diff --git a/start_server.sh b/start_server.sh
index 9afcc392..9dafc21f 100755
--- a/start_server.sh
+++ b/start_server.sh
@@ -120,7 +120,23 @@ echo "🔐 Starting SSL proxies on $PROXY_HOSTNAME..."
 npx local-ssl-proxy --source $BACKEND_SSL_PORT --target $BACKEND_PORT --hostname $PROXY_HOSTNAME > /dev/null 2>&1 &
 npx local-ssl-proxy --source $FRONTEND_SSL_PORT --target $FRONTEND_PORT --hostname $PROXY_HOSTNAME > /dev/null 2>&1 &
 
-# 7. Print Unified Access Banner
+# 7. Signal handlers for clean shutdown
+cleanup() {
+    echo ""
+    echo "🛑 Shutting down services..."
+    pkill -P $$ > /dev/null 2>&1
+    kill $(jobs -p) 2>/dev/null || true
+    pkill -f "uvicorn" 2>/dev/null || true
+    pkill -f "next-server" 2>/dev/null || true
+    pkill -f "local-ssl-proxy" 2>/dev/null || true
+    echo "✅ Cleanup complete"
+    exit 0
+}
+
+# Trap Ctrl-C (SIGINT) and other termination signals
+trap cleanup SIGINT SIGTERM EXIT
+
+# 8. Print Unified Access Banner
 
 # Colors
 GREEN='\033[0;32m'
@@ -150,7 +166,7 @@ echo ""
 echo -e "   ${YELLOW}${BOLD}NOTE:${NC} If you see a 'Not Private' warning,"
 echo -e "   Click 'Advanced' -> 'Proceed' to continue."
 echo -e "${GREEN}=======================================================${NC}"
-echo "Keep this window open while working."
+echo "Keep this window open while working. Press Ctrl-C to stop."
 echo -e "${GREEN}=======================================================${NC}"
 
 # Wait for background processes