diff --git a/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/defaults/main.yml b/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/defaults/main.yml
index 44551a58..c9755fab 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/defaults/main.yml
@@ -1,19 +1,18 @@
 ---
 # configure-local-storage default vars
 
-# controlplane_* configures local storage on SNO, 3-Node Compact MNO, and
-# Control-plane nodes on a "standard" multi-node deployment with workers
+# controlplane_* configures disk wiping/partitioning on SNO, 3-Node Compact MNO,
+# and Control-plane nodes on a "standard" multi-node deployment with workers.
+# Populating device lists triggers Ignition-based disk preparation at boot.
 controlplane_etcd_on_nvme: false
 controlplane_nvme_device: /dev/nvme0n1
-controlplane_localstorage_configuration: false
 controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices: []
 controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices: []
 controlplane_localstorage_lv_count: 10
 controlplane_localstorage_lv_size: 100G
 
-# worker_* configures local storage on worker nodes on a "standard"
-# multi-node deployment with workers
-worker_localstorage_configuration: false
+# worker_* configures disk wiping/partitioning on worker nodes on a
+# "standard" multi-node deployment with workers
 worker_localstorage_lvm_devices: []
 worker_localstorage_disk_devices: []
 worker_localstorage_lv_count: 10
diff --git a/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/tasks/main.yml
index 496f4d6d..02f1bf04 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/tasks/main.yml
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
     return_content: true
     body: { "config": "{{ lookup('template', 'controlplane.ign.j2') | to_json }}" }
   with_items: "{{ get_hosts.json|selectattr('role', 'eq', 'master') | list }}"
-  when: (controlplane_etcd_on_nvme or controlplane_localstorage_configuration)
+  when: controlplane_etcd_on_nvme or controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 or controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices | length > 0
 
 - name: Apply worker host ignition config overrides
   uri:
@@ -32,5 +32,5 @@
     body: { "config": "{{ lookup('template', 'worker.ign.j2') | to_json }}" }
   with_items: "{{ get_hosts.json|selectattr('role', 'eq', 'worker') | list }}"
   when:
-  - worker_localstorage_configuration
+  - worker_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 or worker_localstorage_disk_devices | length > 0
   - cluster_type != "sno"
diff --git a/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/templates/controlplane.ign.j2 b/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/templates/controlplane.ign.j2
index ae2d75ba..bd5e3e9a 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/templates/controlplane.ign.j2
+++ b/ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/templates/controlplane.ign.j2
@@ -22,13 +22,13 @@
             "sizeMiB": 0
           }
         ]
-{% if controlplane_localstorage_configuration %}
+{% if controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 or controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices | length > 0 %}
       },
 {% else %}
       }
 {% endif %}
 {% endif %}
-{% if controlplane_localstorage_configuration %}
+{% if controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 or controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices | length > 0 %}
 {% for device in controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices %}
       {
         "device": "{{ device }}",
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
 {% endif %}
     ],
     "files": [
-{% if controlplane_localstorage_configuration and controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
+{% if controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
       {
         "contents": {
           "source": "data:text/plain;base64,{{ lookup('template', './controlplane-setup-lvm.sh.j2') | b64encode }}"
@@ -101,13 +101,13 @@
         "name": "var-lib-containers.mount",
         "enabled": true,
         "contents": "[Mount]\nWhat=/dev/disk/by-partlabel/CTNR\nType=xfs\nOptions=defaults\n[Install]\nWantedBy=local-fs.target"
-{% if controlplane_localstorage_configuration and controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
+{% if controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
       },
 {% else %}
       }
 {% endif %}
 {% endif %}
-{% if controlplane_localstorage_configuration and controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
+{% if controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
       {
         "name": "setup-localstorage.service",
         "enabled": true,
diff --git a/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/defaults/main/main.yml b/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/defaults/main/main.yml
index 8f46779d..3d7b3fc7 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/defaults/main/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/defaults/main/main.yml
@@ -42,13 +42,16 @@ gitops_catalogsource: redhat-operators
 # Local Storage Operator (LSO) catalog source
 lso_catalogsource: redhat-operators
 
+# Install Local Storage Operator (LSO) and create LocalVolume resources
+setup_lso: false
+
 # Migrate the ingresscontrollers and/or monitoring components to the master nodes
 # Used during nodedensity testing to ensure these things are more available
 migrate_ingresscontrollers: false
 migrate_monitoring: false
 
