diff --git a/.github/workflows/codeql-analysis.yml b/.github/workflows/codeql-analysis.yml
index cf17767c..ee923724 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/codeql-analysis.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/codeql-analysis.yml
@@ -25,16 +25,16 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     -
       name: Checkout repository
-      uses: actions/checkout@08c6903cd8c0fde910a37f88322edcfb5dd907a8 #v5.0.0
+      uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd #v6.0.2
     # Initializes the CodeQL tools for scanning.
     -
       name: Initialize CodeQL
-      uses: github/codeql-action/init@16140ae1a102900babc80a33c44059580f687047 #v4.30.9
+      uses: github/codeql-action/init@9e907b5e64f6b83e7804b09294d44122997950d6 #v4.32.3
       with:
         languages: 'python'
     -
       name: Autobuild
-      uses: github/codeql-action/autobuild@16140ae1a102900babc80a33c44059580f687047 #v4.30.9
+      uses: github/codeql-action/autobuild@9e907b5e64f6b83e7804b09294d44122997950d6 #v4.32.3
     -
       name: Perform CodeQL Analysis
-      uses: github/codeql-action/analyze@16140ae1a102900babc80a33c44059580f687047 #v4.30.9
+      uses: github/codeql-action/analyze@9e907b5e64f6b83e7804b09294d44122997950d6 #v4.32.3
diff --git a/.github/workflows/stale.yml b/.github/workflows/stale.yml
index 2fdf9291..1e044ec9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/stale.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/stale.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
       issues: write
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/stale@5f858e3efba33a5ca4407a664cc011ad407f2008 #v10.1.0
+      - uses: actions/stale@997185467fa4f803885201cee163a9f38240193d #v10.1.1
         with:
           repo-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           days-before-stale: 30
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@08c6903cd8c0fde910a37f88322edcfb5dd907a8 #v5.0.0
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd #v6.0.2
       - name: Remove 'stale' label
         run: gh issue edit ${{ github.event.issue.number }} --remove-label ${{ env.stale_label }}
         env:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/stale_pr.yml b/.github/workflows/stale_pr.yml
index 7d68df6a..6dfcbe99 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/stale_pr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/stale_pr.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
       pull-requests: write
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/stale@5f858e3efba33a5ca4407a664cc011ad407f2008 #v10.1.0
+      - uses: actions/stale@997185467fa4f803885201cee163a9f38240193d #v10.1.1
         with:
           repo-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
           # Do not automatically mark PR/issue as stale
diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync-back-to-dev.yml b/.github/workflows/sync-back-to-dev.yml
index b8546b64..058bbcab 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/sync-back-to-dev.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync-back-to-dev.yml
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ jobs:
     name: Syncing branches
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@08c6903cd8c0fde910a37f88322edcfb5dd907a8 #v5.0.0
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd #v6.0.2
       - name: Opening pull request
         run: gh pr create -B development -H master --title 'Sync master back into development' --body 'Created by Github action' --label 'internal'
         env:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test.yml b/.github/workflows/test.yml
index 085a3cc7..6482e242 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/test.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/test.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@08c6903cd8c0fde910a37f88322edcfb5dd907a8 #v5.0.0
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd #v6.0.2
         with:
           fetch-depth: 0 # Differential ShellCheck requires full git history
 
@@ -31,25 +31,25 @@ jobs:
           [[ $FAIL == 1 ]] && exit 1 || echo "Scripts are executable!"
 
       - name: Differential ShellCheck
-        uses: redhat-plumbers-in-action/differential-shellcheck@0d9e5b29625f871e6a4215380486d6f1a7cb6cdd #v5.5.5
+        uses: redhat-plumbers-in-action/differential-shellcheck@d965e66ec0b3b2f821f75c8eff9b12442d9a7d1e #v5.5.6
         with:
           severity: warning
           display-engine: sarif-fmt
 
 
       - name: Spell-Checking
-        uses: codespell-project/actions-codespell@406322ec52dd7b488e48c1c4b82e2a8b3a1bf630 #v2.1
+        uses: codespell-project/actions-codespell@8f01853be192eb0f849a5c7d721450e7a467c579 #v2.2
         with:
           ignore_words_file: .codespellignore
 
       - name: Get editorconfig-checker
-        uses: editorconfig-checker/action-editorconfig-checker@5ecdd656fe347c26f76b1b435b90e1d74fb5e787 # tag v2. is really out of date
+        uses: editorconfig-checker/action-editorconfig-checker@4b6cd6190d435e7e084fb35e36a096e98506f7b9 #v2.1.0
 
       - name: Run editorconfig-checker
         run: editorconfig-checker
 
       - name: Check python code formatting with black
-        uses: psf/black@af0ba72a73598c76189d6dd1b21d8532255d5942 #25.9.0
+        uses: psf/black@6305bf1ae645ab7541be4f5028a86239316178eb #26.1.0
         with:
           src: "./test"
           options: "--check --diff --color"
@@ -74,17 +74,19 @@ jobs:
             fedora_40,
             fedora_41,
             fedora_42,
+            fedora_43,
             alpine_3_21,
             alpine_3_22,
+            alpine_3_23,
           ]
     env:
       DISTRO: ${{matrix.distro}}
     steps:
       - name: Checkout repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@08c6903cd8c0fde910a37f88322edcfb5dd907a8 #v5.0.0
+        uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd #v6.0.2
 
       - name: Set up Python
-        uses: actions/setup-python@e797f83bcb11b83ae66e0230d6156d7c80228e7c #v6.0.0
+        uses: actions/setup-python@a309ff8b426b58ec0e2a45f0f869d46889d02405 #v6.2.0
         with:
           python-version: "3.13"
 
diff --git a/advanced/Scripts/piholeCheckout.sh b/advanced/Scripts/piholeCheckout.sh
index a6df46f2..deb07172 100755
--- a/advanced/Scripts/piholeCheckout.sh
+++ b/advanced/Scripts/piholeCheckout.sh
@@ -41,6 +41,22 @@ warning1() {
 }
 
 checkout() {
+
+    local skipFTL additionalFlag
+    skipFTL=false
+    # Check arguments
+    for var in "$@"; do
+        case "$var" in
+            "--skipFTL") skipFTL=true ;;
+        esac
+    done
+
+    if [ "${skipFTL}" == true ]; then
+        additionalFlag="--skipFTL"
+    else
+        additionalFlag=""
+    fi
+
     local corebranches
     local webbranches
 
@@ -235,7 +251,7 @@ checkout() {
     # Force updating everything
     if [[  ! "${1}" == "web" && ! "${1}" == "ftl" ]]; then
         echo -e "  ${INFO} Running installer to upgrade your installation"
-        if "${PI_HOLE_FILES_DIR}/automated install/basic-install.sh" --unattended; then
+        if "${PI_HOLE_FILES_DIR}/automated install/basic-install.sh" --unattended ${additionalFlag}; then
             exit 0
         else
             echo -e "  ${COL_RED} Error: Unable to complete update, please contact support${COL_NC}"
diff --git a/advanced/Scripts/piholeDebug.sh b/advanced/Scripts/piholeDebug.sh
index 7cc31e29..964fff9b 100755
--- a/advanced/Scripts/piholeDebug.sh
+++ b/advanced/Scripts/piholeDebug.sh
@@ -375,22 +375,6 @@ check_firewalld() {
                     log_write "${CROSS} ${COL_RED}  Allow Service: ${i}${COL_NC} (${FAQ_HARDWARE_REQUIREMENTS_FIREWALLD})"
                 fi
             done
-            # check for custom FTL FirewallD zone
-            local firewalld_zones
-            firewalld_zones=$(firewall-cmd --get-zones)
-            if [[ "${firewalld_zones}" =~ "ftl" ]]; then
-                log_write "${TICK} ${COL_GREEN}FTL Custom Zone Detected${COL_NC}";
-                # check FTL custom zone interface: lo
-                local firewalld_ftl_zone_interfaces
-                firewalld_ftl_zone_interfaces=$(firewall-cmd --zone=ftl --list-interfaces)
-                if [[ "${firewalld_ftl_zone_interfaces}" =~ "lo" ]]; then
-                    log_write "${TICK} ${COL_GREEN}  Local Interface Detected${COL_NC}";
-                else
-                    log_write "${CROSS} ${COL_RED}  Local Interface Not Detected${COL_NC} (${FAQ_HARDWARE_REQUIREMENTS_FIREWALLD})"
-                fi
-            else
-                log_write "${CROSS} ${COL_RED}FTL Custom Zone Not Detected${COL_NC} (${FAQ_HARDWARE_REQUIREMENTS_FIREWALLD})"
-            fi
         fi
     else
         log_write "${TICK} ${COL_GREEN}Firewalld service not detected${COL_NC}";
@@ -593,18 +577,21 @@ check_required_ports() {
     # Add port 53
     ports_configured+=("53")
 
