diff --git a/pytest.ini b/pytest.ini
index bfa07e520b..7197b078c6 100644
--- a/pytest.ini
+++ b/pytest.ini
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ filterwarnings =
     ignore:record_property is incompatible with junit_family:pytest.PytestWarning
 addopts =
     -m 'not remote_cluster'
+    --ignore=test_runner/performance
 markers =
     remote_cluster
 testpaths =
diff --git a/test_runner/README.md b/test_runner/README.md
index d6ee5730ac..e066ac3235 100644
--- a/test_runner/README.md
+++ b/test_runner/README.md
@@ -56,6 +56,14 @@ If you want to run all tests that have the string "bench" in their names:
 
 `./scripts/pytest -k bench`
 
+To run tests in parellel we utilize `pytest-xdist` plugin. By default everything runs single threaded. Number of workers can be specified with `-n` argument:
+
+`./scripts/pytest -n4`
+
+By default performance tests are excluded. To run them explicitly pass performance tests selection to the script:
+
+`./scripts/pytest test_runner/performance`
+
 Useful environment variables:
 
 `NEON_BIN`: The directory where neon binaries can be found.