diff --git a/.github/workflows/test-vp-create.yml b/.github/workflows/test-vp-create.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..af5284c425
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/test-vp-create.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,265 @@
+name: Test vp create
+
+permissions: {}
+
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+    paths:
+      - 'packages/cli/src/create/**'
+      - 'packages/cli/templates/**'
+      - 'packages/cli/src/migration/**'
+      - '.github/workflows/test-vp-create.yml'
+  pull_request:
+    types: [opened, synchronize, labeled]
+
+concurrency:
+  group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.event.pull_request.number || github.sha }}
+  cancel-in-progress: ${{ github.ref_name != 'main' }}
+
+defaults:
+  run:
+    shell: bash
+
+jobs:
+  detect-changes:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      pull-requests: read
+    outputs:
+      related-files-changed: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.related-files }}
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - uses: dorny/paths-filter@de90cc6fb38fc0963ad72b210f1f284cd68cea36 # v3.0.2
+        id: filter
+        with:
+          filters: |
+            related-files:
+              - 'packages/cli/src/create/**'
+              - 'packages/cli/templates/**'
+              - 'packages/cli/src/migration/**'
+              - .github/workflows/test-vp-create.yml
+
+  download-previous-rolldown-binaries:
+    needs: detect-changes
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    # Run if: not a PR, OR PR has 'test: create-e2e' label, OR create-related files changed
+    if: >-
+      github.event_name != 'pull_request' ||
+      contains(github.event.pull_request.labels.*.name, 'test: create-e2e') ||
+      needs.detect-changes.outputs.related-files-changed == 'true'
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      packages: read
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - uses: ./.github/actions/download-rolldown-binaries
+        with:
+          github-token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+  build:
+    name: Build vite-plus packages
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+      packages: read
+    needs:
+      - download-previous-rolldown-binaries
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+      - uses: ./.github/actions/clone
+
+      - uses: oxc-project/setup-rust@23f38cfb0c04af97a055f76acee94d5be71c7c82 # v1.0.16
+        with:
+          save-cache: ${{ github.ref_name == 'main' }}
+          cache-key: create-e2e-build
+
+      - uses: oxc-project/setup-node@4c26e7cb3605b6bdef5450dacd02c434b10fd8ba # v1.2.0
+
+      - uses: actions/download-artifact@d3f86a106a0bac45b974a628896c90dbdf5c8093 # v4.3.0
+        with:
+          name: rolldown-binaries
+          path: ./rolldown/packages/rolldown/src
+          merge-multiple: true
+
+      - name: Build with upstream
+        uses: ./.github/actions/build-upstream
+        with:
+          target: x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu
+
+      - name: Pack packages into tgz
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p tmp/tgz
+          cd packages/core && pnpm pack --pack-destination ../../tmp/tgz && cd ../..
+          cd packages/test && pnpm pack --pack-destination ../../tmp/tgz && cd ../..
+          cd packages/cli && pnpm pack --pack-destination ../../tmp/tgz && cd ../..