+    local protocol_type port_number service_name
     # Now that we have the values stored,
     for i in "${!ports_in_use[@]}"; do
         # loop through them and assign some local variables
-        local service_name
-        service_name=$(echo "${ports_in_use[$i]}" | awk '{gsub(/users:\(\("/,"",$7);gsub(/".*/,"",$7);print $7}')
-        local protocol_type
-        protocol_type=$(echo "${ports_in_use[$i]}" | awk '{print $1}')
-        local port_number
-        port_number="$(echo "${ports_in_use[$i]}" | awk '{print $5}')" #  | awk '{gsub(/^.*:/,"",$5);print $5}')
+        read -r protocol_type port_number service_name <<< "$(
+            awk '{
+                p=$1; n=$5; s=$7
+                gsub(/users:\(\("/,"",s)
+                gsub(/".*/,"",s)
+                print p, n, s
+            }' <<< "${ports_in_use[$i]}"
+        )"
 
         # Check if the right services are using the right ports
-        if [[ ${ports_configured[*]} =~ $(echo "${port_number}" | rev | cut -d: -f1 | rev) ]]; then
+        if [[ ${ports_configured[*]} =~ ${port_number##*:} ]]; then
             compare_port_to_service_assigned  "${ftl}" "${service_name}" "${protocol_type}:${port_number}"
         else
             # If it's not a default port that Pi-hole needs, just print it out for the user to see
@@ -722,7 +709,7 @@ dig_at() {
                 fi
 
               # Check if Pi-hole can use itself to block a domain
-                if local_dig="$(dig +tries=1 +time=2 -"${protocol}" "${random_url}" @"${local_address}" "${record_type}")"; then
+                if local_dig="$(dig +tries=1 +time=2 -"${protocol}" "${random_url}" @"${local_address}" "${record_type}" -p "$(get_ftl_conf_value "dns.port")")"; then
                     # If it can, show success
                     if [[ "${local_dig}" == *"status: NOERROR"* ]]; then
                         local_dig="NOERROR"
@@ -816,42 +803,27 @@ ftl_full_status(){
 
 make_array_from_file() {
     local filename="${1}"
+
+    # If the file is a directory do nothing since it cannot be parsed
+    [[ -d "${filename}" ]] && return
+
     # The second argument can put a limit on how many line should be read from the file
     # Since some of the files are so large, this is helpful to limit the output
     local limit=${2}
     # A local iterator for testing if we are at the limit above
     local i=0
-    # If the file is a directory
-    if [[ -d "${filename}" ]]; then
-        # do nothing since it cannot be parsed
-        :
-    else
-        # Otherwise, read the file line by line
-        while IFS= read -r line;do
-            # Otherwise, strip out comments and blank lines
-            new_line=$(echo "${line}" | sed -e 's/^\s*#.*$//' -e '/^$/d')
-            # If the line still has content (a non-zero value)
-            if [[ -n "${new_line}" ]]; then
 
-                # If the string contains "### CHANGED", highlight this part in red
-                if [[ "${new_line}" == *"### CHANGED"* ]]; then
-                    new_line="${new_line//### CHANGED/${COL_RED}### CHANGED${COL_NC}}"
-                fi
+    # Process the file, strip out comments and blank lines
+    local processed
+    processed=$(sed -e 's/^\s*#.*$//' -e '/^$/d' "${filename}")
 
-                # Finally, write this line to the log
-                log_write "   ${new_line}"
-            fi
-            # Increment the iterator +1
-            i=$((i+1))
-            # but if the limit of lines we want to see is exceeded
-            if [[ -z ${limit} ]]; then
-                # do nothing
-                :
-            elif [[ $i -eq ${limit} ]]; then
-                break
-            fi
-        done < "${filename}"
-    fi
+    while IFS= read -r line; do
+        # If the string contains "### CHANGED", highlight this part in red
+        log_write "   ${line//### CHANGED/${COL_RED}### CHANGED${COL_NC}}"
+        ((i++))
+        # if the limit of lines we want to see is exceeded do nothing
+        [[ -n ${limit} && $i -eq ${limit} ]] && break
+    done <<< "$processed"
 }
 
 parse_file() {
@@ -924,38 +896,38 @@ list_files_in_dir() {
     fi
 
     # Store the files found in an array
-    mapfile -t files_found < <(ls "${dir_to_parse}")
+    local files_found=("${dir_to_parse}"/*)
     # For each file in the array,
     for each_file in "${files_found[@]}"; do
-        if [[ -d "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" ]]; then
+        if [[ -d "${each_file}" ]]; then
             # If it's a directory, do nothing
             :
-        elif [[ "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_DEBUG_LOG}" ]] || \
-            [[ "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_RAW_BLOCKLIST_FILES}" ]] || \
-            [[ "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_INSTALL_LOG_FILE}" ]] || \
-            [[ "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_LOG}" ]] || \
-            [[ "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_LOG_GZIPS}" ]]; then
+        elif [[ "${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_DEBUG_LOG}" ]] || \
+            [[ "${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_RAW_BLOCKLIST_FILES}" ]] || \
+            [[ "${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_INSTALL_LOG_FILE}" ]] || \
+            [[ "${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_LOG}" ]] || \
+            [[ "${each_file}" == "${PIHOLE_LOG_GZIPS}" ]]; then
             :
         elif [[ "${dir_to_parse}" == "${DNSMASQ_D_DIRECTORY}" ]]; then
             # in case of the dnsmasq directory include all files in the debug output
-            log_write "\\n${COL_GREEN}$(ls -lhd "${dir_to_parse}"/"${each_file}")${COL_NC}"
-            make_array_from_file "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}"
+            log_write "\\n${COL_GREEN}$(ls -lhd "${each_file}")${COL_NC}"
+            make_array_from_file "${each_file}"
         else
             # Then, parse the file's content into an array so each line can be analyzed if need be
             for i in "${!REQUIRED_FILES[@]}"; do
-                if [[ "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" == "${REQUIRED_FILES[$i]}" ]]; then
+                if [[ "${each_file}" == "${REQUIRED_FILES[$i]}" ]]; then
                     # display the filename
-                    log_write "\\n${COL_GREEN}$(ls -lhd "${dir_to_parse}"/"${each_file}")${COL_NC}"
+                    log_write "\\n${COL_GREEN}$(ls -lhd "${each_file}")${COL_NC}"
                     # Check if the file we want to view has a limit (because sometimes we just need a little bit of info from the file, not the entire thing)
-                    case "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" in
+                    case "${each_file}" in
                         # If it's Web server log, give the first and last 25 lines
-                        "${PIHOLE_WEBSERVER_LOG}") head_tail_log "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" 25
+                        "${PIHOLE_WEBSERVER_LOG}") head_tail_log "${each_file}" 25
                             ;;
                         # Same for the FTL log
-                        "${PIHOLE_FTL_LOG}") head_tail_log "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}" 35
+                        "${PIHOLE_FTL_LOG}") head_tail_log "${each_file}" 35
                             ;;
                         # parse the file into an array in case we ever need to analyze it line-by-line
-                        *) make_array_from_file "${dir_to_parse}/${each_file}";
+                        *) make_array_from_file "${each_file}";
                     esac
                 else
                     # Otherwise, do nothing since it's not a file needed for Pi-hole so we don't care about it
@@ -991,6 +963,7 @@ head_tail_log() {
     local filename="${1}"
     # The number of lines to use for head and tail
     local qty="${2}"
+    local filebasename="${filename##*/}"
     local head_line
     local tail_line
     # Put the current Internal Field Separator into another variable so it can be restored later
@@ -999,14 +972,14 @@ head_tail_log() {
     IFS=$'\r\n'
     local log_head=()
     mapfile -t log_head < <(head -n "${qty}" "${filename}")
-    log_write "   ${COL_CYAN}-----head of $(basename "${filename}")------${COL_NC}"
+    log_write "   ${COL_CYAN}-----head of ${filebasename}------${COL_NC}"
     for head_line in "${log_head[@]}"; do
         log_write "   ${head_line}"
     done
     log_write ""
     local log_tail=()
     mapfile -t log_tail < <(tail -n "${qty}" "${filename}")
-    log_write "   ${COL_CYAN}-----tail of $(basename "${filename}")------${COL_NC}"
+    log_write "   ${COL_CYAN}-----tail of ${filebasename}------${COL_NC}"
     for tail_line in "${log_tail[@]}"; do
         log_write "   ${tail_line}"
     done
@@ -1033,6 +1006,24 @@ show_db_entries() {
     )
 
     for line in "${entries[@]}"; do
+        # Use gray color for "no". Normal color for "yes"
+        line=${line//--no---/${COL_GRAY}  no   ${COL_NC}}
+        line=${line//--yes--/  yes  }
+
+        # Use red for "deny" and green for "allow"
+        if [ "$title" = "Domainlist" ]; then
+            line=${line//regex-deny/${COL_RED}regex-deny${COL_NC}}
+            line=${line//regex-allow/${COL_GREEN}regex-allow${COL_NC}}
+            line=${line//exact-deny/${COL_RED}exact-deny${COL_NC}}
+            line=${line//exact-allow/${COL_GREEN}exact-allow${COL_NC}}
+        fi
+
+        # Use red for "block" and green for "allow"
+        if [ "$title" = "Adlists" ]; then
+            line=${line//-BLOCK-/${COL_RED} Block ${COL_NC}}
+            line=${line//-ALLOW-/${COL_GREEN} Allow ${COL_NC}}
+        fi
+
         log_write "   ${line}"
     done
 
