diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index b88105b..c862601 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,9 +1,21 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later
-.PHONY: build run run-cdj generate e2e clean
+.PHONY: build test check run run-cdj generate e2e clean
 
 build:
 	go build -o vynull .
 
+test:
+	go test ./...
+
+# The full pre-release gate: build, vet, formatting, unit tests, then the
+# e2e suite (see the e2e target's requirements below).
+check:
+	go build ./...
+	go vet ./...
+	@fmt=$$(gofmt -l .); if [ -n "$$fmt" ]; then echo "gofmt needed:"; echo "$$fmt"; exit 1; fi
+	go test ./...
+	$(MAKE) e2e
+
 # rekordbox mode (the default) — no privileged ports needed
 run: build
 	./vynull --music-dir $(MUSIC)