diff --git a/.changeset/slow-ducks-hunt.md b/.changeset/slow-ducks-hunt.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0aac3056cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/slow-ducks-hunt.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/cli': patch
+---
+
+Added support for the `dev/index` entry point for backend plugins and modules.
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/commands/start/startBackend.ts b/packages/cli/src/commands/start/startBackend.ts
index 3e6a13be96..622eeb9d1b 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/commands/start/startBackend.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/commands/start/startBackend.ts
@@ -26,7 +26,17 @@ interface StartBackendOptions {
 }
 
 export async function startBackend(options: StartBackendOptions) {
-  if (process.env.EXPERIMENTAL_BACKEND_START) {
+  const hasDev = await fs.pathExists(paths.resolveTarget('dev'));
+  if (hasDev) {
+    const waitForExit = await startBackendExperimental({
+      entry: 'dev/index',
+      checksEnabled: false, // not supported
+      inspectEnabled: options.inspectEnabled,
+      inspectBrkEnabled: options.inspectBrkEnabled,
+    });
+
+    await waitForExit();
+  } else if (process.env.EXPERIMENTAL_BACKEND_START) {
     const waitForExit = await startBackendExperimental({
       entry: 'src/index',
       checksEnabled: false, // not supported