diff --git a/compass/landice/__init__.py b/compass/landice/__init__.py
index 338f5237a2..29de6e576d 100644
--- a/compass/landice/__init__.py
+++ b/compass/landice/__init__.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 from compass.landice.tests.koge_bugt_s import KogeBugtS
 from compass.landice.tests.mesh_modifications import MeshModifications
 from compass.landice.tests.mismipplus import MISMIPplus
-from compass.landice.tests.slm import Slm
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet import SlmCircIcesheet
 from compass.landice.tests.thwaites import Thwaites
 from compass.mpas_core import MpasCore
 
@@ -50,5 +50,5 @@ def __init__(self):
         self.add_test_group(KogeBugtS(mpas_core=self))
         self.add_test_group(MeshModifications(mpas_core=self))
         self.add_test_group(MISMIPplus(mpas_core=self))
-        self.add_test_group(Slm(mpas_core=self))
+        self.add_test_group(SlmCircIcesheet(mpas_core=self))
         self.add_test_group(Thwaites(mpas_core=self))
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/__init__.py b/compass/landice/tests/slm/__init__.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 0ed3787e7d..0000000000
--- a/compass/landice/tests/slm/__init__.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-from compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet import CircIcesheetTest
-from compass.testgroup import TestGroup
-
-
-class Slm(TestGroup):
-    """
-    A test group for Sea-Level Model test cases
-    """
-    def __init__(self, mpas_core):
-        """
-        mpas_core : compass.landice.Landice
-            the MPAS core that this test group belongs to
-        """
-        super().__init__(mpas_core=mpas_core, name='slm')
-
-        self.add_test_case(
-            CircIcesheetTest(test_group=self))
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/__init__.py b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e0226c5da1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.mesh_convergence import (
+    MeshConvergenceTest,
+)
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.smoke_test import SmokeTest
+from compass.testgroup import TestGroup
+
+
+class SlmCircIcesheet(TestGroup):
+    """
+    This test group generates an idealized, circular ice sheet that has a
+    prescribed thickness evolution for testing coupling between MALI
+    and the Sea-Level Model.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, mpas_core):
+        """
+        mpas_core : compass.landice.Landice
+            the MPAS core that this test group belongs to
+        """
+        super().__init__(mpas_core=mpas_core, name='slm_circ_icesheet')
+
+        self.add_test_case(
+            MeshConvergenceTest(test_group=self))
+        self.add_test_case(SmokeTest(test_group=self))
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/__init__.py b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/__init__.py
similarity index 75%
rename from compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/__init__.py
rename to compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/__init__.py
index 9176bcb76f..c0b446a8c9 100644
--- a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/__init__.py
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/__init__.py
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
-from compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet.run_model import RunModel
-from compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet.setup_mesh import SetupMesh
-from compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet.visualize import Visualize
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.run_model import RunModel
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.setup_mesh import SetupMesh
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.visualize import Visualize
 from compass.testcase import TestCase
 
 
-class CircIcesheetTest(TestCase):
+class MeshConvergenceTest(TestCase):
     """
-    This test generates an idealized, circular ice sheet that has a
-    prescribed thickness evolution for testing coupling between MALI
-    and the Sea-Level Model.
+    This test uses the circular ice sheet test case to test the convergence
+    of the coupled MALI-SLM system with respect to mesh resolution of both
+    MALI and the SLM.
     """
 
     def __init__(self, test_group):
@@ -17,11 +17,11 @@ def __init__(self, test_group):
 
