diff --git a/tasks.py b/tasks.py
index 12fd763e6576..3ab384652dbf 100644
--- a/tasks.py
+++ b/tasks.py
@@ -12,6 +12,31 @@
 from typing import Optional
 
 from invoke import Collection, task
+from invoke.exceptions import UnexpectedExit
+
+
+def success(*args):
+    """Print a success message to the console."""
+    msg = ' '.join(map(str, args))
+    print(f'\033[92m{msg}\033[0m')
+
+
+def error(*args):
+    """Print an error message to the console."""
+    msg = ' '.join(map(str, args))
+    print(f'\033[91m{msg}\033[0m')
+
+
+def warning(*args):
+    """Print a warning message to the console."""
+    msg = ' '.join(map(str, args))
+    print(f'\033[93m{msg}\033[0m')
+
+
+def info(*args):
+    """Print an informational message to the console."""
+    msg = ' '.join(map(str, args))
+    print(f'\033[94m{msg}\033[0m')
 
 
 def checkPythonVersion():
@@ -147,7 +172,13 @@ def run(c, cmd, path: Optional[Path] = None, pty=False, env=None):
     """
     env = env or {}
     path = path or localDir()
-    c.run(f'cd "{path}" && {cmd}', pty=pty, env=env)
+
+    try:
+        c.run(f'cd "{path}" && {cmd}', pty=pty, env=env)
+    except UnexpectedExit as e:
+        error(f"ERROR: InvenTree command failed: '{cmd}'")
+        warning('- Refer to the error messages in the log above for more information')
+        raise e
 
 
 def manage(c, cmd, pty: bool = False, env=None):
@@ -234,46 +265,54 @@ def plugins(c, uv=False):
 
     plugin_file = get_plugin_file()
 
-    print(f"Installing plugin packages from '{plugin_file}'")
+    info(f"Installing plugin packages from '{plugin_file}'")
 
     # Install the plugins
     if not uv:
         run(c, f"pip3 install --disable-pip-version-check -U -r '{plugin_file}'")
     else:
-        c.run('pip3 install --no-cache-dir --disable-pip-version-check uv')
+        run(c, 'pip3 install --no-cache-dir --disable-pip-version-check uv')
         run(c, f"uv pip install -r '{plugin_file}'")
 
     # Collect plugin static files
     manage(c, 'collectplugins')
 
 
-@task(help={'uv': 'Use UV package manager (experimental)'})
-def install(c, uv=False):
+@task(
+    help={
+        'uv': 'Use UV package manager (experimental)',
+        'skip_plugins': 'Skip plugin installation',
+    }
+)
+def install(c, uv=False, skip_plugins=False):
     """Installs required python packages."""
     INSTALL_FILE = 'src/backend/requirements.txt'
 
-    print(f"Installing required python packages from '{INSTALL_FILE}'")
+    info(f"Installing required python packages from '{INSTALL_FILE}'")
 
     if not Path(INSTALL_FILE).is_file():
         raise FileNotFoundError(f"Requirements file '{INSTALL_FILE}' not found")
 
     # Install required Python packages with PIP
     if not uv:
-        c.run(
-            'pip3 install --no-cache-dir --disable-pip-version-check -U pip setuptools'
+        run(
+            c,
+            'pip3 install --no-cache-dir --disable-pip-version-check -U pip setuptools',
         )
         run(
             c,
             f'pip3 install --no-cache-dir --disable-pip-version-check -U --require-hashes -r {INSTALL_FILE}',
         )
     else:
-        c.run(
-            'pip3 install --no-cache-dir --disable-pip-version-check -U uv setuptools'
+        run(
+            c,
+            'pip3 install --no-cache-dir --disable-pip-version-check -U uv setuptools',
         )
         run(c, f'uv pip install -U --require-hashes  -r {INSTALL_FILE}')
 
