diff --git a/backend/app/api/routes/scan.py b/backend/app/api/routes/scan.py
index eeb3874..a271d93 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/routes/scan.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/routes/scan.py
@@ -574,6 +574,47 @@ async def list_hidden(db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db), _: str = Depends(get_c
     return await _with_canvas_counts(db, list(result.scalars().all()))
 
 
+@router.get("/pending/{device_id}/proxmox-children", response_model=list[InventoryDeviceResponse])
+async def list_proxmox_children(
+    device_id: str,
+    db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
+    _: str = Depends(get_current_user),
+) -> list[InventoryDevice]:
+    """Inventory rows for the guests a Proxmox host runs.
+
+    The Proxmox import records host -> guest as a ``device_inventory_links`` row
+    with ``discovery_source == "proxmox"``, keyed by IEEE. This resolves those
+    targets back to inventory rows so the UI can offer "add the children too"
+    when a host is placed on a canvas. Empty for anything that is not a host.
+    """
+    device = await db.get(InventoryDevice, device_id)
+    if device is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Device not found")
+    if not device.ieee_address:
+        return []
+    ieees = list(
+        (
+            await db.execute(
+                select(InventoryDeviceLink.target_ieee).where(
+                    InventoryDeviceLink.source_ieee == device.ieee_address,
+                    InventoryDeviceLink.discovery_source == "proxmox",
+                )
+            )
+        )
+        .scalars()
+        .all()
+    )
+    if not ieees:
+        return []
+    result = await db.execute(
+        select(InventoryDevice).where(
+            InventoryDevice.ieee_address.in_(ieees),
+            InventoryDevice.status != "hidden",
+        )
+    )
+    return await _with_canvas_counts(db, list(result.scalars().all()))
+
+
 @router.post("/pending/bulk-approve", response_model=dict)
 async def bulk_approve_devices(
     payload: BulkActionRequest,
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_scan_proxmox_children.py b/backend/tests/test_scan_proxmox_children.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9dbcff3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tests/test_scan_proxmox_children.py
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+"""GET /api/v1/scan/pending/{id}/proxmox-children.
+
+Resolves the host -> guest links the Proxmox import records into the inventory
+rows the UI needs to offer "add the guests too" when a host reaches a canvas.
+"""
+
+import pytest
+from httpx import AsyncClient
+from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncSession
+
+from app.db.models import InventoryDevice, InventoryDeviceLink
+
+
+async def _seed(db: AsyncSession) -> dict[str, str]:
+    host = InventoryDevice(
+        ieee_address="pve-node-pve1", hostname="pve1", suggested_type="proxmox", status="pending"
+    )
+    vm = InventoryDevice(
+        ieee_address="pve-pve1-101", hostname="web", suggested_type="vm", status="pending"
+    )
+    lxc = InventoryDevice(
+        ieee_address="pve-pve1-102", hostname="dns", suggested_type="lxc", status="pending"
+    )
+    other = InventoryDevice(ip="192.168.1.9", hostname="nas", status="pending")
+    db.add_all([host, vm, lxc, other])
+    await db.flush()
+    db.add_all([
+        InventoryDeviceLink(
+            source_ieee="pve-node-pve1", target_ieee="pve-pve1-101", discovery_source="proxmox"
+        ),
+        InventoryDeviceLink(
+            source_ieee="pve-node-pve1", target_ieee="pve-pve1-102", discovery_source="proxmox"
+        ),
+    ])
+    await db.commit()
+    return {"host": host.id, "vm": vm.id, "lxc": lxc.id, "other": other.id}
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_returns_the_guests_of_a_host(client: AsyncClient, headers, db_session):
+    ids = await _seed(db_session)
+    res = await client.get(f"/api/v1/scan/pending/{ids['host']}/proxmox-children", headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 200
+    assert {d["id"] for d in res.json()} == {ids["vm"], ids["lxc"]}
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_empty_for_a_guest(client: AsyncClient, headers, db_session):
+    ids = await _seed(db_session)
+    res = await client.get(f"/api/v1/scan/pending/{ids['vm']}/proxmox-children", headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 200
+    assert res.json() == []
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_empty_for_a_device_with_no_ieee(client: AsyncClient, headers, db_session):
+    ids = await _seed(db_session)
+    res = await client.get(f"/api/v1/scan/pending/{ids['other']}/proxmox-children", headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 200
+    assert res.json() == []
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_skips_hidden_guests(client: AsyncClient, headers, db_session):
+    ids = await _seed(db_session)
+    lxc = await db_session.get(InventoryDevice, ids["lxc"])
+    lxc.status = "hidden"
+    await db_session.commit()
+    res = await client.get(f"/api/v1/scan/pending/{ids['host']}/proxmox-children", headers=headers)
+    assert [d["id"] for d in res.json()] == [ids["vm"]]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_ignores_cluster_links(client: AsyncClient, headers, db_session):
+    """A host↔host cluster link is not a parent/child relation."""
+    ids = await _seed(db_session)
+    peer = InventoryDevice(
+        ieee_address="pve-node-pve2", hostname="pve2", suggested_type="proxmox", status="pending"
+    )
+    db_session.add(peer)
+    db_session.add(
+        InventoryDeviceLink(
+            source_ieee="pve-node-pve1",
+            target_ieee="pve-node-pve2",
+            discovery_source="proxmox_cluster",
+        )
+    )
+    await db_session.commit()
+    res = await client.get(f"/api/v1/scan/pending/{ids['host']}/proxmox-children", headers=headers)
+    assert {d["id"] for d in res.json()} == {ids["vm"], ids["lxc"]}
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_404_for_an_unknown_device(client: AsyncClient, headers):
+    res = await client.get("/api/v1/scan/pending/nope/proxmox-children", headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 404
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_requires_auth(client: AsyncClient, db_session):
+    ids = await _seed(db_session)
+    res = await client.get(f"/api/v1/scan/pending/{ids['host']}/proxmox-children")
+    assert res.status_code == 401
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index a168857..249f016 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -59,8 +59,9 @@ import { useRackStore } from '@/rack/store'
 import type { NodeData, EdgeData, CustomStyleDef, DesignType, FloorMapConfig, NodeType } from '@/types'
 import type { ZigbeeNode, ZigbeeEdge } from '@/components/zigbee/types'
 import type { ZwaveNode, ZwaveEdge } from '@/components/zwave/types'
-import type { ProxmoxNode, ProxmoxEdge } from '@/components/proxmox/types'
+import type { ProxmoxNode, ProxmoxEdge, ProxmoxCanvasMode } from '@/components/proxmox/types'
 import { buildProxmoxClusterEdges } from '@/components/proxmox/clusterEdges'
+import { groupProxmoxGuests, layoutProxmoxContainers, measureProxmoxContainers } from '@/utils/proxmoxContainerLayout'
 
 const STANDALONE = import.meta.env.VITE_STANDALONE === 'true'
 
@@ -898,28 +899,63 @@ export default function App() {
     markUnsaved()
   }, [addNode, onConnect, snapshotHistory, markUnsaved])
 
