diff --git a/tests/e2e/.gitignore b/tests/e2e/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3e3209e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+node_modules/
+.tmp/
+test-results/
+playwright-report/
diff --git a/tests/e2e/global-setup.ts b/tests/e2e/global-setup.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..12aa4d4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/global-setup.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+import type { FullConfig } from '@playwright/test';
+
+const BASE_URL = 'http://localhost:8000';
+const MAX_RETRIES = 10;
+const RETRY_DELAY_MS = 2000;
+
+export default async function globalSetup(_config: FullConfig) {
+  // Wait for the backend to be fully ready and radio connected
+  let lastError: Error | null = null;
+
+  for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= MAX_RETRIES; attempt++) {
+    try {
+      const res = await fetch(`${BASE_URL}/api/health`);
+      if (!res.ok) {
+        throw new Error(`Health check returned ${res.status}`);
+      }
+      const health = (await res.json()) as { radio_connected: boolean; serial_port: string | null };
+
+      if (!health.radio_connected) {
+        throw new Error(
+          'Radio not connected — E2E tests require hardware. ' +
+            'Set MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT if auto-detection fails.'
+        );
+      }
+
+      console.log(`Radio connected on ${health.serial_port}`);
+      return;
+    } catch (err) {
+      lastError = err instanceof Error ? err : new Error(String(err));
+      if (attempt < MAX_RETRIES) {
+        console.log(`Waiting for backend (attempt ${attempt}/${MAX_RETRIES})...`);
+        await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, RETRY_DELAY_MS));
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  throw new Error(`Backend not ready after ${MAX_RETRIES} attempts: ${lastError?.message}`);
+}
diff --git a/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts b/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..aaf80fa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/helpers/api.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,187 @@
+/**
+ * Direct REST API helpers for E2E test setup and teardown.
+ * These bypass the UI to set up preconditions and verify backend state.
+ */
+
+const BASE_URL = 'http://localhost:8000/api';
+
+async function fetchJson<T>(path: string, init?: RequestInit): Promise<T> {
+  const res = await fetch(`${BASE_URL}${path}`, {
+    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', ...init?.headers },
+    ...init,
+  });
+  if (!res.ok) {
+    const body = await res.text();
+    throw new Error(`API ${init?.method || 'GET'} ${path} returned ${res.status}: ${body}`);
+  }
+  return res.json() as Promise<T>;
+}
+
+// --- Health ---
+
+export interface HealthStatus {
+  radio_connected: boolean;
+  serial_port: string | null;
+}
+
+export function getHealth(): Promise<HealthStatus> {
+  return fetchJson('/health');
+}
+
+// --- Radio Config ---
+
+export interface RadioConfig {
+  name: string;
+  public_key: string;
+  lat: number;
+  lon: number;
+  tx_power: number;
+  freq: number;
+  bw: number;
+  sf: number;
+  cr: number;
+}
+
+export function getRadioConfig(): Promise<RadioConfig> {
+  return fetchJson('/radio/config');
+}
+
+export function updateRadioConfig(patch: Partial<RadioConfig>): Promise<RadioConfig> {
+  return fetchJson('/radio/config', {
+    method: 'PATCH',
+    body: JSON.stringify(patch),
+  });
+}
+
+export function rebootRadio(): Promise<{ status: string; message: string }> {
+  return fetchJson('/radio/reboot', { method: 'POST' });
+}
+
+// --- Channels ---
+
+export interface Channel {
+  key: string;
+  name: string;
+  is_hashtag: boolean;
+  on_radio: boolean;
+}
+
+export function getChannels(): Promise<Channel[]> {
+  return fetchJson('/channels');
+}
+
+export function createChannel(name: string): Promise<Channel> {
+  return fetchJson('/channels', {
+    method: 'POST',
+    body: JSON.stringify({ name }),
+  });
+}
+
+export function deleteChannel(key: string): Promise<void> {
+  return fetchJson(`/channels/${key}`, { method: 'DELETE' });
+}
+
+// --- Messages ---
+
+export interface MessagePath {
+  path: string;
+  received_at: number;
+}
+
+export interface Message {
+  id: number;
+  type: 'PRIV' | 'CHAN';
+  conversation_key: string;
+  text: string;
