diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-build.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-build.yml
index f269fec82..76a1733bd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-build.yml
@@ -10,98 +10,43 @@ concurrency:
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 jobs:
-#   markdown-lint:
-#     uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/markdown-lint.yml@main
-#
-#   markdown-link-checker:
-#     uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/markdown-link-checker.yml@main
-
-  yaml-lint:
-    uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/yaml-lint.yml@main
-
-  json-lint:
-    uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/json-lint.yml@main
-
-  xml-lint:
-    uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/xml-lint.yml@main
-
-  shellcheck-lint:
-    uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/shellcheck-lint.yml@main
-
-  powershell-lint:
-    uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/powershell-lint.yml@main
-
-  packer-iso-check:
-    uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/packer-iso-url-checker.yml@main
-    with:
-      EXCLUDE_REGEX: 'amazonlinux-2.*|rhel.*|sles.*|solaris.*|macos-.*'
-
-#   packer-lint:
-#     uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/packer-lint.yml@main
-#     secrets: inherit
-
-  pkr-bld-amazonlinux-arm64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-amazonlinux-arm64.yml
-    secrets: inherit
-
-  pkr-bld-amazonlinux-x64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-amazonlinux-x64.yml
+  ci-lint:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/ci-lint.yml
     secrets: inherit
 
-  pkr-bld-hyperv-x64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv-x64.yml
+  pkr-bld-amazonlinux:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-amazonlinux.yml
     secrets: inherit
 
-  pkr-bld-parallels-arm64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-arm64.yml
+  pkr-bld-hyperv:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv.yml
     secrets: inherit
 
-  pkr-bld-parallels-x64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-x64.yml
+  pkr-bld-parallels:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels.yml
     secrets: inherit
 
-  pkr-bld-qemu-arm64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-arm64.yml
+  pkr-bld-qemu:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu.yml
     secrets: inherit
 
-  pkr-bld-qemu-x64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-x64.yml
+  pkr-bld-utm:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm.yml
     secrets: inherit
 
-  pkr-bld-utm-arm64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-arm64.yml
+  pkr-bld-virtualbox:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox.yml
     secrets: inherit
 
-  pkr-bld-utm-x64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-x64.yml
-    secrets: inherit
-
-  pkr-bld-virtualbox-arm64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-arm64.yml
-    secrets: inherit
-
-  pkr-bld-virtualbox-x64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-x64.yml
-    secrets: inherit
-
-  pkr-bld-vmware-arm64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-arm64.yml
-    secrets: inherit
-
-  pkr-bld-vmware-x64:
-    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-x64.yml
+  pkr-bld-vmware:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware.yml
     secrets: inherit
 
   check_jobs_pass:
     if: always()
     needs:
-#       - markdown-lint
-      - yaml-lint
-      - json-lint
-      - xml-lint
-      - powershell-lint
-      - shellcheck-lint
-#       - packer-lint
+      - ci-lint
+
     runs-on: Ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Decide whether the needed jobs succeeded or failed
@@ -110,7 +55,3 @@ jobs:
           allowed-failures:
           allowed-skips: ${{ toJSON(needs) }}
           jobs: ${{ toJSON(needs) }}
-
-#  pkr-bld-parallels-test:
-#    uses: ./.github/workflows/test-pkr-bld-parallels.yml
-#    secrets: inherit
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci-lint.yml b/.github/workflows/ci-lint.yml
index ebc84ac24..c3207aaf3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci-lint.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci-lint.yml
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 ---
 on:
+  workflow_call:
   schedule:
     - cron: '0 0 * * 0'
 
 permissions:
   contents: read
 
+concurrency:
+  group: ci-lint-${{ github.ref }}
+  cancel-in-progress: true
+
 jobs:
   markdown-lint:
     uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/markdown-lint.yml@main
@@ -28,19 +33,18 @@ jobs:
   powershell-lint:
     uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/powershell-lint.yml@main
 
