diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 883c9dc..22f42f6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -100,20 +100,22 @@ counter.component.ts
 @Component({
   selector: 'app-counter',
   template: `
+    <span>{{ hello() }}</span>
     <button (click)="decrement()">-</button>
-    <span>Current Count: {{ counter }}</span>
+    <span>Current Count: {{ counter() }}</span>
     <button (click)="increment()">+</button>
   `,
 })
 export class CounterComponent {
-  @Input() counter = 0;
+  counter = model(0);
+  hello = input('Hi', { alias: 'greeting' });
 
   increment() {
-    this.counter += 1;
+    this.counter.set(this.counter() + 1);
   }
 
   decrement() {
-    this.counter -= 1;
+    this.counter.set(this.counter() - 1);
   }
 }
 ```
@@ -121,23 +123,30 @@ export class CounterComponent {
 counter.component.spec.ts
 
 ```typescript
-import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/angular';
+import { render, screen, fireEvent, aliasedInput } from '@testing-library/angular';
 import { CounterComponent } from './counter.component';
 
 describe('Counter', () => {
-  test('should render counter', async () => {
-    await render(CounterComponent, { componentProperties: { counter: 5 } });
-
-    expect(screen.getByText('Current Count: 5'));
+  it('should render counter', async () => {
+    await render(CounterComponent, {
+      inputs: {
+        counter: 5,
+        // aliases need to be specified this way
+        ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'Hello Alias!'),
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(screen.getByText('Current Count: 5')).toBeVisible();
+    expect(screen.getByText('Hello Alias!')).toBeVisible();
   });
 
-  test('should increment the counter on click', async () => {
-    await render(CounterComponent, { componentProperties: { counter: 5 } });
+  it('should increment the counter on click', async () => {
+    await render(CounterComponent, { inputs: { counter: 5 } });
 
     const incrementButton = screen.getByRole('button', { name: '+' });
     fireEvent.click(incrementButton);
 