+  outgoing: boolean;
+  acked: number;
+  received_at: number;
+  sender_timestamp: number | null;
+  paths: MessagePath[] | null;
+}
+
+export function getMessages(params: {
+  type?: string;
+  conversation_key?: string;
+  limit?: number;
+}): Promise<Message[]> {
+  const qs = new URLSearchParams();
+  if (params.type) qs.set('type', params.type);
+  if (params.conversation_key) qs.set('conversation_key', params.conversation_key);
+  if (params.limit) qs.set('limit', String(params.limit));
+  return fetchJson(`/messages?${qs}`);
+}
+
+export function sendChannelMessage(
+  channelKey: string,
+  text: string
+): Promise<{ status: string; message_id: number }> {
+  return fetchJson('/messages/channel', {
+    method: 'POST',
+    body: JSON.stringify({ channel_key: channelKey, text }),
+  });
+}
+
+// --- Settings ---
+
+export interface BotConfig {
+  id: string;
+  name: string;
+  enabled: boolean;
+  code: string;
+}
+
+export interface AppSettings {
+  max_radio_contacts: number;
+  favorites: { type: string; id: string }[];
+  auto_decrypt_dm_on_advert: boolean;
+  sidebar_sort_order: string;
+  last_message_times: Record<string, number>;
+  preferences_migrated: boolean;
+  bots: BotConfig[];
+  advert_interval: number;
+}
+
+export function getSettings(): Promise<AppSettings> {
+  return fetchJson('/settings');
+}
+
+export function updateSettings(patch: Partial<AppSettings>): Promise<AppSettings> {
+  return fetchJson('/settings', {
+    method: 'PATCH',
+    body: JSON.stringify(patch),
+  });
+}
+
+// --- Helpers ---
+
+/**
+ * Ensure #flightless channel exists, creating it if needed.
+ * Returns the channel object.
+ */
+export async function ensureFlightlessChannel(): Promise<Channel> {
+  const channels = await getChannels();
+  const existing = channels.find((c) => c.name === '#flightless');
+  if (existing) return existing;
+  return createChannel('#flightless');
+}
+
+/**
+ * Wait for health to show radio_connected, polling with retries.
+ */
+export async function waitForRadioConnected(
+  timeoutMs: number = 30_000,
+  intervalMs: number = 2000
+): Promise<void> {
+  const deadline = Date.now() + timeoutMs;
+  while (Date.now() < deadline) {
+    try {
+      const health = await getHealth();
+      if (health.radio_connected) return;
+    } catch {
+      // Backend might be restarting
+    }
+    await new Promise((r) => setTimeout(r, intervalMs));
+  }
+  throw new Error(`Radio did not reconnect within ${timeoutMs}ms`);
+}
diff --git a/tests/e2e/package-lock.json b/tests/e2e/package-lock.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ebff230
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/package-lock.json
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+{
+  "name": "remoteterm-e2e",
+  "lockfileVersion": 3,
+  "requires": true,
+  "packages": {
+    "": {
+      "name": "remoteterm-e2e",
+      "devDependencies": {
+        "@playwright/test": "^1.52.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/@playwright/test": {
+      "version": "1.58.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@playwright/test/-/test-1.58.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-fWza+Lpbj6SkQKCrU6si4iu+fD2dD3gxNHFhUPxsfXBPhnv3rRSQVd0NtBUT9Z/RhF/boCBcuUaMUSTRTopjZg==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "playwright": "1.58.0"
+      },
+      "bin": {
+        "playwright": "cli.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=18"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/fsevents": {
+      "version": "2.3.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fsevents/-/fsevents-2.3.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-xiqMQR4xAeHTuB9uWm+fFRcIOgKBMiOBP+eXiyT7jsgVCq1bkVygt00oASowB7EdtpOHaaPgKt812P9ab+DDKA==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "hasInstallScript": true,
+      "license": "MIT",
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "darwin"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^8.16.0 || ^10.6.0 || >=11.0.0"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/playwright": {
+      "version": "1.58.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/playwright/-/playwright-1.58.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-2SVA0sbPktiIY/MCOPX8e86ehA/e+tDNq+e5Y8qjKYti2Z/JG7xnronT/TXTIkKbYGWlCbuucZ6dziEgkoEjQQ==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "dependencies": {
+        "playwright-core": "1.58.0"
