diff --git a/start.sh b/start.sh
index ef1f32d..1dbc9a0 100644
--- a/start.sh
+++ b/start.sh
@@ -46,10 +46,14 @@ echo "  ✓ PATH updated: $PWD/bin added"
 
 # [4/7] Setting up with arty
 echo "[4/7] Setting up with arty..."
-cd "$PWD/orchestrator"
-arty setup
-cd -
-echo "  ✓ Setup complete"
+if [ ! "$SKIP_ARTY_SETUP" ] ; then
+  cd "$PWD/orchestrator"
+  arty setup
+  cd -
+  echo "  ✓ Setup complete"
+else
+  echo "  ⏭ Skipping"
+fi
 
 # Display connection information
 echo ""