diff --git a/tests/ui-overlap.spec.ts b/tests/ui-overlap.spec.ts
index 0735bd3dc..46a19a4c8 100644
--- a/tests/ui-overlap.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/ui-overlap.spec.ts
@@ -62,10 +62,14 @@ async function mockDemoDashboard(page: Page) {
 }
 
 async function gotoHome(page: Page) {
-  await page.goto("/", { waitUntil: "domcontentloaded" });
+  // Pin mode=answer so GlobalSearchShell does not immediately router.replace()
+  // for a stored landing preference. That replace can briefly leave two mounted
+  // shells (and two header#search nodes), which trips Playwright strict mode.
+  await page.goto("/?mode=answer", { waitUntil: "domcontentloaded" });
   // Wait until React settles on a single header. During client remount /
   // hydration a second transient header#search can exist briefly and trip
   // Playwright strict mode even though the stable tree has only one banner.
+  // Permanent double-render still fails toHaveCount(1).
   const header = page.locator("header#search");
   await expect(header).toHaveCount(1, { timeout: 30_000 });
   await header.waitFor({ state: "visible", timeout: 30_000 });