diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index d005364..1cdc7a1 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -156,8 +156,11 @@ async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
                     router = getattr(router_module, route_def.router_attr)
                     app.include_router(router)
                 plugin_record.active = True
+                plugin_record.status = "active"
+                print(f"[STARTUP] Activated plugin: {name} ({len(plugin.manifest.routes)} routes)", flush=True)
                 logger.info(f"Activated plugin: {name} ({len(plugin.manifest.routes)} routes)")
             except Exception as exc:
+                print(f"[STARTUP] Failed to activate plugin {name}: {exc}", flush=True)
                 logger.warning(f"Failed to activate plugin {name}: {exc}")
 
         await db.commit()
diff --git a/app/plugins/builtins/ai_assistant/plugin.py b/app/plugins/builtins/ai_assistant/plugin.py
index e65205f..c73e89f 100644
--- a/app/plugins/builtins/ai_assistant/plugin.py
+++ b/app/plugins/builtins/ai_assistant/plugin.py
@@ -68,8 +68,10 @@ class AIAssistantPlugin(BasePlugin):
 
             self._ai_handler = AIParticipantHandler(service_container)
             get_participant_registry().register("ai", self._ai_handler)
+            print("[STARTUP] AI Assistant registered as participant 'ai'", flush=True)
             logger.info("AI Assistant registered as participant 'ai'")
-        except Exception:
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"[STARTUP] Failed to register AI Assistant as participant: {e}", flush=True)
             logger.exception("Failed to register AI Assistant as participant")
 
         # Subscribe to message.received events