diff --git a/.githooks/pre-commit b/.githooks/pre-commit
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..73687f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.githooks/pre-commit
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+badge_file="badges/tests.json"
+
+write_badge() {
+    local status="$1" color="$2"
+    mkdir -p badges
+    cat > "$badge_file" <<EOF
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "label": "tests",
+  "message": "$status",
+  "color": "$color"
+}
+EOF
+    git add "$badge_file"
+}
+
+echo "Running ShellCheck..."
+if ! shellcheck systab; then
+    write_badge "failing" "red"
+    echo "ShellCheck failed — commit blocked."
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo "Running tests..."
+if output=$(./test.sh 2>&1); then
+    echo "$output"
+    count=$(sed -n 's/.*\([0-9]\+\) tests: \([0-9]\+\) passed.*/\2 passed/p' <<< "$output")
+    write_badge "${count:-passing}" "brightgreen"
+else
+    echo "$output"
+    write_badge "failing" "red"
+    echo "Tests failed — commit blocked."
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 7d6f092..70ae933 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -37,7 +37,9 @@ Key functions: `parse_time` (time spec → OnCalendar), `_write_unit_files` (sha
 
 Runs 58 tests against real systemd user timers covering job creation, job names, status, logs, disable/enable, notifications, time format parsing, error cases, and cleanup. All test jobs are cleaned up automatically via trap.
 
-Tests require a real systemd user session (`systemctl --user`) and cannot run in containers. CI runs ShellCheck only; tests must be run locally before submitting changes.
+Tests require a real systemd user session (`systemctl --user`) and cannot run in containers. CI runs ShellCheck only; tests are enforced locally via a pre-commit hook that also updates `badges/tests.json`.
+
+After cloning, enable the hooks: `git config core.hooksPath .githooks`
 
 ## Notes
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f5c615f..cf7f062 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # systab
 
 [![ShellCheck](https://code.opennomad.com/opennomad/systab/actions/workflows/ci.yml/badge.svg)](https://code.opennomad.com/opennomad/systab/actions?workflow=ci.yml)
+[![Tests](https://img.shields.io/endpoint?url=https://code.opennomad.com/opennomad/systab/raw/branch/main/badges/tests.json)](badges/tests.json)
 [![License: AGPL-3.0](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-AGPL--3.0-blue.svg)](LICENSE)
 
 A cron/at-like interface for systemd user timers. Create, manage, and monitor scheduled jobs without writing unit files by hand.
@@ -186,6 +187,12 @@ The primary repository is hosted on [Forgejo](https://code.opennomad.com/opennom
 
 Contributions (issues and pull requests) are welcome on GitHub.
 
+After cloning, enable the pre-commit hook (runs ShellCheck + tests):
+
+```bash
+git config core.hooksPath .githooks
+```
+
 ## FAQ
 
 **What's the difference between `-c` and `-f`?**
diff --git a/badges/tests.json b/badges/tests.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a337e7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/badges/tests.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "label": "tests",
+  "message": "58 passed",
+  "color": "brightgreen"
+}