         Parameters
         ----------
-        test_group : compass.landice.tests.slm.Slm
+        test_group : compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.SlmCircIcesheet
             The test group that this test case belongs to
             The resolution or type of mesh of the test case
         """
-        name = 'circ_icesheet'
+        name = 'mesh_convergence'
         subdir = name
         super().__init__(test_group=test_group, name=name,
                          subdir=subdir)
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def configure(self):
                     ntasks = 512
                 else:
                     ntasks = 128
-                min_tasks = ntasks
+                min_tasks = 10
                 self.add_step(RunModel(test_case=self, res=res, nglv=nglv,
                                        ntasks=ntasks, min_tasks=min_tasks,
                                        openmp_threads=1,
@@ -60,6 +60,3 @@ def configure(self):
                                        '/run_model'))
         step = Visualize(test_case=self)
         self.add_step(step, run_by_default=True)
-
-    # no run() method is needed because we're doing the default: running all
-    # steps
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/circ_icesheet.cfg b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/mesh_convergence.cfg
similarity index 96%
rename from compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/circ_icesheet.cfg
rename to compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/mesh_convergence.cfg
index 1d3d09e35b..edcf3d3e65 100644
--- a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/circ_icesheet.cfg
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/mesh_convergence.cfg
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ topo_elev = -1500.0
 # center of the domain
 put_origin_on_a_cell = False
 
+# Number of ESMF processes to use for interpolation between MALI and the SLM
+esmf_procs = 128
+
 # Config options for surface mass balance forcing
 [smb_forcing]
 
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/namelist.landice b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/namelist.landice
similarity index 100%
rename from compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/namelist.landice
rename to compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/namelist.landice
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/streams.landice b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/streams.landice
similarity index 100%
rename from compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/streams.landice
rename to compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence/streams.landice
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/namelist.sealevel.template b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/namelist.sealevel.template
similarity index 100%
rename from compass/landice/tests/slm/namelist.sealevel.template
rename to compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/namelist.sealevel.template
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/run_model.py b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/run_model.py
similarity index 71%
rename from compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/run_model.py
rename to compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/run_model.py
index 4bf82e800c..fa1b7b4253 100644
--- a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/run_model.py
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/run_model.py
@@ -12,8 +12,9 @@ class RunModel(Step):
     A step for performing forward MALI runs as part of dome test cases.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, test_case, res, nglv, ntasks, name='run_model',
-                 subdir=None, min_tasks=None, openmp_threads=1):
+    def __init__(self, test_case, res, nglv, resource_package=None,
+                 ntasks=None, name='run_model', subdir=None, min_tasks=None,
+                 openmp_threads=1):
         """
         Create a new test case
 
@@ -28,6 +29,10 @@ def __init__(self, test_case, res, nglv, ntasks, name='run_model',
         nglv : str
             Number of Gauss-Legendre nodes in latitude in the SLM grid
 
+        resource_package : str, optional
+            The resource package (module path) where namelist/streams/template
+            files live. If None, it is derived from the test_case module.
+
         ntasks : int
             the number of tasks the step would ideally use.  If fewer tasks
             are available on the system, the step will run on all available
@@ -55,13 +60,17 @@ def __init__(self, test_case, res, nglv, ntasks, name='run_model',
                          ntasks=ntasks, min_tasks=min_tasks,
                          openmp_threads=openmp_threads)
 
-        self.add_namelist_file(
-            'compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet', 'namelist.landice',
-            out_name='namelist.landice')
+        # determine resource package (module path to circ_icesheet)
+        if resource_package is None:
+            resource_package = test_case.__module__
+        self.resource_package = resource_package
+
+        # add namelist and streams from the circ_icesheet package
+        self.add_namelist_file(self.resource_package, 'namelist.landice',
+                               out_name='namelist.landice')
 
-        self.add_streams_file(
-            'compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet', 'streams.landice',
-            out_name='streams.landice')
+        self.add_streams_file(self.resource_package, 'streams.landice',
+                              out_name='streams.landice')
 
         self.add_input_file(filename='landice_grid.nc',
                             target='../setup_mesh/landice_grid.nc')
@@ -88,13 +97,12 @@ def setup(self):
         section = self.config['slm']
         slm_input_root = section.get('slm_input_root').rstrip('/')
 
