diff --git a/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/README.md b/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/README.md
index 25ae28544..073d00c13 100644
--- a/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/README.md
+++ b/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/README.md
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ The Coder Utils module is a building block for modules that need to run multiple
 ```tf
 module "coder_utils" {
   source  = "registry.coder.com/coder/coder-utils/coder"
-  version = "1.0.1"
+  version = "1.1.0"
 
   agent_id        = coder_agent.main.id
   agent_name      = "myagent"
@@ -56,10 +56,9 @@ module "coder_utils" {
 
 The module orchestrates scripts in the following order:
 
-1. **Log File Creation** - Creates module directory and log files
-2. **Pre-Install Script** (optional) - Runs before installation
-3. **Install Script** - Main installation
-4. **Post-Install Script** (optional) - Runs after installation
-5. **Start Script** - Starts the application
+1. **Pre-Install Script** (optional) - Runs before installation
+2. **Install Script** (required) - Main installation
+3. **Post-Install Script** (optional) - Runs after installation
+4. **Start Script** (optional) - Starts the application
 
 Each script waits for its prerequisites to complete before running using `coder exp sync` dependency management.
diff --git a/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.test.ts b/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.test.ts
index 5987c3288..a7e8e2e9f 100644
--- a/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.test.ts
+++ b/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.test.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ describe("coder-utils", async () => {
   testRequiredVariables(import.meta.dir, {
     agent_id: "test-agent-id",
     agent_name: "test-agent",
-    module_dir_name: ".test-module",
-    start_script: "echo 'start'",
+    module_directory: ".test-module",
+    install_script: "echo 'install'",
   });
 });
diff --git a/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.tf b/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.tf
index cfb8b778a..20b383d14 100644
--- a/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.tf
+++ b/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.tf
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ variable "pre_install_script" {
 variable "install_script" {
   type        = string
   description = "Script to install the agent used by AgentAPI."
-  default     = null
 }
 
 variable "post_install_script" {
@@ -41,6 +40,7 @@ variable "post_install_script" {
 variable "start_script" {
   type        = string
   description = "Script that starts AgentAPI."
+  default     = null
 }
 
 variable "agent_name" {
@@ -49,33 +49,39 @@ variable "agent_name" {
 
 }
 
-variable "module_dir_name" {
+variable "module_directory" {
   type        = string
-  description = "The name of the module directory."
+  description = "The module's working directory for scripts and logs."
 }
 
 locals {
   encoded_pre_install_script  = var.pre_install_script != null ? base64encode(var.pre_install_script) : ""
-  encoded_install_script      = var.install_script != null ? base64encode(var.install_script) : ""
+  encoded_install_script      = base64encode(var.install_script)
   encoded_post_install_script = var.post_install_script != null ? base64encode(var.post_install_script) : ""
-  encoded_start_script        = base64encode(var.start_script)
+  encoded_start_script        = var.start_script != null ? base64encode(var.start_script) : ""
 
   pre_install_script_name  = "${var.agent_name}-pre_install_script"
   install_script_name      = "${var.agent_name}-install_script"
   post_install_script_name = "${var.agent_name}-post_install_script"
   start_script_name        = "${var.agent_name}-start_script"
 
-  module_dir_path = "$HOME/${var.module_dir_name}"
+  pre_install_path  = "${var.module_directory}/pre_install.sh"
+  install_path      = "${var.module_directory}/install.sh"
+  post_install_path = "${var.module_directory}/post_install.sh"
+  start_path        = "${var.module_directory}/start.sh"
+
+  pre_install_log_path  = "${var.module_directory}/pre_install.log"
+  install_log_path      = "${var.module_directory}/install.log"
+  post_install_log_path = "${var.module_directory}/post_install.log"
+  start_log_path        = "${var.module_directory}/start.log"
 
-  pre_install_path  = "${local.module_dir_path}/pre_install.sh"
-  install_path      = "${local.module_dir_path}/install.sh"
-  post_install_path = "${local.module_dir_path}/post_install.sh"
-  start_path        = "${local.module_dir_path}/start.sh"
+  install_sync_deps = var.pre_install_script != null ? local.pre_install_script_name : null
 
-  pre_install_log_path  = "${local.module_dir_path}/pre_install.log"
-  install_log_path      = "${local.module_dir_path}/install.log"
-  post_install_log_path = "${local.module_dir_path}/post_install.log"
-  start_log_path        = "${local.module_dir_path}/start.log"
+  start_sync_deps = (
+    var.post_install_script != null
+    ? "${local.install_script_name} ${local.post_install_script_name}"
+    : local.install_script_name
+  )
 }
 
 resource "coder_script" "pre_install_script" {
@@ -88,7 +94,7 @@ resource "coder_script" "pre_install_script" {
     set -o errexit
     set -o pipefail
 
-    mkdir -p ${local.module_dir_path}
+    mkdir -p ${var.module_directory}
 
     trap 'coder exp sync complete ${local.pre_install_script_name}' EXIT
     coder exp sync start ${local.pre_install_script_name}
