diff --git a/api/discord/oauth/start.ts b/api/discord/oauth/start.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4197d703
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api/discord/oauth/start.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+export const config = {
+  runtime: "nodejs",
+};
+
+export default function handler(req: any, res: any) {
+  if (req.method !== "GET") {
+    return res.status(405).json({ error: "Method not allowed" });
+  }
+
+  const clientId = process.env.DISCORD_CLIENT_ID;
+  if (!clientId) {
+    return res.status(500).json({ error: "Discord client ID not configured" });
+  }
+
+  const redirectUri = `${process.env.VITE_API_BASE || "https://aethex.dev"}/api/discord/oauth/callback`;
+  
+  // Get the next URL from query params (where to redirect after login)
+  const next = req.query.state || "/dashboard";
+  
+  const params = new URLSearchParams({
+    client_id: clientId,
+    redirect_uri: redirectUri,
+    response_type: "code",
+    scope: "identify email",
+    state: typeof next === "string" ? next : "/dashboard",
+  });
+
+  const discordOAuthUrl = `https://discord.com/api/oauth2/authorize?${params.toString()}`;
+  res.redirect(discordOAuthUrl);
+}