diff --git a/pkg/devops/devops.go b/pkg/devops/devops.go
index 6c8d826..9ccffd3 100644
--- a/pkg/devops/devops.go
+++ b/pkg/devops/devops.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
+	"time"
 
 	"github.com/host-uk/core/pkg/container"
 )
@@ -87,3 +88,129 @@ func (d *DevOps) Install(ctx context.Context, progress func(downloaded, total in
 func (d *DevOps) CheckUpdate(ctx context.Context) (current, latest string, hasUpdate bool, err error) {
 	return d.images.CheckUpdate(ctx)
 }
+
+// BootOptions configures how to boot the dev environment.
+type BootOptions struct {
+	Memory int    // MB, default 4096
+	CPUs   int    // default 2
+	Name   string // container name
+	Fresh  bool   // destroy existing and start fresh
+}
+
+// DefaultBootOptions returns sensible defaults.
+func DefaultBootOptions() BootOptions {
+	return BootOptions{
+		Memory: 4096,
+		CPUs:   2,
+		Name:   "core-dev",
+	}
+}
+
+// Boot starts the dev environment.
+func (d *DevOps) Boot(ctx context.Context, opts BootOptions) error {
+	if !d.images.IsInstalled() {
+		return fmt.Errorf("dev image not installed (run 'core dev install' first)")
+	}
+
+	// Check if already running
+	if !opts.Fresh {
+		running, err := d.IsRunning(ctx)
+		if err == nil && running {
+			return fmt.Errorf("dev environment already running (use 'core dev stop' first or --fresh)")
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Stop existing if fresh
+	if opts.Fresh {
+		_ = d.Stop(ctx)
+	}
+
+	imagePath, err := ImagePath()
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Build run options for LinuxKitManager
+	runOpts := container.RunOptions{
+		Name:    opts.Name,
+		Memory:  opts.Memory,
+		CPUs:    opts.CPUs,
+		SSHPort: 2222,
+		Detach:  true,
+	}
+
+	_, err = d.container.Run(ctx, imagePath, runOpts)
+	return err
+}
+
+// Stop stops the dev environment.
+func (d *DevOps) Stop(ctx context.Context) error {
+	c, err := d.findContainer(ctx, "core-dev")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if c == nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("dev environment not found")
+	}
+	return d.container.Stop(ctx, c.ID)
+}
+
+// IsRunning checks if the dev environment is running.
+func (d *DevOps) IsRunning(ctx context.Context) (bool, error) {
+	c, err := d.findContainer(ctx, "core-dev")
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	return c != nil && c.Status == container.StatusRunning, nil
+}
+
+// findContainer finds a container by name.
+func (d *DevOps) findContainer(ctx context.Context, name string) (*container.Container, error) {
+	containers, err := d.container.List(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	for _, c := range containers {
+		if c.Name == name {
+			return c, nil
+		}
+	}
+	return nil, nil
+}
+
+// DevStatus returns information about the dev environment.
+type DevStatus struct {
+	Installed    bool
+	Running      bool
+	ImageVersion string
+	ContainerID  string
+	Memory       int
+	CPUs         int
+	SSHPort      int
+	Uptime       time.Duration
+}
+
+// Status returns the current dev environment status.
+func (d *DevOps) Status(ctx context.Context) (*DevStatus, error) {
+	status := &DevStatus{
+		Installed: d.images.IsInstalled(),
+		SSHPort:   2222,
+	}
+
+	if info, ok := d.images.manifest.Images[ImageName()]; ok {
+		status.ImageVersion = info.Version
+	}
+
+	c, _ := d.findContainer(ctx, "core-dev")
+	if c != nil {
+		status.Running = c.Status == container.StatusRunning
+		status.ContainerID = c.ID
+		status.Memory = c.Memory
+		status.CPUs = c.CPUs
+		if status.Running {
+			status.Uptime = time.Since(c.StartedAt)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return status, nil
+}