     # Run plugins install
-    plugins(c, uv=uv)
+    if not skip_plugins:
+        plugins(c, uv=uv)
 
     # Compile license information
     lic_path = managePyDir().joinpath('InvenTree', 'licenses.txt')
@@ -282,22 +321,25 @@ def install(c, uv=False):
         f'pip-licenses --format=json --with-license-file --no-license-path > {lic_path}',
     )
 
+    success('Dependency installation complete')
+
 
 @task(help={'tests': 'Set up test dataset at the end'})
 def setup_dev(c, tests=False):
     """Sets up everything needed for the dev environment."""
-    print("Installing required python packages from 'src/backend/requirements-dev.txt'")
+    info("Installing required python packages from 'src/backend/requirements-dev.txt'")
 
     # Install required Python packages with PIP
     run(c, 'pip3 install -U --require-hashes -r src/backend/requirements-dev.txt')
 
     # Install pre-commit hook
-    print('Installing pre-commit for checks before git commits...')
+    info('Installing pre-commit for checks before git commits...')
     run(c, 'pre-commit install')
 
     # Update all the hooks
     run(c, 'pre-commit autoupdate')
-    print('pre-commit set up is done...')
+
+    success('pre-commit set up complete')
 
     # Set up test-data if flag is set
     if tests:
@@ -314,18 +356,21 @@ def superuser(c):
 @task
 def rebuild_models(c):
     """Rebuild database models with MPTT structures."""
+    info('Rebuilding internal database structures')
     manage(c, 'rebuild_models', pty=True)
 
 
 @task
 def rebuild_thumbnails(c):
     """Rebuild missing image thumbnails."""
+    info('Rebuilding image thumbnails')
     manage(c, 'rebuild_thumbnails', pty=True)
 
 
 @task
 def clean_settings(c):
     """Clean the setting tables of old settings."""
+    info('Cleaning old settings from the database')
     manage(c, 'clean_settings')
 
 
@@ -333,13 +378,20 @@ def clean_settings(c):
 def remove_mfa(c, mail=''):
     """Remove MFA for a user."""
     if not mail:
-        print('You must provide a users mail')
+        warning('You must provide a users mail')
+        return
 
     manage(c, f'remove_mfa {mail}')
 
 
-@task(help={'frontend': 'Build the frontend', 'clear': 'Remove existing static files'})
-def static(c, frontend=False, clear=True):
+@task(
+    help={
+        'frontend': 'Build the frontend',
+        'clear': 'Remove existing static files',
+        'skip_plugins': 'Ignore collection of plugin static files',
+    }
+)
+def static(c, frontend=False, clear=True, skip_plugins=False):
     """Copies required static files to the STATIC_ROOT directory, as per Django requirements."""
     manage(c, 'prerender')
 
@@ -347,7 +399,7 @@ def static(c, frontend=False, clear=True):
         frontend_trans(c)
         frontend_build(c)
 
-    print('Collecting static files...')
+    info('Collecting static files...')
 
     cmd = 'collectstatic --no-input --verbosity 0'
 
@@ -357,7 +409,10 @@ def static(c, frontend=False, clear=True):
     manage(c, cmd)
 
     # Collect plugin static files
-    manage(c, 'collectplugins')
+    if not skip_plugins:
+        manage(c, 'collectplugins')
+
+    success('Static files collected successfully')
 
 
 @task
@@ -371,10 +426,10 @@ def translate_stats(c):
     try:
         manage(c, 'compilemessages', pty=True)
     except Exception:
-        print('WARNING: Translation files could not be compiled:')
+        warning('WARNING: Translation files could not be compiled:')
 
     path = managePyDir().joinpath('script', 'translation_stats.py')
-    c.run(f'python3 {path}')
+    run(c, f'python3 {path}')
 
 
 @task(post=[translate_stats])
@@ -384,6 +439,8 @@ def translate(c, ignore_static=False, no_frontend=False):
     Note: This command should not be used on a local install,
     it is performed as part of the InvenTree translation toolchain.
     """
+    info('Building translation files')
+
     # Translate applicable .py / .html / .js files
     manage(c, 'makemessages --all -e py,html,js --no-wrap')
     manage(c, 'compilemessages')
@@ -397,6 +454,8 @@ def translate(c, ignore_static=False, no_frontend=False):
     if not ignore_static:
         static(c)
 