@@ -109,11 +115,11 @@ resource "coder_script" "install_script" {
     set -o errexit
     set -o pipefail
 
-    mkdir -p ${local.module_dir_path}
+    mkdir -p ${var.module_directory}
 
     trap 'coder exp sync complete ${local.install_script_name}' EXIT
-    %{if var.pre_install_script != null~}
-      coder exp sync want ${local.install_script_name} ${local.pre_install_script_name}
+    %{if local.install_sync_deps != null~}
+    coder exp sync want ${local.install_script_name} ${local.install_sync_deps}
     %{endif~}
     coder exp sync start ${local.install_script_name}
     echo -n '${local.encoded_install_script}' | base64 -d > ${local.install_path}
@@ -145,6 +151,7 @@ resource "coder_script" "post_install_script" {
 }
 
 resource "coder_script" "start_script" {
+  count        = var.start_script != null ? 1 : 0
   agent_id     = var.agent_id
   display_name = "Start Script"
   run_on_start = true
@@ -155,11 +162,7 @@ resource "coder_script" "start_script" {
 
     trap 'coder exp sync complete ${local.start_script_name}' EXIT
 
-    %{if var.post_install_script != null~}
-    coder exp sync want ${local.start_script_name} ${local.install_script_name} ${local.post_install_script_name}
-    %{else~}
-    coder exp sync want ${local.start_script_name} ${local.install_script_name}
-    %{endif~}
+    coder exp sync want ${local.start_script_name} ${local.start_sync_deps}
     coder exp sync start ${local.start_script_name}
 
     echo -n '${local.encoded_start_script}' | base64 -d > ${local.start_path}
@@ -169,22 +172,12 @@ resource "coder_script" "start_script" {
   EOT
 }
 
-output "pre_install_script_name" {
-  description = "The name of the pre-install script for sync."
-  value       = local.pre_install_script_name
-}
-
-output "install_script_name" {
-  description = "The name of the install script for sync."
-  value       = local.install_script_name
-}
-
-output "post_install_script_name" {
-  description = "The name of the post-install script for sync."
-  value       = local.post_install_script_name
-}
-
-output "start_script_name" {
-  description = "The name of the start script for sync."
-  value       = local.start_script_name
+output "script_names" {
+  description = "The names of the scripts for sync."
+  value = {
+    pre_install  = var.pre_install_script != null ? local.pre_install_script_name : ""
+    install      = local.install_script_name
+    post_install = var.post_install_script != null ? local.post_install_script_name : ""
+    start        = var.start_script != null ? local.start_script_name : ""
+  }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.tftest.hcl b/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.tftest.hcl
index d1228a6d4..0e3aa9ebb 100644
--- a/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.tftest.hcl
+++ b/registry/coder/modules/coder-utils/main.tftest.hcl
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ run "test_with_all_scripts" {
   variables {
     agent_id            = "test-agent-id"
     agent_name          = "test-agent"
-    module_dir_name     = ".test-module"
+    module_directory    = ".test-module"
     pre_install_script  = "echo 'pre-install'"
     install_script      = "echo 'install'"
     post_install_script = "echo 'post-install'"
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ run "test_with_all_scripts" {
     error_message = "Pre-install script should run on start"
   }
 
-  # Verify install_script is created
+  # Verify install_script is always created
   assert {
     condition     = coder_script.install_script.agent_id == "test-agent-id"
     error_message = "Install script agent ID should match input"
@@ -51,6 +51,12 @@ run "test_with_all_scripts" {
     error_message = "Install script should run on start"
   }
 
+  # install should sync-want pre_install
+  assert {
+    condition     = can(regex("sync want test-agent-install_script test-agent-pre_install_script", coder_script.install_script.script))
+    error_message = "Install script should sync-want pre_install_script when pre_install is provided"
+  }
+
   # Verify post_install_script is created when provided
   assert {
     condition     = length(coder_script.post_install_script) == 1
@@ -72,97 +78,164 @@ run "test_with_all_scripts" {
     error_message = "Post-install script should run on start"
   }
 
-  # Verify start_script is created
+  # Verify start_script is created when provided
   assert {
-    condition     = coder_script.start_script.agent_id == "test-agent-id"
+    condition     = length(coder_script.start_script) == 1
+    error_message = "Start script should be created when start_script is provided"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = coder_script.start_script[0].agent_id == "test-agent-id"
     error_message = "Start script agent ID should match input"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = coder_script.start_script.display_name == "Start Script"
+    condition     = coder_script.start_script[0].display_name == "Start Script"
     error_message = "Start script should have correct display name"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = coder_script.start_script.run_on_start == true
+    condition     = coder_script.start_script[0].run_on_start == true
     error_message = "Start script should run on start"
   }
 
   # Verify outputs for script names
   assert {
-    condition     = output.pre_install_script_name == "test-agent-pre_install_script"
+    condition     = output.script_names.pre_install == "test-agent-pre_install_script"
     error_message = "Pre-install script name output should be correctly formatted"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.install_script_name == "test-agent-install_script"
