feat(backend): Add dedicated health endpoint (#11104)

* feat(backend): Add dedicated health endpoint

* bump api version

* add test for new endpoint

* fix check

src/backend/InvenTree/InvenTree/api_version.py

@@ -1,13 +1,16 @@
 """InvenTree API version information."""
 
 # InvenTree API version
-INVENTREE_API_VERSION = 437
+INVENTREE_API_VERSION = 438
 """Increment this API version number whenever there is a significant change to the API that any clients need to know about."""
 
 INVENTREE_API_TEXT = """
 
+v438 -> 2026-01-09 : https://github.com/inventree/InvenTree/pull/11104
+    - Adds a simpler / faster health check endpoint at /api/system/health/
+
 v437 -> 2026-01-07 : https://github.com/inventree/InvenTree/pull/11084
-    - Add generic parameter support for the StockLocation model
+    - Adds generic parameter support for the StockLocation model
 
 v436 -> 2026-01-06 : https://github.com/inventree/InvenTree/pull/11035
     - Removes model-specific metadata endpoints and replaces them with redirects

src/backend/InvenTree/common/api.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from django.conf import settings
 from django.contrib.contenttypes.models import ContentType
 from django.core.exceptions import ValidationError
 from django.db.models import Q
+from django.http import JsonResponse
 from django.http.response import HttpResponse
 from django.urls import include, path, re_path
 from django.utils.decorators import method_decorator
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ import common.filters
 import common.models
 import common.serializers
 import InvenTree.conversion
+import InvenTree.ready
 from common.icons import get_icon_packs
 from common.settings import get_global_setting
 from data_exporter.mixins import DataExportViewMixin
@@ -1071,6 +1073,48 @@ class TestEmail(CreateAPI):
             )  # pragma: no cover
 
 
+class HealthCheckStatusSerializer(serializers.Serializer):
+    """Status of the overall system health."""
+
+    status = serializers.ChoiceField(
+        help_text='Health status of the InvenTree server',
+        choices=['ok', 'loading'],
+        read_only=True,
+        default='ok',
+    )
+
+
+class HealthCheckView(APIView):
+    """Simple JSON endpoint for InvenTree health check.
+
+    Intended to be used by external services to confirm that the InvenTree server is running.
+    """
+
+    permission_classes = [AllowAnyOrReadScope]
+
+    @extend_schema(
+        responses={
+            200: OpenApiResponse(
+                response=HealthCheckStatusSerializer,
+                description='InvenTree server health status',
+            )
+        }
+    )
+    def get(self, request, *args, **kwargs):
+        """Simple health check endpoint for monitoring purposes.
+
+        Use the root API endpoint for more detailed information (using an authenticated request).
+        """
+        status = (
+            InvenTree.ready.isPluginRegistryLoaded()
+            if settings.PLUGINS_ENABLED
+            else True
+        )
+        return JsonResponse(
+            {'status': 'ok' if status else 'loading'}, status=200 if status else 503
+        )
+
+
 selection_urls = [
     path(
         '<int:pk>/',
@@ -1346,6 +1390,11 @@ common_api_urls = [
             path('', DataOutputList.as_view(), name='api-data-output-list'),
         ]),
     ),
+    # System APIs (related to basic system functions)
+    path(
+        'system/',
+        include([path('health/', HealthCheckView.as_view(), name='api-system-health')]),
+    ),
 ]
 
 admin_api_urls = [

src/backend/InvenTree/common/tests.py

@@ -1471,6 +1471,35 @@ class CommonTest(InvenTreeAPITestCase):
         self.user.is_superuser = False
         self.user.save()
 
+    def test_health_api(self):
+        """Test health check URL."""
+        from plugin import registry
+
+        # Fully started system - ok
+        response_data = self.get(reverse('api-system-health'), expected_code=200).json()
+        self.assertIn('status', response_data)
+        self.assertEqual(response_data['status'], 'ok')
+
+        # Simulate plugin reloading - Not ready
+        try:
+            registry.plugins_loaded = False
+            response_data = self.get(
+                reverse('api-system-health'), expected_code=503
+            ).json()
+            self.assertIn('status', response_data)
+            self.assertEqual(response_data['status'], 'loading')
+        finally:
+            registry.plugins_loaded = True
+
+        # No plugins enabled - still ok
+        with self.settings(PLUGINS_ENABLED=False):
+            self.assertEqual(
+                self.get(reverse('api-system-health'), expected_code=200).json()[
+                    'status'
+                ],
+                'ok',
+            )
+
 
 class CurrencyAPITests(InvenTreeAPITestCase):
     """Unit tests for the currency exchange API endpoints."""