diff --git a/tests/zaxis.cpp b/tests/zaxis.cpp
index 56a2d5dbc..44e364a5a 100644
--- a/tests/zaxis.cpp
+++ b/tests/zaxis.cpp
@@ -39,6 +39,27 @@ TEST_F(ZAxisTest, StdPlaneOnly) {
   EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, ncplane_below(top));
 }
 
+// if you want to move the plane which is already top+bottom to either, go ahead
+TEST_F(ZAxisTest, StdPlaneOnanism) {
+  EXPECT_EQ(0, ncplane_move_top(n_));
+  struct ncplane* top = notcurses_top(nc_);
+  EXPECT_EQ(n_, top);
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, ncplane_below(top));
+  EXPECT_EQ(0, ncplane_move_bottom(n_));
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, ncplane_below(n_));
+}
+
+// you can't place a plane above or below itself, stdplane or otherwise
+TEST_F(ZAxisTest, NoMoveSelf) {
+  struct ncplane* np = notcurses_newplane(nc_, 2, 2, 0, 0, nullptr);
+  ASSERT_NE(nullptr, np);
+  EXPECT_NE(0, ncplane_move_below(n_, n_));
+  EXPECT_NE(0, ncplane_move_above(n_, n_));
+  EXPECT_NE(0, ncplane_move_below(np, np));
+  EXPECT_NE(0, ncplane_move_above(np, np));
+}
+
+// new planes ought be on the top
 TEST_F(ZAxisTest, NewPlaneOnTop) {
   struct ncplane* np = notcurses_newplane(nc_, 2, 2, 0, 0, nullptr);
   ASSERT_NE(nullptr, np);
@@ -47,3 +68,34 @@ TEST_F(ZAxisTest, NewPlaneOnTop) {
   EXPECT_EQ(n_, ncplane_below(top));
   EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, ncplane_below(n_));
 }
+
+// "move" top plane to top. everything ought remain the same.
+TEST_F(ZAxisTest, TopToTop) {
+  struct ncplane* np = notcurses_newplane(nc_, 2, 2, 0, 0, nullptr);
+  ASSERT_NE(nullptr, np);
+  struct ncplane* top = notcurses_top(nc_);
+  EXPECT_EQ(np, top);
+  EXPECT_EQ(n_, ncplane_below(top));
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, ncplane_below(n_));
+  EXPECT_EQ(0, ncplane_move_top(np));
+  // verify it
+  top = notcurses_top(nc_);
+  EXPECT_EQ(np, top);
+  EXPECT_EQ(n_, ncplane_below(top));
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, ncplane_below(n_));
+}
+
+// move top plane to bottom, and verify enumeration
+TEST_F(ZAxisTest, TopToBottom) {
+  struct ncplane* np = notcurses_newplane(nc_, 2, 2, 0, 0, nullptr);
+  ASSERT_NE(nullptr, np);
+  struct ncplane* top = notcurses_top(nc_);
+  EXPECT_EQ(np, top);
+  EXPECT_EQ(n_, ncplane_below(top));
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, ncplane_below(n_));
+  EXPECT_EQ(0, ncplane_move_bottom(np));
+  top = notcurses_top(nc_);
+  EXPECT_EQ(n_, top);
+  EXPECT_EQ(np, ncplane_below(top));
+  EXPECT_EQ(nullptr, ncplane_below(np));
+}