+      },
+      "bin": {
+        "playwright": "cli.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=18"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "fsevents": "2.3.2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/playwright-core": {
+      "version": "1.58.0",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/playwright-core/-/playwright-core-1.58.0.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-aaoB1RWrdNi3//rOeKuMiS65UCcgOVljU46At6eFcOFPFHWtd2weHRRow6z/n+Lec0Lvu0k9ZPKJSjPugikirw==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "license": "Apache-2.0",
+      "bin": {
+        "playwright-core": "cli.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=18"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/e2e/package.json b/tests/e2e/package.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b831bc7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/package.json
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+{
+  "name": "remoteterm-e2e",
+  "private": true,
+  "scripts": {
+    "test": "playwright test",
+    "test:headed": "playwright test --headed"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@playwright/test": "^1.52.0"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/e2e/playwright.config.ts b/tests/e2e/playwright.config.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..292cb7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/playwright.config.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+import { defineConfig } from '@playwright/test';
+import path from 'path';
+
+const projectRoot = path.resolve(__dirname, '..', '..');
+const tmpDir = path.resolve(__dirname, '.tmp');
+
+export default defineConfig({
+  testDir: './specs',
+  globalSetup: './global-setup.ts',
+
+  // Radio operations are slow — generous timeouts
+  timeout: 60_000,
+  expect: { timeout: 15_000 },
+
+  // Don't retry — failures likely indicate real hardware/app issues
+  retries: 0,
+
+  // Run tests serially — single radio means no parallelism
+  fullyParallel: false,
+  workers: 1,
+
+  reporter: [['list'], ['html', { open: 'never' }]],
+
+  use: {
+    baseURL: 'http://localhost:8000',
+    trace: 'on-first-retry',
+    screenshot: 'only-on-failure',
+  },
+
+  projects: [
+    {
+      name: 'chromium',
+      use: { browserName: 'chromium' },
+    },
+  ],
+
+  webServer: {
+    command: 'uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 127.0.0.1 --port 8000',
+    cwd: projectRoot,
+    port: 8000,
+    reuseExistingServer: false,
+    timeout: 30_000,
+    env: {
+      MESHCORE_DATABASE_PATH: path.join(tmpDir, 'e2e-test.db'),
+      // Pass through the serial port from the environment
+      ...(process.env.MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT
+        ? { MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT: process.env.MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT }
+        : {}),
+    },
+  },
+});
diff --git a/tests/e2e/specs/bot.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/specs/bot.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..40ffc0c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/specs/bot.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+import { ensureFlightlessChannel, getSettings, updateSettings } from '../helpers/api';
+import type { BotConfig } from '../helpers/api';
+
+const BOT_CODE = `def bot(sender_name, sender_key, message_text, is_dm, channel_key, channel_name, sender_timestamp, path):
+    if channel_name == "#flightless" and "!e2etest" in message_text.lower():
+        return "[BOT] e2e-ok"
+    return None`;
+
+test.describe('Bot functionality', () => {
+  let originalBots: BotConfig[];
+
+  test.beforeAll(async () => {
+    await ensureFlightlessChannel();
+    const settings = await getSettings();
+    originalBots = settings.bots ?? [];
+  });
+
+  test.afterAll(async () => {
+    // Restore original bot config
+    try {
+      await updateSettings({ bots: originalBots });
+    } catch {
+      console.warn('Failed to restore bot config');
+    }
+  });
+
+  test('create a bot via API, verify it in UI, trigger it, and verify response', async ({
+    page,
+  }) => {
+    // --- Step 1: Create and enable bot via API ---
+    // CodeMirror is difficult to drive via Playwright (contenteditable, lazy-loaded),
+    // so we set the bot code via the REST API and verify it through the UI.
