diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e46cc8aa..85c04467 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -178,3 +178,7 @@ env.bak/
 #lockfiles
 uv.lock
 poetry.lock
+
+bootstrap_instructions.txt
+.gitignore
+README.md
diff --git a/examples/bootstrap/bootstrap.py b/examples/bootstrap/bootstrap.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..415b7a81
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/bootstrap/bootstrap.py
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+import argparse
+import logging
+import secrets
+
+import multiaddr
+import trio
+
+from libp2p import new_host
+from libp2p.abc import PeerInfo
+from libp2p.crypto.secp256k1 import create_new_key_pair
+from libp2p.discovery.events.peerDiscovery import peerDiscovery
+
+# Configure logging
+logger = logging.getLogger("libp2p.discovery.bootstrap")
+logger.setLevel(logging.INFO)
+handler = logging.StreamHandler()
+handler.setFormatter(
+    logging.Formatter("%(asctime)s - %(name)s - %(levelname)s - %(message)s")
+)
+logger.addHandler(handler)
+
+# Set root logger to DEBUG to capture all logs
+logging.getLogger().setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+
+
+def on_peer_discovery(peer_info: PeerInfo) -> None:
+    """Handler for peer discovery events."""
+    logger.info(f"🔍 Discovered peer: {peer_info.peer_id}")
+    logger.info(f"   Addresses: {[str(addr) for addr in peer_info.addrs]}")
+
+
+# Example bootstrap peers (you can replace with real bootstrap nodes)
+BOOTSTRAP_PEERS = [
+    # IPFS bootstrap nodes (examples - replace with actual working nodes)
+    "/ip4/104.131.131.82/tcp/4001/p2p/QmaCpDMGvV2BGHeYERUEnRQAwe3N8SznbYGzPwp8qDrq",
+    "/ip6/2604:a880:1:20::203:d001/tcp/4001/p2p/QmSoLPppuBtQSGwKDZT2M73ULpjvfd3aZ6ha4oFGL1KrGM",
+]
+
+
+async def run(port: int, bootstrap_addrs: list[str]) -> None:
+    """Run the bootstrap discovery example."""
+    # Generate key pair
+    secret = secrets.token_bytes(32)
+    key_pair = create_new_key_pair(secret)
+
+    # Create listen address
+    listen_addr = multiaddr.Multiaddr(f"/ip4/0.0.0.0/tcp/{port}")
+
+    # Register peer discovery handler
+    peerDiscovery.register_peer_discovered_handler(on_peer_discovery)
+
+    logger.info("🚀 Starting Bootstrap Discovery Example")
+    logger.info(f"📍 Listening on: {listen_addr}")
+    logger.info(f"🌐 Bootstrap peers: {len(bootstrap_addrs)}")
+
+    print("\n" + "=" * 60)
+    print("Bootstrap Discovery Example")
+    print("=" * 60)
+    print("This example demonstrates connecting to bootstrap peers.")
+    print("Watch the logs for peer discovery events!")
+    print("Press Ctrl+C to exit.")
+    print("=" * 60)
+
+    # Create and run host with bootstrap discovery
+    host = new_host(key_pair=key_pair, bootstrap=bootstrap_addrs)
+
+    try:
+        async with host.run(listen_addrs=[listen_addr]):
+            # Keep running and log peer discovery events
+            await trio.sleep_forever()
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        logger.info("👋 Shutting down...")
+
+
+def main() -> None:
+    """Main entry point."""
+    description = """
+    Bootstrap Discovery Example for py-libp2p
+
+    This example demonstrates how to use bootstrap peers for peer discovery.
+    Bootstrap peers are predefined peers that help new nodes join the network.
