diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 40ff913..b20a21d 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -32,10 +32,22 @@ function loadQuotes() {
     }
 
     console.log(`✅ Loaded ${quotes.length} Ancestor quotes`);
+
+    // Validate environment variables first
+    const token = process.env.MATRIX_ACCESS_TOKEN;
+    const server = process.env.MATRIX_HOME_SERVER;
     
+    if (!token || !server) {
+        console.error('❌ Missing required environment variables!');
+        console.error('   Required: MATRIX_ACCESS_TOKEN, MATRIX_HOME_SERVER');
+        console.error('   See .env.example for guidance.');
+        process.exit(1);
+    }
+    console.log(`🏠 Server: ${server}`);
+
     try {
         await client.startClient();
-        console.log('✅ Client initialized\n');
+        console.log('✅ MatrixClient connected and authenticated\n');
         
         let lastSentMessage = null;
 
@@ -100,12 +112,24 @@ function loadQuotes() {
         });
 
         console.log('🤖 Bot is running!');
-        console.log('   Invite this bot to a Matrix room and type !quote to get an Ancestor quote.\n');
+        console.log('   Invite this bot to a Matrix room and type to get an Ancestor quote.\n');
         
     } catch (err) {
         console.error('Fatal error:', err.message);
         process.exit(1);
     }
     
-    setInterval(() => {}, 60000);
+        // Add global error handler to catch any unhandled errors
+        process.on('unhandledRejection', (reason, promise) => {
+            console.error('🚨 Unhandled rejection:', reason?.message || reason);
+            process.exit(1);
+        });
+
+        // Keep the process alive
+        setInterval(() => {}, 60000);
+    } catch (err) {
+        console.error('❌ Fatal error starting bot:', err.message);
+        console.error(err.stack);
+        process.exit(1);
+    }
 })();