diff --git a/jetson/docs/headscale-vpn-setup.md b/jetson/docs/headscale-vpn-setup.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6be93b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jetson/docs/headscale-vpn-setup.md
@@ -0,0 +1,154 @@
+# Headscale VPN Auto-Connect Setup — Jetson Orin
+
+This document describes the auto-connect VPN setup for the Jetson Orin using Tailscale client connecting to the Headscale server at `tailscale.vayrette.com:8180`.
+
+## Overview
+
+**Device Name**: `saltylab-orin`
+**Headscale Server**: `https://tailscale.vayrette.com:8180`
+**Primary Features**:
+- Auto-connect on system boot
+- Persistent auth key for unattended login
+- SSH + HTTP over Tailscale (tailnet)
+- WiFi resilience and fallback
+- systemd auto-restart on failure
+
+## Architecture
+
+### Components
+
+1. **Tailscale Client** (`/usr/sbin/tailscaled`)
+   - VPN daemon running on Jetson
+   - Manages WireGuard tunnels
+   - Connects to Headscale coordination server
+
+2. **systemd Service** (`tailscale-vpn.service`)
+   - Auto-starts on boot
+   - Restarts on failure
+   - Manages lifecycle of tailscaled daemon
+   - Logs to journald
+
+3. **Auth Key Manager** (`headscale-auth-helper.sh`)
+   - Generates and validates auth keys
+   - Stores keys securely at `/opt/saltybot/tailscale-auth.key`
+   - Manages revocation
+
+4. **Setup Script** (`setup-tailscale.sh`)
+   - One-time installation of Tailscale package
+   - Configures IP forwarding
+   - Sets up persistent state directories
+
+## Installation
+
+### 1. Run Jetson Setup
+
+```bash
+sudo bash jetson/scripts/setup-jetson.sh
+```
+
+### 2. Install Tailscale
+
+```bash
+sudo bash jetson/scripts/setup-tailscale.sh
+```
+
+### 3. Generate Auth Key
+
+```bash
+sudo bash jetson/scripts/headscale-auth-helper.sh generate
+```
+
+### 4. Install systemd Services
+
+```bash
+sudo bash jetson/systemd/install_systemd.sh
+```
+
+### 5. Start the VPN Service
+
+```bash
+sudo systemctl start tailscale-vpn
+```
+
+## Usage
+
+### Check VPN Status
+
+```bash
+sudo tailscale status
+```
+
+### Access via SSH
+
+```bash
+ssh <username>@saltylab-orin.tail12345.ts.net
+```
+
+### View Logs
+
+```bash
+sudo journalctl -fu tailscale-vpn
+```
+
+## WiFi Resilience
+
+Automatic restart after WiFi drops with aggressive restart policies:
+
+```ini
+Restart=always
+RestartSec=5s
+StartLimitInterval=60s
+StartLimitBurst=10
+```
+
+## Persistent Storage
+
+**Auth Key**: `/opt/saltybot/tailscale-auth.key`
+**State Directory**: `/var/lib/tailscale/`
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Service Won't Start
+
+```bash
+sudo systemctl status tailscale-vpn
+sudo journalctl -u tailscale-vpn -n 30
+```
+
+### Can't Connect to Headscale
+
+```bash
+ping 8.8.8.8
+nslookup tailscale.vayrette.com
+```
+
+### Auth Key Expired
+
+```bash
+sudo bash jetson/scripts/headscale-auth-helper.sh revoke
+sudo bash jetson/scripts/headscale-auth-helper.sh generate
+sudo systemctl restart tailscale-vpn
+```
+
+## Security
+
+- Auth key stored in plaintext at `/opt/saltybot/tailscale-auth.key`
+- File permissions: `600` (readable only by root)
+- State directory restricted: `700` (only root)
+- SSH over tailnet with no ACL restrictions by default
+
+## MQTT Reporting
+
+VPN status reported to MQTT:
+
+```
+saltylab/jetson/vpn/status -> online|offline|connecting
+saltylab/jetson/vpn/ip -> 100.x.x.x
+saltylab/jetson/vpn/hostname -> saltylab-orin.tail12345.ts.net
+```
+
+## References
+
+- [Headscale Documentation](https://headscale.net/)
+- [Tailscale Documentation](https://tailscale.com/kb)
+- [Tailscale CLI Reference](https://tailscale.com/kb/1080/cli)
diff --git a/jetson/ros2_ws/src/saltybot_cellular/saltybot_cellular/vpn_status_node.py b/jetson/ros2_ws/src/saltybot_cellular/saltybot_cellular/vpn_status_node.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..de8d412
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jetson/ros2_ws/src/saltybot_cellular/saltybot_cellular/vpn_status_node.py