+
+    Usage:
+        python bootstrap.py -p 8000
+        python bootstrap.py -p 8001 --custom-bootstrap \\
+            "/ip4/127.0.0.1/tcp/8000/p2p/QmYourPeerID"
+    """
+
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        description=description, formatter_class=argparse.RawDescriptionHelpFormatter
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "-p", "--port", default=0, type=int, help="Port to listen on (default: random)"
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--custom-bootstrap",
+        nargs="*",
+        help="Custom bootstrap addresses (space-separated)",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "-v", "--verbose", action="store_true", help="Enable verbose output"
+    )
+
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    if args.verbose:
+        logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+
+    # Use custom bootstrap addresses if provided, otherwise use defaults
+    bootstrap_addrs = (
+        args.custom_bootstrap if args.custom_bootstrap else BOOTSTRAP_PEERS
+    )
+
+    try:
+        trio.run(run, args.port, bootstrap_addrs)
+    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+        logger.info("Exiting...")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
diff --git a/libp2p/__init__.py b/libp2p/__init__.py
index fa7ebefd..744099b7 100644
--- a/libp2p/__init__.py
+++ b/libp2p/__init__.py
@@ -249,6 +249,7 @@ def new_host(
     muxer_preference: Literal["YAMUX", "MPLEX"] | None = None,
     listen_addrs: Sequence[multiaddr.Multiaddr] | None = None,
     enable_mDNS: bool = False,
+    bootstrap: list[str] | None = None,
 ) -> IHost:
     """
     Create a new libp2p host based on the given parameters.
@@ -261,6 +262,7 @@ def new_host(
     :param muxer_preference: optional explicit muxer preference
     :param listen_addrs: optional list of multiaddrs to listen on
     :param enable_mDNS: whether to enable mDNS discovery
+    :param bootstrap: optional list of bootstrap peer addresses as strings
     :return: return a host instance
     """
     swarm = new_swarm(
@@ -273,7 +275,7 @@ def new_host(
     )
 
     if disc_opt is not None:
-        return RoutedHost(swarm, disc_opt, enable_mDNS)
-    return BasicHost(swarm, enable_mDNS)
+        return RoutedHost(swarm, disc_opt, enable_mDNS, bootstrap)
+    return BasicHost(swarm, enable_mDNS, bootstrap)
 
 __version__ = __version("libp2p")
diff --git a/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/__init__.py b/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bad6ff74
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+"""Bootstrap peer discovery module for py-libp2p."""
+
+from .bootstrap import BootstrapDiscovery
+
+__all__ = ["BootstrapDiscovery"]
diff --git a/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/bootstrap.py b/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/bootstrap.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..49e070e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/bootstrap.py
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+import logging
+
+from multiaddr import Multiaddr
+
+from libp2p.abc import INetworkService
+from libp2p.discovery.events.peerDiscovery import peerDiscovery
+from libp2p.peer.peerinfo import info_from_p2p_addr
+
+logger = logging.getLogger("libp2p.discovery.bootstrap")
+
+
+class BootstrapDiscovery:
+    """
+    Bootstrap-based peer discovery for py-libp2p.
+    Connects to predefined bootstrap peers and adds them to peerstore.
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, swarm: INetworkService, bootstrap_addrs: list[str]):
+        self.swarm = swarm
+        self.peerstore = swarm.peerstore
+        self.bootstrap_addrs = bootstrap_addrs or []
+        self.discovered_peers: set[str] = set()
+
+    def start(self) -> None:
+        """Process bootstrap addresses and emit peer discovery events."""
+        logger.debug(
+            f"Starting bootstrap discovery with "
+            f"{len(self.bootstrap_addrs)} bootstrap addresses"
+        )
+
+        for addr_str in self.bootstrap_addrs:
+            try:
+                self._process_bootstrap_addr(addr_str)
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.warning(f"Failed to process bootstrap address {addr_str}: {e}")
+
+    def stop(self) -> None:
+        """Clean up bootstrap discovery resources."""
+        logger.debug("Stopping bootstrap discovery")
+        self.discovered_peers.clear()
+
+    def _process_bootstrap_addr(self, addr_str: str) -> None:
+        """Convert string address to PeerInfo and add to peerstore."""
