diff --git a/tests/test_services.py b/tests/test_services.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..19d38b54
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_services.py
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+'''
+Actor tree daemon sub-service verifications
+
+'''
+from typing import AsyncContextManager
+
+import trio
+import tractor
+
+
+def test_runtime_boot(
+    open_test_pikerd: AsyncContextManager
+):
+    '''
+    Verify we can boot the `pikerd` service stack using the
+    `open_test_pikerd` fixture helper and that registry address details
+    match up.
+
+    '''
+    async def main():
+        port = 6666
+        daemon_addr = ('127.0.0.1', port)
+
+        async with (
+            open_test_pikerd(
+                reg_addr=daemon_addr,
+            ) as (_, _, pikerd_portal),
+
+            tractor.wait_for_actor(
+                'pikerd',
+                arbiter_sockaddr=daemon_addr,
+            ) as portal,
+        ):
+            assert pikerd_portal.channel.raddr == daemon_addr
+            assert pikerd_portal.channel.raddr == portal.channel.raddr
+
+    trio.run(main)