+          # Copy vp binary for test jobs
+          cp target/x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu/release/vp tmp/tgz/vp
+          ls -la tmp/tgz
+
+      - name: Upload tgz artifacts
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@ea165f8d65b6e75b540449e92b4886f43607fa02 # v4.6.2
+        with:
+          name: vite-plus-packages
+          path: tmp/tgz/
+          retention-days: 1
+
+  test-vp-create:
+    name: vp create ${{ matrix.template.name }} (${{ matrix.package-manager }})
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    permissions:
+      contents: read
+    needs:
+      - build
+    timeout-minutes: 15
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        template:
+          - name: monorepo
+            create-args: vite:monorepo --directory test-project
+            template-args: ''
+            verify-command: vp run ready
+          - name: application
+            create-args: vite:application --directory test-project
+            template-args: '-- --template vanilla-ts'
+            verify-command: vp run build
+          - name: library
+            create-args: vite:library --directory test-project
+            template-args: ''
+            verify-command: |
+              vp run build
+              vp run test
+        package-manager:
+          - pnpm
+          - npm
+          - yarn
+          - bun
+    env:
+      VP_OVERRIDE_PACKAGES: '{"vite":"file:${{ github.workspace }}/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-core-0.0.0.tgz","vitest":"file:${{ github.workspace }}/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-test-0.0.0.tgz","@voidzero-dev/vite-plus-core":"file:${{ github.workspace }}/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-core-0.0.0.tgz","@voidzero-dev/vite-plus-test":"file:${{ github.workspace }}/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-test-0.0.0.tgz"}'
+      VP_VERSION: 'file:${{ github.workspace }}/tmp/tgz/vite-plus-0.0.0.tgz'
+      # Force full dependency rewriting so the library template's existing
+      # vite-plus dep gets overridden with the local tgz
+      VP_FORCE_MIGRATE: '1'
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@de0fac2e4500dabe0009e67214ff5f5447ce83dd # v6.0.2
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@53b83947a5a98c8d113130e565377fae1a50d02f # v6.3.0
+        with:
+          node-version: 24
+
+      - name: Download vite-plus packages
+        uses: actions/download-artifact@d3f86a106a0bac45b974a628896c90dbdf5c8093 # v4.3.0
+        with:
+          name: vite-plus-packages
+          path: tmp/tgz
+
+      - name: Install vp CLI
+        run: |
+          mkdir -p target/release
+          cp tmp/tgz/vp target/release/vp
+          chmod +x target/release/vp
+          node $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/packages/tools/src/install-global-cli.ts --tgz $GITHUB_WORKSPACE/tmp/tgz/vite-plus-0.0.0.tgz
+          echo "$HOME/.vite-plus/bin" >> $GITHUB_PATH
+
+      - name: Verify vp installation
+        run: |
+          which vp
+          vp --version
+
+      - name: Run vp create ${{ matrix.template.name }} with ${{ matrix.package-manager }}
+        working-directory: ${{ runner.temp }}
+        env:
+          # Yarn Berry enables hardened mode on public PRs, blocking lockfile creation
+          YARN_ENABLE_HARDENED_MODE: '0'
+        run: |
+          vp create ${{ matrix.template.create-args }} \
+            --no-interactive \
+            --no-agent \
+            --package-manager ${{ matrix.package-manager }} \
+            ${{ matrix.template.template-args }}
+
+      - name: Verify project structure
+        working-directory: ${{ runner.temp }}/test-project
+        run: |
+          # package.json must exist
+          test -f package.json
+          echo "✓ package.json exists"
+          cat package.json
+
+          # List all files for debugging
+          echo "--- Project root files ---"
+          ls -la
+
+          # Check correct lockfile exists
+          case "${{ matrix.package-manager }}" in
+            pnpm)
+              test -f pnpm-lock.yaml
+              echo "✓ pnpm-lock.yaml exists"
+              ;;
+            npm)
+              test -f package-lock.json
+              echo "✓ package-lock.json exists"
+              ;;
+            yarn)
+              test -f yarn.lock
+              echo "✓ yarn.lock exists"
+              ;;
+            bun)
+              if [ -f bun.lock ]; then
+                echo "✓ bun.lock exists"
+              elif [ -f bun.lockb ]; then
+                echo "✓ bun.lockb exists"