-  const handleProxmoxAddToCanvas = useCallback((pmNodes: ProxmoxNode[], pmEdges: ProxmoxEdge[]) => {
+  const handleProxmoxAddToCanvas = useCallback((
+    pmNodes: ProxmoxNode[],
+    pmEdges: ProxmoxEdge[],
+    mode: ProxmoxCanvasMode = 'linked',
+  ) => {
     snapshotHistory()
     const COLS = 4
     const SPACING_X = 190
     const SPACING_Y = 110
-    const cols = Math.min(COLS, pmNodes.length)
-    const rows = Math.ceil(pmNodes.length / COLS)
-    const origin = getCenteredPosition(cols * SPACING_X, rows * SPACING_Y)
     // Multiple hosts from one import = a cluster → chain them via left/right
     // 'cluster' edges. Those endpoints need one left + one right handle each
     // (both default to 0), so grant them to the host nodes up front.
     const clusterEdges = buildProxmoxClusterEdges(pmNodes)
     const cluster = clusterEdges.length > 0
-    pmNodes.forEach((pn, i) => {
-      const col = i % COLS
-      const row = Math.floor(i / COLS)
-      const position = { x: origin.x + col * SPACING_X, y: origin.y + row * SPACING_Y }
+
+    // Container mode: each host becomes a box and its guests are nested inside
+    // it. Anything the import gives no host for stays a loose node below.
+    const { hostIds, childrenByHost, hostOfChild, looseIds } = groupProxmoxGuests(pmNodes, pmEdges)
+    const hostIdSet = new Set(hostIds)
+
+    let placement: Record<string, { x: number; y: number }>
+    let hostSizes: Record<string, { width: number; height: number }> = {}
+    if (mode === 'container') {
+      const measured = measureProxmoxContainers(hostIds, childrenByHost, looseIds.length)
+      const origin = getCenteredPosition(measured.width, measured.height)
+      const laid = layoutProxmoxContainers(hostIds, childrenByHost, looseIds, origin)
+      placement = laid.positions
+      hostSizes = laid.hostSizes
+    } else {
+      const cols = Math.min(COLS, pmNodes.length)
+      const rows = Math.ceil(pmNodes.length / COLS)
+      const origin = getCenteredPosition(cols * SPACING_X, rows * SPACING_Y)
+      placement = {}
+      pmNodes.forEach((pn, i) => {
+        placement[pn.id] = {
+          x: origin.x + (i % COLS) * SPACING_X,
+          y: origin.y + Math.floor(i / COLS) * SPACING_Y,
+        }
+      })
+    }
+
+    // Hosts first: addNode resolves `data.parent_id` against the nodes already
+    // in the store, so a guest added before its container would not nest.
+    const ordered = mode === 'container'
+      ? [...pmNodes.filter((n) => hostIdSet.has(n.id)), ...pmNodes.filter((n) => !hostIdSet.has(n.id))]
+      : pmNodes
+    ordered.forEach((pn) => {
+      const position = placement[pn.id] ?? getCenteredPosition()
       const isClusterHost = cluster && pn.type === 'proxmox'
+      const isContainerHost = mode === 'container' && hostIdSet.has(pn.id)
+      const parentId = mode === 'container' ? hostOfChild[pn.id] : undefined
+      const size = hostSizes[pn.id]
       const newNode: import('@xyflow/react').Node<NodeData> = {
         id: pn.id,
         type: pn.type,
         position,
+        ...(isContainerHost && size ? { width: size.width, height: size.height } : {}),
         data: {
           label: pn.label,
           type: pn.type as NodeData['type'],
@@ -930,6 +966,8 @@ export default function App() {
           ...(pn.ip ? { ip: pn.ip } : {}),
           ...(pn.hostname ? { hostname: pn.hostname } : {}),
           ...(isClusterHost ? { left_handles: 1, right_handles: 1 } : {}),
+          ...(isContainerHost ? { container_mode: true } : {}),
+          ...(parentId ? { parent_id: parentId } : {}),
         },
       }
       addNode(newNode)
diff --git a/frontend/src/api/client.ts b/frontend/src/api/client.ts
index d3bbb22..4adb0d7 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/client.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/api/client.ts
@@ -181,6 +181,12 @@ export const scanApi = {
   rescanDevice: (id: string, opts?: { full_ports?: boolean; ports?: string; http_probe_enabled?: boolean; verify_tls?: boolean }) =>
     api.post<ScanRunSummary>(`/scan/pending/${id}/rescan`, opts ?? {}),
   hidden: () => api.get('/scan/hidden'),
+  /**
+   * Inventory rows for the guests a Proxmox host runs, resolved from the
+   * host→guest links the Proxmox import records. Empty for a non-host device.
+   */
+  proxmoxChildren: (id: string) =>
+    api.get<InventoryEntry[]>(`/scan/pending/${id}/proxmox-children`),
   runs: () => api.get('/scan/runs'),
   run: (runId: string) => api.get<ScanRunSummary>(`/scan/runs/${runId}`),
   clearPending: () => api.delete('/scan/pending'),
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/modals/DeviceInventoryModal.tsx b/frontend/src/components/modals/DeviceInventoryModal.tsx
index 1e62c95..799d534 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/modals/DeviceInventoryModal.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/modals/DeviceInventoryModal.tsx
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ import { formatRelative, formatTimestamp } from '@/utils/timeFormat'
 import { getCenteredPosition } from '@/utils/viewportCenter'
 import { sourceBuckets, orderedSources, isRackDevice, SOURCE_META, type SourceBucket } from '@/utils/deviceSources'
 import { isRackable } from '@/utils/rackable'
+import { ProxmoxApproveModal, type ProxmoxApproveChoice } from '@/components/modals/ProxmoxApproveModal'
+import { layoutProxmoxContainers, measureProxmoxContainers } from '@/utils/proxmoxContainerLayout'
 
 interface DeviceInventoryModalProps {
   open: boolean
@@ -113,6 +115,34 @@ function extractDuplicateConflict(err: unknown): DuplicateNodeConflict | null {
   return null
 }
 
+/**
+ * The canvas node an inventory row becomes. Shared by every path that places a
+ * device (single approve, bulk approve, the Proxmox host + guests flow) so they
+ * cannot drift on labels, properties or the wireless status shortcut.
+ */
+function inventoryNodeData(d: InventoryEntry) {
+  const type = deviceType(d) ?? 'generic'
+  const zwave = isZwaveType(type)
+  const wireless = isZigbeeType(type) || zwave
+  return {
+    type,
+    data: {
+      label: deviceLabel(d),
+      type,
+      ip: d.ip ?? undefined,
+      mac: d.mac ?? undefined,
+      hostname: d.hostname ?? undefined,
+      status: wireless ? ('online' as const) : ('unknown' as const),
+      services: (d.services ?? []) as ServiceInfo[],
+      properties: zwave
+        ? buildZwaveProperties(d)
+        : isZigbeeType(type)
+          ? buildZigbeeProperties(d)
+          : [...(d.properties ?? []), ...buildMacProperty(d.mac)],
+    },
+  }
+}
+
 function injectAutoEdges(edges: AutoEdge[] | undefined) {
   if (!edges || edges.length === 0) return
   useCanvasStore.setState((state) => ({
@@ -145,6 +175,9 @@ export function DeviceInventoryModal({ open, onClose, highlightId, initialStatus
   // Set when a single approve is refused because the same host is already on
   // this design — the user decides: link to the existing node or duplicate.
   const [dupPrompt, setDupPrompt] = useState<{ device: InventoryEntry; conflict: DuplicateNodeConflict } | null>(null)
+  // Set when a Proxmox host with guests is about to be placed — the user picks
+  // whether the guests come along, and nested or linked.
+  const [proxmoxPrompt, setProxmoxPrompt] = useState<{ host: InventoryEntry; children: InventoryEntry[] } | null>(null)
 
   const load = useCallback(async () => {
     // Tour/demo mode: show injected devices, never touch the backend.
@@ -351,7 +384,98 @@ export function DeviceInventoryModal({ open, onClose, highlightId, initialStatus
     }
   }
 
