diff --git a/install/proxmox/README.md b/install/proxmox/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2eb3a3f5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/install/proxmox/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+# NetAlertX Proxmox Installer
+
+A comprehensive installer script for deploying NetAlertX on Proxmox VE (Debian-based) systems. This installer automates the complete setup including dependencies, NGINX configuration, systemd service, and security hardening.
+
+## 🚀 Quick Start
+
+### Prerequisites
+- Proxmox VE (Debian-based)
+- Root access
+- Internet connection
+
+### Installation
+
+```bash
+# Download and run the installer
+curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JVKeller/NetAlertX/main/install/proxmox/proxmox-install-netalertx.sh | bash
+```
+
+### Non-Interactive Installation
+```bash
+# Skip all prompts and use defaults
+NETALERTX_ASSUME_YES=1 curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JVKeller/NetAlertX/main/install/proxmox/proxmox-install-netalertx.sh | bash
+
+# Custom port
+PORT=8080 NETALERTX_ASSUME_YES=1 curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JVKeller/NetAlertX/main/install/proxmox/proxmox-install-netalertx.sh | bash
+```
+
+## 📋 What This Installer Does
+
+### System Dependencies
+- **PHP 8.4** with FPM, SQLite3, cURL extensions
+- **NGINX** with custom configuration
+- **Python 3** with virtual environment
+- **Network tools**: nmap, arp-scan, traceroute, mtr, speedtest-cli
+- **Additional tools**: git, build-essential, avahi-daemon
+
+### Security Features
+- **Hardened permissions**: Proper user/group ownership
+- **TMPFS mounts**: Log and API directories mounted as tmpfs for security
+- **NGINX user**: Configured to run as www-data
+- **Strict bash options**: Error handling and security
+
+### Service Management
+- **Systemd service**: Auto-start on boot with restart policies
+- **Service monitoring**: Built-in health checks and logging
+- **Dependency management**: Waits for network and NGINX
+
+## 🔧 Configuration
+
+### Port Configuration
+The installer prompts for a custom port (default: 20211) with a 10-second countdown:
+
+```
+Enter HTTP port for NetAlertX [20211] (auto-continue in 10s): 
+```
+
+### Environment Variables
+| Variable | Description | Default |
+|----------|-------------|---------|
+| `NETALERTX_ASSUME_YES` | Skip all prompts | `false` |
+| `NETALERTX_FORCE` | Force installation | `false` |
+| `PORT` | Custom HTTP port | `20211` |
+| `LISTEN_ADDR` | Bind address | `0.0.0.0` |
+| `ALWAYS_FRESH_INSTALL` | Clear existing data | `false` |
+
+### Service Management
+```bash
+# Check service status
+systemctl status netalertx
+
+# View logs
+journalctl -u netalertx -f
+
+# Restart service
+systemctl restart netalertx
+
+# Stop service
+systemctl stop netalertx
+```
+
+## 🌐 Access
+
+After installation, access NetAlertX at:
+```
+http://[SERVER_IP]:[PORT]
+```
+
+## 🔒 Security Considerations
+
+### TMPFS Mounts
+- `/app/log` - Mounted as tmpfs (no persistent logs)
+- `/app/api` - Mounted as tmpfs (temporary API data)
+
+### File Permissions
+- Application files: `www-data:www-data` with appropriate permissions
+- NGINX runs as `www-data` user
+- Log directories: Secure permissions with tmpfs
+
+### Network Security
+- NGINX configured for internal network access
+- No external firewall rules added (configure manually if needed)
+
+## 🛠️ Troubleshooting
+
+### Common Issues
+
+#### 403 Forbidden Error
+```bash
+# Check file permissions
+ls -la /var/www/html/netalertx
+ls -la /app/front
+
+# Fix permissions
+chown -R www-data:www-data /app/front
+chmod -R 755 /app/front
+```
+
+#### Service Won't Start
+```bash
+# Check service status
+systemctl status netalertx
+
+# View detailed logs
+journalctl -u netalertx --no-pager -l
+
+# Check if port is in use
+ss -tlnp | grep :20211
+```
+
+#### GraphQL Connection Issues
+```bash
+# Check API token in config
+grep API_TOKEN /app/config/app.conf
+
+# Verify GraphQL port
+grep GRAPHQL_PORT /app/config/app.conf
+
+# Check backend logs
+tail -f /app/log/app.log
+```
+
+### Log Locations
+- **Service logs**: `journalctl -u netalertx`
+- **Application logs**: `/app/log/` (tmpfs)
+- **NGINX logs**: `/var/log/nginx/`
+- **PHP logs**: `/app/log/app.php_errors.log`
+
+### Manual Service Start
+If systemd service fails:
+```bash
+# Activate Python environment
+source /opt/myenv/bin/activate
+
