diff --git a/quick_test_retry.py b/quick_test_retry.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d93fa27
--- /dev/null
+++ b/quick_test_retry.py
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+import os
+import tempfile
+
+from model import Parameters, Search
+from searcher.searcher import Searcher
+
+
+class FakeAd:
+    def __init__(self, ad_id: str):
+        self.id = ad_id
+
+
+def _assert(condition: bool, message: str) -> None:
+    if not condition:
+        raise AssertionError(message)
+
+
+def run_flaky_handler_test() -> None:
+    calls = {"count": 0}
+
+    def flaky_handler(ad, search_name):
+        calls["count"] += 1
+        if calls["count"] < 3:
+            raise RuntimeError("forced transient failure")
+
+    search = Search(
+        name="retry-flaky",
+        parameters=Parameters(),
+        delay=1,
+        handler=flaky_handler,
+    )
+    searcher = Searcher(searches=[])
+    searcher._HANDLER_INITIAL_BACKOFF = 0.0
+    ad = FakeAd("ad-flaky")
+
+    success = searcher._handle_with_retry(search, ad)
+    if success:
+        searcher._id.add(ad.id)
+
+    _assert(success, "flaky handler should eventually succeed")
+    _assert(calls["count"] == 3, f"expected 3 attempts, got {calls['count']}")
+    _assert(searcher._id.contains(ad.id), "ad should be marked as seen after success")
+
+
+def run_always_fail_handler_test() -> None:
+    calls = {"count": 0}
+
+    def always_fail(ad, search_name):
+        calls["count"] += 1
+        raise RuntimeError("forced permanent failure")
+
+    search = Search(
+        name="retry-fail",
+        parameters=Parameters(),
+        delay=1,
+        handler=always_fail,
+    )
+    searcher = Searcher(searches=[])
+    searcher._HANDLER_INITIAL_BACKOFF = 0.0
+    ad = FakeAd("ad-fail")
+
+    success = searcher._handle_with_retry(search, ad)
+    if success:
+        searcher._id.add(ad.id)
+
+    _assert(not success, "always-fail handler should return False")
+    _assert(
+        calls["count"] == searcher._HANDLER_MAX_ATTEMPTS,
+        f"expected {searcher._HANDLER_MAX_ATTEMPTS} attempts, got {calls['count']}",
+    )
+    _assert(not searcher._id.contains(ad.id), "ad should not be marked as seen on failure")
+
+
+def main() -> None:
+    cwd = os.getcwd()
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmp:
+        os.chdir(tmp)
+        try:
+            run_flaky_handler_test()
+            run_always_fail_handler_test()
+        finally:
+            os.chdir(cwd)
+    print("All retry tests passed.")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()