+    const testBot: BotConfig = {
+      id: crypto.randomUUID(),
+      name: 'E2E Test Bot',
+      enabled: true,
+      code: BOT_CODE,
+    };
+    await updateSettings({ bots: [...originalBots, testBot] });
+
+    // --- Step 2: Verify bot appears in settings UI ---
+    await page.goto('/');
+    await expect(page.getByText('Connected')).toBeVisible();
+
+    await page.getByText('Radio & Config').click();
+    await page.getByRole('tab', { name: 'Bot' }).click();
+
+    // The bot name should be visible in the bot list
+    await expect(page.getByText('E2E Test Bot')).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Close settings
+    await page.keyboard.press('Escape');
+
+    // --- Step 3: Trigger the bot ---
+    await page.getByText('#flightless', { exact: true }).first().click();
+
+    const triggerMessage = `!e2etest ${Date.now()}`;
+    const input = page.getByPlaceholder(/type a message|message #flightless/i);
+    await input.fill(triggerMessage);
+    await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Send' }).click();
+
+    // --- Step 4: Verify bot response appears ---
+    // Bot has ~2s delay before responding, plus radio send time
+    await expect(page.getByText('[BOT] e2e-ok')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/e2e/specs/health.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/specs/health.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a88975d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/specs/health.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+
+test.describe('Health & UI basics', () => {
+  test('page loads and shows connected status', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/');
+
+    // Status bar shows "Connected"
+    await expect(page.getByText('Connected')).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Sidebar is visible with key sections
+    await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Conversations' })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByText('Packet Feed')).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByText('Node Map')).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test('sidebar shows Channels and Contacts sections', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/');
+
+    await expect(page.getByText('Channels')).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByText('Contacts')).toBeVisible();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/e2e/specs/incoming-message.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/specs/incoming-message.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b12e307
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/specs/incoming-message.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+import { createChannel, getChannels, getMessages } from '../helpers/api';
+
+/**
+ * These tests wait for real incoming messages from the mesh network.
+ * They require a radio attached and other nodes actively transmitting.
+ * Timeout is 10 minutes to allow for intermittent traffic.
+ */
+
+const ROOMS = [
+  '#flightless', '#bot', '#snoco', '#skagit', '#edmonds', '#bachelorette',
+  '#emergency', '#furry', '#public', '#puppy', '#foobar', '#capitolhill',
+  '#hamradio', '#icewatch', '#saucefamily', '#scvsar', '#startrek', '#metalmusic',
+  '#seattle', '#vanbot', '#bot-van', '#lynden', '#bham', '#sipesbot', '#psrg',
+  '#testing', '#olybot', '#test', '#ve7rva', '#wardrive', '#kitsap', '#tacoma',
+  '#rats', '#pdx', '#olympia', '#bot2', '#transit', '#salishmesh', '#meshwar',
+  '#cats', '#jokes', '#decode', '#whatcom', '#bot-oly', '#sports', '#weather',
+  '#wasma', '#ravenna', '#northbend', '#dsa', '#oly-bot', '#grove', '#cars',
+  '#bellingham', '#baseball', '#mariners', '#eugene', '#victoria', '#vimesh',
+  '#bot-pdx', '#chinese', '#miro', '#poop', '#papa', '#uw', '#renton',
+  '#general', '#bellevue', '#eastside', '#bit', '#dev', '#farts', '#protest',
+  '#gmrs', '#pri', '#boob', '#baga', '#fun', '#w7dk', '#wedgwood', '#bots',
+  '#sounders', '#steelhead', '#uetfwf', '#ballard', '#at', '#1234567', '#funny',
+  '#abbytest', '#abird', '#afterparty', '#arborheights', '#atheist', '#auburn',
+  '#bbs', '#blog', '#bottest', '#cascadiamesh', '#chat', '#checkcheck',
+  '#civicmesh', '#columbiacity', '#dad', '#dmaspace', '#droptable', '#duvall',
+  '#dx', '#emcomm', '#finnhill', '#foxden', '#freebsd', '#greenwood', '#howlbot',
+  '#idahomesh', '#junk', '#kraken', '#kremwerk', '#maplemesh', '#meshcore',
+  '#meshmonday', '#methow', '#minecraft', '#newwestminster', '#northvan',
+  '#ominous', '#pagan', '#party', '#place', '#pokemon', '#portland', '#rave',
+  '#raving', '#rftest', '#richmond', '#rolston', '#salishtest', '#saved',
