diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 0b4a83e..aea31a5 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -23,6 +23,12 @@ type Config struct {
 		Communities []string
 		Origin      string
 	}
+	Apps []struct {
+		Name     string
+		Vip      string
+		Monitors []string
+		Nats     []string
+	}
 }
 
 func GetConfig(file string) *Config {
diff --git a/controller/monitor.go b/controller/monitor.go
index 03028ff..3969a46 100644
--- a/controller/monitor.go
+++ b/controller/monitor.go
@@ -95,6 +95,15 @@ func NewMonitor(config *c.Config) *MonitorMgr {
 		config.Agent.CleanupTimer = defaultCleanupTimer
 	}
 	mon.config = config
+	// add apps defined in config
+	for _, a := range config.Apps {
+		app, err := NewApp(a.Name, a.Vip, a.Monitors, a.Nats)
+		if err != nil {
+			glog.Errorf("Failed to add configured app %s: %v", a.Name, err)
+			continue
+		}
+		mon.Add(app)
+	}
 	return mon
 }