diff --git a/scripts/start-dev-docker.sh b/scripts/start-dev-docker.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..f5e8106
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/start-dev-docker.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Configuration
+COMPOSE_FILE="docker-compose.yml"
+BACKEND_CONTAINER="daagbox-prod-backend"
+
+echo "=================================================="
+echo "   Kapteins Daagbox Docker Environment Manager    "
+echo "=================================================="
+echo "Stopping any existing container stack..."
+docker compose -f $COMPOSE_FILE down
+
+echo "Rebuilding and starting docker containers..."
+docker compose -f $COMPOSE_FILE up --build -d
+
+if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
+  echo "Error: Failed to spin up docker-compose stack."
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Waiting for services to become healthy (Prisma migrations & DB check)..."
+MAX_WAIT=35
+COUNTER=0
+IS_READY=false
+
+while [ $COUNTER -lt $MAX_WAIT ]; do
+  STATUS=$(docker inspect --format='{{.State.Health.Status}}' $BACKEND_CONTAINER 2>/dev/null)
+  
+  if [ "$STATUS" = "healthy" ]; then
+    IS_READY=true
+    break
+  fi
+  
+  sleep 1
+  COUNTER=$((COUNTER + 1))
+done
+
+echo "=================================================="
+echo "Container Statuses:"
+docker compose -f $COMPOSE_FILE ps
+echo "=================================================="
+
+if [ "$IS_READY" = true ]; then
+  echo "SUCCESS: Services are up and healthy!"
+  echo " -> App Frontend (Nginx):  http://localhost"
+  echo " -> Backend API Health:    http://localhost/api/health"
+  echo "=================================================="
+else
+  echo "WARNING: Backend did not transition to healthy in time."
+  echo "Check backend container logs for details:"
+  echo " -> docker compose logs backend"
+  echo "=================================================="
+fi