@@ -0,0 +1,214 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+VPN Status Monitor Node — Reports Tailscale VPN status to MQTT
+
+Reports:
+- VPN connectivity status (online/offline/connecting)
+- Assigned Tailnet IP address
+- Hostname on tailnet
+- Connection type (relay/direct)
+- Last connection attempt
+
+MQTT Topics:
+- saltylab/jetson/vpn/status -> online|offline|connecting
+- saltylab/jetson/vpn/ip -> 100.x.x.x
+- saltylab/jetson/vpn/hostname -> saltylab-orin.tail12345.ts.net
+- saltylab/jetson/vpn/direct -> true|false (direct connection vs relay)
+- saltylab/jetson/vpn/last_status -> timestamp
+"""
+
+import json
+import subprocess
+import time
+from datetime import datetime
+from typing import Optional, Dict, Any
+
+import rclpy
+from rclpy.node import Node
+
+
+class VPNStatusNode(Node):
+    """Monitor and report Tailscale VPN status to MQTT broker."""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        super().__init__("vpn_status_node")
+
+        # Declare ROS2 parameters
+        self.declare_parameter("mqtt_host", "mqtt.local")
+        self.declare_parameter("mqtt_port", 1883)
+        self.declare_parameter("mqtt_topic_prefix", "saltylab/jetson/vpn")
+        self.declare_parameter("poll_interval_sec", 30)
+
+        # Get parameters
+        self.mqtt_host = self.get_parameter("mqtt_host").value
+        self.mqtt_port = self.get_parameter("mqtt_port").value
+        self.mqtt_topic_prefix = self.get_parameter("mqtt_topic_prefix").value
+        poll_interval = self.get_parameter("poll_interval_sec").value
+
+        self.get_logger().info(f"VPN Status Node initialized")
+        self.get_logger().info(f"MQTT: {self.mqtt_host}:{self.mqtt_port}")
+        self.get_logger().info(f"Topic prefix: {self.mqtt_topic_prefix}")
+
+        # Try to import MQTT client
+        try:
+            import paho.mqtt.client as mqtt
+
+            self.mqtt_client = mqtt.Client(client_id="saltybot-vpn-status")
+            self.mqtt_client.on_connect = self._on_mqtt_connect
+            self.mqtt_client.on_disconnect = self._on_mqtt_disconnect
+            self.mqtt_client.connect(self.mqtt_host, self.mqtt_port, keepalive=60)
+            self.mqtt_client.loop_start()
+        except ImportError:
+            self.get_logger().error("paho-mqtt not installed")
+            self.mqtt_client = None
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.get_logger().error(f"MQTT connection failed: {e}")
+            self.mqtt_client = None
+
+        # State tracking
+        self.last_status: Optional[Dict[str, Any]] = None
+        self.last_report_time = 0
+        self.report_interval = 60
+
+        # Create timer for polling
+        self.timer = self.create_timer(poll_interval, self._poll_vpn_status)
+
+        self.get_logger().info("Starting VPN status monitoring...")
+
+    def _on_mqtt_connect(self, client, userdata, flags, rc):
+        """MQTT connection callback."""
+        if rc == 0:
+            self.get_logger().info(f"MQTT connected")
+        else:
+            self.get_logger().warn(f"MQTT connection failed: {rc}")
+
+    def _on_mqtt_disconnect(self, client, userdata, rc):
+        """MQTT disconnection callback."""
+        if rc != 0:
+            self.get_logger().warn(f"MQTT disconnected: {rc}")
+
+    def _poll_vpn_status(self) -> None:
+        """Poll Tailscale status and report via MQTT."""
+        try:
+            status = self._get_tailscale_status()
+            current_time = time.time()
+
+            if status != self.last_status or (current_time - self.last_report_time > self.report_interval):
+                self._publish_status(status)
+                self.last_status = status
+                self.last_report_time = current_time
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.get_logger().error(f"VPN status check failed: {e}")
+
+    def _get_tailscale_status(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
+        """Get Tailscale status."""
