diff --git a/.github/workflows/run-tests.yml b/.github/workflows/run-tests.yml
index 262e629..57f15ec 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/run-tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/run-tests.yml
@@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: dump environment logs
         if: failure()
         run: |
-          docker compose --env-file envs/latest ps --all || true
-          docker compose --env-file envs/latest logs --no-color --timestamps || true
+          docker compose --env-file envs/latest --profile rest-api ps --all || true
+          docker compose --env-file envs/latest --profile rest-api logs --no-color --timestamps || true
       - name: stop environment
         if: always()
-        run: yarn test:stop
+        run: yarn test:stop:clean
         working-directory: tests
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3e21dc3..64d187b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,24 +10,44 @@ A Docker Compose file and auxiliary scripts for running a [Polymesh](https://pol
 ## Running
 
 1. **Configuration**: Copy an environment file (e.g., `envs/8.0`) to `.env` in the project root: `cp envs/8.0 .env`. This file specifies the Docker images to use. Alternatively, provide the path directly: `docker compose --env-file=envs/8.0 up`.
-2. **Start**: Run `docker compose up -d` to start the services in detached mode.
-3. **Stop**: Run `docker compose down` to stop the services. `docker compose down --volumes` will also remove associated volumes (chain data, database data, vault data), this will reset the environment.
+2. **Start**: Run `docker compose up -d` to start the services in detached mode. This brings up the core services only; see [Runtime Modes](#runtime-modes) for the optional `rest-api` and `evm` profiles.
+3. **Stop**: Run `docker compose down` to stop the services, repeating any `--profile` flags you started with — without them the profiled containers (Blockscout, eth-rpc, Vault, the REST APIs) are left running. `docker compose down --volumes` will also remove associated volumes (chain data, database data, vault data), this will reset the environment.
 4. **Restart**: To apply changes (e.g., updated `.env` file), run `docker compose down && docker compose up -d`.
 
+The `scripts/start-env.sh` and `scripts/stop-env.sh` helpers wrap these commands and manage the profile flags for you.
+
 Full variable reference is available in `envs/template` (also linked as `.env.example`).
 
-This setup will launch the following services:
+This setup will launch the following services by default:
 
 - `polymesh-node`: A single Polymesh node running in development mode (`--dev`).
 - `postgres`: PostgreSQL database, primarily for the Subquery indexer.
 - `subquery-node`: Polymesh Subquery indexer service.
 - `subquery-graphql`: GraphQL API server for querying indexed data.
+- `environment-ready`: Indicates when the core services and initial setup scripts have completed successfully.
+
+The REST API and Vault services are opt-in via the `rest-api` profile, since not
+every workflow signs through them and they add five containers:
+
 - `polymesh-rest-api-local-sm`: The Polymesh REST API service that uses local signers (Alice, Bob, Charlie, etc)
 - `polymesh-rest-api-vault-sm`: The Polymesh REST API service with HashiCorp Vault as the signing manager.
 - `polymesh-rest-api-vault-sm-init`: Creates test accounts and identities via the REST API.
 - `vault`: HashiCorp Vault for key management.
 - `vault-init`: Initializes and unseals Vault on first run, unseals on subsequent runs.
-- `environment-ready`: Indicates when the core services and initial setup scripts have completed successfully.
+
+```bash
+./scripts/start-env.sh --env-file envs/8.0 --profile rest-api
+# or, driving compose directly
+POLYMESH_WAIT_FOR_REST_API=true docker compose --env-file=envs/8.0 --profile rest-api up -d
+```
+
+`POLYMESH_WAIT_FOR_REST_API` tells `environment-ready` to wait for the REST API
+account setup rather than reporting ready as soon as the core services are
+healthy. `start-env.sh` sets it to match the profiles it was given, so it is
+only needed when invoking `docker compose` yourself.
+
+The integration test suite needs the REST API and Vault, so `yarn test` and
+`yarn test:start` enable the profile themselves.
 
 ## Checking Environment Status
 
@@ -37,7 +57,7 @@ The environment involves several services starting up and performing initial set
 docker compose logs environment-ready
 ```
 
-Wait for the message indicating completion:
+With the `rest-api` profile enabled, wait for the message indicating completion:
 
 ```text
 ************************************************************************************
@@ -47,6 +67,15 @@ Wait for the message indicating completion:
 
 If the environment was already initialized in a previous run, it will indicate readiness much faster.
 
