diff --git a/gateway/run.py b/gateway/run.py
index dfa97c457..9c354ebd4 100644
--- a/gateway/run.py
+++ b/gateway/run.py
@@ -24,6 +24,14 @@ from typing import Dict, Optional, Any, List
 # Add parent directory to path
 sys.path.insert(0, str(Path(__file__).parent.parent))
 
+# Load environment variables from ~/.hermes/.env
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+_env_path = Path.home() / '.hermes' / '.env'
+if _env_path.exists():
+    load_dotenv(_env_path)
+# Also try project .env as fallback
+load_dotenv()
+
 from gateway.config import (
     Platform,
     GatewayConfig,
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 68a31e447..98db357c9 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -35,10 +35,10 @@ croniter
 
 # Optional: For messaging platform integrations (gateway)
 # Telegram: pip install python-telegram-bot
-# python-telegram-bot>=20.0
+python-telegram-bot>=20.0
 
 # Discord: pip install discord.py
-# discord.py>=2.0
+discord.py>=2.0
 
 # WhatsApp: Requires Node.js bridge (see docs/messaging.md)
 # aiohttp  # For WhatsApp bridge communication
\ No newline at end of file