diff --git a/backend/app/api/routes.py b/backend/app/api/routes.py
index 3dead4d..21967b8 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/routes.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/routes.py
@@ -191,6 +191,15 @@ async def close_position(
     return engine.status()
 
 
+@router.get("/ws")
+def websocket_info() -> dict[str, str]:
+    """A plain browser hit on the socket URL gets a clear hint, not a 404/426."""
+    return {
+        "detail": "This endpoint is a WebSocket. Connect with a WebSocket client.",
+        "path": "/api/ws",
+    }
+
+
 @router.websocket("/ws")
 async def websocket_endpoint(websocket: WebSocket) -> None:
     runtime: Runtime = websocket.app.state.runtime