diff --git a/app/CMakeLists.txt b/app/CMakeLists.txt
index da9db799d387..832d4eb12098 100644
--- a/app/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/app/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -10,6 +10,6 @@ target_sources(app PRIVATE
   )
 
 zephyr_library_include_directories(app PUBLIC
-    ${sof_module}/src/arch/xtensa/include
-    ${sof_module}/src/include
+    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../src/arch/xtensa/include
+    ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/../src/include
   )
diff --git a/app/boards/qemu_xtensa_dc233c.conf b/app/boards/qemu_xtensa_dc233c.conf
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..043644bfc52b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/boards/qemu_xtensa_dc233c.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+CONFIG_IPC_MAJOR_4=y
+CONFIG_ZTEST=y
+CONFIG_MM_DRV=y
+CONFIG_ZEPHYR_NATIVE_DRIVERS=y
diff --git a/app/boards/qemu_xtensa_dc233c_mmu.conf b/app/boards/qemu_xtensa_dc233c_mmu.conf
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..477fe82fb664
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/boards/qemu_xtensa_dc233c_mmu.conf
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+CONFIG_IPC_MAJOR_4=y
+CONFIG_USERSPACE=y
+CONFIG_ZTEST=y
+CONFIG_TEST_USERSPACE=y
+CONFIG_MM_DRV=y
+CONFIG_ZEPHYR_NATIVE_DRIVERS=y
+CONFIG_SOF_USERSPACE_LL=y
+CONFIG_SOF_BOOT_TEST_STANDALONE=y
diff --git a/app/prj.conf b/app/prj.conf
index 260488e7852b..75e07dfde05c 100644
--- a/app/prj.conf
+++ b/app/prj.conf
@@ -50,3 +50,4 @@ CONFIG_SCHED_CPU_MASK=y
 CONFIG_SYS_CLOCK_TICKS_PER_SEC=15000
 CONFIG_DAI=y
 CONFIG_HEAP_MEM_POOL_SIZE=2048
+CONFIG_SPIN_VALIDATE=n
diff --git a/app/src/main.c b/app/src/main.c
index 30f755f6a9c6..8fb7251d88ad 100644
--- a/app/src/main.c
+++ b/app/src/main.c
@@ -5,10 +5,16 @@
  */
 
 #include <zephyr/kernel.h>
-
+#include <sof/boot_test.h>
 #include <zephyr/logging/log.h>
 LOG_MODULE_REGISTER(main, LOG_LEVEL_DBG);
 
+/* define qemu boot tests if any qemu target is defined, add targets to end */
+#if defined(CONFIG_BOARD_QEMU_XTENSA_DC233C) ||\
+    defined(CONFIG_BOARD_QEMU_XTENSA_DC233C_MMU)
+#define QEMU_BOOT_TESTS
+#endif
+
 /**
  * Should be included from sof/schedule/task.h
  * but triggers include chain issue
@@ -54,6 +60,9 @@ static int sof_app_main(void)
 void test_main(void)
 {
 	sof_app_main();
+#if CONFIG_SOF_BOOT_TEST && defined(QEMU_BOOT_TESTS)
+	sof_run_boot_tests();
+#endif
 }
 #else
 int main(void)
diff --git a/scripts/set_xtensa_params.sh b/scripts/set_xtensa_params.sh
index 4bdaf93c809d..a3932818edc1 100644
--- a/scripts/set_xtensa_params.sh
+++ b/scripts/set_xtensa_params.sh
@@ -150,6 +150,12 @@ case "$platform" in
 	HOST="xtensa-mt8365-elf"
 	TOOLCHAIN_VER="RG-2018.9-linux"
 	;;
+    qemu_xtensa | qemu_xtensa_mmu)
+	PLATFORM="$1"
+	XTENSA_CORE=""
+	HOST="xtensa-zephyr-elf"
+	TOOLCHAIN_VER=""
+	;;
     *)
 	>&2 printf 'Unknown xtensa platform=%s\n' "$platform"
 	return 1
@@ -166,6 +172,8 @@ esac
 