-    expect(screen.getByText('Current Count: 6'));
+    expect(screen.getByText('Current Count: 6')).toBeVisible();
   });
 });
 ```
diff --git a/apps/example-app/src/app/examples/02-input-output.spec.ts b/apps/example-app/src/app/examples/02-input-output.spec.ts
index abc0066..847f6e1 100644
--- a/apps/example-app/src/app/examples/02-input-output.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/example-app/src/app/examples/02-input-output.spec.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ test('is possible to set input and listen for output', async () => {
   const sendValue = jest.fn();
 
   await render(InputOutputComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
+    inputs: {
       value: 47,
     },
     on: {
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ test('is possible to set input and listen for output (deprecated)', async () =>
   const sendValue = jest.fn();
 
   await render(InputOutputComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
+    inputs: {
       value: 47,
     },
     componentOutputs: {
diff --git a/apps/example-app/src/app/examples/22-signal-inputs.component.spec.ts b/apps/example-app/src/app/examples/22-signal-inputs.component.spec.ts
index a05ea5b..cb22ba6 100644
--- a/apps/example-app/src/app/examples/22-signal-inputs.component.spec.ts
+++ b/apps/example-app/src/app/examples/22-signal-inputs.component.spec.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
-import { render, screen, within } from '@testing-library/angular';
+import { aliasedInput, render, screen, within } from '@testing-library/angular';
 import { SignalInputComponent } from './22-signal-inputs.component';
 import userEvent from '@testing-library/user-event';
 
 test('works with signal inputs', async () => {
   await render(SignalInputComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
-      greeting: 'Hello',
+    inputs: {
+      ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'Hello'),
       name: 'world',
     },
   });
@@ -16,8 +16,8 @@ test('works with signal inputs', async () => {
 
 test('works with computed', async () => {
   await render(SignalInputComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
-      greeting: 'Hello',
+    inputs: {
+      ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'Hello'),
       name: 'world',
     },
   });
@@ -28,8 +28,8 @@ test('works with computed', async () => {
 
 test('can update signal inputs', async () => {
   const { fixture } = await render(SignalInputComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
-      greeting: 'Hello',
+    inputs: {
+      ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'Hello'),
       name: 'world',
     },
   });
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ test('can update signal inputs', async () => {
 test('output emits a value', async () => {
   const submitFn = jest.fn();
   await render(SignalInputComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
-      greeting: 'Hello',
+    inputs: {
+      ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'Hello'),
       name: 'world',
     },
     on: {
@@ -67,8 +67,8 @@ test('output emits a value', async () => {
 
 test('model update also updates the template', async () => {
   const { fixture } = await render(SignalInputComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
-      greeting: 'Hello',
+    inputs: {
+      ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'Hello'),
       name: 'initial',
     },
   });
@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ test('model update also updates the template', async () => {
 
 test('works with signal inputs, computed values, and rerenders', async () => {
   const view = await render(SignalInputComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
-      greeting: 'Hello',
+    inputs: {
+      ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'Hello'),
       name: 'world',
     },
   });
@@ -110,8 +110,8 @@ test('works with signal inputs, computed values, and rerenders', async () => {
   expect(computedValue.getByText(/hello world/i)).toBeInTheDocument();
 
   await view.rerender({
-    componentInputs: {
-      greeting: 'bye',
+    inputs: {
+      ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'bye'),
       name: 'test',
     },
   });
diff --git a/projects/testing-library/src/lib/models.ts b/projects/testing-library/src/lib/models.ts
index 3cf053a..8e0e57f 100644
--- a/projects/testing-library/src/lib/models.ts
+++ b/projects/testing-library/src/lib/models.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Type, DebugElement, OutputRef, EventEmitter } from '@angular/core';
+import { Type, DebugElement, OutputRef, EventEmitter, Signal } from '@angular/core';
 import { ComponentFixture, DeferBlockBehavior, DeferBlockState, TestBed } from '@angular/core/testing';
 import { Routes } from '@angular/router';
 import { BoundFunction, Queries, queries, Config as dtlConfig, PrettyDOMOptions } from '@testing-library/dom';
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ export interface RenderResult<ComponentType, WrapperType = ComponentType> extend
   rerender: (
     properties?: Pick<
       RenderTemplateOptions<ComponentType>,
-      'componentProperties' | 'componentInputs' | 'componentOutputs' | 'on' | 'detectChangesOnRender'
+      'componentProperties' | 'componentInputs' | 'inputs' | 'componentOutputs' | 'on' | 'detectChangesOnRender'
     > & { partialUpdate?: boolean },
   ) => Promise<void>;
   /**
@@ -78,6 +78,27 @@ export interface RenderResult<ComponentType, WrapperType = ComponentType> extend
   renderDeferBlock: (deferBlockState: DeferBlockState, deferBlockIndex?: number) => Promise<void>;
 }
 
+declare const ALIASED_INPUT_BRAND: unique symbol;
+export type AliasedInput<T> = T & {
+  [ALIASED_INPUT_BRAND]: T;
+};
+export type AliasedInputs = Record<string, AliasedInput<unknown>>;
+
