diff --git a/tests/e2e/settings.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/settings.spec.ts
index addeeec..bc3117d 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/settings.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/settings.spec.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,13 @@ test.describe('Settings — Preferences', () => {
 
 		// Then the note editor opens in markdown mode (textarea visible)
 		await expect(page.getByTestId('note-content-input')).toBeVisible();
+
+		// Cleanup: reset to richtext so parallel tests aren't affected
+		await page.getByTestId('close-editor-btn').click();
+		await page.goto('/settings/preferences');
+		const resetResponse = page.waitForResponse((res) => res.url().includes('/api/preferences') && res.request().method() === 'PUT');
+		await page.getByTestId('pref-mode-richtext').click();
+		await resetResponse;
 	});
 
 	test('Scenario: Footer toggle hides and shows footer', async ({
@@ -65,6 +72,11 @@ test.describe('Settings — Preferences', () => {
 		// Then the Markdown button is still selected (has primary styling)
 		const mdBtn = page.getByTestId('pref-mode-markdown');
 		await expect(mdBtn).toHaveClass(/font-medium/);
+
+		// Cleanup: reset to richtext so parallel tests aren't affected
+		const resetResponse = page.waitForResponse((res) => res.url().includes('/api/preferences') && res.request().method() === 'PUT');
+		await page.getByTestId('pref-mode-richtext').click();
+		await resetResponse;
 	});
 });
 
diff --git a/tests/e2e/sharing.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/sharing.spec.ts
index ce46274..2b6acb3 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/sharing.spec.ts
+++ b/tests/e2e/sharing.spec.ts
@@ -35,13 +35,12 @@ test.describe('Note Sharing', () => {
 		authenticatedPage: page,
 		collabPage
 	}) => {
-		// When the owner creates a note titled "Share Test"
-		await page.getByTestId('new-note-btn').click();
-		await page.getByTestId('note-title-input').fill('Share Test');
-		const editor = page.getByTestId('tiptap-editor').locator('.tiptap');
-		await editor.click();
-		await editor.pressSequentially('Shared content');
-		await page.getByTestId('close-editor-btn').click();
+		// Given a note titled "Share Test" exists
+		await page.request.post('/api/notes', {
+			data: { title: 'Share Test', content: 'Shared content' }
+		});
+		await page.reload();
+		await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
 		await expect(noteCard(page, 'Share Test')).toBeVisible();
 
 		// And the owner opens the share dialog and adds the collaborator