diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests-ci.yml b/.github/workflows/tests-ci.yml
index 95643c242..2a8d171f3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests-ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests-ci.yml
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ on:
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+      - test-against-local-services
   pull_request:
     branches:
       - main
@@ -91,5 +92,13 @@ jobs:
       - name: Build all workspace packages
         run: npm run build
 
+      - name: start services tests need (dwn node, ssi service)
+        run: cd testfiles && docker-compose up -d
+
+      - name: wait for services to be ready
+        run: until curl -sf http://localhost:3000/health; do sleep .1; done && until curl -sf http://localhost:8080/health; do echo -n .; sleep .1; done
+
       - name: Run tests for all packages
         run: npm run test:browser --ws
+        env:
+          DWN_URL: http://localhost:3000