+        # Convert string to Multiaddr
+        multiaddr = Multiaddr(addr_str)
+
+        # Extract peer info from multiaddr
+        peer_info = info_from_p2p_addr(multiaddr)
+
+        # Skip if it's our own peer
+        if peer_info.peer_id == self.swarm.get_peer_id():
+            logger.debug(f"Skipping own peer ID: {peer_info.peer_id}")
+            return
+
+        # Skip if already discovered
+        if str(peer_info.peer_id) in self.discovered_peers:
+            logger.debug(f"Peer already discovered: {peer_info.peer_id}")
+            return
+
+        # Add to peerstore with TTL (using same pattern as mDNS)
+        self.peerstore.add_addrs(peer_info.peer_id, peer_info.addrs, 10)
+
+        # Track discovered peer
+        self.discovered_peers.add(str(peer_info.peer_id))
+
+        # Emit peer discovery event
+        peerDiscovery.emit_peer_discovered(peer_info)
+
+        logger.info(f"Discovered bootstrap peer: {peer_info.peer_id}")
diff --git a/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/utils.py b/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..c88dfd87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libp2p/discovery/bootstrap/utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+"""Utility functions for bootstrap discovery."""
+
+import logging
+
+from multiaddr import Multiaddr
+
+from libp2p.peer.peerinfo import InvalidAddrError, PeerInfo, info_from_p2p_addr
+
+logger = logging.getLogger("libp2p.discovery.bootstrap.utils")
+
+
+def validate_bootstrap_addresses(addrs: list[str]) -> list[str]:
+    """
+    Validate and filter bootstrap addresses.
+
+    :param addrs: List of bootstrap address strings
+    :return: List of valid bootstrap addresses
+    """
+    valid_addrs = []
+
+    for addr_str in addrs:
+        try:
+            # Try to parse as multiaddr
+            multiaddr = Multiaddr(addr_str)
+
+            # Try to extract peer info (this validates the p2p component)
+            info_from_p2p_addr(multiaddr)
+
+            valid_addrs.append(addr_str)
+            logger.debug(f"Valid bootstrap address: {addr_str}")
+
+        except (InvalidAddrError, ValueError, Exception) as e:
+            logger.warning(f"Invalid bootstrap address '{addr_str}': {e}")
+            continue
+
+    return valid_addrs
+
+
+def parse_bootstrap_peer_info(addr_str: str) -> PeerInfo | None:
+    """
+    Parse bootstrap address string into PeerInfo.
+
+    :param addr_str: Bootstrap address string
+    :return: PeerInfo object or None if parsing fails
+    """
+    try:
+        multiaddr = Multiaddr(addr_str)
+        return info_from_p2p_addr(multiaddr)
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Failed to parse bootstrap address '{addr_str}': {e}")
+        return None
diff --git a/libp2p/host/basic_host.py b/libp2p/host/basic_host.py
index 798186cf..ff17effd 100644
--- a/libp2p/host/basic_host.py
+++ b/libp2p/host/basic_host.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ from libp2p.custom_types import (
     StreamHandlerFn,
     TProtocol,
 )
+from libp2p.discovery.bootstrap.bootstrap import BootstrapDiscovery
 from libp2p.discovery.mdns.mdns import MDNSDiscovery
 from libp2p.host.defaults import (
     get_default_protocols,
@@ -91,6 +92,7 @@ class BasicHost(IHost):
         self,
         network: INetworkService,
         enable_mDNS: bool = False,
+        bootstrap: list[str] | None = None,
         default_protocols: Optional["OrderedDict[TProtocol, StreamHandlerFn]"] = None,
     ) -> None:
         self._network = network
@@ -102,6 +104,8 @@ class BasicHost(IHost):
         self.multiselect_client = MultiselectClient()
         if enable_mDNS:
             self.mDNS = MDNSDiscovery(network)
+        if bootstrap:
+            self.bootstrap = BootstrapDiscovery(network, bootstrap)
 
     def get_id(self) -> ID:
         """
@@ -169,11 +173,16 @@ class BasicHost(IHost):
                 if hasattr(self, "mDNS") and self.mDNS is not None:
                     logger.debug("Starting mDNS Discovery")
                     self.mDNS.start()
