diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index ae5b618..bc1f486 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -25,3 +25,28 @@ test:
 # Format code
 format:
 	@make -C app format
+
+# Run Playwright browser-based tests (requires running server)
+# Set PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL to point at the running Phoenix app
+playwright:
+	@make -C app playwright
+
+# Run Playwright in UI mode (headed browser)
+playwright-ui:
+	@make -C app playwright-ui
+
+# Run Playwright against Docker Chrome container (must be running)
+playwright-docker:
+	@make -C app playwright-docker
+
+# Full e2e workflow: start Chrome container, run tests, stop container
+playwright-full:
+	@make -C app playwright-full
+
+# Start Docker Chrome container
+playwright-docker-start:
+	@make -C app playwright-docker-start
+
+# Stop Docker Chrome container
+playwright-docker-stop:
+	@make -C app playwright-docker-stop
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/Makefile b/app/Makefile
index 92f834c..b58f7b1 100644
--- a/app/Makefile
+++ b/app/Makefile
@@ -28,6 +28,70 @@ test: deps compile
 format:
 	$(MISE_EXEC) mix format
 
+# =============================================================================
+# Playwright e2e browser tests
+# =============================================================================
+#
+# Requires the Phoenix dev server running on the default port (8056).
+# Set PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL to point at a different server/port.
+#
+# Available browsers (local):
+#   PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSER=firefox   (default — works on macOS 15)
+#   PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSER=chromium  (crashes on macOS 15, use Docker Chrome)
+#   PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSER=webkit
+#
+# Docker Chrome (alternative):
+#   1. docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml up -d
+#   2. PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH=assets/node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers \
+#      npx playwright test --config=playwright.docker.config.ts
+#
+# =============================================================================
+
+# Run Playwright e2e tests (default: local Firefox)
+# Usage: make playwright
+#        PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSER=chromium make playwright
+playwright:
+	cd assets && PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH=node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers npx playwright test --config=../playwright.config.ts
+
+# Run a specific Playwright test file
+# Usage: make playwright-test test/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
+playwright-test:
+	cd assets && PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH=node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers npx playwright test --config=../playwright.config.ts $(filter-out $@,$(MAKECMDGOALS))
+
+# Run Playwright tests with UI mode (headed browser)
+playwright-ui:
+	cd assets && PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH=node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers npx playwright test --config=../playwright.config.ts --ui
+
+# Show last Playwright HTML report
+playwright-report:
+	cd assets && npx playwright show-report
+
+# Start Docker Chrome container for remote Playwright
+playwright-docker-start:
+	docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml up -d
+
+# Stop Docker Chrome container
+playwright-docker-stop:
+	docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml down
+
+# Run Playwright against Docker Chrome (container must be running)
+playwright-docker:
+	cd assets && PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH=node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers npx playwright test --config=../playwright.docker.config.ts
+
+# Run full end-to-end workflow: start Docker Chrome, run tests, stop container
+playwright-full: playwright-docker-start
+	@echo "Waiting for Chrome to be ready..."
+	@sleep 3
+	cd assets && PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH=node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers npx playwright test --config=../playwright.docker.config.ts; \
+		EXIT_CODE=$$?; \
+		cd ..; \
+		docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml down; \
+		exit $$EXIT_CODE
+
+# =============================================================================
+# Static analysis
+# =============================================================================
+
 # Run Credo static analysis
 credo:
 	$(MISE_EXEC) mix credo --strict
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/assets/package.json b/app/assets/package.json
index aac68c6..80cdbdb 100644
--- a/app/assets/package.json
+++ b/app/assets/package.json
@@ -4,12 +4,17 @@
   "description": "",
   "main": "index.js",
   "scripts": {
-    "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1"
+    "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1",
+    "test:e2e": "playwright test --config=../playwright.config.ts",
+    "test:e2e:ui": "playwright test --config=../playwright.config.ts --ui"
   },
   "keywords": [],
   "author": "",
   "license": "ISC",
   "type": "commonjs",
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@playwright/test": "^1.60.0"
+  },
   "dependencies": {
     "highlight.js": "^11.11.1"
   }
diff --git a/app/bin/e2e-full.sh b/app/bin/e2e-full.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..4829340
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/bin/e2e-full.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# Full e2e workflow: start Docker Chrome, run Playwright tests, stop container.