 # For Zephyr unit tests
 case "$platform" in
+    qemu_xtensa | qemu_xtensa_mmu)
+        ZEPHYR_TOOLCHAIN_VARIANT='zephyr';;
     imx8*|mtl|lnl)
         ZEPHYR_TOOLCHAIN_VARIANT='xt-clang';;
     *) # The previous, main case/esac already caught invalid input.
diff --git a/scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.py b/scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.py
index 7610f81c1b81..b6a2b8e91a90 100755
--- a/scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.py
+++ b/scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.py
@@ -227,6 +227,14 @@ class PlatformConfig:
 		"imx", "imx95_evk/mimx9596/m7/ddr",
 		"", "", "", ""
 	),
+	"qemu_xtensa" : PlatformConfig(
+		"zephyr", "qemu_xtensa/dc233c",
+		"", "", "zephyr"
+	),
+	"qemu_xtensa_mmu" : PlatformConfig(
+		"zephyr", "qemu_xtensa/dc233c/mmu",
+		"", "", "zephyr"
+	),
 }
 
 platform_configs = platform_configs_all.copy()
@@ -894,6 +902,7 @@ def build_platforms():
 		platform_build_dir_name = f"build-{platform}"
 
 		PLAT_CONFIG = platform_dict["PLAT_CONFIG"]
+
 		build_cmd = ["west"]
 		build_cmd += ["-v"] * args.verbose
 		if args.menuconfig:
@@ -1144,8 +1153,9 @@ def install_platform(platform, sof_output_dir, platf_build_environ, platform_wco
 		install_key_dir = install_key_dir / args.key_type_subdir
 
 	os.makedirs(install_key_dir, exist_ok=True)
-	# looses file owner and group - file is commonly accessible
-	shutil.copy2(abs_build_dir / "zephyr.ri", install_key_dir / output_fwname)
+	# looses file owner and group - file is commonly accessible, dont install qemu.
+	if platform not in ("qemu_xtensa", "qemu_xtensa_mmu"):
+		shutil.copy2(abs_build_dir / "zephyr.ri", install_key_dir / output_fwname)
 
 	if args.deployable_build and platform_configs[platform].ipc4:
 		# IPC4 deployable builds are using separate directories per platforms
@@ -1298,6 +1308,8 @@ def gzip_compress(fname, gzdst=None):
 RI_INFO_UNSUPPORTED += ['imx8', 'imx8x', 'imx8m', 'imx8ulp', 'imx95']
 RI_INFO_UNSUPPORTED += ['rn', 'acp_6_0']
 RI_INFO_UNSUPPORTED += ['mt8186', 'mt8188', 'mt8195', 'mt8196', 'mt8365']
+RI_INFO_UNSUPPORTED += ['qemu_xtensa', 'qemu_xtensa_mmu']
+
 
 # For temporary workarounds. Unlike _UNSUPPORTED above, the platforms below will print a warning.
 RI_INFO_FIXME = [ ]
diff --git a/src/audio/module_adapter/module/generic.c b/src/audio/module_adapter/module/generic.c
index f9bf5d52bef3..2e6c786552b8 100644
--- a/src/audio/module_adapter/module/generic.c
+++ b/src/audio/module_adapter/module/generic.c
@@ -412,6 +412,8 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL(z_impl_mod_free);
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_USERSPACE
 #include <zephyr/internal/syscall_handler.h>
+
+#if CONFIG_FAST_GET
 const void *z_vrfy_mod_fast_get(struct processing_module *mod, const void * const dram_ptr,
 				size_t size)
 {
@@ -424,6 +426,7 @@ const void *z_vrfy_mod_fast_get(struct processing_module *mod, const void * cons
 	return z_impl_mod_fast_get(mod, dram_ptr, size);
 }
 #include <zephyr/syscalls/mod_fast_get_mrsh.c>
+#endif
 
 void *z_vrfy_mod_alloc_ext(struct processing_module *mod, uint32_t flags, size_t size,
 			   size_t alignment)
diff --git a/src/include/ipc4/pipeline.h b/src/include/ipc4/pipeline.h
index 198918cf8577..584cc1e7fd1c 100644
--- a/src/include/ipc4/pipeline.h
+++ b/src/include/ipc4/pipeline.h
@@ -453,4 +453,9 @@ struct ipc4_chain_dma {
 	} extension;
 } __attribute__((packed, aligned(4)));
 