+                if hasattr(self, "bootstrap") and self.bootstrap is not None:
+                    logger.debug("Starting Bootstrap Discovery")
+                    self.bootstrap.start()
                 try:
                     yield
                 finally:
                     if hasattr(self, "mDNS") and self.mDNS is not None:
                         self.mDNS.stop()
+                    if hasattr(self, "bootstrap") and self.bootstrap is not None:
+                        self.bootstrap.stop()
 
         return _run()
 
diff --git a/libp2p/host/routed_host.py b/libp2p/host/routed_host.py
index 166a15ec..e103c9e5 100644
--- a/libp2p/host/routed_host.py
+++ b/libp2p/host/routed_host.py
@@ -19,9 +19,13 @@ class RoutedHost(BasicHost):
     _router: IPeerRouting
 
     def __init__(
-        self, network: INetworkService, router: IPeerRouting, enable_mDNS: bool = False
+        self,
+        network: INetworkService,
+        router: IPeerRouting,
+        enable_mDNS: bool = False,
+        bootstrap: list[str] | None = None,
     ):
-        super().__init__(network, enable_mDNS)
+        super().__init__(network, enable_mDNS, bootstrap)
         self._router = router
 
     async def connect(self, peer_info: PeerInfo) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/discovery/__init__.py b/tests/discovery/__init__.py
index e69de29b..297d7bd2 100644
--- a/tests/discovery/__init__.py
+++ b/tests/discovery/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Discovery tests for py-libp2p."""
diff --git a/tests/discovery/bootstrap/__init__.py b/tests/discovery/bootstrap/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..4bb10e8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/discovery/bootstrap/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+"""Bootstrap discovery tests for py-libp2p."""
diff --git a/tests/discovery/bootstrap/test_bootstrap_script.py b/tests/discovery/bootstrap/test_bootstrap_script.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f22fa970
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/discovery/bootstrap/test_bootstrap_script.py
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Simple test script to verify bootstrap functionality
+"""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+# Add the parent directory to sys.path so we can import libp2p
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "../../"))
+
+from libp2p.discovery.bootstrap.utils import (
+    parse_bootstrap_peer_info,
+    validate_bootstrap_addresses,
+)
+
+
+def test_bootstrap_validation():
+    """Test bootstrap address validation"""
+    print("🧪 Testing Bootstrap Address Validation")
+
+    # Test addresses
+    test_addresses = [
+        "/ip4/104.131.131.82/tcp/4001/p2p/QmaCpDMGvV2BGHeYERUEnRQAwe3N8SznbYGzPwp8qDrq",
+        "/ip4/127.0.0.1/tcp/8000/p2p/QmTest123",  # This might be invalid peer ID format
+        "invalid-address",
+        "/ip4/192.168.1.1/tcp/4001",  # Missing p2p component
+        "/ip6/2604:a880:1:20::203:d001/tcp/4001/p2p/QmSoLPppuBtQSGwKDZT2M73ULpjvfd3aZ6ha4oFGL1KrGM",
+    ]
+
+    print(f"📋 Testing {len(test_addresses)} addresses:")
+    for addr in test_addresses:
+        print(f"   • {addr}")
+
+    # Validate addresses
+    valid_addresses = validate_bootstrap_addresses(test_addresses)
+
+    print(f"\n✅ Valid addresses ({len(valid_addresses)}):")
+    for addr in valid_addresses:
+        print(f"   • {addr}")
+
+        # Try to parse peer info
+        peer_info = parse_bootstrap_peer_info(addr)
+        if peer_info:
+            print(f"     → Peer ID: {peer_info.peer_id}")
+            print(f"     → Addresses: {[str(a) for a in peer_info.addrs]}")
+        else:
+            print("     → Failed to parse peer info")
+
+    return len(valid_addresses) > 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print("=" * 60)
+    print("Bootstrap Module Test")
+    print("=" * 60)
+
+    try:
+        success = test_bootstrap_validation()
+        if success:
+            print("\n🎉 Bootstrap module test completed successfully!")