+export type ComponentInput<T> =
+  | {
+      [P in keyof T]?: T[P] extends Signal<infer U> ? U : T[P];
+    }
+  | AliasedInputs;
+
+/**
+ * @description
+ * Creates an aliased input branded type with a value
+ *
+ */
+export function aliasedInput<TAlias extends string, T>(alias: TAlias, value: T): Record<TAlias, AliasedInput<T>> {
+  return { [alias]: value } as Record<TAlias, AliasedInput<T>>;
+}
+
 export interface RenderComponentOptions<ComponentType, Q extends Queries = typeof queries> {
   /**
    * @description
@@ -199,6 +220,7 @@ export interface RenderComponentOptions<ComponentType, Q extends Queries = typeo
    * @description
    * An object to set `@Input` properties of the component
    *
+   * @deprecated use the `inputs` option instead. When you need to use aliases, use the `aliasedInput(...)` helper function.
    * @default
    * {}
    *
@@ -210,6 +232,24 @@ export interface RenderComponentOptions<ComponentType, Q extends Queries = typeo
    * })
    */
   componentInputs?: Partial<ComponentType> | { [alias: string]: unknown };
+
+  /**
+   * @description
+   * An object to set `@Input` or `input()` properties of the component
+   *
+   * @default
+   * {}
+   *
+   * @example
+   * await render(AppComponent, {
+   * inputs: {
+   *  counterValue: 10,
+   *  // explicitly define aliases this way:
+   *  ...aliasedInput('someAlias', 'someValue')
+   * })
+   */
+  inputs?: ComponentInput<ComponentType>;
+
   /**
    * @description
    * An object to set `@Output` properties of the component
diff --git a/projects/testing-library/src/lib/testing-library.ts b/projects/testing-library/src/lib/testing-library.ts
index 0ceda24..fbe94f2 100644
--- a/projects/testing-library/src/lib/testing-library.ts
+++ b/projects/testing-library/src/lib/testing-library.ts
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ export async function render<SutType, WrapperType = SutType>(
     componentProperties = {},
     componentInputs = {},
     componentOutputs = {},
+    inputs: newInputs = {},
     on = {},
     componentProviders = [],
     childComponentOverrides = [],
@@ -176,8 +177,10 @@ export async function render<SutType, WrapperType = SutType>(
 
   let detectChanges: () => void;
 
+  const allInputs = { ...componentInputs, ...newInputs };
+
   let renderedPropKeys = Object.keys(componentProperties);
-  let renderedInputKeys = Object.keys(componentInputs);
+  let renderedInputKeys = Object.keys(allInputs);
   let renderedOutputKeys = Object.keys(componentOutputs);
   let subscribedOutputs: SubscribedOutput<SutType>[] = [];
 
@@ -224,7 +227,7 @@ export async function render<SutType, WrapperType = SutType>(
     return createdFixture;
   };
 
-  const fixture = await renderFixture(componentProperties, componentInputs, componentOutputs, on);
+  const fixture = await renderFixture(componentProperties, allInputs, componentOutputs, on);
 
   if (deferBlockStates) {
     if (Array.isArray(deferBlockStates)) {
@@ -239,10 +242,10 @@ export async function render<SutType, WrapperType = SutType>(
   const rerender = async (
     properties?: Pick<
       RenderTemplateOptions<SutType>,
-      'componentProperties' | 'componentInputs' | 'componentOutputs' | 'on' | 'detectChangesOnRender'
+      'componentProperties' | 'componentInputs' | 'inputs' | 'componentOutputs' | 'on' | 'detectChangesOnRender'
     > & { partialUpdate?: boolean },
   ) => {
-    const newComponentInputs = properties?.componentInputs ?? {};
+    const newComponentInputs = { ...properties?.componentInputs, ...properties?.inputs };
     const changesInComponentInput = update(
       fixture,
       renderedInputKeys,
diff --git a/projects/testing-library/tests/integrations/ng-mocks.spec.ts b/projects/testing-library/tests/integrations/ng-mocks.spec.ts
index 6358485..8886fb3 100644
--- a/projects/testing-library/tests/integrations/ng-mocks.spec.ts
+++ b/projects/testing-library/tests/integrations/ng-mocks.spec.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import { NgIf } from '@angular/common';
 test('sends the correct value to the child input', async () => {
   const utils = await render(TargetComponent, {
     imports: [MockComponent(ChildComponent)],
-    componentInputs: { value: 'foo' },
+    inputs: { value: 'foo' },
   });
 
   const children = utils.fixture.debugElement.queryAll(By.directive(ChildComponent));
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ test('sends the correct value to the child input', async () => {
 test('sends the correct value to the child input 2', async () => {
   const utils = await render(TargetComponent, {
     imports: [MockComponent(ChildComponent)],
-    componentInputs: { value: 'bar' },
+    inputs: { value: 'bar' },
   });
 
   const children = utils.fixture.debugElement.queryAll(By.directive(ChildComponent));
diff --git a/projects/testing-library/tests/render.spec.ts b/projects/testing-library/tests/render.spec.ts
index b73c9c7..59e0f75 100644
--- a/projects/testing-library/tests/render.spec.ts
+++ b/projects/testing-library/tests/render.spec.ts
@@ -13,11 +13,13 @@ import {
   ElementRef,
   inject,
   output,
+  input,
+  model,
 } from '@angular/core';
 import { outputFromObservable } from '@angular/core/rxjs-interop';
 import { NoopAnimationsModule, BrowserAnimationsModule } from '@angular/platform-browser/animations';
 import { TestBed } from '@angular/core/testing';
-import { render, fireEvent, screen, OutputRefKeysWithCallback } from '../src/public_api';
+import { render, fireEvent, screen, OutputRefKeysWithCallback, aliasedInput } from '../src/public_api';
 import { ActivatedRoute, Resolve, RouterModule } from '@angular/router';
 import { fromEvent, map } from 'rxjs';
 import { AsyncPipe, NgIf } from '@angular/common';
@@ -533,3 +535,117 @@ describe('configureTestBed', () => {
     expect(configureTestBedFn).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
   });
 });