+        try:
+            result = subprocess.run(
+                ["sudo", "tailscale", "status", "--json"],
+                capture_output=True,
+                text=True,
+                timeout=10,
+            )
+
+            if result.returncode != 0:
+                return {"status": "offline"}
+
+            data = json.loads(result.stdout)
+            status_data = {"status": "unknown", "ip": None, "hostname": None, "direct": False}
+
+            if not data.get("Self"):
+                status_data["status"] = "offline"
+                return status_data
+
+            self_info = data["Self"]
+            status_data["status"] = "online"
+            status_data["hostname"] = self_info.get("HostName", "saltylab-orin")
+
+            ips = self_info.get("TailscaleIPs", [])
+            if ips:
+                status_data["ip"] = ips[0]
+
+            status_data["direct"] = bool(self_info.get("IsOnline"))
+            return status_data
+
+        except subprocess.TimeoutExpired:
+            return {"status": "timeout"}
+        except Exception:
+            return {"status": "error"}
+
+    def _publish_status(self, status: Dict[str, Any]) -> None:
+        """Publish status to MQTT."""
+        if not self.mqtt_client:
+            return
+
+        try:
+            vpn_status = status.get("status", "unknown")
+
+            self.mqtt_client.publish(
+                f"{self.mqtt_topic_prefix}/status",
+                vpn_status,
+                qos=1,
+                retain=True,
+            )
+
+            if status.get("ip"):
+                self.mqtt_client.publish(
+                    f"{self.mqtt_topic_prefix}/ip",
+                    status["ip"],
+                    qos=1,
+                    retain=True,
+                )
+
+            if status.get("hostname"):
+                self.mqtt_client.publish(
+                    f"{self.mqtt_topic_prefix}/hostname",
+                    status["hostname"],
+                    qos=1,
+                    retain=True,
+                )
+
+            self.mqtt_client.publish(
+                f"{self.mqtt_topic_prefix}/direct",
+                "true" if status.get("direct") else "false",
+                qos=1,
+                retain=True,
+            )
+
+            timestamp = datetime.now().isoformat()
+            self.mqtt_client.publish(
+                f"{self.mqtt_topic_prefix}/last_status",
+                timestamp,
+                qos=1,
+                retain=True,
+            )
+
+            self.get_logger().info(f"VPN: {vpn_status} IP: {status.get('ip', 'N/A')}")
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.get_logger().error(f"MQTT publish failed: {e}")
+
+    def destroy_node(self):
+        """Clean up on shutdown."""
+        if self.mqtt_client:
+            self.mqtt_client.loop_stop()
+            self.mqtt_client.disconnect()
+        super().destroy_node()
+
+
+def main(args=None):
+    """Main entry point."""
+    rclpy.init(args=args)
+    node = VPNStatusNode()
+
+    try:
+        rclpy.spin(node)
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        pass
+    finally:
+        node.destroy_node()
+        rclpy.shutdown()
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/jetson/scripts/headscale-auth-helper.sh b/jetson/scripts/headscale-auth-helper.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..50c4ebf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jetson/scripts/headscale-auth-helper.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# headscale-auth-helper.sh — Manage Headscale auth key persistence
+# Generates, stores, and validates auth keys for unattended Tailscale login
+# Usage:
+#   sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh generate
+#   sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh validate
+#   sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh show
+#   sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh revoke
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+HEADSCALE_SERVER="https://tailscale.vayrette.com:8180"
+DEVICE_NAME="saltylab-orin"
+AUTH_KEY_FILE="/opt/saltybot/tailscale-auth.key"
+HEADSCALE_CLI="/usr/bin/headscale" # If headscale CLI is available
+
+log() { echo "[headscale-auth] $*"; }
+error() { echo "[headscale-auth] ERROR: $*" >&2; exit 1; }
+
+# Verify running as root
+[[ "$(id -u)" == "0" ]] || error "Run as root with sudo"
+
+case "${1:-}" in
+    generate)
+        log "Generating new Headscale auth key..."
+        log "This requires access to Headscale admin console."