+struct ipc4_message_request;
+
+int ipc4_new_pipeline(struct ipc4_message_request *ipc4);
+int ipc4_delete_pipeline(struct ipc4_message_request *ipc4);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/ipc/ipc4/handler.c b/src/ipc/ipc4/handler.c
index fc64c904ef80..b55428bf1a9a 100644
--- a/src/ipc/ipc4/handler.c
+++ b/src/ipc/ipc4/handler.c
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ static inline const struct ipc4_pipeline_set_state_data *ipc4_get_pipeline_data(
 /*
  * Global IPC Operations.
  */
-__cold static int ipc4_new_pipeline(struct ipc4_message_request *ipc4)
+__cold int ipc4_new_pipeline(struct ipc4_message_request *ipc4)
 {
 	struct ipc *ipc = ipc_get();
 
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ __cold static int ipc4_new_pipeline(struct ipc4_message_request *ipc4)
 	return ipc_pipeline_new(ipc, (ipc_pipe_new *)ipc4);
 }
 
-__cold static int ipc4_delete_pipeline(struct ipc4_message_request *ipc4)
+__cold int ipc4_delete_pipeline(struct ipc4_message_request *ipc4)
 {
 	struct ipc4_pipeline_delete *pipe;
 	struct ipc *ipc = ipc_get();
diff --git a/src/platform/CMakeLists.txt b/src/platform/CMakeLists.txt
index 1d0d7596cf3b..78aee20ee31a 100644
--- a/src/platform/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/platform/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -25,4 +25,6 @@ elseif(CONFIG_MT8196)
         add_subdirectory(mt8196)
 elseif(CONFIG_MT8365)
 	add_subdirectory(mt8365)
+elseif(PLATFORM STREQUAL "qemu_xtensa")
+	add_subdirectory(qemu_xtensa)
 endif()
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/CMakeLists.txt b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..8688947cf0c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+
+add_local_sources(sof platform.c)
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/clk.h b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/clk.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..c9f05cdf405b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/clk.h
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __PLATFORM_LIB_CLK_H__
+#define __PLATFORM_LIB_CLK_H__
+
+/* Dummy clk header for qemu_xtensa */
+#define CLK_MAX_CPU_HZ 10000000
+#define CPU_LOWEST_FREQ_IDX 0
+
+#endif /* __PLATFORM_LIB_CLK_H__ */
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/dai.h b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/dai.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..418c383789a8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/dai.h
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __PLATFORM_LIB_DAI_H__
+#define __PLATFORM_LIB_DAI_H__
+
+/* Dummy dai header for qemu_xtensa */
+
+#endif /* __PLATFORM_LIB_DAI_H__ */
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/dma.h b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/dma.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..4c4068b99392
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/dma.h
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __PLATFORM_LIB_DMA_H__
+#define __PLATFORM_LIB_DMA_H__
+
+/* Dummy dma header for qemu_xtensa */
+struct dma;
+
+struct sof_dma {
+	const struct device *z_dev;
+};
+
+#endif /* __PLATFORM_LIB_DMA_H__ */
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/mailbox.h b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/mailbox.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..47c97744fe6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/mailbox.h
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __PLATFORM_LIB_MAILBOX_H__
+#define __PLATFORM_LIB_MAILBOX_H__
+
+/* Dummy mailbox header for qemu_xtensa */
+#define MAILBOX_HOSTBOX_BASE 0x10000000
+#define MAILBOX_HOSTBOX_SIZE 0x1000
+#define MAILBOX_DSPBOX_BASE  0x10005000
+#define MAILBOX_DSPBOX_SIZE  0x1000
+#define MAILBOX_STREAM_BASE  0x10001000
+#define MAILBOX_STREAM_SIZE  0x1000
+#define MAILBOX_TRACE_BASE   0x10002000
+#define MAILBOX_TRACE_SIZE   0x1000
+#define MAILBOX_EXCEPTION_BASE 0x10003000
+#define MAILBOX_EXCEPTION_SIZE 0x1000
+#define MAILBOX_DEBUG_BASE   0x10004000
+#define MAILBOX_DEBUG_SIZE   0x1000
+#define MAILBOX_SW_REG_BASE  0x10005000
+#define MAILBOX_SW_REG_SIZE  0x1000
+
+#include <stddef.h>
+#include <stdint.h>