+              else
+                echo "✗ No bun lockfile found"
+                exit 1
+              fi
+              ;;
+          esac
+
+          # node_modules must exist (vp install ran successfully)
+          test -d node_modules
+          echo "✓ node_modules exists"
+
+          # Monorepo-specific checks
+          if [ "${{ matrix.template.name }}" = "monorepo" ]; then
+            test -d apps/website
+            echo "✓ apps/website exists"
+            test -d packages/utils
+            echo "✓ packages/utils exists"
+
+            case "${{ matrix.package-manager }}" in
+              pnpm)
+                test -f pnpm-workspace.yaml
+                echo "✓ pnpm-workspace.yaml exists"
+                ;;
+              yarn)
+                test -f .yarnrc.yml
+                echo "✓ .yarnrc.yml exists"
+                ;;
+            esac
+          fi
+
+      - name: Verify local tgz packages installed
+        working-directory: ${{ runner.temp }}/test-project
+        run: |
+          node -e "
+            const path = require('path');
+            const pkg = require(path.resolve('node_modules/vite-plus/package.json'));
+            if (pkg.version !== '0.0.0') {
+              console.error('Expected vite-plus@0.0.0, got ' + pkg.version);
+              process.exit(1);
+            }
+            console.log('✓ vite-plus@' + pkg.version + ' installed correctly');
+          "
+
+      - name: Run vp check
+        working-directory: ${{ runner.temp }}/test-project
+        run: vp check
+
+      - name: Verify project builds
+        working-directory: ${{ runner.temp }}/test-project
+        run: ${{ matrix.template.verify-command }}
diff --git a/packages/cli/snap-tests-global/migration-monorepo-yarn4/snap.txt b/packages/cli/snap-tests-global/migration-monorepo-yarn4/snap.txt
index 408140e1b4..6c93f55ef4 100644
--- a/packages/cli/snap-tests-global/migration-monorepo-yarn4/snap.txt
+++ b/packages/cli/snap-tests-global/migration-monorepo-yarn4/snap.txt
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
 }
 
 > cat .yarnrc.yml # check .yarnrc.yml
+nodeLinker: node-modules
 catalog:
   vite: npm:@voidzero-dev/vite-plus-core@latest
   vitest: npm:@voidzero-dev/vite-plus-test@latest
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/create/bin.ts b/packages/cli/src/create/bin.ts
index 9ce1b3d460..3cd3d5cb63 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/create/bin.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/create/bin.ts
@@ -439,6 +439,7 @@ Use \`vp create --list\` to list all available templates, or run \`vp create --h
   let selectedParentDir: string | undefined;
   let remoteTargetDir: string | undefined;
   let shouldSetupHooks = false;
+  const installArgs = process.env.CI ? ['--no-frozen-lockfile'] : undefined;
 
   if (!selectedTemplateName) {
     const template = await prompts.select({
@@ -804,7 +805,7 @@ Use \`vp create --list\` to list all available templates, or run \`vp create --h
       installGitHooks(fullPath, compactOutput);
     }
     updateCreateProgress('Installing dependencies');
-    const installSummary = await runViteInstall(fullPath, options.interactive, undefined, {
+    const installSummary = await runViteInstall(fullPath, options.interactive, installArgs, {
       silent: compactOutput,
     });
     updateCreateProgress('Formatting code');
@@ -955,7 +956,7 @@ Use \`vp create --list\` to list all available templates, or run \`vp create --h
 
     updateWorkspaceConfig(projectDir, workspaceInfo);
     updateCreateProgress('Installing dependencies');
-    installSummary = await runViteInstall(workspaceInfo.rootDir, options.interactive, undefined, {
+    installSummary = await runViteInstall(workspaceInfo.rootDir, options.interactive, installArgs, {
       silent: compactOutput,
     });
     updateCreateProgress('Formatting code');
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/migration/__tests__/bun-catalog-file-protocol.spec.ts b/packages/cli/src/migration/__tests__/bun-catalog-file-protocol.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1f66f21036
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/src/migration/__tests__/bun-catalog-file-protocol.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+import fs from 'node:fs';
+import os from 'node:os';
+import path from 'node:path';
+
+import { afterEach, beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
+
+import { PackageManager, type WorkspaceInfo } from '../../types/index.js';
+
+// Mock with file: protocol paths (simulating VP_OVERRIDE_PACKAGES in CI)
