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+# REQ-2026-04-16-vanilla-versions-fix
+
+**From:** Chronicler #93  
+**Date:** 2026-04-16  
+**Priority:** HIGH — versions not loading in vanilla form  
+**Status:** PENDING  
+
+## The Bug
+
+Vanilla form version dropdown shows "Loading versions..." but never populates. The `fetch('/admin/modpack-installer/mc-versions?paper=1')` call inside `_vanilla_form.ejs` never executes because the form is injected via `innerHTML` in `loadVanillaForm()` — and browsers strip/don't execute `<script>` tags inserted via innerHTML.
+
+## The Fix
+
+Move the version-loading logic OUT of `_vanilla_form.ejs` and INTO `loadVanillaForm()` in `index.ejs`, where it runs in a proper script context.
+
+In `index.ejs`, update `loadVanillaForm()` to:
+
+```javascript
+function loadVanillaForm() {
+  document.getElementById('search-section').classList.add('hidden');
+  document.getElementById('search-results').innerHTML = '';
+  document.querySelectorAll('.provider-card').forEach(function(el) { el.classList.remove('selected'); });
+  document.getElementById('pack-details').innerHTML = '<div class="text-gray-500 text-sm p-4">Loading...</div>';
+  
+  fetch('/admin/modpack-installer/vanilla-form', { headers: { 'HX-Request': 'true' } })
+    .then(function(r) { return r.text(); })
+    .then(function(html) {
+      document.getElementById('pack-details').innerHTML = html;
+      
+      // Scripts don't execute when injected via innerHTML — run them here instead
+      // Load MC versions (Paper-supported only)
+      fetch('/admin/modpack-installer/mc-versions?paper=1', { headers: { 'HX-Request': 'true' } })
+        .then(function(r) { return r.json(); })
+        .then(function(versions) {
+          var sel = document.getElementById('vf-mcversion');
+          if (!sel) return;
+          sel.innerHTML = '';
+          versions.forEach(function(v, i) {
+            var opt = document.createElement('option');
+            opt.value = v.version;
+            opt.dataset.mc = v.version;
+            opt.dataset.java = v.java_version;
+            opt.textContent = v.version + (i === 0 ? ' (latest)' : '');
+            if (i === 0) opt.selected = true;
+            sel.appendChild(opt);
+          });
+          if (versions.length > 0) {
+            var javaEl = document.getElementById('vf-java');
+            if (javaEl) javaEl.value = versions[0].java_version;
+          }
+        });
+
+      // Load node stats
+      fetch('/admin/modpack-installer/node-info', { headers: { 'HX-Request': 'true' } })
+        .then(function(r) { return r.json(); })
+        .then(function(nodes) {
+          // populate node selector with live stats (same logic as was in the form script)
+          var sel = document.getElementById('vf-node');
+          if (!sel || !nodes) return;
+          sel.innerHTML = '';
+          nodes.forEach(function(n) {
+            var opt = document.createElement('option');
+            opt.value = n.id;
+            opt.textContent = n.label + ' | RAM: ' + n.ramUsed + '/' + n.ramTotal + ' | Disk: ' + n.diskUsed + '/' + n.diskTotal;
+            sel.appendChild(opt);
+          });
+          vfRefreshPort();
+        });
+    });
+}
+```
+
+Also remove the duplicate fetch blocks from `_vanilla_form.ejs` `<script>` section (they'll never run anyway and just add noise).
+
+## Files to Touch
+
+- `src/views/admin/modpack-installer/index.ejs` — move fetch logic into loadVanillaForm()
+- `src/views/admin/modpack-installer/_vanilla_form.ejs` — remove dead script blocks
+
+## Deploy
+
+Standard pattern, no migrations needed.