+Without that profile there is no account setup to wait for, so readiness is
+reported as soon as the core services are healthy:
+
+```text
+************************************************************************************
+*** Polymesh Environment Ready! (core services healthy) ****************************
+************************************************************************************
+```
+
 ## Vault VS Local Signing Manager
 
 This environment supports usage of either the Local or Vault Signing Manager
@@ -58,22 +87,33 @@ To facilitate this choice, the environment runs two independent instances of the
 
 ## Runtime Modes
 
-This repository now has two runtime options:
+Optional services are grouped into profiles, so a run only pays for what it
+uses:
+
+| Profile    | Adds                                                                       | Containers |
+| ---------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- |
+| _(none)_   | node, Postgres, Subquery indexer + GraphQL, readiness check                | 5          |
+| `rest-api` | both REST API instances, their init job, Vault, Vault init                 | +5         |
+| `evm`      | `polymesh-eth-rpc`, Blockscout backend/frontend, Blockscout Postgres/Redis | +5         |
 
-1. Default mode (no EVM tooling)
-2. EVM tooling mode (`--profile evm`), which starts `polymesh-eth-rpc`, Blockscout backend/frontend, and dedicated Blockscout Postgres/Redis.
+Profiles combine: `--profile rest-api,evm` starts everything, which is what
+earlier versions of this repository did on `--profile evm` alone. If you are
+only exercising smart contracts, `--profile evm` on its own leaves out Vault and
+the REST APIs entirely.
 
 Polymesh v8 includes Revive-based smart contract support, so optional EVM tooling follows Polkadot smart-contracts guidance:
 
 - [Get started with smart contracts](https://docs.polkadot.com/smart-contracts/get-started/)
 - [JSON-RPC APIs for Ethereum developers](https://docs.polkadot.com/smart-contracts/for-eth-devs/json-rpc-apis/)
 
-### Option 1: Default mode (without EVM tooling)
+### Option 1: Core mode (node and indexer only)
 
 ```bash
 ./scripts/start-env.sh --env-file envs/8.0
 ```
 
+Add `--profile rest-api` if you need the REST API or Vault.
+
 `--env-file` is optional; if omitted, both `start-env.sh` and `stop-env.sh`
 default to `envs/latest`. You can also override the default via the
 `COMPOSE_ENV` environment variable.
@@ -95,16 +135,19 @@ file uses floating tags such as `latest`), add `--pull always`:
 `build`); a bare `--pull` is shorthand for `always`. The same behaviour can be
 set via the `COMPOSE_PULL_POLICY` environment variable.
 
-By default `stop-env.sh` removes the named volumes (chain data, Vault keys,
-Blockscout DB, ...) for a clean slate. To stop the containers but keep the data
-for the next start, pass `--keep-volumes`:
+`stop-env.sh` keeps the named volumes (chain data, Vault keys, Blockscout DB,
+...) so the next start resumes from the existing state. For a clean slate, pass
+`--volumes` (or `-v`):
 
 ```bash
-./scripts/stop-env.sh --env-file envs/8.0 --keep-volumes
+./scripts/stop-env.sh --env-file envs/8.0 --volumes
 ```
 
-`stop-env.sh` always tears down the EVM tooling as well, so you do not need to
-repeat `--profile evm` when stopping.
+`--keep-volumes` is still accepted, as a no-op, so older invocations keep
+working.
+
+`stop-env.sh` always tears down the profiled services as well, so you do not
+need to repeat `--profile evm` or `--profile rest-api` when stopping.
 
 ### Option 2: With EVM tooling
 
@@ -134,6 +177,7 @@ Explorer URLs:
 Notes:
 
 - EVM tooling remains opt-in and is not started by default.
+- `--profile evm` no longer pulls in Vault and the REST APIs. Blockscout and `eth-rpc` talk to the node directly, so this is the leanest way to work on contracts. Add `--profile rest-api,evm` if you want both.
 - `--allow-unprotected-txs` is enabled for local experimentation with legacy transaction flows.
 - Blockscout uses dedicated Postgres and Redis services, separate from Subquery services.
 - If you customize ports, keep frontend `NEXT_PUBLIC_API_PORT` aligned with `POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_BACKEND_PORT`.
@@ -164,11 +208,14 @@ Notes:
 