-  packer-iso-check:
-    uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/packer-iso-url-checker.yml@main
-
-  packer-lint:
-    uses: chef/github-workflows/.github/workflows/packer-lint.yml@main
-    secrets: inherit
-
-  # Codespell configuration is within .codespellrc
   codespell:
     name: Check for spelling errors
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
       - name: Codespell
         uses: codespell-project/actions-codespell@v2
+
+  packer-lint:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/packer-lint.yml
+    secrets: inherit
+
+  packer-iso-check:
+    uses: ./.github/workflows/packer-iso-url-checker.yml
diff --git a/.github/workflows/packer-iso-url-checker.yml b/.github/workflows/packer-iso-url-checker.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9b260ae4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/packer-iso-url-checker.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+jobs:
+  enumerate_pkrvars:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Enumerate iso
+        env:
+          EXCLUDE: 'rhel.*|sles.*|solaris.*'
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          mapfile -t < <(find os_pkrvars -name "*.pkrvars.hcl" | grep -Ev '(${{ env.EXCLUDE }})')
+          echo "matrix=$(jq -cRn '[inputs]' < <( (( ${#MAPFILE[@]} )) && printf '%s\n' "${MAPFILE[@]}"))" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+        id: enumerate_pkrvars
+    outputs:
+      matrix: ${{ steps.enumerate_pkrvars.outputs.matrix }}
+
+  iso-availability:
+    needs: enumerate_pkrvars
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        template: ${{ fromJson(needs.enumerate_pkrvars.outputs.matrix) }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout Repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: iso-availability
+        run: |
+          iso_url=$(grep -E '^\s*iso_url\s*=' '${{ matrix.template }}' | head -1 | sed 's/[^=]*=\s*"\(.*\)"/\1/')
+          if [ -z "$iso_url" ]; then
+            echo "No iso_url found in ${{ matrix.template }}, skipping"
+            exit 0
+          fi
+          echo "Checking: $iso_url"
+          curl -fsSI "$iso_url"
diff --git a/.github/workflows/packer-lint.yml b/.github/workflows/packer-lint.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..69e5eaf3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/packer-lint.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+jobs:
+  packer-fmt:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Setup Packer
+        uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
+        with:
+          version: latest
+      - name: Packer FMT
+        run: if packer fmt -check -recursive .; then exit 0; else echo "Some packer files need to be formatted, run 'packer fmt -recursive .' to fix"; exit 1; fi
+
+  enumerate_pkrvars:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Enumerate pkrvars validation
+        env:
+          EXCLUDE: 'windows.*'
+        shell: bash
+        run: |
+          mapfile -t < <(find os_pkrvars -name "*.pkrvars.hcl" | grep -Ev '(${{ env.EXCLUDE }})')
+          echo "matrix=$(jq -cRn '[inputs]' < <( (( ${#MAPFILE[@]} )) && printf '%s\n' "${MAPFILE[@]}"))" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+        id: enumerate_pkrvars
+    outputs:
+      matrix: ${{ steps.enumerate_pkrvars.outputs.matrix }}
+
+  packer-validate:
+    needs: enumerate_pkrvars
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        pkrvars: ${{ fromJson(needs.enumerate_pkrvars.outputs.matrix) }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout Repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Setup Packer
+        uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
+        with:
+          version: latest
+      - name: Packer Init
+        env:
+          PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
+        run: packer init -upgrade packer_templates
+      - name: Packer Validate
+        run: packer validate --evaluate-datasources -var-file="${{ matrix.pkrvars }}" packer_templates
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-amazonlinux.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-amazonlinux.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..82200d611
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-amazonlinux.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+env:
+  PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
+  # PACKER_LOG: "1"
+
+jobs:
+  x86_64:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os:
+          - amazonlinux-2023
+    steps:
+      - name: Install Vagrant and VirtualBox
+        run: |
+          wget -O- https://apt.releases.hashicorp.com/gpg | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/hashicorp-archive-keyring.gpg
+          wget -O- https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/oracle-virtualbox-2016.gpg
+          echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/hashicorp-archive-keyring.gpg] https://apt.releases.hashicorp.com $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/hashicorp.list
+          echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/oracle-virtualbox-2016.gpg] https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -cs) contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y software-properties-common vagrant virtualbox-7.1 qemu-utils genisoimage
+          VBoxManage --version
+          vagrant --version
+      - name: Install Chef
+        uses: actionshub/chef-install@3.0.0
+      - name: Setup Packer
+        uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
+        with:
+          version: latest
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Install Bento
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          gem build bento.gemspec
+          gem install bento-*.gem
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          rm -rf builds
+          sudo mkdir -p /mnt/builds/iso
+          sudo mkdir -p /mnt/builds/build_complete
+          sudo chmod -R 777 /mnt/builds
+          sudo ln -s /mnt/builds ./
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          ./${{ matrix.os }}-x86_64-virtualbox-build.sh
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-x86_64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(VBoxManage list vms | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk -F'"' '{print $2}')"
+          echo "VM Name: $VM"
+          VBoxManage controlvm "$VM" poweroff 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          VBoxManage unregistervm "$VM" --delete 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-virtualbox-x86_64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
+
+  aarch64:
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, ARM64, virtualbox]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os:
+          - amazonlinux-2023
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          ./${{ matrix.os }}-aarch64-virtualbox-build.sh
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-aarch64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(VBoxManage list vms | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk -F'"' '{print $2}')"
+          echo "VM Name: $VM"
+          VBoxManage controlvm "$VM" poweroff 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          VBoxManage unregistervm "$VM" --delete 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-virtualbox-aarch64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv-x64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv-x64.yml
index 82c57b602..5c4aedd17 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv-x64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv-x64.yml
@@ -23,12 +23,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-8
           - oraclelinux-9
@@ -38,8 +36,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - hyperv-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..26cdc2e2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-hyperv.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+env:
+  PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
+  # PACKER_LOG: "1"
+
+jobs:
+  generate-matrix:
+    # Hyper-V is x86_64 only
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      x64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.x64_oses }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Set matrix
+        id: set-matrix
+        run: |
+          X64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') }.to_json")
+          echo "x64_oses=${X64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+  x86_64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.x64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - hyperv-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Install Chef
+        uses: actionshub/chef-install@3.0.0
+      - name: Setup Packer
+        uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
+        with:
+          version: latest
+      - name: Install Bento
+        run: |
+          chef shell-init powershell
+          gem build bento.gemspec
+          gem install bento-*.gem
+      - name: Create VM Switch for Hyper-V
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          Get-PsDrive -PsProvider FileSystem
+          pwd
+          $adapter = (Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object { $_.Status -eq "Up" })[0].Name
+          New-VMSwitch -Name "bento" -NetAdapterName $adapter -AllowManagementOS $true
+      - name: Packer Init
+        run: packer init -upgrade packer_templates
+      - name: Packer build
+        run: packer build -timestamp-ui -only="${{ matrix.provider }}.vm" -var 'sources_enabled=["hyperv-iso.vm"]' -var-file="os_pkrvars/$("${{ matrix.os }}".Split('-')[0])/${{ matrix.os }}-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl" packer_templates
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          $vm = Get-VM | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*${{ matrix.os }}*" } | Select-Object -First 1
+          if ($vm) {
+            Write-Host "Stopping and removing VM: $($vm.Name)"
+            Stop-VM -Name $vm.Name -Force -TurnOff -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+            Start-Sleep -Seconds 2
+            Remove-VM -Name $vm.Name -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+          }
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          chef shell-init powershell
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-hyperv-x86_64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-arm64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-arm64.yml
index c167bd369..0cc7e0ea0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-arm64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-arm64.yml
@@ -22,12 +22,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-9
           - oraclelinux-10
@@ -35,8 +33,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - parallels-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-x64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-x64.yml
index 695b25839..a91905293 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-x64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels-x64.yml
@@ -23,12 +23,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-8
           - oraclelinux-9
@@ -38,8 +36,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - parallels-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3357c335a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-parallels.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+env:
+  PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
+  # PACKER_LOG: "1"
+
+jobs:
+  generate-matrix:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      x64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.x64_oses }}
+      arm64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Set matrix
+        id: set-matrix
+        run: |
+          # arm64 exclusions: no aarch64 pkrvars exist for these OS versions
+          X64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') }.to_json")
+          ARM64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "excl=%w[almalinux-8 oraclelinux-8 rockylinux-8]; puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') || excl.include?(o) }.to_json")
+          echo "x64_oses=${X64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "arm64_oses=${ARM64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+  x86_64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, X64, parallels]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.x64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - parallels-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-x86_64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(prlctl list -a | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk '{print $1}')"
+          echo "VM UUID: $VM"
+          prlctl stop "$VM" --kill 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          prlctl delete "$VM" 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-parallels-x86_64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
+
+  aarch64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, ARM64, parallels]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - parallels-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-aarch64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(prlctl list -a | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk '{print $1}')"
+          echo "VM UUID: $VM"
+          prlctl stop "$VM" --kill 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          prlctl delete "$VM" 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-parallels-aarch64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-arm64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-arm64.yml
index 36735a82e..5106a361e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-arm64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-arm64.yml
@@ -22,12 +22,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-9
           - oraclelinux-10
@@ -35,8 +33,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - qemu
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-x64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-x64.yml
index 42cb8d5c8..3ca8479b0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-x64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu-x64.yml
@@ -23,12 +23,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-8
           - oraclelinux-9
@@ -38,8 +36,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - qemu
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..14f2f286f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-qemu.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+env:
+  PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
+  # PACKER_LOG: "1"
+
+jobs:
+  generate-matrix:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      x64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.x64_oses }}
+      arm64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Set matrix
+        id: set-matrix
+        run: |
+          # arm64 exclusions: no aarch64 pkrvars exist for these OS versions
+          X64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') }.to_json")
+          ARM64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "excl=%w[almalinux-8 oraclelinux-8 rockylinux-8]; puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') || excl.include?(o) }.to_json")
+          echo "x64_oses=${X64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "arm64_oses=${ARM64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+  x86_64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.x64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - qemu
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Install Vagrant QEMU
+        run: |
+          wget -O- https://apt.releases.hashicorp.com/gpg | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/hashicorp-archive-keyring.gpg
+          echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/hashicorp-archive-keyring.gpg] https://apt.releases.hashicorp.com $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/hashicorp.list