-        # change the sealevel namelist
-        template = Template(resources.read_text
-                            ('compass.landice.tests.slm',
-                             'namelist.sealevel.template'))
-        text = template.render(
-            nglv=self.nglv,
-            slm_input_root=slm_input_root)
+        template = Template(
+            resources.read_text('compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet',
+                                'namelist.sealevel.template')
+        )
+        text = template.render(nglv=self.nglv,
+                               slm_input_root=slm_input_root)
 
         # write out the namelist.sealevel file
         file_slm_nl = os.path.join(self.work_dir, 'namelist.sealevel')
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/setup_mesh.py b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/setup_mesh.py
similarity index 97%
rename from compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/setup_mesh.py
rename to compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/setup_mesh.py
index 79613430fe..a5d0411ea4 100644
--- a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/setup_mesh.py
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/setup_mesh.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import os
 import shutil
 
-import netCDF4
 import numpy as np
 from mpas_tools.io import write_netcdf
 from mpas_tools.logging import check_call
@@ -305,8 +304,9 @@ def _create_smb_forcing_file(config, logger, mali_mesh_file, filename):
     for t_index in range(len(t_array)):
         yr = start_year + (t_index * dt_year)
         xtime_str = f'{int(yr)}-01-01_00:00:00'.ljust(64)
-        xtime_char = netCDF4.stringtochar(np.array([xtime_str], 'S64'),
-                                          encoding='utf-8')
+        xtime_str_padded = xtime_str.ljust(64)[:64]
+        xtime_char = np.array(list(xtime_str_padded), dtype='S1')
+        xtime[t_index, :] = xtime_char
         xtime[t_index, :] = xtime_char
 
     smbfile.close()
@@ -375,6 +375,8 @@ def _build_mapping_files(config, logger, res, nglv, mali_mesh_file):
     parallel_executable = config.get("parallel", "parallel_executable")
     # split the parallel executable into constituents in case it includes flags
     args = parallel_executable.split(' ')
+    nproc = config.getint("circ_icesheet", "esmf_procs")
+    args.extend(['-n', str(nproc)])
     args.extend(['ESMF_RegridWeightGen',
                  '-s', mali_scripfile,
                  '-d', slm_scripfile,
@@ -386,6 +388,8 @@ def _build_mapping_files(config, logger, res, nglv, mali_mesh_file):
     check_call(args, logger)
 