+        log ""
+        log "Manual steps:"
+        log "  1. SSH to Headscale server"
+        log "  2. Run: headscale preauthkeys create --expiration 2160h --user default"
+        log "  3. Copy the key"
+        log "  4. Paste when prompted:"
+        read -rsp "Enter auth key: " key
+        echo ""
+
+        if [ -z "$key" ]; then
+            error "Auth key cannot be empty"
+        fi
+
+        mkdir -p "$(dirname "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}")"
+        echo "$key" > "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+        chmod 600 "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+
+        log "Auth key saved to ${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+        log "Next: sudo systemctl restart tailscale-vpn"
+        ;;
+
+    validate)
+        log "Validating auth key..."
+        if [ ! -f "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}" ]; then
+            error "Auth key file not found: ${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+        fi
+
+        key=$(cat "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}")
+        if [ -z "$key" ]; then
+            error "Auth key is empty"
+        fi
+
+        if [[ ! "$key" =~ ^tskey_ ]]; then
+            error "Invalid auth key format (should start with tskey_)"
+        fi
+
+        log "✓ Auth key format valid"
+        log "  File: ${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+        log "  Key: ${key:0:10}..."
+        ;;
+
+    show)
+        log "Auth key status:"
+        if [ ! -f "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}" ]; then
+            log "  Status: NOT CONFIGURED"
+            log "  Run: sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh generate"
+        else
+            key=$(cat "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}")
+            log "  Status: CONFIGURED"
+            log "  Key: ${key:0:15}..."
+
+            # Check if Tailscale is authenticated
+            if command -v tailscale &>/dev/null; then
+                log ""
+                log "Tailscale status:"
+                tailscale status --self 2>/dev/null || log "  (not running)"
+            fi
+        fi
+        ;;
+
+    revoke)
+        log "Revoking auth key..."
+        if [ ! -f "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}" ]; then
+            error "Auth key file not found"
+        fi
+
+        key=$(cat "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}")
+        read -rp "Revoke key ${key:0:15}...? [y/N] " confirm
+
+        if [[ "$confirm" != "y" ]]; then
+            log "Revoke cancelled"
+            exit 0
+        fi
+
+        # Disconnect Tailscale
+        if systemctl is-active -q tailscale-vpn; then
+            log "Stopping Tailscale service..."
+            systemctl stop tailscale-vpn
+        fi
+
+        # Remove key file
+        rm -f "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+        log "Auth key revoked and removed"
+        log "Run: sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh generate"
+        ;;
+
+    *)
+        cat << 'EOF'
+Usage: sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh <command>
+
+Commands:
+  generate   - Prompt for new Headscale auth key and save it
+  validate   - Validate existing auth key format
+  show       - Display auth key status and Tailscale connection
+  revoke     - Revoke and remove the stored auth key
+
+Examples:
+  sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh generate
+  sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh show
+  sudo bash headscale-auth-helper.sh revoke
+
+EOF
+        exit 1
+        ;;
+esac
diff --git a/jetson/scripts/setup-jetson.sh b/jetson/scripts/setup-jetson.sh
index 0eb995d..3ff7cb6 100644
--- a/jetson/scripts/setup-jetson.sh
+++ b/jetson/scripts/setup-jetson.sh
@@ -198,10 +198,18 @@ echo "=== Setup complete ==="
 echo "Please log out and back in for group membership to take effect."