+vi.mock('../../utils/constants.js', async (importOriginal) => {
+  const mod = await importOriginal<typeof import('../../utils/constants.js')>();
+  return {
+    ...mod,
+    VITE_PLUS_VERSION: 'file:/tmp/tgz/vite-plus-0.0.0.tgz',
+    VITE_PLUS_OVERRIDE_PACKAGES: {
+      vite: 'file:/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-core-0.0.0.tgz',
+      vitest: 'file:/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-test-0.0.0.tgz',
+      '@voidzero-dev/vite-plus-core': 'file:/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-core-0.0.0.tgz',
+      '@voidzero-dev/vite-plus-test': 'file:/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-test-0.0.0.tgz',
+    },
+  };
+});
+
+const { rewriteMonorepo } = await import('../migrator.js');
+
+function makeWorkspaceInfo(rootDir: string, packageManager: PackageManager): WorkspaceInfo {
+  return {
+    rootDir,
+    isMonorepo: false,
+    monorepoScope: '',
+    workspacePatterns: [],
+    parentDirs: [],
+    packageManager,
+    packageManagerVersion: '10.33.0',
+    downloadPackageManager: {
+      name: packageManager,
+      installDir: '/tmp',
+      binPrefix: '/tmp/bin',
+      packageName: packageManager,
+      version: '1.0.0',
+    },
+    packages: [],
+  };
+}
+
+function readJson(filePath: string): Record<string, unknown> {
+  return JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(filePath, 'utf8'));
+}
+
+describe('rewriteMonorepo bun catalog with file: protocol', () => {
+  let tmpDir: string;
+
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    tmpDir = fs.mkdtempSync(path.join(os.tmpdir(), 'vp-test-bun-file-'));
+  });
+
+  afterEach(() => {
+    fs.rmSync(tmpDir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+  });
+
+  it('uses file: paths directly in overrides instead of catalog:', () => {
+    fs.writeFileSync(
+      path.join(tmpDir, 'package.json'),
+      JSON.stringify({
+        name: 'bun-monorepo',
+        workspaces: ['packages/*'],
+        devDependencies: { vite: '^7.0.0' },
+        packageManager: 'bun@1.3.11',
+      }),
+    );
+    rewriteMonorepo(makeWorkspaceInfo(tmpDir, PackageManager.bun), true);
+
+    const pkg = readJson(path.join(tmpDir, 'package.json'));
+    // catalog should not contain file: entries
+    const catalog = (pkg.catalog ?? {}) as Record<string, string>;
+    expect(catalog.vite).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(catalog.vitest).toBeUndefined();
+    // overrides should use file: paths directly, not catalog:
+    const overrides = pkg.overrides as Record<string, string>;
+    expect(overrides.vite).toBe('file:/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-core-0.0.0.tgz');
+    expect(overrides.vitest).toBe('file:/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-test-0.0.0.tgz');
+    expect(overrides['@voidzero-dev/vite-plus-core']).toBe(
+      'file:/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-core-0.0.0.tgz',
+    );
+    expect(overrides['@voidzero-dev/vite-plus-test']).toBe(
+      'file:/tmp/tgz/voidzero-dev-vite-plus-test-0.0.0.tgz',
+    );
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/migration/migrator.ts b/packages/cli/src/migration/migrator.ts
index dc74f8b20c..2787d5bb7d 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/migration/migrator.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/migration/migrator.ts
@@ -810,6 +810,10 @@ export function rewriteStandaloneProject(
     migratePnpmOverridesToWorkspaceYaml(projectPath, remainingPnpmOverrides);
   }
 
+  if (packageManager === PackageManager.yarn) {
+    rewriteYarnrcYml(projectPath);
+  }
+
   // Merge extracted staged config into vite.config.ts, then remove lint-staged from package.json
   if (extractedStagedConfig) {
     if (mergeStagedConfigToViteConfig(projectPath, extractedStagedConfig, silent, report)) {
@@ -1116,6 +1120,9 @@ function rewriteYarnrcYml(projectPath: string): void {
   }
 
   editYamlFile(yarnrcYmlPath, (doc) => {
+    if (!doc.has('nodeLinker')) {
+      doc.set('nodeLinker', 'node-modules');
+    }
     // catalog
     rewriteCatalog(doc);
   });
@@ -1193,8 +1200,8 @@ function rewriteBunCatalog(projectPath: string): void {
 
     // bun overrides support catalog: references
     const overrides: Record<string, string> = { ...pkg.overrides };
-    for (const key of Object.keys(VITE_PLUS_OVERRIDE_PACKAGES)) {
-      overrides[key] = 'catalog:';
+    for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(VITE_PLUS_OVERRIDE_PACKAGES)) {
+      overrides[key] = value.startsWith('file:') ? value : 'catalog:';
     }
     pkg.overrides = overrides;