diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 02660d7..0a2a03c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -15,14 +15,14 @@ jobs:
   build:
     name: Build and verify
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
-    timeout-minutes: 45
+    timeout-minutes: 60
 
     steps:
       - name: Check out repository
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v7
 
       - name: Set up Java 21
-        uses: actions/setup-java@v4
+        uses: actions/setup-java@v5
         with:
           distribution: temurin
           java-version: '21'
@@ -31,5 +31,14 @@ jobs:
       - name: Make Maven Wrapper executable
         run: chmod +x mvnw
 
+      - name: Pre-pull Oracle test image
+        run: |
+          for attempt in 1 2 3; do
+            docker pull gvenzl/oracle-free:slim-faststart && exit 0
+            echo "Oracle image pull failed on attempt ${attempt}; retrying..."
+            sleep 20
+          done
+          exit 1
+
       - name: Verify with Maven
         run: ./mvnw --batch-mode clean verify
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f0f00dc..c22d96c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ The `test` profile uses an in-memory H2 database in Oracle compatibility mode so
 .\mvnw.cmd clean verify
 ```
 
-`clean verify` includes a Testcontainers-backed Oracle integration test. Docker must be running locally.
+`clean test` runs the fast unit and WebMvc slice tests. `clean verify` also runs the Failsafe integration-test phase, including a Testcontainers-backed Oracle Free integration test. Docker must be running locally.
 
 ## Docker Compose
 
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ GitHub Actions runs on every push and pull request to `main`:
 .github/workflows/ci.yml
 ```
 
-The workflow uses Java 21, Maven dependency caching, Docker-enabled Ubuntu runners, and `./mvnw --batch-mode clean verify`.
+The workflow uses Java 21, Maven dependency caching, Docker-enabled Ubuntu runners, a pre-pulled Oracle Free test image, and `./mvnw --batch-mode clean verify`.
 
 ## Local Run
 
diff --git a/pom.xml b/pom.xml
index 91bd4d3..16d3646 100644
--- a/pom.xml
+++ b/pom.xml
@@ -111,6 +111,32 @@
 					</annotationProcessorPaths>
 				</configuration>
 			</plugin>
+			<plugin>
+				<groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
+				<artifactId>maven-surefire-plugin</artifactId>
+				<configuration>
+					<excludes>
+						<exclude>**/*IntegrationTest.java</exclude>
+					</excludes>
+				</configuration>
+			</plugin>
+			<plugin>
+				<groupId>org.apache.maven.plugins</groupId>
+				<artifactId>maven-failsafe-plugin</artifactId>
+				<configuration>
+					<includes>
+						<include>**/*IntegrationTest.java</include>
+					</includes>
+				</configuration>
+				<executions>
+					<execution>
+						<goals>
+							<goal>integration-test</goal>
+							<goal>verify</goal>
+						</goals>
+					</execution>
+				</executions>
+			</plugin>
 		</plugins>
 	</build>
 
diff --git a/src/test/java/com/portfolio/merchantapi/transaction/TransactionIntegrationTest.java b/src/test/java/com/portfolio/merchantapi/transaction/TransactionIntegrationTest.java
index 45c7c95..195ce71 100644
--- a/src/test/java/com/portfolio/merchantapi/transaction/TransactionIntegrationTest.java
+++ b/src/test/java/com/portfolio/merchantapi/transaction/TransactionIntegrationTest.java
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 class TransactionIntegrationTest {
 
     private static final DockerImageName ORACLE_IMAGE = DockerImageName
-            .parse("gvenzl/oracle-free:23-slim")
+            .parse("gvenzl/oracle-free:slim-faststart")
             .asCompatibleSubstituteFor("gvenzl/oracle-xe");
 
     @Container