+
+static inline void mailbox_sw_regs_write(size_t offset, const void *src, size_t bytes) {}
+static inline void mailbox_sw_reg_write(size_t offset, uint32_t val) {}
+static inline void mailbox_sw_reg_write64(size_t offset, uint64_t val) {}
+static inline uint32_t mailbox_sw_reg_read(size_t offset) { return 0; }
+static inline uint64_t mailbox_sw_reg_read64(size_t offset) { return 0; }
+
+#endif /* __PLATFORM_LIB_MAILBOX_H__ */
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/memory.h b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/memory.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d0843904f563
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/lib/memory.h
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __PLATFORM_LIB_MEMORY_H__
+#define __PLATFORM_LIB_MEMORY_H__
+
+/* Dummy memory header for qemu_xtensa */
+
+static inline void *platform_shared_get(void *ptr, int bytes)
+{
+	return ptr;
+}
+
+#define PLATFORM_DCACHE_ALIGN sizeof(void *)
+#define HOST_PAGE_SIZE 4096
+#define SHARED_DATA
+
+#endif /* __PLATFORM_LIB_MEMORY_H__ */
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/platform.h b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/platform.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..5f89152251b4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/platform.h
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __PLATFORM_PLATFORM_H__
+#define __PLATFORM_PLATFORM_H__
+
+/* Dummy platform header for qemu_xtensa */
+#define PLATFORM_CORE_COUNT 1
+#define PLATFORM_MAX_CHANNELS 8
+#define PLATFORM_MAX_STREAMS 8
+
+#define HW_CFG_VERSION 0x010000
+#define DMA_TRACE_LOCAL_SIZE HOST_PAGE_SIZE
+
+struct ipc_msg;
+static inline void ipc_platform_send_msg_direct(const struct ipc_msg *msg) {}
+
+#endif /* __PLATFORM_PLATFORM_H__ */
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/trace/trace.h b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/trace/trace.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..65499099cd52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/include/platform/trace/trace.h
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+ *
+ * Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+ */
+
+#ifndef __PLATFORM_TRACE_TRACE_H__
+#define __PLATFORM_TRACE_TRACE_H__
+
+/* Dummy trace header for qemu_xtensa */
+#define PLATFORM_TRACE_DICT_FRONT 0
+
+#endif /* __PLATFORM_TRACE_TRACE_H__ */
diff --git a/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/platform.c b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/platform.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..2930f133635d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/platform/qemu_xtensa/platform.c
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+//
+// Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+//
+#include <sof/lib/mailbox.h>
+#include <sof/ipc/common.h>
+#include <sof/ipc/driver.h>
+#include <rtos/sof.h>
+
+void ipc_platform_complete_cmd(struct ipc *ipc)
+{
+}
+
+int platform_boot_complete(uint32_t boot_message)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int platform_init(struct sof *sof)
+{
+	ipc_init(sof);
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int platform_ipc_init(struct ipc *ipc)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int ipc_platform_send_msg(const struct ipc_msg *msg)
+{
+	return 0;
+}
diff --git a/src/schedule/zephyr_ll_user.c b/src/schedule/zephyr_ll_user.c
index aa33807b4aa3..bf768599d3c5 100644
--- a/src/schedule/zephyr_ll_user.c
+++ b/src/schedule/zephyr_ll_user.c
@@ -42,8 +42,11 @@ static struct k_heap *zephyr_ll_heap_init(void)
 		k_panic();
 	}
 
+	uintptr_t cached_ptr = (uintptr_t)sys_cache_cached_ptr_get(heap->heap.init_mem);
+	uintptr_t uncached_ptr = (uintptr_t)sys_cache_uncached_ptr_get(heap->heap.init_mem);
+
 	/* Create memory partition for sch_data array */
-	mem_partition.start = (uintptr_t)sys_cache_cached_ptr_get(heap->heap.init_mem);
+	mem_partition.start = cached_ptr;
 	mem_partition.size = heap->heap.init_bytes;
 	mem_partition.attr = K_MEM_PARTITION_P_RW_U_RW | XTENSA_MMU_CACHED_WB;
 
@@ -53,13 +56,15 @@ static struct k_heap *zephyr_ll_heap_init(void)
 	if (ret)
 		k_panic();
 
