diff --git a/frontend/playwright.config.ts b/frontend/playwright.config.ts
index 5ece956..8b8987d 100644
--- a/frontend/playwright.config.ts
+++ b/frontend/playwright.config.ts
@@ -101,10 +101,13 @@ export default defineConfig({
     /**
      * Use the dev server by default for faster feedback loop.
      * Use the preview server on CI for more realistic testing.
+     * CI mode chains `npm run build` so a fresh clone has dist/ in place
+     * before preview serves it (otherwise page.title() is empty).
      * Playwright will re-use the local server if there is already a dev-server running.
      */
-    command: process.env.CI ? 'npm run preview' : 'npm run dev',
+    command: process.env.CI ? 'npm run build && npm run preview' : 'npm run dev',
     port: process.env.CI ? 4173 : 5173,
     reuseExistingServer: !process.env.CI,
+    timeout: 180_000,
   },
 })