diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 2483878..8b3d0e9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -69,6 +69,22 @@ jobs:
           print("infra-ready")
           PY
 
+      - name: Prepare test database schema
+        run: |
+          python - <<'PY'
+          import asyncio
+          from src.models.database import Base
+          from src.models.db import engine
+
+          async def main() -> None:
+              async with engine.begin() as conn:
+                  await conn.run_sync(Base.metadata.create_all)
+              await engine.dispose()
+
+          asyncio.run(main())
+          print("schema-ready")
+          PY
+
       - name: Run tests
         run: pytest -q -m "not integration"
 
@@ -136,6 +152,22 @@ jobs:
           print("infra-ready")
           PY
 
+      - name: Prepare test database schema
+        run: |
+          python - <<'PY'
+          import asyncio
+          from src.models.database import Base
+          from src.models.db import engine
+
+          async def main() -> None:
+              async with engine.begin() as conn:
+                  await conn.run_sync(Base.metadata.create_all)
+              await engine.dispose()
+
+          asyncio.run(main())
+          print("schema-ready")
+          PY
+
       - name: Run compare blackbox integration test
         run: pytest -q -m integration tests/integration/test_compare_blackbox.py
 
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index ccb5df3..3c687b4 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ select = ["E", "F", "I", "N", "W", "UP"]
 testpaths = ["tests"]
 asyncio_mode = "auto"
 asyncio_default_fixture_loop_scope = "session"
+asyncio_default_test_loop_scope = "session"
 markers = [
     "integration: tests that require real infra/services",
 ]
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index a31aef0..ffb6a66 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 from httpx import ASGITransport, AsyncClient
 
 from src.api.main import app
+from src.models.database import Base
+from src.models.db import engine
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
@@ -19,9 +21,18 @@ def event_loop():
     loop.close()
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(scope="session", autouse=True)
+async def ensure_db_schema():
+    """Ensure required tables exist even when app lifespan is not triggered."""
+    async with engine.begin() as conn:
+        await conn.run_sync(Base.metadata.create_all)
+    yield
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 async def client():
     """Async test client for the FastAPI app."""
-    transport = ASGITransport(app=app)
-    async with AsyncClient(transport=transport, base_url="http://test") as ac:
-        yield ac
+    async with app.router.lifespan_context(app):
+        transport = ASGITransport(app=app)
+        async with AsyncClient(transport=transport, base_url="http://test") as ac:
+            yield ac