diff --git a/start_server.py b/start_server.py
index f914bbd1..323b603a 100644
--- a/start_server.py
+++ b/start_server.py
@@ -44,7 +44,21 @@ def wait_for_redis(host="localhost", port=6379, timeout=20):
     return False
 
 def check_and_start_redis():
-    """Check if the Redis container is running, start if necessary."""
+    """Check if the Redis service is available (via Docker or directly), and start the Docker container if necessary."""
+    redis_host = os.environ.get("REDIS_HOST", "127.0.0.1")  # or use any custom host if required
+    
+    try:
+        redis_port = int(os.getenv("REDIS_PORT", 6379))
+    except ValueError:
+        logging.info("❌ Invalid REDIS_PORT value. Must be an integer. Defaulting to 6379.")
+        redis_port = 6379
+    
+    # Try to connect directly to Redis
+    if wait_for_redis(host=redis_host, port=redis_port):
+        logging.info("Redis is already running and available.")
+        return  # Return early if Redis is available
+
+    # If not available, check if the Docker container is running or stopped
     try:
         # Check if container exists and is running
         check_running_cmd = ["docker", "ps", "-q", "-f", "name=morphik-redis"]
@@ -80,6 +94,7 @@ def check_and_start_redis():
         sys.exit(1)
 
 
+
 def start_arq_worker():
     """Start the ARQ worker as a subprocess."""
     global worker_process