diff --git a/scripts/dev-setup.sh b/scripts/dev-setup.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..7bd5795
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/dev-setup.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# Netsleuth Development Setup Script
+# This script sets up the development environment for netsleuth contributors
+
+echo "🔧 Setting up netsleuth development environment..."
+
+# Check if uv is installed
+if ! command -v uv &> /dev/null; then
+    echo "❌ uv not found. Installing uv..."
+    curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
+    export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
+fi
+
+echo "✅ uv found: $(uv --version)"
+
+# Install Python dependencies
+echo "📦 Installing dependencies..."
+uv sync --extra tcptrace --extra ndt7
+
+# Install pre-commit hooks
+echo "🪝 Installing pre-commit hooks..."
+uv run pre-commit install
+
+# Run initial checks
+echo "🧪 Running initial tests..."
+uv run pytest -q
+
+echo "✅ Development environment ready!"
+echo ""
+echo "Next steps:"
+echo "  1. Review CONTRIBUTING.md for contribution guidelines"
+echo "  2. Run 'uv run pytest' to verify everything works"
+echo "  3. Start coding! 🚀"