diff --git a/change_log.md b/change_log.md
index c393f42..364a469 100644
--- a/change_log.md
+++ b/change_log.md
@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 # Major Change Log: 
 
+# EncryptedProxy Configs  
+### Aug 6, 2026  
+EncryptedProxy configuration path setup, but not yet functional.  Pydantic models for each protocol are being setup.  
+<br/>
+
 # Transition  
 ### Aug 6, 2026  
 1) Transition ticket prep from old requests-based GET/POST system to the new httpx one.
diff --git a/core/models/Result.py b/core/models/Result.py
index 3178e27..b8766ba 100644
--- a/core/models/Result.py
+++ b/core/models/Result.py
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ class ResultError(Enum):
     MISSING_FILE = "missing_file"
     MISSING_DEPENDENCY = "missing_dependency"
     MISSING_DATA = "missing_data"
+    FILE_SYSTEM = "filesystem"
     CONNECTION = "connection"
     DATABASE = "database"
     PERMISSION = "permission"
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@ class ResultError(Enum):
     EXTERNAL_DNS = "external_dns"
     INTERFACE = "interface"
     TIMEOUT = "timeout"
+    INVALID_API_REPLY = "invalid_api_reply"
     UNKNOWN = "unknown"
 
 @dataclass
diff --git a/core/models/manage/pydantic_manager.py b/core/models/manage/pydantic_manager.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1f65dbb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/models/manage/pydantic_manager.py
@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+from core.models.HysteriaConfig import HysteriaConfig
+from core.errors.logger import logger
+
+# generic
+import os
+import json
+from pathlib import Path
+from pydantic import BaseModel
+import subprocess
+
+
+def save_to_sudo_folder(model: BaseModel, filepath: str) -> bool:
+    """
+    Save model to a sudo-protected file using pkexec.
+    """
+    try:
+        Path(filepath).parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        
+        json_data = model.model_dump_json(indent=2)
+        
+        # Use pkexec + tee to write with elevated privileges
+        process = subprocess.Popen(
+            ('pkexec', 'tee', filepath),
+            stdin=subprocess.PIPE,
+            stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
+            stderr=subprocess.PIPE,
+            text=True
+        )
+        stdout, stderr = process.communicate(input=json_data)
+        
+        if process.returncode != 0:
+            logger.error(f"Error: {stderr}")
+            return False
+        
+        logger.info(f"Saved to {filepath} (elevated)")
+        return True
+    
+    except FileNotFoundError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: Parent directory doesn't exist: {filepath}")
+        return False
+    
+    except PermissionError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: Permission denied writing to {filepath}")
+        return False
+    
+    except OSError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: OS error (disk full?): {e}")
+        return False
+    
+    except TypeError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: Model serialization failed (invalid type): {e}")
+        return False
+    
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: Unexpected error saving {filepath}: {e}")
+        return False
+
+        
+
+def save_to_regular_folder(model: BaseModel, filepath: str) -> bool:
+    """
+    Purpose:
+        Serialize a Pydantic model to JSON file WITHOUT sudo.
+
+    Returns:
+        Returns True on success,
+        False on failure.
+    """
+    try:
+        # Ensure parent directory exists
+        Path(filepath).parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        
+        with open(filepath, 'w') as f:
+            f.write(model.model_dump_json(indent=2))
+        
+        return True
+    
+    except FileNotFoundError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: Parent directory doesn't exist: {filepath}")
+        return False
+    
+    except PermissionError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: Permission denied writing to {filepath}")
+        return False
+    
+    except OSError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: OS error (disk full?): {e}")
+        return False
+    
+    except TypeError as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: Model serialization failed (invalid type): {e}")
+        return False
+    
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error: Unexpected error saving {filepath}: {e}")
+        return False
diff --git a/core/models/pydantic_models/HysteriaData.py b/core/models/pydantic_models/HysteriaData.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed46066
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/models/pydantic_models/HysteriaData.py
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+# generic
+from pydantic import BaseModel, field_validator, ValidationError, HttpUrl
+from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
+from pydantic import model_validator, ValidationInfo
+from typing_extensions import Self
+from ipaddress import IPv4Address
+from pydantic_core import PydanticUndefinedType
+
+class HysteriaData(BaseModel):
+    model_config = ConfigDict(extra="allow")
+
+    username: str
+    password: str
+    operator_hysteria2_host: HttpUrl
+    # operator_id: int
+    server_ip: IPv4Address
+    location_country_code: str
+    location_city_code: str
+
+    @model_validator(mode='before')
+    @classmethod
+    def denormalize(cls, data):
+        if isinstance(data, dict) and 'operator' in data:
+            return {
+                'server_ip': data['operator'].get('id'),
+                'api_url': data['operator'].get('domain'),
+                'operator_hysteria2_host': data['operator'].get('hysteria2_host'),
+            }
+        return data
+
+    # @field_validator('operator_id')
+    # @classmethod
+    # def validate_operator_exists(cls, v, info):
+    #     db = info.context.get('db')
+    #     if not db:
+    #         raise ValueError("Database session not provided")
+        
+    #     operator = db.query(Operator).filter(Operator.id == v).first()
+    #     if not operator:
+    #         raise ValueError(f"Operator ID ID {v} does not exist")
+        
+    #     return v
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/services/networking/general_connection_tools/connection_enable.py b/core/services/networking/general_connection_tools/connection_enable.py
index 51e094f..2d873cd 100644
--- a/core/services/networking/general_connection_tools/connection_enable.py
+++ b/core/services/networking/general_connection_tools/connection_enable.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ from core.services.networking.general_connection_tools.testing_evaluating import
 from core.services.networking.systemwide.systemwide_wireguard import establish_system_connection, terminate_system_connection
 from core.services.keys_and_verifications.wireguard_keys import register_wireguard_session
 from core.services.subscriptions.subscriptions import activate_subscription
+# from core.services.networking.systemwide.encrypted_proxy.configure_singbox import configure_singbox
 
