diff --git a/docker/Dockerfile.dev b/docker/Dockerfile.dev
index b1919ce..a8f4d5d 100644
--- a/docker/Dockerfile.dev
+++ b/docker/Dockerfile.dev
@@ -16,5 +16,7 @@ COPY . .
 # Install Python dependencies
 RUN pip install --no-cache-dir -e .
 
-# Run with hot reload
+# Run migrations then start the application
+COPY docker/entrypoint.sh /entrypoint.sh
+ENTRYPOINT ["/entrypoint.sh"]
 CMD ["uvicorn", "app.main:app", "--host", "0.0.0.0", "--port", "8000", "--reload"]
diff --git a/docker/entrypoint.sh b/docker/entrypoint.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..24b6a70
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docker/entrypoint.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+set -e
+
+alembic upgrade head
+
+exec "$@"