+# Start manually
+cd /app
+python server/
+```
+or
+```
+./start.netalertx.sh
+```
+## 🔄 Updates
+
+### Updating NetAlertX
+```bash
+# Stop service
+systemctl stop netalertx
+
+# Update from repository
+cd /app
+git pull origin main
+
+# Restart service
+systemctl start netalertx
+```
+
+
+## 📁 File Structure
+
+```
+/app/                          # Main application directory
+├── front/                     # Web interface (symlinked to /var/www/html/netalertx)
+├── server/                    # Python backend
+├── config/                    # Configuration files
+├── db/                        # Database files
+├── log/                       # Log files (tmpfs)
+├── api/                       # API files (tmpfs)
+└── start.netalertx.sh        # Service startup script
+
+/etc/systemd/system/
+└── netalertx.service         # Systemd service definition
+
+/etc/nginx/conf.d/
+└── netalertx.conf            # NGINX configuration
+```
+
+## 🤝 Contributing
+This installer will need a maintainer
+
+1. Fork the repository
+2. Create a feature branch
+3. Make your changes
+4. Test thoroughly
+5. Submit a pull request
+
+## 🙏 Acknowledgments
+
+- NetAlertX development team
+- Proxmox VE community
+- Debian/Ubuntu maintainers
+- Open source contributors
+
+---
+
+**Note**: This installer was designed for a Proxmox LXC Debian 13 container. For other systems, please use the appropriate installer or manual installation instructions.
diff --git a/install/proxmox/proxmox-install-netalertx.sh b/install/proxmox/proxmox-install-netalertx.sh
new file mode 100755
index 00000000..4bca2ca5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/install/proxmox/proxmox-install-netalertx.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,505 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+# Exit immediately if a command exits with a non-zero status.
+set -e
+# Treat unset variables as an error when substituting
+set -u
+# Consider failures in a pipeline
+set -o pipefail
+# Safe IFS
+IFS=$' \t\n'
+
+# 🛑 Important: This is only used for the bare-metal install 🛑 
+# Colors (guarded)
+if [ -t 1 ] && [ -z "${NO_COLOR:-}" ]; then
+  RESET='\e[0m'
+  GREEN='\e[38;5;2m'
+  BOLD='\e[1m'
+  WHITE='\e[97m'
+  RED='\e[31m'
+else
+  RESET=''; GREEN=''; BOLD=''; WHITE=''; RED=''
+fi
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Running proxmox-install-netalertx.sh"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+# Set environment variables
+INSTALL_DIR=/app  # default installation directory
+# DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE!
+INSTALLER_DIR="$INSTALL_DIR/install/proxmox"
+CONF_FILE=app.conf
+DB_FILE=app.db
+NGINX_CONF_NAME=netalertx.conf
+WEB_UI_DIR=/var/www/html/netalertx
+NGINX_CONFIG_FILE="/etc/nginx/conf.d/${NGINX_CONF_NAME}"
+OUI_FILE="/usr/share/arp-scan/ieee-oui.txt" 
+FILEDB=$INSTALL_DIR/db/$DB_FILE
+# DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING ABOVE THIS LINE! 
+
+# Check if script is run as root
+if [[ $EUID -ne 0 ]]; then
+    echo "This script must be run as root." 
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Interactive confirmation: warn about overwriting/removing existing installation and NGINX config
+if [ -z "${NETALERTX_ASSUME_YES:-}" ] && [ -z "${ASSUME_YES:-}" ] && [ -z "${NETALERTX_FORCE:-}" ]; then
+    printf "%b\n" "------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+    printf "%b\n" "${RED}[WARNING]              ${RESET}This script should be run on a fresh server"
+    printf "%b\n" "${RED}[WARNING]              ${RESET}This script will install NetAlertX and will:      " 
+    printf "%b\n" "${RED}[WARNING]              ${RESET}• Overwrite existing files under ${INSTALL_DIR}  "
+    printf "%b\n" "${RED}[WARNING]              ${RESET}• Wipe any existing database                      "
+    printf "%b\n" "${RED}[WARNING]              ${RESET}• Wipe/Set up NGINX configuration under /etc/nginx"
+    printf "%b\n" "${RED}[WARNING]              ${RESET}• Set up systemd services.                        "
+    read -r -p "Proceed with installation? [y/N]: " _reply
+    case "${_reply}" in
+        y|Y|yes|YES) ;;
+        *) echo "Aborting by user choice."; exit 1;;
+    esac
+else
+     printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+     printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]       ${RESET}Non-interactive mode detected; proceeding without confirmation."