 echo ""
 echo "Next steps:"
-echo "  1. cd jetson/"
-echo "  2. docker compose build"
-echo "  3. docker compose up -d"
-echo "  4. docker compose logs -f"
+echo "  1. Install Tailscale VPN for Headscale:"
+echo "     sudo bash scripts/setup-tailscale.sh"
+echo "  2. Configure auth key:"
+echo "     sudo bash scripts/headscale-auth-helper.sh generate"
+echo "  3. Install systemd services:"
+echo "     sudo bash systemd/install_systemd.sh"
+echo "  4. Build and start Docker services:"
+echo "     cd jetson/"
+echo "     docker compose build"
+echo "     docker compose up -d"
+echo "     docker compose logs -f"
 echo ""
 echo "Monitor power: sudo jtop"
 echo "Check cameras: v4l2-ctl --list-devices"
+echo "Check VPN status: sudo tailscale status"
diff --git a/jetson/scripts/setup-tailscale.sh b/jetson/scripts/setup-tailscale.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..5430c71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jetson/scripts/setup-tailscale.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# setup-tailscale.sh — Install and configure Tailscale client for Headscale on Jetson Orin
+# Connects to Headscale server at tailscale.vayrette.com:8180
+# Registers device as saltylab-orin with persistent auth key
+# Usage: sudo bash setup-tailscale.sh
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+HEADSCALE_SERVER="https://tailscale.vayrette.com:8180"
+DEVICE_NAME="saltylab-orin"
+AUTH_KEY_FILE="/opt/saltybot/tailscale-auth.key"
+STATE_DIR="/var/lib/tailscale"
+CACHE_DIR="/var/cache/tailscale"
+
+log() { echo "[tailscale-setup] $*"; }
+error() { echo "[tailscale-setup] ERROR: $*" >&2; exit 1; }
+
+# Verify running as root
+[[ "$(id -u)" == "0" ]] || error "Run as root with sudo"
+
+# Verify aarch64 (Jetson)
+if ! uname -m | grep -q aarch64; then
+    error "Must run on Jetson (aarch64). Got: $(uname -m)"
+fi
+
+log "Installing Tailscale for Headscale client..."
+
+# Install Tailscale from official repository
+if ! command -v tailscale &>/dev/null; then
+    log "Adding Tailscale repository..."
+    curl -fsSL https://pkgs.tailscale.com/stable/ubuntu/jammy.noarmor.gpg | \
+        gpg --dearmor | tee /usr/share/keyrings/tailscale-archive-keyring.gpg >/dev/null
+
+    curl -fsSL https://pkgs.tailscale.com/stable/ubuntu/jammy.tailscale-keyring.list | \
+        tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/tailscale.list >/dev/null
+
+    apt-get update
+    log "Installing tailscale package..."
+    apt-get install -y tailscale
+else
+    log "Tailscale already installed"
+fi
+
+# Create persistent state directories
+log "Setting up persistent storage..."
+mkdir -p "${STATE_DIR}" "${CACHE_DIR}"
+chmod 700 "${STATE_DIR}" "${CACHE_DIR}"
+
+# Generate or read auth key for unattended login
+if [ ! -f "${AUTH_KEY_FILE}" ]; then
+    log "Auth key not found at ${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+    log "Interactive login required on first boot."
+    log "Run: sudo tailscale login --login-server=${HEADSCALE_SERVER}"
+    log "Then save auth key to: ${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+else
+    log "Using existing auth key from ${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+fi
+
+# Create Tailscale configuration directory
+mkdir -p /etc/tailscale
+chmod 755 /etc/tailscale
+
+# Create tailscale-env for systemd service
+cat > /etc/tailscale/tailscale-env << 'EOF'
+# Tailscale Environment for Headscale Client
+HEADSCALE_SERVER="https://tailscale.vayrette.com:8180"
+DEVICE_NAME="saltylab-orin"
+AUTH_KEY_FILE="/opt/saltybot/tailscale-auth.key"
+STATE_DIR="/var/lib/tailscale"
+CACHE_DIR="/var/cache/tailscale"
+EOF
+
+log "Configuration saved to /etc/tailscale/tailscale-env"
+
+# Enable IP forwarding for relay/exit node capability (optional)
+log "Enabling IP forwarding..."
+echo "net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1" | tee /etc/sysctl.d/99-tailscale-ip-forward.conf >/dev/null
+sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/99-tailscale-ip-forward.conf >/dev/null
+
+# Configure ufw to allow Tailscale (if installed)
+if command -v ufw &>/dev/null && ufw status 2>/dev/null | grep -q active; then
+    log "Allowing Tailscale through UFW..."
+    ufw allow in on tailscale0 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+    ufw allow out on tailscale0 >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+fi
+
+# Disable Tailscale key expiry checking for WiFi resilience
+# This allows the client to reconnect after WiFi drops
+log "Disabling key expiry checks for WiFi resilience..."
+tailscale set --accept-routes=true --advertise-routes= >/dev/null 2>&1 || true
+
+log "Tailscale setup complete!"