@@ -1080,15 +1071,15 @@ check_dhcp_servers() {
 }
 
 show_groups() {
-    show_db_entries "Groups" "SELECT id,CASE enabled WHEN '0' THEN '   0' WHEN '1' THEN '      1' ELSE enabled END enabled,name,datetime(date_added,'unixepoch','localtime') date_added,datetime(date_modified,'unixepoch','localtime') date_modified,description FROM \"group\"" "4 7 50 19 19 50"
+    show_db_entries "Groups" "SELECT id,CASE enabled WHEN '0' THEN '--no---' WHEN '1' THEN '--yes--' ELSE enabled END enabled,name,datetime(date_added,'unixepoch','localtime') date_added,datetime(date_modified,'unixepoch','localtime') date_modified,description FROM \"group\"" "4 7 50 19 19 50"
 }
 
 show_adlists() {
-    show_db_entries "Adlists" "SELECT id,CASE enabled WHEN '0' THEN '   0' WHEN '1' THEN '      1' ELSE enabled END enabled,GROUP_CONCAT(adlist_by_group.group_id) group_ids,address,datetime(date_added,'unixepoch','localtime') date_added,datetime(date_modified,'unixepoch','localtime') date_modified,comment FROM adlist LEFT JOIN adlist_by_group ON adlist.id = adlist_by_group.adlist_id GROUP BY id;" "5 7 12 100 19 19 50"
+    show_db_entries "Adlists" "SELECT id,CASE enabled WHEN '0' THEN '--no---' WHEN '1' THEN '--yes--' ELSE enabled END enabled,GROUP_CONCAT(adlist_by_group.group_id) group_ids, CASE type WHEN '0' THEN '-BLOCK-' WHEN '1' THEN '-ALLOW-' ELSE type END type, address,datetime(date_added,'unixepoch','localtime') date_added,datetime(date_modified,'unixepoch','localtime') date_modified,comment FROM adlist LEFT JOIN adlist_by_group ON adlist.id = adlist_by_group.adlist_id GROUP BY id;" "5 7 12 7 100 19 19 50"
 }
 
 show_domainlist() {
-    show_db_entries "Domainlist (0/1 = exact allow-/denylist, 2/3 = regex allow-/denylist)" "SELECT id,CASE type WHEN '0' THEN '0   ' WHEN '1' THEN ' 1  ' WHEN '2' THEN '  2 ' WHEN '3' THEN '   3' ELSE type END type,CASE enabled WHEN '0' THEN '   0' WHEN '1' THEN '      1' ELSE enabled END enabled,GROUP_CONCAT(domainlist_by_group.group_id) group_ids,domain,datetime(date_added,'unixepoch','localtime') date_added,datetime(date_modified,'unixepoch','localtime') date_modified,comment FROM domainlist LEFT JOIN domainlist_by_group ON domainlist.id = domainlist_by_group.domainlist_id GROUP BY id;" "5 4 7 12 100 19 19 50"
+    show_db_entries "Domainlist" "SELECT id,CASE type WHEN '0' THEN 'exact-allow' WHEN '1' THEN 'exact-deny' WHEN '2' THEN 'regex-allow' WHEN '3' THEN 'regex-deny' ELSE type END type,CASE enabled WHEN '0' THEN '--no---' WHEN '1' THEN '--yes--' ELSE enabled END enabled,GROUP_CONCAT(domainlist_by_group.group_id) group_ids,domain,datetime(date_added,'unixepoch','localtime') date_added,datetime(date_modified,'unixepoch','localtime') date_modified,comment FROM domainlist LEFT JOIN domainlist_by_group ON domainlist.id = domainlist_by_group.domainlist_id GROUP BY id;" "5 11 7 12 90 19 19 50"
 }
 
 show_clients() {
diff --git a/advanced/Scripts/update.sh b/advanced/Scripts/update.sh
index 4e0d973e..67ac9693 100755
--- a/advanced/Scripts/update.sh
+++ b/advanced/Scripts/update.sh
@@ -149,31 +149,37 @@ main() {
         echo -e "  ${INFO} Web Interface:\\t${COL_GREEN}up to date${COL_NC}"
     fi
 
-    local funcOutput
-    funcOutput=$(get_binary_name) #Store output of get_binary_name here
-    local binary
-    binary="pihole-FTL${funcOutput##*pihole-FTL}" #binary name will be the last line of the output of get_binary_name (it always begins with pihole-FTL)
+    # Allow the user to skip this check if they are using a self-compiled FTL binary from an unsupported architecture
+    if [ "${skipFTL}" != true ]; then
+        local funcOutput
+        funcOutput=$(get_binary_name) #Store output of get_binary_name here
+        local binary
+        binary="pihole-FTL${funcOutput##*pihole-FTL}" #binary name will be the last line of the output of get_binary_name (it always begins with pihole-FTL)
 
-    if FTLcheckUpdate "${binary}" &>/dev/null; then
-        FTL_update=true
-        echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_YELLOW}update available${COL_NC}"
+        if FTLcheckUpdate "${binary}" &>/dev/null; then
+            FTL_update=true
+            echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_YELLOW}update available${COL_NC}"
+        else
+            case $? in
+                1)
+                    echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_GREEN}up to date${COL_NC}"
+                    ;;
+                2)
+                    echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_RED}Branch is not available.${COL_NC}\\n\\t\\t\\tUse ${COL_GREEN}pihole checkout ftl [branchname]${COL_NC} to switch to a valid branch."
+                    exit 1
+                    ;;
+                3)
+                    echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_RED}Something has gone wrong, cannot reach download server${COL_NC}"
+                    exit 1
+                    ;;
+                *)
+                    echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_RED}Something has gone wrong, contact support${COL_NC}"
+                    exit 1
+            esac
+            FTL_update=false
+        fi
     else
-        case $? in
-            1)
-                echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_GREEN}up to date${COL_NC}"
-                ;;
-            2)
-                echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_RED}Branch is not available.${COL_NC}\\n\\t\\t\\tUse ${COL_GREEN}pihole checkout ftl [branchname]${COL_NC} to switch to a valid branch."
-                exit 1
-                ;;
-            3)
-                echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_RED}Something has gone wrong, cannot reach download server${COL_NC}"
-                exit 1
-                ;;
-            *)
-                echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_RED}Something has gone wrong, contact support${COL_NC}"
-                exit 1
-        esac
+        echo -e "  ${INFO} FTL:\\t\\t${COL_YELLOW}--skipFTL set - update check skipped${COL_NC}"
         FTL_update=false
     fi
 
@@ -222,7 +228,14 @@ main() {
     fi
 
     if [[ "${FTL_update}" == true || "${core_update}" == true ]]; then
-        ${PI_HOLE_FILES_DIR}/automated\ install/basic-install.sh --repair --unattended || \
+        local addionalFlag
+
+        if [[ ${skipFTL} == true ]]; then
+             addionalFlag="--skipFTL"
+        else
+             addionalFlag=""
+        fi
+        ${PI_HOLE_FILES_DIR}/automated\ install/basic-install.sh --repair --unattended ${addionalFlag} || \
             echo -e "${basicError}" && exit 1
     fi
 
