diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index d154857..948f12b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -90,3 +90,23 @@ For open source projects, say how it is licensed.
 
 ## Project status
 If you have run out of energy or time for your project, put a note at the top of the README saying that development has slowed down or stopped completely. Someone may choose to fork your project or volunteer to step in as a maintainer or owner, allowing your project to keep going. You can also make an explicit request for maintainers.
+
+## Tests
+### Compaction
+Follow these steps before running the compaction test suite:
+
+1. Install the required dependencies (Java and Google Cloud CLI):
+   ```bash
+   mise use -g gcloud
+   mise use -g java
+   ```
+2. Open another terminal (or create a `tmux` pane) and start the Firestore emulator:
+   ```bash
+   gcloud emulators firestore start --host-port=localhost:8153
+   ```
+3. Execute the tests with `pytest` through `uv`:
+   ```bash
+   uv run pytest tests/test_compaction.py -v
+   ```
+
+If any step fails, double-check that the tools are installed and available on your `PATH` before trying again.