diff --git a/irc_runner.py b/irc_runner.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bdaa818
--- /dev/null
+++ b/irc_runner.py
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+# Minimail file just to run the bot
+## this sets the bot scope to work with all gunicorn workers
+
+import time
+from irc_bot import bot
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print("[IRC BOT] Starting standalone bot process...")
+    bot.connect()
+    bot.start()
+    while True:
+        time.sleep(60)  # keep the main thread alive
\ No newline at end of file