     args = parallel_executable.split(' ')
+    nproc = config.getint("circ_icesheet", "esmf_procs")
+    args.extend(['-n', str(nproc)])
     args.extend(['ESMF_RegridWeightGen',
                  '-s', slm_scripfile,
                  '-d', mali_scripfile,
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/__init__.py b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e313d7b4cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.run_model import RunModel
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.setup_mesh import SetupMesh
+from compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.visualize import Visualize
+from compass.testcase import TestCase
+
+
+class SmokeTest(TestCase):
+    """
+    A lightweight smoke test using the baseline circ_icesheet configuration.
+    """
+    def __init__(self, test_group):
+        name = 'smoke_test'
+        subdir = name
+        super().__init__(test_group=test_group, name=name, subdir=subdir)
+
+    def configure(self):
+        config = self.config
+        section = config['circ_icesheet']
+        mali_res = section.getint('mali_res')
+
+        section = config['slm']
+        slm_nglv = section.getint('slm_nglv')
+
+        res = mali_res
+        nglv = slm_nglv
+
+        # setup mesh and run model using resources from circ_icesheet package
+        self.add_step(
+            SetupMesh(
+                test_case=self,
+                name='setup_mesh',
+                res=res,
+                nglv=nglv,
+            )
+        )
+
+        if (int(res) <= 16 and int(res) > 2):
+            ntasks = 256
+        elif (int(res) <= 2):
+            ntasks = 512
+        else:
+            ntasks = 128
+        min_tasks = 10
+
+        resource_package = (
+            'compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.smoke_test'
+        )
+        self.add_step(
+            RunModel(
+                test_case=self,
+                res=res,
+                nglv=nglv,
+                resource_package=resource_package,
+                ntasks=ntasks,
+                min_tasks=min_tasks,
+                openmp_threads=1,
+                name='run_model',
+            )
+        )
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/namelist.landice b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/namelist.landice
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..84a18792cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/namelist.landice
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+&velocity_solver
+    config_velocity_solver = 'none'
+/
+&advection
+    config_thickness_advection = 'fo'
+    config_tracer_advection = 'none'
+/
+&solidearth
+    config_uplift_method = 'sealevelmodel'
+    config_slm_coupling_interval = 1
+    config_MALI_to_SLM_weights_file = 'mapping_file_mali_to_slm.nc'
+    config_SLM_to_MALI_weights_file = 'mapping_file_slm_to_mali.nc'
+/
+&calving
+    config_calving = 'none'
+    config_restore_calving_front = .false.
+/
+&thermal_solver
+    config_thermal_solver = 'none'
+/
+&iceshelf_melt
+    config_basal_mass_bal_float = 'none'
+    config_front_mass_bal_grounded = 'none'
+/
+&physical_parameters
+    config_ice_density = 910.0
+    config_ocean_density = 1028.0
+    config_sea_level = 0.0
+    config_dynamic_thickness = 10.0
+/
+&time_integration
+    config_dt = '0001-00-00_00:00:00'
+    config_time_integration = 'forward_euler'
+    config_adaptive_timestep = .false.
+/
+&time_management
+    config_do_restart = .false.
+    config_restart_timestamp_name = 'restart_timestamp'
+    config_start_time = '2015-01-01_00:00:00'
+    config_stop_time = '2017-01-01_00:00:00'
+    config_run_duration = 'none'
+    config_calendar_type = 'noleap'
+/
+&io
+    config_pio_stride = 128
+/
+&AM_globalStats
+    config_AM_globalStats_enable = .true.
+    config_AM_globalStats_compute_interval = 'output_interval'
+    config_AM_globalStats_stream_name = 'globalStatsOutput'
+    config_AM_globalStats_compute_on_startup = .true.
+    config_AM_globalStats_write_on_startup = .true.
+/
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/smoke_test.cfg b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/smoke_test.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e23f5d07bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/smoke_test.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+# Config options for slm circ_icesheet test case
+[circ_icesheet]
+
+# The size of the domain in meters in the x and y directions for the planar mesh
+lx = 6000000.0
+ly = 6000000.0
+
+# list of MALI mesh resolutions in kilometers delimited by ',' without space
+# i.e. The distance between adjacent cell centers.
+mali_res = 40
+
+# Ice shape type ('cylinder', and for dome, 'dome-halfar' or 'dome-cism')
+# r0 and h0: initial radius and height of the cylinder ice in meters
+ice_type = cylinder
+r0 = 2000000.0
+h0 = 3000.0
+
+# 'True' if manually want to set bedTopography elevation
+# if 'False' topography will be set to 0 everywhere (flat bed at sea level)
