diff --git a/run-tests.sh b/run-tests.sh
index 9a2f9cb..6bf79e6 100755
--- a/run-tests.sh
+++ b/run-tests.sh
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ ssh_mud smoketest@localhost <<'EOF'
 1
 look
 stats
+go south
+go down
 go north
 talk barkeep
 go south
@@ -73,17 +75,18 @@ EOF
 # Test 6: Tick-based combat (connect and wait for ticks)
 ./target/debug/mudtool -d "$TEST_DB" settings set registration_open true
 ./target/debug/mudtool -d "$TEST_DB" players delete smoketest
-ssh_mud smoketest@localhost <<'EOF'
-1
-1
-go south
-attack thief
-EOF
-sleep 8
-ssh_mud smoketest@localhost <<'EOF'
-stats
-quit
-EOF
+# Use subshell to pipe commands with a delay between them while staying connected
+(
+  echo "1"
+  echo "1"
+  echo "go south"
+  echo "go down"
+  echo "go south"
+  echo "attack thief"
+  sleep 8
+  echo "stats"
+  echo "quit"
+) | ssh_mud smoketest@localhost
 
 # Cleanup (trap handles server kill)
 ./target/debug/mudtool -d "$TEST_DB" settings set registration_open true