diff --git a/tests/__init__.py b/tests/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/tests/base_test.py b/tests/base_test.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7207443
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/base_test.py
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+"""
+ARCHES - a program developed to inventory and manage immovable cultural heritage.
+Copyright (C) 2013 J. Paul Getty Trust and World Monuments Fund
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+License, or (at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+"""
+
+from contextlib import contextmanager
+
+from arches.app.models.system_settings import settings
+from arches.app.utils.context_processors import app_settings
+from django.test.runner import DiscoverRunner
+
+from arches.app.search.mappings import (
+    prepare_terms_index,
+    delete_terms_index,
+    prepare_concepts_index,
+    delete_concepts_index,
+    prepare_search_index,
+    delete_search_index,
+)
+
+# these tests can be run from the command line via
+# python manage.py test tests --pattern="*.py" --settings="tests.test_settings"
+
+
+class ArchesTestRunner(DiscoverRunner):
+    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs) -> None:
+        kwargs["debug_mode"] = True
+        # Unless the user has something other than the Django default, give them
+        # what they probably want.
+        if kwargs["pattern"] == "test*.py":
+            kwargs["pattern"] = "*.py"
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+
+    def setup_databases(self, **kwargs):
+        ret = super().setup_databases(**kwargs)
+
+        # Some tests don't use the database.
+        if kwargs.get("aliases", None):
+            app_settings()  # adds languages to system
+            prepare_terms_index(create=True)
+            prepare_concepts_index(create=True)
+            prepare_search_index(create=True)
+
+        return ret
+
+    def teardown_databases(self, old_config, **kwargs):
+        delete_terms_index()
+        delete_concepts_index()
+        delete_search_index()
+
+        super().teardown_databases(old_config, **kwargs)
+
+
+@contextmanager
+def sync_overridden_test_settings_to_arches():
+    """Django's @override_settings test util acts on django.conf.settings,
+    which is not enough for us, because we use SystemSettings at runtime.
+
+    This context manager swaps in the overridden django.conf.settings for SystemSettings.
+    """
+    from django.conf import settings as patched_settings
+
+    original_settings_wrapped = settings._wrapped
+    try:
+        settings._wrapped = patched_settings._wrapped
+        yield
+    finally:
+        settings._wrapped = original_settings_wrapped
diff --git a/tests/test_settings.py b/tests/test_settings.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c2d19ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_settings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+"""
+ARCHES - a program developed to inventory and manage immovable cultural heritage.
+Copyright (C) 2013 J. Paul Getty Trust and World Monuments Fund
+
+This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+License, or (at your option) any later version.
+
+This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+"""
+
+import os
+
+from disco.settings import *
+
+PACKAGE_NAME = "disco"
+
+PROJECT_TEST_ROOT = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+MEDIA_ROOT = os.path.join(PROJECT_TEST_ROOT, "fixtures", "data")
+
+BUSINESS_DATA_FILES = (
+    # Put strings here, like "/home/html/django_templates" or "C:/www/django/templates".
+    # Always use forward slashes, even on Windows.
+    # Don't forget to use absolute paths, not relative paths.
+)
+
+DATABASES = {
+    "default": {
+        "ATOMIC_REQUESTS": False,
+        "AUTOCOMMIT": True,
+        "CONN_MAX_AGE": 0,
+        "ENGINE": "django.contrib.gis.db.backends.postgis",
+        "HOST": "localhost",
+        "NAME": "disco",
+        "OPTIONS": {},
+        "PASSWORD": "postgis",
+        "PORT": "5432",
+        "POSTGIS_TEMPLATE": "template_postgis",
+        "TEST": {"CHARSET": None, "COLLATION": None, "MIRROR": None, "NAME": None},
+        "TIME_ZONE": None,
+        "USER": "postgres",
+    }
+}
+
+CACHES = {
+    "default": {
+        "BACKEND": "django.core.cache.backends.dummy.DummyCache",
+    },
+    "user_permission": {
+        "BACKEND": "django.core.cache.backends.dummy.DummyCache",
+        "LOCATION": "user_permission_cache",
+    },
+}
+
+LOGGING["loggers"]["arches"]["level"] = "ERROR"
+
+ELASTICSEARCH_PREFIX = "test"
+
+TEST_RUNNER = "tests.base_test.ArchesTestRunner"
+SILENCED_SYSTEM_CHECKS.append(
+    "arches.W001",  # Cache backend does not support rate-limiting
+)
+
+ELASTICSEARCH_HOSTS = [
+    {"scheme": "http", "host": "localhost", "port": ELASTICSEARCH_HTTP_PORT}
+]