diff --git a/src/main.py b/src/main.py
index 58fb62d..ba14d64 100644
--- a/src/main.py
+++ b/src/main.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from src.db import init_db, log_trade
 from src.logging.decision_logger import DecisionLogger
 from src.logging_config import setup_logging
 from src.markets.schedule import MarketInfo, get_next_market_open, get_open_markets
-from src.notifications.telegram_client import TelegramClient
+from src.notifications.telegram_client import TelegramClient, TelegramCommandHandler
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -575,6 +575,40 @@ async def run(settings: Settings) -> None:
         enabled=settings.TELEGRAM_ENABLED,
     )
 
+    # Initialize Telegram command handler
+    command_handler = TelegramCommandHandler(telegram)
+
+    # Register basic commands
+    async def handle_start() -> None:
+        """Handle /start command."""
+        message = (
+            "<b>🤖 The Ouroboros Trading Bot</b>\n\n"
+            "AI-powered global stock trading agent with real-time notifications.\n\n"
+            "<b>Available commands:</b>\n"
+            "/help - Show this help message\n"
+            "/status - Current trading status\n"
+            "/positions - View holdings\n"
+            "/stop - Pause trading\n"
+            "/resume - Resume trading"
+        )
+        await telegram.send_message(message)
+
+    async def handle_help() -> None:
+        """Handle /help command."""
+        message = (
+            "<b>📖 Available Commands</b>\n\n"
+            "/start - Welcome message\n"
+            "/help - Show available commands\n"
+            "/status - Trading status (mode, markets, P&L)\n"
+            "/positions - Current holdings\n"
+            "/stop - Pause trading\n"
+            "/resume - Resume trading"
+        )
+        await telegram.send_message(message)
+
+    command_handler.register_command("start", handle_start)
+    command_handler.register_command("help", handle_help)
+
     # Initialize volatility hunter
     volatility_analyzer = VolatilityAnalyzer(min_volume_surge=2.0, min_price_change=1.0)
     market_scanner = MarketScanner(
@@ -621,6 +655,12 @@ async def run(settings: Settings) -> None:
     except Exception as exc:
         logger.warning("System startup notification failed: %s", exc)
 
+    # Start command handler
+    try:
+        await command_handler.start_polling()
+    except Exception as exc:
+        logger.warning("Failed to start command handler: %s", exc)
+
     try:
         # Branch based on trading mode
         if settings.TRADE_MODE == "daily":
@@ -831,6 +871,7 @@ async def run(settings: Settings) -> None:
                     pass  # Normal — timeout means it's time for next cycle
     finally:
         # Clean up resources
+        await command_handler.stop_polling()
         await broker.close()
         await telegram.close()
         db_conn.close()
diff --git a/tests/test_telegram_commands.py b/tests/test_telegram_commands.py
index c271b49..91332dd 100644
--- a/tests/test_telegram_commands.py
+++ b/tests/test_telegram_commands.py
@@ -253,6 +253,103 @@ class TestUpdateHandling:
         await handler._handle_update(update)
 
 
+class TestBasicCommands:
+    """Test basic command implementations."""
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_start_command_content(self) -> None:
+        """Start command contains welcome message and command list."""
+        client = TelegramClient(bot_token="123:abc", chat_id="456", enabled=True)
+        handler = TelegramCommandHandler(client)
+
+        mock_resp = AsyncMock()
+        mock_resp.status = 200
+        mock_resp.__aenter__ = AsyncMock(return_value=mock_resp)
+        mock_resp.__aexit__ = AsyncMock(return_value=False)
+
+        async def mock_start() -> None:
+            """Mock /start handler."""
+            message = (
+                "<b>🤖 The Ouroboros Trading Bot</b>\n\n"
+                "AI-powered global stock trading agent with real-time notifications.\n\n"
+                "<b>Available commands:</b>\n"
+                "/help - Show this help message\n"
+                "/status - Current trading status\n"
+                "/positions - View holdings\n"
+                "/stop - Pause trading\n"
+                "/resume - Resume trading"
+            )
+            await client.send_message(message)
+
+        handler.register_command("start", mock_start)
+
+        with patch("aiohttp.ClientSession.post", return_value=mock_resp) as mock_post:
+            update = {
+                "update_id": 1,
+                "message": {
+                    "chat": {"id": 456},
+                    "text": "/start",
+                },
+            }
+
+            await handler._handle_update(update)
+
+            # Verify message was sent
+            assert mock_post.call_count == 1
+            payload = mock_post.call_args.kwargs["json"]
+            assert "Ouroboros Trading Bot" in payload["text"]
+            assert "/help" in payload["text"]
+            assert "/status" in payload["text"]
+
+    @pytest.mark.asyncio
+    async def test_help_command_content(self) -> None:
+        """Help command lists all available commands."""
+        client = TelegramClient(bot_token="123:abc", chat_id="456", enabled=True)
+        handler = TelegramCommandHandler(client)
+
+        mock_resp = AsyncMock()
+        mock_resp.status = 200
+        mock_resp.__aenter__ = AsyncMock(return_value=mock_resp)
+        mock_resp.__aexit__ = AsyncMock(return_value=False)
+
+        async def mock_help() -> None:
+            """Mock /help handler."""
+            message = (
+                "<b>📖 Available Commands</b>\n\n"
+                "/start - Welcome message\n"
+                "/help - Show available commands\n"
+                "/status - Trading status (mode, markets, P&L)\n"
+                "/positions - Current holdings\n"
+                "/stop - Pause trading\n"
+                "/resume - Resume trading"
+            )
+            await client.send_message(message)
+
+        handler.register_command("help", mock_help)
+
+        with patch("aiohttp.ClientSession.post", return_value=mock_resp) as mock_post:
+            update = {
+                "update_id": 1,
+                "message": {
+                    "chat": {"id": 456},
+                    "text": "/help",
+                },
+            }
+
+            await handler._handle_update(update)
+
+            # Verify message was sent
+            assert mock_post.call_count == 1
+            payload = mock_post.call_args.kwargs["json"]
+            assert "Available Commands" in payload["text"]
+            assert "/start" in payload["text"]
+            assert "/help" in payload["text"]
+            assert "/status" in payload["text"]
+            assert "/positions" in payload["text"]
+            assert "/stop" in payload["text"]
+            assert "/resume" in payload["text"]
+
+
 class TestGetUpdates:
     """Test getUpdates API interaction."""