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y software-properties-common vagrant qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system virtinst libvirt-clients bridge-utils qemu-utils libvirt-dev
+          vagrant plugin install vagrant-libvirt vagrant-qemu
+      - name: Enable KVM
+        run: |
+          echo 'KERNEL=="kvm", GROUP="kvm", MODE="0666", OPTIONS+="static_node=kvm"' | sudo tee /etc/udev/rules.d/99-kvm4all.rules
+          sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
+          sudo udevadm trigger --name-match=kvm
+          sudo usermod -aG kvm $USER
+          sudo usermod -aG libvirt $USER
+          sudo chmod o+rw /var/run/libvirt/libvirt-sock
+          sudo systemctl start libvirtd
+          sudo systemctl status libvirtd
+      - name: Install Chef
+        uses: actionshub/chef-install@3.0.0
+      - name: Setup Packer
+        uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
+        with:
+          version: latest
+      - name: Install Bento
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          gem build bento.gemspec
+          gem install bento-*.gem
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          rm -rf builds
+          sudo mkdir -p /mnt/builds/iso
+          sudo mkdir -p /mnt/builds/build_complete
+          sudo chmod -R 777 /mnt/builds
+          sudo ln -s /mnt/builds ./
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-x86_64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(virsh list --all | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk '{print $2}')"
+          echo "VM Name: $VM"
+          virsh destroy "$VM" 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          virsh undefine "$VM" --remove-all-storage 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test libvirt
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-qemu-x86_64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
+
+  aarch64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, ARM64, qemu]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - qemu
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-aarch64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(virsh list --all | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk '{print $2}')"
+          echo "VM Name: $VM"
+          virsh destroy "$VM" 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          virsh undefine "$VM" --remove-all-storage 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test libvirt
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-qemu-aarch64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-arm64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-arm64.yml
index 38267e17a..71aa7b1f8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-arm64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-arm64.yml
@@ -22,11 +22,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-43
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-9
           - oraclelinux-10
@@ -34,8 +33,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - utm-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-x64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-x64.yml
index 5ba0043ef..5077d17f7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-x64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm-x64.yml
@@ -23,11 +23,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-43
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-8
           - oraclelinux-9
@@ -37,8 +36,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - utm-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4e3fbd4a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-utm.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+env:
+  PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+  # PACKER_LOG: 1
+
+jobs:
+  generate-matrix:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      x64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.x64_oses }}
+      arm64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Set matrix
+        id: set-matrix
+        run: |
+          # arm64 exclusions: no aarch64 pkrvars exist for these OS versions
+          X64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') }.to_json")
+          ARM64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "excl=%w[almalinux-8 oraclelinux-8 rockylinux-8]; puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') || excl.include?(o) }.to_json")
+          echo "x64_oses=${X64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "arm64_oses=${ARM64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+  x86_64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, X64, utm]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.x64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - utm-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm --vars 'ssh_timeout=60m' os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-x86_64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(utmctl list | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk '{print $1}')"
+          echo "VM UUID: $VM"
+          utmctl stop "$VM" 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          utmctl delete "$VM" 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-utm-x86_64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
+
+  aarch64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, ARM64, utm]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - utm-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-aarch64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(utmctl list | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk '{print $1}')"
+          echo "VM UUID: $VM"
+          utmctl stop "$VM" 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          utmctl delete "$VM" 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-utm-aarch64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-arm64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-arm64.yml
index 8132e2238..127eb61d2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-arm64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-arm64.yml
@@ -22,12 +22,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-9
           - oraclelinux-10
@@ -35,8 +33,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - virtualbox-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-x64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-x64.yml
index b09fcbc75..2752fcd5e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-x64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox-x64.yml
@@ -23,12 +23,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-8
           - oraclelinux-9
@@ -38,8 +36,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - virtualbox-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fce1039ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-virtualbox.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+env:
+  PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+  # PACKER_LOG: 1
+
+jobs:
+  generate-matrix:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      x64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.x64_oses }}
+      arm64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Set matrix
+        id: set-matrix
+        run: |
+          # arm64 exclusions: no aarch64 pkrvars exist for these OS versions
+          ARM64_EXCLUDE="almalinux-8 oraclelinux-8 rockylinux-8"
+          X64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') }.to_json")
+          ARM64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "excl=%w[almalinux-8 oraclelinux-8 rockylinux-8]; puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') || excl.include?(o) }.to_json")
+          echo "x64_oses=${X64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "arm64_oses=${ARM64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+  x86_64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.x64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - virtualbox-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Install Vagrant VirtualBox
+        run: |
+          wget -O- https://apt.releases.hashicorp.com/gpg | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/hashicorp-archive-keyring.gpg
+          wget -O- https://www.virtualbox.org/download/oracle_vbox_2016.asc | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/oracle-virtualbox-2016.gpg
+          echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/hashicorp-archive-keyring.gpg] https://apt.releases.hashicorp.com $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/hashicorp.list
+          echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/oracle-virtualbox-2016.gpg] https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/debian $(lsb_release -cs) contrib" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/virtualbox.list
+          sudo apt-get update
+          sudo apt-get install -y software-properties-common vagrant virtualbox-7.2
+      - name: Install Chef
+        uses: actionshub/chef-install@3.0.0
+      - name: Setup Packer
+        uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
+        with:
+          version: latest
+      - name: Install Bento
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          gem build bento.gemspec
+          gem install bento-*.gem
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          rm -rf builds
+          sudo mkdir -p /mnt/builds/iso
+          sudo mkdir -p /mnt/builds/build_complete
+          sudo chmod -R 777 /mnt/builds
+          sudo ln -s /mnt/builds ./
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          export LOGNAME=$USER
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-x86_64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(VBoxManage list vms | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk -F'"' '{print $2}')"
+          echo "VM Name: $VM"
+          VBoxManage controlvm "$VM" poweroff 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          VBoxManage unregistervm "$VM" --delete 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          export LOGNAME=$USER
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-virtualbox-x86_64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
+
+  aarch64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, ARM64, virtualbox]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - virtualbox-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-aarch64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VM="$(VBoxManage list vms | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | awk -F'"' '{print $2}')"
+          echo "VM Name: $VM"
+          VBoxManage controlvm "$VM" poweroff 2>/dev/null || true
+          sleep 2
+          VBoxManage unregistervm "$VM" --delete 2>/dev/null || true
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-virtualbox-aarch64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-arm64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-arm64.yml
index c89d18c5c..780b9c0b6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-arm64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-arm64.yml
@@ -22,12 +22,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-9
           - oraclelinux-10
@@ -35,8 +33,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - vmware-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-x64.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-x64.yml
index 5d2341526..fa4411eac 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-x64.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware-x64.yml
@@ -23,12 +23,10 @@ jobs:
           - centos-stream-10
           - debian-12
           - debian-13
-          - fedora-42
           - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
+          - fedora-44
           - freebsd-14
           - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
           - opensuse-leap-16
           - oraclelinux-8
           - oraclelinux-9
@@ -38,8 +36,6 @@ jobs:
           - rockylinux-10
           - ubuntu-22.04
           - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-25.04
-          - ubuntu-25.10
           - ubuntu-26.04
         provider:
           - vmware-iso
diff --git a/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware.yml b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c5c76652b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/pkr-bld-vmware.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+---
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+
+env:
+  PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
+  # PACKER_LOG: "1"
+
+jobs:
+  generate-matrix:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    outputs:
+      x64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.x64_oses }}
+      arm64_oses: ${{ steps.set-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses }}
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Set matrix
+        id: set-matrix
+        run: |
+          # arm64 exclusions: no aarch64 pkrvars exist for these OS versions
+          X64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') }.to_json")
+          ARM64=$(ruby -r yaml -r json -e "excl=%w[almalinux-8 oraclelinux-8 rockylinux-8]; puts YAML.load_file('builds.yml')['public'].reject { |o| o.start_with?('amazonlinux') || excl.include?(o) }.to_json")
+          echo "x64_oses=${X64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+          echo "arm64_oses=${ARM64}" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+  x86_64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, X64, vmware]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.x64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - vmware-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-x86_64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VMX="$(find "$HOME/Documents/Virtual Machines.localized" -name "*.vmx" | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | head -1)"
+          echo "VMX Path: $VMX"
+          if [ -n "$VMX" ]; then
+            vmrun stop "$VMX" hard 2>/dev/null || true
+            sleep 3
+            rm -rf "$(dirname "$VMX")"
+          fi
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-vmware-x86_64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/x86_64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
+
+  aarch64:
+    needs: generate-matrix
+    runs-on: [self-hosted, ARM64, vmware]
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        os: ${{ fromJson(needs.generate-matrix.outputs.arm64_oses) }}
+        provider:
+          - vmware-iso
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout
+        uses: actions/checkout@main
+      - name: Bento build
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl"
+          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
+          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-aarch64._metadata.json
+      - name: Remove VM in case of canceled job
+        if: cancelled()
+        run: |
+          VMX="$(find "$HOME/Documents/Virtual Machines.localized" -name "*.vmx" | grep '${{ matrix.os }}' | head -1)"
+          echo "VMX Path: $VMX"
+          if [ -n "$VMX" ]; then
+            vmrun stop "$VMX" hard 2>/dev/null || true
+            sleep 3
+            rm -rf "$(dirname "$VMX")"
+          fi
+      - name: Bento Test
+        run: |
+          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
+          bento test
+      - name: Upload build artifact
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        with:
+          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-vmware-aarch64"
+          path: |
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.box
+            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.json
+          overwrite: true
+          retention-days: 10
+          compression-level: 0 # no compression
diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-pkr-bld-parallels.yml b/.github/workflows/test-pkr-bld-parallels.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index d6de2796c..000000000
--- a/.github/workflows/test-pkr-bld-parallels.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,155 +0,0 @@
----
-on:
-  workflow_call:
-
-permissions:
-  contents: read
-
-env:
-  PACKER_GITHUB_API_TOKEN: "${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}"
