diff --git a/integration/acl_test.go b/integration/acl_test.go
index 87b016d1..75f739c0 100644
--- a/integration/acl_test.go
+++ b/integration/acl_test.go
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ var veryLargeDestination = []policyv2.AliasWithPorts{
 func aclScenario(
 	t *testing.T,
 	policy *policyv2.Policy,
+	testName string,
 	clientsPerUser int,
 ) *Scenario {
 	t.Helper()
@@ -81,9 +82,7 @@ func aclScenario(
 			tsic.WithDockerWorkdir("/"),
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
-		hsic.WithTestName("acl"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
+		hsic.WithTestName(testName),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -305,6 +304,7 @@ func TestACLHostsInNetMapTable(t *testing.T) {
 
 			err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 				[]tsic.Option{},
+				hsic.WithTestName("aclnetmap"),
 				hsic.WithACLPolicy(&testCase.policy),
 			)
 
@@ -351,6 +351,7 @@ func TestACLAllowUser80Dst(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"acl-allowuser80",
 		1,
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -414,6 +415,7 @@ func TestACLDenyAllPort80(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"acl-denyport80",
 		4,
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -462,6 +464,7 @@ func TestACLAllowUserDst(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"acl-allowuserdst",
 		2,
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -524,6 +527,7 @@ func TestACLAllowStarDst(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"acl-allowstar",
 		2,
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -591,6 +595,7 @@ func TestACLNamedHostsCanReachBySubnet(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"acl-namedsubnet",
 		3,
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -743,6 +748,7 @@ func TestACLNamedHostsCanReach(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			scenario := aclScenario(t,
 				&testCase.policy,
+				"acl-namedreach",
 				2,
 			)
 			defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -1044,7 +1050,7 @@ func TestACLDevice1CanAccessDevice2(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for name, testCase := range tests {
 		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			scenario := aclScenario(t, &testCase.policy, 1)
+			scenario := aclScenario(t, &testCase.policy, "acl-dev1dev2", 1)
 			defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 			test1ip := netip.MustParseAddr("100.64.0.1")
@@ -1159,7 +1165,7 @@ func TestPolicyUpdateWhileRunningWithCLIInDatabase(t *testing.T) {
 			tsic.WithDockerWorkdir("/"),
 		},
 		hsic.WithTestName("policyreload"),
-		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB),
+		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB), // test updates policy at runtime via CLI
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -1290,6 +1296,7 @@ func TestACLAutogroupMember(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"acl-agmember",
 		2,
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -1383,8 +1390,6 @@ func TestACLAutogroupTagged(t *testing.T) {
 	headscale, err := scenario.Headscale(
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("acl-autogroup-tagged"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -1430,7 +1435,10 @@ func TestACLAutogroupTagged(t *testing.T) {
 				network = networks[0]
 			}
 
-			// Create the tailscale node with appropriate options
+			// Create the tailscale node with appropriate options.
+			// CACert and HeadscaleName are passed explicitly because
+			// nodes created via CreateTailscaleNode are not part of
+			// the standard CreateHeadscaleEnv flow.
 			opts := []tsic.Option{
 				tsic.WithCACert(headscale.GetCert()),
 				tsic.WithHeadscaleName(headscale.GetHostname()),
@@ -1698,8 +1706,6 @@ func TestACLAutogroupSelf(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("acl-autogroup-self"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -1721,7 +1727,10 @@ func TestACLAutogroupSelf(t *testing.T) {
 	authKey, err := scenario.CreatePreAuthKeyWithTags(routerUser.GetId(), true, false, []string{"tag:router-node"})
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	// Create router node (tags come from the PreAuthKey)
+	// Create router node (tags come from the PreAuthKey).
+	// CACert and HeadscaleName are passed explicitly because
+	// nodes created via tsic.New are not part of the standard
+	// CreateHeadscaleEnv flow.
 	routerClient, err := tsic.New(
 		scenario.Pool(),
 		"unstable",
@@ -1917,9 +1926,7 @@ func TestACLPolicyPropagationOverTime(t *testing.T) {
 			tsic.WithDockerWorkdir("/"),
 		},
 		hsic.WithTestName("aclpropagation"),
-		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
+		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB), // test updates policy at runtime via CLI
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -2738,8 +2745,6 @@ func TestACLTagPropagation(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 				hsic.WithACLPolicy(tt.policy),
 				hsic.WithTestName("acl-tag-"+tt.name),
-				hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-				hsic.WithTLS(),
 			)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -2926,8 +2931,6 @@ func TestACLTagPropagationPortSpecific(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("acl-tag-port-specific"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -3090,8 +3093,6 @@ func TestACLGroupWithUnknownUser(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("acl-unknown-user"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -3192,8 +3193,6 @@ func TestACLGroupAfterUserDeletion(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("acl-deleted-user"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB), // Use DB mode so policy persists after user deletion
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -3386,9 +3385,7 @@ func TestACLGroupDeletionExactReproduction(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(initialPolicy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("acl-exact-repro"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
-		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB),
+		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB), // test updates policy at runtime via CLI
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -3565,9 +3562,7 @@ func TestACLDynamicUnknownUserAddition(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(validPolicy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("acl-dynamic-unknown"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
-		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB),
+		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB), // test updates policy at runtime via CLI
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -3723,9 +3718,7 @@ func TestACLDynamicUnknownUserRemoval(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policyWithUnknown),
 		hsic.WithTestName("acl-unknown-removal"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
-		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB),
+		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB), // test updates policy at runtime via CLI
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
diff --git a/integration/api_auth_test.go b/integration/api_auth_test.go
index 2b5e1726..f074196d 100644
--- a/integration/api_auth_test.go
+++ b/integration/api_auth_test.go
@@ -435,7 +435,6 @@ func TestGRPCAuthenticationBypass(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("grpcauthtest"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(map[string]string{
 			// Enable gRPC on the standard port
 			"HEADSCALE_GRPC_LISTEN_ADDR": "0.0.0.0:50443",
@@ -560,7 +559,6 @@ func TestCLIWithConfigAuthenticationBypass(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("cliconfigauth"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(map[string]string{
 			"HEADSCALE_GRPC_LISTEN_ADDR": "0.0.0.0:50443",
 		}),
diff --git a/integration/auth_key_test.go b/integration/auth_key_test.go
index 74482e19..21166907 100644
--- a/integration/auth_key_test.go
+++ b/integration/auth_key_test.go
@@ -35,14 +35,7 @@ func TestAuthKeyLogoutAndReloginSameUser(t *testing.T) {
 			defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 			opts := []hsic.Option{
-				hsic.WithTestName("pingallbyip"),
-				hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-				hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
-			}
-			if https {
-				opts = append(opts, []hsic.Option{
-					hsic.WithTLS(),
-				}...)
+				hsic.WithTestName("authkey-relogsame"),
 			}
 