 - RPC/subscription coverage can vary by image tag. Keep `POLYMESH_ETH_RPC_IMAGE` configurable in env files and pin known-good tags.
 - Some paritypr image tags can be architecture-specific. Override `POLYMESH_ETH_RPC_PLATFORM` if needed.
+- `eth-rpc` surfaces some native Substrate extrinsics as pseudo-Ethereum transactions: SCALE-encoded `input`, a `modl*` pallet account as `to`, and zero gas. They are visible in Blockscout but cannot be traced — `debug_traceTransaction` returns `No Ethereum extrinsic found`. Blockscout's internal transaction fetcher is therefore disabled by default (`POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_INTERNAL_TX_FETCHER`), since it would otherwise retry those blocks indefinitely and flood the logs.
+- Receipts from `eth-rpc` report the Substrate extrinsic index as `transactionIndex`, so it can disagree with the position of the hash in the block's `transactions` array.
 
 ## Additional Notes
 
 **Vault Automation:**
 
+- Vault, the REST APIs and the account setup below only run with `--profile rest-api`. `scripts/get-vault-token.sh` and anything reading ports 3004/3005/8200 need that profile enabled.
 - The `vault-init` service automatically initializes Vault (on the very first run with the profile) and unseals it every time the services start.
 - It creates one unseal key and a root token, storing them in the `vault-root-token` named volume (accessible within the `vault-init` container at `/vault-token/` as `.unseal_key` and `.token`).
 - It also automatically enables the `transit` secrets engine and creates ED25519 keys named `admin`, `signer1`, `signer2`, `signer3`, and `signer4`.
diff --git a/compose.yaml b/compose.yaml
index 1b011ec..efe7a8b 100644
--- a/compose.yaml
+++ b/compose.yaml
@@ -131,6 +131,8 @@ services:
   # https://github.com/PolymeshAssociation/polymesh-rest-api#signing-managers
   polymesh-rest-api-vault-sm:
     image: ${POLYMESH_REST_API_IMAGE}
+    profiles:
+      - rest-api
     depends_on:
       polymesh-node:
         condition: service_healthy
@@ -169,6 +171,8 @@ services:
 
   polymesh-rest-api-vault-sm-init:
     image: alpine:3.19
+    profiles:
+      - rest-api
     depends_on:
       polymesh-rest-api-vault-sm:
         condition: service_healthy
@@ -191,6 +195,8 @@ services:
   # https://github.com/PolymeshAssociation/polymesh-rest-api#signing-managers
   polymesh-rest-api-local-sm:
     image: ${POLYMESH_REST_API_IMAGE}
+    profiles:
+      - rest-api
     depends_on:
       polymesh-node:
         condition: service_healthy
@@ -323,6 +329,10 @@ services:
       NETWORK: ${POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK:-Polymesh}
       SUBNETWORK: ${POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_SUBNETWORK:-Polymesh Dev}
       INDEXER_DISABLE_PENDING_TRANSACTIONS_FETCHER: ${POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_PENDING_TX_FETCHER:-true}
+      # Native Substrate extrinsics appear as pseudo-Ethereum transactions with
+      # no EVM call frames, so tracing them fails and the fetcher retries those
+      # blocks forever. Nothing is lost: their traces are empty either way.
+      INDEXER_DISABLE_INTERNAL_TRANSACTIONS_FETCHER: ${POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_INTERNAL_TX_FETCHER:-true}
       DISABLE_MARKET: 'true'
       ACCOUNT_ENABLED: 'false'
       DISABLE_WEBAPP: 'false'
@@ -365,6 +375,10 @@ services:
       # Required to enable in-browser wallet interaction (contract Write tab,
       # MetaMask, etc). Get a free project ID from https://cloud.reown.com
       NEXT_PUBLIC_WALLET_CONNECT_PROJECT_ID: ${POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_WALLET_CONNECT_PROJECT_ID:-}
+      # RPC endpoint the browser (wagmi/viem) uses for Contract Read/Write
+      # calls and the "Add to wallet" network config. Must be reachable from
+      # the host, not the Docker network, so use the published eth-rpc port.
+      NEXT_PUBLIC_NETWORK_RPC_URL: ${POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK_RPC_URL:-http://localhost:${POLYMESH_ETH_RPC_PORT:-8545}}
       # The upstream frontend image enables third-party ad slots by default
       # (a banner on the home page and a text ad on token pages). They are
       # disabled here; set a provider name to re-enable.
@@ -379,6 +393,8 @@ services:
     # non-root and its binary carries no cap_ipc_lock file capability, so mlock
     # fails wherever the host's memlock rlimit is finite.
     image: hashicorp/vault:${VAULT_VERSION:-latest}
+    profiles:
+      - rest-api
     networks:
       - polymesh
     restart: unless-stopped
@@ -395,6 +411,8 @@ services:
   # This will make sure vault is initialized and unsealed on the first run and unsealed on subsequent runs
   vault-init:
     image: hashicorp/vault:${VAULT_VERSION:-latest}
+    profiles:
+      - rest-api
     user: '0:0'
     networks:
       - polymesh
@@ -427,10 +445,30 @@ services:
     image: alpine:latest
     volumes:
       - rest-api-accounts-init:/status:ro
+    depends_on:
+      polymesh-node:
+        condition: service_healthy
+      subquery-graphql:
+        condition: service_healthy
+    environment:
+      # The REST API and Vault services sit behind the `rest-api` profile, so
+      # the account-init marker they write is only produced when that profile
+      # is enabled. Without it, readiness is just the core services being
+      # healthy, which `depends_on` above already guarantees. `start-env.sh`
+      # sets this whenever it enables the profile.
+      WAIT_FOR_REST_API: ${POLYMESH_WAIT_FOR_REST_API:-false}
     command: >
       sh -c '
         start_time=$$(date +%s)
 
