diff --git a/asxpio.rb b/asxpio.rb
index df0935f..91ebef4 100644
--- a/asxpio.rb
+++ b/asxpio.rb
@@ -143,6 +143,18 @@ class AsxpioWeb < Sinatra::Base
     redirect '/thanks'
   end
 
+  # Liveness for the Docker HEALTHCHECK and the deploy pipeline. Pings the DB
+  # when invoicing is configured — a wedged connection pool should read as
+  # unhealthy, not just "process exists".
+  get '/healthz' do
+    begin
+      DB.connection['SELECT 1'].get if defined?(Invoice)
+    rescue Sequel::Error
+      halt 503, 'db unreachable'
+    end
+    'ok'
+  end
+
   get '/thanks' do
     @page_title = 'Thanks — IE Sergei Poljanski'
     @page_desc  = 'Your message has been received. A confirmation copy has been sent to your inbox.'
diff --git a/test/app_test.rb b/test/app_test.rb
index a4eb6ba..63c7ffa 100644
--- a/test/app_test.rb
+++ b/test/app_test.rb
@@ -40,6 +40,12 @@ class AppTest < Minitest::Test
     assert last_response.ok?
   end
 
+  def test_healthz
+    get '/healthz'
+    assert last_response.ok?
+    assert_equal 'ok', last_response.body
+  end
+
   # --- contact form ---------------------------------------------------------
 
   def contact_params(over = {})