diff --git a/scene_renderer/__init__.py b/scene_renderer/__init__.py
index c8d545e..4a25faf 100644
--- a/scene_renderer/__init__.py
+++ b/scene_renderer/__init__.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ classes = (
     properties.SceneRendererSettings,
     operators.SCENERENDERER_OT_render_all,
     operators.SCENERENDERER_OT_cancel_batch,
+    operators.SCENERENDERER_OT_launch_swarm,
     panel.SCENERENDERER_PT_panel,
 )
 
diff --git a/scene_renderer/operators.py b/scene_renderer/operators.py
index 72539cf..4051688 100644
--- a/scene_renderer/operators.py
+++ b/scene_renderer/operators.py
@@ -180,6 +180,53 @@ class SCENERENDERER_OT_cancel_batch(bpy.types.Operator):
         return {'FINISHED'}
 
 
+class SCENERENDERER_OT_launch_swarm(bpy.types.Operator):
+    bl_idname = "scenerenderer.launch_swarm"
+    bl_label = "Launch Render Swarm"
+    bl_description = "Start the Render Swarm Companion App as Host"
+
+    def execute(self, context):
+        # Ensure file is saved
+        if not bpy.data.is_saved:
+            self.report({'ERROR'}, "Please save your .blend file first!")
+            return {'CANCELLED'}
+            
+        bpy.ops.wm.save_mainfile()
+        
+        filepath = bpy.data.filepath
+        render_dir = bpy.path.abspath("//renders")
+        os.makedirs(render_dir, exist_ok=True)
+        
+        # Determine path to swarm app
+        swarm_dir = os.path.abspath(os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..", "..", "scene-renderer-swarm"))
+        if not os.path.exists(swarm_dir):
+            self.report({'ERROR'}, f"Swarm App not found at {swarm_dir}")
+            return {'CANCELLED'}
+            
+        import platform
+        if platform.system() == "Windows":
+            script = os.path.join(swarm_dir, "run.bat")
+        else:
+            script = os.path.join(swarm_dir, "run.sh")
+            
+        cmd = [
+            script,
+            "--blend", filepath,
+            "--out", render_dir,
+            "--start", str(context.scene.frame_start),
+            "--end", str(context.scene.frame_end)
+        ]
+        
+        try:
+            # We use Popen so we don't block Blender
+            subprocess.Popen(cmd, cwd=swarm_dir)
+            self.report({'INFO'}, "Render Swarm Host launched!")
+        except Exception as e:
+            self.report({'ERROR'}, f"Failed to launch Swarm: {e}")
+            
+        return {'FINISHED'}
+
+
 _FORMAT_TO_EXT = {
     'PNG': '.png',
     'JPEG': '.jpg',
diff --git a/scene_renderer/panel.py b/scene_renderer/panel.py
index 3cc8c93..537c147 100644
--- a/scene_renderer/panel.py
+++ b/scene_renderer/panel.py
@@ -120,4 +120,9 @@ class SCENERENDERER_PT_panel(bpy.types.Panel):
             op1 = row.operator("scenerenderer.render_all", text="Current Scene", icon='RENDER_STILL')
             op1.render_only_current = True
             op2 = row.operator("scenerenderer.render_all", text="All Scenes", icon='RENDER_ANIMATION')
-            op2.render_only_current = False
\ No newline at end of file
+            op2.render_only_current = False
+            
+            layout.separator()
+            row = layout.row(align=True)
+            row.scale_y = 2.0
+            row.operator("scenerenderer.launch_swarm", text="Start Render Swarm (Network)", icon='NODETREE')
\ No newline at end of file