+    condition     = output.script_names.install == "test-agent-install_script"
     error_message = "Install script name output should be correctly formatted"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.post_install_script_name == "test-agent-post_install_script"
+    condition     = output.script_names.post_install == "test-agent-post_install_script"
     error_message = "Post-install script name output should be correctly formatted"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.start_script_name == "test-agent-start_script"
+    condition     = output.script_names.start == "test-agent-start_script"
     error_message = "Start script name output should be correctly formatted"
   }
 }
 
-# Test with only required scripts (no pre/post install)
-run "test_without_optional_scripts" {
+# Test with only install_script (minimum required input)
+run "test_install_only" {
   command = plan
 
   variables {
-    agent_id        = "test-agent-id"
-    agent_name      = "test-agent"
-    module_dir_name = ".test-module"
-    install_script  = "echo 'install'"
-    start_script    = "echo 'start'"
+    agent_id         = "test-agent-id"
+    agent_name       = "test-agent"
+    module_directory = ".test-module"
+    install_script   = "echo 'install'"
   }
 
-  # Verify pre_install_script is NOT created when not provided
+  # Verify optional scripts are NOT created
   assert {
     condition     = length(coder_script.pre_install_script) == 0
-    error_message = "Pre-install script should not be created when pre_install_script is null"
+    error_message = "Pre-install script should not be created when not provided"
   }
 
-  # Verify post_install_script is NOT created when not provided
   assert {
     condition     = length(coder_script.post_install_script) == 0
-    error_message = "Post-install script should not be created when post_install_script is null"
+    error_message = "Post-install script should not be created when not provided"
   }
 
-  # Verify required scripts are still created
+  assert {
+    condition     = length(coder_script.start_script) == 0
+    error_message = "Start script should not be created when not provided"
+  }
+
+  # Verify install_script is created
   assert {
     condition     = coder_script.install_script.agent_id == "test-agent-id"
     error_message = "Install script should be created"
   }
 
+  # Verify outputs
+  assert {
+    condition     = output.script_names.pre_install == ""
+    error_message = "Pre-install script name output should be empty"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = output.script_names.install == "test-agent-install_script"
+    error_message = "Install script name output should be correctly formatted"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = output.script_names.post_install == ""
+    error_message = "Post-install script name output should be empty"
+  }
+
   assert {
-    condition     = coder_script.start_script.agent_id == "test-agent-id"
+    condition     = output.script_names.start == ""
+    error_message = "Start script name output should be empty"
+  }
+}
+
+# Test with install and start scripts (no pre/post install)
+run "test_install_and_start" {
+  command = plan
+
+  variables {
+    agent_id         = "test-agent-id"
+    agent_name       = "test-agent"
+    module_directory = ".test-module"
+    install_script   = "echo 'install'"
+    start_script     = "echo 'start'"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = length(coder_script.pre_install_script) == 0
+    error_message = "Pre-install script should not be created when not provided"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = length(coder_script.post_install_script) == 0
+    error_message = "Post-install script should not be created when not provided"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = coder_script.install_script.agent_id == "test-agent-id"
+    error_message = "Install script should be created"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = length(coder_script.start_script) == 1
     error_message = "Start script should be created"
   }
 
-  # Verify outputs
   assert {
-    condition     = output.pre_install_script_name == "test-agent-pre_install_script"
-    error_message = "Pre-install script name output should be generated even when script is not created"
+    condition     = coder_script.start_script[0].agent_id == "test-agent-id"
+    error_message = "Start script agent ID should match input"
+  }
+
+  # start should sync-want install (no post_install)
+  assert {
+    condition     = can(regex("sync want test-agent-start_script test-agent-install_script", coder_script.start_script[0].script))
+    error_message = "Start script should sync-want install_script"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.install_script_name == "test-agent-install_script"
+    condition     = output.script_names.pre_install == ""
+    error_message = "Pre-install script name output should be empty"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = output.script_names.install == "test-agent-install_script"
     error_message = "Install script name output should be correctly formatted"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.post_install_script_name == "test-agent-post_install_script"
-    error_message = "Post-install script name output should be generated even when script is not created"
+    condition     = output.script_names.post_install == ""
+    error_message = "Post-install script name output should be empty"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.start_script_name == "test-agent-start_script"
