diff --git a/.github/workflows/system.yml b/.github/workflows/system.yml
index cffc991..18005dc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/system.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/system.yml
@@ -40,4 +40,6 @@ jobs:
           aws configure set aws_region $AWS_REGION --profile versity
           mkdir /tmp/gw
           export WORKSPACE=$GITHUB_WORKSPACE
+          openssl genpkey -algorithm RSA -out versitygw.pem -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:2048
+          openssl req -new -x509 -key versitygw.pem -out cert.pem -days 365 -subj "/C=US/ST=California/L=San Francisco/O=Versity/OU=Software/CN=versity.com"
           ./tests/run_all.sh
diff --git a/Dockerfile_test_bats b/Dockerfile_test_bats
index f6c947d..8a439d7 100644
--- a/Dockerfile_test_bats
+++ b/Dockerfile_test_bats
@@ -41,9 +41,10 @@ RUN git clone https://github.com/bats-core/bats-core.git && \
     ./install.sh /home/tester
 
 USER tester
-COPY . /home/tester
+COPY --chown=tester:tester . /home/tester
 
 WORKDIR /home/tester
+RUN cp tests/.env.docker tests/.env
 RUN make
 
 RUN . tests/.secrets && \
@@ -54,6 +55,10 @@ RUN . tests/.secrets && \
 
 RUN mkdir /tmp/gw
 
+RUN openssl genpkey -algorithm RSA -out versitygw-docker.pem -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:2048 && \
+    openssl req -new -x509 -key versitygw-docker.pem -out cert-docker.pem -days 365 \
+        -subj "/C=US/ST=California/L=San Francisco/O=Versity/OU=Software/CN=versity.com"
+
 ENV WORKSPACE=.
 
 CMD ["tests/run_all.sh"]
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/.env.default b/tests/.env.default
index eab33de..2a76142 100644
--- a/tests/.env.default
+++ b/tests/.env.default
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 AWS_PROFILE=versity
-AWS_ENDPOINT_URL=http://127.0.0.1:7070
+AWS_ENDPOINT_URL=https://127.0.0.1:7070
 VERSITY_EXE=./versitygw
 BACKEND=posix
 LOCAL_FOLDER=/tmp/gw
 BUCKET_ONE_NAME=versity-gwtest-bucket-one
 BUCKET_TWO_NAME=versity-gwtest-bucket-two
-RECREATE_BUCKETS=true
\ No newline at end of file
+RECREATE_BUCKETS=true
+CERT=$PWD/cert.pem
+KEY=$PWD/versitygw.pem
+S3CMD_CONFIG=./s3cfg.local
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/README.md b/tests/README.md
index aa0897c..9f3c586 100644
--- a/tests/README.md
+++ b/tests/README.md
@@ -17,7 +17,13 @@
     aws configure set aws_region $AWS_REGION --profile $AWS_PROFILE
 ```
 6. Create an environment file (`.env`) similar to the ones in this folder, setting the `AWS_PROFILE` parameter to the name of the profile you created.
-7. In the root repo folder, run with `VERSITYGW_TEST_ENV=<env file> tests/run_all.sh`.
+7. If using SSL, create a local private key and certificate, such as with the commands below.  Afterwards, set the `KEY` and `CERT` fields in the `.env` file to these, respectively.
+```
+    openssl genpkey -algorithm RSA -out versitygw.pem -pkeyopt rsa_keygen_bits:2048
+    openssl req -new -x509 -key versitygw.pem -out cert.pem -days 365
+```
+8.  Set `BUCKET_ONE_NAME` and `BUCKET_TWO_NAME` to the desired names of your buckets.  If you don't want them to be created each time, set `RECREATE_BUCKETS` to `false`.
+9. In the root repo folder, run with `VERSITYGW_TEST_ENV=<env file> tests/run_all.sh`.
 
 ## Instructions - Running With Docker
 
diff --git a/tests/posix_tests.sh b/tests/posix_tests.sh
index 71339ab..61e2887 100755
--- a/tests/posix_tests.sh
+++ b/tests/posix_tests.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 source ./tests/setup.sh
 source ./tests/util.sh
+source ./tests/util_file.sh
 source ./tests/util_posix.sh
 
 # test that changes to local folders and files are reflected on S3
@@ -47,7 +48,7 @@ source ./tests/util_posix.sh
   if [ -e "$LOCAL_FOLDER"/"$bucket_name"/$object_name ]; then
     chmod 755 "$LOCAL_FOLDER"/"$bucket_name"/$object_name
   fi
-  setup_bucket "$bucket_name" || local created=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$bucket_name" || local created=$?
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating bucket"
   put_object "$test_file_folder"/"$object_name" "$bucket_name"/"$object_name"  || local result="$?"
   [[ result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error adding object one"
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ source ./tests/util_posix.sh
   [[ $accessible_two -eq 0 ]] || fail "Object should be accessible"
 
   delete_object "$bucket_name"/$object_name
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$bucket_name"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$bucket_name"
   delete_test_files $object_name
 }
 
@@ -74,7 +75,7 @@ source ./tests/util_posix.sh
     chmod 755 "$LOCAL_FOLDER"/"$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
     sleep 1
   else
-    setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local created=$?