+    success('Translation files built successfully')
+
 
 @task(
     help={
@@ -406,7 +465,7 @@ def translate(c, ignore_static=False, no_frontend=False):
 )
 def backup(c, clean=False, path=None):
     """Backup the database and media files."""
-    print('Backing up InvenTree database...')
+    info('Backing up InvenTree database...')
 
     cmd = '--noinput --compress -v 2'
 
@@ -422,9 +481,11 @@ def backup(c, clean=False, path=None):
         cmd += ' --clean'
 
     manage(c, f'dbbackup {cmd}')
-    print('Backing up InvenTree media files...')
+    info('Backing up InvenTree media files...')
     manage(c, f'mediabackup {cmd}')
 
+    success('Backup completed successfully')
+
 
 @task(
     help={
@@ -457,7 +518,7 @@ def restore(
     if ignore_database:
         print('Skipping database archive...')
     else:
-        print('Restoring InvenTree database')
+        info('Restoring InvenTree database')
         cmd = f'dbrestore {base_cmd}'
 
         if db_file:
@@ -468,7 +529,7 @@ def restore(
     if ignore_media:
         print('Skipping media restore...')
     else:
-        print('Restoring InvenTree media files')
+        info('Restoring InvenTree media files')
         cmd = f'mediarestore {base_cmd}'
 
         if media_file:
@@ -483,8 +544,7 @@ def migrate(c):
 
     This is a critical step if the database schema have been altered!
     """
-    print('Running InvenTree database migrations...')
-    print('========================================')
+    info('Running InvenTree database migrations...')
 
     # Run custom management command which wraps migrations in "maintenance mode"
     manage(c, 'makemigrations')
@@ -492,8 +552,7 @@ def migrate(c):
     manage(c, 'migrate --run-syncdb')
     manage(c, 'remove_stale_contenttypes --include-stale-apps --no-input', pty=True)
 
-    print('========================================')
-    print('InvenTree database migrations completed!')
+    success('InvenTree database migrations completed')
 
 
 @task(help={'app': 'Specify an app to show migrations for (leave blank for all apps)'})
@@ -535,6 +594,8 @@ def update(
     - clean_settings
     - translate_stats
     """
+    info('Updating InvenTree installation...')
+
     # Ensure required components are installed
     install(c, uv=uv)
 
@@ -553,7 +614,7 @@ def update(
         frontend = False
         no_frontend = True
     else:
-        print('Updating frontend...')
+        info('Updating frontend...')
         # Decide if we should compile the frontend or try to download it
         if node_available(bypass_yarn=True):
             frontend_compile(c)
@@ -608,7 +669,7 @@ def export_records(
     if not target.is_absolute():
         target = localDir().joinpath(filename).resolve()
 
-    print(f"Exporting database records to file '{target}'")
+    info(f"Exporting database records to file '{target}'")
 
     check_file_existance(target, overwrite)
 
@@ -625,7 +686,7 @@ def export_records(
     # Dump data to temporary file
     manage(c, cmd, pty=True)
 
-    print('Running data post-processing step...')
+    info('Running data post-processing step...')
 
     # Post-process the file, to remove any "permissions" specified for a user or group
     with open(tmpfile, encoding='utf-8') as f_in:
@@ -654,12 +715,12 @@ def export_records(
     with open(target, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f_out:
         f_out.write(json.dumps(data_out, indent=2))
 
-    print('Data export completed')
-
     if not retain_temp:
         print('Removing temporary files')
         os.remove(tmpfile)
 
+    success('Data export completed')
+
 
 @task(
     help={
@@ -679,13 +740,13 @@ def import_records(
         target = localDir().joinpath(filename)
 
     if not target.exists():
-        print(f"Error: File '{target}' does not exist")
+        error(f"ERROR: File '{target}' does not exist")
         sys.exit(1)
 
     if clear:
         delete_data(c, force=True)
 
