diff --git a/launcher.py b/launcher.py
index 4c367c5..2c60caa 100644
--- a/launcher.py
+++ b/launcher.py
@@ -5,6 +5,10 @@
 import badger2040
 import badger_os
 import jpegdec
+from setup import start_setup
+
+# start the setup process
+start_setup()
 
 APP_DIR = "/apps"
 FONT_SIZE = 2
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..daf6e76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+from glob import glob
+
+def start_setup():
+    if glob("WIFI_CONFIG.py"):
+        return
+    
+    from network_manager import NetworkManager
+    import uasyncio
+    import gc
+
+    network_manager = NetworkManager()
+    uasyncio.get_event_loop().run_until_complete(network_manager.access_point())
+    gc.collect()