+#
+# Usage: ./bin/e2e-full.sh [extra playwright args...]
+#
+# Requires:
+#   - Docker (colima or Docker Desktop running)
+#   - Phoenix dev server running (default http://localhost:8056)
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
+PROJECT_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/.." && pwd)"
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+echo "=== Starting Chrome container ==="
+docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml up -d
+
+echo "=== Waiting for Chrome to be ready... ==="
+for i in $(seq 1 30); do
+  if curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" http://localhost:3000/ 2>/dev/null | grep -q 200; then
+    echo "Chrome is ready!"
+    break
+  fi
+  if [ "$i" -eq 30 ]; then
+    echo "Timed out waiting for Chrome."
+    docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml logs --tail=20
+    exit 1
+  fi
+  sleep 1
+done
+
+echo "=== Running Playwright e2e tests against Docker Chrome ==="
+cd assets && PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH=node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers \
+  npx playwright test --config=../playwright.docker.config.ts "$@"
+
+EXIT_CODE=$?
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+echo "=== Stopping Chrome container ==="
+docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml down
+
+exit $EXIT_CODE
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/bin/e2e-start.sh b/app/bin/e2e-start.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..1a2c026
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/bin/e2e-start.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# Helper script to start the Playwright Chrome container via Docker
+# Usage: ./bin/e2e-start.sh
+#
+# Starts a browserless/chrome container that Playwright connects to remotely.
+# The container runs Chrome with DevTools Protocol on port 9222.
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
+PROJECT_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/.." && pwd)"
+
+echo "Starting Chrome container for Playwright e2e tests..."
+echo "Using docker-compose.chrome.yml"
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+# Check if colima is needed (no Docker Desktop)
+if ! docker info >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  echo "Docker daemon not accessible. Have you started colima or Docker Desktop?"
+  echo "  colima start"
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml up -d
+
+echo ""
+echo "Chrome container started! Check status:"
+echo "  docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml ps"
+echo ""
+echo "Run tests:"
+echo "  make playwright"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/bin/e2e-stop.sh b/app/bin/e2e-stop.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..1a18027
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/bin/e2e-stop.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -euo pipefail
+
+# Helper script to stop the Playwright Chrome container
+# Usage: ./bin/e2e-stop.sh
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"
+PROJECT_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/.." && pwd)"
+
+cd "$PROJECT_DIR"
+
+echo "Stopping Chrome container..."
+
+docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml down
+
+echo "Chrome container stopped."
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/docker-compose.chrome.yml b/app/docker-compose.chrome.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0ef4f3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/docker-compose.chrome.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+# Docker Compose for Playwright Chrome container
+#
+# Usage:
+#   docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml up -d     # start Chrome
+#   docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml down       # stop Chrome
+#   make playwright                                         # run tests against it
+#
+# The container exposes Chrome DevTools Protocol on port 9222.
+# Playwright connects via the websocket endpoint.
+
+services:
+  chrome:
+    # browserless/chrome is self-contained with Chrome + CDP exposed
+    # multi-arch (supports arm64 for Apple Silicon Macs)
+    image: browserless/chrome:latest
+    container_name: firehose-playwright-chrome
+    ports:
+      - "3000:3000"   # browserless dashboard (not required but handy)
+    environment:
+      - CONNECTION_TIMEOUT=600000
+      - MAX_CONCURRENT_SESSIONS=10
+      - PREBOOT_CHROME=true
+      - DEMO_MODE=false
+      - ENABLE_CORS=true
+    restart: unless-stopped
+    # Run as non-root to avoid permission issues
+    user: "1001:1001"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/playwright.config.ts b/app/playwright.config.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0c37a96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/playwright.config.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import { defineConfig, devices } from "@playwright/test";
+
+// Default Playwright e2e configuration.