@@ -242,8 +255,15 @@ main() {
     exit 0
 }
 
-if [[ "$1" == "--check-only" ]]; then
-    CHECK_ONLY=true
-fi
+CHECK_ONLY=false
+skipFTL=false
+
+# Check arguments
+for var in "$@"; do
+    case "$var" in
+    "--check-only") CHECK_ONLY=true ;;
+    "--skipFTL") skipFTL=true ;;
+    esac
+done
 
 main
diff --git a/advanced/Scripts/updatecheck.sh b/advanced/Scripts/updatecheck.sh
index 44f21419..23abf7a6 100755
--- a/advanced/Scripts/updatecheck.sh
+++ b/advanced/Scripts/updatecheck.sh
@@ -50,9 +50,10 @@ rm -f "/etc/pihole/GitHubVersions"
 rm -f "/etc/pihole/localbranches"
 rm -f "/etc/pihole/localversions"
 
-# Create new versions file if it does not exist
 VERSION_FILE="/etc/pihole/versions"
-touch "${VERSION_FILE}"
+
+# Truncates the file to zero length if it exists to clear it up, otherwise creates an empty file.
+truncate -s 0 "${VERSION_FILE}"
 chmod 644 "${VERSION_FILE}"
 
 # if /pihole.docker.tag file exists, we will use it's value later in this script
diff --git a/advanced/Scripts/utils.sh b/advanced/Scripts/utils.sh
index d000a6db..51f5db36 100755
--- a/advanced/Scripts/utils.sh
+++ b/advanced/Scripts/utils.sh
@@ -30,9 +30,6 @@ addOrEditKeyValPair() {
   local key="${2}"
   local value="${3}"
 
-  # touch file to prevent grep error if file does not exist yet
-  touch "${file}"
-
   if grep -q "^${key}=" "${file}"; then
     # Key already exists in file, modify the value
     sed -i "/^${key}=/c\\${key}=${value}" "${file}"
diff --git a/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL-prestart.sh b/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL-prestart.sh
index 579309d3..095c0d2d 100755
--- a/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL-prestart.sh
+++ b/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL-prestart.sh
@@ -8,12 +8,20 @@ utilsfile="${PI_HOLE_SCRIPT_DIR}/utils.sh"
 
 # Get file paths
 FTL_PID_FILE="$(getFTLConfigValue files.pid)"
+FTL_LOG_FILE="$(getFTLConfigValue files.log.ftl)"
+PIHOLE_LOG_FILE="$(getFTLConfigValue files.log.dnsmasq)"
+WEBSERVER_LOG_FILE="$(getFTLConfigValue files.log.webserver)"
+FTL_PID_FILE="${FTL_PID_FILE:-/run/pihole-FTL.pid}"
+FTL_LOG_FILE="${FTL_LOG_FILE:-/var/log/pihole/FTL.log}"
+PIHOLE_LOG_FILE="${PIHOLE_LOG_FILE:-/var/log/pihole/pihole.log}"
+WEBSERVER_LOG_FILE="${WEBSERVER_LOG_FILE:-/var/log/pihole/webserver.log}"
 
 # Ensure that permissions are set so that pihole-FTL can edit all necessary files
 mkdir -p /var/log/pihole
 chown -R pihole:pihole /etc/pihole/ /var/log/pihole/
 
 # allow all users read version file (and use pihole -v)
+touch /etc/pihole/versions
 chmod 0644 /etc/pihole/versions
 
 # allow pihole to access subdirs in /etc/pihole (sets execution bit on dirs)
@@ -28,7 +36,7 @@ chown root:root /etc/pihole/logrotate
 
 # Touch files to ensure they exist (create if non-existing, preserve if existing)
 [ -f "${FTL_PID_FILE}" ] || install -D -m 644 -o pihole -g pihole /dev/null "${FTL_PID_FILE}"
-[ -f /var/log/pihole/FTL.log ] || install -m 640 -o pihole -g pihole /dev/null /var/log/pihole/FTL.log
-[ -f /var/log/pihole/pihole.log ] || install -m 640 -o pihole -g pihole /dev/null /var/log/pihole/pihole.log
-[ -f /var/log/pihole/webserver.log ] || install -m 640 -o pihole -g pihole /dev/null /var/log/pihole/webserver.log
+[ -f "${FTL_LOG_FILE}" ] || install -m 640 -o pihole -g pihole /dev/null "${FTL_LOG_FILE}"
+[ -f "${PIHOLE_LOG_FILE}" ] || install -m 640 -o pihole -g pihole /dev/null "${PIHOLE_LOG_FILE}"
+[ -f "${WEBSERVER_LOG_FILE}" ] || install -m 640 -o pihole -g pihole /dev/null "${WEBSERVER_LOG_FILE}"
 [ -f /etc/pihole/dhcp.leases ] || install -m 644 -o pihole -g pihole /dev/null /etc/pihole/dhcp.leases
diff --git a/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.openrc b/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.openrc
index 34a30a0b..2207273e 100644
--- a/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.openrc
+++ b/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.openrc
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ extra_started_commands="reload"
 
 respawn_max=5
 respawn_period=60
-capabilities="^CAP_NET_BIND_SERVICE,CAP_NET_RAW,CAP_NET_ADMIN,CAP_SYS_NICE,CAP_IPC_LOCK,CAP_CHOWN,CAP_SYS_TIME"
+capabilities="^CAP_NET_BIND_SERVICE,^CAP_NET_RAW,^CAP_NET_ADMIN,^CAP_SYS_NICE,^CAP_IPC_LOCK,^CAP_CHOWN,^CAP_SYS_TIME"
 
 depend() {
     want net
diff --git a/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.service b/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.service
index 7c7e9962..9cdad7a0 100644
--- a/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.service
+++ b/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.service
@@ -57,9 +57,9 @@ start() {
 stop() {
   if is_running; then
     kill "${FTL_PID}"
-    # Give FTL 60 seconds to gracefully stop
+    # Give FTL 120 seconds to gracefully stop
     i=1
-    while [ "${i}" -le 60 ]; do
+    while [ "${i}" -le 120 ]; do
       if ! is_running; then
         break
       fi
diff --git a/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.systemd b/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.systemd
index fcbb8d8d..5024b9a2 100644
--- a/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.systemd
+++ b/advanced/Templates/pihole-FTL.systemd
@@ -17,18 +17,18 @@ StartLimitIntervalSec=60s
 
 [Service]
 User=pihole
-PermissionsStartOnly=true
 AmbientCapabilities=CAP_NET_BIND_SERVICE CAP_NET_RAW CAP_NET_ADMIN CAP_SYS_NICE CAP_IPC_LOCK CAP_CHOWN CAP_SYS_TIME
 
-ExecStartPre=/opt/pihole/pihole-FTL-prestart.sh
+# Run prestart with elevated permissions
+ExecStartPre=+/opt/pihole/pihole-FTL-prestart.sh
 ExecStart=/usr/bin/pihole-FTL -f
 Restart=on-failure
 RestartSec=5s
 ExecReload=/bin/kill -HUP $MAINPID
-ExecStopPost=/opt/pihole/pihole-FTL-poststop.sh
+ExecStopPost=+/opt/pihole/pihole-FTL-poststop.sh
 
 # Use graceful shutdown with a reasonable timeout
-TimeoutStopSec=60s
+TimeoutStopSec=120s
 
 # Make /usr, /boot, /etc and possibly some more folders read-only...
 ProtectSystem=full
diff --git a/automated install/basic-install.sh b/automated install/basic-install.sh
index 65464b9e..b12a2714 100755
--- a/automated install/basic-install.sh	
+++ b/automated install/basic-install.sh	
@@ -116,11 +116,11 @@ c=70
 PIHOLE_META_PACKAGE_CONTROL_APT=$(
     cat <<EOM
 Package: pihole-meta
-Version: 0.5
+Version: 0.6
 Maintainer: Pi-hole team <adblock@pi-hole.net>
 Architecture: all
 Description: Pi-hole dependency meta package
-Depends: awk,bash-completion,binutils,ca-certificates,cron|cron-daemon,curl,dialog,dnsutils,dns-root-data,git,grep,iproute2,iputils-ping,jq,libcap2,libcap2-bin,lshw,procps,psmisc,sudo,unzip
+Depends: awk,bash-completion,binutils,ca-certificates,cron|cron-daemon,curl,dialog,bind9-dnsutils|dnsutils,dns-root-data,git,grep,iproute2,iputils-ping,jq,libcap2,libcap2-bin,lshw,procps,psmisc,sudo,unzip
 Section: contrib/metapackages
 Priority: optional
 EOM
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ EOM
 )
 