-    print(f"Importing database records from '{target}'")
+    info(f"Importing database records from '{target}'")
 
     # We need to load 'auth' data (users / groups) *first*
     # This is due to the users.owner model, which has a ContentType foreign key
@@ -698,7 +759,7 @@ def import_records(
         try:
             data = json.loads(f_in.read())
         except json.JSONDecodeError as exc:
-            print(f'Error: Failed to decode JSON file: {exc}')
+            error(f'ERROR: Failed to decode JSON file: {exc}')
             sys.exit(1)
 
     auth_data = []
@@ -720,7 +781,7 @@ def import_records(
             else:
                 load_data.append(entry)
         else:
-            print('Warning: Invalid entry in data file')
+            warning('WARNING: Invalid entry in data file')
             print(entry)
 
     # Write the auth file data
@@ -734,22 +795,22 @@ def import_records(
     excludes = content_excludes(allow_auth=False)
 
     # Import auth models first
-    print('Importing user auth data...')
+    info('Importing user auth data...')
     cmd = f"loaddata '{authfile}'"
     manage(c, cmd, pty=True)
 
     # Import everything else next
-    print('Importing database records...')
+    info('Importing database records...')
     cmd = f"loaddata '{datafile}' -i {excludes}"
 
     manage(c, cmd, pty=True)
 
     if not retain_temp:
-        print('Removing temporary files')
+        info('Removing temporary files')
         os.remove(datafile)
         os.remove(authfile)
 
-    print('Data import completed')
+    info('Data import completed')
 
 
 @task
@@ -758,7 +819,7 @@ def delete_data(c, force=False):
 
     Warning: This will REALLY delete all records in the database!!
     """
-    print('Deleting all data from InvenTree database...')
+    info('Deleting all data from InvenTree database...')
 
     if force:
         manage(c, 'flush --noinput')
@@ -811,6 +872,7 @@ def import_fixtures(c):
 @task
 def wait(c):
     """Wait until the database connection is ready."""
+    info('Waiting for database connection...')
     return manage(c, 'wait_for_db')
 
 
@@ -834,10 +896,8 @@ def gunicorn(c, address='0.0.0.0:8000', workers=None):
     if workers:
         cmd += f' --workers={workers}'
 
-    print('Starting Gunicorn Server:')
-    print(cmd)
-
-    c.run(cmd, pty=True)
+    info(f'Starting Gunicorn Server: {cmd}')
+    run(c, cmd, pty=True)
 
 
 @task(pre=[wait], help={'address': 'Server address:port (default=127.0.0.1:8000)'})
@@ -877,13 +937,11 @@ def test_translations(c):
     django.setup()
 
     # Add language
-    print('Add dummy language...')
-    print('========================================')
+    info('Add dummy language...')
     manage(c, 'makemessages -e py,html,js --no-wrap -l xx')
 
     # change translation
-    print('Fill in dummy translations...')
-    print('========================================')
+    info('Fill in dummy translations...')
 
     file_path = pathlib.Path(settings.LOCALE_PATHS[0], 'xx', 'LC_MESSAGES', 'django.po')
     new_file_path = str(file_path) + '_new'
@@ -922,8 +980,7 @@ def test_translations(c):
     new_file_path.rename(file_path)
 
     # compile languages
-    print('Compile languages ...')
-    print('========================================')
+    info('Compile languages ...')
     manage(c, 'compilemessages')
 
     # reset cwd
@@ -991,8 +1048,8 @@ def test(
 
     if coverage:
         # Run tests within coverage environment, and generate report
-        c.run(f'coverage run {managePyPath()} {cmd}')
-        c.run('coverage xml -i')
+        run(c, f'coverage run {managePyPath()} {cmd}')
+        run(c, 'coverage xml -i')
     else:
         # Run simple test runner, without coverage
         manage(c, cmd, pty=pty)
@@ -1010,34 +1067,33 @@ def setup_test(c, ignore_update=False, dev=False, path='inventree-demo-dataset')
 
