diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index 289f3bb944..9ed589bf29 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -10,6 +10,12 @@ Run all tests (using `nextest` for faster execution):
 cargo nextest run
 ```
 
+For faster test execution, use the `fast-test` profile which enables optimizations while retaining debug info:
+
+```sh
+cargo nextest run --cargo-profile fast-test
+```
+
 Run tests for a specific crate:
 
 ```sh
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index cca70fbdc6..f96b83f98f 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -335,6 +335,11 @@ strip = false
 debug = "full"
 lto = false
 
+# Profile for faster iteration: applies minimal optimizations for faster tests.
+[profile.fast-test]
+inherits = "dev"
+opt-level = 1
+
 # The profile that 'cargo dist' will build with.
 [profile.dist]
 inherits = "release"