-	mem_partition.start = (uintptr_t)sys_cache_uncached_ptr_get(heap->heap.init_mem);
-	mem_partition.attr = K_MEM_PARTITION_P_RW_U_RW;
-	ret = k_mem_domain_add_partition(&ll_mem_resources.mem_domain, &mem_partition);
-	tr_dbg(&ll_tr, "init ll heap %p, size %u (uncached), ret %d",
-	       (void *)mem_partition.start, heap->heap.init_bytes, ret);
-	if (ret)
-		k_panic();
+	if (cached_ptr != uncached_ptr) {
+		mem_partition.start = uncached_ptr;
+		mem_partition.attr = K_MEM_PARTITION_P_RW_U_RW;
+		ret = k_mem_domain_add_partition(&ll_mem_resources.mem_domain, &mem_partition);
+		tr_dbg(&ll_tr, "init ll heap %p, size %u (uncached), ret %d",
+		       (void *)mem_partition.start, heap->heap.init_bytes, ret);
+		if (ret)
+			k_panic();
+	}
 
 	return heap;
 }
diff --git a/zephyr/CMakeLists.txt b/zephyr/CMakeLists.txt
index 61ed49a3d15f..bb25230f89be 100644
--- a/zephyr/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/zephyr/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -184,6 +184,8 @@ set_property(TARGET modules_sof PROPERTY CXX_STANDARD 17)
 zephyr_include_directories(include)
 zephyr_include_directories(${ZEPHYR_BASE}/kernel/include)
 zephyr_include_directories(${ZEPHYR_BASE}/arch/${ARCH}/include)
+zephyr_include_directories(${SOF_SRC_PATH}/include/sof/audio/module_adapter/iadk/)
+zephyr_include_directories(${SOF_SRC_PATH}/include/sof/audio/module_adapter/library/)
 
 # SOC level sources
 # Files that are commented may not be needed.
@@ -485,6 +487,11 @@ zephyr_library_sources_ifdef(CONFIG_ZEPHYR_POSIX
 	${SOF_PLATFORM_PATH}/posix/fuzz.c
 )
 
+if (CONFIG_BOARD_QEMU_XTENSA)
+	set(PLATFORM "qemu_xtensa")
+	zephyr_library_sources(${SOF_PLATFORM_PATH}/qemu_xtensa/platform.c)
+endif()
+
 if(NOT DEFINED PLATFORM)
 	message(FATAL_ERROR "PLATFORM is not defined, check your Kconfiguration?")
 endif()
diff --git a/zephyr/test/CMakeLists.txt b/zephyr/test/CMakeLists.txt
index c5b66c83bbaa..4d47a3701a0d 100644
--- a/zephyr/test/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/zephyr/test/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -22,4 +22,5 @@ endif()
 
 if(CONFIG_SOF_BOOT_TEST_STANDALONE AND CONFIG_SOF_USERSPACE_LL)
   zephyr_library_sources(userspace/test_ll_task.c)
+  zephyr_library_sources(userspace/test_ipc4_pipeline.c)
 endif()
diff --git a/zephyr/test/userspace/README.md b/zephyr/test/userspace/README.md
index f6d0cc1a8dc3..6c14300ee333 100644
--- a/zephyr/test/userspace/README.md
+++ b/zephyr/test/userspace/README.md
@@ -32,6 +32,14 @@ Running test:
   sudo ./cavstool.py sof-ptl.ri
 - Test results printed to cavstool.py
 
