diff --git a/src/features/telemetry/server.ts b/src/features/telemetry/server.ts
index a94eb54..60969bc 100644
--- a/src/features/telemetry/server.ts
+++ b/src/features/telemetry/server.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import {
   transformClientError,
   transformClientEvent,
 } from "@/lib/pocketbase/util/transform-types";
-import { getSchedulerStatus } from "@/lib/telemetry/scheduler.server";
+import { ensureTelemetryScheduler, getSchedulerStatus } from "@/lib/telemetry/scheduler.server";
 import { getHealthSnapshot } from "@/lib/telemetry/health.server";
 import { getActiveConnectionCount } from "@/lib/events/emitter";
 import type {
@@ -161,6 +161,9 @@ export const getTelemetryRuntimeStatus = createServerFn()
   .middleware([superTokensAdminFunctionMiddleware])
   .handler(async () =>
     toServerResult<TelemetryRuntimeStatus>(async () => {
+      // Dev has no k8s probes hitting /api/health, so opening the dashboard
+      // is the scheduler's fallback starter.
+      ensureTelemetryScheduler();
       const health = await getHealthSnapshot();
       return {
         health: { status: health.status, checks: health.checks },