fix(ui): improve error output formatting and remove redundant log paths

- error_handler: Use msg_info/msg_ok/msg_warn for container cleanup
  instead of raw echo with manual ANSI codes
- error_handler: Add ❓ icon before 'Remove broken container?' prompt
- error_handler: Indent log output with TAB for visual consistency
- build.func: Use msg_custom for installation log path display
- build.func: Use msg_info → msg_ok for container removal flow
- build.func: Use msg_warn for 'kept for debugging' message
- core.func/vm-core.func: Remove redundant container-internal log
  path display (📋 View full log) since combined log on host is
  the canonical location shown after failure

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -403,6 +403,16 @@ 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))
+
 ## 2026-02-13
 
 ### 🚀 Updated Scripts

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",

frontend/public/json/unifi.json

@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
   "logo": "https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/selfhst/icons@main/webp/ubiquiti-unifi.webp",
   "config_path": "",
   "description": "UniFi Network Server is a software that helps manage and monitor UniFi networks (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.) by providing an intuitive user interface and advanced features. It allows network administrators to configure, monitor, and upgrade network devices, as well as view network statistics, client devices, and historical events. The aim of the application is to make the management of UniFi networks easier and more efficient.",
+  "disable": true,
+  "disable_description": "This script is disabled because UniFi no longer delivers APT packages for Debian systems. The installation relies on APT repositories that are no longer maintained or available. For more details, see: https://github.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVE/issues/11876",
   "install_methods": [
     {
       "type": "default",

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=""
@@ -265,11 +266,53 @@ 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
 }
 
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# build_error_string()
+#
+# - Builds a structured error string for telemetry reporting
+# - Format: "exit_code=<N> | <explanation>\n---\n<last 20 log lines>"
+# - If no log lines available, returns just the explanation
+# - Arguments:
+#   * $1: exit_code (numeric)
+#   * $2: log_text (optional, output from get_error_text)
+# - Returns structured error string via stdout
+# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+build_error_string() {
+  local exit_code="${1:-1}"
+  local log_text="${2:-}"
+  local explanation
+  explanation=$(explain_exit_code "$exit_code")
+
+  if [[ -n "$log_text" ]]; then
+    # Structured format: header + separator + log lines
+    printf 'exit_code=%s | %s\n---\n%s' "$exit_code" "$explanation" "$log_text"
+  else
+    # No log available - just the explanation with exit code
+    printf 'exit_code=%s | %s' "$exit_code" "$explanation"
+  fi
+}
+
 # ==============================================================================
 # SECTION 2: TELEMETRY FUNCTIONS
 # ==============================================================================
@@ -648,13 +691,12 @@ post_update_to_api() {
     else
       exit_code=1
     fi
+    # Get log lines and build structured error string
     local error_text=""
     error_text=$(get_error_text)
-    if [[ -n "$error_text" ]]; then
-      error=$(json_escape "$error_text")
-    else
-      error=$(json_escape "$(explain_exit_code "$exit_code")")
-    fi
+    local full_error
+    full_error=$(build_error_string "$exit_code" "$error_text")
+    error=$(json_escape "$full_error")
     short_error=$(json_escape "$(explain_exit_code "$exit_code")")
     error_category=$(categorize_error "$exit_code")
     [[ -z "$error" ]] && error="Unknown error"
@@ -797,31 +839,52 @@ EOF
 categorize_error() {
   local code="$1"
   case "$code" in
-  # Network errors
-  6 | 7 | 22 | 28 | 35) echo "network" ;;
+  # Network errors (curl/wget)
+  6 | 7 | 22 | 35) echo "network" ;;
 
-  # Storage errors
-  214 | 217 | 219) echo "storage" ;;
+  # Timeout errors
+  28 | 124 | 211) echo "timeout" ;;
 
-  # Dependency/Package errors
-  100 | 101 | 102 | 127 | 160 | 161 | 162) echo "dependency" ;;
+  # Storage errors (Proxmox storage)
+  214 | 217 | 219 | 224) echo "storage" ;;
+
+  # Dependency/Package errors (APT, DPKG, pip, commands)
+  100 | 101 | 102 | 127 | 160 | 161 | 162 | 255) echo "dependency" ;;
 
   # Permission errors
   126 | 152) echo "permission" ;;
 
-  # Timeout errors
-  124 | 28 | 211) echo "timeout" ;;
+  # Configuration errors (Proxmox config, invalid args)
+  128 | 203 | 204 | 205 | 206 | 207 | 208) echo "config" ;;
 
