diff --git a/tests/core/domain-dns-management.spec.ts b/tests/core/domain-dns-management.spec.ts
index 5df76839..0001c78c 100644
--- a/tests/core/domain-dns-management.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/core/domain-dns-management.spec.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import {
   waitForModal,
   waitForResourceInUI,
 } from '../utils/wait-helpers';
+import { getStorageStateAuthHeaders } from '../utils/api-helpers';
 
 /**
  * Domain & DNS Management Workflow
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ test.describe('Domain & DNS Management', () => {
 
     await test.step('Clean up domain via API', async () => {
       if (createdId) {
-        await page.request.delete(`/api/v1/domains/${createdId}`);
+        await page.request.delete(`/api/v1/domains/${createdId}`, { headers: getStorageStateAuthHeaders() });
       }
     });
   });
@@ -81,6 +82,7 @@ test.describe('Domain & DNS Management', () => {
     const domainName = generateDomainName('delete-domain');
     const createResponse = await page.request.post('/api/v1/domains', {
       data: { name: domainName },
+      headers: getStorageStateAuthHeaders(),
     });
     const created = await createResponse.json();
     const domainId = created.uuid || created.id;
@@ -90,31 +92,32 @@ test.describe('Domain & DNS Management', () => {
     });
 
     await test.step('Confirm domain card is visible', async () => {
+      await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
+      await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
       await waitForResourceInUI(page, domainName);
       await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: domainName })).toBeVisible();
     });
 
     await test.step('Delete domain from card', async () => {
-      const domainCard = page.locator('div').filter({
-        has: page.getByRole('heading', { name: domainName }),
-      }).first();
-      await expect(domainCard).toBeVisible();
-
-      const deleteButton = domainCard.getByRole('button', { name: /delete/i }).first();
+      const heading = page.getByRole('heading', { name: domainName });
+      const deleteButton = heading
+        .locator('xpath=ancestor::div[contains(@class, "bg-dark-card")]')
+        .getByRole('button', { name: /delete/i });
       await expect(deleteButton).toBeVisible();
 
       page.once('dialog', async (dialog) => {
         await dialog.accept();
       });
 
-      const deleteResponse = clickAndWaitForResponse(
-        page,
-        deleteButton,
-        new RegExp(`/api/v1/domains/${domainId}`),
-        { status: 200 }
+      const responsePromise = page.waitForResponse(
+        (resp) =>
+          resp.url().includes('/api/v1/domains/') &&
+          resp.request().method() === 'DELETE',
+        { timeout: 15000 }
       );
 
-      await deleteResponse;
+      await deleteButton.click();
+      await responsePromise;
     });
   });
 
@@ -143,7 +146,7 @@ test.describe('Domain & DNS Management', () => {
     });
 
     await test.step('Open add provider dialog', async () => {
-      await page.request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types');
+      await page.request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types', { headers: getStorageStateAuthHeaders() });
       const addButton = page.getByRole('button', { name: /add.*provider/i }).first();
       await addButton.click();
       await waitForModal(page, /provider/i);
@@ -182,12 +185,14 @@ test.describe('Domain & DNS Management', () => {
     });
 
     await test.step('Delete provider via API', async () => {
-      await page.request.delete(`/api/v1/dns-providers/${id}`);
+      await page.request.delete(`/api/v1/dns-providers/${id}`, { headers: getStorageStateAuthHeaders() });
     });
 
     await test.step('Verify provider card removed', async () => {
+      // Navigate away first to clear any in-memory SWR cache
+      await page.goto('about:blank');
       await navigateToDnsProviders(page);
-      await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name })).toHaveCount(0);
+      await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name })).toHaveCount(0, { timeout: 15000 });
     });
   });
 
diff --git a/tests/core/proxy-hosts.spec.ts b/tests/core/proxy-hosts.spec.ts
index 6c0ba73c..441726d1 100644
--- a/tests/core/proxy-hosts.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/core/proxy-hosts.spec.ts
@@ -274,10 +274,9 @@ test.describe('Proxy Hosts - CRUD Operations', () => {
       });
 
       await test.step('Enter invalid domain', async () => {
-        const domainInput = page.locator('#domain-names').or(page.getByLabel(/domain/i));
-        await domainInput.first().fill('not a valid domain!');
-
-        // Tab away to trigger validation
+        const domainCombobox = page.locator('#domain-names');
+        await domainCombobox.click();
+        await page.keyboard.type('not a valid domain!');
         await page.keyboard.press('Tab');
       });
 
@@ -333,9 +332,11 @@ test.describe('Proxy Hosts - CRUD Operations', () => {
         const nameInput = page.locator('#proxy-name');
         await nameInput.fill(`Test Host ${Date.now()}`);
 