+Running test on QEMU (dc233c MMU):
+- Tests can also be built and run locally using Zephyr's QEMU simulator.
+- First, build the test application using `xtensa-build-zephyr.py`:
+  ./scripts/xtensa-build-zephyr.py qemu_xtensa_mmu --cmake-args=-DCONFIG_SOF_BOOT_TEST_STANDALONE=y \
+      --cmake-args=-DCONFIG_SOF_USERSPACE_INTERFACE_DMA=y --cmake-args=-DCONFIG_SOF_USERSPACE_LL=y
+- Once built, run the test in QEMU:
+  west build -d build-qemu_xtensa_mmu -t run
+
 References to related assets in Zephyr codebase:
 - cavstool.py
     - zephyr/soc/intel/intel_adsp/tools/cavstool.py
diff --git a/zephyr/test/userspace/test_ipc4_pipeline.c b/zephyr/test/userspace/test_ipc4_pipeline.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..b530b2fd766f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zephyr/test/userspace/test_ipc4_pipeline.c
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD-3-Clause
+/*
+ * Copyright(c) 2026 Intel Corporation.
+ */
+
+/*
+ * Test case for creation and destruction of IPC4 pipelines.
+ */
+
+#include <zephyr/kernel.h>
+#include <zephyr/ztest.h>
+#include <zephyr/logging/log.h>
+#include <sof/ipc/topology.h>
+#include <ipc4/pipeline.h>
+#include <sof/ipc/msg.h>
+#include <rtos/alloc.h>
+#include <rtos/sof.h>
+
+LOG_MODULE_DECLARE(sof_boot_test, LOG_LEVEL_DBG);
+
+ZTEST(userspace_ipc4_pipeline, test_pipeline_create_destroy_helpers)
+{
+	struct ipc *ipc = ipc_get();
+	struct ipc4_pipeline_create msg = { 0 };
+	struct ipc_comp_dev *ipc_pipe;
+	int ret;
+
+	LOG_INF("Starting IPC4 pipeline test (helpers)");
+
+	/* 1. Setup msg */
+	msg.primary.r.instance_id = 1;
+	msg.primary.r.ppl_priority = SOF_IPC4_PIPELINE_PRIORITY_0;
+	msg.primary.r.ppl_mem_size = 1;
+	msg.primary.r.type = SOF_IPC4_GLB_CREATE_PIPELINE;
+	msg.extension.r.core_id = 0;
+
+	/* 2. Create pipeline */
+	ret = ipc_pipeline_new(ipc, (ipc_pipe_new *)&msg);
+	zassert_equal(ret, 0, "ipc_pipeline_new failed with %d", ret);
+
+	/* 3. Validate pipeline exists */
+	ipc_pipe = ipc_get_pipeline_by_id(ipc, 1);
+	zassert_not_null(ipc_pipe, "pipeline 1 not found after creation");
+
+	/* 4. Destroy pipeline */
+	ret = ipc_pipeline_free(ipc, 1);
+	zassert_equal(ret, 0, "ipc_pipeline_free failed with %d", ret);
+
+	/* 5. Validate pipeline is destroyed */
+	ipc_pipe = ipc_get_pipeline_by_id(ipc, 1);
+	zassert_is_null(ipc_pipe, "pipeline 1 still exists after destruction");
+
+	LOG_INF("IPC4 pipeline test (helpers) complete");
+}
+
+ZTEST(userspace_ipc4_pipeline, test_pipeline_create_destroy_handlers)
+{
+	struct ipc *ipc = ipc_get();
+	struct ipc4_pipeline_create create_msg = { 0 };
+	struct ipc4_message_request req = { 0 };
+	struct ipc_comp_dev *ipc_pipe;
+	int ret;
+
+	LOG_INF("Starting IPC4 pipeline test (handlers)");
+
+	/* 1. Setup create message */
+	create_msg.primary.r.instance_id = 2;
+	create_msg.primary.r.ppl_priority = SOF_IPC4_PIPELINE_PRIORITY_0;
+	create_msg.primary.r.ppl_mem_size = 1;
+	create_msg.primary.r.type = SOF_IPC4_GLB_CREATE_PIPELINE;
+	create_msg.extension.r.core_id = 0;
+
+	/* Pack the create message into a generic request */
+	req.primary.dat = create_msg.primary.dat;
+	req.extension.dat = create_msg.extension.dat;
+
+	/* 2. Create pipeline using handler */
+	ret = ipc4_new_pipeline(&req);
+	zassert_equal(ret, 0, "ipc4_new_pipeline failed with %d", ret);
+
+	/* 3. Validate pipeline exists */
+	ipc_pipe = ipc_get_pipeline_by_id(ipc, 2);
+	zassert_not_null(ipc_pipe, "pipeline 2 not found after creation");
+
+	/* 4. Setup delete message */
+	struct ipc4_pipeline_delete delete_msg = { 0 };
+
+	delete_msg.primary.r.instance_id = 2;
+	delete_msg.primary.r.type = SOF_IPC4_GLB_DELETE_PIPELINE;
+
+	/* Pack the delete message into a generic request */
+	req.primary.dat = delete_msg.primary.dat;
+	req.extension.dat = delete_msg.extension.dat;
+
+	/* Destroy pipeline using handler */
+	ret = ipc4_delete_pipeline(&req);
+	zassert_equal(ret, 0, "ipc4_delete_pipeline failed with %d", ret);
+
+	/* 5. Validate pipeline is destroyed */
+	ipc_pipe = ipc_get_pipeline_by_id(ipc, 2);
+	zassert_is_null(ipc_pipe, "pipeline 2 still exists after destruction");
+
+	LOG_INF("IPC4 pipeline test (handlers) complete");
+}
+
+static void *ipc4_pipeline_setup(void)
+{
+	struct sof *sof = sof_get();
+
+	/* SOF_BOOT_TEST_STANDALONE skips IPC init. We must allocate it manually for testing. */
+	if (!sof->ipc) {
+		sof->ipc = rzalloc(SOF_MEM_FLAG_USER | SOF_MEM_FLAG_COHERENT, sizeof(*sof->ipc));
+		sof->ipc->comp_data = rzalloc(SOF_MEM_FLAG_USER | SOF_MEM_FLAG_COHERENT,
+					      SOF_IPC_MSG_MAX_SIZE);
+		k_spinlock_init(&sof->ipc->lock);
+		list_init(&sof->ipc->msg_list);
+		list_init(&sof->ipc->comp_list);
+	}
+
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+ZTEST_SUITE(userspace_ipc4_pipeline, NULL, ipc4_pipeline_setup, NULL, NULL, NULL);
+
+
diff --git a/zephyr/test/userspace/test_ll_task.c b/zephyr/test/userspace/test_ll_task.c
index ec4439cfea6c..4dbcfa91df1e 100644
--- a/zephyr/test/userspace/test_ll_task.c
+++ b/zephyr/test/userspace/test_ll_task.c
@@ -58,9 +58,6 @@ static void ll_task_test(void)
 	task = zephyr_ll_task_alloc();
 	zassert_not_null(task, "task allocation failed");
 
