diff --git a/_scripts/check-pre-launch.sh b/_scripts/check-pre-launch.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..d94b7e2933
--- /dev/null
+++ b/_scripts/check-pre-launch.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+#! /bin/bash
+
+# This script is a bandaid for packages not being vocal about their own requirements and expectations and causing frustration when people try to set up the project.
+# For the most part, this script doesn't exit with errors because that would stop the start-up.  It just prints helpful hints for people without a lot of project context.
+
+if [ ! -d "_scripts" ]; then
+  echo "Please run from the root of the project."
+  echo "Usage: ./_scripts/check-pre-launch.sh"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+# 123done
+FILE="packages/123done/secrets.json"
+if [ ! -f $FILE ]; then
+  echo "❌ $FILE is missing.  123done won't be functional without it."
+  echo "    See https://mozilla.github.io/ecosystem-platform/tutorials/development-setup#step-3-optional-additions"
+fi
+if [ -z $(jq -r ".client_secret // empty" $FILE) ]; then
+  echo "❌ $FILE is missing the client_secret key.  123done won't be functional without it."
+  echo "    See https://mozilla.github.io/ecosystem-platform/tutorials/development-setup#step-3-optional-additions"
+fi
+
+# Auth Server
+FILE="packages/fxa-auth-server/config/secrets.json"
+if [ ! -f $FILE ]; then
+  echo "❌ $FILE is missing.  The auth server won't be fully functional without it."
+  echo "    See https://mozilla.github.io/ecosystem-platform/tutorials/development-setup#step-3-optional-additions"
+fi
+if [ -z $(jq -r ".googleAuthConfig.clientId // empty" $FILE) ]; then
+  echo "❌ $FILE is missing the googleAuthConfig.clientId key.  Google 3rd Party Auth won't be functional without it."
+  echo "    See https://mozilla.github.io/ecosystem-platform/tutorials/development-setup#step-3-optional-additions"
+fi
diff --git a/package-scripts.js b/package-scripts.js
index 31c1201196..5e87d4a9f9 100644
--- a/package-scripts.js
+++ b/package-scripts.js
@@ -11,20 +11,20 @@ module.exports = {
     default: 'nps help',
     start: {
       default: {
-        script: `_dev/pm2/start.sh && _scripts/pm2-all.sh start && pm2 restart sync && echo "Use 'yarn stop' to stop all the servers"`,
+        script: `_scripts/check-pre-launch.sh && _dev/pm2/start.sh && _scripts/pm2-all.sh start && pm2 restart sync && echo "Use 'yarn stop' to stop all the servers"`,
         description: 'Start the entire stack, i.e. all infrastructure and services.'
       },
       infrastructure: {
-        script: `_dev/pm2/start.sh`,
+        script: `_scripts/check-pre-launch.sh && _dev/pm2/start.sh`,
         description: 'Start all infrastructure only.',
       },
       services: {
-        script: `_scripts/pm2-all.sh start`,
+        script: `_scripts/check-pre-launch.sh && _scripts/pm2-all.sh start`,
         description: 'Start all Services only.'
       },
       firefox: './packages/fxa-dev-launcher/bin/fxa-dev-launcher.mjs &',
       mza: {
-        script: `_dev/pm2/start.sh && _scripts/pm2-all.sh start ${mzaProjects} && pm2 restart sync && echo "Use 'yarn stop' to stop all the servers"`,
+        script: `_scripts/check-pre-launch.sh && _dev/pm2/start.sh && _scripts/pm2-all.sh start ${mzaProjects} && pm2 restart sync && echo "Use 'yarn stop' to stop all the servers"`,
         description: 'Start infrastructure and only required Mozilla Accounts services',
       },
       sp2: {