+  '#seahawks', '#sipebot', '#slumbermesh', '#snoqualmie', '#southisland',
+  '#sydney', '#tacobot', '#tdeck', '#trans', '#ubc', '#underground', '#van-bot',
+  '#vancouver', '#vashon', '#wardriving', '#wormhole', '#yelling', '#zork',
+];
+
+// 10 minute timeout for waiting on mesh traffic
+test.describe('Incoming mesh messages', () => {
+  test.setTimeout(600_000);
+
+  test.beforeAll(async () => {
+    // Ensure all rooms exist — create any that are missing
+    const existing = await getChannels();
+    const existingNames = new Set(existing.map((c) => c.name));
+
+    for (const room of ROOMS) {
+      if (!existingNames.has(room)) {
+        try {
+          await createChannel(room);
+        } catch {
+          // May already exist from a concurrent creation, ignore
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  });
+
+  test('receive an incoming message in any room', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/');
+    await expect(page.getByText('Connected')).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Record existing message counts per channel so we can detect new ones
+    const channels = await getChannels();
+    const baselineCounts = new Map<string, number>();
+    for (const ch of channels) {
+      const msgs = await getMessages({ type: 'CHAN', conversation_key: ch.key, limit: 1 });
+      baselineCounts.set(ch.key, msgs.length > 0 ? msgs[0].id : 0);
+    }
+
+    // Poll for a new incoming message across all channels
+    let foundChannel: string | null = null;
+    let foundMessageText: string | null = null;
+
+    await expect(async () => {
+      for (const ch of channels) {
+        const msgs = await getMessages({
+          type: 'CHAN',
+          conversation_key: ch.key,
+          limit: 5,
+        });
+        const baseline = baselineCounts.get(ch.key) ?? 0;
+        const newIncoming = msgs.find((m) => m.id > baseline && !m.outgoing);
+        if (newIncoming) {
+          foundChannel = ch.name;
+          foundMessageText = newIncoming.text;
+          return;
+        }
+      }
+      throw new Error('No new incoming messages yet');
+    }).toPass({ intervals: [5_000], timeout: 570_000 });
+
+    // Navigate to the channel that received a message
+    console.log(`Received message in ${foundChannel}: "${foundMessageText}"`);
+    await page.getByText(foundChannel!, { exact: true }).first().click();
+
+    // Verify the message text is visible in the message list area (not sidebar)
+    const messageArea = page.locator('.break-words');
+    const messageContent = foundMessageText!.includes(': ')
+      ? foundMessageText!.split(': ').slice(1).join(': ')
+      : foundMessageText!;
+    await expect(messageArea.getByText(messageContent, { exact: false }).first()).toBeVisible({
+      timeout: 15_000,
+    });
+  });
+
+  test('incoming message with path shows hop badge and path modal', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/');
+    await expect(page.getByText('Connected')).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Record baselines
+    const channels = await getChannels();
+    const baselineCounts = new Map<string, number>();
+    for (const ch of channels) {
+      const msgs = await getMessages({ type: 'CHAN', conversation_key: ch.key, limit: 1 });
+      baselineCounts.set(ch.key, msgs.length > 0 ? msgs[0].id : 0);
+    }
+
+    // Wait for any incoming message that has path data
+    let foundChannel: string | null = null;
+
+    await expect(async () => {
+      for (const ch of channels) {
+        const msgs = await getMessages({
+          type: 'CHAN',
+          conversation_key: ch.key,
+          limit: 10,
+        });
+        const baseline = baselineCounts.get(ch.key) ?? 0;
+        const withPath = msgs.find(
+          (m) => m.id > baseline && !m.outgoing && m.paths && m.paths.length > 0
+        );
+        if (withPath) {
+          foundChannel = ch.name;
+          return;
+        }
+      }
+      throw new Error('No new incoming messages with path data yet');
+    }).toPass({ intervals: [5_000], timeout: 570_000 });
+
+    console.log(`Found message with path in ${foundChannel}`);
+
+    // Navigate to the channel that received a message with path data
+    await page.getByText(foundChannel!, { exact: true }).first().click();
+
+    // Find any hop badge on the page — they all have title="View message path"
+    // We don't care which specific message; just that a path badge exists and works.
+    const badge = page.getByTitle('View message path').first();
+    await expect(badge).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15_000 });
+
+    // The badge text should match the pattern: (d), (1), (d/1/3), etc.