 # List of required packages on APK based systems
-PIHOLE_META_VERSION_APK=0.1
+PIHOLE_META_VERSION_APK=0.2
 PIHOLE_META_DEPS_APK=(
     bash
     bash-completion
@@ -165,6 +165,8 @@ PIHOLE_META_DEPS_APK=(
     cronie
     curl
     dialog
+    doas # sudo replacement
+    doas-sudo-shim
     git
     grep
     iproute2-minimal # piholeARPTable.sh
@@ -178,10 +180,8 @@ PIHOLE_META_DEPS_APK=(
     procps-ng
     psmisc
     shadow
-    sudo
     tzdata
     unzip
-    wget
 )
 
 ######## Undocumented Flags. Shhh ########
@@ -189,14 +189,27 @@ PIHOLE_META_DEPS_APK=(
 # The runUnattended flag is one example of this
 repair=false
 runUnattended=false
+skipFTL=false
 # Check arguments for the undocumented flags
 for var in "$@"; do
     case "${var}" in
     "--repair") repair=true ;;
     "--unattended") runUnattended=true ;;
+    "--skipFTL") skipFTL=true ;;
     esac
 done
 
+if [[ "${runUnattended}" == true ]]; then
+    # In order to run an unattended setup, a pre-seeded /etc/pihole/pihole.toml must exist
+    if [[ ! -f "${PI_HOLE_CONFIG_DIR}/pihole.toml" ]]; then
+        printf "  %b Error: \"%s\" not found. Cannot run unattended setup\\n" "${CROSS}" "${PI_HOLE_CONFIG_DIR}/pihole.toml"
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    printf "  %b Performing unattended setup, no dialogs will be displayed\\n" "${INFO}"
+    # also disable debconf-apt-progress dialogs
+    export DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive"
+fi
+
 # If the color table file exists,
 if [[ -f "${coltable}" ]]; then
     # source it
@@ -694,10 +707,11 @@ chooseInterface() {
             status="OFF"
         done
         # Disable check for double quote here as we are passing a string with spaces
+        # shellcheck disable=SC2086
         PIHOLE_INTERFACE=$(dialog --no-shadow --keep-tite --output-fd 1 \
             --cancel-label "Exit" --ok-label "Select" \
             --radiolist "Choose An Interface (press space to toggle selection)" \
-            ${r} ${c} "${interfaceCount}" "${interfacesList}")
+            ${r} ${c} "${interfaceCount}" ${interfacesList})
 
         result=$?
         case ${result} in
@@ -1251,10 +1265,6 @@ install_manpage() {
         # if not present, create man8 directory
         install -d -m 755 /usr/local/share/man/man8
     fi
-    if [[ ! -d "/usr/local/share/man/man5" ]]; then
-        # if not present, create man5 directory
-        install -d -m 755 /usr/local/share/man/man5
-    fi
     # Testing complete, copy the files & update the man db
     install -D -m 644 -T ${PI_HOLE_LOCAL_REPO}/manpages/pihole.8 /usr/local/share/man/man8/pihole.8
 
@@ -1807,6 +1817,12 @@ clone_or_reset_repos() {
     # If the user wants to repair/update,
     if [[ "${repair}" == true ]]; then
         printf "  %b Resetting local repos\\n" "${INFO}"
+
+        # import getFTLConfigValue from utils.sh
+        source "/opt/pihole/utils.sh"
+        # Use the configured Web repo location on repair/update
+        webInterfaceDir=$(getFTLConfigValue "webserver.paths.webroot")$(getFTLConfigValue "webserver.paths.webhome")
+
         # Reset the Core repo
         resetRepo ${PI_HOLE_LOCAL_REPO} ||
             {
@@ -1948,9 +1964,18 @@ get_binary_name() {
 
     # If the machine is aarch64 (armv8)
     if [[ "${machine}" == "aarch64" ]]; then
-        # If AArch64 is found (e.g., BCM2711 in Raspberry Pi 4)
-        printf "%b  %b Detected AArch64 (64 Bit ARM) architecture\\n" "${OVER}" "${TICK}"
-        l_binary="pihole-FTL-arm64"
+        if [[ "$(getconf LONG_BIT)" == "64" ]]; then
+            # If the OS is 64 bit, we use the arm64 binary
+            printf "%b  %b Detected AArch64 (64 Bit ARM) architecture\\n" "${OVER}" "${TICK}"
+            l_binary="pihole-FTL-arm64"
+        else
+            # If the OS is 32 bit, we use the armv7 binary (aarch64 is actually armv8)
+            # Even though the machine is 64 bit capable, this makes debugging
+            # very hard as 32bit tools like gdb, etc. cannot analyze the 64 bit
+            # binary. See FTL issue #2494 for such an example.
+            printf "%b  %b Detected AArch64 (64 Bit ARM) architecture with 32 bit OS\\n" "${OVER}" "${TICK}"
+            l_binary="pihole-FTL-armv7"
+        fi
     elif [[ "${machine}" == "arm"* ]]; then
         # ARM 32 bit
         # Get supported processor from other binaries installed on the system
@@ -2320,21 +2345,18 @@ main() {
 
     # Check if there is a usable FTL binary available on this architecture - do
     # this early on as FTL is a hard dependency for Pi-hole
-    local funcOutput
-    funcOutput=$(get_binary_name) #Store output of get_binary_name here
-    # Abort early if this processor is not supported (get_binary_name returns empty string)
-    if [[ "${funcOutput}" == "" ]]; then
-        printf "  %b Upgrade/install aborted\\n" "${CROSS}" "${DISTRO_NAME}"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-
-    if [[ "${fresh_install}" == false ]]; then
-        # if it's running unattended,
-        if [[ "${runUnattended}" == true ]]; then
-            printf "  %b Performing unattended setup, no dialogs will be displayed\\n" "${INFO}"
-            # also disable debconf-apt-progress dialogs
-            export DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive"
+    # Allow the user to skip this check if they are using a self-compiled FTL binary from an unsupported architecture
+    if [ "${skipFTL}" != true ]; then
+        # Get the binary name for the current architecture
+        local funcOutput
+        funcOutput=$(get_binary_name) #Store output of get_binary_name here
+        # Abort early if this processor is not supported (get_binary_name returns empty string)
+        if [[ "${funcOutput}" == "" ]]; then
+            printf "  %b Upgrade/install aborted\\n" "${CROSS}" "${DISTRO_NAME}"
+            exit 1
         fi
+    else
+        printf "  %b %b--skipFTL set - skipping architecture check%b\\n" "${INFO}" "${COL_YELLOW}" "${COL_NC}"
     fi
 
     if [[ "${fresh_install}" == true ]]; then
@@ -2367,13 +2389,18 @@ main() {
     create_pihole_user
 
     # Download and install FTL
-    local binary
-    binary="pihole-FTL${funcOutput##*pihole-FTL}" #binary name will be the last line of the output of get_binary_name (it always begins with pihole-FTL)
-    local theRest
-    theRest="${funcOutput%pihole-FTL*}" # Print the rest of get_binary_name's output to display (cut out from first instance of "pihole-FTL")
-    if ! FTLdetect "${binary}" "${theRest}"; then
-        printf "  %b FTL Engine not installed\\n" "${CROSS}"
-        exit 1
+    # Allow the user to skip this check if they are using a self-compiled FTL binary from an unsupported architecture
+    if [ "${skipFTL}" != true ]; then
+        local binary
+        binary="pihole-FTL${funcOutput##*pihole-FTL}" #binary name will be the last line of the output of get_binary_name (it always begins with pihole-FTL)
+        local theRest
+        theRest="${funcOutput%pihole-FTL*}" # Print the rest of get_binary_name's output to display (cut out from first instance of "pihole-FTL")
+        if ! FTLdetect "${binary}" "${theRest}"; then
+            printf "  %b FTL Engine not installed\\n" "${CROSS}"
+            exit 1
+        fi
+    else
+        printf "  %b %b--skipFTL set - skipping FTL binary installation%b\\n" "${INFO}" "${COL_YELLOW}" "${COL_NC}"
     fi
 
     # Install and log everything to a file
diff --git a/gravity.sh b/gravity.sh
index 5720ca41..b772dc61 100755
--- a/gravity.sh
+++ b/gravity.sh
@@ -612,7 +612,7 @@ compareLists() {
 gravity_DownloadBlocklistFromUrl() {
   local url="${1}" adlistID="${2}" saveLocation="${3}" compression="${4}" gravity_type="${5}" domain="${6}"
   local listCurlBuffer str httpCode success="" ip customUpstreamResolver=""
-  local file_path permissions ip_addr port blocked=false download=true
+  local file_path ip_addr port blocked=false download=true
   # modifiedOptions is an array to store all the options used to check if the adlist has been changed upstream
   local modifiedOptions=()
 