+        else:
+            print("\n❌ No valid bootstrap addresses found")
+            sys.exit(1)
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"\n💥 Test failed with error: {e}")
+        import traceback
+
+        traceback.print_exc()
+        sys.exit(1)
diff --git a/tests/discovery/bootstrap/test_integration.py b/tests/discovery/bootstrap/test_integration.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..dc77aab2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/discovery/bootstrap/test_integration.py
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Test the full bootstrap discovery integration
+"""
+
+import logging
+import secrets
+
+import pytest
+
+from libp2p import new_host
+from libp2p.abc import PeerInfo
+from libp2p.crypto.secp256k1 import create_new_key_pair
+from libp2p.discovery.events.peerDiscovery import peerDiscovery
+from libp2p.host.basic_host import BasicHost
+
+# Configure logging
+logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
+logger = logging.getLogger("bootstrap_test")
+
+
+def on_peer_discovery(peer_info: PeerInfo) -> None:
+    """Handler for peer discovery events."""
+    logger.info(f"🔍 Discovered peer: {peer_info.peer_id}")
+    logger.info(f"   Addresses: {[str(addr) for addr in peer_info.addrs]}")
+
+
+@pytest.mark.trio
+async def test_bootstrap_integration():
+    """Test bootstrap integration with new_host"""
+    print("🧪 Testing Bootstrap Integration")
+
+    # Test bootstrap addresses
+    bootstrap_addrs = [
+        "/ip4/104.131.131.82/tcp/4001/p2p/QmaCpDMGvV2BGHeYERUEnRQAwe3N8SznbYGzPwp8qDrq",
+        "/ip4/104.236.179.241/tcp/4001/p2p/QmSoLPppuBtQSGwKDZT2M73ULpjvfd3aZ6ha4oFGL1KrGM",
+    ]
+
+    # Generate key pair
+    secret = secrets.token_bytes(32)
+    key_pair = create_new_key_pair(secret)
+
+    # Register peer discovery handler
+    peerDiscovery.register_peer_discovered_handler(on_peer_discovery)
+
+    print(f"🌐 Testing with {len(bootstrap_addrs)} bootstrap peers")
+
+    # Create host with bootstrap
+    host = new_host(key_pair=key_pair, bootstrap=bootstrap_addrs)
+
+    print("✅ Successfully created host with bootstrap")
+    print(f"📍 Host peer ID: {host.get_id()}")
+    print("🔗 Bootstrap discovery should process peers when host starts")
+
+    # Verify bootstrap discovery is set up (cast to BasicHost for type checking)
+    assert isinstance(host, BasicHost), "Host should be a BasicHost instance"
+    assert hasattr(host, "bootstrap"), "Host should have bootstrap attribute"
+    assert host.bootstrap is not None, "Bootstrap discovery should be initialized"
+    assert len(host.bootstrap.bootstrap_addrs) == len(bootstrap_addrs), (
+        "Bootstrap addresses should match"
+    )
+
+    print("🎉 Bootstrap integration test completed successfully!")
+
+
+def test_bootstrap_no_addresses():
+    """Test that bootstrap is not initialized when no addresses provided"""
+    secret = secrets.token_bytes(32)
+    key_pair = create_new_key_pair(secret)
+
+    # Create host without bootstrap
+    host = new_host(key_pair=key_pair)
+
+    # Verify bootstrap is not initialized
+    assert isinstance(host, BasicHost)
+    assert not hasattr(host, "bootstrap") or host.bootstrap is None, (
+        "Bootstrap should not be initialized when no addresses provided"
+    )