diff --git a/.github/workflows/pytest.yml b/.github/workflows/pytest.yml
index 30660e4..c0f8df7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pytest.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pytest.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ on:
   pull_request:
   schedule:
     - cron: '0 10 * * 1'
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    
 
 jobs:
   build:
diff --git a/README b/README
index 66661c3..5274a4f 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -15,5 +15,8 @@ pip3 install -r requirements.txt
 export GRIDAPPSD_USER=<user>
 export GRIDAPPSD_PASSWORD=<password>
 
+# remove any existing docker containers before testing (if not you may see connection failed errors)
+ docker rm -f $(docker ps -a -q)
+ 
 # run pytest
 pytest -s