 # If refactored to enums:
 # from core.models.session.SessionConnection import SessionConnectionTypes
@@ -22,6 +23,8 @@ from core.models.BaseProfile import ProfileType
 from core.observers.ConnectionObserver import ConnectionObserver
 from core.controllers.SystemStateController import SystemStateController
 
+from core.services.networking.systemwide.encrypted_proxy.ensure_singbox_configured import ensure_singbox_configured
+
 def establish_connection(
     profile: Union[SessionProfile, SystemProfile], 
     ignore: tuple[type[Exception]] = (), 
@@ -32,12 +35,23 @@ def establish_connection(
     logger.info(f"[CONNECTION] Checking subscription..")
     activate_subscription(profile, connection_observer)
 
+    # =========================================
+    # HYSTERIA2 & VLESS
+    # =========================================
+    # if profile.connection.code in ("hysteria2", "vless"):
+    #     logger.info("Pulling encrypted proxies off the main flow..")
+    #     configure_singbox(profile, connection_observer)
+
+    # =========================================
+    # SOCKS5 & WIREGUARD
+    # =========================================
     logger.info(f"[CONNECTION] Checking proxy configuration..")
     _ensure_proxy_configured(profile, connection_observer)
 
     logger.info(f"[CONNECTION] Checking Wireguard configuration..")
-    _ensure_wireguard_configured(profile, connection_observer)
-    
+    if profile.connection.code == "wireguard":
+        _ensure_wireguard_configured(profile, connection_observer)
+
     establish_fn = {
         ProfileType.SESSION: ConnectionController.establish_session_connection,
         ProfileType.SYSTEM: establish_system_connection,
@@ -131,6 +145,7 @@ def __should_renegotiate(profile: Union[SessionProfile, SystemProfile]):
 
 
 
+
 # Enums
 # if profile.type == ProfileType.SYSTEM:
 #      print("This is a system profile")
diff --git a/core/services/networking/httpx/connect.py b/core/services/networking/httpx/connect.py
index a1d4c72..b45c241 100644
--- a/core/services/networking/httpx/connect.py
+++ b/core/services/networking/httpx/connect.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import httpx
 _port_used = None
 