+        if [ "$$WAIT_FOR_REST_API" != "true" ]; then
+          echo "************************************************************************************"
+          echo "*** Polymesh Environment Ready! (core services healthy) ****************************"
+          echo "*** REST API and Vault are not running: start with --profile rest-api to add them **"
+          echo "************************************************************************************"
+          exit 0
+        fi
+
         if [ -f /status/.setup-complete ]; then
           echo "************************************************************************************"
           echo "*** Environment previously initialized and is ready! *******************************"
diff --git a/envs/8.0 b/envs/8.0
index 1175003..343c179 100644
--- a/envs/8.0
+++ b/envs/8.0
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_REDIS_IMAGE=redis:alpine
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_RPC_VARIANT=geth
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_PENDING_TX_FETCHER=true
+# Native Substrate extrinsics appear as pseudo-Ethereum transactions that
+# cannot be traced, so the fetcher would retry those blocks forever.
+# POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_INTERNAL_TX_FETCHER=true
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK=Polymesh
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_SUBNETWORK=Polymesh Dev
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_COIN=POLYX
@@ -41,6 +44,9 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 # Enables in-browser wallet interaction (contract Write tab, MetaMask, etc).
 # Get a free project ID from https://cloud.reown.com
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_WALLET_CONNECT_PROJECT_ID=
+# RPC URL the browser uses for Contract Read/Write and "Add to wallet".
+# Defaults to http://localhost:<POLYMESH_ETH_RPC_PORT> in compose.yaml.
+# POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK_RPC_URL=
 # Third-party ad slots are disabled by default. Set a provider name
 # (e.g. slise, coinzilla) to re-enable them.
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_AD_BANNER_PROVIDER=none
diff --git a/envs/latest b/envs/latest
index 51f3155..0fbda20 100644
--- a/envs/latest
+++ b/envs/latest
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_REDIS_IMAGE=redis:alpine
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_RPC_VARIANT=geth
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_PENDING_TX_FETCHER=true
+# Native Substrate extrinsics appear as pseudo-Ethereum transactions that
+# cannot be traced, so the fetcher would retry those blocks forever.
+# POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_INTERNAL_TX_FETCHER=true
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK=Polymesh
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_SUBNETWORK=Polymesh Dev
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_COIN=POLYX
@@ -40,6 +43,9 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 # Enables in-browser wallet interaction (contract Write tab, MetaMask, etc).
 # Get a free project ID from https://cloud.reown.com
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_WALLET_CONNECT_PROJECT_ID=
+# RPC URL the browser uses for Contract Read/Write and "Add to wallet".
+# Defaults to http://localhost:<POLYMESH_ETH_RPC_PORT> in compose.yaml.
+# POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK_RPC_URL=
 # Third-party ad slots are disabled by default. Set a provider name
 # (e.g. slise, coinzilla) to re-enable them.
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_AD_BANNER_PROVIDER=none