     # Remove old data directory
     if template_dir.exists():
-        print('Removing old data ...')
-        c.run(f'rm {template_dir} -r')
+        info('Removing old data ...')
+        run(c, f'rm {template_dir} -r')
 
     # Get test data
-    print('Cloning demo dataset ...')
-    c.run(
-        f'git clone https://github.com/inventree/demo-dataset {template_dir} -v --depth=1'
+    info('Cloning demo dataset ...')
+    run(
+        c,
+        f'git clone https://github.com/inventree/demo-dataset {template_dir} -v --depth=1',
     )
-    print('========================================')
 
     # Make sure migrations are done - might have just deleted sqlite database
     if not ignore_update:
         migrate(c)
 
     # Load data
-    print('Loading database records ...')
+    info('Loading database records ...')
     import_records(c, filename=template_dir.joinpath('inventree_data.json'), clear=True)
 
     # Copy media files
-    print('Copying media files ...')
+    info('Copying media files ...')
     src = template_dir.joinpath('media')
     dst = get_media_dir()
 
-    print(f'Copying media files - "{src}" to "{dst}"')
+    info(f'Copying media files - "{src}" to "{dst}"')
     shutil.copytree(src, dst, dirs_exist_ok=True)
 
-    print('Done setting up test environment...')
-    print('========================================')
+    info('Done setting up test environment...')
 
     # Set up development setup if flag is set
     if dev:
@@ -1058,7 +1114,7 @@ def schema(
     filename = Path(filename).resolve()
     check_file_existance(filename, overwrite)
 
-    print(f"Exporting schema file to '{filename}'")
+    info(f"Exporting schema file to '{filename}'")
 
     cmd = f'spectacular --file {filename} --validate --color'
 
@@ -1081,7 +1137,7 @@ def schema(
 
     assert filename.exists()
 
-    print('Schema export completed:', filename)
+    success(f'Schema export completed: {filename}')
 
 
 @task
@@ -1090,7 +1146,7 @@ def export_settings_definitions(c, filename='inventree_settings.json', overwrite
     filename = Path(filename).resolve()
     check_file_existance(filename, overwrite)
 
-    print(f"Exporting settings definition to '{filename}'...")
+    info(f"Exporting settings definition to '{filename}'...")
     manage(c, f'export_settings_definitions {filename}', pty=True)
 
 
@@ -1112,6 +1168,10 @@ def version(c):
 InvenTree - inventree.org
 The Open-Source Inventory Management System\n
 
+Python paths:
+Executable  {sys.executable}
+Environment {sys.prefix}
+
 Installation paths:
 Base        {localDir()}
 Config      {get_config_file()}
@@ -1152,11 +1212,11 @@ def frontend_compile(c):
     Args:
         c: Context variable
     """
-    print('Compiling frontend code...')
-
+    info('Compiling frontend code...')
     frontend_install(c)
     frontend_trans(c)
     frontend_build(c)
+    success('Frontend compilation complete')
 
 
 @task
@@ -1166,7 +1226,7 @@ def frontend_install(c):
     Args:
         c: Context variable
     """
-    print('Installing frontend dependencies')
+    info('Installing frontend dependencies')
     yarn(c, 'yarn install')
 
 
@@ -1177,7 +1237,7 @@ def frontend_trans(c):
     Args:
         c: Context variable
     """
-    print('Compiling frontend translations')
+    info('Compiling frontend translations')
     yarn(c, 'yarn run extract')
     yarn(c, 'yarn run compile')
 
@@ -1189,7 +1249,7 @@ def frontend_build(c):
     Args:
         c: Context variable
     """
-    print('Building frontend')
+    info('Building frontend')
     yarn(c, 'yarn run build --emptyOutDir')
 
 
@@ -1200,7 +1260,7 @@ def frontend_server(c):
     Args:
         c: Context variable
     """
-    print('Starting frontend development server')
+    info('Starting frontend development server')
     yarn(c, 'yarn run compile')
     yarn(c, 'yarn run dev')
 
@@ -1244,7 +1304,7 @@ def frontend_download(
 
     import requests
 
-    print('Downloading frontend...')
+    info('Downloading frontend...')
 
