diff --git a/.github/workflows/pre_commit.yml b/.github/workflows/pre_commit.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..56c38b7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/pre_commit.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+on:
+  pull_request:
+  push:
+    branches: [main, ui_tests]
+
+jobs:
+  pre-commit:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
+    - uses: actions/setup-python@v3
+    - uses: pre-commit/action@v3.0.1
diff --git a/.github/workflows/workflows.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
similarity index 55%
rename from .github/workflows/workflows.yml
rename to .github/workflows/tests.yml
index d158cd0..b39049e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/workflows.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -1,18 +1,9 @@
-name: tests
-
 on:
   pull_request:
   push:
-    branches: [main]
+    branches: [main, ui_tests]
 
 jobs:
-  pre-commit:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v3
-    - uses: actions/setup-python@v3
-    - uses: pre-commit/action@v3.0.1
-
   pytest:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a6fbd0f..f99c249 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 # Motor stage UI
-[![Code style: black](https://img.shields.io/badge/code%20style-black-000000.svg)](https://github.com/psf/black)
+[![Code style: black](https://img.shields.io/badge/code%20style-black-000000.svg)](https://github.com/psf/black) ![Tests](https://github.com/SiLab-Bonn/motor_stage_ui/tree/ui_tests/.github/tests/badge.svg) ![pre-commit](https://github.com/SiLab-Bonn/motor_stage_ui/tree/ui_tests/.github/pre_commit/badge.svg)
 
 Offers both a terminal and graphical user interface for the [C-863 Mercury controller](https://www.le.infn.it/~chiodini/allow_listing/pi/Manuals/C-863_UserManual_MS205E200.pdf) (Check also the [commands](https://twiki.cern.ch/twiki/bin/viewfile/ILCBDSColl/Phase2Preparations?rev=1;filename=MercuryNativeCommands_MS176E101.pdf)).
 Motor stages can be arranged in daisy chains.
@@ -58,3 +58,21 @@ The step size of a specific stage is given in um for translation stages and deg
 | `stop` | `Stop` | Immediately stops all movement of the stage | motor_name (str): name of the motorstage | - |
 | `sethome` | `Set Zero` | Sets the current position of the stage as new origin | motor_name (str): name of the motorstage | - |
 | `gohome` | `MV. Zero` | Goes to origin of the stage | motor_name (str): name of the motorstage | - |
+| `status` | -` | Returns the status of the motor controller | motor_name (str): name of the motorstage | - |
+
+## Tests
+
+General UI tests, utilizing a motor controller mock, are performed when setting the environmental variable 'TEST' e.g.:
+
+```bash
+TEST=True motor init x_axis
+```
+
+```bash
+TEST=True motorgui
+```
+Utilizing [pytest](https://docs.pytest.org/en/stable/) the mock tests the software.
+
+```bash
+pytest -sv
+```