-  const handleApprove = (device: InventoryEntry) => approveDevice(device, false)
+  // A Proxmox host is rarely wanted on its own: ask about its guests first.
+  // Anything else — and a host with no guests in the inventory — goes straight
+  // through the normal single-device approve.
+  const handleApprove = (device: InventoryEntry) => {
+    if (deviceType(device) === 'proxmox') { void promptProxmoxChildren(device); return }
+    return approveDevice(device, false)
+  }
+
+  const promptProxmoxChildren = async (device: InventoryEntry) => {
+    let guests: InventoryEntry[] = []
+    try {
+      guests = (await scanApi.proxmoxChildren(device.id)).data
+    } catch {
+      // No link data (or the call failed): fall back to placing the host alone.
+      guests = []
+    }
+    if (guests.length === 0) { await approveDevice(device, false); return }
+    // Close the device-detail modal first: two Base UI dialogs open at once trap
+    // focus on the underlying one and the prompt never shows.
+    setSelected(null)
+    setProxmoxPrompt({ host: device, children: guests })
+  }
+
+  const handleProxmoxConfirm = async ({ childIds, mode }: ProxmoxApproveChoice) => {
+    const prompt = proxmoxPrompt
+    if (!prompt) return
+    setProxmoxPrompt(null)
+    if (childIds.length === 0) { await approveDevice(prompt.host, false); return }
+
+    const wanted = new Set(childIds)
+    const guests = prompt.children.filter((c) => wanted.has(c.id))
+    try {
+      const res = await scanApi.bulkApprove([prompt.host.id, ...guests.map((g) => g.id)], activeDesignId)
+      const deviceToNode: Record<string, string> = {}
+      res.data.device_ids.forEach((did, i) => { deviceToNode[did] = res.data.node_ids[i] })
+
+      const hostNodeId = deviceToNode[prompt.host.id]
+      const placedGuests = guests.filter((g) => deviceToNode[g.id])
+      const guestNodeIds = placedGuests.map((g) => deviceToNode[g.id])
+
+      // The host was skipped (already on this canvas): there is no container to
+      // nest into, so drop the guests in a plain grid instead.
+      const nested = mode === 'container' && !!hostNodeId
+      const hostIds = hostNodeId ? [hostNodeId] : []
+      const childrenByHost: Record<string, string[]> = hostNodeId
+        ? { [hostNodeId]: nested ? guestNodeIds : [] }
+        : {}
+      const loose = nested ? [] : guestNodeIds
+      const measured = measureProxmoxContainers(hostIds, childrenByHost, loose.length)
+      const origin = getCenteredPosition(measured.width, measured.height)
+      const { positions, hostSizes } = layoutProxmoxContainers(hostIds, childrenByHost, loose, origin)
+
+      if (hostNodeId) {
+        const { type, data } = inventoryNodeData(prompt.host)
+        const size = hostSizes[hostNodeId]
+        addNode({
+          id: hostNodeId,
+          type,
+          position: positions[hostNodeId],
+          ...(nested && size ? { width: size.width, height: size.height } : {}),
+          data: { ...data, ...(nested ? { container_mode: true } : {}) },
+        })
+      }
+      // Hosts are added first above — addNode resolves `parent_id` against what
+      // is already in the store.
+      placedGuests.forEach((g) => {
+        const nodeId = deviceToNode[g.id]
+        const { type, data } = inventoryNodeData(g)
+        addNode({
+          id: nodeId,
+          type,
+          position: positions[nodeId] ?? getCenteredPosition(),
+          data: { ...data, ...(nested && hostNodeId ? { parent_id: hostNodeId } : {}) },
+        })
+      })
+      injectAutoEdges(res.data.edges)
+      setSelected(null)
+      await load()
+      toast.success(
+        `Added ${res.data.approved} device${res.data.approved !== 1 ? 's' : ''}` +
+        (nested ? ' (nested in the host)' : ''),
+      )
+      const dupes = res.data.skipped_devices ?? []
+      if (dupes.length > 0) {
+        const names = dupes.slice(0, 3).map((d) => d.label).join(', ')
+        const more = dupes.length > 3 ? ` +${dupes.length - 3} more` : ''
+        toast.info(`${dupes.length} already on this canvas, skipped: ${names}${more}`)
+      }
+    } catch {
+      toast.error('Failed to add the Proxmox host to the canvas')
+    }
+  }
 