diff --git a/envs/local b/envs/local
index 5b3f567..f28fda5 100644
--- a/envs/local
+++ b/envs/local
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_REDIS_IMAGE=redis:alpine
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_RPC_VARIANT=geth
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_PENDING_TX_FETCHER=true
+# Native Substrate extrinsics appear as pseudo-Ethereum transactions that
+# cannot be traced, so the fetcher would retry those blocks forever.
+# POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_INTERNAL_TX_FETCHER=true
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK=Polymesh
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_SUBNETWORK=Polymesh Dev
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_COIN=POLYX
@@ -40,6 +43,9 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 # Enables in-browser wallet interaction (contract Write tab, MetaMask, etc).
 # Get a free project ID from https://cloud.reown.com
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_WALLET_CONNECT_PROJECT_ID=
+# RPC URL the browser uses for Contract Read/Write and "Add to wallet".
+# Defaults to http://localhost:<POLYMESH_ETH_RPC_PORT> in compose.yaml.
+# POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK_RPC_URL=
 # Third-party ad slots are disabled by default. Set a provider name
 # (e.g. slise, coinzilla) to re-enable them.
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_AD_BANNER_PROVIDER=none
diff --git a/envs/template b/envs/template
index 8cf7df7..ddd69b3 100644
--- a/envs/template
+++ b/envs/template
@@ -15,6 +15,13 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_IMAGE=polymeshassociation/polymesh-subquery:v19.6.0
 POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_IMAGE=onfinality/subql-query:v2.25.0
 POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 
+# The REST API and Vault services are opt-in (`--profile rest-api`). This makes
+# `environment-ready` wait for their account setup instead of reporting ready
+# once the core services are healthy; `start-env.sh` sets it to match the
+# profiles it was given, so it is only needed when running docker compose
+# directly.
+# POLYMESH_WAIT_FOR_REST_API=false
+
 # Optional EVM tooling (v8+ only, used with --profile evm)
 # POLYMESH_EVM_CHAIN_ID=1641818
 # POLYMESH_ETH_RPC_IMAGE=paritypr/eth-rpc:stable2606-73b734d9
@@ -35,6 +42,9 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_REDIS_IMAGE=redis:alpine
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_RPC_VARIANT=geth
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_PENDING_TX_FETCHER=true
+# Native Substrate extrinsics appear as pseudo-Ethereum transactions that
+# cannot be traced, so the fetcher would retry those blocks forever.
+# POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_DISABLE_INTERNAL_TX_FETCHER=true
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK=Polymesh
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_SUBNETWORK=Polymesh Dev
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_COIN=POLYX
@@ -42,6 +52,10 @@ POLYMESH_SUBQUERY_GRAPHQL_PORT=3000
 # Enables in-browser wallet interaction (contract Write tab, MetaMask, etc).
 # Get a free project ID from https://cloud.reown.com
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_WALLET_CONNECT_PROJECT_ID=
+# RPC URL the browser uses for Contract Read/Write and "Add to wallet".
+# Defaults to http://localhost:<POLYMESH_ETH_RPC_PORT>; override if the
+# eth-rpc port is published elsewhere or the browser runs on another host.
+# POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_NETWORK_RPC_URL=
 