+//
+// Uses Firefox by default (Playwright Chromium crashes on macOS 15
+// due to Crashpad permission restrictions).
+//
+// ## Usage
+//
+//   make playwright                   # run with default browser (Firefox)
+//   PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSER=chromium make playwright
+//   PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSER=webkit  make playwright
+//
+//   # Run a single test file:
+//   PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSERS_PATH=assets/node_modules/playwright-core/.local-browsers \
+//     npx playwright test --config=playwright.config.ts test/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
+//
+// ## Docker Chrome (alternative)
+//
+// Use playwright.docker.config.ts instead of this config:
+//
+//   docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml up -d
+//   npx playwright test --config=playwright.docker.config.ts
+
+const browserEnv = process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_BROWSER || "firefox";
+
+const deviceFor = (name: string) => {
+  switch (name) {
+    case "chromium": return devices["Desktop Chrome"];
+    case "firefox":  return devices["Desktop Firefox"];
+    case "webkit":   return devices["Desktop Safari"];
+    default:
+      console.warn(`Unknown browser "${name}", falling back to Firefox`);
+      return devices["Desktop Firefox"];
+  }
+};
+
+export default defineConfig({
+  testDir: "./test/e2e",
+  fullyParallel: true,
+  forbidOnly: !!process.env.CI,
+  retries: process.env.CI ? 2 : 0,
+  workers: process.env.CI ? 1 : undefined,
+  reporter: "list",
+
+  use: {
+    baseURL: process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL || "http://localhost:8056",
+    trace: "on-first-retry",
+    headless: process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_HEADLESS !== "false",
+  },
+
+  projects: [
+    {
+      name: browserEnv,
+      use: { ...deviceFor(browserEnv) },
+    },
+  ],
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/playwright.docker.config.ts b/app/playwright.docker.config.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..10cdaa2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/playwright.docker.config.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+import { defineConfig, devices } from "@playwright/test";
+
+// Docker Chrome Playwright configuration.
+// Connects to a remote browserless/chrome container via CDP.
+//
+// Usage:
+//   1. Start the Chrome container:
+//      docker compose -f docker-compose.chrome.yml up -d
+//
+//   2. Run tests:
+//      npx playwright test --config=playwright.docker.config.ts
+
+const CDP_URL = process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_CDP_URL || "http://localhost:3000";
+
+export default defineConfig({
+  testDir: "./test/e2e",
+  fullyParallel: true,
+  forbidOnly: !!process.env.CI,
+  retries: process.env.CI ? 2 : 0,
+  workers: process.env.CI ? 1 : undefined,
+  reporter: "list",
+
+  use: {
+    baseURL: process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL || "http://localhost:8056",
+    trace: "on-first-retry",
+    headless: process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_HEADLESS !== "false",
+  },
+
+  // Connect to remote Chrome via CDP instead of launching locally.
+  // browserless/chrome exposes CDP at port 3000.
+  projects: [
+    {
+      name: "docker-chrome",
+      use: {
+        ...devices["Desktop Chrome"],
+        launchOptions: {
+          // Not used for remote connection, but placeholder for clarity
+        },
+      },
+    },
+  ],
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/test/e2e/auth-helpers.ts b/app/test/e2e/auth-helpers.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f21b62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/test/e2e/auth-helpers.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/**
+ * Auth helpers for Playwright e2e tests.
+ *
+ * Provides utilities for logging in as a test user.
+ * The app uses email-only registration (magic-link flow for initial confirmation)
+ * and email+password for subsequent logins.
+ */
+
+import { Page } from "@playwright/test";
+
+export const TEST_USER = {
+  email: process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_EMAIL || "test@firehose.test",
+  password: process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_PASSWORD || "testpassword123!",
+};
+
+/**
+ * Navigate to the login page, fill in credentials, and submit.
+ * Returns the page after successful login (redirected to home).