+
+describe('inputs and signals', () => {
+  @Component({
+    selector: 'atl-fixture',
+    template: `<span>{{ myName() }}</span> <span>{{ myJob() }}</span>`,
+  })
+  class InputComponent {
+    myName = input('foo');
+
+    myJob = input('bar', { alias: 'job' });
+  }
+
+  it('should set the input component', async () => {
+    await render(InputComponent, {
+      inputs: {
+        myName: 'Bob',
+        ...aliasedInput('job', 'Builder'),
+      },
+    });
+
+    expect(screen.getByText('Bob')).toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByText('Builder')).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('should typecheck correctly', async () => {
+    // we only want to check the types here
+    // so we are purposely not calling render
+
+    const typeTests = [
+      async () => {
+        // OK:
+        await render(InputComponent, {
+          inputs: {
+            myName: 'OK',
+          },
+        });
+      },
+      async () => {
+        // @ts-expect-error - myName is a string
+        await render(InputComponent, {
+          inputs: {
+            myName: 123,
+          },
+        });
+      },
+      async () => {
+        // OK:
+        await render(InputComponent, {
+          inputs: {
+            ...aliasedInput('job', 'OK'),
+          },
+        });
+      },
+      async () => {
+        // @ts-expect-error - job is not using aliasedInput
+        await render(InputComponent, {
+          inputs: {
+            job: 'not used with aliasedInput',
+          },
+        });
+      },
+    ];
+
+    // add a statement so the test succeeds
+    expect(typeTests).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+});
+
+describe('README examples', () => {
+  describe('Counter', () => {
+    @Component({
+      selector: 'atl-counter',
+      template: `
+        <span>{{ hello() }}</span>
+        <button (click)="decrement()">-</button>
+        <span>Current Count: {{ counter() }}</span>
+        <button (click)="increment()">+</button>
+      `,
+    })
+    class CounterComponent {
+      counter = model(0);
+      hello = input('Hi', { alias: 'greeting' });
+
+      increment() {
+        this.counter.set(this.counter() + 1);
+      }
+
+      decrement() {
+        this.counter.set(this.counter() - 1);
+      }
+    }
+
+    it('should render counter', async () => {
+      await render(CounterComponent, {
+        inputs: {
+          counter: 5,
+          ...aliasedInput('greeting', 'Hello Alias!'),
+        },
+      });
+
+      expect(screen.getByText('Current Count: 5')).toBeVisible();
+      expect(screen.getByText('Hello Alias!')).toBeVisible();
+    });
+
+    it('should increment the counter on click', async () => {
+      await render(CounterComponent, { inputs: { counter: 5 } });
+
+      const incrementButton = screen.getByRole('button', { name: '+' });
+      fireEvent.click(incrementButton);
+
+      expect(screen.getByText('Current Count: 6')).toBeVisible();
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/projects/testing-library/tests/rerender.spec.ts b/projects/testing-library/tests/rerender.spec.ts
index 571d642..04b8185 100644
--- a/projects/testing-library/tests/rerender.spec.ts
+++ b/projects/testing-library/tests/rerender.spec.ts
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ test('rerenders the component with updated inputs', async () => {
   expect(screen.getByText('Sarah')).toBeInTheDocument();
 
   const firstName = 'Mark';
-  await rerender({ componentInputs: { firstName } });
+  await rerender({ inputs: { firstName } });
 
   expect(screen.getByText(firstName)).toBeInTheDocument();
 });
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ test('rerenders the component with updated inputs and resets other props', async
   const firstName = 'Mark';
   const lastName = 'Peeters';
   const { rerender } = await render(FixtureComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
+    inputs: {
       firstName,
       lastName,
     },
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ test('rerenders the component with updated inputs and resets other props', async
   expect(screen.getByText(`${firstName} ${lastName}`)).toBeInTheDocument();
 
   const firstName2 = 'Chris';
-  await rerender({ componentInputs: { firstName: firstName2 } });
+  await rerender({ inputs: { firstName: firstName2 } });
 
   expect(screen.getByText(firstName2)).toBeInTheDocument();
   expect(screen.queryByText(firstName)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ test('rerenders the component with updated inputs and keeps other props when par
   const firstName = 'Mark';
   const lastName = 'Peeters';
   const { rerender } = await render(FixtureComponent, {
-    componentInputs: {
+    inputs: {
       firstName,
       lastName,
     },
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ test('rerenders the component with updated inputs and keeps other props when par
   expect(screen.getByText(`${firstName} ${lastName}`)).toBeInTheDocument();
 
   const firstName2 = 'Chris';
-  await rerender({ componentInputs: { firstName: firstName2 }, partialUpdate: true });
+  await rerender({ inputs: { firstName: firstName2 }, partialUpdate: true });
 
   expect(screen.queryByText(firstName)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   expect(screen.getByText(`${firstName2} ${lastName}`)).toBeInTheDocument();
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ test('change detection gets not called if `detectChangesOnRender` is set to fals
   expect(screen.getByText('Sarah')).toBeInTheDocument();
 
   const firstName = 'Mark';
-  await rerender({ componentInputs: { firstName }, detectChangesOnRender: false });
+  await rerender({ inputs: { firstName }, detectChangesOnRender: false });
 
   expect(screen.getByText('Sarah')).toBeInTheDocument();
   expect(screen.queryByText(firstName)).not.toBeInTheDocument();