 			err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, opts...)
@@ -241,8 +234,6 @@ func TestAuthKeyLogoutAndReloginNewUser(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("keyrelognewuser"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -375,13 +366,7 @@ func TestAuthKeyLogoutAndReloginSameUserExpiredKey(t *testing.T) {
 			defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 			opts := []hsic.Option{
-				hsic.WithTestName("pingallbyip"),
-				hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
-			}
-			if https {
-				opts = append(opts, []hsic.Option{
-					hsic.WithTLS(),
-				}...)
+				hsic.WithTestName("authkey-rlogexpired"),
 			}
 
 			err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, opts...)
@@ -503,7 +488,7 @@ func TestAuthKeyDeleteKey(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
-	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("delkey"), hsic.WithTLS(), hsic.WithDERPAsIP())
+	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("delkey"))
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
 	headscale, err := scenario.Headscale()
@@ -621,7 +606,6 @@ func TestAuthKeyLogoutAndReloginRoutesPreserved(t *testing.T) {
 			tsic.WithExtraLoginArgs([]string{"--advertise-routes=" + advertiseRoute}),
 		},
 		hsic.WithTestName("routelogout"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(
 			&policyv2.Policy{
 				ACLs: []policyv2.ACL{
diff --git a/integration/auth_oidc_test.go b/integration/auth_oidc_test.go
index dadaa9a4..7681f0d8 100644
--- a/integration/auth_oidc_test.go
+++ b/integration/auth_oidc_test.go
@@ -51,11 +51,13 @@ func TestOIDCAuthenticationPingAll(t *testing.T) {
 		"HEADSCALE_OIDC_CLIENT_SECRET_PATH": "${CREDENTIALS_DIRECTORY_TEST}/hs_client_oidc_secret",
 	}
 
