diff --git a/src/moai/bot/handlers/status.py b/src/moai/bot/handlers/status.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7e4aa72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/moai/bot/handlers/status.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+"""Status command handler for MoAI bot."""
+
+from telegram import Update
+from telegram.ext import ContextTypes
+
+
+async def status_command(update: Update, context: ContextTypes.DEFAULT_TYPE) -> None:
+    """Handle /status command - show current project/discussion state.
+
+    For now, shows a placeholder since project management isn't implemented yet.
+    Will be expanded in Phase 3 to show actual project state.
+    """
+    # TODO: Phase 3 - Query actual project/discussion state from database
+    status_text = (
+        "*MoAI Status*\n\n"
+        "Bot: Online\n"
+        "Database: Connected\n\n"
+        '_No project selected. Use /project new "Name" to create one._'
+    )
+    await update.message.reply_text(status_text, parse_mode="Markdown")