-  # PACKER_LOG: "1"
-
-jobs:
-  x86_64:
-    runs-on: macos-latest
-    strategy:
-      fail-fast: false
-      matrix:
-        os:
-          - almalinux-8
-          - almalinux-9
-          - almalinux-10
-          - centos-stream-9
-          - debian-11
-          - debian-12
-          - fedora-42
-          - fedora-43
-          - freebsd-13
-          - freebsd-14
-          - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
-          - opensuse-leap-16
-          - oraclelinux-8
-          - oraclelinux-9
-          - oraclelinux-10
-          - rockylinux-8
-          - rockylinux-9
-          - rockylinux-10
-          - ubuntu-22.04
-          - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-26.04
-        provider:
-          - parallels-iso
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@main
-      - name: Install Vagrant Parallels
-        run: |
-          brew tap hashicorp/tap
-          brew update
-          brew install --cask hashicorp/tap/hashicorp-vagrant
-          brew install --cask parallels
-          brew install --cask parallels-virtualization-sdk
-          vagrant plugin install vagrant-parallels
-      - name: Install Chef
-        uses: actionshub/chef-install@3.0.0
-      - name: Setup Packer
-        uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
-        with:
-          version: latest
-      - name: Install Bento
-        run: |
-          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
-          gem build bento.gemspec
-          gem install bento-*.gem
-      - name: Bento build
-        run: |
-          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
-          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl"
-          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
-          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-x86_64._metadata.json
-      - name: Upload build artifact
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
-        with:
-          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-parallels-x86_64"
-          path: |
-            builds/build_complete/*.box
-            builds/build_complete/*.json
-          retention-days: 10
-          compression-level: 0 # no compression
-      - name: Bento Test
-        run: |
-          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
-          bento test
-
-  aarch64:
-    runs-on: macos-latest
-    strategy:
-      fail-fast: false
-      matrix:
-        os:
-          - almalinux-8
-          - almalinux-9
-          - centos-stream-9
-          - debian-11
-          - debian-12
-          - fedora-40
-          - fedora-41
-          - freebsd-13
-          - freebsd-14
-          - freebsd-15
-          - opensuse-leap-15
-          - oraclelinux-8
-          - oraclelinux-9
-          - rockylinux-8
-          - rockylinux-9
-          - ubuntu-20.04
-          - ubuntu-22.04
-          - ubuntu-24.04
-          - ubuntu-26.04
-        provider:
-          - parallels-iso
-    steps:
-      - name: Checkout
-        uses: actions/checkout@main
-      - name: Install Vagrant Parallels
-        run: |
-          brew tap hashicorp/tap
-          brew update
-          brew install --cask hashicorp/tap/hashicorp-vagrant
-          brew install --cask parallels
-          brew install --cask parallels-virtualization-sdk
-          vagrant plugin install vagrant-parallels
-      - name: Install Chef
-        uses: actionshub/chef-install@3.0.0
-        with:
-          version: 24.2.1058
-      - name: Setup Packer
-        uses: hashicorp/setup-packer@main
-        with:
-          version: latest
-      - name: Install Bento
-        run: |
-          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
-          gem build bento.gemspec
-          gem install bento-*.gem
-      - name: Bento build
-        run: |
-          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
-          bento build -o ${{ matrix.provider }}.vm --vars 'ssh_timeout=30m' os_pkrvars/$(echo ${{ matrix.os }} | cut -d "-" -f 1)/"${{ matrix.os }}-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl"
-          ls -alh builds/build_complete/
-          cat builds/build_complete/${{ matrix.os }}*-aarch64._metadata.json
-      - name: Bento Test
-        run: |
-          eval "$(chef shell-init bash)"
-          bento test
-      - name: Upload build artifact
-        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
-        with:
-          name: "${{ matrix.os }}-parallels-aarch64"
-          path: |
-            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.box
-            builds/testing_passed/aarch64/*.json
-          overwrite: true
-          retention-days: 10
-          compression-level: 0 # no compression
diff --git a/.markdownlint-cli2.yaml b/.markdownlint-cli2.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..93a568f3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.markdownlint-cli2.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+config:
+  line-length: false  # MD013
+ignores:
+  - .github/copilot-instructions.md
+  - AGENTS.md
diff --git a/.mdlrc b/.mdlrc
deleted file mode 100644
index 295c24970..000000000
--- a/.mdlrc
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-rules "~MD007", "~MD013", "~MD024", "~MD033"
diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e37b54824
--- /dev/null
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,263 @@
+# Bento Repository - Agent Instructions
+
+This repository contains the Bento project, which provides:
+1. **Ruby CLI Wrapper**: A Ruby gem (`bento`) that wraps Hashicorp Packer for building Vagrant boxes
+2. **Packer Templates**: HCL-based Packer templates for building Vagrant base boxes across multiple operating systems and providers
+
+## Repository Overview
+
+### Ruby Component (CLI Wrapper)
+- **Language**: Ruby 3.0+
+- **Main Executable**: `bin/bento`
+- **Library Code**: `lib/bento/`
+- **Key Features**: Build, test, upload, list, and normalize Vagrant boxes
+- **Dependencies**: mixlib-shellout, Packer, Vagrant
+
+### Packer Component (Box Definitions)
+- **Language**: HCL (HashiCorp Configuration Language)
+- **Templates Directory**: `packer_templates/`
+- **OS Variable Files**: `os_pkrvars/` (organized by OS family)
+- **Supported Providers**: VirtualBox, VMware, Parallels, UTM, QEMU, Hyper-V
+- **Supported Architectures**: x86_64, aarch64
+
+## Code Change Requirements
+
+### For ALL Changes to This Repository:
+
+#### 1. Linting Requirements
+Before committing any changes, you **MUST** run the following linters based on the files modified:
+
+**Ruby Files** (`*.rb`, `Rakefile`, `*.gemspec`):
+```bash
+bundle install
+bundle exec cookstyle -a .
+```
+
+**Markdown Files** (`*.md`):
+```bash
+# Markdown linting is performed via GitHub Actions
+# Local testing not required but verify links work
+```
+
+**YAML Files** (`*.yml`, `*.yaml`):
+```bash
+# YAML linting is performed via GitHub Actions
+# Ensure valid YAML syntax
+```
+
+**Shell Scripts** (`*.sh`):
+```bash
+shellcheck *.sh
+```
+
+**PowerShell Scripts** (`*.ps1`):
+```bash
+# PowerShell linting is performed via GitHub Actions
+```
+
+**Packer Templates** (`*.pkr.hcl`, `*.pkrvars.hcl`):
+```bash
+cd /path/to/bento
+packer init -upgrade ./packer_templates
+packer validate -var-file=os_pkrvars/<os>/<template>.pkrvars.hcl ./packer_templates
+```
+
+**All Packer Templates (Comprehensive Validation)**:
+```bash
+bundle exec rake validate
+```
+
+#### 2. Testing Requirements
+
+**For Ruby Code Changes**:
+```bash
+# Install test dependencies first
+bundle install
+gem install test-kitchen kitchen-vagrant
+
+# Run the bento CLI commands to verify functionality
+bento list
+bento build --dry-run os_pkrvars/<test-template>.pkrvars.hcl
+```
+
+**For Packer Template Changes**:
+```bash
+# Validate the specific template
+packer validate -var-file=os_pkrvars/<os>/<modified-template>.pkrvars.hcl ./packer_templates
+
+# If possible, run a test build (requires hypervisor)
+bento build os_pkrvars/<os>/<modified-template>.pkrvars.hcl
+
+# Test with kitchen (if applicable)
+bento test
+```
+
+#### 3. Documentation Updates
+
+**README.md** - Update if:
+- Adding new features to the bento CLI
+- Changing CLI command syntax or options
+- Adding/removing supported operating systems
+- Modifying build requirements or prerequisites
+- Changing installation instructions
+
+**CHANGELOG.md** - Update for:
+- **ALL user-facing changes** (bug fixes, features, breaking changes)
+- New OS support or version updates
+- Provider support changes (VirtualBox, VMware, etc.)
+- Ruby gem version changes
+- Template modifications affecting builds
+
+**Format for CHANGELOG.md**:
+```markdown
+## Builds for version <VERSION>
+
+[Add/update the build matrix table showing supported OS and providers]
+
+### Changes
+- Added support for [OS Name] version [X.Y]
+- Fixed [issue description]
+- Updated [component] to improve [functionality]
+- BREAKING: [description of breaking change]
+```
+
+**TESTING.md** - Update if:
+- Changing test procedures
+- Adding new test requirements
+- Modifying how `bento test` works
+
+## Key Files to Understand
+
+### Ruby Codebase
+- `lib/bento/cli.rb` - Command-line interface definitions
+- `lib/bento/runner.rb` - Build orchestration logic
+- `lib/bento/packerexec.rb` - Packer command execution
+- `lib/bento/test.rb` - Test kitchen integration
+- `lib/bento/upload.rb` - Vagrant Cloud upload logic
+- `lib/bento/buildmetadata.rb` - Metadata generation
+- `bento.gemspec` - Gem specification and dependencies
+
+### Packer Templates
+- `packer_templates/pkr-variables.pkr.hcl` - Variable definitions
+- `packer_templates/pkr-sources.pkr.hcl` - Provider source configurations
+- `packer_templates/pkr-builder.pkr.hcl` - Build orchestration
+- `packer_templates/pkr-plugins.pkr.hcl` - Required Packer plugins
+- `os_pkrvars/<os>/<os>-<version>-<arch>.pkrvars.hcl` - OS-specific variables
+
+### Configuration Files
+- `builds.yml` - Build configuration (public boxes, architectures, exclusions)
+- `Rakefile` - Build automation tasks
+
+## Workflow for Code Changes
+
+### 1. Before Making Changes
+```bash
+# Ensure dependencies are installed
+bundle install
+packer init -upgrade ./packer_templates
+```
+
+### 2. During Development
+```bash
+# For Ruby changes: run cookstyle frequently
+bundle exec cookstyle -a .
+
+# For Packer changes: validate as you go
+packer validate -var-file=os_pkrvars/<os>/<template>.pkrvars.hcl ./packer_templates
+```
+
+### 3. Before Committing
+```bash
+# Run all linters for modified file types
+bundle exec cookstyle -a .  # Ruby files
+shellcheck *.sh              # Shell scripts
+bundle exec rake validate    # All Packer templates
+
+# Update documentation
+# - Update CHANGELOG.md with your changes
+# - Update README.md if adding features or changing usage
+# - Verify all documentation is accurate
+```
+
+### 4. Commit Message Format
+```
+<type>(<scope>): <subject>
+
+<body>
+
+<footer>
+```
+
+**Types**: feat, fix, docs, style, refactor, test, chore
+**Scopes**: cli, packer, templates, ubuntu, windows, etc.
+
+**Examples**:
+```
+feat(templates): add Ubuntu 25.10 support
+
+- Add os_pkrvars for Ubuntu 25.10 x86_64 and aarch64
+- Update builds.yml to include new version
+- Add to CHANGELOG.md build matrix
+
+Closes #123
+```
+
+```
+fix(cli): correct memory allocation for virtualbox builds
+
+The --mem option was not being passed correctly to packer.
+Fixed argument handling in packerexec.rb.
+```
+
+## Common Tasks
+
+### Adding a New OS Template
+1. Create `os_pkrvars/<os>/<os>-<version>-<arch>.pkrvars.hcl`
+2. Validate: `packer validate -var-file=os_pkrvars/<os>/<new-template>.pkrvars.hcl ./packer_templates`
+3. Update `builds.yml` if the OS should be public
+4. Update `CHANGELOG.md` with the new OS in the build matrix
+5. Update `README.md` if it's a significant addition
+6. Run: `bundle exec rake validate` to ensure all templates still validate
+
+### Modifying the Ruby CLI
+1. Edit files in `lib/bento/`
+2. Run: `bundle exec cookstyle -a .`
+3. Test: `gem build bento.gemspec && gem install bento-*.gem`
+4. Verify: `bento list`, `bento build --dry-run <template>`
+5. Update `README.md` if CLI usage changes
+6. Update `CHANGELOG.md` with the feature or fix
+
+### Updating Packer Templates
+1. Edit `packer_templates/*.pkr.hcl`
+2. Validate: `bundle exec rake validate`
+3. Test with a sample build: `bento build os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl`
+4. Update `CHANGELOG.md` if behavior changes
+5. Update `README.md` if new features are available
+
+## Important Notes
+
+- **Always run linters before committing** - CI will fail if linting errors exist
+- **Keep CHANGELOG.md current** - It serves as the release notes
+- **Test your changes** - Especially for Packer templates, validate before submitting
+- **Documentation is code** - Outdated docs are bugs
+- **Architecture awareness** - Many templates are architecture-specific (x86_64 vs aarch64)
+- **Provider compatibility** - Not all OS/architecture combinations work with all providers
+- **Build times** - Packer builds can take 30+ minutes; use `--dry-run` for quick validation
+- **Vagrant Cloud** - The `bento upload` command publishes to https://app.vagrantup.com/bento
+
+## CI/CD
+
+The repository uses GitHub Actions for:
+- Linting (YAML, JSON, XML, Shell, PowerShell, Markdown, Packer)
+- Packer ISO URL validation
+- Automated builds per provider and architecture
+- PR validation
+
+See `.github/workflows/` for workflow definitions.
+
+## Resources
+
+- Packer Documentation: https://www.packer.io/docs
+- Vagrant Documentation: https://www.vagrantup.com/docs
+- Chef Bento Boxes: https://app.vagrantup.com/bento
+- Kitchen-Vagrant: https://github.com/test-kitchen/kitchen-vagrant
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index c6871ea82..416bd2e11 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -17,14 +17,13 @@ Markdown table generated at <https://www.tablesgenerator.com/markdown_tables#>
 | centos-stream-10 | x | x | x | x |  | x | x | x |  |  |  |
 | debian-12 | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |  |  |
 | debian-13 | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |  |  |
-| fedora-41 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
-| fedora-42 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
-| freebsd-13 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |  |
+| fedora-43 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
+| fedora-44 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
 | freebsd-14 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
+| freebsd-15 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
 | macos-14 | na | na | na | na | na | x |  |  | na | na | na |
 | macos-15 | na | na | na | na | na | x |  |  | na | na | na |
 | macos-26 | na | na | na | na | na | x |  |  | na | na | na |
-| opensuse-leap-15 | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |  |  |
 | opensuse-leap-16 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
 | oraclelinux-8 | x | na | x | na | x | na | x | na |  | na |  |
 | oraclelinux-9 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
@@ -34,8 +33,8 @@ Markdown table generated at <https://www.tablesgenerator.com/markdown_tables#>
 | rockylinux-10 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
 | ubuntu-22.04 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
 | ubuntu-24.04 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |
-| ubuntu-25.04 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |
-| ubuntu-25.10 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
+| ubuntu-25.10 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |
+| ubuntu-26.04 | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |  |  |
 | windows-11 | x | na | x |  | x | x | x | x |  |  |  |
 | windows-2016 | x | na | x | na | x | na | x | na |  | na |  |
 | windows-2019 | x | na | x | na | x | na | x | na |  | na |  |
@@ -52,6 +51,35 @@ Markdown table generated at <https://www.tablesgenerator.com/markdown_tables#>
 - Create CD pipeline to upload vagrant boxes after PR is merged
 - Create CD pipeline to build and upload new versions of vagrant boxes once every 3 months with the latest patches
 