+	// OIDC tests configure the mock OIDC provider via environment
+	// variables and inject the client secret as a file. This
+	// pattern is shared by all OIDC integration tests.
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnvWithLoginURL(
 		nil,
 		hsic.WithTestName("oidcauthping"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
@@ -374,7 +376,6 @@ func TestOIDC024UserCreation(t *testing.T) {
 				nil,
 				hsic.WithTestName("oidcmigration"),
 				hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-				hsic.WithTLS(),
 				hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
 			)
 			requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
@@ -432,7 +433,6 @@ func TestOIDCAuthenticationWithPKCE(t *testing.T) {
 		nil,
 		hsic.WithTestName("oidcauthpkce"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
@@ -487,12 +487,9 @@ func TestOIDCReloginSameNodeNewUser(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnvWithLoginURL(
 		nil,
-		hsic.WithTestName("oidcauthrelog"),
+		hsic.WithTestName("oidc-authrelog"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -899,11 +896,9 @@ func TestOIDCFollowUpUrl(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnvWithLoginURL(
 		nil,
-		hsic.WithTestName("oidcauthrelog"),
+		hsic.WithTestName("oidc-followup"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -1011,9 +1006,7 @@ func TestOIDCMultipleOpenedLoginUrls(t *testing.T) {
 		nil,
 		hsic.WithTestName("oidcauthrelog"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -1145,10 +1138,7 @@ func TestOIDCReloginSameNodeSameUser(t *testing.T) {
 		nil,
 		hsic.WithTestName("oidcsameuser"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1373,10 +1363,7 @@ func TestOIDCExpiryAfterRestart(t *testing.T) {
 		nil,
 		hsic.WithTestName("oidcexpiry"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1524,7 +1511,6 @@ func TestOIDCACLPolicyOnJoin(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithTestName("oidcaclpolicy"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(
 			&policyv2.Policy{
@@ -1801,10 +1787,7 @@ func TestOIDCReloginSameUserRoutesPreserved(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithTestName("oidcrouterelogin"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(
 			&policyv2.Policy{
 				ACLs: []policyv2.ACL{
diff --git a/integration/auth_web_flow_test.go b/integration/auth_web_flow_test.go
index d00c5fdd..06d7ca96 100644
--- a/integration/auth_web_flow_test.go
+++ b/integration/auth_web_flow_test.go
@@ -32,9 +32,6 @@ func TestAuthWebFlowAuthenticationPingAll(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnvWithLoginURL(
 		nil,
 		hsic.WithTestName("webauthping"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -73,8 +70,6 @@ func TestAuthWebFlowLogoutAndReloginSameUser(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnvWithLoginURL(
 		nil,
 		hsic.WithTestName("weblogout"),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -239,8 +234,6 @@ func TestAuthWebFlowLogoutAndReloginNewUser(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnvWithLoginURL(
 		nil,
 		hsic.WithTestName("webflowrelnewuser"),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
diff --git a/integration/cli_test.go b/integration/cli_test.go
index a7696bb4..1ceeb3ae 100644
--- a/integration/cli_test.go
+++ b/integration/cli_test.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestUserCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
-	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("clins"))
+	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("cli-user"))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	headscale, err := scenario.Headscale()
@@ -588,9 +588,7 @@ func TestPreAuthKeyCorrectUserLoggedInCommand(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
-		hsic.WithTestName("clipak"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
+		hsic.WithTestName("cli-paklogin"),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -699,8 +697,6 @@ func TestTaggedNodesCLIOutput(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("tagcli"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -811,7 +807,7 @@ func TestApiKeyCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
-	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("clins"))
+	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("cli-apikey"))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	headscale, err := scenario.Headscale()
@@ -1058,7 +1054,7 @@ func TestNodeCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
-	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("clins"))
+	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("cli-node"))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	headscale, err := scenario.Headscale()
@@ -1319,7 +1315,7 @@ func TestNodeExpireCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
-	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("clins"))
+	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("cli-nodeexpire"))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	headscale, err := scenario.Headscale()
@@ -1454,7 +1450,7 @@ func TestNodeRenameCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
-	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("clins"))
+	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{}, hsic.WithTestName("cli-noderename"))
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	headscale, err := scenario.Headscale()
@@ -1634,9 +1630,9 @@ func TestPolicyCommand(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
-		hsic.WithTestName("clins"),
+		hsic.WithTestName("cli-policy"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(map[string]string{
-			"HEADSCALE_POLICY_MODE": "database",
+			"HEADSCALE_POLICY_MODE": "database", // test sets/gets policy via CLI
 		}),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -1719,9 +1715,9 @@ func TestPolicyBrokenConfigCommand(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
-		hsic.WithTestName("clins"),
+		hsic.WithTestName("cli-policybad"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(map[string]string{
-			"HEADSCALE_POLICY_MODE": "database",
+			"HEADSCALE_POLICY_MODE": "database", // test sets invalid policy via CLI
 		}),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
diff --git a/integration/derp_verify_endpoint_test.go b/integration/derp_verify_endpoint_test.go
index 1cc87de3..4abf6bec 100644
--- a/integration/derp_verify_endpoint_test.go
+++ b/integration/derp_verify_endpoint_test.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func TestDERPVerifyEndpoint(t *testing.T) {
 	headscalePort := 8080
 
 	// Create cert for headscale
-	certHeadscale, keyHeadscale, err := integrationutil.CreateCertificate(hostname)
+	caHeadscale, certHeadscale, keyHeadscale, err := integrationutil.CreateCertificate(hostname)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	spec := ScenarioSpec{
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func TestDERPVerifyEndpoint(t *testing.T) {
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	derper, err := scenario.CreateDERPServer("head",
-		dsic.WithCACert(certHeadscale),
+		dsic.WithCACert(caHeadscale),
 		dsic.WithVerifyClientURL(fmt.Sprintf("https://%s/verify", net.JoinHostPort(hostname, strconv.Itoa(headscalePort)))),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
@@ -72,10 +72,18 @@ func TestDERPVerifyEndpoint(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
+	// WithHostname is used instead of WithTestName because the hostname
+	// must match the pre-generated TLS certificate created above.
+	// The test name "derpverify" is embedded in the hostname variable.
+	//
+	// WithCACert passes the external DERP server's certificate so
+	// tailscale clients trust it. WithCustomTLS and WithDERPConfig
+	// configure headscale to use the external DERP server created
+	// above instead of the default embedded one.
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{tsic.WithCACert(derper.GetCert())},
 		hsic.WithHostname(hostname),
 		hsic.WithPort(headscalePort),
-		hsic.WithCustomTLS(certHeadscale, keyHeadscale),
+		hsic.WithCustomTLS(caHeadscale, certHeadscale, keyHeadscale),
 		hsic.WithDERPConfig(derpMap))
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
diff --git a/integration/dns_test.go b/integration/dns_test.go
index 648f2049..a0accc35 100644
--- a/integration/dns_test.go
+++ b/integration/dns_test.go
@@ -104,8 +104,6 @@ func TestResolveMagicDNSExtraRecordsPath(t *testing.T) {
 			"HEADSCALE_DNS_EXTRA_RECORDS_PATH": erPath,
 		}),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer(erPath, b),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
diff --git a/integration/dsic/dsic.go b/integration/dsic/dsic.go
index e25e2bc4..c442e655 100644
--- a/integration/dsic/dsic.go
+++ b/integration/dsic/dsic.go
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ type DERPServerInContainer struct {
 	stunPort            int
 	derpPort            int
 	caCerts             [][]byte
+	tlsCACert           []byte
 	tlsCert             []byte
 	tlsKey              []byte
 	withExtraHosts      []string
@@ -160,22 +161,27 @@ func New(
 		hostname = fmt.Sprintf("derp-%s-%s", strings.ReplaceAll(version, ".", "-"), hash)
 	}
 