   const goToExistingNode = (nodeId: string) => {
     setSelectedNode(nodeId)
@@ -402,27 +526,12 @@ export function DeviceInventoryModal({ open, onClose, highlightId, initialStatus
       approvedDevices.forEach((d, i) => {
         const nodeId = deviceToNode[d.id]
         if (!nodeId) return
-        const type = deviceType(d) ?? 'generic'
-        const zwave = isZwaveType(type)
-        const wireless = isZigbeeType(type) || zwave
+        const { type, data } = inventoryNodeData(d)
         addNode({
           id: nodeId,
           type,
           position: { x: origin.x + (i % 4) * 160, y: origin.y + Math.floor(i / 4) * 100 },
-          data: {
-            label: deviceLabel(d),
-            type,
-            ip: d.ip ?? undefined,
-            mac: d.mac ?? undefined,
-            hostname: d.hostname ?? undefined,
-            status: wireless ? ('online' as const) : ('unknown' as const),
-            services: (d.services ?? []) as ServiceInfo[],
-            properties: zwave
-              ? buildZwaveProperties(d)
-              : isZigbeeType(type)
-                ? buildZigbeeProperties(d)
-                : [...(d.properties ?? []), ...buildMacProperty(d.mac)],
-          },
+          data,
         })
       })
       injectAutoEdges(res.data.edges)
@@ -809,6 +918,14 @@ export function DeviceInventoryModal({ open, onClose, highlightId, initialStatus
           setSelected(saved)
         }}
       />
+
+      <ProxmoxApproveModal
+        open={proxmoxPrompt !== null}
+        host={proxmoxPrompt?.host ?? null}
+        guests={proxmoxPrompt?.children ?? []}
+        onCancel={() => setProxmoxPrompt(null)}
+        onConfirm={handleProxmoxConfirm}
+      />
     </>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/modals/ProxmoxApproveModal.tsx b/frontend/src/components/modals/ProxmoxApproveModal.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2c11977
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/modals/ProxmoxApproveModal.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+import { useState } from 'react'
+import { Server, Box, Container, Plus } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogHeader, DialogTitle, DialogFooter } from '@/components/ui/dialog'
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
+import type { InventoryEntry } from '@/types'
+import type { ProxmoxCanvasMode } from '@/components/proxmox/types'
+
+const ACCENT = '#e57000'
+
+export interface ProxmoxApproveChoice {
+  /** Guest inventory ids to place alongside the host. Empty = host only. */
+  childIds: string[]
+  mode: ProxmoxCanvasMode
+}
+
+interface ProxmoxApproveModalProps {
+  open: boolean
+  host: InventoryEntry | null
+  /** Guests the host runs, from `scanApi.proxmoxChildren`. Deliberately not
+   * named `children` — React would treat the array as renderable child nodes. */
+  guests: InventoryEntry[]
+  onCancel: () => void
+  onConfirm: (choice: ProxmoxApproveChoice) => void
+}
+
+function label(d: InventoryEntry): string {
+  return d.label ?? d.friendly_name ?? d.hostname ?? d.ip ?? d.ieee_address ?? 'device'
+}
+
+/**
+ * Asked before a Proxmox host from the Device Inventory reaches a canvas: bring
+ * its VMs/LXCs along, and if so draw them nested inside the host
+ * (`container_mode`) or as separate nodes joined by virtual edges.
+ *
+ * Only shown when the host actually has guests in the inventory — a host with
+ * none is approved straight away.
+ */
+export function ProxmoxApproveModal({
+  open,
+  host,
+  guests,
+  onCancel,
+  onConfirm,
+}: ProxmoxApproveModalProps) {
+  const [includeChildren, setIncludeChildren] = useState(true)
+  const [mode, setMode] = useState<ProxmoxCanvasMode>('container')
+
+  if (!host) return null
+
+  const confirm = () => {
+    onConfirm({
+      childIds: includeChildren ? guests.map((c) => c.id) : [],
+      mode: includeChildren ? mode : 'linked',
+    })
+    // Next host starts from the defaults again.
+    setIncludeChildren(true)
+    setMode('container')
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={(v) => !v && onCancel()}>
+      <DialogContent className="bg-[#161b22] border-border max-w-lg">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle className="text-foreground flex items-center gap-2">
+            <Server size={16} style={{ color: ACCENT }} />
+            Add {label(host)} to canvas
+          </DialogTitle>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <div className="space-y-3 py-1">
+          <label className="flex items-start gap-2 rounded-md border border-border bg-[#0d1117]/60 px-3 py-2.5 text-xs cursor-pointer">
+            <input
+              type="checkbox"
+              checked={includeChildren}
+              onChange={(e) => setIncludeChildren(e.target.checked)}
+              className="w-3 h-3 mt-0.5 cursor-pointer shrink-0"
+              style={{ accentColor: ACCENT }}
+            />
+            <span>
+              <span className="block text-foreground">
+                Also add its {guests.length} guest{guests.length !== 1 ? 's' : ''}
+              </span>
+              <span className="block text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+                VMs and LXC containers this host runs, as recorded by the Proxmox import.
+              </span>
+            </span>
+          </label>
+
+          {includeChildren && (
+            <div className="space-y-2 rounded-md border border-border bg-[#0d1117]/60 px-3 py-2.5">
+              <span className="block text-xs text-muted-foreground">Draw the guests as</span>
+              <label className="flex items-start gap-2 text-xs cursor-pointer text-foreground">
+                <input
+                  type="radio"
+                  name="proxmox-approve-mode"
+                  checked={mode === 'container'}
+                  onChange={() => setMode('container')}
+                  className="mt-0.5 cursor-pointer shrink-0"
+                  style={{ accentColor: ACCENT }}
+                />
+                <span>
+                  Nested inside the host
+                  <span className="block text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+                    Container mode — the host becomes a box holding its guests.
+                  </span>
+                </span>
+              </label>
+              <label className="flex items-start gap-2 text-xs cursor-pointer text-foreground">
+                <input
+                  type="radio"
+                  name="proxmox-approve-mode"
+                  checked={mode === 'linked'}
+                  onChange={() => setMode('linked')}
+                  className="mt-0.5 cursor-pointer shrink-0"
+                  style={{ accentColor: ACCENT }}
+                />
+                <span>
+                  Separate nodes linked to the host
+                  <span className="block text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+                    Guests sit beside the host, joined by virtual edges.
+                  </span>
+                </span>
+              </label>
+            </div>
+          )}
+
+          {includeChildren && guests.length > 0 && (
+            <div className="max-h-48 overflow-y-auto space-y-1">
+              {guests.map((c) => {
+                const type = (c.type ?? c.suggested_type) ?? 'vm'
+                const Icon = type === 'lxc' ? Container : Box
+                const color = type === 'lxc' ? '#39d353' : '#00d4ff'
+                return (
+                  <div
+                    key={c.id}
+                    className="flex items-center gap-2 px-2 py-1.5 rounded-md bg-[#21262d] text-xs"
+                  >
+                    <Icon size={12} style={{ color }} className="shrink-0" />
+                    <span className="text-foreground truncate">{label(c)}</span>
+                    {c.ip && (
+                      <span className="font-mono text-[10px] text-muted-foreground truncate ml-auto">
+                        {c.ip}
+                      </span>
+                    )}
+                  </div>
+                )
+              })}
+            </div>
+          )}
+        </div>
+
+        <DialogFooter className="gap-2">
+          <Button variant="ghost" onClick={onCancel}>Cancel</Button>
+          <Button
+            onClick={confirm}
+            style={{ background: ACCENT, color: '#0d1117' }}
+            className="gap-1.5"
+          >
+            <Plus size={13} />
+            Add {includeChildren ? guests.length + 1 : 1} to canvas
+          </Button>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/DeviceInventoryModal.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/DeviceInventoryModal.test.tsx
index 40d7f69..4d8ca2c 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/DeviceInventoryModal.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/DeviceInventoryModal.test.tsx
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ const mockPending = vi.fn()
 const mockHidden = vi.fn()
 const mockAddNode = vi.fn()
 const mockSetSelectedNode = vi.fn()
+const mockProxmoxChildren = vi.fn()
 
 vi.mock('@/api/client', () => ({
   scanApi: {
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ vi.mock('@/api/client', () => ({
     bulkHide: (...a: unknown[]) => mockBulkHide(...a),
     restore: (...a: unknown[]) => mockRestore(...a),
     bulkRestore: (...a: unknown[]) => mockBulkRestore(...a),
+    proxmoxChildren: (...a: unknown[]) => mockProxmoxChildren(...a),
   },
 }))
 