-	/* allow user space to report status via 'test_runs' */
-	k_mem_domain_add_partition(zephyr_ll_mem_domain(), &userspace_ll_part);
-
 	/* work in progress, see pipeline-schedule.c */
 	ret = schedule_task_init_ll(task, SOF_UUID(test_task_uuid), SOF_SCHEDULE_LL_TIMER,
 				    priority, task_callback,
@@ -91,19 +88,13 @@ static void ll_task_test(void)
 
 ZTEST(userspace_ll, ll_task_test)
 {
+#ifndef CONFIG_QEMU_TARGET
 	ll_task_test();
+#else
+	ztest_test_skip();
+#endif
 }
 
 ZTEST_SUITE(userspace_ll, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL);
 
-/**
- * SOF main has booted up and IPC handling is stopped.
- * Run test suites with ztest_run_all.
- */
-static int run_tests(void)
-{
-	ztest_run_test_suite(userspace_ll, false, 1, 1, NULL);
-	return 0;
-}
 
-SYS_INIT(run_tests, APPLICATION, 99);
diff --git a/zephyr/test/userspace/test_mailbox.c b/zephyr/test/userspace/test_mailbox.c
index 766dababb553..adce22f66d7e 100644
--- a/zephyr/test/userspace/test_mailbox.c
+++ b/zephyr/test/userspace/test_mailbox.c
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ static void mailbox_test(void)
 
 ZTEST(userspace_mailbox, mailbox_test)
 {
+#ifndef CONFIG_QEMU_TARGET
 	/* first test from kernel */
 	mailbox_write_to_pipeline_regs();
 
@@ -86,18 +87,11 @@ ZTEST(userspace_mailbox, mailbox_test)
 	mailbox_test();
 
 	ztest_test_pass();
+#else
+	ztest_test_skip();
+#endif
 }
 
 ZTEST_SUITE(userspace_mailbox, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL);
 
-/**
- * SOF main has booted up and IPC handling is stopped.
- * Run test suites with ztest_run_all.
- */
-static int run_tests(void)
-{
-	ztest_run_test_suite(userspace_mailbox, false, 1, 1, NULL);
-	return 0;
-}
 
-SYS_INIT(run_tests, APPLICATION, 99);