-# Apply the cluster-monitoring-config that uses the localstorage class name created either
-# by controlplane_localstorage_configuration or worker_localstorage_configuration
+# Apply the cluster-monitoring-config that uses the localstorage class name
+# created by LSO (requires setup_lso: true)
 apply_cluster_monitoring_config: false
 
 # Prometheus storage settings
diff --git a/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/tasks/main.yml
index cee21b8b..0de4b7ad 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/tasks/main.yml
@@ -154,20 +154,20 @@
   when: setup_openshift_gitops
 
 - name: Setup Local Storage Operator (LSO)
-  when: controlplane_localstorage_configuration or worker_localstorage_configuration
+  when: setup_lso | bool
   block:
   - name: Install Local Storage Operator (LSO)
     shell:
       KUBECONFIG={{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/kubeconfig oc apply -f {{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/localstorage/localstorage.yml
 
   - name: Label control-plane nodes for localstorage
-    when: controlplane_localstorage_configuration
+    when: controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 or controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices | length > 0
     shell: |
       KUBECONFIG={{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/kubeconfig oc label no --overwrite {{ item }} localstorage=true
     loop: "{{ groups['controlplane'] }}"
 
   - name: Label worker nodes for localstorage
-    when: worker_localstorage_configuration
+    when: worker_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 or worker_localstorage_disk_devices | length > 0
     shell: |
       KUBECONFIG={{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/kubeconfig oc label no --overwrite {{ item }} localstorage=true
     loop: "{{ groups['worker'] }}"
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
     KUBECONFIG={{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/kubeconfig oc patch ingresscontrollers/default --type merge -n openshift-ingress-operator -p '{"spec": {"nodePlacement": {"nodeSelector": {"matchLabels": {"node-role.kubernetes.io/master": "" }}, "tolerations": [{"effect": "NoSchedule", "key": "node-role.kubernetes.io/master"}]} }}'
 
 - name: Apply OpenShift-Monitoring configuration options
-  when: migrate_monitoring or (apply_cluster_monitoring_config and (controlplane_localstorage_configuration or worker_localstorage_configuration))
+  when: (migrate_monitoring | bool) or ((apply_cluster_monitoring_config | bool) and (setup_lso | bool))
   shell:
     KUBECONFIG={{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/kubeconfig oc apply -f {{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/openshift-monitoring/cluster-monitoring-config.yml
 
diff --git a/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/templates/localvolume-lvm.yml.j2 b/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/templates/localvolume-lvm.yml.j2
index 3111a07f..504641ef 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/templates/localvolume-lvm.yml.j2
+++ b/ansible/roles/mno-post-cluster-install/templates/localvolume-lvm.yml.j2
@@ -22,12 +22,12 @@ spec:
     fsType: xfs
 {% endif %}
     devicePaths:
-{% if controlplane_localstorage_configuration and controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
+{% if controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
 {% for i in range(controlplane_localstorage_lv_count) %}
       - "/dev/vg_ls/lv_cp_tv{{ '%02d' % i }}"
 {% endfor %}
 {% endif %}
-{% if worker_localstorage_configuration and worker_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
+{% if worker_localstorage_lvm_devices | length > 0 %}
 {% for i in range(worker_localstorage_lv_count) %}
       - "/dev/vg_ls/lv_w_tv{{ '%02d' % i }}"
 {% endfor %}
diff --git a/ansible/roles/sno-post-cluster-install/defaults/main/main.yml b/ansible/roles/sno-post-cluster-install/defaults/main/main.yml
index bf1a8441..1a8b2037 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/sno-post-cluster-install/defaults/main/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/sno-post-cluster-install/defaults/main/main.yml
@@ -26,11 +26,14 @@ setup_minio: false
 minio_image_tag: RELEASE.2025-09-07T16-13-09Z
 minio_pv_storageclass: localstorage2-sc
 
+# Install Local Storage Operator (LSO) and create LocalVolume resources
+setup_lso: false
+
 # setup metal3
 sno_metal3: false
 
-# Apply the cluster-monitoring-config that uses the localstorage class name created
-# by controlplane_localstorage_configuration
+# Apply the cluster-monitoring-config that uses the localstorage class name
+# created by LSO (requires setup_lso: true)
 apply_cluster_monitoring_config: false
 