@@ -148,6 +150,7 @@ beforeEach(() => {
   mockHidden.mockResolvedValue({ data: [] })
   mockApprove.mockResolvedValue({ data: { node_id: 'n1', edges: [], edges_created: 0 } })
   mockHide.mockResolvedValue({ data: {} })
+  mockProxmoxChildren.mockResolvedValue({ data: [] })
   mockBulkApprove.mockResolvedValue({
     data: { approved: 2, node_ids: ['n1', 'n2'], device_ids: ['dev-a', 'dev-b'], edges: [], edges_created: 0, skipped_devices: [] },
   })
@@ -760,3 +763,130 @@ describe('DeviceInventoryModal — the curated type wins over the discovery gues
     expect(mockApprove.mock.calls[0][1]).toMatchObject({ type: 'printer', label: 'Office printer' })
   })
 })
+
+// --- Proxmox host: ask about the guests before placing it ---
+
+const PVE_HOST = {
+  id: 'dev-pve',
+  ip: '10.0.0.1',
+  hostname: 'pve1',
+  mac: null,
+  os: null,
+  services: [],
+  suggested_type: 'proxmox',
+  status: 'pending',
+  discovery_source: 'proxmox',
+  ieee_address: 'pve-node-pve1',
+  friendly_name: 'pve1',
+  discovered_at: '2026-01-07T00:00:00Z',
+}
+
+const PVE_GUESTS = [
+  { ...DEVICE_PROXMOX, id: 'dev-g1', friendly_name: 'web' },
+  { ...DEVICE_PROXMOX, id: 'dev-g2', friendly_name: 'dns', suggested_type: 'lxc', ieee_address: 'pve-pve1-102' },
+]
+
+async function openProxmoxPrompt() {
+  mockPending.mockResolvedValue({ data: [PVE_HOST] })
+  mockProxmoxChildren.mockResolvedValue({ data: PVE_GUESTS })
+  render(<DeviceInventoryModal {...baseProps} />)
+  await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('pending-card-dev-pve')).toBeInTheDocument())
+  fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('pending-card-dev-pve'))
+  fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('do-approve'))
+  await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 3 to canvas/i })).toBeInTheDocument())
+}
+
+describe('DeviceInventoryModal — Proxmox host approval', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    mockBulkApprove.mockResolvedValue({
+      data: {
+        approved: 3,
+        node_ids: ['n-host', 'n-g1', 'n-g2'],
+        device_ids: ['dev-pve', 'dev-g1', 'dev-g2'],
+        edges: [], edges_created: 0, skipped: 0, skipped_devices: [],
+      },
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('approves a host with no guests straight away, no prompt', async () => {
+    mockPending.mockResolvedValue({ data: [PVE_HOST] })
+    mockProxmoxChildren.mockResolvedValue({ data: [] })
+    render(<DeviceInventoryModal {...baseProps} />)
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('pending-card-dev-pve')).toBeInTheDocument())
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('pending-card-dev-pve'))
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('do-approve'))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(mockApprove).toHaveBeenCalled())
+    expect(mockBulkApprove).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('asks about the guests when the host has some', async () => {
+    await openProxmoxPrompt()
+    expect(screen.getByText('web')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(screen.getByText('dns')).toBeInTheDocument()
+    expect(mockApprove).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('nests the guests in the host in container mode', async () => {
+    await openProxmoxPrompt()
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 3 to canvas/i }))
+    await waitFor(() =>
+      expect(mockBulkApprove).toHaveBeenCalledWith(['dev-pve', 'dev-g1', 'dev-g2'], null),
+    )
+    const added = mockAddNode.mock.calls.map((c) => c[0])
+    const hostNode = added.find((n) => n.id === 'n-host')
+    expect(hostNode.data.container_mode).toBe(true)
+    expect(hostNode.width).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    // The host must be added before its guests — addNode resolves parent_id
+    // against what is already in the store.
+    expect(added[0].id).toBe('n-host')
+    added.filter((n) => n.id !== 'n-host').forEach((n) => {
+      expect(n.data.parent_id).toBe('n-host')
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('leaves the guests unnested in linked mode', async () => {
+    await openProxmoxPrompt()
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('radio', { name: /separate nodes linked to the host/i }))
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 3 to canvas/i }))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(mockBulkApprove).toHaveBeenCalled())
+    const added = mockAddNode.mock.calls.map((c) => c[0])
+    expect(added.find((n) => n.id === 'n-host').data.container_mode).toBeUndefined()
+    added.forEach((n) => expect(n.data.parent_id).toBeUndefined())
+  })
+
+  it('falls back to the single approve when the guests are unticked', async () => {
+    await openProxmoxPrompt()
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('checkbox', { name: /also add its 2 guests/i }))
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 1 to canvas/i }))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(mockApprove).toHaveBeenCalled())
+    expect(mockBulkApprove).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
+  it('places the guests loose when the host itself was skipped as a duplicate', async () => {
+    mockBulkApprove.mockResolvedValue({
+      data: {
+        approved: 2,
+        node_ids: ['n-g1', 'n-g2'],
+        device_ids: ['dev-g1', 'dev-g2'],
+        edges: [], edges_created: 0, skipped: 1,
+        skipped_devices: [{ device_id: 'dev-pve', label: 'pve1', match: 'ip', value: '10.0.0.1' }],
+      },
+    })
+    await openProxmoxPrompt()
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 3 to canvas/i }))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(mockAddNode).toHaveBeenCalled())
+    const added = mockAddNode.mock.calls.map((c) => c[0])
+    expect(added.map((n) => n.id)).toEqual(['n-g1', 'n-g2'])
+    added.forEach((n) => expect(n.data.parent_id).toBeUndefined())
+  })
+
+  it('still places the host when the children lookup fails', async () => {
+    mockPending.mockResolvedValue({ data: [PVE_HOST] })
+    mockProxmoxChildren.mockRejectedValue(new Error('boom'))
+    render(<DeviceInventoryModal {...baseProps} />)
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByTestId('pending-card-dev-pve')).toBeInTheDocument())
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('pending-card-dev-pve'))
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByTestId('do-approve'))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(mockApprove).toHaveBeenCalled())
+  })
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/ProxmoxApproveModal.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/ProxmoxApproveModal.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8faf831
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/ProxmoxApproveModal.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
+import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react'
+import { ProxmoxApproveModal } from '../ProxmoxApproveModal'
+import type { InventoryEntry } from '@/types'
+
+const host = {
+  id: 'h1', label: 'pve1', type: 'proxmox', status: 'pending', services: [],
+} as unknown as InventoryEntry
+
+const guests = [
+  { id: 'g1', label: 'web', type: 'vm', ip: '10.0.0.5', status: 'pending', services: [] },
+  { id: 'g2', label: 'dns', type: 'lxc', ip: '10.0.0.6', status: 'pending', services: [] },
+] as unknown as InventoryEntry[]
+
+const props = {
+  open: true,
+  host,
+  guests,
+  onCancel: vi.fn(),
+  onConfirm: vi.fn(),
+}
+
+describe('ProxmoxApproveModal', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    props.onCancel.mockReset()
+    props.onConfirm.mockReset()
+  })
+
+  it('renders nothing without a host', () => {
+    const { container } = render(<ProxmoxApproveModal {...props} host={null} />)
+    expect(container.querySelector('[role="dialog"]')).toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('lists the guests and counts them in the confirm button', () => {
+    render(<ProxmoxApproveModal {...props} />)
+    expect(screen.getByText('web')).toBeDefined()
+    expect(screen.getByText('dns')).toBeDefined()
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 3 to canvas/i })).toBeDefined()
+  })
+
+  it('defaults to bringing the guests along, nested', () => {
+    render(<ProxmoxApproveModal {...props} />)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 3 to canvas/i }))
+    expect(props.onConfirm).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ childIds: ['g1', 'g2'], mode: 'container' })
+  })
+
+  it('passes the linked mode when the user picks it', () => {
+    render(<ProxmoxApproveModal {...props} />)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('radio', { name: /separate nodes linked to the host/i }))
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 3 to canvas/i }))
+    expect(props.onConfirm).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ childIds: ['g1', 'g2'], mode: 'linked' })
+  })
+
+  it('drops the guests — and the mode picker — when the box is unticked', () => {
+    render(<ProxmoxApproveModal {...props} />)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('checkbox', { name: /also add its 2 guests/i }))
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('radio', { name: /nested inside the host/i })).toBeNull()
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 1 to canvas/i }))
+    expect(props.onConfirm).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ childIds: [], mode: 'linked' })
+  })
+
+  it('cancels without confirming', () => {
+    render(<ProxmoxApproveModal {...props} />)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /cancel/i }))
+    expect(props.onCancel).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(props.onConfirm).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/proxmox/ProxmoxImportModal.tsx b/frontend/src/components/proxmox/ProxmoxImportModal.tsx
index bf04ccb..fb8e3e9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/proxmox/ProxmoxImportModal.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/proxmox/ProxmoxImportModal.tsx
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label'
 import { proxmoxApi, type ProxmoxConnection } from '@/api/client'
 import { toast } from 'sonner'
-import type { ProxmoxNode, ProxmoxEdge, ProxmoxNodeType } from './types'
+import type { ProxmoxNode, ProxmoxEdge, ProxmoxNodeType, ProxmoxCanvasMode } from './types'
 
