diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 70826d07..7b5dfcfd 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -99,6 +99,8 @@ ENV/
 
 # extra scripts dir
 /snippets
+# testing-utils aren't actively in use.
+/piker/_testing
 
 # mypy
 .mypy_cache/
diff --git a/piker/testing/_quote_streamer.py b/piker/_testing/_quote_streamer.py
similarity index 100%
rename from piker/testing/_quote_streamer.py
rename to piker/_testing/_quote_streamer.py
diff --git a/piker/_testing/charts.py b/piker/_testing/charts.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ff5a3449
--- /dev/null
+++ b/piker/_testing/charts.py
@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+# manual label testing cruft
+import trio
+import tractor
+
+
+async def test_bed(
+    ohlcv,
+    chart,
+    lc,
+):
+    from ._graphics._lines import order_line
+
+    sleep = 6
+
+    # from PyQt5.QtCore import QPointF
+    vb = chart._vb
+    # scene = vb.scene()
+
+    # raxis = chart.getAxis('right')
+    # vb_right = vb.boundingRect().right()
+
+    last, i_end = ohlcv.array[-1][['close', 'index']]
+
+    line = order_line(
+        chart,
+        level=last,
+        level_digits=2
+    )
+    # eps = line.getEndpoints()
+
+    # llabel = line._labels[1][1]
+
+    line.update_labels({'level': last})
+    return
+
+    # rl = eps[1]
+    # rlabel.setPos(rl)
+
+    # ti = pg.TextItem(text='Fuck you')
+    # ti.setPos(pg.Point(i_end, last))
+    # ti.setParentItem(line)
+    # ti.setAnchor(pg.Point(1, 1))
+    # vb.addItem(ti)
+    # chart.plotItem.addItem(ti)
+
+    from ._label import Label
+
+    txt = Label(
+        vb,
+        fmt_str='fuck {it}',
+    )
+    txt.format(it='boy')
+    txt.place_on_scene('left')
+    txt.set_view_y(last)
+
+    # txt = QtGui.QGraphicsTextItem()
+    # txt.setPlainText("FUCK YOU")
+    # txt.setFont(_font.font)
+    # txt.setDefaultTextColor(pg.mkColor(hcolor('bracket')))
+    # # txt.setParentItem(vb)
+    # w = txt.boundingRect().width()
+    # scene.addItem(txt)
+
+    # txt.setParentItem(line)
+    # d_coords = vb.mapFromView(QPointF(i_end, last))
+    # txt.setPos(vb_right - w, d_coords.y())
+    # txt.show()
+    # txt.update()
+
+    # rlabel.setPos(vb_right - 2*w, d_coords.y())
+    # rlabel.show()
+
+    i = 0
+    while True:
+        await trio.sleep(sleep)
+        await tractor.breakpoint()
+        txt.format(it=f'dog_{i}')
+        # d_coords = vb.mapFromView(QPointF(i_end, last))
+        # txt.setPos(vb_right - w, d_coords.y())
+        # txt.setPlainText(f"FUCK YOU {i}")
+        i += 1
diff --git a/piker/testing/quotes.json b/piker/_testing/quotes.json
similarity index 100%
rename from piker/testing/quotes.json
rename to piker/_testing/quotes.json