-	tlsCert, tlsKey, err := integrationutil.CreateCertificate(hostname)
+	tlsCACert, tlsCert, tlsKey, err := integrationutil.CreateCertificate(hostname)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("creating certificates for headscale test: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("creating certificates for derp test: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	dsic := &DERPServerInContainer{
-		version:  version,
-		hostname: hostname,
-		pool:     pool,
-		networks: networks,
-		tlsCert:  tlsCert,
-		tlsKey:   tlsKey,
-		stunPort: 3478, //nolint
-		derpPort: 443,  //nolint
+		version:   version,
+		hostname:  hostname,
+		pool:      pool,
+		networks:  networks,
+		tlsCACert: tlsCACert,
+		tlsCert:   tlsCert,
+		tlsKey:    tlsKey,
+		stunPort:  3478, //nolint
+		derpPort:  443,  //nolint
 	}
 
+	// Install the CA cert so the DERP server trusts its own certificate
+	// and any headscale CA certs passed via WithCACert.
+	dsic.caCerts = append(dsic.caCerts, tlsCACert)
+
 	for _, opt := range opts {
 		opt(dsic)
 	}
@@ -297,9 +303,10 @@ func (t *DERPServerInContainer) Shutdown() error {
 	return t.pool.Purge(t.container)
 }
 
-// GetCert returns the TLS certificate of the DERPer instance.
+// GetCert returns the CA certificate that clients should trust to
+// verify this DERP server's TLS certificate.
 func (t *DERPServerInContainer) GetCert() []byte {
-	return t.tlsCert
+	return t.tlsCACert
 }
 
 // Hostname returns the hostname of the DERPer instance.
diff --git a/integration/embedded_derp_test.go b/integration/embedded_derp_test.go
index 89154f63..97c68e49 100644
--- a/integration/embedded_derp_test.go
+++ b/integration/embedded_derp_test.go
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func TestDERPServerScenario(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	derpServerScenario(t, spec, false, func(scenario *Scenario) {
+	derpServerScenario(t, spec, "derp-tcp", false, func(scenario *Scenario) {
 		allClients, err := scenario.ListTailscaleClients()
 		requireNoErrListClients(t, err)
 		t.Logf("checking %d clients for websocket connections", len(allClients))
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ func TestDERPServerWebsocketScenario(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	}
 
-	derpServerScenario(t, spec, true, func(scenario *Scenario) {
+	derpServerScenario(t, spec, "derp-ws", true, func(scenario *Scenario) {
 		allClients, err := scenario.ListTailscaleClients()
 		requireNoErrListClients(t, err)
 		t.Logf("checking %d clients for websocket connections", len(allClients))
@@ -103,6 +103,7 @@ func TestDERPServerWebsocketScenario(t *testing.T) {
 func derpServerScenario(
 	t *testing.T,
 	spec ScenarioSpec,
+	testName string,
 	websocket bool,
 	furtherAssertions ...func(*Scenario),
 ) {
@@ -117,11 +118,11 @@ func derpServerScenario(
 		[]tsic.Option{
 			tsic.WithWebsocketDERP(websocket),
 		},
-		hsic.WithTestName("derpserver"),
+		hsic.WithTestName(testName),
+		// Expose STUN port for DERP NAT traversal.
 		hsic.WithExtraPorts([]string{"3478/udp"}),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
+		// DERP clients expect the server on the standard HTTPS port.
 		hsic.WithPort(443),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(map[string]string{
 			"HEADSCALE_DERP_AUTO_UPDATE_ENABLED":   "true",
 			"HEADSCALE_DERP_UPDATE_FREQUENCY":      "10s",
diff --git a/integration/general_test.go b/integration/general_test.go
index 42ba58bf..d3c03b0d 100644
--- a/integration/general_test.go
+++ b/integration/general_test.go
@@ -41,8 +41,9 @@ func TestPingAllByIP(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("pingallbyip"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
+		// All other tests use the default sequential allocation.
+		// This test uses random allocation to ensure it does not
+		// break basic connectivity.
 		hsic.WithIPAllocationStrategy(types.IPAllocationStrategyRandom),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
@@ -102,6 +103,12 @@ func TestPingAllByIPPublicDERP(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("pingallbyippubderp"),
+		// Explicitly use public DERP relays instead of the embedded
+		// DERP server to verify connectivity through Tailscale's
+		// infrastructure. TLS is disabled because the headscale
+		// server does not need to terminate TLS for this test.
+		hsic.WithPublicDERP(),
+		hsic.WithoutTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -128,6 +135,8 @@ func TestEphemeral(t *testing.T) {
 	testEphemeralWithOptions(t, hsic.WithTestName("ephemeral"))
 }
 
+// TestEphemeralInAlternateTimezone verifies that ephemeral node
+// expiry works correctly when the server runs in a non-UTC timezone.
 func TestEphemeralInAlternateTimezone(t *testing.T) {
 	testEphemeralWithOptions(
 		t,
@@ -387,8 +396,6 @@ func TestTaildrop(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("taildrop"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1403,9 +1410,6 @@ func TestPingAllByIPManyUpDown(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("pingallbyipmany"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithDERPAsIP(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1512,8 +1516,6 @@ func Test2118DeletingOnlineNodePanics(t *testing.T) {
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithTestName("deletenocrash"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
diff --git a/integration/hsic/config.go b/integration/hsic/config.go
index 8ceca90f..961c92f1 100644
--- a/integration/hsic/config.go
+++ b/integration/hsic/config.go
@@ -28,11 +28,24 @@ func DefaultConfigEnv() map[string]string {
 		"HEADSCALE_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH":                  "/tmp/private.key",
 		"HEADSCALE_NOISE_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH":            "/tmp/noise_private.key",
 		"HEADSCALE_METRICS_LISTEN_ADDR":               "0.0.0.0:9090",
-		"HEADSCALE_DERP_URLS":                         "https://controlplane.tailscale.com/derpmap/default",
-		"HEADSCALE_DERP_AUTO_UPDATE_ENABLED":          "false",
-		"HEADSCALE_DERP_UPDATE_FREQUENCY":             "1m",
 		"HEADSCALE_DEBUG_PORT":                        "40000",
 