-        // Domain
-        const domainInput = page.locator('#domain-names');
-        await domainInput.fill(hostConfig.domain);
+        // Domain (combobox component)
+        const domainCombobox = page.locator('#domain-names');
+        await domainCombobox.click();
+        await page.keyboard.type(hostConfig.domain);
+        await page.keyboard.press('Tab');
 
         // Dismiss the "New Base Domain Detected" dialog if it appears after domain input
         await dismissDomainDialog(page);
@@ -428,7 +429,9 @@ test.describe('Proxy Hosts - CRUD Operations', () => {
 
       await test.step('Fill in fields with SSL options', async () => {
         await page.locator('#proxy-name').fill(`SSL Test ${Date.now()}`);
-        await page.locator('#domain-names').fill(hostConfig.domain);
+        await page.locator('#domain-names').click();
+        await page.keyboard.type(hostConfig.domain);
+        await page.keyboard.press('Tab');
         await page.locator('#forward-host').fill(hostConfig.forwardHost);
         await page.locator('#forward-port').clear();
         await page.locator('#forward-port').fill(String(hostConfig.forwardPort));
@@ -476,7 +479,9 @@ test.describe('Proxy Hosts - CRUD Operations', () => {
 
       await test.step('Fill form with WebSocket enabled', async () => {
         await page.locator('#proxy-name').fill(`WS Test ${Date.now()}`);
-        await page.locator('#domain-names').fill(hostConfig.domain);
+        await page.locator('#domain-names').click();
+        await page.keyboard.type(hostConfig.domain);
+        await page.keyboard.press('Tab');
         await page.locator('#forward-host').fill(hostConfig.forwardHost);
         await page.locator('#forward-port').clear();
         await page.locator('#forward-port').fill(String(hostConfig.forwardPort));
@@ -702,15 +707,20 @@ test.describe('Proxy Hosts - CRUD Operations', () => {
           await expect(page.getByRole('dialog')).toBeVisible(); // Wait for edit modal to open
 
           const domainInput = page.locator('#domain-names');
-          const originalDomain = await domainInput.inputValue();
 
-          // Append a test suffix
+          // Clear existing domain and type new one (combobox component)
           const newDomain = `test-${Date.now()}.example.com`;
-          await domainInput.clear();
-          await domainInput.fill(newDomain);
+          await domainInput.click();
+          await page.keyboard.press('Control+a');
+          await page.keyboard.press('Backspace');
+          await page.keyboard.type(newDomain);
+          await page.keyboard.press('Tab');
 
-          // Save
-          await page.getByRole('button', { name: /save/i }).click();
+          // Dismiss the "New Base Domain Detected" dialog if it appears
+          await dismissDomainDialog(page);
+
+          // Save — use specific selector to avoid strict mode violation with domain dialog buttons
+          await page.getByTestId('proxy-host-save').or(page.getByRole('button', { name: /^save$/i })).first().click();
           await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
 
           // Verify update (check for new domain or revert)
diff --git a/tests/dns-provider-types.spec.ts b/tests/dns-provider-types.spec.ts
index c3f54380..522650cb 100644
--- a/tests/dns-provider-types.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/dns-provider-types.spec.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import {
   waitForLoadingComplete,
 } from './utils/wait-helpers';
 import { getFormFieldByLabel } from './utils/ui-helpers';
+import { STORAGE_STATE } from './constants';
+import { readFileSync } from 'fs';
 
 /**
  * DNS Provider Types E2E Tests
@@ -18,14 +20,35 @@ import { getFormFieldByLabel } from './utils/ui-helpers';
  * - Provider selector in UI
  */
 
+function getAuthHeaders(): Record<string, string> {
+  try {
+    const state = JSON.parse(readFileSync(STORAGE_STATE, 'utf-8'));
+    for (const origin of state.origins ?? []) {
+      for (const entry of origin.localStorage ?? []) {
+        if (entry.name === 'charon_auth_token' && entry.value) {
+          return { Authorization: `Bearer ${entry.value}` };
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    for (const cookie of state.cookies ?? []) {
+      if (cookie.name === 'auth_token' && cookie.value) {
+        return { Authorization: `Bearer ${cookie.value}` };
+      }
+    }
+  } catch { /* no-op */ }
+  return {};
+}
+
+
+
 test.describe('DNS Provider Types', () => {
-  test.beforeEach(async ({ request }) => {
-    await waitForAPIHealth(request);
+  test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+    await waitForAPIHealth(page.request);
   });
 
   test.describe('API: /api/v1/dns-providers/types', () => {
-    test('should return all provider types including built-in and custom', async ({ request }) => {
-      const response = await request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types');
+    test('should return all provider types including built-in and custom', async ({ page }) => {
+      const response = await page.request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types', { headers: getAuthHeaders() });
       expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy();
 
       const data = await response.json();
@@ -46,8 +69,8 @@ test.describe('DNS Provider Types', () => {
       expect(typeNames).toContain('script');
     });
 
