diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_site.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_site.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..457bdf5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_site.py
@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+""" testing models """
+from datetime import timedelta
+from unittest.mock import patch
+
+from django.db import IntegrityError
+from django.test import TestCase
+from django.utils import timezone
+
+from bookwyrm import models, settings
+
+
+class SiteModels(TestCase):
+    """tests for site models"""
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        """we need basic test data and mocks"""
+        with patch("bookwyrm.suggested_users.rerank_suggestions_task.delay"), patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.populate_stream_task.delay"
+        ):
+            self.local_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
+                "mouse@local.com",
+                "mouse@mouse.com",
+                "mouseword",
+                local=True,
+                localname="mouse",
+                remote_id="https://example.com/users/mouse",
+            )
+
+    def test_site_settings_absent(self):
+        """create and load site settings"""
+        self.assertFalse(models.SiteSettings.objects.exists())
+        result = models.SiteSettings.get()
+        self.assertTrue(models.SiteSettings.objects.exists())
+        self.assertEqual(result.id, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(result.name, "BookWyrm")
+
+    def test_site_settings_present(self):
+        """load site settings"""
+        models.SiteSettings.objects.create(name="Fish Town")
+        result = models.SiteSettings.get()
+        self.assertEqual(result.id, 1)
+        self.assertEqual(result.name, "Fish Town")
+        self.assertEqual(models.SiteSettings.objects.all().count(), 1)
+
+    def test_site_invite(self):
+        """default invite"""
+        invite = models.SiteInvite.objects.create(
+            user=self.local_user,
+        )
+        self.assertTrue(invite.valid())
+
+    def test_site_invite_with_limit(self):
+        """with use limit"""
+        # valid
+        invite = models.SiteInvite.objects.create(user=self.local_user, use_limit=1)
+        self.assertTrue(invite.valid())
+
+        # invalid
+        invite = models.SiteInvite.objects.create(user=self.local_user, use_limit=0)
+        self.assertFalse(invite.valid())
+        invite = models.SiteInvite.objects.create(
+            user=self.local_user, use_limit=1, times_used=1
+        )
+        self.assertFalse(invite.valid())
+
+    def test_site_invite_with_expiry(self):
+        """with expiration date"""
+        date = timezone.now() + timedelta(days=1)
+        invite = models.SiteInvite.objects.create(user=self.local_user, expiry=date)
+        self.assertTrue(invite.valid())
+
+        date = timezone.now() - timedelta(days=1)
+        invite = models.SiteInvite.objects.create(user=self.local_user, expiry=date)
+        self.assertFalse(invite.valid())
+
+    def test_site_invite_link(self):
+        """invite link generator"""
+        invite = models.SiteInvite.objects.create(user=self.local_user, code="hello")
+        self.assertEqual(invite.link, f"https://{settings.DOMAIN}/invite/hello")
+
+    def test_invite_request(self):
+        """someone wants an invite"""
+        # normal and good
+        request = models.InviteRequest.objects.create(email="mouse.reeve@gmail.com")
+        self.assertIsNone(request.invite)
+
+        # already in use
+        with self.assertRaises(IntegrityError):
+            request = models.InviteRequest.objects.create(email="mouse@mouse.com")
+
+    def test_password_reset(self):
+        """password reset token"""
+        token = models.PasswordReset.objects.create(user=self.local_user, code="hello")
+        self.assertTrue(token.valid())
+        self.assertEqual(token.link, f"https://{settings.DOMAIN}/password-reset/hello")