+    setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local created=$?
     [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating bucket"
   fi
 
@@ -88,5 +89,5 @@ source ./tests/util_posix.sh
   bucket_is_accessible "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local accessible_two=$?
   [[ $accessible_two -eq 0 ]] || fail "Bucket should be accessible"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
 }
diff --git a/tests/s3_bucket_tests.sh b/tests/s3_bucket_tests.sh
index 9214a5a..4a80f92 100755
--- a/tests/s3_bucket_tests.sh
+++ b/tests/s3_bucket_tests.sh
@@ -2,30 +2,19 @@
 
 source ./tests/setup.sh
 source ./tests/util.sh
+source ./tests/util_file.sh
+source ./tests/test_common.sh
 
 # test creation and deletion of bucket on versitygw
-@test "test_create_delete_bucket" {
-
-  if [[ $RECREATE_BUCKETS != "true" ]]; then
-    return
-  fi
-
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local create_result=$?
-  [[ $create_result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket"
-
-  bucket_exists "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local exists_three=$?
-  [[ $exists_three -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed bucket existence check"
-
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local delete_result_two=$?
-  [[ $delete_result_two -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to delete bucket"
+@test "test_create_delete_bucket_aws" {
+  test_common_create_delete_bucket "aws"
 }
 
 # test adding and removing an object on versitygw
 @test "test_put_object" {
-
   local object_name="test-object"
 
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local setup_result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local setup_result=$?
   [[ $setup_result -eq 0 ]] || fail "error setting up bucket"
 
   create_test_files "$object_name" || local create_result=$?
@@ -41,38 +30,13 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   object_exists "$object" || local exists_result_two=$?
   [[ $exists_result_two -eq 1 ]] || fail "Object not removed from bucket"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files "$object_name"
 }
 
 # test listing buckets on versitygw
 @test "test_list_buckets" {
-
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local setup_result_one=$?
-  [[ $setup_result_one -eq 0 ]] || fail "Bucket one setup error"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_TWO_NAME" || local setup_result_two=$?
-  [[ $setup_result_two -eq 0 ]] || fail "Bucket two setup error"
-
-  list_buckets
-  local bucket_one_found=false
-  local bucket_two_found=false
-  for bucket in "${bucket_array[@]}"; do
-    if [ "$bucket" == "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" ]; then
-      bucket_one_found=true
-    elif [ "$bucket" == "$BUCKET_TWO_NAME" ]; then
-      bucket_two_found=true
-    fi
-    if [ $bucket_one_found == true ] && [ $bucket_two_found == true ]; then
-      break
-    fi
-  done
-
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_TWO_NAME"
-
-  if [ $bucket_one_found != true ] || [ $bucket_two_found != true ]; then
-    fail "'$BUCKET_ONE_NAME' and/or '$BUCKET_TWO_NAME' not listed (all buckets: ${bucket_array[*]})"
-  fi
+  test_common_list_buckets "aws"
 }
 
 # test listing a bucket's objects on versitygw
@@ -82,7 +46,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   object_two="test-file-two"
 
   create_test_files $object_one $object_two
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result_one=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result_one=$?
   [[ result_one -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating bucket"
   put_object "$test_file_folder"/$object_one "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"/"$object_one"  || local result_two=$?
   [[ result_two -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error adding object one"
@@ -100,7 +64,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
     fi
   done
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files $object_one $object_two
 
   if [ $object_one_found != true ] || [ $object_two_found != true ]; then
@@ -111,16 +75,16 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
 # test ability to retrieve bucket ACLs
 @test "test_get_bucket_acl" {
 
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local created=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local created=$?
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating bucket"
 
   get_bucket_acl "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error retrieving acl"
 
-  id=$(echo "$acl" | jq '.Owner.ID')
+  id=$(echo "$acl" | grep -v "InsecureRequestWarning" | jq '.Owner.ID')
   [[ $id == '"'"$AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID"'"' ]] || fail "Acl mismatch"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
 }
 
 # test ability to retrieve object ACLs
@@ -153,7 +117,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
 
   create_test_files "$object_one" "$object_two" || local created=$?
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result_one=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result_one=$?
   [[ $result_one -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating bucket"
 
   put_object "$test_file_folder"/"$object_one" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"/"$object_one"  || local result_two=$?
@@ -161,7 +125,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   put_object "$test_file_folder"/"$object_two" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"/"$object_two" || local result_three=$?
   [[ $result_three -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error adding object two"
 
-  error=$(aws s3api delete-objects --bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" --delete '{
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api delete-objects --bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" --delete '{
     "Objects": [
       {"Key": "test-file-one"},
       {"Key": "test-file-two"}
@@ -174,7 +138,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   object_exists "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"/"$object_two" || local exists_two=$?
   [[ $exists_two -eq 1 ]] || fail "Object two not deleted"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files "$object_one" "$object_two"
 }
 
@@ -184,7 +148,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   local key="test_key"
   local value="test_value"
 
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
 
   get_bucket_tags "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local get_result=$?
@@ -200,7 +164,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   [[ $tag_set_key == '"'$key'"' ]] || fail "Key mismatch"
   [[ $tag_set_value == '"'$value'"' ]] || fail "Value mismatch"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
 }
 
 # test v1 s3api list objects command
@@ -213,7 +177,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   create_test_files "$object_one" "$object_two" || local created=$?
