diff --git a/apps/telegram-bot/commands.py b/apps/telegram-bot/commands.py
index 51f5990..d2f3562 100644
--- a/apps/telegram-bot/commands.py
+++ b/apps/telegram-bot/commands.py
@@ -438,14 +438,24 @@ async def cmd_untrack(update: Update, ctx: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
 async def cmd_start(update: Update, ctx: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
     user_id = get_user_id(update)
     room_id = get_room_id(update)
+    import logging
+
+    logging.info(
+        f"cmd_start: user_id={user_id}, room_id={room_id}, is_group={is_group(update)}"
+    )
 
     if is_group(update):
         try:
             chat_member = await ctx.bot.get_chat_member(room_id, user_id)
+            logging.info(f"cmd_start: chat_member.status={chat_member.status}")
             if chat_member.status == "creator" and not BOUNTY_SERVICE.is_admin(
                 room_id, user_id
             ):
+                logging.info(f"cmd_start: Promoting user {user_id} to admin")
                 BOUNTY_SERVICE.add_admin(room_id, user_id, user_id)
+                logging.info(
+                    f"cmd_start: After add_admin, is_admin={BOUNTY_SERVICE.is_admin(room_id, user_id)}"
+                )
                 await update.message.reply_text(
                     "👻 JIGAIDO is watching.\n\n"
                     "This group's bounty list is now active.\n"
@@ -456,7 +466,8 @@ async def cmd_start(update: Update, ctx: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
                     "/my — your tracked bounties"
                 )
                 return
-        except Exception:
+        except Exception as e:
+            logging.error(f"cmd_start: Exception in group start: {e}")
             pass
 
         await update.message.reply_text(
@@ -469,6 +480,7 @@ async def cmd_start(update: Update, ctx: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
         )
     else:
         if not BOUNTY_SERVICE.is_admin(room_id, user_id):
+            logging.info(f"cmd_start: DM - promoting user {user_id} to admin")
             BOUNTY_SERVICE.add_admin(room_id, user_id, user_id)
 
         await update.message.reply_text(