+set_topo_elev = True
+# flat bed topography elevation in meters
+# (positive value => land, negative => ocean)
+topo_elev = -1500.0
+
+# Whether to center the circular ice in the center of the cell that is closest to the
+# center of the domain
+put_origin_on_a_cell = False
+
+# Number of ESMF processes to use for interpolation between MALI and the SLM
+esmf_procs = 128
+
+# Config options for surface mass balance forcing
+[smb_forcing]
+
+# Start, end and interval years for SMB forcing
+start_year = 2015
+end_year = 2020
+dt_year = 1
+
+# Direction in which SMB is applied ('horizontal' or 'vertical')
+# and amount of ice to melt
+direction = horizontal
+# Change in radius in meters; used when 'direction == horizontal'
+drdt = -2000.0
+# Change in height in meters;sed when 'direction == vertical'
+dhdt = -20.0
+
+# config options for the sea-level model
+[slm]
+
+# Base path for SLM input directories. Expected subdirectories beneath this
+# path follow the current structure used by this test case:
+# icemodel/GL{nglv}/ice_noGrIS_GL{nglv}/
+# others/GL{nglv}/
+# earthmodel/
+slm_input_root = /global/cfs/cdirs/fanssie/SeaLevelModel_Inputs
+
+# List of the number of Gauss-Legendre points in latitude
+# list delimited by ',' without space
+slm_nglv = 512
+
+# Max spherical harmonics degree and order
+# i.e. SLM resolution of the SLM
+slm_res = 512
+
+# mapping method between the MALI and SLM grids
+mapping_method_mali_to_slm = conserve
+mapping_method_slm_to_mali = bilinear
+
+# ratio of MALI-SLM coupling interval and MALI output interval in integer years
+time_stride = 1
+
+# config options related to visualization
+[circ_icesheet_viz]
+
+# Area (m^2) of the global ocean for calculating ice sheet contribution to
+# sea level. Only used when MALI-SLM coupling is False
+Aocn_const = 4.5007E+14
+
+# Area (m^2) of the global ocean excluding the marine-based ice region
+# only used when MALI-SLM coupling is False
+AocnBeta_const = 4.50007E+14
+
+# whether to save image files
+save_images = True
+
+# whether to hide figures (typically when save_images = True)
+hide_figs = True
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/streams.landice b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/streams.landice
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0e7c180949
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/streams.landice
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+<streams>
+
+<immutable_stream name="input"
+                  type="input"
+                  filename_template="landice_grid.nc"
+                  input_interval="initial_only"/>
+
+<immutable_stream name="restart"
+                  type="input;output"
+                  filename_template="rst.$Y.nc"
+                  filename_interval="output_interval"
+                  output_interval="0001-00-00_00:00:00"
+                  clobber_mode="overwrite"
+                  precision="double"
+                  input_interval="initial_only"/>
+
+<stream name="output"
+        type="output"
+        filename_template="output/output.nc"
+        output_interval="0001-00-00_00:00:00"
+        clobber_mode="overwrite"
+        precision="double">
+
+    <stream name="basicmesh"/>
+    <var name="xtime"/>
+    <var name="cellMask"/>
+    <var name="sfcMassBal"/>
+    <var name="bedTopography"/>
+    <var name="thickness"/>
+    <var name="daysSinceStart"/>
+    <var name="lowerSurface"/>
+    <var name="upperSurface"/>
+</stream>
+
+
+<stream name="globalStatsOutput"
+        type="output"
+        filename_template="output/globalStats.nc"
+        filename_interval="none"
+        reference_time="2015-01-01_00:00:00"
+        clobber_mode="overwrite"
+        packages="globalStatsAMPKG"
+        output_interval="0000-00-00_01:00:00"
+        runtime_format="single_file">
+
+    <var_struct name="globalStatsAM"/>
+    <var name="xtime"/>
+    <var name="simulationStartTime"/>
+    <var name="daysSinceStart"/>
+    <var name="deltat"/>
+    <var name="allowableDtACFL"/>
+    <var name="allowableDtDCFL"/>
+    <var name="albanyVelocityError"/>
+</stream>
+
+<stream name="smb"
+        type="input"
+        mode="forward;analysis"
+        filename_template="smb_forcing.nc"
+        input_interval="0001-00-00_00:00:00"
+        reference_time="2015-01-01_00:00:00"
+        runtime_format="single_file">
+
+    <var name="sfcMassBal"/>
+</stream>
+
+</streams>
diff --git a/compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/visualize.py b/compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/visualize.py
similarity index 100%
rename from compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/visualize.py
rename to compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/visualize.py
diff --git a/docs/developers_guide/landice/api.rst b/docs/developers_guide/landice/api.rst
index 29fb18d5dd..2236d1048c 100644
--- a/docs/developers_guide/landice/api.rst
+++ b/docs/developers_guide/landice/api.rst
@@ -450,30 +450,31 @@ mismipplus
    tasks.exact_cell_count
    tasks.approx_cell_count 
 