+## [unreleased] (2026-05-27)
+
+### Lifecycle Updates - EOL Removals and New Versions
+
+**Removed (EOL):**
+- Removed Ubuntu 25.04 (Plucky Puffin) - EOL January 2026
+- Removed Fedora 42 - EOL May 13, 2026
+- Removed FreeBSD 13 - EOL April 30, 2026
+- Removed openSUSE Leap 15 - EOL April 30, 2026
+
+**Added (New Major Versions):**
+- Added Fedora 44 support (x86_64 and aarch64)
+
+**Updated (Latest Point Releases):**
+- Updated Ubuntu 24.04 to 24.04.4 LTS
+- Updated builds.yml to reflect current supported OS versions
+- Added AGENTS.md file with repository instructions for GitHub Copilot CLI
+
+### Supported OS Versions (as of May 2026)
+- Ubuntu: 22.04.5 LTS, 24.04.4 LTS, 25.10, 26.04 LTS
+- Fedora: 43, 44
+- Debian: 12 (Bookworm), 13 (Trixie)
+- AlmaLinux: 8.10, 9.7, 10.1
+- Rocky Linux: 8.10, 9.7, 10.1
+- CentOS Stream: 9, 10
+- Oracle Linux: 8.10, 9.6, 10.0
+- openSUSE Leap: 16.0
+- FreeBSD: 14.4, 15.0
+
 ## [unreleased] (2025-11-21)
 