+		// Embedded DERP is the default for test isolation.
+		// Tests should not depend on external DERP infrastructure.
+		// Use WithPublicDERP() to opt out for tests that explicitly
+		// need public DERP relays.
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_URLS":                    "",
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_AUTO_UPDATE_ENABLED":     "false",
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_UPDATE_FREQUENCY":        "1m",
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_ENABLED":          "true",
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_ID":        "999",
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_CODE":      "headscale",
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_NAME":      "Headscale Embedded DERP",
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_STUN_LISTEN_ADDR": "0.0.0.0:3478",
+		"HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH": "/tmp/derp.key",
+		"DERP_DEBUG_LOGS":                        "true",
+		"DERP_PROBER_DEBUG_LOGS":                 "true",
+
 		// a bunch of tests (ACL/Policy) rely on predictable IP alloc,
 		// so ensure the sequential alloc is used by default.
 		"HEADSCALE_PREFIXES_ALLOCATION": string(types.IPAllocationStrategySequential),
diff --git a/integration/hsic/hsic.go b/integration/hsic/hsic.go
index cd60c20d..1323927e 100644
--- a/integration/hsic/hsic.go
+++ b/integration/hsic/hsic.go
@@ -82,8 +82,10 @@ type HeadscaleInContainer struct {
 	hostPortBindings map[string][]string
 	aclPolicy        *policyv2.Policy
 	env              map[string]string
+	tlsCACert        []byte
 	tlsCert          []byte
 	tlsKey           []byte
+	noTLS            bool
 	filesInContainer []fileInContainer
 	postgres         bool
 	policyMode       types.PolicyMode
@@ -115,24 +117,24 @@ func WithCACert(cert []byte) Option {
 	}
 }
 
-// WithTLS creates certificates and enables HTTPS.
-func WithTLS() Option {
+// WithoutTLS disables the default TLS configuration.
+// Most tests should not need this. Use only for tests that
+// explicitly need to test non-TLS behavior.
+func WithoutTLS() Option {
 	return func(hsic *HeadscaleInContainer) {
-		cert, key, err := integrationutil.CreateCertificate(hsic.hostname)
-		if err != nil {
-			log.Fatalf("creating certificates for headscale test: %s", err)
-		}
-
-		hsic.tlsCert = cert
-		hsic.tlsKey = key
+		hsic.noTLS = true
 	}
 }
 
 // WithCustomTLS uses the given certificates for the Headscale instance.
-func WithCustomTLS(cert, key []byte) Option {
+// The caCert is installed into the container's trust store and returned
+// by GetCert() so that clients can trust this server.
+func WithCustomTLS(caCert, cert, key []byte) Option {
 	return func(hsic *HeadscaleInContainer) {
+		hsic.tlsCACert = caCert
 		hsic.tlsCert = cert
 		hsic.tlsKey = key
+		hsic.caCerts = append(hsic.caCerts, caCert)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -216,25 +218,20 @@ func WithIPAllocationStrategy(strategy types.IPAllocationStrategy) Option {
 	}
 }
 
-// WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly configures Headscale to start
-// and only use the embedded DERP server.
-// It requires WithTLS and WithHostnameAsServerURL to be
-// set.
-//
-//nolint:goconst // env var values like "true" and "headscale" are clearer inline
-func WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly() Option {
+// WithPublicDERP disables the embedded DERP server and restores
+// the default public DERP relay configuration. Use this for tests
+// that explicitly need to test public DERP behavior.
+func WithPublicDERP() Option {
 	return func(hsic *HeadscaleInContainer) {
-		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_URLS"] = ""
-		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_ENABLED"] = "true"
-		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_ID"] = "999"
-		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_CODE"] = "headscale"
-		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_NAME"] = "Headscale Embedded DERP"
-		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_STUN_LISTEN_ADDR"] = "0.0.0.0:3478"
-		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH"] = "/tmp/derp.key"
-
-		// Envknob for enabling DERP debug logs
-		hsic.env["DERP_DEBUG_LOGS"] = "true"
-		hsic.env["DERP_PROBER_DEBUG_LOGS"] = "true"
+		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_URLS"] = "https://controlplane.tailscale.com/derpmap/default"
+		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_ENABLED"] = "false"
+		delete(hsic.env, "HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_ID")
+		delete(hsic.env, "HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_CODE")
+		delete(hsic.env, "HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_REGION_NAME")
+		delete(hsic.env, "HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_STUN_LISTEN_ADDR")
+		delete(hsic.env, "HEADSCALE_DERP_SERVER_PRIVATE_KEY_PATH")
+		delete(hsic.env, "DERP_DEBUG_LOGS")
+		delete(hsic.env, "DERP_PROBER_DEBUG_LOGS")
 	}
 }
 
@@ -282,14 +279,6 @@ func WithTimezone(timezone string) Option {
 	}
 }
 
-// WithDERPAsIP enables using IP address instead of hostname for DERP server.
-// This is useful for integration tests where DNS resolution may be unreliable.
-func WithDERPAsIP() Option {
-	return func(hsic *HeadscaleInContainer) {
-		hsic.env["HEADSCALE_DEBUG_DERP_USE_IP"] = "1"
-	}
-}
-
 // buildEntrypoint builds the container entrypoint command based on configuration.
 // It constructs proper wait conditions instead of fixed sleeps:
 // 1. Wait for network to be ready
@@ -367,6 +356,26 @@ func New(
 		opt(hsic)
 	}
 
