diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 31ce50ac..c4f31d05 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
     "name": "vscode-pets",
-    "version": "1.25.0",
+    "version": "1.25.1",
     "lockfileVersion": 2,
     "requires": true,
     "packages": {
         "": {
             "name": "vscode-pets",
-            "version": "1.25.0",
+            "version": "1.25.1",
             "license": "MIT",
             "dependencies": {
                 "@vscode/l10n": "^0.0.10"
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 04050e4f..4957c35a 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -224,6 +224,11 @@
                         "type": "boolean",
                         "default": false,
                         "description": "Throw ball with mouse"
+                    },
+                    "vscode-pets.autoStartPetCodingSession": {
+                        "type": "boolean",
+                        "default": false,
+                        "description": "Automatically start a pet coding session when VS Code starts."
                     }
                 }
             }
diff --git a/src/extension/extension.ts b/src/extension/extension.ts
index 63196d9d..771c2dff 100644
--- a/src/extension/extension.ts
+++ b/src/extension/extension.ts
@@ -317,6 +317,14 @@ export function activate(context: vscode.ExtensionContext) {
         }),
     );
 
+    // create a pet coding session on vscode start
+    const autoStart = vscode.workspace
+        .getConfiguration('vscode-pets')
+        .get<Boolean>('autoStartPetCodingSession');
+    if (autoStart) {
+        vscode.commands.executeCommand('vscode-pets.start');
+    }
+
     spawnPetStatusBar = vscode.window.createStatusBarItem(
         vscode.StatusBarAlignment.Right,
         100,