+ */
+export async function loginAsTestUser(page: Page) {
+  await page.goto("/users/log-in");
+  // Use the password-based login form
+  await page.getByLabel("Email").fill(TEST_USER.email);
+  await page.getByLabel("Password").fill(TEST_USER.password);
+  // Click "Log in and stay logged in"
+  await page.getByRole("button", { name: /log in and stay logged in/i }).click();
+  await page.waitForURL("/");
+}
+
+/**
+ * Navigate to the registration page, fill in email, and submit.
+ * Note: In dev mode, registration is invite-only by default. Set
+ * `PLAYWRIGHT_ALLOW_REGISTRATION=true` to run tests against a server
+ * with open registration enabled.
+ */
+export async function registerTestUser(page: Page) {
+  await page.goto("/users/register");
+  await page.getByLabel("Email").fill(TEST_USER.email);
+  await page.getByRole("button", { name: /create an account/i }).click();
+  await page.waitForURL("/users/log-in");
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/test/e2e/auth.spec.ts b/app/test/e2e/auth.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..605903c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/test/e2e/auth.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+import { test, expect } from "./fixtures";
+import { loginAsTestUser } from "./auth-helpers";
+
+test.describe("Authenticated pages", () => {
+  test("redirects unauthenticated users to login page", async ({ page }) => {
+    const response = await page.goto("/editor/dashboard");
+    // Should redirect to login
+    expect(response?.url()).toContain("/users/log-in");
+  });
+
+  test("can log in and access the editor dashboard", async ({ page }) => {
+    await loginAsTestUser(page);
+
+    // After login, we should be on the home page
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL("/");
+    await expect(page.locator("body")).not.toBeEmpty();
+  });
+
+  test("can log out", async ({ page }) => {
+    await loginAsTestUser(page);
+
+    // Now log out
+    await page.goto("/users/log-out");
+
+    // Should redirect to home
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL("/");
+
+    // Try accessing an authenticated page
+    await page.goto("/editor/dashboard");
+    // Should redirect to login
+    await expect(page).toHaveURL(/\/users\/log-in/);
+  });
+});
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/test/e2e/fixtures.ts b/app/test/e2e/fixtures.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7c411c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/test/e2e/fixtures.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+/**
+ * Custom Playwright test fixtures.
+ *
+ * Provides a `test` function that connects to a remote Chrome via CDP
+ * when PLAYWRIGHT_CDP_URL is set (Docker Chrome mode).
+ * Falls back to the default local browser otherwise.
+ */
+
+import { test as base, chromium } from "@playwright/test";
+
+type Fixtures = {
+  // Browser is provided by Playwright Test by default.
+  // We only override it when connecting to remote Docker Chrome.
+};
+
+const cdpUrl = process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_CDP_URL;
+
+export const test = cdpUrl
+  ? base.extend<Fixtures>({
+      browser: async ({}, use) => {
+        const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(cdpUrl);
+        await use(browser);
+        await browser.close();
+      },
+    })
+  : base;
+
+export { expect } from "@playwright/test";
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/app/test/e2e/smoke.spec.ts b/app/test/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..241528e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/test/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+import { test, expect } from "./fixtures";
+
+test.describe("Connectivity smoke test", () => {
+  test("visits the homepage and verifies it loads", async ({ page }) => {
+    const response = await page.goto("/");
+    expect(response?.ok()).toBeTruthy();
+
+    // Verify the page has content
+    await expect(page).toHaveTitle(/Firehose/);
+  });
+
+  test("visits the contact page", async ({ page }) => {
+    const response = await page.goto("/contact");
+    expect(response?.ok()).toBeTruthy();
+    await expect(page.locator("body")).not.toBeEmpty();
+  });
+
+  test("visits the blog engineering index", async ({ page }) => {
+    const response = await page.goto("/blog/engineering");
+    expect(response?.ok()).toBeTruthy();
+    await expect(page.locator("body")).not.toBeEmpty();
+  });
+
+  test("visits the blog releases index", async ({ page }) => {
+    const response = await page.goto("/blog/releases");
+    expect(response?.ok()).toBeTruthy();
+    await expect(page.locator("body")).not.toBeEmpty();
+  });
+});
\ No newline at end of file