diff --git a/tests/server.test.js b/tests/server.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..03eedd1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/server.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+// Basic tests for backend API
+const request = require('supertest');
+const app = require('../src/server');
+
+describe('Backend API Tests', () => {
+    // Health check tests
+    describe('GET /health', () => {
+        it('should return 200 and status ok', async () => {
+            const res = await request(app).get('/health');
+            expect(res.statusCode).toBe(200);
+            expect(res.body).toHaveProperty('status', 'ok');
+        });
+    });
+
+    // Readiness check tests
+    describe('GET /ready', () => {
+        it('should return readiness status', async () => {
+            const res = await request(app).get('/ready');
+            expect([200, 503]).toContain(res.statusCode);
+            expect(res.body).toHaveProperty('status');
+            expect(res.body).toHaveProperty('database');
+        });
+    });
+
+    // 404 handler test
+    describe('GET /nonexistent', () => {
+        it('should return 404 for unknown routes', async () => {
+            const res = await request(app).get('/nonexistent');
+            expect(res.statusCode).toBe(404);
+            expect(res.body).toHaveProperty('error');
+        });
+    });
+
+    // Items API tests
+    describe('POST /api/items', () => {
+        it('should reject invalid item data', async () => {
+            const res = await request(app)
+                .post('/api/items')
+                .send({ name: '', quantity: -1, price: 'invalid' });
+
+            expect(res.statusCode).toBe(400);
+            expect(res.body).toHaveProperty('errors');
+        });
+
+        it('should reject missing required fields', async () => {
+            const res = await request(app)
+                .post('/api/items')
+                .send({ quantity: 10 });
+
+            expect(res.statusCode).toBe(400);
+        });
+    });
+});
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