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
   printf "%s" "$object_two_data" > "$test_file_folder"/"$object_two"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
   put_object "$test_file_folder"/"$object_one" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"/"$object_one" || local put_object_one=$?
   [[ $put_object_one -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to add object $object_one"
@@ -230,7 +194,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   size_two=$(echo "$objects" | jq '.Contents[1].Size')
   [[ $size_two -eq ${#object_two_data} ]] || fail "Object two size mismatch"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files "$object_one" "$object_two"
 }
 
@@ -244,7 +208,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   create_test_files "$object_one" "$object_two" || local created=$?
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
   printf "%s" "$object_two_data" > "$test_file_folder"/"$object_two"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
   put_object "$test_file_folder"/"$object_one" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"/"$object_one" || local put_object_one=$?
   [[ $put_object_one -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to add object $object_one"
@@ -261,7 +225,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   size_two=$(echo "$objects" | jq '.Contents[1].Size')
   [[ $size_two -eq ${#object_two_data} ]] || fail "Object two size mismatch"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files "$object_one" "$object_two"
 }
 
@@ -274,7 +238,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
 
   create_test_files "$bucket_file" || local created=$?
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
   local object_path="$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"/"$bucket_file"
   put_object "$test_file_folder"/"$bucket_file" "$object_path" || local put_object=$?
@@ -293,7 +257,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   [[ $tag_set_key == '"'$key'"' ]] || fail "Key mismatch"
   [[ $tag_set_value == '"'$value'"' ]] || fail "Value mismatch"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files $bucket_file
 }
 
@@ -306,7 +270,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   create_test_files "$bucket_file" || local created=$?
   printf "%s" "$bucket_file_data" > "$test_file_folder"/$bucket_file
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
 
   multipart_upload "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$bucket_file" "$test_file_folder"/"$bucket_file" 4 || upload_result=$?
@@ -316,7 +280,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   compare_files "$test_file_folder/$bucket_file-copy" "$test_file_folder"/$bucket_file || compare_result=$?
   [[ $compare_result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Files do not match"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files $bucket_file
 }
 
@@ -329,7 +293,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   create_test_files "$bucket_file" || local created=$?
   printf "%s" "$bucket_file_data" > "$test_file_folder"/$bucket_file
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
 
   abort_multipart_upload "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$bucket_file" "$test_file_folder"/"$bucket_file" 4 || abort_result=$?
@@ -338,7 +302,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   object_exists "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME/$bucket_file" || exists=$?
   [[ $exists -eq 1 ]] || fail "Upload file exists after abort"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files $bucket_file
 }
 
@@ -351,7 +315,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   create_test_files "$bucket_file" || local created=$?
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
   printf "%s" "$bucket_file_data" > "$test_file_folder"/$bucket_file
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
 
   list_parts "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$bucket_file" "$test_file_folder"/"$bucket_file" 4 || list_result=$?
@@ -386,7 +350,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   }
 
   run_abort_command "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$bucket_file" $upload_id
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files $bucket_file
 }
 
@@ -398,7 +362,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
 
   create_test_files "$bucket_file_one" "$bucket_file_two" || local created=$?
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
 
   list_multipart_uploads "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$test_file_folder"/"$bucket_file_one" "$test_file_folder"/"$bucket_file_two"
@@ -418,7 +382,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
     fail "Key mismatch ($test_file_folder/$bucket_file_two, $key_two)"
   fi
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files "$bucket_file_one" "$bucket_file_two"
 }
 
@@ -429,7 +393,7 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   create_test_files "$bucket_file" || local created=$?
   printf "%s" "$bucket_file_data" > "$test_file_folder"/$bucket_file
   [[ $created -eq 0 ]] || fail "Error creating test files"
-  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
+  setup_bucket "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local result=$?
   [[ $result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket '$BUCKET_ONE_NAME'"
 
   multipart_upload_from_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" "$bucket_file" "$test_file_folder"/"$bucket_file" 4 || upload_result=$?
@@ -439,6 +403,6 @@ source ./tests/util.sh
   compare_files "$test_file_folder"/$bucket_file-copy "$test_file_folder"/$bucket_file || compare_result=$?
   [[ $compare_result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Data doesn't match"
 
-  delete_bucket_or_contents "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "aws" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
   delete_test_files $bucket_file
 }
diff --git a/tests/s3cmd_tests.sh b/tests/s3cmd_tests.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..cd6c70e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/s3cmd_tests.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bats
+
+source ./tests/setup.sh
+source ./tests/test_common.sh
+source ./tests/util.sh
+
+# test s3cmd bucket creation/deletion
+@test "test_create_delete_bucket_s3cmd" {
+  test_common_create_delete_bucket "s3cmd"
+}
+
+# test listing buckets on versitygw
+@test "test_list_buckets_s3cmd" {
+  test_common_list_buckets "s3cmd"
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/setup.sh b/tests/setup.sh
index d00af89..ee7415c 100644
--- a/tests/setup.sh
+++ b/tests/setup.sh
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env bats
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
 
+# bats setup function
 setup() {
-
   if [ "$GITHUB_ACTIONS" != "true" ] && [ -r tests/.secrets ]; then
     source tests/.secrets
   else
@@ -19,6 +19,22 @@ setup() {
     source "$VERSITYGW_TEST_ENV"
   fi
 
+  check_params
+
+  base_command="ROOT_ACCESS_KEY=$AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID ROOT_SECRET_KEY=$AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY $VERSITY_EXE"
+  if [ -n "$CERT" ] && [ -n "$KEY" ]; then
+    base_command+=" --cert $CERT --key $KEY"
+  fi
+  base_command+=" $BACKEND $LOCAL_FOLDER &"
+  eval "$base_command"
+
+  versitygw_pid=$!
