diff --git a/BOTFATHER_COMMANDS.txt b/BOTFATHER_COMMANDS.txt
index 5ffec20..3fabcc7 100644
--- a/BOTFATHER_COMMANDS.txt
+++ b/BOTFATHER_COMMANDS.txt
@@ -1,8 +1,27 @@
 Autopilot bot command list for @BotFather
 
+=== BOT DESCRIPTION (for @BotFather /setdescription) ===
+
+🏠 Monitors 6 Berlin housing companies (HOWOGE, Gewobag, Degewo, Gesobau, Stadt und Land, WBM) + WG-Company for new apartments.
+
+✅ Instant Telegram notifications
+🤖 Autopilot: auto-fill & submit applications
+📊 Weekly listing patterns & error tracking
+🔄 Retry failed applications with one command
+⏸️ Pause/resume monitoring anytime
+
+Perfect for Berlin apartment hunters who want to apply first!
+
+=== BOT ABOUT (for @BotFather /setabouttext) ===
+
+Automated Berlin apartment monitoring bot with auto-apply functionality for inberlinwohnen.de and wgcompany.de listings.
+
+=== COMMANDS (for @BotFather /setcommands) ===
 
 Use @BotFather -> setcommands and paste the following lines exactly (one per line):
 
+start - Resume monitoring for new listings
+stop - Pause monitoring (bot stays running, commands still work)
 autopilot - Enable or disable automatic applications. Usage: autopilot on or autopilot off
 status - Show current status and statistics (autopilot state, application counts by company)
 plot - Show weekly listing patterns (image)
diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 942f063..21d2e28 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -139,6 +139,13 @@ async def main() -> None:
                 last_clean = now
 
             try:
+                # Check if monitoring is enabled before fetching listings
+                if not state_manager.is_monitoring_enabled():
+                    logger.debug("Monitoring is paused, skipping listing check")
+                    await asyncio.sleep(CHECK_INTERVAL)
+                    _flush_rotating_file_handlers()
+                    continue
+
                 current_listings = await app_handler.fetch_listings()
             except Exception as e:
                 logger.error(f"💥 Browser crash: {e}")
diff --git a/state_manager.py b/state_manager.py
index 30c8bfe..15337a5 100644
--- a/state_manager.py
+++ b/state_manager.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class StateManager:
         if self.state_file.exists():
             with open(self.state_file, "r") as f:
                 return json.load(f)
-        return {"autopilot": False}
+        return {"autopilot": False, "monitoring_enabled": True}
 
     def save_state(self, state: dict) -> None:
         """Save persistent state"""
@@ -43,6 +43,17 @@ class StateManager:
         """Check if autopilot mode is enabled"""
         return self.load_state().get("autopilot", False)
 
+    def set_monitoring_enabled(self, enabled: bool) -> None:
+        """Enable or disable monitoring"""
+        state = self.load_state()
+        state["monitoring_enabled"] = enabled
+        self.save_state(state)
+        logger.info(f"Monitoring {'enabled' if enabled else 'disabled'}")
+
+    def is_monitoring_enabled(self) -> bool:
+        """Check if monitoring is enabled"""
+        return self.load_state().get("monitoring_enabled", True)
+
     def set_logged_in(self, status: bool) -> None:
         """Set the logged_in status"""
         self.logged_in = status
diff --git a/telegram_bot.py b/telegram_bot.py
index 6830dc2..8843a3a 100644
--- a/telegram_bot.py
+++ b/telegram_bot.py
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ class TelegramBot:
         """Send a help message with available commands."""
         help_text = (
             "<b>Available commands:</b>\n"
+            "/start - Resume monitoring\n"
+            "/stop - Pause monitoring\n"
             "/autopilot on|off - Enable/disable autopilot\n"
             "/status - Show current status\n"
             "/plot - Show weekly listing pattern plot\n"
@@ -38,6 +40,25 @@ class TelegramBot:
         )
         await self._send_message(msg)
 
+    async def _handle_start_command(self) -> None:
+        """Resume monitoring for new listings."""
+        self.monitor.state_manager.set_monitoring_enabled(True)
+        await self._send_message(
+            "▶️ <b>Monitoring RESUMED</b>\n\n"
+            "Bot will now check for new listings and notify you."
+        )
+        logger.info("Monitoring resumed via /start command")
+
+    async def _handle_stop_command(self) -> None:
+        """Pause monitoring without stopping the bot."""
+        self.monitor.state_manager.set_monitoring_enabled(False)
+        await self._send_message(
+            "⏸️ <b>Monitoring PAUSED</b>\n\n"
+            "Bot will not check for new listings until you send /start.\n"
+            "Commands like /status, /plot, and /retryfailed still work."
+        )
+        logger.info("Monitoring paused via /stop command")
+
     async def _handle_reset_listings_command(self) -> None:
         """Move listings.json to data/old/ with a timestamp, preserving statistics and application history."""
         import shutil
@@ -133,7 +154,11 @@ class TelegramBot:
             return
         logger.info(f"Received Telegram command: {text}")
         loop = self.event_loop
-        if text.startswith("/autopilot"):
+        if text == "/start":
+            asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(self._handle_start_command(), loop)
+        elif text == "/stop":
+            asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(self._handle_stop_command(), loop)
+        elif text.startswith("/autopilot"):
             asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(self._handle_autopilot_command(text), loop)
         elif text == "/status":
             asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(self._handle_status_command(), loop)
@@ -230,9 +255,13 @@ class TelegramBot:
     async def _handle_status_command(self) -> None:
         state = self.app_handler.load_state()
         autopilot = state.get("autopilot", False)
+        monitoring = state.get("monitoring_enabled", True)
         applications = self.app_handler.load_applications()
-        status = "<b>Autopilot:</b> " + ("ON" if autopilot else "OFF")
+
+        status = "<b>Monitoring:</b> " + ("▶️ RUNNING" if monitoring else "⏸️ PAUSED")
+        status += "\n<b>Autopilot:</b> " + ("✅ ON" if autopilot else "🛑 OFF")
         status += f"\n📝 <b>Applications sent:</b> {len(applications)}"
+
         by_company: dict[str, int] = {}
         for app in applications.values():
             company = app.get("company", "unknown")