diff --git a/build.zig b/build.zig
index 4b05bf1..a4017b0 100644
--- a/build.zig
+++ b/build.zig
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ pub fn build(b: *std.Build) void {
         .optimize = optimize,
     });
 
+    main_tests.linkLibrary(nats_c);
+
     const run_main_tests = b.addRunArtifact(main_tests);
     const test_step = b.step("test", "Run tests");
     test_step.dependOn(&run_main_tests.step);
diff --git a/src/message.zig b/src/message.zig
index 1c9d103..4963eb5 100644
--- a/src/message.zig
+++ b/src/message.zig
@@ -113,3 +113,63 @@ pub const Message = opaque {
 // NATS_EXTERN const char* stanMsg_GetData(const stanMsg *msg);
 // NATS_EXTERN int stanMsg_GetDataLength(const stanMsg *msg);
 // NATS_EXTERN void stanMsg_Destroy(stanMsg *msg);
+
+test "message: create message" {
+    const subject = "hello";
+    const reply = "reply";
+    const data = "world";
+
+    const nats = @import("./nats.zig");
+
+    // have to initialize the library so the reference counter can correctly destroy
+    // objects, otherwise we segfault on trying to free the memory.
+    try nats.init(-1);
+    defer nats.deinit();
+
+    const message = try Message.create(subject, reply, data);
+    defer message.destroy();
+
+    const message2 = try Message.create(subject, null, data);
+    defer message2.destroy();
+
+    const message3 = try Message.create(subject, data, null);
+    defer message3.destroy();
+
+    const message4 = try Message.create(subject, null, null);
+    defer message4.destroy();
+}
+
+test "message: get subject" {
+    const nats = @import("./nats.zig");
+
+    try nats.init(-1);
+    defer nats.deinit();
+
+    const subject = "hello";
+    const message = try Message.create(subject, null, null);
+    defer message.destroy();
+
+    const received = message.getSubject();
+    try std.testing.expectEqualStrings(subject, received);
+}
+
+test "message: get reply" {
+    const nats = @import("./nats.zig");
+
+    try nats.init(-1);
+    defer nats.deinit();
+
+    const subject = "hello";
+    const reply = "reply";
+    const message = try Message.create(subject, reply, null);
+    defer message.destroy();
+
+    const received = message.getReply() orelse return error.TestUnexpectedResult;
+    try std.testing.expectEqualStrings(reply, received);
+
+    const message2 = try Message.create(subject, null, null);
+    defer message2.destroy();
+
+    const received2 = message2.getReply();
+    try std.testing.expect(received2 == null);
+}
diff --git a/src/nats.zig b/src/nats.zig
index 3af8145..4d40796 100644
--- a/src/nats.zig
+++ b/src/nats.zig
@@ -150,6 +150,10 @@ pub const Statistics = opaque {
     }
 };
 
+test {
+    std.testing.refAllDecls(@This());
+}
+
 // NATS_EXTERN natsStatus nats_Sign(const char *encodedSeed, const char *input, unsigned char **signature, int *signatureLength);
 
 // NATS_EXTERN natsStatus natsOptions_Create(natsOptions **newOpts);