diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 64ab233..bf4c9b5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -35,18 +35,34 @@ A modern digital signage player built with Kivy framework that displays content
 
 ## Usage
 
-### Manual Start
+### Recommended: Using Start Script (with Virtual Environment)
 ```bash
-cd src
-python3 main.py
+chmod +x start.sh
+./start.sh
 ```
+This script automatically:
+- Activates the Python virtual environment
+- Checks for configuration
+- Starts the player
 
-### Using Run Script
+### Alternative: Using Run Script
 ```bash
 chmod +x run_player.sh
 ./run_player.sh
 ```
 
+### Manual Start
+```bash
+# With virtual environment
+source .venv/bin/activate
+cd src
+python3 main.py
+
+# Without virtual environment
+cd src
+python3 main.py
+```
+
 ## Controls
 
 - **Mouse/Touch Movement**: Shows control panel for 3 seconds
diff --git a/start.sh b/start.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..73fe33b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/start.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+# Kivy Signage Player Startup Script
+# This script activates the virtual environment and starts the player
+
+# Get the directory where this script is located
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+
+echo "=========================================="
+echo "Starting Kivy Signage Player"
+echo "=========================================="
+echo ""
+
+# Change to the project directory
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+echo "Project directory: $SCRIPT_DIR"
+
+# Check if virtual environment exists
+if [ -d ".venv" ]; then
+    echo "Activating virtual environment..."
+    source .venv/bin/activate
+    echo "✓ Virtual environment activated"
+else
+    echo "Warning: Virtual environment not found at .venv/"
+    echo "Creating virtual environment..."
+    python3 -m venv .venv
+    source .venv/bin/activate
+    echo "Installing dependencies..."
+    pip3 install -r requirements.txt
+    echo "✓ Virtual environment created and dependencies installed"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+
+# Check if configuration exists
+if [ ! -f "config/app_config.txt" ]; then
+    echo "=========================================="
+    echo "⚠ WARNING: Configuration file not found!"
+    echo "=========================================="
+    echo ""
+    echo "Please configure the player before running:"
+    echo "  1. Copy config/app_config.txt.example to config/app_config.txt"
+    echo "  2. Edit the configuration file with your server details"
+    echo ""
+    read -p "Press Enter to continue anyway, or Ctrl+C to exit..."
+    echo ""
+fi
+
+# Change to src directory and start the application
+echo "Starting application..."
+echo "=========================================="
+echo ""
+
+cd src
+python3 main.py
+
+# Deactivate virtual environment when app exits
+deactivate