 
-def single_endpoint(method: str, url: str, observer: ConnectionObserver, payload: dict = None) -> ApiResponse:
+def single_endpoint(method: str, url: str, observer: ConnectionObserver, payload: dict = None, billing_code: str = None) -> ApiResponse:
     """
     Rank:
         Orchestrator
@@ -66,7 +66,8 @@ def single_endpoint(method: str, url: str, observer: ConnectionObserver, payload
         method=method,
         url=url,
         client=client,
-        payload=payload
+        payload=payload,
+        billing_code=billing_code
     )
     if initial_result.valid:
         return initial_result
@@ -182,7 +183,8 @@ def bootstrap_and_try_again(method: str, url: str, observer: ConnectionObserver,
         method=method,
         url=url,
         client=client,
-        payload=payload
+        payload=payload,
+        billing_code=billing_code
     )
 
 
@@ -335,7 +337,7 @@ def custom_dns_resolver_for_BULK_THREADING(dns_problem_list: list, observer: Con
     return parallel_thread(client, desired_endpoints=dns_endpoints) # threading returns a dict!
 
 
-def custom_dns_resolver_for_SINGLE_ENDPOINT(method: str, url: str, observer: ConnectionObserver, payload: dict = None) -> dict:
+def custom_dns_resolver_for_SINGLE_ENDPOINT(method: str, url: str, observer: ConnectionObserver, payload: dict = None, billing_code: str = None) -> dict:
     ########################################################
     # MAKE DNS RESOLVER
     ########################################################
@@ -362,7 +364,8 @@ def custom_dns_resolver_for_SINGLE_ENDPOINT(method: str, url: str, observer: Con
         method=method,
         url=url_with_ip,
         client=client,
-        payload=payload
+        payload=payload,
+        billing_code=billing_code
     )
 
 
diff --git a/core/services/networking/httpx/make_request.py b/core/services/networking/httpx/make_request.py
index 6695c6d..3ba97fc 100644
--- a/core/services/networking/httpx/make_request.py
+++ b/core/services/networking/httpx/make_request.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ def make_request(
     url: str,
     client: httpx.Client,
     payload: Optional[dict] = None,
+    billing_code: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> ApiResponse:
 
     if method == "post" and not payload:
@@ -39,8 +40,10 @@ def make_request(
             method=method,
             url=url,
             client=client,
-            payload=payload
-        )
+            payload=payload,
+            billing_code=billing_code
+        ),
+
         if second_result.valid:
             return second_result
         
@@ -72,13 +75,27 @@ def _make_request(
     url: str,
     client: httpx.Client,
     payload: Optional[dict] = None,
+    billing_code: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> ApiResponse:
     logger.debug(f"Executing {method.upper()} to {url}")
+
+    # ========== HEADERS ==========
+    if billing_code:
+        custom_headers = {'X-Billing-Code': billing_code}
+    else:
+        custom_headers = None
+
     try:
+        # ========== GET ==========
         if method.lower() == "get":
-            response = client.get(url)
+            response = client.get(url, headers=custom_headers)
+        # ========== POST ==========
         else:
-            response = client.post(url, json=payload)
+            response = client.post(
+                url,
+                json=payload,
+                headers=custom_headers
+            )
 
         return classify_response(response)
 