+     printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+fi
+
+# Prompt for HTTP port (default 20211) with countdown fallback
+DEFAULT_PORT=20211
+if [ -z "${NETALERTX_ASSUME_YES:-}" ] && [ -z "${ASSUME_YES:-}" ] && [ -z "${NETALERTX_FORCE:-}" ]; then
+  printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+  # Countdown-based prompt
+  _entered_port=""
+  for _sec in 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1; do
+    printf "\rEnter HTTP port for NetAlertX [${DEFAULT_PORT}] (auto-continue in %2ds): " "${_sec}"
+    if read -t 1 -r _entered_port; then
+      break
+    fi
+  done
+  printf "\n"
+  if [ -z "${_entered_port}" ]; then
+    PORT="${DEFAULT_PORT}"
+  elif printf '%s' "${_entered_port}" | grep -Eq '^[0-9]+$' && [ "${_entered_port}" -ge 1 ] && [ "${_entered_port}" -le 65535 ]; then
+    PORT="${_entered_port}"
+  else
+    printf "%b\n" "${RED}[WARNING]              ${RESET}Invalid port. Falling back to ${DEFAULT_PORT}"
+    PORT="${DEFAULT_PORT}"
+  fi
+else
+  PORT="${PORT-}"; PORT="${PORT:-${DEFAULT_PORT}}"
+fi
+export PORT
+
+# Detect primary server IP for final prompt/use
+SERVER_IP="$(ip -4 route get 1.1.1.1 2>/dev/null | awk '{for(i=1;i<=NF;i++) if ($i=="src") {print $(i+1); exit}}')"
+if [ -z "${SERVER_IP}" ]; then
+  SERVER_IP="$(hostname -I 2>/dev/null | awk '{print $1}')"
+fi
+if [ -z "${SERVER_IP}" ]; then
+  SERVER_IP="127.0.0.1"
+fi
+export SERVER_IP
+
+# Remove existing installation directory immediately (no prompt), with safety guard
+if [ -d "$INSTALL_DIR" ]; then
+  printf "%b\n" "Removing existing directory: $INSTALL_DIR"
+  rm -rf "$INSTALL_DIR"
+fi
+
+# 1. INSTALL SYSTEM DEPENDENCIES & ADD PHP REPOSITORY
+printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Installing system dependencies"
+printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
+apt-get update -y
+# software-properties-common is not available and not needed
+apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
+    ca-certificates apt-transport-https lsb-release curl gnupg
+
+# Detect OS
+. /etc/os-release
+OS_ID="${ID:-}"
+OS_VER="${VERSION_ID:-}"
+
+printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Detected OS: ${OS_ID} ${OS_VER}"
+printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+if [ "${OS_ID}" = "debian" ] && printf '%s' "${OS_VER}" | grep -q '^13'; then
+  # Debian 13 (trixie) ships PHP 8.4 in main repos; no extra repo needed
+  printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Debian 13 detected - using built-in PHP 8.4"
+  apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
+      tini snmp ca-certificates curl libwww-perl arp-scan perl apt-utils cron sudo \
+      php8.4 php8.4-cgi php8.4-fpm php8.4-sqlite3 php8.4-curl sqlite3 dnsutils net-tools mtr \
+      python3 python3-dev iproute2 nmap python3-pip zip usbutils traceroute nbtscan \
+      avahi-daemon avahi-utils build-essential git gnupg2 lsb-release \
+      debian-archive-keyring python3-venv
+elif [ "${OS_ID}" = "ubuntu" ] && printf '%s' "${OS_VER}" | grep -q '^24'; then
+  # Ubuntu 24.x typically ships PHP 8.3; add ondrej/php PPA and set 8.4
+  printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Ubuntu 24 detected - enabling ondrej/php PPA for PHP 8.4"
+  apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends software-properties-common || true
+  if command -v add-apt-repository >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    add-apt-repository -y ppa:ondrej/php || true
+  else
+    # Fallback: manually add ondrej/php PPA for the current codename
+    CODENAME=$(lsb_release -sc 2>/dev/null || echo noble)
+    curl -fsSL https://keyserver.ubuntu.com/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x4F4EA0AAE5267A6C | gpg --dearmor | tee /usr/share/keyrings/ondrej-php.gpg >/dev/null
+    echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/ondrej-php.gpg] http://ppa.launchpad.net/ondrej/php/ubuntu ${CODENAME} main" > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ondrej-php.list
+  fi
+  apt-get update -y
+  apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
+      tini snmp ca-certificates curl libwww-perl arp-scan perl apt-utils cron sudo \
