diff --git a/app/deploy_system.py b/app/deploy_system.py
index f7bf71b1..91ffa28c 100644
--- a/app/deploy_system.py
+++ b/app/deploy_system.py
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import hashlib
 import os
 import sys
 from decouple import config
+import subprocess
 from python_on_whales import DockerClient
 import click
 import importlib.resources
@@ -123,10 +124,10 @@ def command(ctx, include, exclude, cluster, command, extra_args):
             if verbose:
                 print(f"Running compose up for extra_args: {extra_args_list}")
             for pre_start_command in pre_start_commands:
-                1
+                _run_command(ctx.obj, pre_start_command)
             docker.compose.up(detach=True, services=extra_args_list)
             for post_start_command in post_start_commands:
-                1
+                _run_command(ctx.obj, post_start_command)
         elif command == "down":
             if verbose:
                 print("Running compose down")
@@ -193,3 +194,16 @@ def _convert_to_new_format(old_pod_array):
             }
             new_pod_array.append(new_pod)
     return new_pod_array
+
+
+def _run_command(ctx, command):
+    if ctx.verbose:
+        print(f"Running command: {command}")
+    command_dir = os.path.dirname(command)
+    print(f"command_dir: {command_dir}")
+    command_file = os.path.join(".", os.path.basename(command))
+    my_env = os.environ.copy()
+    command_result = subprocess.run(f"bash {command_file}", shell=True, env=my_env, cwd=command_dir)
+    if command_result.returncode != 0:
+        print(f"FATAL Error running command: {command}")
+        sys.exit(1)