+  export versitygw_pid AWS_PROFILE AWS_ENDPOINT_URL LOCAL_FOLDER BUCKET_ONE_NAME BUCKET_TWO_NAME S3CMD_CONFIG
+}
+
+# make sure required environment variables are defined properly
+# return 0 for yes, 1 for no
+check_params() {
   if [ -z "$AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID" ]; then
     echo "No AWS access key set"
     return 1
@@ -53,27 +69,16 @@ setup() {
     echo "RECREATE_BUCKETS must be 'true' or 'false'"
     return 1
   fi
-  key_len=${#AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID}
-  secret_len=${#AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY}
-  echo "$key_len $secret_len $VERSITY_EXE $BACKEND $LOCAL_FOLDER $AWS_ENDPOINT_URL $AWS_PROFILE $BUCKET_ONE_NAME $BUCKET_TWO_NAME"
-
-  ROOT_ACCESS_KEY="$AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID" ROOT_SECRET_KEY="$AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY" "$VERSITY_EXE" "$BACKEND" "$LOCAL_FOLDER" &
-
-  export AWS_PROFILE
-  export AWS_ENDPOINT_URL
-  export LOCAL_FOLDER
-  export BUCKET_ONE_NAME
-  export BUCKET_TWO_NAME
-
-  versitygw_pid=$!
-  export versitygw_pid
 }
 
+# fail a test
+# param:  error message
 fail() {
   echo "$1"
   return 1
 }
 
+# bats teardown function
 teardown() {
   if [ -n "$versitygw_pid" ]; then
     if ps -p "$versitygw_pid" > /dev/null; then
diff --git a/tests/test_common.sh b/tests/test_common.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9232c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_common.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bats
+
+# common test for creating, deleting buckets
+# param:  "aws" or "s3cmd"
+# pass if buckets are properly listed, fail if not
+test_common_create_delete_bucket() {
+  if [[ $RECREATE_BUCKETS != "true" ]]; then
+    return
+  fi
+
+  if [[ $# -ne 1 ]]; then
+    fail "create/delete bucket test requires command type"
+  fi
+
+  setup_bucket "$1" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local create_result=$?
+  [[ $create_result -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to create bucket"
+
+  bucket_exists "$1" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local exists_three=$?
+  [[ $exists_three -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed bucket existence check"
+
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "$1" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local delete_result_two=$?
+  [[ $delete_result_two -eq 0 ]] || fail "Failed to delete bucket"
+}
+
+# common test for listing buckets
+# param:  "aws" or "s3cmd"
+# pass if buckets are properly listed, fail if not
+test_common_list_buckets() {
+  if [[ $# -ne 1 ]]; then
+    fail "List buckets test requires one argument"
+  fi
+
+  setup_bucket "$1" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local setup_result_one=$?
+  [[ $setup_result_one -eq 0 ]] || fail "Bucket one setup error"
+  setup_bucket "$1" "$BUCKET_TWO_NAME" || local setup_result_two=$?