 # Optional frontend overrides
 # POLYMESH_BLOCKSCOUT_FRONTEND_API_HOST=localhost
diff --git a/scripts/start-env.sh b/scripts/start-env.sh
index d037055..0a88af4 100755
--- a/scripts/start-env.sh
+++ b/scripts/start-env.sh
@@ -59,6 +59,13 @@ if [[ -n "$COMPOSE_PROFILES" ]]; then
 	done
 fi
 
+# `environment-ready` waits on a marker written by the REST API account init,
+# which only runs with the `rest-api` profile. Tell it which of the two it is.
+case ",$COMPOSE_PROFILES," in
+	*,rest-api,*) export POLYMESH_WAIT_FOR_REST_API=true ;;
+	*) export POLYMESH_WAIT_FOR_REST_API=false ;;
+esac
+
 UP_ARGS=(--detach)
 if [[ -n "$COMPOSE_PULL_POLICY" ]]; then
 	UP_ARGS+=(--pull "$COMPOSE_PULL_POLICY")
diff --git a/scripts/stop-env.sh b/scripts/stop-env.sh
index cc135ab..154600b 100755
--- a/scripts/stop-env.sh
+++ b/scripts/stop-env.sh
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@ SCRIPT_DIR="$( cd "$( dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" )" &> /dev/null && pwd )"
 COMPOSE_ENV_DEFAULT="${SCRIPT_DIR}/../envs/latest"
 COMPOSE_ENV="${COMPOSE_ENV:-$COMPOSE_ENV_DEFAULT}"
 COMPOSE_PROFILES="${COMPOSE_PROFILES:-}"
-# By default the teardown removes named volumes (chain data, Vault keys,
-# Blockscout DB, ...). Pass --keep-volumes to stop the containers but retain
-# the data so the next start resumes from the existing state.
-KEEP_VOLUMES=false
+# The teardown keeps named volumes (chain data, Vault keys, Blockscout DB, ...)
+# so the next start resumes from the existing state. Pass --volumes for a clean
+# slate.
+REMOVE_VOLUMES=false
 
 while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
 	case "$1" in
@@ -24,8 +24,12 @@ while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
 			COMPOSE_PROFILES="$2"
 			shift 2
 			;;
+		--volumes|-v)
+			REMOVE_VOLUMES=true
+			shift
+			;;
 		--keep-volumes)
-			KEEP_VOLUMES=true
+			# Now the default; still accepted so existing invocations work.
 			shift
 			;;
 		*)
@@ -35,13 +39,15 @@ while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
 	esac
 done
 
-# Always tear down with the `evm` profile enabled so profile-gated services
-# (eth-rpc, Blockscout, ...) are removed even when the caller omits --profile.
-# Without this, `down` leaves those containers running.
-case ",$COMPOSE_PROFILES," in
-	*,evm,*) ;;
-	*) COMPOSE_PROFILES="${COMPOSE_PROFILES:+$COMPOSE_PROFILES,}evm" ;;
-esac
+# Always tear down with the optional profiles enabled so profile-gated services
+# (eth-rpc, Blockscout, Vault, the REST APIs, ...) are removed even when the
+# caller omits --profile. Without this, `down` leaves those containers running.
+for required_profile in evm rest-api; do
+	case ",$COMPOSE_PROFILES," in
+		*",$required_profile,"*) ;;
+		*) COMPOSE_PROFILES="${COMPOSE_PROFILES:+$COMPOSE_PROFILES,}$required_profile" ;;
+	esac
+done
 
 if [[ "${COMPOSE_ENV}" != /* ]]; then
 	COMPOSE_ENV="${SCRIPT_DIR}/../${COMPOSE_ENV}"
@@ -62,11 +68,11 @@ if [[ -n "$COMPOSE_PROFILES" ]]; then
 fi
 
 DOWN_ARGS=(down)
-if [[ "$KEEP_VOLUMES" == true ]]; then
-	echo "[STOP ENV] Stopping the docker environment (named volumes preserved)..."
-else
+if [[ "$REMOVE_VOLUMES" == true ]]; then
 	DOWN_ARGS+=(--volumes)
 	echo "[STOP ENV] Cleaning up the docker environment (removing named volumes)..."
+else
+	echo "[STOP ENV] Stopping the docker environment (named volumes preserved)..."
 fi
 
 docker compose "${COMPOSE_ARGS[@]}" "${DOWN_ARGS[@]}"
diff --git a/scripts/test.sh b/scripts/test.sh
index ca7fdaf..7ae8c48 100755
--- a/scripts/test.sh
+++ b/scripts/test.sh
@@ -6,14 +6,19 @@ set -e
 # Get the directory where this script is located, regardless of where it's called from
 SCRIPT_DIR="$( cd "$( dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" )" &> /dev/null && pwd )"
 
-START_STOP_ARGS=()
+ENV_FILE_ARGS=()
+PROFILES=""
 # Args that only apply to start-env.sh (stop-env.sh would reject them).
 START_ONLY_ARGS=()
 
 while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
 	case "$1" in
-		--env-file|--profile)
-			START_STOP_ARGS+=("$1" "$2")
+		--env-file)
+			ENV_FILE_ARGS=("$1" "$2")
+			shift 2
+			;;
+		--profile)
+			PROFILES="$2"
 			shift 2
 			;;
 		--pull)
@@ -36,11 +41,23 @@ while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
 	esac
 done
 