diff --git a/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/configure_singbox.py b/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/configure_singbox.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba6ef18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/configure_singbox.py
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+from core.models.orm_calls.location_calls import get_profile_location_data
+from core.services.networking.tor_tools import ports
+from core.services.networking.httpx import connect
+from core.services.networking.encrypted_proxy.hysteria2_config import build_hysteria_config
+
+# Models
+from core.models.pydantic_models.HysteriaData import HysteriaData
+from core.models.Result import Result, ResultError
+# from core.models.BaseProfile import BaseProfile
+from core.models.session.SessionProfile import SessionProfile
+from core.models.system.SystemProfile import SystemProfile
+from core.models.manage.session_management import get_session
+from core.models.manage.pydantic_management import pydantic_management
+# errors & observers
+from core.Constants import Constants
+from core.errors.logger import logger
+from core.Errors import MissingSubscriptionError
+from core.observers.ConnectionObserver import ConnectionObserver
+
+
+# generic
+from pydantic import ValidationError
+from typing import Union, Optional
+
+def configure_singbox(
+    profile: Union[SessionProfile, SystemProfile],
+    connection_observer: Optional[ConnectionObserver] = None,
+) -> Result:
+
+    ###################################
+    # PREP PAYLOADS
+    ###################################
+    protocol = profile.connection.code
+    profile_sudo_filepath = profile.get_system_config_path()
+    profile_regular_filepath = profile.get_config_path()
+    operator_id = profile.location.operator_id
+
+    logger.info(f"We're doing the protocol {protocol}, operator id of {operator_id}, and have a system path of {profile_regular_filepath}")
+
+    if not profile.has_subscription():
+        raise MissingSubscriptionError()
+
+    url = f"{Constants.SP_API_BASE_URL}/subscriptions/current/operator-proxies"
+    payload = {
+        'operator_id': operator_id,
+        'protocol': protocol,
+    }
+
+    ###################################
+    # SEND TO THE API
+    ###################################
+    logger.info("Sending to the API..")
+    config_results = connect.single_endpoint(
+        method="post",
+        url=url,
+        observer=connection_observer,
+        payload=payload,
+        billing_code=profile.subscription.billing_code
+    )
+    
+    ###################################
+    # VERIFY THE API'S REPLY
+    ###################################
+    # this is a bad API reply, and NOT a subscription error:
+    if not config_results.valid:
+        return config_results
+
+    raw_response = config_results.data
+
+    # extract 'data' out of reply:
+    data = raw_response.get('data', raw_response)
+    logger.info(f"We got back from the API: {data}")
+
+    if not data:
+        return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.INVALID_API_REPLY, error_msg="Server replied with blank or invalid data.")
+
+    ###################################
+    # VERIFY LOCATION
+    ###################################
+    location_country_code= data.get('location_country_code')
+    location_city_code= data.get('location_city_code')
+    matched_location = get_profile_location_data(
+        country_code=location_country_code,
+        city_code=location_city_code
+    )
+    if not matched_location:
+        return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.INVALID_API_REPLY, error_msg="Server replied with a location that doesn't match your sync data.")
+
+    if profile.location != matched_location:
+        error_msg = f"Profile's location doesn't match. Your local data is {profile.location.country_code}_{profile.location.city_code} compared to server's {location_country_code}_{location_city_code}"
+        return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.INVALID_API_REPLY, error_msg=error_msg)
+    logger.info(f"The location {profile.location.country_code} matched our local SQL")
+
+    ###################################
+    # VERIFY/SETUP/SAVE PYDANTIC MODEL
+    ###################################
+    session = get_session()
+    try:
+        if protocol == "hysteria2":
+            validated_data = HysteriaData(**data, context={"db": session})
+
+        logger.info(f"We created the model for {protocol}.")
+    except ValidationError as e:
+        for error in e.errors():
+            if error['type'] == 'missing':
+                error_msg = f"Required field '{error['loc'][0]}' is missing"
+                logger.error(error_msg)
+            else:
+                error_msg = f"Field '{error['loc'][0]}' error: {error['msg']}"
+                logger.error(error_msg)
+        return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.INVALID_API_REPLY, error_msg=error_msg)
+
+    saved_raw_data = pydantic_management.save_to_regular_folder(validated_data, f"{profile_regular_filepath}/raw_setup.json")
+    logger.info(f"Saved the raw data? {saved_raw_data}")
+
+    ###################################
+    # PREP REAL CONFIG
+    ###################################
+    random_port = ports.get_random_available_port()
+
+    if protocol == "hysteria2":
+        real_config = build_hysteria_config(
+            username=validated_data.username,
+            password=validated_data.password,
+            server_host=validated_data.operator_hysteria2_host,
+            socks5_port=random_port,
+            server_ip=validated_data.server_ip
+        )
+    
+
+    ###################################
+    # SAVE REAL CONFIG
+    ###################################
+    # goes in a sudo protected folder & prompts for password:
+    saved = pydantic_management.save_to_sudo_folder(real_config, f'{profile_sudo_filepath}/config.json')
+
+    if saved:
+        logger.info("Successfully saved the config.")
+        return Result(valid=True)
+    else:
+        error_msg = "Could not save the configuration."
+        return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.FILE_SYSTEM, error_msg=error_msg)
diff --git a/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/process_closure_tools.py b/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/process_closure_tools.py
index a194c86..858b8b7 100644
--- a/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/process_closure_tools.py
+++ b/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/process_closure_tools.py
@@ -5,7 +5,10 @@ from core.models.Result import Result, ResultError
 from core.errors.logger import logger
 from core.services.networking.systemwide.encrypted_proxy import singbox
 from core.utils.basic_operations import process_tools
-import subprocess
+from core.utils.run_commands import run_generic_command
+
+
+# import subprocess
 from typing import Callable, cast
 import time
 