+  [[ $setup_result_two -eq 0 ]] || fail "Bucket two setup error"
+
+  list_buckets "$1"
+  local bucket_one_found=false
+  local bucket_two_found=false
+  if [ -z "$bucket_array" ]; then
+    fail "bucket_array parameter not exported"
+  fi
+  for bucket in "${bucket_array[@]}"; do
+    if [ "$bucket" == "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" ] || [ "$bucket" == "s3://$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" ]; then
+      bucket_one_found=true
+    elif [ "$bucket" == "$BUCKET_TWO_NAME" ] || [ "$bucket" == "s3://$BUCKET_TWO_NAME" ]; then
+      bucket_two_found=true
+    fi
+    if [ $bucket_one_found == true ] && [ $bucket_two_found == true ]; then
+      break
+    fi
+  done
+  echo $bucket_one_found $bucket_two_found
+  if [ $bucket_one_found == false ] || [ $bucket_two_found == false ]; then
+    fail "Not all buckets found"
+  fi
+
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "$1" "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME"
+  delete_bucket_or_contents "$1" "$BUCKET_TWO_NAME"
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/util.sh b/tests/util.sh
index d9eef41..8dcdcfb 100644
--- a/tests/util.sh
+++ b/tests/util.sh
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ create_bucket() {
 
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3 mb s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 mb s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "error creating bucket: $error"
     return 1
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ delete_bucket() {
 
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3 rb s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 rb s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     if [[ "$error" == *"The specified bucket does not exist"* ]]; then
       return 0
@@ -46,14 +46,22 @@ delete_bucket() {
 # param:  bucket name
 # return 0 for success, 1 for failure
 delete_bucket_recursive() {
-  if [ $# -ne 1 ]; then
-    echo "delete bucket missing bucket name"
+  if [ $# -ne 2 ]; then
+    echo "delete bucket missing command type, bucket name"
     return 1
   fi
 
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3 rb s3://"$1" --force 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  if [[ $1 == "aws" ]]; then
+    error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 rb s3://"$2" --force 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  elif [[ $1 == "s3cmd" ]]; then
+    error=$(s3cmd --no-check-certificate rb s3://"$2" --recursive 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  else
+    echo "invalid command type '$1'"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     if [[ "$error" == *"The specified bucket does not exist"* ]]; then
       return 0
@@ -66,17 +74,24 @@ delete_bucket_recursive() {
 }
 
 # delete contents of a bucket
-# param:  bucket name
+# param:  command type, bucket name
 # return 0 for success, 1 for failure
 delete_bucket_contents() {
-  if [ $# -ne 1 ]; then
+  if [ $# -ne 2 ]; then
     echo "delete bucket missing bucket name"
     return 1
   fi
 
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3 rm s3://"$1" --recursive 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  if [[ $1 == "aws" ]]; then
+    error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 rm s3://"$2" --recursive 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  elif [[ $1 == "s3cmd" ]]; then
+    error=$(s3cmd --no-check-certificate del s3://"$2" --recursive 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  else
+    echo "invalid command type $1"
+    return 1
+  fi
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "error deleting bucket contents: $error"
     return 1
@@ -88,16 +103,22 @@ delete_bucket_contents() {
 # param:  bucket name
 # return 0 for true, 1 for false, 2 for error
 bucket_exists() {
-  if [ $# -ne 1 ]; then
-    echo "bucket exists check missing bucket name"
+  if [ $# -ne 2 ]; then
+    echo "bucket exists check missing command type, bucket name"
     return 2
   fi
 
-  echo "checking bucket $1"
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3 ls s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
-  echo "Exit code: $exit_code, error: $error"
+  if [[ $1 == 'aws' ]]; then
+    error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 ls s3://"$2" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  elif [[ $1 == 's3cmd' ]]; then
+    error=$(s3cmd --no-check-certificate -c "$S3CMD_CONFIG" ls s3://"$2" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  else
+    echo "invalid command type: $1"
+    return 2
+  fi
+
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     if [[ "$error" == *"The specified bucket does not exist"* ]] || [[ "$error" == *"Access Denied"* ]]; then
       return 1
@@ -110,22 +131,22 @@ bucket_exists() {
 }
 
 # delete buckets or just the contents depending on RECREATE_BUCKETS parameter
-# param:  bucket name
+# params:  command type, bucket name
 # return:  0 for success, 1 for failure
 delete_bucket_or_contents() {
-  if [ $# -ne 1 ]; then
-    echo "delete bucket or contents function requires bucket name"
+  if [ $# -ne 2 ]; then
+    echo "delete bucket or contents function requires command type, bucket name"
     return 1
   fi
   if [[ $RECREATE_BUCKETS == "false" ]]; then
-    delete_bucket_contents "$1" || local delete_result=$?
+    delete_bucket_contents "$1" "$2" || local delete_result=$?
     if [[ $delete_result -ne 0 ]]; then
       echo "error deleting bucket contents"
       return 1
     fi
     return 0
   fi
-  delete_bucket_recursive "$1" || local delete_result=$?
+  delete_bucket_recursive "$1" "$2" || local delete_result=$?
   if [[ $delete_result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Bucket deletion error"
     return 1
@@ -138,19 +159,18 @@ delete_bucket_or_contents() {
 # param:  bucket name
 # return 0 for success, 1 for failure
 setup_bucket() {
-  if [ $# -ne 1 ]; then
-    echo "bucket creation function requires bucket name"
+  if [ $# -ne 2 ]; then
+    echo "bucket creation function requires command type, bucket name"
     return 1
   fi
-  echo "$1"
   local exists_result
-  bucket_exists "$1" || exists_result=$?
+  bucket_exists "$1" "$2" || exists_result=$?
   if [[ $exists_result -eq 2 ]]; then
     echo "Bucket existence check error"
     return 1
   fi
   if [[ $exists_result -eq 0 ]]; then
-    delete_bucket_or_contents "$1" || delete_result=$?
+    delete_bucket_or_contents "$1" "$2" || delete_result=$?
     if [[ delete_result -ne 0 ]]; then
       echo "error deleting bucket or contents"
       return 1
@@ -164,7 +184,7 @@ setup_bucket() {
     return 1
   fi
   local create_result
-  create_bucket "$1" || create_result=$?
