Update app.py

app.py

@@ -607,6 +607,20 @@ def main_processing_loop():
 
 # --- FastAPI Endpoints (Unchanged) ---
 
+# Add to configuration section
+AUTO_START_PROCESSING = os.environ.get("AUTO_START_PROCESSING", "true").lower() == "true"
+
+@app.on_event("startup")
+async def startup_event():
+    """Conditionally start processing based on environment variable."""
+    if AUTO_START_PROCESSING:
+        log_message("🚀 AUTO_START_PROCESSING enabled - Starting processing loop...", "INFO")
+        thread = threading.Thread(target=main_processing_loop, daemon=True)
+        thread.start()
+        log_message("✅ Background processing thread started", "INFO")
+    else:
+        log_message("⏸️ AUTO_START_PROCESSING disabled - Use /start endpoint to begin", "INFO")
+
 @app.get("/")
 async def root():
     """Root endpoint to check service status."""