+      php8.4 php8.4-cgi php8.4-fpm php8.4-sqlite3 php8.4-curl sqlite3 dnsutils net-tools mtr \
+      python3 python3-dev iproute2 nmap python3-pip zip usbutils traceroute nbtscan \
+      avahi-daemon avahi-utils build-essential git gnupg2 lsb-release \
+      python3-venv
+  # Set PHP 8.4 as the default alternatives where applicable
+  update-alternatives --set php /usr/bin/php8.4 || true
+  systemctl enable php8.4-fpm || true
+  systemctl restart php8.4-fpm || true
+else
+  # Generic fallback: try installing PHP 8.4, may require external repo on older OSes
+  printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Generic install path - attempting PHP 8.4 from current repos"
+  apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends \
+      tini snmp ca-certificates curl libwww-perl arp-scan perl apt-utils cron sudo \
+      php8.4 php8.4-cgi php8.4-fpm php8.4-sqlite3 php8.4-curl sqlite3 dnsutils net-tools mtr \
+      python3 python3-dev iproute2 nmap python3-pip zip usbutils traceroute nbtscan \
+      avahi-daemon avahi-utils build-essential git gnupg2 lsb-release \
+      python3-venv || true
+fi
+
+# 2. SET UP NGINX REPOSITORY AND INSTALL
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Setting up NGINX"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+curl -fsSL https://nginx.org/keys/nginx_signing.key | gpg --dearmor \
+   | tee /usr/share/keyrings/nginx-archive-keyring.gpg >/dev/null
+
+
+echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/nginx-archive-keyring.gpg] http://nginx.org/packages/debian $(lsb_release -cs) nginx" \
+   | tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nginx.list
+
+printf "Package: *\\nPin: origin nginx.org\\nPin: release o=nginx\\nPin-Priority: 900\\n" \
+   | tee /etc/apt/preferences.d/99nginx
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]              ${RESET}Setting up NGINX - Might take a minute!"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+apt-get update -y
+apt-get install -y nginx
+
+# Enable and start nginx
+if command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+    systemctl enable nginx || true
+    systemctl restart nginx || true
+fi
+
+# 3. SET UP PYTHON VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT & DEPENDENCIES
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Setting up Python environment"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+python3 -m venv /opt/myenv
+source /opt/myenv/bin/activate
+
+update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3 10
+
+# Create requirements.txt on-the-fly
+cat > /tmp/requirements.txt << EOF
+openwrt-luci-rpc
+asusrouter
+asyncio
+aiohttp
+graphene
+flask
+flask-cors
+unifi-sm-api
+tplink-omada-client
+wakeonlan
+pycryptodome
+requests
+paho-mqtt
+scapy
+cron-converter
+pytz
+json2table
+dhcp-leases
+pyunifi
+speedtest-cli
+chardet
+python-nmap
+dnspython
+librouteros
+yattag
+git+https://github.com/foreign-sub/aiofreepybox.git
+EOF
+
+python -m pip install --upgrade pip
+python -m pip install -r /tmp/requirements.txt
+rm /tmp/requirements.txt
+
+# 4. CLONE OR UPDATE APPLICATION REPOSITORY
+printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Cloning application repository"
+printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+mkdir -p "$INSTALL_DIR"
+git clone https://github.com/JVKeller/NetAlertX.git "$INSTALL_DIR/" #change after testing
+
+# 5. FINAL SETUP
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Starting NetAlertX"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+if [ ! -f "$INSTALL_DIR/front/buildtimestamp.txt" ]; then
+  date +%s > "$INSTALL_DIR/front/buildtimestamp.txt"
+fi
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}NetAlertX Installation complete"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Installing NGINX and setting up the web server"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Stopping any NGINX web server"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+service nginx stop 2>/dev/null || true
+pkill -f "python ${INSTALL_DIR}/server" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Updating the existing installation..."