+  create_bucket "$2" || create_result=$?
   if [[ $create_result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error creating bucket"
     return 1
@@ -183,9 +203,9 @@ object_exists() {
   fi
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3 ls s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 ls s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
-    if [[ "$error" == "" ]]; then
+    if [[ "$error" == "" ]] || [[ $error == *"InsecureRequestWarning"* ]]; then
       return 1
     else
       echo "error checking if object exists: $error"
@@ -205,7 +225,7 @@ put_object() {
   fi
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3 cp "$1" s3://"$2" 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 cp "$1" s3://"$2" 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "error copying object to bucket: $error"
     return 1
@@ -246,7 +266,7 @@ delete_object() {
   fi
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3 rm s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 rm s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "error deleting object: $error"
     return 1
@@ -255,12 +275,25 @@ delete_object() {
 }
 
 # list buckets on versitygw
-# no params
+# params:  format (aws, s3cmd)
 # export bucket_array (bucket names) on success, return 1 for failure
 list_buckets() {
+  if [[ $# -ne 1 ]]; then
+    echo "List buckets command mssing format"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
   local exit_code=0
   local output
-  output=$(aws s3 ls 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
+  if [[ $1 == "aws" ]]; then
+    output=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 ls s3:// 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
+  elif [[ $1 == "s3cmd" ]]; then
+    output=$(s3cmd --no-check-certificate -c "$S3CMD_CONFIG" ls s3://) || exit_code=$?
+  else
+    echo "invalid format:  $1"
+    return 1
+  fi
+
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "error listing buckets: $output"
     return 1
@@ -285,7 +318,7 @@ list_objects() {
   fi
   local exit_code=0
   local output
-  output=$(aws s3 ls s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
+  output=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 ls s3://"$1" 2>&1) || exit_code=$?
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "error listing objects: $output"
     return 1
@@ -310,7 +343,7 @@ bucket_is_accessible() {
   fi
   local exit_code=0
   local error
-  error=$(aws s3api head-bucket --bucket "$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api head-bucket --bucket "$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
   if [ $exit_code -eq 0 ]; then
     return 0
   fi
@@ -330,12 +363,12 @@ object_is_accessible() {
     return 2
   fi
   local exit_code=0
-  object_data=$(aws s3api head-object --bucket "$1" --key "$2" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  object_data=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api head-object --bucket "$1" --key "$2" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "Error obtaining object data: $object_data"
     return 2
   fi
-  etag=$(echo "$object_data" | jq '.ETag')
+  etag=$(echo "$object_data" | grep -v "InsecureRequestWarning" | jq '.ETag')
   if [[ "$etag" == '""' ]]; then
     return 1
   fi
@@ -351,7 +384,7 @@ get_bucket_acl() {
     return 1
   fi
   local exit_code=0
-  acl=$(aws s3api get-bucket-acl --bucket "$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  acl=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api get-bucket-acl --bucket "$1" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "Error getting bucket ACLs: $acl"
     return 1
@@ -368,7 +401,7 @@ get_object_acl() {
     return 1
   fi
   local exit_code=0
-  acl=$(aws s3api get-object-acl --bucket "$1" --key "$2" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
+  acl=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api get-object-acl --bucket "$1" --key "$2" 2>&1) || exit_code="$?"
   if [ $exit_code -ne 0 ]; then
     echo "Error getting object ACLs: $acl"
     return 1
@@ -386,7 +419,7 @@ put_bucket_tag() {
   fi
   local error
   local result
-  error=$(aws s3api put-bucket-tagging --bucket "$1" --tagging "TagSet=[{Key=$2,Value=$3}]") || result=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api put-bucket-tagging --bucket "$1" --tagging "TagSet=[{Key=$2,Value=$3}]") || result=$?
   if [[ $result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error adding bucket tag: $error"
     return 1
@@ -403,7 +436,7 @@ get_bucket_tags() {
     return 1
   fi
   local result
-  tags=$(aws s3api get-bucket-tagging --bucket "$1") || result=$?
+  tags=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api get-bucket-tagging --bucket "$1") || result=$?
   if [[ $result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "error getting bucket tags: $tags"
     return 1
@@ -421,7 +454,7 @@ put_object_tag() {
   fi
   local error
   local result
-  error=$(aws s3api put-object-tagging --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --tagging "TagSet=[{Key=$3,Value=$4}]") || result=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api put-object-tagging --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --tagging "TagSet=[{Key=$3,Value=$4}]") || result=$?
   if [[ $result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error adding object tag: $error"
     return 1
@@ -438,7 +471,7 @@ get_object_tags() {
     return 1
   fi
   local result
-  tags=$(aws s3api get-object-tagging --bucket "$1" --key "$2") || result=$?
+  tags=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api get-object-tagging --bucket "$1" --key "$2") || result=$?
   if [[ $result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "error getting object tags: $tags"
     return 1
@@ -446,52 +479,6 @@ get_object_tags() {
   export tags
 }
 
-# create a test file and export folder.  do so in temp folder
-# params:  filename
-# export test file folder on success, return 1 for error
-create_test_files() {
-  if [ $# -lt 1 ]; then
-    echo "create test files command missing filename"
-    return 1
-  fi
-  test_file_folder=.
-  if [[ -z "$GITHUB_ACTIONS" ]]; then
-    test_file_folder=${TMPDIR}versity-gwtest
-    mkdir -p "$test_file_folder" || local mkdir_result=$?
-    if [[ $mkdir_result -ne 0 ]]; then
-      echo "error creating test file folder"
-    fi
-  fi
-  for name in "$@"; do
-    touch "$test_file_folder"/"$name" || local touch_result=$?