 interface ProxmoxImportModalProps {
   open: boolean
   onClose: () => void
-  onAddToCanvas: (nodes: ProxmoxNode[], edges: ProxmoxEdge[]) => void
+  onAddToCanvas: (nodes: ProxmoxNode[], edges: ProxmoxEdge[], mode: ProxmoxCanvasMode) => void
   onInventoryImported?: () => void
 }
 
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@ export function ProxmoxImportModal({ open, onClose, onAddToCanvas, onInventoryIm
   const [edges, setEdges] = useState<ProxmoxEdge[]>([])
   const [checked, setChecked] = useState<Set<string>>(new Set())
   const [importMode, setImportMode] = useState<ImportMode>('pending')
+  // Opt-in: draw each host as a box holding its guests instead of laying them
+  // out side by side and joining them with 'virtual' edges.
+  const [canvasMode, setCanvasMode] = useState<ProxmoxCanvasMode>('linked')
 
   const updateField = (field: keyof ConnectionForm, value: string) =>
     setForm((f) => ({ ...f, [field]: value }))
@@ -136,7 +139,7 @@ export function ProxmoxImportModal({ open, onClose, onAddToCanvas, onInventoryIm
     const selectedDevices = devices.filter((d) => checked.has(d.id))
     const selectedIds = new Set(selectedDevices.map((d) => d.id))
     const selectedEdges = edges.filter((e) => selectedIds.has(e.source) && selectedIds.has(e.target))
-    onAddToCanvas(selectedDevices, selectedEdges)
+    onAddToCanvas(selectedDevices, selectedEdges, canvasMode)
     toast.success(`Added ${selectedDevices.length} device${selectedDevices.length !== 1 ? 's' : ''} to canvas`)
     onClose()
   }
@@ -148,6 +151,7 @@ export function ProxmoxImportModal({ open, onClose, onAddToCanvas, onInventoryIm
     setConnectionStatus('idle')
     setConnectionMsg('')
     setImportMode('pending')
+    setCanvasMode('linked')
     onClose()
   }
 
@@ -265,6 +269,24 @@ export function ProxmoxImportModal({ open, onClose, onAddToCanvas, onInventoryIm
                 </label>
               </div>
             </div>
+            {importMode === 'canvas' && (
+              <label className="flex items-start gap-2 rounded-md border border-border bg-[#0d1117]/60 px-3 py-2.5 text-xs cursor-pointer">
+                <input
+                  type="checkbox"
+                  checked={canvasMode === 'container'}
+                  onChange={(e) => setCanvasMode(e.target.checked ? 'container' : 'linked')}
+                  className="w-3 h-3 mt-0.5 cursor-pointer shrink-0"
+                  style={{ accentColor: ACCENT }}
+                />
+                <span>
+                  <span className="block text-foreground">Nest guests inside their host</span>
+                  <span className="block text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+                    Container mode: each Proxmox host is drawn as a box holding its VMs and LXCs.
+                    Off, they are separate nodes linked by virtual edges.
+                  </span>
+                </span>
+              </label>
+            )}
             <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-2 pt-1">
               <Button
                 size="sm"
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/proxmox/__tests__/ProxmoxImportModal.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/proxmox/__tests__/ProxmoxImportModal.test.tsx
index f30fc34..06df454 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/proxmox/__tests__/ProxmoxImportModal.test.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/proxmox/__tests__/ProxmoxImportModal.test.tsx
@@ -104,6 +104,45 @@ describe('ProxmoxImportModal', () => {
     expect(toast.success).toHaveBeenCalledWith('Found 2 devices')
   })
 