+	// TLS is enabled by default for all integration tests.
+	// Generate a self-signed certificate if TLS was not explicitly
+	// disabled via WithoutTLS() and no custom cert was provided
+	// via WithCustomTLS().
+	if !hsic.noTLS && len(hsic.tlsCert) == 0 {
+		caCert, cert, key, err := integrationutil.CreateCertificate(hsic.hostname)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("creating default TLS certificates: %w", err)
+		}
+
+		hsic.tlsCACert = caCert
+		hsic.tlsCert = cert
+		hsic.tlsKey = key
+
+		// Install the CA cert into the headscale container's trust
+		// store so that tools like curl trust the server's own
+		// certificate.
+		hsic.caCerts = append(hsic.caCerts, caCert)
+	}
+
 	log.Println("NAME: ", hsic.hostname)
 
 	portProto := fmt.Sprintf("%d/tcp", hsic.port)
@@ -1030,9 +1039,10 @@ func (t *HeadscaleInContainer) getEndpoint(useIP bool) string {
 	return "http://" + hostEndpoint
 }
 
-// GetCert returns the public certificate of the HeadscaleInContainer.
+// GetCert returns the CA certificate that clients should trust to
+// verify this server's TLS certificate.
 func (t *HeadscaleInContainer) GetCert() []byte {
-	return t.tlsCert
+	return t.tlsCACert
 }
 
 // GetHostname returns the hostname of the HeadscaleInContainer.
diff --git a/integration/integrationutil/util.go b/integration/integrationutil/util.go
index 2a155619..6ae72eac 100644
--- a/integration/integrationutil/util.go
+++ b/integration/integrationutil/util.go
@@ -120,7 +120,11 @@ func FetchPathFromContainer(
 }
 
 // nolint
-func CreateCertificate(hostname string) ([]byte, []byte, error) {
+// CreateCertificate generates a CA certificate and a server certificate
+// signed by that CA for the given hostname. It returns the CA certificate
+// PEM (for trust stores), server certificate PEM, and server private key
+// PEM.
+func CreateCertificate(hostname string) (caCertPEM, certPEM, keyPEM []byte, err error) {
 	// From:
 	// https://shaneutt.com/blog/golang-ca-and-signed-cert-go/
 
@@ -144,7 +148,27 @@ func CreateCertificate(hostname string) ([]byte, []byte, error) {
 
 	caPrivKey, err := rsa.GenerateKey(rand.Reader, 4096)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
+	}
+
+	caBytes, err := x509.CreateCertificate(
+		rand.Reader,
+		ca,
+		ca,
+		&caPrivKey.PublicKey,
+		caPrivKey,
+	)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
+	}
+
+	caPEM := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	err = pem.Encode(caPEM, &pem.Block{
+		Type:  "CERTIFICATE",
+		Bytes: caBytes,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	cert := &x509.Certificate{
@@ -165,7 +189,7 @@ func CreateCertificate(hostname string) ([]byte, []byte, error) {
 
 	certPrivKey, err := rsa.GenerateKey(rand.Reader, 4096)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	certBytes, err := x509.CreateCertificate(
@@ -176,30 +200,28 @@ func CreateCertificate(hostname string) ([]byte, []byte, error) {
 		caPrivKey,
 	)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
 
-	certPEM := new(bytes.Buffer)
-
-	err = pem.Encode(certPEM, &pem.Block{
+	serverCertPEM := new(bytes.Buffer)
+	err = pem.Encode(serverCertPEM, &pem.Block{
 		Type:  "CERTIFICATE",
 		Bytes: certBytes,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	certPrivKeyPEM := new(bytes.Buffer)
-
 	err = pem.Encode(certPrivKeyPEM, &pem.Block{
 		Type:  "RSA PRIVATE KEY",
 		Bytes: x509.MarshalPKCS1PrivateKey(certPrivKey),
 	})
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, nil, err
+		return nil, nil, nil, err
 	}
 
-	return certPEM.Bytes(), certPrivKeyPEM.Bytes(), nil
+	return caPEM.Bytes(), serverCertPEM.Bytes(), certPrivKeyPEM.Bytes(), nil
 }
 
 func BuildExpectedOnlineMap(all map[types.NodeID][]tailcfg.MapResponse) map[types.NodeID]map[types.NodeID]bool {
diff --git a/integration/route_test.go b/integration/route_test.go
index 1b35a224..6ce91057 100644
--- a/integration/route_test.go
+++ b/integration/route_test.go
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func TestEnablingRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{tsic.WithAcceptRoutes()},
-		hsic.WithTestName("clienableroute"))
+		hsic.WithTestName("rt-enable"))
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
 	allClients, err := scenario.ListTailscaleClients()
@@ -261,9 +261,7 @@ func TestHASubnetRouterFailover(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv(
 		[]tsic.Option{tsic.WithAcceptRoutes()},
-		hsic.WithTestName("clienableroute"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
+		hsic.WithTestName("rt-hafailover"),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1363,7 +1361,7 @@ func TestSubnetRouteACL(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{
 		tsic.WithAcceptRoutes(),
-	}, hsic.WithTestName("clienableroute"), hsic.WithACLPolicy(
+	}, hsic.WithTestName("rt-subnetacl"), hsic.WithACLPolicy(
 		&policyv2.Policy{
 			Groups: policyv2.Groups{
 				policyv2.Group("group:admins"): []policyv2.Username{policyv2.Username(user + "@")},
@@ -1616,7 +1614,7 @@ func TestEnablingExitRoutes(t *testing.T) {
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{
 		tsic.WithExtraLoginArgs([]string{"--advertise-exit-node"}),
-	}, hsic.WithTestName("clienableroute"))
+	}, hsic.WithTestName("rt-exitroute"))
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
 	allClients, err := scenario.ListTailscaleClients()
@@ -1729,9 +1727,7 @@ func TestSubnetRouterMultiNetwork(t *testing.T) {
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{tsic.WithAcceptRoutes()},
-		hsic.WithTestName("clienableroute"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
+		hsic.WithTestName("rt-multinet"),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1884,9 +1880,7 @@ func TestSubnetRouterMultiNetworkExitNode(t *testing.T) {
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	err = scenario.CreateHeadscaleEnv([]tsic.Option{},
-		hsic.WithTestName("clienableroute"),
-		hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
+		hsic.WithTestName("rt-multinetexit"),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2306,10 +2300,8 @@ func TestAutoApproveMultiNetwork(t *testing.T) {
 
