diff --git a/lib/commands.sh b/lib/commands.sh
index ae953b1..656c492 100755
--- a/lib/commands.sh
+++ b/lib/commands.sh
@@ -84,6 +84,23 @@ show_no_slots_menu() {
     exit 1
 }
 
+# Show menu when all slots are currently in use
+show_all_slots_running_menu() {
+    logo_small
+    echo
+    cecho "All slots are currently in use" "$YELLOW"
+    echo
+    printf "All your container slots are currently running.\n"
+    echo
+    printf "  ${CYAN}claudebox slots${NC}        - View all running slots\n"
+    printf "  ${CYAN}claudebox slot <n>${NC}    - Connect to specific slot\n"
+    printf "  ${CYAN}claudebox create${NC}       - Create an additional slot\n"
+    echo
+    printf "  ${DIM}Tip: Multiple slots let you run parallel Claude sessions.${NC}\n"
+    echo
+    exit 1
+}
+
 # Show menu when no ready slots are available
 show_no_ready_slots_menu() {
     logo_small
diff --git a/lib/project.sh b/lib/project.sh
index 060ba05..8234bf3 100755
--- a/lib/project.sh
+++ b/lib/project.sh
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ determine_next_start_container() {
         dir="$parent/$name"
         # Skip non-existent slots - they haven't been created yet
         [ -d "$dir" ] || continue
-        
+
         # Check if a container with this slot name is running
         if ! docker ps --format "{{.Names}}" | grep -q "^claudebox-.*-${name}$"; then
             echo "$name"
@@ -196,6 +196,37 @@ determine_next_start_container() {
     return 1
 }
 
+# Check if all slots are currently running (returns 0 if true)
+all_slots_running() {
+    local path="$1" parent max idx name dir
+    parent=$(get_parent_dir "$path")
+    max=$(read_counter "$parent")
+
+    # If no slots created yet, return false
+    [ "$max" -eq 0 ] && return 1
+
+    local slot_count=0
+    local running_count=0
+
+    for ((idx=1; idx<=max; idx++)); do
+        name=$(generate_container_name "$path" "$idx")
+        dir="$parent/$name"
+
+        # Skip non-existent slots
+        [ -d "$dir" ] || continue
+
+        ((slot_count++))
+
+        # Check if this slot is running
+        if docker ps --format "{{.Names}}" | grep -q "^claudebox-.*-${name}$"; then
+            ((running_count++))
+        fi
+    done
+
+    # Return 0 (true) if we have slots and all are running
+    [ "$slot_count" -gt 0 ] && [ "$slot_count" -eq "$running_count" ]
+}
+
 # Find the first authenticated and inactive slot
 find_ready_slot() {
     local path="$1" parent max idx name dir
diff --git a/main.sh b/main.sh
index d270048..c8b927c 100755
--- a/main.sh
+++ b/main.sh
@@ -265,11 +265,18 @@ main() {
     
     # Get the slot to use (might be empty)
     project_folder_name=$(get_project_folder_name "$PROJECT_DIR")
-    
+
     # Early exit if command needs Docker but no slots exist
     if [[ "$project_folder_name" == "NONE" ]] && [[ "$cmd_requirements" == "docker" ]]; then
-        show_no_slots_menu
-        exit 1
+        # Check if slots exist but are all running
+        if all_slots_running "$PROJECT_DIR"; then
+            show_all_slots_running_menu
+            exit 1
+        else
+            # No slots exist at all
+            show_no_slots_menu
+            exit 1
+        fi
     fi
     
     # Always set IMAGE_NAME based on parent folder