-slm
+slm_circ_icesheet
 ~~~
 
-.. currentmodule:: compass.landice.tests.slm
+.. currentmodule:: compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet
 
 .. autosummary::
    :toctree: generated/
 
-   Slm
+   SlmCircIcesheet
 
-   circ_icesheet.CircIcesheetTest
-   circ_icesheet.CircIcesheetTest.configure
+   mesh_convergence.MeshConvergenceTest
+   mesh_convergence.MeshConvergenceTest.configure
+   smoke_test.SmokeTest
 
-   circ_icesheet.run_model.RunModel
-   circ_icesheet.run_model.RunModel.setup
-   circ_icesheet.run_model.RunModel.run
+   run_model.RunModel
+   run_model.RunModel.setup
+   run_model.RunModel.run
 
-   circ_icesheet.setup_mesh.SetupMesh
-   circ_icesheet.setup_mesh.SetupMesh.run
+   setup_mesh.SetupMesh
+   setup_mesh.SetupMesh.run
 
-   circ_icesheet.visualize.Visualize
-   circ_icesheet.visualize.Visualize.setup
-   circ_icesheet.visualize.Visualize.run
-   circ_icesheet.visualize.visualize_slm_circsheet
+   visualize.Visualize
+   visualize.Visualize.setup
+   visualize.Visualize.run
+   visualize.visualize_slm_circsheet
 
 thwaites
 ~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/docs/developers_guide/landice/test_groups/slm.rst b/docs/developers_guide/landice/test_groups/slm.rst
index 4c5c15d6bd..6758ef66a5 100644
--- a/docs/developers_guide/landice/test_groups/slm.rst
+++ b/docs/developers_guide/landice/test_groups/slm.rst
@@ -1,15 +1,16 @@
-.. _dev_landice_slm:
+.. _dev_landice_slm_circ_icesheet:
 
-slm
-===
+slm_circ_icesheet
+==================
 
-The ``slm`` test group (:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm.Slm`) adds an
-framework for evaluating coupled MALI and Sea-Level Model (SLM)
-behavior.  The group currently contains one test case,
-``circular_icesheet_test``
-(:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet.CircIcesheetTest`),
-which is designed to compare MALI-derived and SLM-derived estimates of sea
-level change for a controlled circular ice-sheet geometry.
+The ``slm_circ_icesheet`` test group (:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.SlmCircIcesheet`) adds a
+framework for evaluating coupled MALI and Sea-Level Model (SLM) behavior.
+The group contains two test cases:
+
+* ``mesh_convergence`` (:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.circ_icesheet.CircIcesheetTest`),
+  which compares MALI-derived and SLM-derived estimates of sea-level change
+  across a parameter sweep of mesh and SLM resolutions.
+* ``smoke_test``, a minimal test case intended for quick validation and CI.
 
 framework
 ---------
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ setup_mesh
 ~~~~~~~~~~
 
