no caching in test containers

Makefile

@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ buntes-monster: hypr kreation
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 .PHONY: test test-lint test-smoke test-stow test-shellcheck test-lint-docker
 
-# Full test suite: fast offline lint first, then the optional Docker smoke.
+# Full test suite: offline lint first, then the Docker smoke (which by
+# default runs the real install + verification; see test-smoke below).
 test: test-lint test-smoke
 
 # Fast, offline integrity checks. No Docker required.
@@ -58,14 +59,19 @@ test-lint-docker:
 	docker run --rm dotfiles-lint
 
 # Docker smoke test: builds the Arch container and runs the dry probes.
-#   RUN_SMOKE=1  also installs the real pacman packages inside the container.
-#   RUN_SMOKE=1 RUN_FULL=1  additionally attempts AUR/npm + hypr/kreation.
-#   SKIP_NET=1   skips anything that contacts the network.
-# Example:  make test-smoke RUN_SMOKE=1
+#   By default (REAL_SMOKE=1) it also installs the real pacman packages inside
+#   the container and verifies them, so a plain `make test` actually exercises
+#   the install path. Set REAL_SMOKE=0 (or RUN_SMOKE=0) for the fast dry-probe
+#   run. RUN_FULL=1 additionally attempts AUR/npm + hypr/kreation. SKIP_NET=1
+#   skips anything that contacts the network.
+# Example:  make test-smoke            # real term package install + verify
+#           make test-smoke REAL_SMOKE=0   # dry probes only
+#           make test-smoke RUN_FULL=1 # full AUR/npm + hypr/kreation
+REAL_SMOKE ?= 1
 test-smoke:
 	docker build --target test -t dotfiles-test -f test/Dockerfile .
 	docker run --rm \
-		-e RUN_SMOKE="$${RUN_SMOKE:-0}" \
+		-e RUN_SMOKE="$${RUN_SMOKE:-$(REAL_SMOKE)}" \
 		-e RUN_FULL="$${RUN_FULL:-0}" \
 		-e SKIP_NET=$${SKIP_NET:-0} \
 		-v "$$PWD":/dotfiles \