-  # Configuration errors
-  203 | 204 | 205 | 206 | 207 | 208) echo "config" ;;
+  # Proxmox container/template errors
+  200 | 209 | 210 | 212 | 213 | 215 | 216 | 218 | 220 | 221 | 222 | 223 | 225 | 231) echo "proxmox" ;;
+
+  # Service/Systemd errors
+  150 | 151 | 153 | 154) echo "service" ;;
+
+  # Database errors (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB)
+  170 | 171 | 172 | 173 | 180 | 181 | 182 | 183 | 190 | 191 | 192 | 193) echo "database" ;;
+
+  # Node.js / JavaScript runtime errors
+  243 | 245 | 246 | 247 | 248 | 249) echo "runtime" ;;
+
+  # Python environment errors
+  # (already covered: 160-162 under dependency)
 
   # Aborted by user
   130) echo "aborted" ;;
 
-  # Resource errors (OOM, etc)
-  137 | 134) echo "resource" ;;
+  # Resource errors (OOM, SIGKILL, SIGABRT)
+  134 | 137) echo "resource" ;;
 
-  # Default
+  # Signal/Process errors (SIGTERM, SIGPIPE, SIGSEGV)
+  139 | 141 | 143) echo "signal" ;;
+
+  # Shell errors (general error, syntax error)  
+  1 | 2) echo "shell" ;;
+
+  # Default - truly unknown
   *) echo "unknown" ;;
   esac
 }
@@ -884,11 +947,9 @@ post_tool_to_api() {
     [[ ! "$exit_code" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] && exit_code=1
     local error_text=""
     error_text=$(get_error_text)
-    if [[ -n "$error_text" ]]; then
-      error=$(json_escape "$error_text")
-    else
-      error=$(json_escape "$(explain_exit_code "$exit_code")")
-    fi
+    local full_error
+    full_error=$(build_error_string "$exit_code" "$error_text")
+    error=$(json_escape "$full_error")
     error_category=$(categorize_error "$exit_code")
   fi
 
@@ -951,11 +1012,9 @@ post_addon_to_api() {
     [[ ! "$exit_code" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] && exit_code=1
     local error_text=""
     error_text=$(get_error_text)
-    if [[ -n "$error_text" ]]; then
-      error=$(json_escape "$error_text")
-    else
-      error=$(json_escape "$(explain_exit_code "$exit_code")")
-    fi
+    local full_error
+    full_error=$(build_error_string "$exit_code" "$error_text")
+    error=$(json_escape "$full_error")
     error_category=$(categorize_error "$exit_code")
   fi
 
@@ -1050,11 +1109,9 @@ post_update_to_api_extended() {
     fi
     local error_text=""
     error_text=$(get_error_text)
-    if [[ -n "$error_text" ]]; then
-      error=$(json_escape "$error_text")
-    else
-      error=$(json_escape "$(explain_exit_code "$exit_code")")
-    fi
+    local full_error
+    full_error=$(build_error_string "$exit_code" "$error_text")
+    error=$(json_escape "$full_error")
     error_category=$(categorize_error "$exit_code")
     [[ -z "$error" ]] && error="Unknown error"
   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"
@@ -385,7 +386,7 @@ 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" ]] || [[ ${#label} -gt 63 ]]; then
@@ -489,7 +490,7 @@ validate_ipv6_address() {
   # Check that no segment exceeds 4 hex chars
   local IFS=':'
   local -a segments
-  read -ra segments <<< "$addr"
+  read -ra segments <<<"$addr"
   for seg in "${segments[@]}"; do
     if [[ ${#seg} -gt 4 ]]; then
       return 1
@@ -539,14 +540,14 @@ 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 +1080,117 @@ 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 +2765,26 @@ 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 +2892,7 @@ 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 +2914,20 @@ 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 +4085,55 @@ 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}${CL}"
+      msg_custom "📋" "${YW}" "Installation log: ${combined_log}"
     fi
 