+    condition     = output.script_names.start == "test-agent-start_script"
     error_message = "Start script name output should be correctly formatted"
   }
 }
@@ -172,14 +245,13 @@ run "test_with_mock_data" {
   command = plan
 
   variables {
-    agent_id        = "mock-agent"
-    agent_name      = "mock-agent"
-    module_dir_name = ".mock-module"
-    install_script  = "echo 'install'"
-    start_script    = "echo 'start'"
+    agent_id         = "mock-agent"
+    agent_name       = "mock-agent"
+    module_directory = ".mock-module"
+    install_script   = "echo 'install'"
+    start_script     = "echo 'start'"
   }
 
-  # Mock the data sources for testing
   override_data {
     target = data.coder_workspace.me
     values = {
@@ -212,14 +284,13 @@ run "test_with_mock_data" {
     }
   }
 
-  # Verify scripts are created with mocked data
   assert {
     condition     = coder_script.install_script.agent_id == "mock-agent"
     error_message = "Install script should use the mocked agent ID"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = coder_script.start_script.agent_id == "mock-agent"
+    condition     = coder_script.start_script[0].agent_id == "mock-agent"
     error_message = "Start script should use the mocked agent ID"
   }
 }
@@ -229,43 +300,94 @@ run "test_script_naming" {
   command = plan
 
   variables {
-    agent_id        = "test-agent"
-    agent_name      = "custom-name"
-    module_dir_name = ".test-module"
-    install_script  = "echo 'install'"
-    start_script    = "echo 'start'"
+    agent_id         = "test-agent"
+    agent_name       = "custom-name"
+    module_directory = ".test-module"
+    install_script   = "echo 'install'"
+    start_script     = "echo 'start'"
   }
 
-  # Verify script names are constructed correctly
-  # The script should contain references to custom-name-* in the sync commands
   assert {
     condition     = can(regex("custom-name-install_script", coder_script.install_script.script))
     error_message = "Install script should use custom agent_name in sync commands"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = can(regex("custom-name-start_script", coder_script.start_script.script))
+    condition     = can(regex("custom-name-start_script", coder_script.start_script[0].script))
     error_message = "Start script should use custom agent_name in sync commands"
   }
 
-  # Verify outputs use custom agent_name
   assert {
-    condition     = output.pre_install_script_name == "custom-name-pre_install_script"
-    error_message = "Pre-install script name output should use custom agent_name"
+    condition     = output.script_names.pre_install == ""
+    error_message = "Pre-install script name output should be empty when not provided"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.install_script_name == "custom-name-install_script"
+    condition     = output.script_names.install == "custom-name-install_script"
     error_message = "Install script name output should use custom agent_name"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.post_install_script_name == "custom-name-post_install_script"
-    error_message = "Post-install script name output should use custom agent_name"
+    condition     = output.script_names.post_install == ""
+    error_message = "Post-install script name output should be empty when not provided"
   }
 
   assert {
-    condition     = output.start_script_name == "custom-name-start_script"
+    condition     = output.script_names.start == "custom-name-start_script"
     error_message = "Start script name output should use custom agent_name"
   }
 }
+
+# Test install syncs with pre_install when provided
+run "test_install_syncs_with_pre_install" {
+  command = plan
+
+  variables {
+    agent_id           = "test-agent-id"
+    agent_name         = "test-agent"
+    module_directory   = ".test-module"
+    pre_install_script = "echo 'pre-install'"
+    install_script     = "echo 'install'"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = length(coder_script.pre_install_script) == 1
+    error_message = "Pre-install script should be created"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = can(regex("sync want test-agent-install_script test-agent-pre_install_script", coder_script.install_script.script))
+    error_message = "Install script should sync-want pre_install_script"
+  }
+
+  assert {
+    condition     = output.script_names.pre_install == "test-agent-pre_install_script"
+    error_message = "Pre-install script name output should be set"
+  }
+}
+
+# Test start script sync deps with post_install present
+run "test_start_syncs_with_post_install" {
+  command = plan
+
+  variables {
+    agent_id            = "test-agent-id"
+    agent_name          = "test-agent"
+    module_directory    = ".test-module"
+    install_script      = "echo 'install'"
+    post_install_script = "echo 'post-install'"
+    start_script        = "echo 'start'"
+  }
+
+  # start should sync-want both install and post_install
+  assert {
+    condition     = can(regex("sync want test-agent-start_script test-agent-install_script test-agent-post_install_script", coder_script.start_script[0].script))
+    error_message = "Start script should sync-want both install_script and post_install_script"
+  }
+
+  # post_install should sync-want install
+  assert {
+    condition     = can(regex("sync want test-agent-post_install_script test-agent-install_script", coder_script.post_install_script[0].script))
+    error_message = "Post-install script should sync-want install_script"
+  }
+}