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+# Remove default NGINX site if it is symlinked, or backup it otherwise
+if [ -L /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default ] ; then
+  echo "Disabling default NGINX site, removing symlink in /etc/nginx/sites-enabled"
+  rm /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default
+elif [ -f /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default ]; then
+  echo "Disabling default NGINX site, moving config to /etc/nginx/sites-available"
+  mv /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default /etc/nginx/sites-available/default.bkp_netalertx
+fi
+
+# Clear existing directories and files
+if [ -d "$WEB_UI_DIR" ]; then
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+   printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Removing existing NetAlertX web-UI"
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+  rm -R "$WEB_UI_DIR"
+fi
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Removing existing NetAlertX NGINX config"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+rm "$NGINX_CONFIG_FILE" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+# Create web directory if it doesn't exist
+mkdir -p /var/www/html
+
+# create symbolic link to the installer directory
+ln -sfn "${INSTALL_DIR}/front" "$WEB_UI_DIR"
+# create symbolic link to NGINX configuration coming with NetAlertX
+ln -sfn "${INSTALLER_DIR}/${NGINX_CONF_NAME}" "${NGINX_CONFIG_FILE}"
+
+# Use selected port (may be default 20211)
+if [ -n "${PORT-}" ]; then
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+   printf "%b\n" "Setting webserver to port ($PORT)"
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+  sed -i "s/listen 20211;/listen ${PORT};/g" "${NGINX_CONFIG_FILE}"
+  # Also update the template file so it reflects the chosen port
+  sed -i "s/listen 20211;/listen ${PORT};/g" "${INSTALLER_DIR}/${NGINX_CONF_NAME}"
+fi
+
+# Change web interface address if set
+if [ -n "${LISTEN_ADDR-}" ]; then
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+   printf "%b\n" "Setting webserver to user-supplied address (${LISTEN_ADDR})"
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+  sed -i "s/listen /listen ${LISTEN_ADDR}:/g" "${NGINX_CONFIG_FILE}"
+  sed -i "s/listen /listen ${LISTEN_ADDR}:/g" "${INSTALLER_DIR}/${NGINX_CONF_NAME}"
+fi
+
+# Run the hardware vendors update at least once
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Run the hardware vendors update"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+# Check if ieee-oui.txt or ieee-iab.txt exist
+if [ -f "$OUI_FILE" ]; then
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+   printf "%b\n" "The file ieee-oui.txt exists. Skipping update_vendors.sh..."
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+else
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+   printf "%b\n" "The file ieee-oui.txt does not exist. Running update_vendors..."
+   printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+  # Run the update_vendors.sh script
+  if [ -f "${INSTALL_DIR}/back/update_vendors.sh" ]; then
+    "${INSTALL_DIR}/back/update_vendors.sh"
+  else
+     printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+     printf "%b\n" "             update_vendors.sh script not found in $INSTALL_DIR."
+     printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+  fi
+fi
+
+# Create empty log files
+printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Creating log and api mounts"
+printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+printf "%b\n" "Cleaning up old mounts if any"
+umount "${INSTALL_DIR}/log" 2>/dev/null || true
+umount "${INSTALL_DIR}/api" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+printf "%b\n" "Creating log and api folders if they don't exist"
+mkdir -p "${INSTALL_DIR}/log" "${INSTALL_DIR}/api"
+
+printf "%b\n" "Mounting log and api folders as tmpfs"
+mount -t tmpfs -o noexec,nosuid,nodev tmpfs "${INSTALL_DIR}/log"
+mount -t tmpfs -o noexec,nosuid,nodev tmpfs "${INSTALL_DIR}/api"
+
+# Create the execution_queue.log file if it doesn't exist
+touch "${INSTALL_DIR}"/log/{app.log,execution_queue.log,app_front.log,app.php_errors.log,stderr.log,stdout.log,db_is_locked.log}
+touch "${INSTALL_DIR}"/api/user_notifications.json
+# Create plugins sub-directory if it doesn't exist in case a custom log folder is used
+mkdir -p "${INSTALL_DIR}"/log/plugins
+
+# Fixing file permissions
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Fixing file permissions"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+chown root:www-data "${INSTALL_DIR}"/api/user_notifications.json
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Fixing WEB_UI_DIR: ${WEB_UI_DIR}"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+chmod -R a+rwx "$WEB_UI_DIR"