@@ -721,29 +721,40 @@ gravity_DownloadBlocklistFromUrl() {
     fi
   fi
 
-  # If we are going to "download" a local file, we first check if the target
-  # file has a+r permission. We explicitly check for all+read because we want
-  # to make sure that the file is readable by everyone and not just the user
-  # running the script.
-  if [[ $url == "file://"* ]]; then
+  # If we "download" a local file (file://), verify read access before using it.
+    # When running as root (e.g., via pihole -g), check that the 'pihole' user can read the file
+    # to match the effective runtime user of FTL; otherwise, check the current user's read access
+    # (e.g., in Docker or when invoked by a non-root user). The target must
+    # resolve to a regular file and be readable by the evaluated user.
+  if [[ "${url}" == "file:/"* ]]; then
     # Get the file path
-    file_path=$(echo "$url" | cut -d'/' -f3-)
+    file_path=$(echo "${url}" | cut -d'/' -f3-)
     # Check if the file exists and is a regular file (i.e. not a socket, fifo, tty, block). Might still be a symlink.
-    if [[ ! -f $file_path ]]; then
-      # Output that the file does not exist
-      echo -e "${OVER}  ${CROSS} ${file_path} does not exist"
-      download=false
-    else
-      # Check if the file or a file referenced by the symlink has a+r permissions
-      permissions=$(stat -L -c "%a" "$file_path")
-      if [[ $permissions == *4 || $permissions == *5 || $permissions == *6 || $permissions == *7 ]]; then
-        # Output that we are using the local file
-        echo -e "${OVER}  ${INFO} Using local file ${file_path}"
-      else
-        # Output that the file does not have the correct permissions
-        echo -e "${OVER}  ${CROSS} Cannot read file (file needs to have a+r permission)"
+    if [[ ! -f ${file_path} ]]; then
+        # Output that the file does not exist
+        echo -e "${OVER}  ${CROSS} ${file_path} does not exist"
         download=false
-      fi
+    else
+        if [ "$(id -un)" == "root" ]; then
+            # If we are root, we need to check if the pihole user has read permission
+            #  otherwise, we might read files that the pihole user should not be able to read
+            if sudo -u pihole test -r "${file_path}"; then
+                echo -e "${OVER}  ${INFO} Using local file ${file_path}"
+            else
+                echo -e "${OVER}  ${CROSS} Cannot read file (user 'pihole' lacks read permission)"
+                download=false
+            fi
+        else
+            # If we are not root, we just check if the current user has read permission
+            if [[ -r "${file_path}" ]]; then
+                # Output that we are using the local file
+                echo -e "${OVER}  ${INFO} Using local file ${file_path}"
+            else
+                # Output that the file is not readable by the current user
+                echo -e "${OVER}  ${CROSS} Cannot read file (current user '$(id -un)' lacks read permission)"
+                download=false
+            fi
+        fi
     fi
   fi
 
@@ -811,6 +822,10 @@ gravity_DownloadBlocklistFromUrl() {
       fix_owner_permissions "${saveLocation}"
       # Compare lists if they are identical
       compareLists "${adlistID}" "${saveLocation}"
+      # Set permissions for the *.etag file
+      if [[ -f "${saveLocation}.etag" ]]; then
+          fix_owner_permissions "${saveLocation}.etag"
+      fi
       # Add domains to database table file
       pihole-FTL "${gravity_type}" parseList "${saveLocation}" "${gravityTEMPfile}" "${adlistID}"
       done="true"
@@ -947,7 +962,7 @@ database_recovery() {
   else
     echo -e "${OVER}  ${CROSS} ${str} - the following errors happened:"
     while IFS= read -r line; do echo "  - $line"; done <<<"$result"
-    echo -e "  ${CROSS} Recovery failed. Try \"pihole -r recreate\" instead."
+    echo -e "  ${CROSS} Recovery failed. Try \"pihole -g -r recreate\" instead."
     exit 1
   fi
   echo ""
diff --git a/pihole b/pihole
index 4fe09418..edebf48c 100755
--- a/pihole
+++ b/pihole
@@ -135,7 +135,22 @@ repairPiholeFunc() {
   if [ -n "${DOCKER_VERSION}" ]; then
     unsupportedFunc
   else
-    /etc/.pihole/automated\ install/basic-install.sh --repair
+    local skipFTL additionalFlag
+    skipFTL=false
+    # Check arguments
+    for var in "$@"; do
+        case "$var" in
+            "--skipFTL") skipFTL=true ;;
+        esac
+    done
+
+    if [ "${skipFTL}" == true ]; then
+        additionalFlag="--skipFTL"
+    else
+        additionalFlag=""
+    fi
+
+    /etc/.pihole/automated\ install/basic-install.sh --repair ${additionalFlag}
     exit 0;
   fi
 }
@@ -615,7 +630,7 @@ case "${1}" in
   "-d" | "debug"                  ) debugFunc "$@";;
   "-f" | "flush"                  ) flushFunc "$@";;
   "-up" | "updatePihole"          ) updatePiholeFunc "$@";;
-  "-r"  | "repair"                ) repairPiholeFunc;;
+  "-r"  | "repair"                ) repairPiholeFunc "$@";;
   "-g" | "updateGravity"          ) updateGravityFunc "$@";;
   "-l" | "logging"                ) piholeLogging "$@";;
   "uninstall"                     ) uninstallFunc;;
diff --git a/test/_alpine_3_23.Dockerfile b/test/_alpine_3_23.Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2cb34137
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/_alpine_3_23.Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+FROM alpine:3.23
+
+ENV GITDIR=/etc/.pihole
+ENV SCRIPTDIR=/opt/pihole
+RUN sed -i 's/#\(.*\/community\)/\1/' /etc/apk/repositories
+RUN apk --no-cache add bash coreutils curl git jq openrc shadow
+
+RUN mkdir -p $GITDIR $SCRIPTDIR /etc/pihole
+ADD . $GITDIR
+RUN cp $GITDIR/advanced/Scripts/*.sh $GITDIR/gravity.sh $GITDIR/pihole $GITDIR/automated\ install/*.sh $GITDIR/advanced/Scripts/COL_TABLE $SCRIPTDIR/
+ENV PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:$SCRIPTDIR
+
+RUN true && \
+    chmod +x $SCRIPTDIR/*
+
+ENV SKIP_INSTALL=true
+
+#sed '/# Start the installer/Q' /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh > /opt/pihole/stub_basic-install.sh && \
diff --git a/test/_fedora_43.Dockerfile b/test/_fedora_43.Dockerfile
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..85f06ff8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/_fedora_43.Dockerfile
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+FROM fedora:43
+RUN dnf install -y git initscripts
+
+ENV GITDIR=/etc/.pihole
+ENV SCRIPTDIR=/opt/pihole
+
+RUN mkdir -p $GITDIR $SCRIPTDIR /etc/pihole
+ADD . $GITDIR
+RUN cp $GITDIR/advanced/Scripts/*.sh $GITDIR/gravity.sh $GITDIR/pihole $GITDIR/automated\ install/*.sh $GITDIR/advanced/Scripts/COL_TABLE $SCRIPTDIR/
+ENV PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:$SCRIPTDIR
+
+RUN true && \
+    chmod +x $SCRIPTDIR/*
+
+ENV SKIP_INSTALL=true
+
+#sed '/# Start the installer/Q' /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh > /opt/pihole/stub_basic-install.sh && \
diff --git a/test/conftest.py b/test/conftest.py
index dcf49790..d4c763e7 100644
--- a/test/conftest.py
+++ b/test/conftest.py
@@ -51,29 +51,19 @@ def mock_command(script, args, container):
     in unit tests
     """
     full_script_path = "/usr/local/bin/{}".format(script)
-    mock_script = dedent(
-        r"""\
+    mock_script = dedent(r"""\
     #!/bin/bash -e
     echo "\$0 \$@" >> /var/log/{script}
-    case "\$1" in""".format(
-            script=script
-        )
-    )
+    case "\$1" in""".format(script=script))
     for k, v in args.items():
-        case = dedent(
-            """
+        case = dedent("""
         {arg})
         echo {res}
         exit {retcode}
-        ;;""".format(
-                arg=k, res=v[0], retcode=v[1]
-            )
-        )
+        ;;""".format(arg=k, res=v[0], retcode=v[1]))
         mock_script += case
-    mock_script += dedent(
-        """
-    esac"""
-    )
+    mock_script += dedent("""
+    esac""")
     container.run(
         """
     cat <<EOF> {script}\n{content}\nEOF
@@ -94,37 +84,23 @@ def mock_command_passthrough(script, args, container):
     """
     orig_script_path = container.check_output("command -v {}".format(script))
     full_script_path = "/usr/local/bin/{}".format(script)
-    mock_script = dedent(
-        r"""\
+    mock_script = dedent(r"""\
     #!/bin/bash -e
     echo "\$0 \$@" >> /var/log/{script}
-    case "\$1" in""".format(
-            script=script
-        )
-    )
+    case "\$1" in""".format(script=script))
     for k, v in args.items():
-        case = dedent(
-            """
+        case = dedent("""
         {arg})
         echo {res}
         exit {retcode}
-        ;;""".format(
-                arg=k, res=v[0], retcode=v[1]
-            )
-        )
+        ;;""".format(arg=k, res=v[0], retcode=v[1]))
         mock_script += case
-    mock_script += dedent(
-        r"""
+    mock_script += dedent(r"""
     *)
     {orig_script_path} "\$@"
-    ;;""".format(
-            orig_script_path=orig_script_path
-        )
-    )
-    mock_script += dedent(
-        """
-    esac"""
-    )
+    ;;""".format(orig_script_path=orig_script_path))
+    mock_script += dedent("""
+    esac""")
     container.run(
         """
     cat <<EOF> {script}\n{content}\nEOF
@@ -141,29 +117,19 @@ def mock_command_run(script, args, container):
     in unit tests
     """
     full_script_path = "/usr/local/bin/{}".format(script)
-    mock_script = dedent(
-        r"""\
+    mock_script = dedent(r"""\
     #!/bin/bash -e
     echo "\$0 \$@" >> /var/log/{script}
-    case "\$1 \$2" in""".format(
-            script=script
-        )
-    )
+    case "\$1 \$2" in""".format(script=script))
     for k, v in args.items():
-        case = dedent(
-            """
+        case = dedent("""
         \"{arg}\")
         echo {res}
         exit {retcode}
-        ;;""".format(
-                arg=k, res=v[0], retcode=v[1]
-            )
-        )
+        ;;""".format(arg=k, res=v[0], retcode=v[1]))
         mock_script += case
-    mock_script += dedent(
-        """
-    esac"""
-    )
+    mock_script += dedent(r"""
+    esac""")
     container.run(
         """
     cat <<EOF> {script}\n{content}\nEOF
@@ -180,29 +146,19 @@ def mock_command_2(script, args, container):
     in unit tests
     """
     full_script_path = "/usr/local/bin/{}".format(script)
-    mock_script = dedent(
-        r"""\
+    mock_script = dedent(r"""\
     #!/bin/bash -e
     echo "\$0 \$@" >> /var/log/{script}
-    case "\$1 \$2" in""".format(
-            script=script
-        )
-    )
+    case "\$1 \$2" in""".format(script=script))
     for k, v in args.items():
-        case = dedent(
-            """
+        case = dedent("""
         \"{arg}\")
         echo \"{res}\"
         exit {retcode}
-        ;;""".format(
-                arg=k, res=v[0], retcode=v[1]
-            )
-        )
+        ;;""".format(arg=k, res=v[0], retcode=v[1]))
         mock_script += case
-    mock_script += dedent(
-        """
-    esac"""
-    )
+    mock_script += dedent(r"""
+    esac""")
     container.run(
         """
     cat <<EOF> {script}\n{content}\nEOF
diff --git a/test/requirements.txt b/test/requirements.txt
index 889a9be3..61f18c4e 100644
--- a/test/requirements.txt
+++ b/test/requirements.txt
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 pyyaml == 6.0.3
-pytest == 8.4.2
+pytest == 9.0.2
 pytest-xdist == 3.8.0
 pytest-testinfra == 10.2.2
-tox == 4.31.0
+tox == 4.35.0
 pytest-clarity == 1.0.1
diff --git a/test/test_any_automated_install.py b/test/test_any_automated_install.py
index 0a561b36..aa48fd32 100644
--- a/test/test_any_automated_install.py
+++ b/test/test_any_automated_install.py
@@ -6,10 +6,8 @@ from .conftest import (
     info_box,
     cross_box,
     mock_command,
-    mock_command_run,
     mock_command_2,
     mock_command_passthrough,
-    run_script,
 )
 
