diff --git a/e2e/smoke.spec.ts b/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
index 283d3f5..1b89f6e 100644
--- a/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/smoke.spec.ts
@@ -9,13 +9,14 @@ test('mission control layout renders scificn-ui components', async ({ page }) =>
   await page.goto('/');
   // Stat card, tab trigger and footer badge prove the copied component layer is wired in.
   await expect(page.getByText('NEXT ENCOUNTER')).toBeVisible();
-  await expect(page.getByRole('button', { name: 'SYSTEMS' })).toBeVisible();
+  // Radix Tabs.Trigger renders role="tab", not a plain button.
+  await expect(page.getByRole('tab', { name: 'SYSTEMS' })).toBeVisible();
   await expect(page.getByText('SYS ONLINE')).toBeVisible();
 });
 
 test('operations tabs switch panels client-side', async ({ page }) => {
   await page.goto('/');
-  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'LOG' }).click();
+  await page.getByRole('tab', { name: 'LOG' }).click();
   await expect(page.getByText('SHIP LOG // PLACEHOLDER FEED')).toBeVisible();
 });