To run tests I have to save the buffer then run C-c C-k then use one of the commands that run tests (or use auto-test-mode), correct?

Any baked-in way to avoid having to the buffer with C-c C-k? I wish to automatically run the tests when I save the buffer

Nevermind, I set cider-save-file-on-load to t so C-c C-k automatically saves the buffer. That plus auto-test-mode and I run the tests with a single shortcut, which is what I wanted.