diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f44b130..6226ef8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ A simple Flask REST API for managing a todo list.
 |--------|------|-------------|
 | GET | `/health` | Service health check |
 | GET | `/items` | List all items |
+| GET | `/items/:id` | Get a single item by ID |
 | POST | `/items` | Create an item (`{"name": "..."}`) |
 | PATCH | `/items/:id` | Update an item (`{"done": true}`) |
 | DELETE | `/items/:id` | Delete an item |
diff --git a/app.py b/app.py
index a2d2561..49a6f84 100644
--- a/app.py
+++ b/app.py
@@ -35,6 +35,15 @@ def create_item():
     return jsonify(item), 201
 
 
+@app.route("/items/<int:item_id>", methods=["GET"])
+def get_item(item_id):
+    items = _get_items()
+    item = next((i for i in items if i["id"] == item_id), None)
+    if item is None:
+        return jsonify(error="item not found"), 404
+    return jsonify(item)
+
+
 @app.route("/items/<int:item_id>", methods=["PATCH"])
 def update_item(item_id):
     items = _get_items()
diff --git a/test_app.py b/test_app.py
index d5ae8f6..7b1be41 100644
--- a/test_app.py
+++ b/test_app.py
@@ -25,6 +25,21 @@ def test_list_items_empty(client):
     assert resp.get_json()["items"] == []
 
 
+def test_get_item(client):
+    client.post("/items", json={"name": "My Task"})
+    resp = client.get("/items/1")
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    data = resp.get_json()
+    assert data["name"] == "My Task"
+    assert data["id"] == 1
+
+
+def test_get_item_not_found(client):
+    resp = client.get("/items/999")
+    assert resp.status_code == 404
+    assert resp.get_json()["error"] == "item not found"
+
+
 def test_create_item(client):
     resp = client.post("/items", json={"name": "Write tests"})
     assert resp.status_code == 201