diff --git a/nix/shell.nix b/nix/shell.nix
index c9ea77c7..e4f99313 100644
--- a/nix/shell.nix
+++ b/nix/shell.nix
@@ -326,14 +326,11 @@ mkShell {
       mix local.hex --force --if-missing > /dev/null 2>&1
       mix local.rebar --force --if-missing > /dev/null 2>&1
 
-      # Auto-start services on first shell entry
+      # Auto-start services on first shell entry.
+      # Run in a detached subshell to prevent nix develop from waiting
+      # on daemonized PostgreSQL/Redis child processes.
       if [ ! -f "${servicesFlag}" ]; then
-        ${startServices}/bin/start-services
-
-        # Run migrations if databases exist and Mix deps are available
-        if [ -d "deps" ] && mix ecto.migrate 2>/dev/null; then
-          echo "✓ Database migrations applied"
-        fi
+        ( ${startServices}/bin/start-services </dev/null & )
       fi
 
       # Install pre-commit hooks