diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml b/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
index 6809333..8dd954f 100644
--- a/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -374,7 +374,9 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run backend tests
         run: |
           export PYTHONPATH=$(pwd)
+          export SKIP_DEEPFACE_IN_TESTS=1
           echo "🧪 Running all backend API tests..."
+          echo "⚠️  DeepFace/TensorFlow disabled in tests to avoid CPU instruction errors"
           python -m pytest tests/ -v --tb=short --cov=backend --cov-report=term-missing --cov-report=xml --junit-xml=test-results.xml || true
         continue-on-error: true
       
diff --git a/backend/services/face_service.py b/backend/services/face_service.py
index 6b6903f..706d348 100644
--- a/backend/services/face_service.py
+++ b/backend/services/face_service.py
@@ -14,11 +14,17 @@ from PIL import Image
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, joinedload
 from sqlalchemy import and_, func, case
 
-try:
-    from deepface import DeepFace
-    DEEPFACE_AVAILABLE = True
-except ImportError:
+# Skip DeepFace import during tests to avoid illegal instruction errors
+if os.getenv("SKIP_DEEPFACE_IN_TESTS") == "1":
     DEEPFACE_AVAILABLE = False
+    DeepFace = None
+else:
+    try:
+        from deepface import DeepFace
+        DEEPFACE_AVAILABLE = True
+    except ImportError:
+        DEEPFACE_AVAILABLE = False
+        DeepFace = None
 
 from backend.config import (
     CONFIDENCE_CALIBRATION_METHOD,
diff --git a/pytest.ini b/pytest.ini
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..611e2cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pytest.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+[pytest]
+# Pytest configuration for PunimTag backend tests
+
+# Test discovery patterns
+python_files = test_*.py
+python_classes = Test*
+python_functions = test_*
+
+# Test paths
+testpaths = tests
+
+# Output options
+addopts = 
+    -v
+    --strict-markers
+    --tb=short
+    --disable-warnings
+
+# Markers
+markers =
+    slow: marks tests as slow (dummy marker for future use)
+    integration: marks tests as integration tests (dummy marker for future use)
+
+# Environment variables set before test collection
+# SKIP_DEEPFACE_IN_TESTS is set in conftest.py to prevent DeepFace/TensorFlow
+# from loading during tests (avoids illegal instruction errors on some CPUs)
+
diff --git a/src/utils/pose_detection.py b/src/utils/pose_detection.py
index b0b84ce..8a93829 100644
--- a/src/utils/pose_detection.py
+++ b/src/utils/pose_detection.py
@@ -1,15 +1,21 @@
 """Face pose detection (yaw, pitch, roll) using RetinaFace landmarks"""
 
+import os
 import numpy as np
 from math import atan2, degrees
 from typing import Dict, Tuple, Optional, List
 
-try:
-    from retinaface import RetinaFace
-    RETINAFACE_AVAILABLE = True
-except ImportError:
+# Skip RetinaFace import during tests to avoid illegal instruction errors
+if os.getenv("SKIP_DEEPFACE_IN_TESTS") == "1":
     RETINAFACE_AVAILABLE = False
     RetinaFace = None
+else:
+    try:
+        from retinaface import RetinaFace
+        RETINAFACE_AVAILABLE = True
+    except ImportError:
+        RETINAFACE_AVAILABLE = False
+        RetinaFace = None
 
 
 class PoseDetector:
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index f6d4cac..5e50d50 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
 from sqlalchemy import create_engine
 from sqlalchemy.orm import sessionmaker, Session
 
+# Prevent DeepFace/TensorFlow from loading during tests (causes illegal instruction on some CPUs)
+# Set environment variable BEFORE any backend imports that might trigger DeepFace/TensorFlow
+os.environ["SKIP_DEEPFACE_IN_TESTS"] = "1"
+
 from backend.app import create_app
 from backend.db.base import Base
 from backend.db.session import get_db