-    if [[ $touch_result -ne 0 ]]; then
-      echo "error creating file $name"
-    fi
-  done
-  export test_file_folder
-}
-
-# delete a test file
-# params:  filename
-# return:  0 for success, 1 for error
-delete_test_files() {
-  if [ $# -lt 1 ]; then
-    echo "delete test files command missing filenames"
-    return 1
-  fi
-  if [ -z "$test_file_folder" ]; then
-    echo "no test file folder defined, not deleting"
-    return 1
-  fi
-  for name in "$@"; do
-    rm "$test_file_folder"/"$name" || rm_result=$?
-    if [[ $rm_result -ne 0 ]]; then
-      echo "error deleting file $name"
-    fi
-  done
-  return 0
-}
-
 # list objects in bucket, v1
 # param:  bucket
 # export objects on success, return 1 for failure
@@ -500,7 +487,7 @@ list_objects_s3api_v1() {
     echo "list objects command missing bucket"
     return 1
   fi
-  objects=$(aws s3api list-objects --bucket "$1") || local result=$?
+  objects=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api list-objects --bucket "$1") || local result=$?
   if [[ $result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "error listing objects: $objects"
     return 1
@@ -516,7 +503,7 @@ list_objects_s3api_v2() {
     echo "list objects command missing bucket and/or path"
     return 1
   fi
-  objects=$(aws s3api list-objects-v2 --bucket "$1") || local result=$?
+  objects=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api list-objects-v2 --bucket "$1") || local result=$?
   if [[ $result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "error listing objects: $objects"
     return 1
@@ -534,7 +521,7 @@ create_multipart_upload() {
   fi
 
   local multipart_data
-  multipart_data=$(aws s3api create-multipart-upload --bucket "$1" --key "$2") || local created=$?
+  multipart_data=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api create-multipart-upload --bucket "$1" --key "$2") || local created=$?
   if [[ $created -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error creating multipart upload: $upload_id"
     return 1
@@ -554,7 +541,7 @@ upload_part() {
     return 1
   fi
   local etag_json
-  etag_json=$(aws s3api upload-part --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$3" --part-number "$5" --body "$4-$(($5-1))") || local uploaded=$?
+  etag_json=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api upload-part --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$3" --part-number "$5" --body "$4-$(($5-1))") || local uploaded=$?
   if [[ $uploaded -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error uploading part $5: $etag_json"
     return 1
@@ -616,7 +603,7 @@ multipart_upload() {
     return 1
   fi
 
-  error=$(aws s3api complete-multipart-upload --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$upload_id" --multipart-upload '{"Parts": '"$parts"'}') || local completed=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api complete-multipart-upload --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$upload_id" --multipart-upload '{"Parts": '"$parts"'}') || local completed=$?
   if [[ $completed -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error completing upload: $error"
     return 1
@@ -633,7 +620,7 @@ run_abort_command() {
     return 1
   fi
 
-  error=$(aws s3api abort-multipart-upload --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$3") || local aborted=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api abort-multipart-upload --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$3") || local aborted=$?
   if [[ $aborted -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error aborting upload: $error"
     return 1
@@ -670,7 +657,7 @@ copy_file() {
   fi
 
   local result
-  error=$(aws s3 cp "$1" "$2") || result=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3 cp "$1" "$2") || result=$?
   if [[ $result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "error copying file: $error"
     return 1
@@ -693,7 +680,7 @@ list_parts() {
     return 1
   fi
 
-  listed_parts=$(aws s3api list-parts --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$upload_id") || local listed=$?
+  listed_parts=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api list-parts --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$upload_id") || local listed=$?
   if [[ $listed -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error aborting upload: $parts"
     return 1
@@ -722,7 +709,7 @@ list_multipart_uploads() {
     return 1
   fi
 
-  uploads=$(aws s3api list-multipart-uploads --bucket "$1") || local list_result=$?
+  uploads=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api list-multipart-uploads --bucket "$1") || local list_result=$?
   if [[ $list_result -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "error listing uploads: $uploads"
     return 1
@@ -773,7 +760,7 @@ multipart_upload_from_bucket() {
   done
   parts+="]"
 
-  error=$(aws s3api complete-multipart-upload --bucket "$1" --key "$2-copy" --upload-id "$upload_id" --multipart-upload '{"Parts": '"$parts"'}') || local completed=$?
+  error=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api complete-multipart-upload --bucket "$1" --key "$2-copy" --upload-id "$upload_id" --multipart-upload '{"Parts": '"$parts"'}') || local completed=$?
     if [[ $completed -ne 0 ]]; then
       echo "Error completing upload: $error"
       return 1
@@ -789,7 +776,7 @@ upload_part_copy() {
     return 1
   fi
   local etag_json
-  etag_json=$(aws s3api upload-part-copy --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$3" --part-number "$5" --copy-source "$1/$4-$(($5-1))") || local uploaded=$?