 # Prometheus storage settings
diff --git a/ansible/roles/sno-post-cluster-install/tasks/main.yml b/ansible/roles/sno-post-cluster-install/tasks/main.yml
index ab721f10..b659c90a 100644
--- a/ansible/roles/sno-post-cluster-install/tasks/main.yml
+++ b/ansible/roles/sno-post-cluster-install/tasks/main.yml
@@ -132,8 +132,8 @@
     KUBECONFIG={{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/{{ groups['sno'][0] }}/kubeconfig oc apply -f {{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/{{ groups['sno'][0] }}/gitops/openshift-gitops-operator.yml
   when: setup_openshift_gitops
 
-- name: Setup nodes localstorage
-  when: controlplane_localstorage_configuration
+- name: Setup Local Storage Operator (LSO)
+  when: setup_lso | bool
   block:
   - name: Install local-storage operator
     shell:
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@
     KUBECONFIG={{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/{{ groups['sno'][0] }}/kubeconfig oc apply -f {{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/{{ groups['sno'][0] }}/minio/minio.yml
 
 - name: Apply OpenShift-Monitoring configuration options
-  when: apply_cluster_monitoring_config and controlplane_localstorage_configuration
+  when: (apply_cluster_monitoring_config | bool) and (setup_lso | bool)
   shell:
     KUBECONFIG={{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/{{ groups['sno'][0] }}/kubeconfig oc apply -f {{ bastion_cluster_config_dir }}/{{ groups['sno'][0] }}/openshift-monitoring/cluster-monitoring-config.yml
 
diff --git a/docs/local-storage.md b/docs/local-storage.md
index 12fb67bd..f167da47 100644
--- a/docs/local-storage.md
+++ b/docs/local-storage.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Local Storage
 
-Jetlag can configure the [OpenShift Local Storage Operator (LSO)](https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/latest/storage/persistent_storage/persistent_storage_local/persistent-storage-local.html) on control-plane and worker nodes during cluster deployment. Disk preparation (wiping, partitioning, LVM setup) is handled via Ignition at node boot time. LSO is then installed and `LocalVolume` resources are created post-install.
+Jetlag can prepare disks and optionally install the [OpenShift Local Storage Operator (LSO)](https://docs.openshift.com/container-platform/latest/storage/persistent_storage/persistent_storage_local/persistent-storage-local.html) on control-plane and worker nodes during cluster deployment. Disk preparation (wiping, partitioning, LVM setup) is triggered by populating device lists and handled via Ignition at node boot time. LSO installation is controlled independently by `setup_lso` and creates `LocalVolume` resources post-install.
 
 _**Table of Contents**_
 
@@ -20,28 +20,34 @@ _**Table of Contents**_
 
 ## Variables
 
-All variables are defined in `ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/defaults/main.yml`. Override them in the `Extra vars` section of `ansible/vars/all.yml`.
+Disk preparation variables are defined in `ansible/roles/configure-local-storage/defaults/main.yml`. LSO and LocalVolume variables are in the post-install role defaults. Override them in the `Extra vars` section of `ansible/vars/all.yml`.
 
-**Control-plane / SNO**
+**Control-plane / SNO disk preparation**
+
+Populating any device list below triggers Ignition-based disk wiping/partitioning at node boot.
 
 | Variable | Default | Description |
 | -------- | ------- | ----------- |
-| `controlplane_localstorage_configuration` | `false` | Master enable for control-plane local storage setup |
 | `controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices` | `[]` | List of disks to partition and include in the LVM volume group. Empty list disables LVM setup |
-| `controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices` | `[]` | List of disks to wipe and expose as raw block devices to LSO |
+| `controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices` | `[]` | List of disks to wipe and expose as raw block devices |
 | `controlplane_localstorage_lv_count` | `10` | Number of thin logical volumes to create in the LVM volume group |
 | `controlplane_localstorage_lv_size` | `100G` | Size of each thin logical volume |
 