+# The suite signs with Vault and drives the REST API, both of which live behind
+# the `rest-api` profile.
+case ",$PROFILES," in
+	*,rest-api,*) ;;
+	*) PROFILES="${PROFILES:+$PROFILES,}rest-api" ;;
+esac
+
+START_STOP_ARGS=("${ENV_FILE_ARGS[@]}" --profile "$PROFILES")
+
 echo "[ENV TEST] Starting environment..."
 "${SCRIPT_DIR}/start-env.sh" "${START_STOP_ARGS[@]}" "${START_ONLY_ARGS[@]}"
 
 echo "[ENV TEST] Running tests..."
 "${SCRIPT_DIR}/run-tests.sh"
 
+# A full test cycle owns the environment it created, and the suite leaves
+# identities and assets on chain that a rerun would trip over, so this teardown
+# removes the volumes even though `stop-env.sh` keeps them by default.
 echo "[ENV TEST] Cleaning up environment..."
-"${SCRIPT_DIR}/stop-env.sh" "${START_STOP_ARGS[@]}"
+"${SCRIPT_DIR}/stop-env.sh" "${START_STOP_ARGS[@]}" --volumes
diff --git a/tests/README.md b/tests/README.md
index 8102bbb..234acb7 100644
--- a/tests/README.md
+++ b/tests/README.md
@@ -12,17 +12,19 @@ yarn
 
 ## Runtime options
 
-Two environment modes are supported:
+Optional services are grouped into compose profiles:
 
-1. Default mode (without EVM tooling)
-2. EVM tooling mode (`--profile evm`), which includes eth-rpc and Blockscout api and explorer
+- `rest-api` adds both REST API instances and Vault. The suite signs with Vault
+  and drives the REST API, so the test scripts enable this profile themselves.
+- `evm` adds eth-rpc and the Blockscout API and explorer.
 
 ## Default mode workflow
 
 ```sh
-yarn test:start      # starts environment with default profile set
+yarn test:start      # starts environment with --profile rest-api
 yarn test:run        # runs integration tests
-yarn test:stop       # stops and removes environment
+yarn test:stop       # stops environment, keeping volumes
+yarn test:stop:clean # stops and also removes named volumes (clean slate)
 ```
 
 Or run the full flow with one command:
@@ -34,14 +36,17 @@ yarn test
 ## EVM tooling workflow
 
 ```sh
-yarn test:start:evm  # starts environment with --profile evm
+yarn test:start:evm  # starts environment with --profile rest-api,evm
 yarn test:evm:smoke  # EVM RPC + Blockscout API smoke checks
 yarn test:run        # optional: run integration tests while env is up
-yarn test:stop:evm   # stops and removes env started with --profile evm
+yarn test:stop       # stops the environment, whichever profiles it used
 ```
 
 ## Notes
 
+- `test:stop` leaves the named volumes in place so the next start resumes from
+  the existing state; `test:stop:clean` removes them. Calling `stop-env.sh`
+  directly, the flag is `--volumes` (or `-v`).
 - EVM tooling is only expected on chain v8+ presets.
 - The suite requires a **chain v8 preset** (`envs/8.0`, `envs/latest`). The Polymesh SDK dropped v7
   support in v31 and throws on connecting to a v7 node, so `envs/7.2` can no longer be used here.
diff --git a/tests/package.json b/tests/package.json
index 4ce8bed..30c065f 100644
--- a/tests/package.json
+++ b/tests/package.json
@@ -5,11 +5,11 @@
   "main": "index.js",
   "scripts": {
     "test": "../scripts/test.sh",
-    "test:start": "../scripts/start-env.sh",
-    "test:start:evm": "../scripts/start-env.sh --profile evm",
+    "test:start": "../scripts/start-env.sh --profile rest-api",
+    "test:start:evm": "../scripts/start-env.sh --profile rest-api,evm",
     "test:run": "../scripts/run-tests.sh",
     "test:stop": "../scripts/stop-env.sh",
-    "test:stop:evm": "../scripts/stop-env.sh --profile evm",
+    "test:stop:clean": "../scripts/stop-env.sh --volumes",
     "test:vault-token": "../scripts/get-vault-token.sh",
     "test:evm:smoke": "../scripts/evm-smoke-test.sh && ../scripts/blockscout-smoke-test.sh",
     "lint": "eslint src --ext .js,.jsx,.ts,.tsx",