     # Dev mode: Keep container or open breakpoint shell
@@ -4095,19 +4156,21 @@ EOF'
       exit $install_exit_code
     fi
 
-    # Prompt user for cleanup with 60s timeout (plain echo - no msg_info to avoid spinner)
+    # Prompt user for cleanup with 60s timeout
     echo ""
-    echo -en "${YW}Remove broken container ${CTID}? (Y/n) [auto-remove in 60s]: ${CL}"
+    echo -en "${TAB}❓${TAB}${YW}Remove broken container ${CTID}? (Y/n) [auto-remove in 60s]: ${CL}"
 
     if read -t 60 -r response; then
       if [[ -z "$response" || "$response" =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
         # Remove container
-        echo -e "\n${TAB}${HOLD}${YW}Removing container ${CTID}${CL}"
+        echo ""
+        msg_info "Removing container ${CTID}"
         pct stop "$CTID" &>/dev/null || true
         pct destroy "$CTID" &>/dev/null || true
-        echo -e "${BFR}${CM}${GN}Container ${CTID} removed${CL}"
+        msg_ok "Container ${CTID} removed"
       elif [[ "$response" =~ ^[Nn]$ ]]; then
-        echo -e "\n${TAB}${YW}Container ${CTID} kept for debugging${CL}"
+        echo ""
+        msg_warn "Container ${CTID} kept for debugging"
 
         # Dev mode: Setup MOTD/SSH for debugging access to broken container
         if [[ "${DEV_MODE_MOTD:-false}" == "true" ]]; then
@@ -4123,11 +4186,11 @@ EOF'
       fi
     else
       # Timeout - auto-remove
-      echo -e "\n${YW}No response - auto-removing container${CL}"
-      echo -e "${TAB}${HOLD}${YW}Removing container ${CTID}${CL}"
+      echo ""
+      msg_info "No response - removing container ${CTID}"
       pct stop "$CTID" &>/dev/null || true
       pct destroy "$CTID" &>/dev/null || true
-      echo -e "${BFR}${CM}${GN}Container ${CTID} removed${CL}"
+      msg_ok "Container ${CTID} removed"
     fi
 
     # Force one final status update attempt after cleanup
@@ -5137,6 +5200,61 @@ 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 +5267,7 @@ 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 +5275,6 @@ 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()
 #
@@ -459,15 +522,9 @@ silent() {
     msg_custom "→" "${YWB}" "${cmd}"
 
     if [[ -s "$logfile" ]]; then
-      local log_lines=$(wc -l <"$logfile")
-      echo "--- Last 10 lines of silent log ---"
+      echo -e "\n${TAB}--- Last 10 lines of log ---"
       tail -n 10 "$logfile"
-      echo "-----------------------------------"
-
-      # Show how to view full log if there are more lines
-      if [[ $log_lines -gt 10 ]]; then
-        msg_custom "📋" "${YW}" "View full log (${log_lines} lines): ${logfile}"
-      fi
+      echo -e "${TAB}-----------------------------------\n"
     fi
 
     exit "$rc"
@@ -488,7 +545,7 @@ spinner() {
   local i=0
   while true; do
     local index=$((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}${CS_CL}"
     sleep 0.1
   done
 }
@@ -555,6 +612,9 @@ msg_info() {
   [[ -n "${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 +658,10 @@ 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 +676,7 @@ msg_error() {
   stop_spinner
   local msg="$1"
   echo -e "${BFR:-}${CROSS:-✖️} ${RD}${msg}${CL}" >&2
+  log_msg "[ERROR] $msg"
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -627,6 +691,7 @@ msg_warn() {
   stop_spinner
   local msg="$1"
   echo -e "${BFR:-}${INFO:-ℹ️} ${YWB}${msg}${CL}" >&2
+  log_msg "[WARN] $msg"
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -644,6 +709,7 @@ msg_custom() {
   [[ -z "$msg" ]] && return
   stop_spinner
   echo -e "${BFR:-} ${symbol} ${color}${msg}${CL:-\e[0m}"
+  log_msg "$msg"
 }
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -808,6 +874,562 @@ 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 +1518,13 @@ 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

misc/error_handler.func

@@ -175,9 +175,9 @@ error_handler() {
   fi
 
   if [[ -n "$active_log" && -s "$active_log" ]]; then
-    echo "--- Last 20 lines of silent log ---"
+    echo -e "\n${TAB}--- Last 20 lines of log ---"
     tail -n 20 "$active_log"
-    echo "-----------------------------------"
+    echo -e "${TAB}-----------------------------------\n"
 