 - Update freebsd 14 to 14.4
@@ -1292,7 +1320,7 @@ Please ensure that Virtualbox is at least 5.1.6 and Vagrant at least 1.8.6 befor
 - \[ubuntu-12.04-\*\] Update URL paths to use 12.04.5. [\#359](https://github.com/chef/bento/pull/359) ([fnichol](https://github.com/fnichol))
 - Remove VeeWee definitions from project [\#358](https://github.com/chef/bento/pull/358) ([fnichol](https://github.com/fnichol))
 - Add packer/bin/bento for building templates. [\#357](https://github.com/chef/bento/pull/357) ([fnichol](https://github.com/fnichol))
-- update README to point to Boxcutter instead of basebox [\#354](https://github.com/chef/bento/pull/354) ([OBrienCommaJosh](https://github.com/OBrienCommaJosh))
+- update README to point to Boxcutter instead of basebox [\#354](https://github.com/chef/bento/pull/354) (OBrienCommaJosh)
 - Add MAINTAINERS.md file. [\#347](https://github.com/chef/bento/pull/347) ([fnichol](https://github.com/fnichol))
 - Add RHEL 7.1 JSON file. [\#342](https://github.com/chef/bento/pull/342) ([lopaka](https://github.com/lopaka))
 - Solaris 10u11 - zfs base box [\#341](https://github.com/chef/bento/pull/341) ([scotthain](https://github.com/scotthain))
diff --git a/builds.yml b/builds.yml
index 1aa72f64f..f2018f693 100644
--- a/builds.yml
+++ b/builds.yml
@@ -14,12 +14,10 @@ public:
   - centos-stream-10
   - debian-12
   - debian-13
-  - fedora-42
   - fedora-43
-  - freebsd-13
+  - fedora-44
   - freebsd-14
   - freebsd-15
-  - opensuse-leap-15
   - opensuse-leap-16
   - oraclelinux-8
   - oraclelinux-9
@@ -29,8 +27,6 @@ public:
   - rockylinux-10
   - ubuntu-22.04
   - ubuntu-24.04
-  - ubuntu-25.04
-  - ubuntu-25.10
   - ubuntu-26.04
 
