diff --git a/tests/ioc_plugin.py b/tests/ioc_plugin.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de67ea8f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ioc_plugin.py
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+import os
+import time
+import threading
+import pytest
+from morbidissimo import MorIOC
+
+# Environment variable to share the PV prefix with tests
+PREFIX_ENV = "TEST_PV_PREFIX"
+DEFAULT_PREFIX = "TEST:"
+
+@pytest.fixture(scope="session", autouse=True)
+def ioc_session():
+    """
+    Start exactly ONE IOC for the entire pytest session.
+    All tests can reuse it to avoid port/prefix conflicts.
+    Add all PVs needed by your test suite here.
+    """
+    prefix = os.environ.get(PREFIX_ENV, DEFAULT_PREFIX)
+    # Ensure tests can read the chosen prefix
+    os.environ.setdefault(PREFIX_ENV, prefix)
+
+    stop = threading.Event()
+
+    def run():
+        with MorIOC(prefix) as mor:
+            # Host PVs once for the whole session
+            mor.host(
+                VAL=float,                 # writable PV used in progress-bar tests
+                PV1=float, PV2=float, PV3=float,
+                PV4=float, PV5=float, PV6=float,  # static PVs
+            )
+
+            current_val = 0.0  # backing state for VAL
+
+            # Serve loop; keep running until the session ends
+            while not stop.is_set():
+                # Make VAL writable: read incoming value and persist it
+                new_val = mor.get("VAL")
+                if new_val is not None:
+                    current_val = new_val
+
+                # Serve current values (static PVs as constants)
+                mor.serve(
+                    VAL=current_val,
+                    PV1=1.0, PV2=2.0, PV3=3.0,
+                    PV4=4.0, PV5=5.0, PV6=6.0,
+                )
+                time.sleep(0.05)  # small delay to avoid a busy loop
+
+    # Start IOC in a background thread
+    t = threading.Thread(target=run, daemon=True)
+    t.start()
+    time.sleep(0.8)  # give Channel Access time to announce PVs
+
+    yield  # <<< tests execute during this period >>>
+
+    # Graceful teardown
+    stop.set()
+    t.join(timeout=2.0)
+    time.sleep(0.2)  # allow OS to release sockets
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