diff --git a/cmd/ilm.go b/cmd/ilm.go
index 42e49fb..8cc984d 100644
--- a/cmd/ilm.go
+++ b/cmd/ilm.go
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ func Ilm(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 			IlmShow(conf),
 			IlmCreate(conf),
 			IlmForecast(conf),
+			IlmExplain(conf),
 		},
 	}
 }
@@ -54,6 +55,23 @@ func IlmRetry(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 	}
 }
 
+func IlmExplain(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
+	return &cli.Command{
+		Name:      "explain",
+		Usage:     "explain ilm condition of an index",
+		UsageText: "explain <index>",
+
+		Action: func(ctx context.Context, cmd *cli.Command) error {
+			index := cmd.Args().Get(0)
+			if index == "" {
+				return errors.New("no index specified")
+			}
+
+			return es.IlmExplain(conf, index)
+		},
+	}
+}
+
 func IlmStatus(conf *cfg.Config) *cli.Command {
 	return &cli.Command{
 		Name:  "status",
diff --git a/pkg/es/ilm.go b/pkg/es/ilm.go
index 4383d29..19cbbc0 100644
--- a/pkg/es/ilm.go
+++ b/pkg/es/ilm.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package es
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"log/slog"
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ import (
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/cfg"
 	"codeberg.org/scip/esctl/pkg/printer"
 	"github.com/alecthomas/repr"
+	"github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/esdsl"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/ilm/putlifecycle"
 	"github.com/elastic/go-elasticsearch/v9/typedapi/types"
@@ -183,18 +185,38 @@ func IlmExplain(conf *cfg.Config, index string) error {
 	table := printer.NewTable(conf, 2, 0)
 	table.Addheaders("ilm status field", "value")
 
+	info := ""
+	err = json.Unmarshal(ilm.StepInfo["reason"], &info)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to unmarshal step info: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	table.Entries = [][]string{
 		{"index", ilm.Index},
 		{"ilm policy", *ilm.Policy},
 		{"action", *ilm.Action},
-		{"step", *ilm.Step},
 		{"age", fmt.Sprintf("%s", ilm.Age)},
 		{"managed", fmt.Sprintf("%t", ilm.Managed)},
 		{"phase", *ilm.Phase},
 		{"phase execution", ilmPhaseString(ilm.PhaseExecution.PhaseDefinition, false)},
+		{"step", *ilm.Step},
+		{"failed step", *ilm.FailedStep},
+		{"failed step retry count", fmt.Sprintf("%d", ilm.FailedStepRetryCount)},
 	}
 
-	return table.Print()
+	if err := table.Print(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if info != "" {
+		var bold = lipgloss.NewStyle().Bold(true)
+
+		fmt.Printf("\n%s:\n%s\n",
+			bold.Render("Step Reason"),
+			info)
+	}
+
+	return nil
 }
 
 func IlmCreate(conf *cfg.Config, policyname string) error {