diff --git a/tests/api_tests/test_research_creation.py b/tests/api_tests/test_research_creation.py
index 483bfd8a9..5209b7413 100644
--- a/tests/api_tests/test_research_creation.py
+++ b/tests/api_tests/test_research_creation.py
@@ -6,9 +6,20 @@ Test research creation endpoint specifically
 import json
 import time
 
+import pytest
 
+
+@pytest.mark.requires_llm
 class TestResearchCreation:
-    """Test research creation functionality."""
+    """Test research creation functionality.
+
+    All tests in this class POST to /api/start_research with real
+    Ollama / searxng / model dependencies (PUNCHLIST Tier 4: FLAKY_SLEEP).
+    The class-level @pytest.mark.requires_llm gate makes them auto-
+    skip in environments without a live LLM stack, so CI doesn't
+    flake on the timing-sensitive sleep(0.5) and model-availability
+    assertions. Manual runs can invoke them with -m requires_llm.
+    """
 
     def test_research_creation_endpoint(self, authenticated_client):
         """Test the research creation endpoint."""