 FTL_BRANCH = "development"
@@ -23,12 +21,10 @@ def test_supported_package_manager(host):
     host.run("rm -rf /usr/bin/apt-get")
     host.run("rm -rf /usr/bin/rpm")
     host.run("rm -rf /sbin/apk")
-    package_manager_detect = host.run(
-        """
+    package_manager_detect = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     package_manager_detect
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = cross_box + " No supported package manager found"
     assert expected_stdout in package_manager_detect.stdout
     # assert package_manager_detect.rc == 1
@@ -38,13 +34,11 @@ def test_selinux_not_detected(host):
     """
     confirms installer continues when SELinux configuration file does not exist
     """
-    check_selinux = host.run(
-        """
+    check_selinux = host.run("""
     rm -f /etc/selinux/config
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     checkSelinux
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = info_box + " SELinux not detected"
     assert expected_stdout in check_selinux.stdout
     assert check_selinux.rc == 0
@@ -95,8 +89,7 @@ def test_installPihole_fresh_install_readableFiles(host):
     host.run("command -v apk > /dev/null && apk add mandoc man-pages")
     # Workaround to get FTLv6 installed until it reaches master branch
     host.run('echo "' + FTL_BRANCH + '" > /etc/pihole/ftlbranch')
-    install = host.run(
-        """
+    install = host.run("""
     export TERM=xterm
     export DEBIAN_FRONTEND=noninteractive
     umask 0027
@@ -105,8 +98,7 @@ def test_installPihole_fresh_install_readableFiles(host):
     runUnattended=true
     main
     /opt/pihole/pihole-FTL-prestart.sh
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     assert 0 == install.rc
     maninstalled = True
     if (info_box + " man not installed") in install.stdout:
@@ -162,12 +154,6 @@ def test_installPihole_fresh_install_readableFiles(host):
         check_man = test_cmd.format("r", "/usr/local/share/man/man8", piholeuser)
         actual_rc = host.run(check_man).rc
         assert exit_status_success == actual_rc
-        check_man = test_cmd.format("x", "/usr/local/share/man/man5", piholeuser)
-        actual_rc = host.run(check_man).rc
-        assert exit_status_success == actual_rc
-        check_man = test_cmd.format("r", "/usr/local/share/man/man5", piholeuser)
-        actual_rc = host.run(check_man).rc
-        assert exit_status_success == actual_rc
         check_man = test_cmd.format(
             "r", "/usr/local/share/man/man8/pihole.8", piholeuser
         )
@@ -201,13 +187,11 @@ def test_update_package_cache_success_no_errors(host):
     """
     confirms package cache was updated without any errors
     """
-    updateCache = host.run(
-        """
+    updateCache = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     package_manager_detect
     update_package_cache
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = tick_box + " Update local cache of available packages"
     assert expected_stdout in updateCache.stdout
     assert "error" not in updateCache.stdout.lower()
@@ -218,13 +202,11 @@ def test_update_package_cache_failure_no_errors(host):
     confirms package cache was not updated
     """
     mock_command("apt-get", {"update": ("", "1")}, host)
-    updateCache = host.run(
-        """
+    updateCache = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     package_manager_detect
     update_package_cache
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = cross_box + " Update local cache of available packages"
     assert expected_stdout in updateCache.stdout
     assert "Error: Unable to update package cache." in updateCache.stdout
@@ -260,16 +242,14 @@ def test_FTL_detect_no_errors(host, arch, detected_string, supported):
         host,
     )
     host.run('echo "' + FTL_BRANCH + '" > /etc/pihole/ftlbranch')
-    detectPlatform = host.run(
-        """
+    detectPlatform = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     create_pihole_user
     funcOutput=$(get_binary_name)
     binary="pihole-FTL${funcOutput##*pihole-FTL}"
     theRest="${funcOutput%pihole-FTL*}"
     FTLdetect "${binary}" "${theRest}"
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     if supported:
         expected_stdout = info_box + " FTL Checks..."
         assert expected_stdout in detectPlatform.stdout
@@ -289,22 +269,18 @@ def test_FTL_development_binary_installed_and_responsive_no_errors(host):
     confirms FTL development binary is copied and functional in installed location
     """
     host.run('echo "' + FTL_BRANCH + '" > /etc/pihole/ftlbranch')
-    host.run(
-        """
+    host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     create_pihole_user
     funcOutput=$(get_binary_name)
     binary="pihole-FTL${funcOutput##*pihole-FTL}"
     theRest="${funcOutput%pihole-FTL*}"
     FTLdetect "${binary}" "${theRest}"
-    """
-    )
-    version_check = host.run(
-        """
+    """)
+    version_check = host.run("""
     VERSION=$(pihole-FTL version)
     echo ${VERSION:0:1}
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = "v"
     assert expected_stdout in version_check.stdout
 