 # slug box name: text string from standard box name to match
@@ -41,10 +37,9 @@ slugs:
   - debian-12
   - debian-13
   - fedora-latest
-  - freebsd-13
   - freebsd-14
   - freebsd-15
-  - opensuse-leap-15
+  - opensuse-leap-16
   - oraclelinux-8
   - oraclelinux-9
   - oraclelinux-10
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
index eb697b0c8..b67f7a9ae 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "almalinux"
-os_version              = "10.1"
+os_version              = "10.2"
 os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/10/isos/aarch64/AlmaLinux-10.1-aarch64-boot.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/10/isos/aarch64/AlmaLinux-10.2-aarch64-boot.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/10/isos/aarch64/CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle_arm64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
index ee13a4615..c38fe5484 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "almalinux"
-os_version              = "10.1"
+os_version              = "10.2"
 os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/10/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-10.1-x86_64-boot.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/10/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-10.2-x86_64-boot.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/10/isos/x86_64/CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "RedHat_64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index 1446d984d..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "almalinux"
-os_version              = "8.10"
-os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/8/isos/aarch64/AlmaLinux-8.10-aarch64-boot.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/8/isos/aarch64/CHECKSUM"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle_arm64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "arm-rhel9-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "almalinux"
-boot_command            = ["<wait><up><wait>e<wait><down><wait><down><wait><end><wait> inst.ks=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/rhel/8ks.cfg inst.repo=https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/8/BaseOS/aarch64/os/ <wait><leftCtrlOn><wait>x<wait><leftCtrlOff>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-9-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-9-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
index 09ff03728..416a6e71b 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-9-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-9-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "almalinux"
-os_version              = "9.7"
+os_version              = "9.8"
 os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/9/isos/aarch64/AlmaLinux-9.7-aarch64-boot.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/9/isos/aarch64/AlmaLinux-9.8-aarch64-boot.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/9/isos/aarch64/CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle9_arm64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-9-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-9-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
index 59235c33f..28656253d 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-9-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/almalinux/almalinux-9-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "almalinux"
-os_version              = "9.7"
+os_version              = "9.8"
 os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/9/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-9.7-x86_64-boot.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/9/isos/x86_64/AlmaLinux-9.8-x86_64-boot.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://repo.almalinux.org/almalinux/9/isos/x86_64/CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "RedHat_64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/debian/debian-12-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/debian/debian-12-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
index 6e7b76494..98fbee29c 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/debian/debian-12-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/debian/debian-12-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "debian"
-os_version              = "12.12"
+os_version              = "12.14"
 os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/archive/latest-oldstable/arm64/iso-cd/debian-12.12.0-arm64-netinst.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/archive/latest-oldstable/arm64/iso-cd/debian-12.14.0-arm64-netinst.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/archive/latest-oldstable/arm64/iso-cd/SHA256SUMS"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "debian"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Debian12_arm64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/debian/debian-12-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/debian/debian-12-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
index 114186bd5..410f14580 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/debian/debian-12-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/debian/debian-12-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "debian"
-os_version              = "12.12"
+os_version              = "12.14"
 os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/archive/latest-oldstable/amd64/iso-cd/debian-12.12.0-amd64-netinst.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/archive/latest-oldstable/amd64/iso-cd/debian-12.14.0-amd64-netinst.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/archive/latest-oldstable/amd64/iso-cd/SHA256SUMS"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "debian"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Debian12_64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-42-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-44-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
similarity index 66%
rename from os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-42-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
rename to os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-44-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
index 69dff304e..700bc9f2b 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-42-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-44-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 os_name                 = "fedora"
-os_version              = "42"
+os_version              = "44"
 os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/42/Server/aarch64/iso/Fedora-Server-netinst-aarch64-42-1.1.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/42/Server/aarch64/iso/Fedora-Server-42-1.1-aarch64-CHECKSUM"
+iso_url                 = "https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/44/Server/aarch64/iso/Fedora-Server-netinst-aarch64-44-1.7.iso"
+iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/44/Server/aarch64/iso/Fedora-Server-44-1.7-aarch64-CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "fedora-core"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Fedora_arm64"
 vmware_guest_os_type    = "arm-fedora-64"
 utm_vm_icon             = "fedora"
 parallels_boot_wait     = "1s"
-boot_command            = ["<up>e<wait><down><down><end> inst.ks=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/rhel/ks.cfg inst.repo=https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/42/Server/aarch64/os/ <F10><wait>"]
+boot_command            = ["<up>e<wait><down><down><end> inst.ks=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/rhel/ks.cfg inst.repo=https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/44/Server/aarch64/os/ <F10><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-42-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-44-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
similarity index 69%
rename from os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-42-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
rename to os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-44-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
index 949ad6419..14cc8e3c6 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-42-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/fedora/fedora-44-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 os_name                 = "fedora"
-os_version              = "42"
+os_version              = "44"
 os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/42/Server/x86_64/iso/Fedora-Server-netinst-x86_64-42-1.1.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/42/Server/x86_64/iso/Fedora-Server-42-1.1-x86_64-CHECKSUM"
+iso_url                 = "https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/44/Server/x86_64/iso/Fedora-Server-netinst-x86_64-44-1.7.iso"
+iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/44/Server/x86_64/iso/Fedora-Server-44-1.7-x86_64-CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "fedora-core"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Fedora_64"
 vmware_guest_os_type    = "fedora-64"
 utm_vm_icon             = "fedora"
-boot_command            = ["<wait><up>e<wait><down><down><end> inst.ks=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/rhel/ks.cfg inst.repo=https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/42/Server/x86_64/os/ <F10><wait>"]
+boot_command            = ["<wait><up>e<wait><down><down><end> inst.ks=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/rhel/ks.cfg inst.repo=https://download.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/releases/44/Server/x86_64/os/ <F10><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/freebsd/freebsd-13-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/freebsd/freebsd-13-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index 273f148b6..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/freebsd/freebsd-13-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "freebsd"
-os_version              = "13.5"
-os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.freebsd.org/releases/arm64/aarch64/ISO-IMAGES/13.5/FreeBSD-13.5-RELEASE-arm64-aarch64-disc1.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.freebsd.org/releases/arm64/aarch64/ISO-IMAGES/13.5/CHECKSUM.SHA256-FreeBSD-13.5-RELEASE-arm64-aarch64"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "freebsd"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "FreeBSD_arm64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "arm-freebsd13-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "freebsd"
-default_boot_wait       = "60s"
-boot_command            = ["<wait>s<wait2>mdmfs -s 100m md1 /tmp<enter><wait>mdmfs -s 100m md2 /mnt<enter><wait>dhclient -p /tmp/dhclient.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}').pid -l /tmp/dhclient.lease.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}') $(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}')<enter><wait10>fetch -o /tmp/installerconfig http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/freebsd/installerconfig && bsdinstall script /tmp/installerconfig<enter><wait>"]
-utm_boot_command        = ["<wait>s<wait2>mdmfs -s 100m md1 /tmp<enter><wait>mdmfs -s 100m md2 /mnt<enter><wait>dhclient -p /tmp/dhclient.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}').pid -l /tmp/dhclient.lease.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}') $(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}')<enter><wait10>dhclient -p /tmp/dhclient.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $2}').pid -l /tmp/dhclient.lease.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $2}') $(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $2}')<enter><wait10>fetch -o /tmp/installerconfig http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/freebsd/installerconfig && bsdinstall script /tmp/installerconfig<enter><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/freebsd/freebsd-13-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/freebsd/freebsd-13-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index b83951f1a..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/freebsd/freebsd-13-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,11 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "freebsd"
-os_version              = "13.5"
-os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.freebsd.org/releases/amd64/amd64/ISO-IMAGES/13.5/FreeBSD-13.5-RELEASE-amd64-disc1.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.freebsd.org/releases/amd64/amd64/ISO-IMAGES/13.5/CHECKSUM.SHA256-FreeBSD-13.5-RELEASE-amd64"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "freebsd"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "FreeBSD_64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "freebsd-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "freebsd"
-default_boot_wait       = "60s"
-boot_command            = ["<wait>s<wait2>mdmfs -s 100m md1 /tmp<enter><wait>mdmfs -s 100m md2 /mnt<enter><wait>dhclient -p /tmp/dhclient.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}').pid -l /tmp/dhclient.lease.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}') $(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $1}')<enter><wait10>dhclient -p /tmp/dhclient.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $2}').pid -l /tmp/dhclient.lease.$(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $2}') $(ifconfig -l | awk '{print $2}')<enter><wait10>fetch -o /tmp/installerconfig http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/freebsd/installerconfig && bsdinstall script /tmp/installerconfig<enter><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/opensuse/opensuse-leap-15-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/opensuse/opensuse-leap-15-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index b1eaff749..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/opensuse/opensuse-leap-15-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "opensuse-leap"
-os_version              = "15.6"
-os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.opensuse.org/distribution/leap/15.6/iso/openSUSE-Leap-15.6-NET-aarch64-Media.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.opensuse.org/distribution/leap/15.6/iso/openSUSE-Leap-15.6-NET-aarch64-Media.iso.sha256"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "opensuse"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "OpenSUSE_Leap_arm64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "arm-other-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "suse"
-boot_command            = ["<wait5><esc><wait>e<wait><down><down><down><down><end> biosdevname=0 net.ifnames=0 netdevice=eth0 netsetup=dhcp lang=en_US textmode=1 modprobe.blacklist=vmwgfx autoyast=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/opensuse/autoinst-uefi.xml<f10><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/opensuse/opensuse-leap-15-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/opensuse/opensuse-leap-15-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index 307e1ac41..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/opensuse/opensuse-leap-15-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "opensuse-leap"
-os_version              = "15.6"
-os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.opensuse.org/distribution/leap/15.6/iso/openSUSE-Leap-15.6-NET-x86_64-Media.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.opensuse.org/distribution/leap/15.6/iso/openSUSE-Leap-15.6-NET-x86_64-Media.iso.sha256"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "opensuse"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "OpenSUSE_Leap_64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "opensuse-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "suse"
-boot_command            = ["<wait5><esc><enter><wait>linux biosdevname=0 net.ifnames=0 netdevice=eth0 netsetup=dhcp lang=en_US textmode=1 autoyast=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/opensuse/autoinst.xml<enter><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/rhel/rhel-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/rhel/rhel-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index 61632a8aa..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/rhel/rhel-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "rhel"
-os_version              = "8.10"
-os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux"
-iso_checksum            = "none"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle_arm64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "arm-rhel9-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "red-hat"
-boot_command            = ["<wait><up><wait><tab> inst.text inst.ks=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/rhel/8ks.cfg<enter><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
index 5c1ad29e2..5b21f77b6 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "rockylinux"
-os_version              = "10.1"
+os_version              = "10.2"
 os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/10/isos/aarch64/Rocky-10.1-aarch64-boot.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/10/isos/aarch64/Rocky-10.2-aarch64-boot.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/10/isos/aarch64/CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle_arm64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
index d17a08f2c..5b44ca778 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "rockylinux"
-os_version              = "10.1"
+os_version              = "10.2"
 os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/10/isos/x86_64/Rocky-10.1-x86_64-boot.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/10/isos/x86_64/Rocky-10.2-x86_64-boot.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/10/isos/x86_64/CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle_64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index 271d6333a..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-8-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "rockylinux"
-os_version              = "8.10"
-os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/8/isos/aarch64/Rocky-8.10-aarch64-boot.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/8/isos/aarch64/CHECKSUM"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle_arm64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "arm-rhel9-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "linux"
-boot_command            = ["<wait><up><wait>e<wait><down><down><end><wait> inst.ks=http://{{ .HTTPIP }}:{{ .HTTPPort }}/rhel/8ks.cfg inst.repo=https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/8/BaseOS/aarch64/os/ <leftCtrlOn>x<leftCtrlOff>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-9-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-9-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
index 181dde624..c1d14e7ef 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-9-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-9-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "rockylinux"
-os_version              = "9.7"
+os_version              = "9.8"
 os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/9/isos/aarch64/Rocky-9.7-aarch64-boot.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/9/isos/aarch64/Rocky-9.8-aarch64-boot.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/9/isos/aarch64/CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle9_arm64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-9-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-9-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
index 791dd7f9a..c4b8eee6b 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-9-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/rockylinux/rockylinux-9-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "rockylinux"
-os_version              = "9.7"
+os_version              = "9.8"
 os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/9/isos/x86_64/Rocky-9.7-x86_64-boot.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/9/isos/x86_64/Rocky-9.8-x86_64-boot.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://download.rockylinux.org/pub/rocky/9/isos/x86_64/CHECKSUM"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "rhel"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Oracle_64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
index 296354f9b..2996b75df 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "ubuntu"
 os_version              = "24.04"
 os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/noble/release/ubuntu-24.04.3-live-server-arm64.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/noble/release/ubuntu-24.04.4-live-server-arm64.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/noble/release/SHA256SUMS"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "ubuntu"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Ubuntu24_LTS_arm64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
index 8923b2536..82bc639a1 100644
--- a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ b/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-24.04-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 os_name                 = "ubuntu"
 os_version              = "24.04"
 os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://releases.ubuntu.com/noble/ubuntu-24.04.3-live-server-amd64.iso"
+iso_url                 = "https://releases.ubuntu.com/noble/ubuntu-24.04.4-live-server-amd64.iso"
 iso_checksum            = "file:https://releases.ubuntu.com/noble/SHA256SUMS"
 parallels_guest_os_type = "ubuntu"
 vbox_guest_os_type      = "Ubuntu_64"
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.04-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.04-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index a387d8ec7..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.04-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "ubuntu"
-os_version              = "25.04"
-os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/plucky/release/ubuntu-25.04-live-server-arm64.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/plucky/release/SHA256SUMS"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "ubuntu"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "Ubuntu24_LTS_arm64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "arm-ubuntu-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "ubuntu"
-boot_command            = ["<wait>e<wait><down><down><down><end> autoinstall ds=nocloud-net\\;s=http://{{.HTTPIP}}:{{.HTTPPort}}/ubuntu/<wait><f10><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.04-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.04-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index d73b16cce..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.04-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "ubuntu"
-os_version              = "25.04"
-os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://releases.ubuntu.com/plucky/ubuntu-25.04-live-server-amd64.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://releases.ubuntu.com/plucky/SHA256SUMS"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "ubuntu"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "Ubuntu_64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "ubuntu-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "ubuntu"
-boot_command            = ["<wait>e<wait><down><down><down><end> autoinstall ds=nocloud-net\\;s=http://{{.HTTPIP}}:{{.HTTPPort}}/ubuntu/<wait><f10><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index 53070fa23..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.10-aarch64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "ubuntu"
-os_version              = "25.10"
-os_arch                 = "aarch64"
-iso_url                 = "https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/questing/release/ubuntu-25.10-live-server-arm64.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/questing/release/SHA256SUMS"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "ubuntu"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "Ubuntu24_LTS_arm64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "arm-ubuntu-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "ubuntu"
-boot_command            = ["<wait>e<wait><down><down><down><end> autoinstall ds=nocloud-net\\;s=http://{{.HTTPIP}}:{{.HTTPPort}}/ubuntu/<wait><f10><wait>"]
diff --git a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl b/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
deleted file mode 100644
index 92c427f83..000000000
--- a/os_pkrvars/ubuntu/ubuntu-25.10-x86_64.pkrvars.hcl
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-os_name                 = "ubuntu"
-os_version              = "25.10"
-os_arch                 = "x86_64"
-iso_url                 = "https://releases.ubuntu.com/questing/ubuntu-25.10-live-server-amd64.iso"
-iso_checksum            = "file:https://releases.ubuntu.com/questing/SHA256SUMS"
-parallels_guest_os_type = "ubuntu"
-vbox_guest_os_type      = "Ubuntu_64"
-vmware_guest_os_type    = "ubuntu-64"
-utm_vm_icon             = "ubuntu"
-boot_command            = ["<wait>e<wait><down><down><down><end> autoinstall ds=nocloud-net\\;s=http://{{.HTTPIP}}:{{.HTTPPort}}/ubuntu/<wait><f10><wait>"]
diff --git a/packer_templates/pkr-sources.pkr.hcl b/packer_templates/pkr-sources.pkr.hcl
index b92dfe7b2..cad47036a 100644
--- a/packer_templates/pkr-sources.pkr.hcl
+++ b/packer_templates/pkr-sources.pkr.hcl
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@ data "host-info" "this" {}
 locals {
   # helper locals
   build_dir = abspath("${path.root}/../builds/")
-  host_os   = data.host-info.this.os_type
+  host_os   = try(data.host-info.this.os_type, "unknown")
+
   # Source block provider specific
   # hyperv-iso
   hyperv_enable_dynamic_memory = var.hyperv_enable_dynamic_memory == null ? (
@@ -48,7 +49,9 @@ locals {
 