+  etag_json=$(aws --no-verify-ssl s3api upload-part-copy --bucket "$1" --key "$2" --upload-id "$3" --part-number "$5" --copy-source "$1/$4-$(($5-1))") || local uploaded=$?
   if [[ $uploaded -ne 0 ]]; then
     echo "Error uploading part $5: $etag_json"
     return 1
@@ -797,37 +784,3 @@ upload_part_copy() {
   etag=$(echo "$etag_json" | jq '.CopyPartResult.ETag')
   export etag
 }
-
-split_file() {
-  file_size=$(stat -c %s "$1" 2>/dev/null || stat -f %z "$1" 2>/dev/null)
-  part_size=$((file_size / $2))
-  remainder=$((file_size % $2))
-  if [[ remainder -ne 0 ]]; then
-    part_size=$((part_size+1))
-  fi
-
-  local error
-  local split_result
-  error=$(split -a 1 -d -b "$part_size" "$1" "$1"-) || split_result=$?
-  if [[ $split_result -ne 0 ]]; then
-    echo "error splitting file: $error"
-    return 1
-  fi
-  return 0
-}
-
-# compare files
-# input:  two files
-# return 0 for same data, 1 for different data, 2 for error
-compare_files() {
-  if [ $# -ne 2 ]; then
-    echo "file comparison requires two files"
-    return 2
-  fi
-  file_one_md5=$(md5 -q "$1")
-  file_two_md5=$(md5 -q "$2")
-  if [[ $file_one_md5 == "$file_two_md5" ]]; then
-    return 0
-  fi
-  return 1
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/util_config.sh b/tests/util_config.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..751c3c2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/util_config.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+setup_two_buckets() {
+  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_ONE_NAME" || local setup_result_one=$?
+  if [[ $setup_result_one -eq 0 ]]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+  setup_bucket "$BUCKET_TWO_NAME" || local setup_result_two=$?
+  if [[ $setup_result_two -eq 0 ]]; then
+    return 1
+  fi
+  return 0
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/util_file.sh b/tests/util_file.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..887fed7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/util_file.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bats
+
+# create a test file and export folder.  do so in temp folder
+# params:  filename
+# export test file folder on success, return 1 for error
+create_test_files() {
+  if [ $# -lt 1 ]; then
+    echo "create test files command missing filename"
+    return 1
+  fi
+  test_file_folder=.
+  if [[ -z "$GITHUB_ACTIONS" ]]; then
+    test_file_folder=${TMPDIR}versity-gwtest
+    mkdir -p "$test_file_folder" || local mkdir_result=$?
+    if [[ $mkdir_result -ne 0 ]]; then
+      echo "error creating test file folder"
+    fi
+  fi
+  for name in "$@"; do
+    touch "$test_file_folder"/"$name" || local touch_result=$?
+    if [[ $touch_result -ne 0 ]]; then
+      echo "error creating file $name"
+    fi
+  done
+  export test_file_folder
+}
+
+# delete a test file
+# params:  filename
+# return:  0 for success, 1 for error
+delete_test_files() {
+  if [ $# -lt 1 ]; then
+    echo "delete test files command missing filenames"
+    return 1
+  fi
+  if [ -z "$test_file_folder" ]; then
+    echo "no test file folder defined, not deleting"
+    return 1
+  fi
+  for name in "$@"; do
+    rm "$test_file_folder"/"$name" || rm_result=$?
+    if [[ $rm_result -ne 0 ]]; then
+      echo "error deleting file $name"
+    fi
+  done
+  return 0
+}
+
+# split file into pieces to test multipart upload
+# param: file location
+# return 0 for success, 1 for error
+split_file() {
+  file_size=$(stat -c %s "$1" 2>/dev/null || stat -f %z "$1" 2>/dev/null)
+  part_size=$((file_size / $2))
+  remainder=$((file_size % $2))
+  if [[ remainder -ne 0 ]]; then
+    part_size=$((part_size+1))
+  fi
+
+  local error
+  local split_result
+  error=$(split -a 1 -d -b "$part_size" "$1" "$1"-) || split_result=$?
+  if [[ $split_result -ne 0 ]]; then
+    echo "error splitting file: $error"
+    return 1
+  fi
+  return 0
+}
+
+# compare files
+# input:  two files
+# return 0 for same data, 1 for different data, 2 for error
+compare_files() {
+  if [ $# -ne 2 ]; then
+    echo "file comparison requires two files"
+    return 2
+  fi
+  file_one_md5=$(md5 -q "$1")
+  file_two_md5=$(md5 -q "$2")
+  if [[ $file_one_md5 == "$file_two_md5" ]]; then
+    return 0
+  fi
+  return 1
+}
diff --git a/tests/util_posix.sh b/tests/util_posix.sh
index 614ddab..ab1ac56 100644
--- a/tests/util_posix.sh
+++ b/tests/util_posix.sh
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ bucket_not_exists_remote_and_local() {
     echo "bucket existence check requires single name parameter"
     return 2
   fi
-  bucket_exists "$1" || local exist_result=$?
+  bucket_exists "aws" "$1" || local exist_result=$?
   if [[ $exist_result -eq 2 ]]; then
     echo "Error checking if bucket exists"
     return 2
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ bucket_exists_remote_and_local() {
     echo "bucket existence check requires single name parameter"
     return 2
   fi
-  bucket_exists "$1" || local exist_result=$?
+  bucket_exists "aws" "$1" || local exist_result=$?
   if [[ $exist_result -eq 2 ]]; then
     echo "Error checking if bucket exists"
     return 2