+  it('hides the container-mode option until canvas mode is picked', () => {
+    render(<ProxmoxImportModal {...defaultProps} />)
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('checkbox', { name: /nest guests inside their host/i })).toBeNull()
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('radio', { name: /inventory \+ canvas/i }))
+    expect(screen.getByRole('checkbox', { name: /nest guests inside their host/i })).toBeDefined()
+  })
+
+  it("adds to canvas in 'linked' mode by default", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(proxmoxApi.importNetwork).mockResolvedValue({
+      data: { nodes: sampleNodes, edges: [{ source: 'pve-node-pve1', target: 'pve-pve1-101' }], device_count: 2 },
+    } as never)
+    render(<ProxmoxImportModal {...defaultProps} />)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('radio', { name: /inventory \+ canvas/i }))
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByPlaceholderText('192.168.1.x or pve.local'), { target: { value: 'pve' } })
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /fetch guests/i }))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('pve1')).toBeDefined())
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 2 to canvas/i }))
+    expect(defaultProps.onAddToCanvas).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      expect.any(Array), expect.any(Array), 'linked',
+    )
+  })
+
+  it("passes 'container' when the nest option is ticked", async () => {
+    vi.mocked(proxmoxApi.importNetwork).mockResolvedValue({
+      data: { nodes: sampleNodes, edges: [{ source: 'pve-node-pve1', target: 'pve-pve1-101' }], device_count: 2 },
+    } as never)
+    render(<ProxmoxImportModal {...defaultProps} />)
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('radio', { name: /inventory \+ canvas/i }))
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('checkbox', { name: /nest guests inside their host/i }))
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByPlaceholderText('192.168.1.x or pve.local'), { target: { value: 'pve' } })
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /fetch guests/i }))
+    await waitFor(() => expect(screen.getByText('pve1')).toBeDefined())
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /add 2 to canvas/i }))
+    const [nodes, edges, mode] = vi.mocked(defaultProps.onAddToCanvas).mock.calls[0]
+    expect(mode).toBe('container')
+    expect(nodes).toHaveLength(2)
+    expect(edges).toHaveLength(1)
+  })
+
   it('sends the token from the form in the payload', async () => {
     vi.mocked(proxmoxApi.importNetwork).mockResolvedValue({
       data: { nodes: [], edges: [], device_count: 0 },
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/proxmox/types.ts b/frontend/src/components/proxmox/types.ts
index e63d865..083af44 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/proxmox/types.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/components/proxmox/types.ts
@@ -31,3 +31,10 @@ export interface ProxmoxImportResponse {
   edges: ProxmoxEdge[]
   device_count: number
 }
+
+/** How a Proxmox selection is laid out when it reaches the canvas. */
+export type ProxmoxCanvasMode =
+  /** Hosts and guests as sibling nodes, joined by 'virtual' edges. */
+  | 'linked'
+  /** Host drawn as a box with its guests nested inside (`container_mode`). */
+  | 'container'
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/__tests__/proxmoxContainerLayout.test.ts b/frontend/src/utils/__tests__/proxmoxContainerLayout.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aa69328
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/__tests__/proxmoxContainerLayout.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest'
+import {
+  CONTAINER_LAYOUT as C,
+  groupProxmoxGuests,
+  layoutProxmoxContainers,
+  measureProxmoxContainers,
+} from '@/utils/proxmoxContainerLayout'
+
+const ORIGIN = { x: 100, y: 50 }
+
+describe('layoutProxmoxContainers', () => {
+  it('places a lone host at the origin with the minimum box size', () => {
+    const { positions, hostSizes } = layoutProxmoxContainers(['h1'], { h1: [] }, [], ORIGIN)
+    expect(positions.h1).toEqual(ORIGIN)
+    expect(hostSizes.h1).toEqual({ width: C.minHostWidth, height: C.minHostHeight })
+  })
+
+  it('lays children out in rows inside the host, below its header band', () => {
+    const kids = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd']
+    const { positions } = layoutProxmoxContainers(['h1'], { h1: kids }, [], ORIGIN)
+    // maxCols is 3, so d starts the second row.
+    expect(positions.a).toEqual({ x: ORIGIN.x + C.padX, y: ORIGIN.y + C.padTop })
+    expect(positions.b.y).toBe(positions.a.y)
+    expect(positions.c.y).toBe(positions.a.y)
+    expect(positions.b.x - positions.a.x).toBe(C.childWidth + C.gapX)
+    expect(positions.d).toEqual({
+      x: ORIGIN.x + C.padX,
+      y: ORIGIN.y + C.padTop + C.childHeight + C.gapY,
+    })
+  })
+
+  it('grows the host box to fit its children', () => {
+    const { hostSizes } = layoutProxmoxContainers(['h1'], { h1: ['a', 'b', 'c'] }, [], ORIGIN)
+    expect(hostSizes.h1.width).toBe(C.padX * 2 + 3 * C.childWidth + 2 * C.gapX)
+    expect(hostSizes.h1.height).toBe(C.minHostHeight)
+  })
+
+  it('every child sits inside its host box', () => {
+    const kids = ['a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e']
+    const { positions, hostSizes } = layoutProxmoxContainers(['h1'], { h1: kids }, [], ORIGIN)
+    const host = positions.h1
+    const size = hostSizes.h1
+    for (const k of kids) {
+      expect(positions[k].x).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(host.x)
+      expect(positions[k].y).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(host.y)
+      expect(positions[k].x + C.childWidth).toBeLessThanOrEqual(host.x + size.width)
+      expect(positions[k].y + C.childHeight).toBeLessThanOrEqual(host.y + size.height)
+    }
+  })
+
+  it('puts several hosts side by side without overlapping', () => {
+    const { positions, hostSizes } = layoutProxmoxContainers(
+      ['h1', 'h2'],
+      { h1: ['a', 'b', 'c'], h2: [] },
+      [],
+      ORIGIN,
+    )
+    expect(positions.h1.y).toBe(positions.h2.y)
+    expect(positions.h2.x).toBe(positions.h1.x + hostSizes.h1.width + C.hostGap)
+  })
+
+  it('drops loose nodes in a grid below the tallest host', () => {
+    const kids = Array.from({ length: 7 }, (_, i) => `k${i}`)
+    const { positions, hostSizes } = layoutProxmoxContainers(['h1'], { h1: kids }, ['x', 'y'], ORIGIN)
+    const looseY = ORIGIN.y + hostSizes.h1.height + C.hostGap
+    expect(positions.x).toEqual({ x: ORIGIN.x, y: looseY })
+    expect(positions.y).toEqual({ x: ORIGIN.x + C.looseSpacingX, y: looseY })
+  })
+
+  it('lays loose nodes out at the origin when there is no host', () => {
+    const { positions } = layoutProxmoxContainers([], {}, ['x'], ORIGIN)
+    expect(positions.x).toEqual(ORIGIN)
+  })
+})
+
+describe('measureProxmoxContainers', () => {
+  it('covers the whole layout', () => {
+    const hostIds = ['h1', 'h2']
+    const childrenByHost = { h1: ['a', 'b'], h2: ['c'] }
+    const size = measureProxmoxContainers(hostIds, childrenByHost, 3)
+    const { positions, hostSizes } = layoutProxmoxContainers(
+      hostIds,
+      childrenByHost,
+      ['l0', 'l1', 'l2'],
+      { x: 0, y: 0 },
+    )
+    for (const [id, pos] of Object.entries(positions)) {
+      const s = hostSizes[id]
+      expect(pos.x + (s?.width ?? C.childWidth)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(size.width)
+      expect(pos.y + (s?.height ?? C.childHeight)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(size.height)
+    }
+  })
+})
+
+describe('groupProxmoxGuests', () => {