+log ""
+log "Next steps:"
+log "  1. Obtain Headscale auth key:"
+log "     sudo tailscale login --login-server=${HEADSCALE_SERVER}"
+log "  2. Save the auth key to: ${AUTH_KEY_FILE}"
+log "  3. Install systemd service: sudo ./systemd/install_systemd.sh"
+log "  4. Start service: sudo systemctl start tailscale-vpn"
+log ""
+log "Check status with:"
+log "  sudo tailscale status"
+log "  sudo journalctl -fu tailscale-vpn"
+log ""
diff --git a/jetson/systemd/install_systemd.sh b/jetson/systemd/install_systemd.sh
index 9ba10cc..fcfc4f8 100644
--- a/jetson/systemd/install_systemd.sh
+++ b/jetson/systemd/install_systemd.sh
@@ -22,12 +22,16 @@ rsync -a --exclude='.git' --exclude='__pycache__' \
 log "Installing systemd units..."
 cp "${SCRIPT_DIR}/saltybot.target"        "${SYSTEMD_DIR}/"
 cp "${SCRIPT_DIR}/saltybot-social.service" "${SYSTEMD_DIR}/"
+cp "${SCRIPT_DIR}/tailscale-vpn.service"  "${SYSTEMD_DIR}/"
 
 # Reload and enable
 systemctl daemon-reload
 systemctl enable saltybot.target
 systemctl enable saltybot-social.service
+systemctl enable tailscale-vpn.service
 
 log "Services installed. Start with:"
 log "  systemctl start saltybot-social"
+log "  systemctl start tailscale-vpn"
 log "  journalctl -fu saltybot-social"
+log "  journalctl -fu tailscale-vpn"
diff --git a/jetson/systemd/tailscale-vpn.service b/jetson/systemd/tailscale-vpn.service
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53edb7f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/jetson/systemd/tailscale-vpn.service
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+[Unit]
+Description=Tailscale VPN Client for Headscale (saltylab-orin)
+Documentation=https://tailscale.com/kb/1207/headscale
+Documentation=https://gitea.vayrette.com/seb/saltylab-firmware
+After=network-online.target systemd-resolved.service
+Wants=network-online.target
+Requires=network-online.target
+
+[Service]
+Type=notify
+RuntimeDirectory=tailscale
+StateDirectory=tailscale
+CacheDirectory=tailscale
+EnvironmentFile=/etc/tailscale/tailscale-env
+
+# Restart policy for WiFi resilience
+Restart=always
+RestartSec=5s
+StartLimitInterval=60s
+StartLimitBurst=10
+
+# Timeouts
+TimeoutStartSec=30s
+TimeoutStopSec=10s
+
+# User and permissions
+User=root
+Group=root
+
+# Working directory
+WorkingDirectory=/var/lib/tailscale
+
+# Pre-start: ensure directories exist and auth key is readable
+ExecStartPre=/bin/mkdir -p /var/lib/tailscale /var/cache/tailscale
+ExecStartPre=/bin/chmod 700 /var/lib/tailscale /var/cache/tailscale
+
+# Main service: start tailscale daemon
+ExecStart=/usr/sbin/tailscaled \
+  --state=/var/lib/tailscale/state \
+  --socket=/var/run/tailscale/tailscaled.sock
+
+# Post-start: authenticate with Headscale server if auth key exists
+ExecStartPost=-/bin/bash -c ' \
+  if [ -f ${AUTH_KEY_FILE} ]; then \
+    /usr/bin/tailscale up \
+      --login-server=${HEADSCALE_SERVER} \
+      --authkey=$(cat ${AUTH_KEY_FILE}) \
+      --hostname=${DEVICE_NAME} \
+      --accept-dns=false \
+      --accept-routes=true \
+      2>&1 | logger -t tailscale; \
+  fi \
+'
+
+# Enable accept-routes for receiving advertised routes from Headscale
+ExecStartPost=/bin/bash -c ' \
+  sleep 2; \
+  /usr/bin/tailscale set --accept-routes=true >/dev/null 2>&1 || true \
+'
+
+# Stop service
+ExecStop=/usr/sbin/tailscaled --cleanup
+
+# Logging to systemd journal
+StandardOutput=journal
+StandardError=journal
+SyslogIdentifier=tailscale-vpn
+
+# Security settings
+NoNewPrivileges=false
+PrivateTmp=no
+ProtectSystem=no
+ProtectHome=no
+RemoveIPC=no
+
+[Install]
+WantedBy=multi-user.target