-    test('each provider type should have required fields', async ({ request }) => {
-      const response = await request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types');
+    test('each provider type should have required fields', async ({ page }) => {
+      const response = await page.request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types', { headers: getAuthHeaders() });
       expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy();
       const data = await response.json();
       const types = data.types;
@@ -60,8 +83,8 @@ test.describe('DNS Provider Types', () => {
       }
     });
 
-    test('manual provider type should have correct configuration', async ({ request }) => {
-      const response = await request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types');
+    test('manual provider type should have correct configuration', async ({ page }) => {
+      const response = await page.request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types', { headers: getAuthHeaders() });
       expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy();
       const data = await response.json();
       const types = data.types;
@@ -74,8 +97,8 @@ test.describe('DNS Provider Types', () => {
       // since DNS records are created manually by the user
     });
 
-    test('webhook provider type should have url field', async ({ request }) => {
-      const response = await request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types');
+    test('webhook provider type should have url field', async ({ page }) => {
+      const response = await page.request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types', { headers: getAuthHeaders() });
       expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy();
       const data = await response.json();
       const types = data.types;
@@ -88,8 +111,8 @@ test.describe('DNS Provider Types', () => {
       expect(fieldNames.some((name: string) => name.toLowerCase().includes('url'))).toBeTruthy();
     });
 
-    test('rfc2136 provider type should have server and key fields', async ({ request }) => {
-      const response = await request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types');
+    test('rfc2136 provider type should have server and key fields', async ({ page }) => {
+      const response = await page.request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types', { headers: getAuthHeaders() });
       expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy();
       const data = await response.json();
       const types = data.types;
@@ -102,8 +125,8 @@ test.describe('DNS Provider Types', () => {
       expect(fieldNames.some((name: string) => name.includes('server') || name.includes('nameserver'))).toBeTruthy();
     });
 
-    test('script provider type should have command/path field', async ({ request }) => {
-      const response = await request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types');
+    test('script provider type should have command/path field', async ({ page }) => {
+      const response = await page.request.get('/api/v1/dns-providers/types', { headers: getAuthHeaders() });
       expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy();
       const data = await response.json();
       const types = data.types;
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/auth-fixtures.ts b/tests/fixtures/auth-fixtures.ts
index f5e29204..35b2feff 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/auth-fixtures.ts
+++ b/tests/fixtures/auth-fixtures.ts
@@ -435,9 +435,28 @@ export async function loginUser(
     if (response.ok()) {
       const body = await response.json().catch(() => ({})) as { token?: string };
       if (body.token) {
-        await page.addInitScript((token: string) => {
+        // Navigate first, then set token via evaluate to avoid addInitScript race condition
+        await page.goto('/');
+        await page.evaluate((token: string) => {
           localStorage.setItem('charon_auth_token', token);
         }, body.token);
+
+        const storageState = await page.request.storageState();
+        if (storageState.cookies?.length) {
+          await page.context().addCookies(storageState.cookies);
+        }
+
+        // Reload so the app picks up the token from localStorage
+        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
+        await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle').catch(() => {});
+
+        // Guard: if app is stuck at loading splash, force reload
+        const loadingVisible = await page.locator('text=Loading application').isVisible().catch(() => false);
+        if (loadingVisible) {
+          await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
+          await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle').catch(() => {});
+        }
+        return;
       }
 
       const storageState = await page.request.storageState();
@@ -486,7 +505,7 @@ export async function logoutUser(page: import('@playwright/test').Page): Promise
   await logoutButton.click();
 
   // Wait for redirect to login page
-  await page.waitForURL(/\/login/, { timeout: 15000 });
+  await page.waitForURL(/\/login/, { timeout: 15000, waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/tests/settings/user-management.spec.ts b/tests/settings/user-management.spec.ts
index b1df47d2..9bad739a 100644
--- a/tests/settings/user-management.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/settings/user-management.spec.ts
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
 
       await test.step('Verify pending status appears in list', async () => {
         // Reload to see the new user
-        await page.reload();
+        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
         await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
 
         // Find the pending status indicator
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
       });
 
       await test.step('Reload page to see new user', async () => {
-        await page.reload();
+        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
         await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
       });
 
@@ -603,7 +603,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
         await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
 
         // Reload to ensure newly created user is in the query cache
-        await page.reload();
+        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
         await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
 