 					opts := []hsic.Option{
 						hsic.WithTestName("autoapprovemulti"),
-						hsic.WithEmbeddedDERPServerOnly(),
-						hsic.WithTLS(),
 						hsic.WithACLPolicy(pol),
-						hsic.WithPolicyMode(polMode),
+						hsic.WithPolicyMode(polMode), // test iterates over file and DB policy modes
 					}
 
 					tsOpts := []tsic.Option{
@@ -3026,7 +3018,7 @@ func TestSubnetRouteACLFiltering(t *testing.T) {
 		tsic.WithAcceptRoutes(),
 	}, hsic.WithTestName("routeaclfilter"),
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(aclPolicy),
-		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB),
+		hsic.WithPolicyMode(types.PolicyModeDB), // test updates policy at runtime via CLI
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
diff --git a/integration/scenario_test.go b/integration/scenario_test.go
index 71998fca..ae264221 100644
--- a/integration/scenario_test.go
+++ b/integration/scenario_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/juanfont/headscale/integration/dockertestutil"
+	"github.com/juanfont/headscale/integration/hsic"
 	"github.com/juanfont/headscale/integration/tsic"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ func TestHeadscale(t *testing.T) {
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	t.Run("start-headscale", func(t *testing.T) {
-		headscale, err := scenario.Headscale()
+		headscale, err := scenario.Headscale(hsic.WithTestName("scenariohs"))
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("failed to create start headcale: %s", err)
 		}
@@ -89,7 +90,7 @@ func TestTailscaleNodesJoiningHeadcale(t *testing.T) {
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	t.Run("start-headscale", func(t *testing.T) {
-		headscale, err := scenario.Headscale()
+		headscale, err := scenario.Headscale(hsic.WithTestName("scenariojoin"))
 		if err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("failed to create start headcale: %s", err)
 		}
diff --git a/integration/ssh_test.go b/integration/ssh_test.go
index 73918b9b..909a5ee4 100644
--- a/integration/ssh_test.go
+++ b/integration/ssh_test.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func isSSHNoAccessStdError(stderr string) bool {
 		strings.Contains(stderr, "tailnet policy does not permit you to SSH")
 }
 
-func sshScenario(t *testing.T, policy *policyv2.Policy, clientsPerUser int) *Scenario {
+func sshScenario(t *testing.T, policy *policyv2.Policy, testName string, clientsPerUser int) *Scenario {
 	t.Helper()
 
 	spec := ScenarioSpec{
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func sshScenario(t *testing.T, policy *policyv2.Policy, clientsPerUser int) *Sce
 			tsic.WithDockerWorkdir("/"),
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
-		hsic.WithTestName("ssh"),
+		hsic.WithTestName(testName),
 	)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ func TestSSHOneUserToAll(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"ssh-onetoall",
 		len(MustTestVersions),
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -168,6 +169,7 @@ func TestSSHMultipleUsersAllToAll(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"ssh-multiall",
 		len(MustTestVersions),
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -242,6 +244,7 @@ func TestSSHNoSSHConfigured(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 			SSHs: []policyv2.SSH{},
 		},
+		"ssh-nosshcfg",
 		len(MustTestVersions),
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -293,6 +296,7 @@ func TestSSHIsBlockedInACL(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"ssh-blocked",
 		len(MustTestVersions),
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -354,6 +358,7 @@ func TestSSHUserOnlyIsolation(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"ssh-isolation",
 		len(MustTestVersions),
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -571,6 +576,7 @@ func TestSSHAutogroupSelf(t *testing.T) {
 				},
 			},
 		},
+		"ssh-agself",
 		2, // 2 clients per user
 	)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
@@ -811,7 +817,7 @@ func findNewSSHCheckAuthID(
 func TestSSHOneUserToOneCheckModeCLI(t *testing.T) {
 	IntegrationSkip(t)
 
-	scenario := sshScenario(t, sshCheckPolicy(), 1)
+	scenario := sshScenario(t, sshCheckPolicy(), "ssh-checkcli", 1)
 	// defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	allClients, err := scenario.ListTailscaleClients()
@@ -920,7 +926,6 @@ func TestSSHOneUserToOneCheckModeOIDC(t *testing.T) {
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(sshCheckPolicy()),
 		hsic.WithTestName("sshcheckoidc"),
 		hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 		hsic.WithFileInContainer(
 			"/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret",
 			[]byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret()),
@@ -1087,7 +1092,7 @@ func TestSSHCheckModeCheckPeriodCLI(t *testing.T) {
 	IntegrationSkip(t)
 