@@ -28,7 +31,7 @@ def _try_with_permission_fallback(operation: Callable, interface: str) -> Result
     try:
         return operation()
     except SudoScript as e:
-        logger.error("The Sudo Scripts giving power to kill this are being denied permission, before we flag this, let's see if the proxy is active, which does NOT need permission to check,")
+        logger.error(f"The Sudo Scripts giving power to kill this are being denied permission, before we flag this, let's see if the proxy is active, which does NOT need permission to check, {e}")
         existance = check_interface_exists(interface)
         if not existance.valid and existance.error_type == ResultError.INTERFACE:
             not_existing = "Permission denied, but the proxy interface is down, so this is acceptable"
@@ -97,9 +100,13 @@ def _shut_down_by_known_process_id(process_id: int) -> Result:
 
 
 def get_any_pid_with_the_phrase(which_application: str) -> Result:
-    result = subprocess.run(['pgrep', '-a', which_application], capture_output=True, text=True)
-    if result.returncode == 0:
-        lines = result.stdout.strip().split('\n')
+    # result = subprocess.run(['pgrep', '-a', which_application], capture_output=True, text=True)
+    command = ['pgrep', '-a', which_application]
+    human_readable_goal = "Find a pid by the phrase"
+    result = run_generic_command(command, human_readable_goal, timeout=7)
+
+    if result.valid:
+        lines = result.data.strip().split('\n')
         pid_data = [{'pid': int(line.split()[0]), 'command': line} for line in lines if line]
         if pid_data:
             return Result(valid=True, data=pid_data)  # List of dicts with pid and full command
@@ -111,10 +118,14 @@ def get_any_pid_with_the_phrase(which_application: str) -> Result:
 
 # Function is public because it works for any app
 def get_pid_by_exact_match(which_application: str) -> Result:
-    result = subprocess.run(['pgrep', '-x', which_application], capture_output=True, text=True)
-    if result.returncode == 0:
+    # result = subprocess.run(['pgrep', '-x', which_application], capture_output=True, text=True)
+    command = ['pgrep', '-x', which_application]
+    human_readable_goal = "Get a pid by an exact match"
+    result = run_generic_command(command, human_readable_goal, timeout=7)
+
+    if result.valid: # equivalent: (returncode == 0):
         try:
-            process_id = int(result.stdout.strip())  # Strip newline, convert to int
+            process_id = int(result.data.strip())  # Strip newline, convert to int
             return Result(valid=True, data=process_id)
         except ValueError:
             return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.INVALID_INPUT, message="Could not parse PID")
diff --git a/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/singbox_runner.py b/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/singbox_runner.py
index 1d93c1c..a728698 100644
--- a/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/singbox_runner.py
+++ b/core/services/networking/systemwide/encrypted_proxy/singbox_runner.py
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ from essentials.observers.ConnectionObserver import ConnectionObserver
 
 
 # generic
-import subprocess
 import time
+from typing import Optional
 
 QUANTITY_OF_ATTEMPTS = 2
 
@@ -56,22 +56,26 @@ def end_singbox(
     connection_observer: Optional[ConnectionObserver] = None
 ) -> Result:
 
-    function_name = "END_SINGBOX"
-
     current_state = SystemState.get()
     if not current_state:
         return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.MISSING_FILE, message="Already disabled or missing State JSON.")
 