 The class
-:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet.setup_mesh.SetupMesh`
+:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.circ_icesheet.setup_mesh.SetupMesh`
 builds all inputs required by MALI and SLM coupling for each
 ``(mali_res, slm_nglv)`` combination:
 
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ run_model
 ~~~~~~~~~
 
 The class
-:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet.run_model.RunModel`
+:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.circ_icesheet.run_model.RunModel`
 consumes the mesh, graph, SMB forcing, and mapping files from ``setup_mesh``
 and runs MALI with SLM coupling options enabled in ``namelist.landice``.
 
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ During ``setup()``, the step also:
 
 * creates ``OUTPUT_SLM`` and ``ICELOAD_SLM`` directories,
 * renders ``namelist.sealevel`` from the Jinja template
-  ``compass.landice.tests.slm.namelist.sealevel.template``, and
+  ``compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.namelist.sealevel.template``, and
 * fills SLM input paths from the ``slm_input_root`` config option.
 
 The expected structure beneath ``slm_input_root`` is:
@@ -72,7 +73,7 @@ visualize
 ~~~~~~~~~
 
 The class
-:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm.circ_icesheet.visualize.Visualize`
+:py:class:`compass.landice.tests.slm_circ_icesheet.circ_icesheet.visualize.Visualize`
 collects all ``output.nc`` files produced by the parameter sweep and computes
 diagnostic quantities for coupled MALI-SLM comparison.
 
diff --git a/docs/users_guide/landice/test_groups/index.rst b/docs/users_guide/landice/test_groups/index.rst
index 438d2dbb09..63e5649b63 100644
--- a/docs/users_guide/landice/test_groups/index.rst
+++ b/docs/users_guide/landice/test_groups/index.rst
@@ -30,5 +30,5 @@ physics but that are not run routinely.
    koge_bugt_s
    mesh_modifications
    mismipplus
-   slm
+   slm_circ_icesheet
    thwaites
diff --git a/docs/users_guide/landice/test_groups/slm.rst b/docs/users_guide/landice/test_groups/slm.rst
index 025cf08a55..b54e87c55f 100644
--- a/docs/users_guide/landice/test_groups/slm.rst
+++ b/docs/users_guide/landice/test_groups/slm.rst
@@ -1,27 +1,29 @@
-.. _landice_slm:
+.. _landice_slm_circ_icesheet:
 
-slm
-===
+slm_circ_icesheet
+==================
 
-The ``landice/slm`` test group adds a workflow for coupled
-MALI and Sea-Level Model (SLM)
-configurations.  It currently contains one test case,
-``circular_icesheet_test``, that creates an idealized circular ice sheet and
-compares MALI- and SLM-derived sea-level diagnostics across a configurable
-sweep of mesh and SLM resolutions.
+The ``landice/slm_circ_icesheet`` test group adds a workflow for coupled
+MALI and Sea-Level Model (SLM) configurations. It contains two test cases:
 
-The test case is useful for:
+- ``mesh_convergence``: a parameter sweep used to compare MALI- and
+    SLM-derived sea-level diagnostics across a configurable sweep of mesh and
+    SLM resolutions.
+- ``smoke_test``: a minimal smoke test that exercises the setup and a
+    short model run for quick validation and CI purposes.
+
+The test cases are useful for:
 
 * validating coupled MALI-SLM setup and mapping files,
 * comparing sensitivity to MALI horizontal resolution and SLM ``nglv``, and
 * generating summary error plots for sea-level diagnostics.
 
-circular_icesheet_test
-----------------------
+mesh_convergence
+----------------
 
-The test case path is:
+The convergence test case path is:
 
-``landice/slm/circular_icesheet_test``
+``landice/slm_circ_icesheet/mesh_convergence``
 
 At configure time, the test case reads:
 
@@ -35,6 +37,17 @@ For each ``(mali_res, slm_nglv)`` combination, it creates:
 
 It also creates one shared ``visualize`` step to analyze all combinations.
 
+smoke_test
+----------
+
+The smoke test path is:
+
+``landice/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test``
+
+This test provides a minimal configuration (small mesh and short run) that
+validates the mesh setup, mapping-file generation, and the end-to-end
+coupling workflow without requiring a full parameter sweep.
+
 setup_mesh
 ~~~~~~~~~~
 
@@ -108,4 +121,4 @@ The test case uses four config sections:
 * ``[circ_icesheet_viz]``: plotting controls and fallback ocean-area constants
 
 The defaults are in
-``compass/landice/tests/slm/circ_icesheet/circ_icesheet.cfg``.
\ No newline at end of file
+``compass/landice/tests/slm_circ_icesheet/smoke_test/smoke_test.cfg``.
\ No newline at end of file