     # Detect context: Container (INSTALL_LOG set + /root exists) vs Host (BUILD_LOG)
     if [[ -n "${INSTALL_LOG:-}" && -d /root ]]; then
@@ -204,23 +204,50 @@ error_handler() {
         fi
 
         echo ""
-        echo -en "${YW}Remove broken container ${CTID}? (Y/n) [auto-remove in 60s]: ${CL}"
+        if declare -f msg_custom >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+          echo -en "${TAB}❓${TAB}${YW}Remove broken container ${CTID}? (Y/n) [auto-remove in 60s]: ${CL}"
+        else
+          echo -en "${YW}Remove broken container ${CTID}? (Y/n) [auto-remove in 60s]: ${CL}"
+        fi
 
         if read -t 60 -r response; then
           if [[ -z "$response" || "$response" =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
-            echo -e "\n${YW}Removing container ${CTID}${CL}"
+            echo ""
+            if declare -f msg_info >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              msg_info "Removing container ${CTID}"
+            else
+              echo -e "${YW}Removing container ${CTID}${CL}"
+            fi
             pct stop "$CTID" &>/dev/null || true
             pct destroy "$CTID" &>/dev/null || true
-            echo -e "${GN}✔${CL} Container ${CTID} removed"
+            if declare -f msg_ok >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              msg_ok "Container ${CTID} removed"
+            else
+              echo -e "${GN}✔${CL} Container ${CTID} removed"
+            fi
           elif [[ "$response" =~ ^[Nn]$ ]]; then
-            echo -e "\n${YW}Container ${CTID} kept for debugging${CL}"
+            echo ""
+            if declare -f msg_warn >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+              msg_warn "Container ${CTID} kept for debugging"
+            else
+              echo -e "${YW}Container ${CTID} kept for debugging${CL}"
+            fi
           fi
         else
           # Timeout - auto-remove
-          echo -e "\n${YW}No response - auto-removing container${CL}"
+          echo ""
+          if declare -f msg_info >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            msg_info "No response - removing container ${CTID}"
+          else
+            echo -e "${YW}No response - removing container ${CTID}${CL}"
+          fi
           pct stop "$CTID" &>/dev/null || true
           pct destroy "$CTID" &>/dev/null || true
-          echo -e "${GN}✔${CL} Container ${CTID} removed"
+          if declare -f msg_ok >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+            msg_ok "Container ${CTID} removed"
+          else
+            echo -e "${GN}✔${CL} Container ${CTID} removed"
+          fi
         fi
 
         # Force one final status update attempt after cleanup
@@ -254,6 +281,10 @@ on_exit() {
   # post_to_api was called ("installing" sent) but post_update_to_api was never called
   if [[ "${POST_TO_API_DONE:-}" == "true" && "${POST_UPDATE_DONE:-}" != "true" ]]; then
     if declare -f post_update_to_api >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+      # Ensure log is accessible on host before reporting
+      if declare -f ensure_log_on_host >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+        ensure_log_on_host
+      fi
       if [[ $exit_code -ne 0 ]]; then
         post_update_to_api "failed" "$exit_code"
       else
@@ -273,6 +304,10 @@ on_exit() {
 # - Exits with code 130 (128 + SIGINT=2)
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 on_interrupt() {
+  # Ensure log is accessible on host before reporting
+  if declare -f ensure_log_on_host >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ensure_log_on_host
+  fi
   # Report interruption to telemetry API (prevents stuck "installing" records)
   if declare -f post_update_to_api >/dev/null 2>&1; then
     post_update_to_api "failed" "130"
@@ -294,6 +329,10 @@ on_interrupt() {
 # - Triggered by external process termination
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 on_terminate() {
+  # Ensure log is accessible on host before reporting
+  if declare -f ensure_log_on_host >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    ensure_log_on_host
+  fi
   # Report termination to telemetry API (prevents stuck "installing" records)
   if declare -f post_update_to_api >/dev/null 2>&1; then
     post_update_to_api "failed" "143"

misc/vm-core.func

@@ -207,15 +207,9 @@ silent() {
     msg_custom "→" "${YWB}" "${cmd}"
 
     if [[ -s "$logfile" ]]; then
-      local log_lines=$(wc -l <"$logfile")
-      echo "--- Last 10 lines of log ---"
+      echo -e "\n${TAB}--- Last 10 lines of log ---"
       tail -n 10 "$logfile"
-      echo "----------------------------"
-
-      # Show how to view full log if there are more lines
-      if [[ $log_lines -gt 10 ]]; then
-        msg_custom "📋" "${YW}" "View full log (${log_lines} lines): ${logfile}"
-      fi
+      echo -e "${TAB}----------------------------\n"
     fi
 
     exit "$rc"