diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index 7a959e9..ac7505d 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -5,11 +5,17 @@
 import sys
 import asyncio
 import signal
+import os
 from pathlib import Path
 from decimal import Decimal
 from datetime import datetime
 import logging
 
+# Load .env file before anything else
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+env_path = Path(__file__).parent / ".env"
+load_dotenv(dotenv_path=env_path)
+
 # Add core to path
 core_dir = Path(__file__).parent / "core"
 sys.path.insert(0, str(core_dir))
@@ -75,7 +81,10 @@ class LemontropiaApp:
         """Print application header."""
         print("\n" + "="*65)
         print("  🍋 LEMONTROPIA SUITE — User Test Build v0.1.0")
-        print("  Core Data Capture Engine — Mock Mode")
+        if os.getenv('USE_MOCK_DATA', 'true').lower() in ('true', '1', 'yes'):
+            print("  Core Data Capture Engine — Mock Mode")
+        else:
+            print("  Core Data Capture Engine — Live Mode")
         print("="*65)
         print("\n  📚 TERMINOLOGY:")
         print("     • PROJECT = Activity type (Hunt/Mine/Craft)")
@@ -184,11 +193,18 @@ class LemontropiaApp:
         session = self.pm.start_session(project.id, notes=session_notes)
         print(f"✅ SESSION started: ID {session.id}")
         
-        # Setup log watcher
-        test_data_dir = Path(__file__).parent / "test-data"
-        mock_log = test_data_dir / "mock-chat.log"
+        # Setup log watcher - use real log or mock based on .env
+        use_mock = os.getenv('USE_MOCK_DATA', 'true').lower() in ('true', '1', 'yes')
+        log_path = os.getenv('EU_CHAT_LOG_PATH', '')
         
-        self.watcher = LogWatcher(str(mock_log), poll_interval=2.0, mock_mode=True)
+        if use_mock or not log_path:
+            test_data_dir = Path(__file__).parent / "test-data"
+            mock_log = test_data_dir / "mock-chat.log"
+            self.watcher = LogWatcher(str(mock_log), poll_interval=2.0, mock_mode=True)
+            logger.info("Using MOCK data for testing")
+        else:
+            self.watcher = LogWatcher(log_path, poll_interval=1.0, mock_mode=False)
+            logger.info(f"Using REAL log: {log_path}")
         
         # Stats tracking
         stats = {'loot': 0, 'globals': 0, 'hofs': 0, 'skills': 0, 'total_ped': Decimal('0.0')}