     # globals
     default_headers = {'Accept': 'application/vnd.github.v3+json'}
@@ -1267,13 +1327,13 @@ def handle_extract(file):
         if clean:
             shutil.rmtree(dest_path, ignore_errors=True)
             dest_path.mkdir()
-            print(f'Cleaned directory: {dest_path}')
+            info(f'Cleaned directory: {dest_path}')
 
         # unzip build to static folder
         with ZipFile(file, 'r') as zip_ref:
             zip_ref.extractall(dest_path)
 
-        print(f'Unzipped downloaded frontend build to: {dest_path}')
+        info(f'Unzipped downloaded frontend build to: {dest_path}')
 
     def handle_download(url):
         # download frontend-build.zip to temporary file
@@ -1288,7 +1348,7 @@ def handle_download(url):
             )
             with open(dst.name, 'wb') as f:
                 shutil.copyfileobj(response.raw, f)
-            print(f'Downloaded frontend build to temporary file: {dst.name}')
+            info(f'Downloaded frontend build to temporary file: {dst.name}')
 
             handle_extract(dst.name)
 
@@ -1304,7 +1364,7 @@ def check_already_current(tag=None, sha=None):
             raise ValueError('Either tag or sha needs to be set')
 
         if not current.exists():
-            print(
+            warning(
                 f'Current frontend information for {ref} is not available - this is expected in some cases'
             )
             return False
@@ -1327,7 +1387,7 @@ def check_already_current(tag=None, sha=None):
 
     # check arguments
     if ref is not None and tag is not None:
-        print('[ERROR] Do not set ref and tag.')
+        error('ERROR: Do not set ref and tag.')
         return
 
     if ref is None and tag is None:
@@ -1352,11 +1412,11 @@ def check_already_current(tag=None, sha=None):
                     f'[INFO] Running in package environment, got commit "{ref}" from VERSION file'
                 )
             else:
-                print("[ERROR] Cannot get current ref via 'git rev-parse HEAD'")
+                error("ERROR: Cannot get current ref via 'git rev-parse HEAD'")
                 return
 
     if ref is None and tag is None:
-        print('[ERROR] Either ref or tag needs to be set.')
+        error('ERROR: Either ref or tag needs to be set.')
 
     if tag:
         tag = tag.lstrip('v')
@@ -1369,8 +1429,8 @@ def check_already_current(tag=None, sha=None):
         except Exception as e:
             if not isinstance(e, requests.HTTPError):
                 raise e
-            print(
-                f"""[ERROR] An Error occurred. Unable to download frontend build, release or build does not exist,
+            error(
+                f"""ERROR: An Error occurred. Unable to download frontend build, release or build does not exist,
 try downloading the frontend-build.zip yourself via: https://github.com/{repo}/releases
 Then try continuing by running: invoke frontend-download --file <path-to-downloaded-zip-file>"""
             )
@@ -1387,7 +1447,7 @@ def check_already_current(tag=None, sha=None):
         ).json()
 
         if not (qc_run := find_resource(workflow_runs['workflow_runs'], 'name', 'QC')):
-            print('[ERROR] Cannot find any workflow runs for current sha')
+            error('ERROR: Cannot find any workflow runs for current SHA')
             return
         print(
             f"Found workflow {qc_run['name']} (run {qc_run['run_number']}-{qc_run['run_attempt']})"
@@ -1445,6 +1505,7 @@ def clear_generated(c):
     # pyc/pyo files
     run(c, 'find src -name "*.pyc" -exec rm -f {} +')
     run(c, 'find src -name "*.pyo" -exec rm -f {} +')
+
     # cache folders
     run(c, 'find src -name "__pycache__" -exec rm -rf {} +')