diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 190c3fc..9d31436 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -133,6 +133,15 @@ For exact input/output and UX guarantees, see [`docs/contract.md`](docs/contract
 pi -e ./src/index.ts
 ```
 
+### Run in isolated test mode (extension + bundled skill only)
+
+```bash
+pnpm dev
+pnpm dev ../test
+```
+
+`pnpm dev [path]` runs pi with `--no-extensions --no-skills --no-prompt-templates --no-themes --no-context-files`, loads this repo’s extension and `skills/ask-user`, and sets the working directory to `[path]` (defaults to `.`).
+
 ### Install dependencies
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
index 1f5d327..06876eb 100644
--- a/docs/README.md
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -13,6 +13,17 @@ This folder keeps only the documentation needed to understand and maintain the e
 - start with `contract.md` for behavior
 - read `architecture.md` for code layout
 
+## Local test run
+
+From repo root, run:
+
+```bash
+pnpm dev
+pnpm dev ../some-target-folder
+```
+
+This starts pi in isolated mode, loads only this extension and bundled `ask-user` skill, and uses the optional folder as `--cd` target.
+
 ## Rule of thumb
 
 If a detail is about implementation mechanics, it should usually live in `src/` or `tests/`, not here.
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 6d9ea4e..c41a0bf 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
     "CHANGELOG.md"
   ],
   "scripts": {
+    "dev": "sh -c 'pi --no-extensions --no-skills --no-prompt-templates --no-themes --no-context-files -e ./src/index.ts --skill ./skills/ask-user --cd \"${1:-.}\"' --",
     "test": "node --test tests/*.test.ts",
     "typecheck": "tsc -p tsconfig.json",
     "format": "biome format --write .",