diff --git a/.github/workflows/backend-ci.yml b/.github/workflows/backend-ci.yml
index 1866021..f4a1c9a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/backend-ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/backend-ci.yml
@@ -63,8 +63,10 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Start backend server (background)
         run: |
-          uvicorn main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000 || exit 1 &
-          sleep 5  # Wait for server to start
+          uvicorn main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 5000 &
+          for i in {1..10}; do
+            curl -s http://localhost:5000/docs && break || sleep 2
+          done
 
       - name: Initialize database
         run: |