diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 105c4fff..33c3f899 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ Status of the `main` branch. Changes prior to the next official version change w
 * CLI:
   - Fix: `start-mcp-server` help text for `--project-from-cwd` falsely promised a fallback to the CWD, which was 
     removed in v1.0.0 #1773
+  - Fix: `project health-check` always exited with code 0, even when the check failed, so callers 
+    (CI, scripts) could not act on its verdict; it now exits with code 1 on failure. A `find_symbol` 
+    result without any matches is now reported as a failure rather than as a warning.
 
 * Tools:
   - `find_symbol`: Change tool description to improve tool search results in clients that load tools dynamically
diff --git a/src/serena/cli.py b/src/serena/cli.py
index 34a10620..fd72f23a 100644
--- a/src/serena/cli.py
+++ b/src/serena/cli.py
@@ -909,6 +909,12 @@ class ProjectCommands(AutoRegisteringGroup):
         finally:
             ls_mgr.stop_all()
 
+    class _HealthCheckFailure(Exception):
+        """
+        A condition under which the health check is to be considered failed.
+        The exception message is the explanation presented to the user.
+        """
+
     @staticmethod
     @click.command(
         "health-check",
@@ -939,6 +945,9 @@ class ProjectCommands(AutoRegisteringGroup):
         os.makedirs(log_dir, exist_ok=True)
         log_file = os.path.join(log_dir, f"health_check_{timestamp}.log")
 
+        # the check's verdict: the explanation of the failure, or None if the check passed (see below)
+        failure_reason: str | None = None
+
         with FileLoggerContext(log_file, append=False, enabled=True):
             log.info("Starting health check for project: %s", project_path)
 
@@ -965,10 +974,7 @@ class ProjectCommands(AutoRegisteringGroup):
                         continue
 
                 if not target_file:
-                    log.error("No analyzable files found in project")
-                    click.echo("❌ Health check failed: No analyzable files found")
-                    click.echo(f"Log saved to: {log_file}")
-                    return
+                    raise ProjectCommands._HealthCheckFailure("No analyzable files found")
 
                 # Get tools from agent
                 overview_tool = agent.get_tool(GetSymbolsOverviewTool)
@@ -982,10 +988,7 @@ class ProjectCommands(AutoRegisteringGroup):
                 log.info(f"GetSymbolsOverviewTool returned: {overview_data}")
 
                 if not overview_data:
-                    log.error("No symbols found in file %s", target_file)
-                    click.echo("❌ Health check failed: No symbols found in target file")
-                    click.echo(f"Log saved to: {log_file}")
-                    return
+                    raise ProjectCommands._HealthCheckFailure(f"No symbols found in target file {target_file}")
 
                 # Extract suitable symbol (prefer class or function over variables)
                 preferred_kinds = {SymbolKind.Class.name, SymbolKind.Function.name, SymbolKind.Method.name, SymbolKind.Constructor.name}
@@ -1036,28 +1039,32 @@ class ProjectCommands(AutoRegisteringGroup):
                     pattern_matches = 0
 
                 # Verify tools worked as expected
-                tools_working = True
                 if not find_symbol_data:
-                    log.error("FindSymbolTool returned no results")
-                    tools_working = False
+                    raise ProjectCommands._HealthCheckFailure("FindSymbolTool returned no results")
 
                 if len(find_refs_data) == 0 and pattern_matches == 0:
                     log.warning("Both FindReferencingSymbolsTool and SearchForPatternTool found no matches - this might indicate an issue")
 
                 log.info("Health check completed successfully")
 
-                if tools_working:
-                    click.echo("✅ Health check passed - All tools working correctly")
-                else:
-                    click.echo("⚠️  Health check completed with warnings - Check log for details")
-
+            # expected failures and unexpected exceptions are reported alike: both mean the project's
+            # tooling is not functional, which is the single thing this command is asked to determine
             except Exception as e:
                 log.exception("Health check failed with exception: %s", str(e))
-                click.echo(f"❌ Health check failed: {e!s}")
+                failure_reason = str(e)
 
             finally:
                 click.echo(f"Log saved to: {log_file}")
 
+        # the verdict is reported outside the checked region, so that a failure to write the report
+        # cannot be mistaken for a failure of the check itself; the exit code lets callers
+        # (CI, scripts) act on the verdict
+        if failure_reason is None:
+            click.echo("✅ Health check passed - All tools working correctly")
+        else:
+            click.echo(f"❌ Health check failed: {failure_reason}")
+            raise SystemExit(1)
+
 
 class ToolCommands(AutoRegisteringGroup):
     """Group for 'tool' subcommands."""