         // Wait for table to be visible
@@ -673,7 +673,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
 	      });
 
 	      const permissionsModal = await test.step('Open permissions modal', async () => {
-	        await page.reload();
+	        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
 	        await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
 
 	        const userRow = page.getByRole('row').filter({
@@ -727,7 +727,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
 	      });
 
 	      const permissionsModal = await test.step('Open permissions modal', async () => {
-	        await page.reload();
+	        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
 	        await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
 
 	        const userRow = page.getByRole('row').filter({
@@ -787,7 +787,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
       });
 
       await test.step('Open permissions modal', async () => {
-        await page.reload();
+        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
         await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
 
         const userRow = page.getByRole('row').filter({
@@ -842,7 +842,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
       });
 
       await test.step('Reload to see new user', async () => {
-        await page.reload();
+        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
         await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
         // Wait for table to have data
         await page.waitForSelector('table tbody tr', { timeout: 10000 });
@@ -910,7 +910,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
       });
 
       await test.step('Reload to see new user', async () => {
-        await page.reload();
+        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
         await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
       });
 
@@ -1032,7 +1032,7 @@ test.describe('User Management', () => {
       });
 
       await test.step('Reload and find pending user', async () => {
-        await page.reload();
+        await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
         await waitForLoadingComplete(page);
 
         const userRow = page.getByRole('row').filter({
diff --git a/tests/tasks/long-running-operations.spec.ts b/tests/tasks/long-running-operations.spec.ts
index 4935979a..e495280e 100644
--- a/tests/tasks/long-running-operations.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/tasks/long-running-operations.spec.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import { test, expect, loginUser } from '../fixtures/auth-fixtures';
 import { waitForToast, waitForLoadingComplete } from '../utils/wait-helpers';
+import { getStorageStateAuthHeaders } from '../utils/api-helpers';
 
 /**
  * Integration: Long-Running Operations
@@ -28,6 +29,7 @@ test.describe('Long-Running Operations', () => {
   const createUserViaApi = async (page: import('@playwright/test').Page) => {
     const response = await page.request.post('/api/v1/users', {
       data: testUser,
+      headers: getStorageStateAuthHeaders(),
     });
 
     expect(response.ok()).toBe(true);
@@ -44,6 +46,7 @@ test.describe('Long-Running Operations', () => {
         websocket_support: false,
         enabled: true,
       },
+      headers: getStorageStateAuthHeaders(),
     });
 
     expect(response.ok()).toBe(true);
@@ -170,7 +173,7 @@ test.describe('Long-Running Operations', () => {
     await test.step('Perform additional operations during backup', async () => {
       const start = Date.now();
 
-      const response = await page.request.get('/api/v1/proxy-hosts');
+      const response = await page.request.get('/api/v1/proxy-hosts', { headers: getStorageStateAuthHeaders() });
 
       const duration = Date.now() - start;
 
diff --git a/tests/utils/api-helpers.ts b/tests/utils/api-helpers.ts
index f07a619e..e1005f2a 100644
--- a/tests/utils/api-helpers.ts
+++ b/tests/utils/api-helpers.ts
@@ -22,6 +22,31 @@
  */
 
 import { APIRequestContext, APIResponse } from '@playwright/test';
+import { readFileSync } from 'fs';
+import { STORAGE_STATE } from '../constants';
+
+/**
+ * Read auth token from storage state and return Authorization headers.
+ * Use this for page.request calls that need Bearer token auth.
+ */
+export function getStorageStateAuthHeaders(): Record<string, string> {
+  try {
+    const state = JSON.parse(readFileSync(STORAGE_STATE, 'utf-8'));
+    for (const origin of state.origins ?? []) {
+      for (const entry of origin.localStorage ?? []) {
+        if (entry.name === 'charon_auth_token' && entry.value) {
+          return { Authorization: `Bearer ${entry.value}` };
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    for (const cookie of state.cookies ?? []) {
+      if (cookie.name === 'auth_token' && cookie.value) {
+        return { Authorization: `Bearer ${cookie.value}` };
+      }
+    }
+  } catch { /* no-op */ }
+  return {};
+}
 
 /**
  * API error response
diff --git a/tests/utils/wait-helpers.ts b/tests/utils/wait-helpers.ts
index 7b29f2cf..72ed7544 100644
--- a/tests/utils/wait-helpers.ts
+++ b/tests/utils/wait-helpers.ts
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ export async function waitForResourceInUI(
     // If not found and we have reload attempts left, try reloading
     if (reloadCount < maxReloads) {
       reloadCount += 1;
-      await page.reload();
+      await page.reload({ waitUntil: 'domcontentloaded' });
       await waitForLoadingComplete(page, { timeout: 5000 }).catch(() => {});
       continue;
     }