   # qemu
   qemu_accelerator = var.qemu_accelerator == null ? (
-    local.host_os == "darwin" ? "hvf" : null
+    local.host_os == "darwin" ? "hvf" : (
+      local.host_os == "windows" ? "whpx" : "kvm"
+    )
   ) : var.qemu_accelerator
   qemu_binary = var.qemu_binary == null ? "qemu-system-${var.os_arch}" : var.qemu_binary
   qemu_display = var.qemu_display == null ? (
@@ -204,20 +207,39 @@ locals {
   vmware_network_adapter_type = var.vmware_network_adapter_type == null ? (
     var.is_windows && var.os_arch == "aarch64" ? "vmxnet3" : "e1000e"
   ) : var.vmware_network_adapter_type
-  vmware_tools_upload_flavor = var.vmware_tools_mode == "upload" && var.vmware_tools_source_path == null ? (
+  vmware_tools_mode = var.vmware_tools_mode == null ? (
+    var.is_windows ? "attach" : "disable"
+  ) : var.vmware_tools_mode
+  vmware_tools_upload_flavor = local.vmware_tools_mode == "upload" && var.vmware_tools_source_path == null ? (
     var.vmware_tools_upload_flavor == null ? (
       var.is_windows ? "windows" : (
         var.os_name == "macos" ? "darwin" : "linux"
       )
     ) : var.vmware_tools_upload_flavor
   ) : null
-  vmware_tools_upload_path = var.vmware_tools_mode == "upload" ? (
+  vmware_tools_upload_path = local.vmware_tools_mode == "upload" ? (
     var.vmware_tools_upload_path == null ? (
       var.is_windows ? "c:\\vmware-tools.iso" : "/tmp/vmware-tools.iso"
     ) : var.vmware_tools_upload_path
   ) : null
-  vmware_tools_source_path = var.vmware_tools_mode == "disable" ? null : (
-    var.vmware_tools_source_path == null ? null : var.vmware_tools_source_path
+  vmware_tools_source_path = local.vmware_tools_mode == "disable" ? null : (
+    var.vmware_tools_source_path == null ? (
+      local.vmware_tools_mode == "attach" || local.vmware_tools_mode == "upload" ? (
+        local.host_os == "darwin" ? (
+          var.is_windows ? (
+            var.os_arch == "aarch64" ? "/Applications/VMware Fusion.app/Contents/Library/isoimages/arm64/windows.iso" : "/Applications/VMware Fusion.app/Contents/Library/isoimages/x86_64/windows.iso"
+          ) : null
+          ) : (
+          local.host_os == "windows" ? (
+            var.is_windows ? "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\VMware\\VMware Workstation\\windows.iso" :
+            "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\VMware\\VMware Workstation\\linux.iso"
+            ) : (
+            var.is_windows ? "/usr/lib/vmware/isoimages/windows.iso" :
+            "/usr/lib/vmware/isoimages/linux.iso"
+          )
+        )
+      ) : null # upload mode without source_path: let tools_upload_flavor handle it
+    ) : var.vmware_tools_source_path
   )
   vmware_vmx_data = var.vmware_vmx_data == null ? (
     {
@@ -537,7 +559,7 @@ source "vmware-iso" "vm" {
   guest_os_type                  = var.vmware_guest_os_type
   network                        = var.vmware_network
   network_adapter_type           = local.vmware_network_adapter_type
-  tools_mode                     = var.vmware_tools_mode
+  tools_mode                     = local.vmware_tools_mode
   tools_source_path              = local.vmware_tools_source_path
   tools_upload_flavor            = local.vmware_tools_upload_flavor
   tools_upload_path              = local.vmware_tools_upload_path
diff --git a/packer_templates/pkr-variables.pkr.hcl b/packer_templates/pkr-variables.pkr.hcl
index 635e3f077..81cbb8c7d 100644
--- a/packer_templates/pkr-variables.pkr.hcl
+++ b/packer_templates/pkr-variables.pkr.hcl
@@ -469,8 +469,8 @@ variable "vmware_guest_os_type" {
 }
 variable "vmware_tools_mode" {
   type        = string
-  default     = "attach"
-  description = "How to handle VMware Tools. Options: 'attach' (default, best performance), 'upload', or 'disable'"
+  default     = null
+  description = "How to handle VMware Tools. Options: 'attach', 'upload', or 'disable'"
 }
 variable "vmware_tools_source_path" {
   type        = string
diff --git a/packer_templates/scripts/windows/remove-apps.ps1 b/packer_templates/scripts/windows/remove-apps.ps1
index b784d01ed..86a9a0533 100644
--- a/packer_templates/scripts/windows/remove-apps.ps1
+++ b/packer_templates/scripts/windows/remove-apps.ps1
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ Get-AppXProvisionedPackage -Online | ForEach-Object {
     'Microsoft.MSPaint'
     'Microsoft.Office.OneNote'
     'Microsoft.OneDriveSync'
+    'Microsoft.Outlook'
     'Microsoft.Paint'
     'Microsoft.People'
     'Microsoft.PowerAutomateDesktop'