diff --git a/backend/src/app.py b/backend/src/app.py
index 4c2c4564..7ee74c90 100755
--- a/backend/src/app.py
+++ b/backend/src/app.py
@@ -75,12 +75,18 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
     # Startup
     seed_trace_id()
     with belief_scope("startup_event"):
+        logger.info("🔐 Ensuring encryption key...")
         ensure_encryption_key()
+        logger.info("📦 Running Alembic migrations...")
         run_alembic_migrations()
+        logger.info("🗄️ Initializing database tables...")
         init_db()
+        logger.info("👤 Bootstrapping admin user...")
         ensure_initial_admin_user()
+        logger.info("⏰ Starting scheduler...")
         scheduler = get_scheduler_service()
     scheduler.start()
+    logger.info("✅ Application startup complete")
     yield
     # Shutdown
     scheduler.stop()