diff --git a/scripts/test_gitea_issue_parser.py b/scripts/test_gitea_issue_parser.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3f1af6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/test_gitea_issue_parser.py
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Tests for gitea_issue_parser."""
+
+import json
+import sys
+import os
+
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(__file__))
+from gitea_issue_parser import parse_issue_body
+
+
+def test_basic_structure():
+    body = """## Context
+This is the background.
+
+## Acceptance Criteria
+- [ ] First criterion
+- [x] Second criterion (already done)
+- [ ] Third criterion
+
+## Labels
+`pipeline`, `extraction`
+"""
+    result = parse_issue_body(body, "Test Issue", ["pipeline", "extraction"])
+    assert result["title"] == "Test Issue"
+    assert "background" in result["context"].lower()
+    assert len(result["criteria"]) == 3
+    assert "First criterion" in result["criteria"]
+    assert result["labels"] == ["pipeline", "extraction"]
+    print("PASS: test_basic_structure")
+
+
+def test_epic_ref():
+    body = "Closes #645\n\nSome description."
+    result = parse_issue_body(body, "feat: thing (#688)")
+    assert result["epic_ref"] == "#645"
+    print("PASS: test_epic_ref")
+
+
+def test_epic_ref_from_title():
+    body = "Some description without close ref."
+    result = parse_issue_body(body, "feat: scene descriptions (#645)")
+    assert result["epic_ref"] == "#645"
+    print("PASS: test_epic_ref_from_title")
+
+
+def test_no_checkboxes():
+    body = """## Requirements
+1. First thing
+2. Second thing
+3. Third thing
+"""
+    result = parse_issue_body(body)
+    assert len(result["criteria"]) == 3
+    print("PASS: test_no_checkboxes")
+
+
+def test_empty_body():
+    result = parse_issue_body("", "Empty Issue")
+    assert result["title"] == "Empty Issue"
+    assert result["criteria"] == []
+    assert result["context"] == ""
+    print("PASS: test_empty_body")
+
+
+def test_real_issue_format():
+    body = """Closes #681
+
+## Changes
+
+Add `#!/usr/bin/env python3` shebang to 6 Python scripts.
+
+## Verification
+
+All 6 files confirmed missing shebangs before fix.
+
+## Impact
+
+Scripts can now be executed directly.
+"""
+    result = parse_issue_body(body, "fix: add python3 shebangs (#685)")
+    assert result["epic_ref"] == "#681"
+    assert "shebang" in result["context"].lower()
+    print("PASS: test_real_issue_format")
+
+
+def test_all_sections_captured():
+    body = """## Context
+Background info.
+
+## Acceptance Criteria
+- [ ] Do thing
+
+## Labels
+`test`
+"""
+    result = parse_issue_body(body)
+    assert "context" in result["sections"]
+    assert "acceptance criteria" in result["sections"]
+    print("PASS: test_all_sections_captured")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    test_basic_structure()
+    test_epic_ref()
+    test_epic_ref_from_title()
+    test_no_checkboxes()
+    test_empty_body()
+    test_real_issue_format()
+    test_all_sections_captured()
+    print("\nAll tests passed.")