diff --git a/.github/workflows/server-ci-dev.yml b/.github/workflows/server-ci-dev.yml
index 09cecddb..8ba12e6e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/server-ci-dev.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/server-ci-dev.yml
@@ -46,6 +46,15 @@ jobs:
         level: high
         confidence: high
         exit_zero: true
+
+    - name: Start application
+      run: |
+        flask run &
+        sleep 5  # give Flask time to start
+
+    - name: Check application is running
+      run: |
+        curl localhost:5000
         
 
   docker-build:
diff --git a/server/app.py b/server/app.py
index 24fd8cae..1473ee94 100644
--- a/server/app.py
+++ b/server/app.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 from routes.user import user_routes
 from routes.ai import ai_routes
 
-
 # Set up the app
 app = Flask(__name__)
 CORS(app)