 	// 1 minute is the documented minimum checkPeriod
-	scenario := sshScenario(t, sshCheckPolicyWithPeriod(time.Minute), 1)
+	scenario := sshScenario(t, sshCheckPolicyWithPeriod(time.Minute), "ssh-checkperiod", 1)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	allClients, err := scenario.ListTailscaleClients()
@@ -1182,7 +1187,7 @@ func TestSSHCheckModeAutoApprove(t *testing.T) {
 	IntegrationSkip(t)
 
 	// 5 minute checkPeriod — long enough not to expire during test
-	scenario := sshScenario(t, sshCheckPolicyWithPeriod(5*time.Minute), 1)
+	scenario := sshScenario(t, sshCheckPolicyWithPeriod(5*time.Minute), "ssh-autoapprove", 1)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	allClients, err := scenario.ListTailscaleClients()
@@ -1247,7 +1252,7 @@ func TestSSHCheckModeAutoApprove(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSSHCheckModeNegativeCLI(t *testing.T) {
 	IntegrationSkip(t)
 
-	scenario := sshScenario(t, sshCheckPolicy(), 1)
+	scenario := sshScenario(t, sshCheckPolicy(), "ssh-negcli", 1)
 	defer scenario.ShutdownAssertNoPanics(t)
 
 	allClients, err := scenario.ListTailscaleClients()
@@ -1509,7 +1514,6 @@ func TestSSHLocalpart(t *testing.T) {
 				hsic.WithTestName("sshlocalpart"),
 				hsic.WithACLPolicy(tt.policy),
 				hsic.WithConfigEnv(oidcMap),
-				hsic.WithTLS(),
 				hsic.WithFileInContainer("/tmp/hs_client_oidc_secret", []byte(scenario.mockOIDC.ClientSecret())),
 			)
 			requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
diff --git a/integration/tags_test.go b/integration/tags_test.go
index 399ba7cf..265d7602 100644
--- a/integration/tags_test.go
+++ b/integration/tags_test.go
@@ -138,7 +138,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithTagRequestDifferentTag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-diff"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -213,7 +212,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithTagNoAdvertiseFlag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-inherit"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -286,7 +284,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithTagCannotAddViaCLI(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-noadd"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -387,7 +384,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithTagCannotChangeViaCLI(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-nochange"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -484,7 +480,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithTagAdminOverrideReauthPreserves(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-admin"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -612,7 +607,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithTagCLICannotModifyAdminTags(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-noadmin"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -735,7 +729,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutTagCannotRequestTags(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-nokey-req"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -807,7 +800,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutTagRegisterNoTags(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-nokey-noreg"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -877,7 +869,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutTagCannotAddViaCLI(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-nokey-noadd"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -977,7 +968,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutTagCLINoOpAfterAdminWithReset(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-nokey-reset"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1098,7 +1088,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutTagCLINoOpAfterAdminWithEmptyAdvertise(t *testing.T)
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-nokey-empty"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1218,7 +1207,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutTagCLICannotReduceAdminMultiTag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-nokey-reduce"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1340,7 +1328,6 @@ func TestTagsUserLoginOwnedTagAtRegistration(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-webauth-owned"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1411,7 +1398,6 @@ func TestTagsUserLoginNonExistentTagAtRegistration(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-webauth-nonexist"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1484,7 +1470,6 @@ func TestTagsUserLoginUnownedTagAtRegistration(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-webauth-unowned"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1554,7 +1539,6 @@ func TestTagsUserLoginAddTagViaCLIReauth(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-webauth-addtag"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1646,7 +1630,6 @@ func TestTagsUserLoginRemoveTagViaCLIReauth(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-webauth-rmtag"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1738,7 +1721,6 @@ func TestTagsUserLoginCLINoOpAfterAdminAssignment(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-webauth-adminwin"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1856,7 +1838,6 @@ func TestTagsUserLoginCLICannotRemoveAdminTags(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-webauth-norem"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -1974,7 +1955,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithTagRequestNonExistentTag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-nonexist"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2045,7 +2025,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithTagRequestUnownedTag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-unowned"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2120,7 +2099,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutTagRequestNonExistentTag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-nokey-nonexist"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2191,7 +2169,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutTagRequestUnownedTag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-nokey-unowned"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2266,7 +2243,6 @@ func TestTagsAdminAPICannotSetNonExistentTag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-admin-nonexist"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2339,7 +2315,6 @@ func TestTagsAdminAPICanSetUnownedTag(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-admin-unowned"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2428,7 +2403,6 @@ func TestTagsAdminAPICannotRemoveAllTags(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-admin-empty"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2546,7 +2520,6 @@ func TestTagsIssue2978ReproTagReplacement(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-issue-2978"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2752,7 +2725,6 @@ func TestTagsAdminAPICannotSetInvalidFormat(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-admin-invalid"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -2853,7 +2825,6 @@ func TestTagsUserLoginReauthWithEmptyTagsRemovesAllTags(t *testing.T) {
 			[]tsic.Option{},
 			hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 			hsic.WithTestName("tags-reauth-untag-2979-"+tc.testName),
-			hsic.WithTLS(),
 		)
 		requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -3008,7 +2979,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutUserInheritsTags(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-no-user-inherit"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -3080,7 +3050,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyWithoutUserRejectsAdvertisedTags(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-no-user-reject-advertise"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)
 
@@ -3147,7 +3116,6 @@ func TestTagsAuthKeyConvertToUserViaCLIRegister(t *testing.T) {
 		[]tsic.Option{},
 		hsic.WithACLPolicy(policy),
 		hsic.WithTestName("tags-authkey-to-user-cli-3038"),
-		hsic.WithTLS(),
 	)
 	requireNoErrHeadscaleEnv(t, err)