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Fixing INSTALL_DIR: ${INSTALL_DIR}"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+chmod -R a+rw "$INSTALL_DIR/log"
+chmod -R a+rwx "$INSTALL_DIR"
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Copy starter $DB_FILE and $CONF_FILE if they don't exist"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+# DANGER ZONE: ALWAYS_FRESH_INSTALL 
+if [ "${ALWAYS_FRESH_INSTALL:-false}" = true ]; then
+     printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+     printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]  ${RESET}❗ ALERT /db and /config folders are cleared because the"
+     printf "%b\n" "                    ALWAYS_FRESH_INSTALL is set to: ${ALWAYS_FRESH_INSTALL}❗"
+     printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+    # Delete content of "/config/"
+    rm -rf "${INSTALL_DIR}/config/"*
+  
+    # Delete content of "/db/"
+    rm -rf "${INSTALL_DIR}/db/"*
+fi
+
+
+# Copy starter $DB_FILE and $CONF_FILE if they don't exist
+mkdir -p "${INSTALL_DIR}/config" "${INSTALL_DIR}/db"
+cp -u "${INSTALL_DIR}/back/${CONF_FILE}" "${INSTALL_DIR}/config/${CONF_FILE}"
+cp -u "${INSTALL_DIR}/back/${DB_FILE}"  "${FILEDB}"
+
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+ printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                ${RESET}Fixing permissions after copied starter config & DB"
+ printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+if [ -f "$FILEDB" ]; then
+    chown -R www-data:www-data "$FILEDB"
+fi
+# Change Nginx User
+sed -i '2s/.*/user  www-data;/' /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
+
+# Change Nginx User
+sed -i '2s/.*/user  www-data;/' /etc/nginx/nginx.conf
+
+chmod -R a+rwx "$INSTALL_DIR" # second time after we copied the files
+chmod -R a+rw "$INSTALL_DIR/config"
+chgrp -R www-data  "$INSTALL_DIR"
+
+# Check if buildtimestamp.txt doesn't exist
+if [ ! -f "${INSTALL_DIR}/front/buildtimestamp.txt" ]; then
+    # Create buildtimestamp.txt
+    date +%s > "${INSTALL_DIR}/front/buildtimestamp.txt"
+fi
+
+# start PHP
+/etc/init.d/php8.4-fpm start
+nginx -t || { printf "%b\n" "${RED}[INSTALLING]              ${RESET}NGINX config test failed"; exit 1; }
+/etc/init.d/nginx start
+
+# Add nginx to www-data
+usermod -aG www-data nginx || true
+
+# Make a start script
+cat > "$INSTALL_DIR/start.netalertx.sh" << 'EOF'
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+# Activate the virtual python environment
+source /opt/myenv/bin/activate
+
+echo -e "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+echo -e "Starting NetAlertX - navigate to http://${SERVER_IP}:${PORT}"
+echo -e "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+# Start the NetAlertX python script
+python server/
+EOF
+
+chmod +x "$INSTALL_DIR/start.netalertx.sh"
+
+# Install and manage systemd service if available, otherwise fallback to direct start
+if command -v systemctl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+  printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Setting up systemd service"
+  printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+
+cat > /etc/systemd/system/netalertx.service << 'EOF'
+[Unit]
+Description=NetAlertX Service
+After=network-online.target nginx.service
+Wants=network-online.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=simple
+User=www-data
+Group=www-data
+ExecStart=/bin/bash -lc '/app/start.netalertx.sh'
+WorkingDirectory=/app
+Restart=on-failure
+RestartSec=5
+StandardOutput=journal
+StandardError=journal
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target
+EOF
+
+  # Reload systemd and enable/start service
+  systemctl daemon-reload
+  systemctl enable netalertx.service
+  systemctl start netalertx.service
+  
+  # Verify service is running
+  if systemctl is-active --quiet netalertx.service; then
+    printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[SUCCESS]                 ${RESET}NetAlertX service started successfully"
+  else
+    printf "%b\n" "${RED}[WARNING]                 ${RESET}NetAlertX service may not have started properly"
+    systemctl status netalertx.service --no-pager -l
+  fi
+else
+  printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+  printf "%b\n" "${GREEN}[INSTALLING]                          ${RESET}Starting NetAlertX (no systemd)"
+  printf "%b\n" "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+  "$INSTALL_DIR/start.netalertx.sh" &
+fi
+
+echo -e "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"
+echo -e "${GREEN}[Service]     🚀 Starting app - navigate to http://${SERVER_IP}:${PORT}"
+echo -e "--------------------------------------------------------------------------"