-**Worker nodes**
+**Worker node disk preparation**
 
 | Variable | Default | Description |
 | -------- | ------- | ----------- |
-| `worker_localstorage_configuration` | `false` | Master enable for worker node local storage setup |
 | `worker_localstorage_lvm_devices` | `[]` | List of disks to partition and include in the LVM volume group on worker nodes. Empty list disables LVM setup |
-| `worker_localstorage_disk_devices` | `[]` | List of disks to wipe and expose as raw block devices to LSO on worker nodes |
+| `worker_localstorage_disk_devices` | `[]` | List of disks to wipe and expose as raw block devices on worker nodes |
 | `worker_localstorage_lv_count` | `10` | Number of thin logical volumes to create in the LVM volume group |
 | `worker_localstorage_lv_size` | `100G` | Size of each thin logical volume |
 
+**LSO installation (post-install)**
+
+| Variable | Default | Description |
+| -------- | ------- | ----------- |
+| `setup_lso` | `false` | Install the Local Storage Operator and create `LocalVolume` resources for any populated device lists |
+
 **LocalVolume volume modes**
 
 | Variable | Default | Description |
@@ -89,23 +95,23 @@ When `localstorage_lvm_volume_mode` or `localstorage_disk_volume_mode` is set to
 
 ### Control-plane with LVM only
 
-Three LVM logical volumes on a single disk, exposed as a filesystem storage class:
+Three LVM logical volumes on a single disk, wiped at boot and exposed via LSO as a filesystem storage class:
 
 ```yaml
-controlplane_localstorage_configuration: true
 controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices:
   - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:2:0
 controlplane_localstorage_lv_count: 3
 controlplane_localstorage_lv_size: 500G
+setup_lso: true
 ```
 
-### Control-plane with Block Disks only
+### Control-plane with block disks only
 
 ```yaml
-controlplane_localstorage_configuration: true
 controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices:
   - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:2:0
   - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:3:0
+setup_lso: true
 ```
 
 ### Control-plane with LVM and block disks
@@ -113,7 +119,6 @@ controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices:
 LVM volumes on one disk, plus two additional raw disks exposed as block devices:
 
 ```yaml
-controlplane_localstorage_configuration: true
 controlplane_localstorage_lvm_devices:
   - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:2:0
 controlplane_localstorage_lv_count: 10
@@ -121,6 +126,7 @@ controlplane_localstorage_lv_size: 100G
 controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices:
   - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:3:0
 localstorage_disk_volume_mode: Block
+setup_lso: true
 ```
 
 This creates both `localvolume-lvm` (storage class `localstorage-sc`) and `localvolume-disk` (storage class `localstorage-disk-sc`).
@@ -128,9 +134,21 @@ This creates both `localvolume-lvm` (storage class `localstorage-sc`) and `local
 ### Workers with LVM
 
 ```yaml
-worker_localstorage_configuration: true
-worker_localstorage_device:
+worker_localstorage_lvm_devices:
   - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:2:0
 worker_localstorage_lv_count: 10
 worker_localstorage_lv_size: 200G
+setup_lso: true
+```
+
+### Wipe only, no LSO
+
+Wipe and partition disks at boot time without installing the Local Storage Operator. Useful when preparing disks for other storage backends (e.g., ODF) or for clean disk state:
+
+```yaml
+controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices:
+  - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:2:0
+  - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:3:0
 ```
+
+Omitting `setup_lso` (or setting it to `false`) skips LSO installation. The disks are wiped at node boot via Ignition but no `LocalVolume` resources are created.
diff --git a/docs/odf.md b/docs/odf.md
index f28b6f57..a9cd7e6b 100644
--- a/docs/odf.md
+++ b/docs/odf.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ Minimum requirements:
 - **Cluster type**: MNO only (ODF is not supported on SNO deployments in Jetlag)
 - **Nodes**: At least 3 nodes (control-plane or worker) with available block devices
 - **Block devices**: Each node must have at least one unused disk configured via `controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices` or `worker_localstorage_disk_devices`
-- **LSO**: `controlplane_localstorage_configuration: true` (or `worker_localstorage_configuration: true`) with disk devices listed
+- **LSO**: `setup_lso: true` with disk devices listed
 - **Node labels**: The label `cluster.ocs.openshift.io/openshift-storage=` must be applied to the nodes that will host ODF. Set this via `post_install_node_labels`
 
 ## Variables
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ post_install_node_labels:
 - cluster.ocs.openshift.io/openshift-storage=
 
 # --- Local Storage (prerequisite for ODF) ---
-controlplane_localstorage_configuration: true
+setup_lso: true
 controlplane_localstorage_disk_devices:
 - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:2:0
 - /dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:4a:00.0-scsi-0:0:3:0