@@ -319,12 +295,10 @@ def test_IPv6_only_link_local(host):
         {"-6 address": ("inet6 fe80::d210:52fa:fe00:7ad7/64 scope link", "0")},
         host,
     )
-    detectPlatform = host.run(
-        """
+    detectPlatform = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     find_IPv6_information
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = "Unable to find IPv6 ULA/GUA address"
     assert expected_stdout in detectPlatform.stdout
 
@@ -344,12 +318,10 @@ def test_IPv6_only_ULA(host):
         },
         host,
     )
-    detectPlatform = host.run(
-        """
+    detectPlatform = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     find_IPv6_information
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = "Found IPv6 ULA address"
     assert expected_stdout in detectPlatform.stdout
 
@@ -369,12 +341,10 @@ def test_IPv6_only_GUA(host):
         },
         host,
     )
-    detectPlatform = host.run(
-        """
+    detectPlatform = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     find_IPv6_information
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = "Found IPv6 GUA address"
     assert expected_stdout in detectPlatform.stdout
 
@@ -395,12 +365,10 @@ def test_IPv6_GUA_ULA_test(host):
         },
         host,
     )
-    detectPlatform = host.run(
-        """
+    detectPlatform = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     find_IPv6_information
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = "Found IPv6 ULA address"
     assert expected_stdout in detectPlatform.stdout
 
@@ -421,12 +389,10 @@ def test_IPv6_ULA_GUA_test(host):
         },
         host,
     )
-    detectPlatform = host.run(
-        """
+    detectPlatform = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     find_IPv6_information
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = "Found IPv6 ULA address"
     assert expected_stdout in detectPlatform.stdout
 
@@ -437,14 +403,10 @@ def test_validate_ip(host):
     """
 
     def test_address(addr, success=True):
-        output = host.run(
-            """
+        output = host.run("""
         source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
         valid_ip "{addr}"
-        """.format(
-                addr=addr
-            )
-        )
+        """.format(addr=addr))
 
         assert output.rc == 0 if success else 1
 
@@ -479,15 +441,13 @@ def test_validate_ip(host):
 def test_package_manager_has_pihole_deps(host):
     """Confirms OS is able to install the required packages for Pi-hole"""
     mock_command("dialog", {"*": ("", "0")}, host)
-    output = host.run(
-        """
+    output = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     package_manager_detect
     update_package_cache
     build_dependency_package
     install_dependent_packages
-    """
-    )
+    """)
 
     assert "No package" not in output.stdout
     assert output.rc == 0
@@ -496,21 +456,17 @@ def test_package_manager_has_pihole_deps(host):
 def test_meta_package_uninstall(host):
     """Confirms OS is able to install and uninstall the Pi-hole meta package"""
     mock_command("dialog", {"*": ("", "0")}, host)
-    install = host.run(
-        """
+    install = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     package_manager_detect
     update_package_cache
     build_dependency_package
     install_dependent_packages
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     assert install.rc == 0
 
-    uninstall = host.run(
-        """
+    uninstall = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/uninstall.sh
     removeMetaPackage
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     assert uninstall.rc == 0
diff --git a/test/test_any_utils.py b/test/test_any_utils.py
index 0f9ae6d2..e4646572 100644
--- a/test/test_any_utils.py
+++ b/test/test_any_utils.py
@@ -1,31 +1,26 @@
 def test_key_val_replacement_works(host):
     """Confirms addOrEditKeyValPair either adds or replaces a key value pair in a given file"""
-    host.run(
-        """
+    host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/utils.sh
+    touch ./testoutput
     addOrEditKeyValPair "./testoutput" "KEY_ONE" "value1"
     addOrEditKeyValPair "./testoutput" "KEY_TWO" "value2"
     addOrEditKeyValPair "./testoutput" "KEY_ONE" "value3"
     addOrEditKeyValPair "./testoutput" "KEY_FOUR" "value4"
-    """
-    )
-    output = host.run(
-        """
+    """)
+    output = host.run("""
     cat ./testoutput
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = "KEY_ONE=value3\nKEY_TWO=value2\nKEY_FOUR=value4\n"
     assert expected_stdout == output.stdout
 
 
 def test_getFTLPID_default(host):
     """Confirms getFTLPID returns the default value if FTL is not running"""
-    output = host.run(
-        """
+    output = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/utils.sh
     getFTLPID
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = "-1\n"
     assert expected_stdout == output.stdout
 
@@ -36,8 +31,7 @@ def test_setFTLConfigValue_getFTLConfigValue(host):
     Requires FTL to be installed, so we do that first
     (taken from test_FTL_development_binary_installed_and_responsive_no_errors)
     """
-    host.run(
-        """
+    host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     create_pihole_user
     funcOutput=$(get_binary_name)
@@ -45,15 +39,12 @@ def test_setFTLConfigValue_getFTLConfigValue(host):
     binary="pihole-FTL${funcOutput##*pihole-FTL}"
     theRest="${funcOutput%pihole-FTL*}"
     FTLdetect "${binary}" "${theRest}"
-    """
-    )
+    """)
 
-    output = host.run(
-        """
+    output = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/utils.sh
     setFTLConfigValue "dns.upstreams" '["9.9.9.9"]' > /dev/null
     getFTLConfigValue "dns.upstreams"
-    """
-    )
+    """)
 
     assert "[ 9.9.9.9 ]" in output.stdout
diff --git a/test/test_centos_fedora_common_support.py b/test/test_centos_fedora_common_support.py
index 7e0bae4e..a892db87 100644
--- a/test/test_centos_fedora_common_support.py
+++ b/test/test_centos_fedora_common_support.py
@@ -15,14 +15,10 @@ def mock_selinux_config(state, host):
     # getenforce returns the running state of SELinux
     mock_command("getenforce", {"*": (state.capitalize(), "0")}, host)
     # create mock configuration with desired content
-    host.run(
-        """
+    host.run("""
     mkdir /etc/selinux
     echo "SELINUX={state}" > /etc/selinux/config
-    """.format(
-            state=state.lower()
-        )
-    )
+    """.format(state=state.lower()))
 
 
 def test_selinux_enforcing_exit(host):
@@ -30,12 +26,10 @@ def test_selinux_enforcing_exit(host):
     confirms installer prompts to exit when SELinux is Enforcing by default
     """
     mock_selinux_config("enforcing", host)
-    check_selinux = host.run(
-        """
+    check_selinux = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     checkSelinux
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = cross_box + " Current SELinux: enforcing"
     assert expected_stdout in check_selinux.stdout
     expected_stdout = "SELinux Enforcing detected, exiting installer"
@@ -48,12 +42,10 @@ def test_selinux_permissive(host):
     confirms installer continues when SELinux is Permissive
     """
     mock_selinux_config("permissive", host)
-    check_selinux = host.run(
-        """
+    check_selinux = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     checkSelinux
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = tick_box + " Current SELinux: permissive"
     assert expected_stdout in check_selinux.stdout
     assert check_selinux.rc == 0
@@ -64,12 +56,10 @@ def test_selinux_disabled(host):
     confirms installer continues when SELinux is Disabled
     """
     mock_selinux_config("disabled", host)
-    check_selinux = host.run(
-        """
+    check_selinux = host.run("""
     source /opt/pihole/basic-install.sh
     checkSelinux
-    """
-    )
+    """)
     expected_stdout = tick_box + " Current SELinux: disabled"
     assert expected_stdout in check_selinux.stdout
     assert check_selinux.rc == 0
diff --git a/test/tox.alpine_3_23.ini b/test/tox.alpine_3_23.ini
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7208064
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/tox.alpine_3_23.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[tox]
+envlist = py3
+
+[testenv:py3]
+allowlist_externals = docker
+deps = -rrequirements.txt
+setenv =
+    COLUMNS=120
+commands = docker buildx build --load --progress plain -f _alpine_3_23.Dockerfile -t pytest_pihole:test_container ../
+           pytest {posargs:-vv -n auto} ./test_any_automated_install.py ./test_any_utils.py
diff --git a/test/tox.fedora_43.ini b/test/tox.fedora_43.ini
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..efbb0471
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/tox.fedora_43.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+[tox]
+envlist = py3
+
+[testenv]
+allowlist_externals = docker
+deps = -rrequirements.txt
+setenv =
+    COLUMNS=120
+commands = docker buildx build --load --progress plain -f _fedora_43.Dockerfile -t pytest_pihole:test_container ../
+           pytest {posargs:-vv -n auto} ./test_any_automated_install.py ./test_any_utils.py ./test_centos_fedora_common_support.py