diff --git a/spec/test/features/steps/steps.py b/spec/test/features/steps/steps.py
index 145891c..c95a2d1 100644
--- a/spec/test/features/steps/steps.py
+++ b/spec/test/features/steps/steps.py
@@ -1,8 +1,11 @@
 import subprocess
 from time import sleep
+import shlex
+import socket
+from contextlib import suppress
 
 import requests
-from environconfig import EnvironConfig, StringVar
+from environconfig import EnvironConfig, StringVar, IntVar
 
 
 class Env(EnvironConfig):
@@ -15,17 +18,31 @@ class Env(EnvironConfig):
     #: Where the Data API is
     KAPOW_DATAAPI_URL = StringVar(default="http://localhost:8080")
 
+    KAPOW_BOOT_TIMEOUT = IntVar(default=10)
 
 @given('I have a just started Kapow! server')
 @given('I have a running Kapow! server')
 def step_impl(context):
     context.server = subprocess.Popen(
-        Env.KAPOW_SERVER_CMD,
+        shlex.split(Env.KAPOW_SERVER_CMD),
         stdout=subprocess.DEVNULL,
         stderr=subprocess.DEVNULL,
-        shell=True)
-    is_running = context.server.poll() is None
-    assert is_running, "Server is not running!"
+        shell=False)
+
+    # Check process is running with reachable APIs
+    open_ports = False
+    for _ in range(Env.KAPOW_BOOT_TIMEOUT):
+        is_running = context.server.poll() is None
+        assert is_running, "Server is not running!"
+        with suppress(requests.exceptions.ConnectionError):
+            open_ports = (
+                requests.head(Env.KAPOW_CONTROLAPI_URL, timeout=1).status_code
+                and requests.head(Env.KAPOW_DATAAPI_URL, timeout=1).status_code)
+            if open_ports:
+                break
+        sleep(1)
+
+    assert open_ports, "API is unreachable after KAPOW_BOOT_TIMEOUT"
 
 
 @when('I request a routes listing')