diff --git a/core/bot.py b/core/bot.py
index 8941a54..1a250f6 100644
--- a/core/bot.py
+++ b/core/bot.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ class TradingBot:
     10. Repeat
     """
 
-    def __init__(self):
+    def __init__(self, start_paused: bool = False):
         self.settings = get_settings()
         self._running = False
         self._shutdown_event = asyncio.Event()
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class TradingBot:
         self._cycle_count = 0
         self._last_news_check: Optional[datetime] = None
         self._last_regime = None
-        self._trading_paused = False
+        self._trading_paused = start_paused
 
     def _setup_logging(self):
         """Configure loguru logging."""
@@ -169,9 +169,13 @@ class TradingBot:
         balance_str = f"${account['balance']:,.2f}" if account else "N/A"
         active_profile = self.settings.active_mode.capitalize()
         profile_emoji = {"Safe": "🟢", "Moderate": "🟡", "Aggressive": "🔴"}.get(active_profile, "⚪")
+        
+        status_title = "STANDBY (Trading Off)" if self._trading_paused else "RUNNING"
+        trading_state_desc = "🟡 STANDBY — Tap [▶️ Start Trading] or send /startbot from your phone to start trading" if self._trading_paused else "🟢 ACTIVE & SCANNING"
+        
         await self.telegram.send_bot_status(
-            "RUNNING",
-            f"Mode: {mode}\nBalance: {balance_str}\nSymbol: XAUUSD\nTrading Profile: {profile_emoji} {active_profile}"
+            status_title,
+            f"Mode: {mode}\nBalance: {balance_str}\nSymbol: XAUUSD\nTrading Profile: {profile_emoji} {active_profile}\nState: {trading_state_desc}"
         )
 
         # Start interactive 2-way Telegram polling in background
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 1905414..f397000 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -48,7 +48,12 @@ def parse_args():
     parser.add_argument(
         "--telegram",
         action="store_true",
-        help="Start interactive Telegram Command Center only",
+        help="Start interactive Telegram Command Center only (in standby mode)",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--standby",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="Start bot in standby mode (Telegram active, trading paused until started via Telegram)",
     )
     parser.add_argument(
         "--demo",
@@ -122,34 +127,15 @@ def start_dashboard():
 
 
 def run_telegram():
-    """Run interactive Telegram Command Center in standalone mode with native long-polling."""
-    from notifications.telegram_bot import TelegramNotifier
-    from core.mt5_connector import MT5Connector
+    """Start the full Trading Bot in Standby Mode with 2-way Telegram Command Center active."""
+    from core.bot import TradingBot
 
     logger.info("=" * 60)
-    logger.info("  Starting Telegram Command Center (Standalone Mode)")
+    logger.info("  Starting XAUUSD Bot in Standby Mode (Telegram Controlled)")
     logger.info("=" * 60)
 
-    mt5 = MT5Connector()
-    mt5.connect(max_retries=1, retry_delay=1)
-
-    from strategies.regime_detector import RegimeDetector
-    from analysis.technical import TechnicalAnalyzer
-
-    class StandaloneBot:
-        def __init__(self, mt5_conn):
-            self.mt5 = mt5_conn
-            self.regime_detector = RegimeDetector()
-            self.technical = TechnicalAnalyzer()
-            self._last_regime = None
-            self._trading_paused = False
-
-    bot_wrapper = StandaloneBot(mt5)
-    notifier = TelegramNotifier(bot_instance=bot_wrapper)
-    try:
-        notifier.run_standalone()
-    except KeyboardInterrupt:
-        logger.info("Telegram Bot terminated by user")
+    bot = TradingBot(start_paused=True)
+    asyncio.run(bot.start())
 
 
 def run_backtest():
@@ -206,7 +192,8 @@ def main():
     # Start the live trading bot
     from core.bot import TradingBot
 
-    bot = TradingBot()
+    start_paused = getattr(args, "standby", False)
+    bot = TradingBot(start_paused=start_paused)
     asyncio.run(bot.start())
 
 
diff --git a/run_standby.bat b/run_standby.bat
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..deb39c8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/run_standby.bat
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+@echo off
+call run.bat --standby
+pause
diff --git a/start_bot_background.vbs b/start_bot_background.vbs
index f47ac9e..f2ba22e 100644
--- a/start_bot_background.vbs
+++ b/start_bot_background.vbs
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
 WshShell.CurrentDirectory = "c:\Users\Mazonia\Desktop\XAUUSD-AI-Trading-Bot"
-WshShell.Run "cmd.exe /c run_bot.bat", 0, False
+WshShell.Run "cmd.exe /c run_standby.bat", 0, False