diff --git a/.githooks/pre-push b/.githooks/pre-push
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..2fc8c38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.githooks/pre-push
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# pre-push: run test suites before push. Skip with --no-verify.
+echo "[pre-push] running tests..."
+npm run test:all || { echo "[pre-push] tests failed. push aborted. (skip: git push --no-verify)"; exit 1; }
+exit 0
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
deleted file mode 100644
index 9fe22b8..0000000
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-name: CI
-
-on:
-  push:
-    branches: [main, rework-backend]
-  pull_request:
-    branches: [main]
-
-jobs:
-  test:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
-      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
-        with:
-          node-version: '22'
-          cache: 'npm'
-      - run: npm ci
-      - name: shared tests
-        run: npm test --workspace shared
-      - name: server tests
-        run: npm test --workspace server
diff --git a/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md b/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
index d2b8371..769d94b 100644
--- a/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
+++ b/docs/DEVELOPMENT.md
@@ -79,12 +79,23 @@ What each runs:
 
 Server tests use `--forceExit` (open WS handles). Tests spin server on random port, in-memory sqlite, tear down per test.
 
-### CI
+### Local pipeline (pre-push hook)
 
-`.github/workflows/ci.yml` runs on push/PR to `main` + `rework-backend`:
-- `npm ci`
-- `shared` tests
-- `server` tests
+Private repo = no free GitHub Actions. Tests run locally via git hook.
+
+`.githooks/pre-push` runs `npm run test:all` before every push.
+
+Enable on clone (do once):
+```bash
+git config core.hooksPath .githooks
+```
+
+Already configured on this checkout. Skip with:
+```bash
+git push --no-verify
+```
+
+Future: when repo goes public, free GH Actions viable. Then add `.github/workflows/ci.yml`.
 
 ## Build