diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 649d1aa..f18daa0 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@
   "main": ".vite/build/main.js",
   "repository": "stoatchat/desktop",
   "scripts": {
-    "start": "electron-forge start",
+    "start": "./start.sh",
+    "start:forge": "electron-forge start",
     "package": "electron-forge package",
     "make": "electron-forge make",
     "publish": "electron-forge publish",
diff --git a/start.sh b/start.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..ea47c14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/start.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+I d#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+# Check if we're on NixOS and set up electron path if needed
+if [ -f /etc/NIXOS ] || [ -n "$NIX_STORE" ]; then
+    # We're on NixOS, need to find the electron path
+    if command -v electron &> /dev/null; then
+        # Electron is in PATH, find its store path
+        ELECTRON_BIN=$(which electron)
+        ELECTRON_STORE_PATH=$(dirname "$ELECTRON_BIN")
+        export ELECTRON_OVERRIDE_DIST_PATH="$ELECTRON_STORE_PATH"
+        echo "NixOS detected: Using electron from $ELECTRON_STORE_PATH"
+    elif [ -d /nix/store ]; then
+        # Try to find electron in nix store matching our version requirement
+        REQUIRED_VERSION=$(grep '"electron"' package.json | sed -E 's/.*"([0-9]+)\..*/\1/')
+        ELECTRON_PATH=$(find /nix/store -maxdepth 1 -name "*electron-${REQUIRED_VERSION}*" -type d 2>/dev/null | grep -v unwrapped | head -1)
+        
+        if [ -n "$ELECTRON_PATH" ] && [ -d "$ELECTRON_PATH/bin" ]; then
+            export ELECTRON_OVERRIDE_DIST_PATH="$ELECTRON_PATH/bin"
+            echo "NixOS detected: Using electron from $ELECTRON_PATH/bin"
+        fi
+    fi
+fi
+
+# Run electron-forge directly to avoid recursion
+exec npx electron-forge start "$@"
\ No newline at end of file