+  const host = { id: 'h1', type: 'proxmox' }
+  const host2 = { id: 'h2', type: 'proxmox' }
+  const vm = { id: 'v1', type: 'vm' }
+  const lxc = { id: 'l1', type: 'lxc' }
+
+  it('buckets guests under the host that runs them', () => {
+    const g = groupProxmoxGuests([host, vm, lxc], [
+      { source: 'h1', target: 'v1' },
+      { source: 'h1', target: 'l1' },
+    ])
+    expect(g.hostIds).toEqual(['h1'])
+    expect(g.childrenByHost).toEqual({ h1: ['v1', 'l1'] })
+    expect(g.hostOfChild).toEqual({ v1: 'h1', l1: 'h1' })
+    expect(g.looseIds).toEqual([])
+  })
+
+  it('gives a host with no guests an empty bucket', () => {
+    const g = groupProxmoxGuests([host, host2, vm], [{ source: 'h1', target: 'v1' }])
+    expect(g.childrenByHost).toEqual({ h1: ['v1'], h2: [] })
+  })
+
+  it('keeps the first host that claims a guest — a node has one parent', () => {
+    const g = groupProxmoxGuests([host, host2, vm], [
+      { source: 'h1', target: 'v1' },
+      { source: 'h2', target: 'v1' },
+    ])
+    expect(g.childrenByHost).toEqual({ h1: ['v1'], h2: [] })
+    expect(g.hostOfChild.v1).toBe('h1')
+  })
+
+  it('ignores host-to-host cluster links', () => {
+    const g = groupProxmoxGuests([host, host2], [{ source: 'h1', target: 'h2' }])
+    expect(g.childrenByHost).toEqual({ h1: [], h2: [] })
+    expect(g.looseIds).toEqual([])
+  })
+
+  it('ignores an edge pointing outside the selection', () => {
+    const g = groupProxmoxGuests([host, vm], [{ source: 'h1', target: 'not-selected' }])
+    expect(g.childrenByHost).toEqual({ h1: [] })
+    expect(g.looseIds).toEqual(['v1'])
+  })
+
+  it('treats a guest with no host in the selection as loose', () => {
+    const g = groupProxmoxGuests([vm, lxc], [{ source: 'h1', target: 'v1' }])
+    expect(g.hostIds).toEqual([])
+    expect(g.looseIds).toEqual(['v1', 'l1'])
+  })
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/proxmoxContainerLayout.ts b/frontend/src/utils/proxmoxContainerLayout.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..06bb1a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/proxmoxContainerLayout.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,161 @@
+/**
+ * Placement for a Proxmox import that nests guests inside their host.
+ *
+ * Container mode draws the host as a box (`data.container_mode`) and parents its
+ * VMs/LXCs to it (React Flow `parentId` + `extent: 'parent'`). `addNode` turns
+ * an absolute child position into a parent-relative one by subtracting the
+ * parent's position, so every coordinate here is absolute canvas space and the
+ * children are already offset by their host.
+ *
+ * Hosts sit side by side on one row; anything with no host in the selection
+ * ("loose") falls back to the plain grid the non-container import uses, placed
+ * below the tallest host.
+ */
+
+export const CONTAINER_LAYOUT = {
+  childWidth: 180,
+  childHeight: 52,
+  /** Room above the first child row for the host's own header/label. */
+  padTop: 60,
+  padX: 20,
+  padBottom: 20,
+  gapX: 16,
+  gapY: 14,
+  maxCols: 3,
+  hostGap: 60,
+  /** Same defaults `setProxmoxContainerMode` gives a host with no size yet. */
+  minHostWidth: 300,
+  minHostHeight: 200,
+  looseCols: 4,
+  looseSpacingX: 190,
+  looseSpacingY: 110,
+} as const
+
+export interface XY { x: number; y: number }
+export interface Size { width: number; height: number }
+
+export interface ProxmoxContainerLayout {
+  /** Absolute canvas position per node id (hosts, nested guests, loose nodes). */
+  positions: Record<string, XY>
+  /** Box size per host id — what the container needs to hold its guests. */
+  hostSizes: Record<string, Size>
+}
+
+export function layoutProxmoxContainers(
+  hostIds: string[],
+  childrenByHost: Record<string, string[]>,
+  looseIds: string[],
+  origin: XY,
+): ProxmoxContainerLayout {
+  const C = CONTAINER_LAYOUT
+  const positions: Record<string, XY> = {}
+  const hostSizes: Record<string, Size> = {}
+
+  let cursorX = origin.x
+  let tallestHost = 0
+
+  for (const hostId of hostIds) {
+    const children = childrenByHost[hostId] ?? []
+    const cols = Math.max(1, Math.min(C.maxCols, children.length))
+    const rows = Math.ceil(children.length / cols)
+    const width = Math.max(
+      C.minHostWidth,
+      C.padX * 2 + cols * C.childWidth + (cols - 1) * C.gapX,
+    )
+    const height = Math.max(
+      C.minHostHeight,
+      C.padTop + C.padBottom + rows * C.childHeight + Math.max(0, rows - 1) * C.gapY,
+    )
+
+    positions[hostId] = { x: cursorX, y: origin.y }
+    hostSizes[hostId] = { width, height }
+
+    children.forEach((childId, i) => {
+      positions[childId] = {
+        x: cursorX + C.padX + (i % cols) * (C.childWidth + C.gapX),
+        y: origin.y + C.padTop + Math.floor(i / cols) * (C.childHeight + C.gapY),
+      }
+    })
+
+    cursorX += width + C.hostGap
+    tallestHost = Math.max(tallestHost, height)
+  }
+
+  const looseY = origin.y + (hostIds.length > 0 ? tallestHost + C.hostGap : 0)
+  looseIds.forEach((id, i) => {
+    positions[id] = {
+      x: origin.x + (i % C.looseCols) * C.looseSpacingX,
+      y: looseY + Math.floor(i / C.looseCols) * C.looseSpacingY,
+    }
+  })
+
+  return { positions, hostSizes }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Total bounding size of the layout, so a caller can centre it in the viewport
+ * before it knows any coordinate (`getCenteredPosition(w, h)`).
+ */
+export function measureProxmoxContainers(
+  hostIds: string[],
+  childrenByHost: Record<string, string[]>,
+  looseCount: number,
+): Size {
+  const { positions, hostSizes } = layoutProxmoxContainers(
+    hostIds,
+    childrenByHost,
+    Array.from({ length: looseCount }, (_, i) => `__loose-${i}`),
+    { x: 0, y: 0 },
+  )
+  let width = 0
+  let height = 0
+  for (const [id, pos] of Object.entries(positions)) {
+    const size = hostSizes[id]
+    width = Math.max(width, pos.x + (size?.width ?? CONTAINER_LAYOUT.childWidth))
+    height = Math.max(height, pos.y + (size?.height ?? CONTAINER_LAYOUT.childHeight))
+  }
+  return { width, height }
+}
+
+export interface GuestGrouping {
+  /** Host node ids, in the order they were given. */
+  hostIds: string[]
+  /** Guest node ids per host, in edge order. */
+  childrenByHost: Record<string, string[]>
+  /** Host id each guest belongs to. */
+  hostOfChild: Record<string, string>
+  /** Selected ids that are neither a host nor a guest of a selected host. */
+  looseIds: string[]
+}
+
+/**
+ * Split a Proxmox selection into hosts, their guests and everything left over.
+ *
+ * A guest reaches at most one host: a second edge naming it is ignored rather
+ * than moving it, since React Flow gives a node one parent. Edges pointing
+ * outside the selection, or from host to host (a cluster link), are skipped.
+ */
+export function groupProxmoxGuests(
+  nodes: { id: string; type: string }[],
+  edges: { source: string; target: string }[],
+): GuestGrouping {
+  const selected = new Set(nodes.map((n) => n.id))
+  const hostIds = nodes.filter((n) => n.type === 'proxmox').map((n) => n.id)
+  const hostIdSet = new Set(hostIds)
+  const childrenByHost: Record<string, string[]> = {}
+  const hostOfChild: Record<string, string> = {}
+  hostIds.forEach((id) => { childrenByHost[id] = [] })
+
+  for (const e of edges) {
+    if (!hostIdSet.has(e.source) || !selected.has(e.target)) continue
+    if (hostIdSet.has(e.target) || hostOfChild[e.target]) continue
+    childrenByHost[e.source].push(e.target)
+    hostOfChild[e.target] = e.source
+  }
+
+  const looseIds = nodes
+    .filter((n) => !hostIdSet.has(n.id) && !hostOfChild[n.id])
+    .map((n) => n.id)
+
+  return { hostIds, childrenByHost, hostOfChild, looseIds }
+}