+    const badgeText = await badge.textContent();
+    console.log(`Badge text: ${badgeText}`);
+    expect(badgeText).toMatch(/^\([d\d]+(\/[d\d]+)*\)$/);
+
+    // Click the badge to open the path modal
+    await badge.click();
+
+    const modal = page.getByRole('dialog');
+    await expect(modal).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Verify the modal has the basic structural elements every path modal should have
+    await expect(modal.getByText('Sender')).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(modal.getByText('Receiver (me)')).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Title should be either "Message Path" (single) or "Message Paths (N)" (multiple)
+    const titleEl = modal.locator('h2, [class*="DialogTitle"]').first();
+    const titleText = await titleEl.textContent();
+    console.log(`Modal title: ${titleText}`);
+    expect(titleText).toMatch(/^Message Paths?(\s+\(\d+\))?$/);
+
+    // Close the modal
+    await modal.getByRole('button', { name: 'Close', exact: true }).first().click();
+    await expect(modal).not.toBeVisible();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/e2e/specs/messaging.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/specs/messaging.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..741d422
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/specs/messaging.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+import { ensureFlightlessChannel } from '../helpers/api';
+
+test.describe('Channel messaging in #flightless', () => {
+  test.beforeEach(async () => {
+    await ensureFlightlessChannel();
+  });
+
+  test('send a message and see it appear', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/');
+
+    // Click #flightless in the sidebar (use exact match to avoid "Flightless🥝" etc.)
+    await page.getByText('#flightless', { exact: true }).first().click();
+
+    // Verify conversation is open — the input placeholder includes the channel name
+    await expect(page.getByPlaceholder(/message #flightless/i)).toBeVisible();
+
+    // Compose a unique message
+    const testMessage = `e2e-test-${Date.now()}`;
+    const input = page.getByPlaceholder(/type a message|message #flightless/i);
+    await input.fill(testMessage);
+
+    // Send it
+    await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Send' }).click();
+
+    // Verify message appears in the message list
+    await expect(page.getByText(testMessage)).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15_000 });
+  });
+
+  test('outgoing message shows ack indicator', async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.goto('/');
+
+    await page.getByText('#flightless', { exact: true }).first().click();
+
+    const testMessage = `ack-test-${Date.now()}`;
+    const input = page.getByPlaceholder(/type a message|message #flightless/i);
+    await input.fill(testMessage);
+    await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Send' }).click();
+
+    // Wait for the message to appear
+    const messageEl = page.getByText(testMessage);
+    await expect(messageEl).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15_000 });
+
+    // Outgoing messages show either "?" (pending) or "✓" (acked)
+    // The ack indicator is in the same container as the message text
+    const messageContainer = messageEl.locator('..');
+    await expect(messageContainer.getByText(/[?✓]/)).toBeVisible();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/e2e/specs/radio-settings.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/specs/radio-settings.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..07b9c86
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/specs/radio-settings.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+import { getRadioConfig, updateRadioConfig } from '../helpers/api';
+
+test.describe('Radio settings', () => {
+  let originalName: string;
+
+  test.beforeAll(async () => {
+    const config = await getRadioConfig();
+    originalName = config.name;
+  });
+
+  test.afterAll(async () => {
+    // Restore original name via API
+    try {
+      await updateRadioConfig({ name: originalName });
+    } catch {
+      console.warn('Failed to restore radio name — manual intervention may be needed');
+    }
+  });
+
+  test('change radio name via settings UI and verify persistence', async ({ page }) => {
+    // Radio names are limited to 8 characters
+    const testName = 'E2Etest1';
+
+    await page.goto('/');
+    await expect(page.getByText('Connected')).toBeVisible();
+
+    // --- Step 1: Change the name via settings UI ---
+    await page.getByText('Radio & Config').click();
+    await page.getByRole('tab', { name: 'Identity' }).click();
+
+    const nameInput = page.locator('#name');
+    await nameInput.clear();
+    await nameInput.fill(testName);
+
+    await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Save Identity Settings' }).click();
+    await expect(page.getByText('Identity settings saved')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 });
+
+    // Close settings
+    await page.keyboard.press('Escape');
+
+    // --- Step 2: Verify via API (now returns fresh data after send_appstart fix) ---
+    const config = await getRadioConfig();
+    expect(config.name).toBe(testName);
+
+    // --- Step 3: Verify persistence across page reload ---
+    await page.reload();
+    await expect(page.getByText('Connected')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15_000 });
+
+    await page.getByText('Radio & Config').click();
+    await page.getByRole('tab', { name: 'Identity' }).click();
+    await expect(page.locator('#name')).toHaveValue(testName, { timeout: 10_000 });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/tests/e2e/tsconfig.json b/tests/e2e/tsconfig.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b6a6666
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/tsconfig.json
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "compilerOptions": {
+    "target": "ES2022",
+    "module": "ESNext",
+    "moduleResolution": "bundler",
+    "strict": true,
+    "esModuleInterop": true,
+    "skipLibCheck": true,
+    "outDir": "dist"
+  },
+  "include": ["**/*.ts"]
+}