diff --git a/backend/app/app.py b/backend/app/app.py
index eda7e7f..0e4c45b 100644
--- a/backend/app/app.py
+++ b/backend/app/app.py
@@ -44,6 +44,12 @@ app.include_router(
 )
 
 
+# Liveness/root endpoint
+@app.get("/", include_in_schema=False)
+async def root():
+    return {"status": "ok"}
+
+
 @app.get("/authenticated-route")
 async def authenticated_route(user: User = Depends(current_active_verified_user)):
     return {"message": f"Hello {user.email}!"}