+
+    echo -en "${YW}${message} (required, timeout ${timeout}s): ${CL}" >&2
+
+    if read -t "$timeout" -r response; then
+      if [[ -z "$response" ]]; then
+        echo -e "${YW}This field is required. Please enter a value. (attempt ${attempts}/3)${CL}" >&2
+      fi
+    else
+      # Timeout occurred - use fallback
+      echo "" >&2
+      echo -e "${YW}Timeout - using fallback value: ${fallback}${CL}" >&2
+      MISSING_REQUIRED_VALUES+=("${env_var_hint:-timeout}")
+      echo "$fallback"
+      return 0
+    fi
+  done
+
+  echo "$response"
+}
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# prompt_select()
+#
+# - Prompts user to select from a list of options with timeout support
+# - In unattended mode: immediately returns default selection
+# - In interactive mode: displays numbered menu and waits for choice
+# - After timeout: auto-applies default selection
+#
+# Arguments:
+#   $1 - Prompt message (required)
+#   $2 - Default option number, 1-based (optional, default: 1)
+#   $3 - Timeout in seconds (optional, default: 60)
+#   $4+ - Options to display (required, at least 2)
+#
+# Output:
+#   Prints the selected option value to stdout
+#
+# Returns:
+#   0 - Success
+#   1 - No options provided or invalid state
+#
+# Example:
+#   choice=$(prompt_select "Select database:" 1 30 "PostgreSQL" "MySQL" "SQLite")
+#   echo "Selected: $choice"
+#
+#   # With array
+#   options=("Option A" "Option B" "Option C")
+#   selected=$(prompt_select "Choose:" 2 60 "${options[@]}")
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+prompt_select() {
+  local message="${1:-Select option:}"
+  local default="${2:-1}"
+  local timeout="${3:-60}"
+  shift 3
+
+  local options=("$@")
+  local num_options=${#options[@]}
+
+  # Validate options
+  if [[ $num_options -eq 0 ]]; then
+    echo "" >&2
+    return 1
+  fi
+
+  # Validate default
+  if [[ ! "$default" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || [[ "$default" -lt 1 ]] || [[ "$default" -gt "$num_options" ]]; then
+    default=1
+  fi
+
+  # Unattended mode: return default immediately
+  if is_unattended; then
+    echo "${options[$((default - 1))]}"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  # Check if running in a TTY
+  if [[ ! -t 0 ]]; then
+    echo "${options[$((default - 1))]}"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  # Display menu
+  echo -e "${YW}${message}${CL}" >&2
+  local i
+  for i in "${!options[@]}"; do
+    local num=$((i + 1))
+    if [[ $num -eq $default ]]; then
+      echo -e "  ${GN}${num})${CL} ${options[$i]} ${YW}(default)${CL}" >&2
+    else
+      echo -e "  ${GN}${num})${CL} ${options[$i]}" >&2
+    fi
+  done
+
+  # Interactive prompt with timeout
+  echo -en "${YW}Select [1-${num_options}] (auto-select ${default} in ${timeout}s): ${CL}" >&2
+
+  local response
+  if read -t "$timeout" -r response; then
+    if [[ -z "$response" ]]; then
+      # Empty response, use default
+      echo "${options[$((default - 1))]}"
+    elif [[ "$response" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] && [[ "$response" -ge 1 ]] && [[ "$response" -le "$num_options" ]]; then
+      # Valid selection
+      echo "${options[$((response - 1))]}"
+    else
+      # Invalid input, use default
+      echo -e "${YW}Invalid selection, using default: ${options[$((default - 1))]}${CL}" >&2
+      echo "${options[$((default - 1))]}"
+    fi
+  else
+    # Timeout occurred
+    echo "" >&2 # Newline after timeout
+    echo -e "${YW}Timeout - auto-selecting: ${options[$((default - 1))]}${CL}" >&2
+    echo "${options[$((default - 1))]}"
+  fi
+}
+
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# prompt_password()
+#
+# - Prompts user for password input with hidden characters
+# - In unattended mode: returns default or generates random password
+# - Supports auto-generation of secure passwords
+# - After timeout: generates random password if allowed
+#
+# Arguments:
+#   $1 - Prompt message (required)
+#   $2 - Default value or "generate" for auto-generation (optional)
+#   $3 - Timeout in seconds (optional, default: 60)
+#   $4 - Minimum length for validation (optional, default: 0 = no minimum)
+#
+# Output:
+#   Prints the password to stdout
+#
+# Example:
+#   password=$(prompt_password "Enter password:" "generate" 30 8)
+#   echo "Password set"
+#
+#   # Require user input (no default)
+#   db_pass=$(prompt_password "Database password:" "" 60 12)
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+prompt_password() {
+  local message="${1:-Enter password:}"
+  local default="${2:-}"
+  local timeout="${3:-60}"
+  local min_length="${4:-0}"
+  local response
+
+  # Generate random password if requested
+  local generated=""
+  if [[ "$default" == "generate" ]]; then
+    generated=$(openssl rand -base64 16 2>/dev/null | tr -dc 'a-zA-Z0-9' | head -c 16)
+    [[ -z "$generated" ]] && generated=$(head /dev/urandom | tr -dc 'a-zA-Z0-9' | head -c 16)
+    default="$generated"
+  fi
+
+  # Unattended mode: return default immediately
+  if is_unattended; then
+    echo "$default"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  # Check if running in a TTY
+  if [[ ! -t 0 ]]; then
+    echo "$default"
+    return 0
+  fi
+
+  # Build hint
+  local hint=""
+  if [[ -n "$generated" ]]; then
+    hint=" (Enter for auto-generated)"
+  elif [[ -n "$default" ]]; then
+    hint=" (Enter for default)"
+  fi
+  [[ "$min_length" -gt 0 ]] && hint="${hint} [min ${min_length} chars]"
+
+  # Interactive prompt with timeout (silent input)
+  echo -en "${YW}${message}${hint} (timeout ${timeout}s): ${CL}" >&2
+
+  if read -t "$timeout" -rs response; then
+    echo "" >&2 # Newline after hidden input
+    if [[ -n "$response" ]]; then
+      # Validate minimum length
+      if [[ "$min_length" -gt 0 ]] && [[ ${#response} -lt "$min_length" ]]; then
+        echo -e "${YW}Password too short (min ${min_length}), using default${CL}" >&2
+        echo "$default"
+      else
+        echo "$response"
+      fi
+    else
+      echo "$default"
+    fi
+  else
+    # Timeout occurred
+    echo "" >&2 # Newline after timeout
+    echo -e "${YW}Timeout - using generated password${CL}" >&2
+    echo "$default"
+  fi
+}
+
 # ==============================================================================
 # SECTION 6: CLEANUP & MAINTENANCE
 # ==============================================================================
@@ -896,15 +1524,13 @@ check_or_create_swap() {
 
   msg_error "No active swap detected"
 
-  read -p "Do you want to create a swap file? [y/N]: " create_swap
-  create_swap="${create_swap,,}" # to lowercase
-
-  if [[ "$create_swap" != "y" && "$create_swap" != "yes" ]]; then
+  if ! prompt_confirm "Do you want to create a swap file?" "n" 60; then
     msg_info "Skipping swap file creation"
     return 1
   fi
 
-  read -p "Enter swap size in MB (e.g., 2048 for 2GB): " swap_size_mb
+  local swap_size_mb
+  swap_size_mb=$(prompt_input "Enter swap size in MB (e.g., 2048 for 2GB):" "2048" 60)
   if ! [[ "$swap_size_mb" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]]; then
     msg_error "Invalid size input. Aborting."
     return 1