diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 941d7b6f..cb9f7d44 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,17 +1,21 @@
 # MarkiTect - Advanced Markdown Engine
 # Makefile for common development tasks
 
-.PHONY: help setup install test build clean update status dev lint format check-deps
+.PHONY: help setup install test build clean update status dev lint format check-deps venv-status
 
 # Default target
 help:
 	@echo "MarkiTect Development Commands"
 	@echo "=============================="
 	@echo ""
+	@echo "Environment Status:"
+	@$(MAKE) --no-print-directory venv-status
+	@echo ""
 	@echo "Setup & Installation:"
 	@echo "  setup       - Initial project setup (venv + install)"
 	@echo "  install     - Install package in development mode"
 	@echo "  dev         - Install with development dependencies"
+	@echo "  venv-status - Check if venv is active"
 	@echo ""
 	@echo "Development:"
 	@echo "  test        - Run all tests"
@@ -31,6 +35,23 @@ VENV := .venv
 VENV_PYTHON := $(VENV)/bin/python
 VENV_PIP := $(VENV)/bin/pip
 
+# Check virtual environment status (read-only)
+venv-status:
+	@if [ -f $(VENV)/bin/activate ] && [ -f $(VENV)/bin/python ]; then \
+		if [ -n "$$VIRTUAL_ENV" ] && [ "$$VIRTUAL_ENV" = "$$(realpath $(VENV))" ]; then \
+			echo "  ✅ Virtual environment: Active in current shell"; \
+		elif [ -n "$$VIRTUAL_ENV" ]; then \
+			echo "  ⚠️  Virtual environment: Different venv active ($$VIRTUAL_ENV)"; \
+			echo "     Run 'deactivate' then 'source $(VENV)/bin/activate'"; \
+		else \
+			echo "  📁 Virtual environment: Ready but not activated"; \
+			echo "     Run 'source $(VENV)/bin/activate' to activate"; \
+		fi; \
+	else \
+		echo "  ❌ Virtual environment: Not found"; \
+		echo "     Run 'make setup' to create and configure"; \
+	fi
+
 # Setup virtual environment and install package
 setup: $(VENV)/bin/activate install
 	@echo "✅ Project setup complete!"
@@ -133,4 +154,4 @@ check-deps: $(VENV)/bin/activate
 	$(VENV_PIP) list
 	@echo ""
 	@echo "Project dependencies:"
-	$(VENV_PIP) check
\ No newline at end of file
+	$(VENV_PIP) check