We reverse the logic behind the apparent existence of \(H_0\) -tension, to design diagnostics for cosmological models. The basic idea is that the non-constancy of \(H_0\) inferred from observations at different redshifts is a null hypothesis test for models within the FLRW paradigm—if \(H_0\) runs, the model is wrong. Depending on the kind of observational data, the most suitable form of the diagnostic can vary. As examples, we present two \(H_0\) diagnostics that are adapted to two different BAO observables. We use these and the corresponding BAO data to Gaussian reconstruct the running of \(H_0\) in flat \(\Lambda \) CDM with Planck values for the model parameters. For flat \(\Lambda \) CDM when the radiation contribution can be neglected, with comoving distance data, the diagnostic is a simple hypergeometric function. Possible late time deviations from the FLRW paradigm can also be accommodated, by simply keeping track of the (potentially anisotropic) sky variation of the diagnostic.