diff --git a/shell.nix b/shell.nix
index 910f056..2e35e43 100644
--- a/shell.nix
+++ b/shell.nix
@@ -132,5 +132,16 @@ pkgs.mkShell {
     echo "  app     Laravel + Vite    http://localhost:8001"
     echo "  db      MariaDB           localhost:3308"
     echo ""
+
+    # ===================
+    # AUTO-START PROMPT
+    # ===================
+    if [ -f "$COMPOSE_FILE" ] && [ -t 0 ]; then
+      read -p "Start development containers? (y/N) " -n 1 -r
+      echo
+      if [[ $REPLY =~ ^[Yy]$ ]]; then
+        dev-up
+      fi
+    fi
   '';
 }