diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 7d9d3e0..72d25b6 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -25,14 +25,14 @@ RUST_LOG=debug cargo run
 
 ### Testing
 ```bash
-# Run all tests (requires BASE_PATH in .env)
-cargo test
+# Run all tests. DATABASE_URL is the only env var the suite needs; no .env required
+DATABASE_URL=":memory:" cargo test
 
 # Run specific test
-cargo test test_name
+DATABASE_URL=":memory:" cargo test test_name
 
 # Run tests with output
-cargo test -- --nocapture
+DATABASE_URL=":memory:" cargo test -- --nocapture
 ```
 
 ### Database Migrations
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ Module map:
 
 ## Testing Patterns
 
-Tests require `BASE_PATH` environment variable. Many integration tests create temporary directories and files.
+Tests need `DATABASE_URL` set; `DATABASE_URL=":memory:"` is enough to run the whole suite without a `.env` (otherwise DB-backed tests such as `reels::tests::reel_capture_preserves_owner_defaults` panic with `DATABASE_URL must be set`). Many integration tests create temporary directories and files.
 
 When testing database code:
 - Use in-memory SQLite: `DATABASE_URL=":memory:"`
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 62c3770..650d667 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -243,3 +243,10 @@ unset.
   populated retroactively) [default: `2000`]. Errors don't burn the cap;
   only successful hashes count.
 
+## Testing
+`DATABASE_URL` is the only environment variable the test suite needs, and an
+in-memory SQLite database works, so no `.env` is required:
+
+```bash
+DATABASE_URL=":memory:" cargo test
+```