-    dead_singbox = orchestrate_closing(
-        current_state=current_state,
-        interface_name=Constants.SINGBOX_TUN_IF
-    )
+    # kill the real singbox
+    try:
+        killed_existing = orchestrate_closing(
+            current_state=current_state,
+            interface_name=Constants.SINGBOX_TUN_IF
+        )
+    except RuntimeError as e: # Interface error raised by process_closure_tool's is_tunnel_active
+        return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.INTERFACE, error_msg=str(e))
 
-    if dead_singbox.valid:
+    # Wipe the JSON to reflect reality,
+    if killed_existing.valid:
         logger.info("Successfully took down Singbox tunnel")
         SystemState.dissolve()
-
-
+        return Result(valid=True)
+    else:
+        return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.SINGBOX, error_msg="Could not disable singbox")
 
 def start_singbox(
     profile_id: int,
@@ -101,6 +105,11 @@ def start_singbox(
         if each_requirement is None:
             return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.INVALID_INPUT, message=f"Invalid inputs into {function_name}")
 
+    # ========== KILL IT IF ALREADY UP ==========
+    killed_pre_existing = end_singbox(connection_observer)
+    if not killed_pre_existing.valid:
+        return killed_pre_existing
+
     # ============= START PROCESS =============
     activation_result = _attempt_start_with_retry(config_path=config_path, quantity_of_attempts=QUANTITY_OF_ATTEMPTS)
 
@@ -121,7 +130,7 @@ def start_singbox(
     # ============= SETUP STATE =============
     # Even if firewall is off, we want to save the fact we turned Singbox on, before we raise errors.
 
-    logger.info(f"Setting State JSON with INTENDED firewall & Dns settings")
+    logger.info("Setting State JSON with INTENDED firewall & Dns settings")
     current_state = SystemStateController.create(
         profile_id=profile_id,
         firewalled=True, # intended setting, not result yet
diff --git a/core/services/networking/systemwide/general_tools/interface_tools.py b/core/services/networking/systemwide/general_tools/interface_tools.py
index b4528e1..338b6c3 100644
--- a/core/services/networking/systemwide/general_tools/interface_tools.py
+++ b/core/services/networking/systemwide/general_tools/interface_tools.py
@@ -1,18 +1,24 @@
 from core.models.Result import Result, ResultError
+from core.utils.run_commands import run_generic_command
 
 import subprocess
 import re
 
 def check_interface_exists(interface: str) -> Result:
-    result = subprocess.run(['ip', 'link', 'show', interface], capture_output=True)
-    if result.returncode != 0:
+    command = ['ip', 'link', 'show', interface]
+    # result = subprocess.run(, capture_output=True)
+    human_readable_goal = "Checking if the interface exists"
+    result = run_generic_command(command, human_readable_goal, timeout=5)
+
+    if not result.valid:
         return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.NOT_SUPPORTED, message=f"We could not run the command to even check the interface. {result.stdout}")
-    elif 'does not exist' in result.stderr.decode():
+
+    elif 'does not exist' in result.data: # .stderr.decode() was old version
         return Result(valid=False, error_type=ResultError.INTERFACE, message="Interface does not exist.")
     else:
         # Check if interface name exists in the expected format
         # Pattern: "digits: interface_name: <flags>"
-        output = result.stdout.decode()
+        output = result.data  #.decode()
         pattern = rf'^\d+:\s+{re.escape(interface)}:\s+<[^>]+>'
         if re.search(pattern, output, re.MULTILINE):
             return Result(valid=True, data=output)