diff --git a/desktop/playwright.config.ts b/desktop/playwright.config.ts
index 446f3ecd4..7c73d54b8 100644
--- a/desktop/playwright.config.ts
+++ b/desktop/playwright.config.ts
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
         "**/project-commit-detail.spec.ts",
         "**/persona-model-combobox-screenshots.spec.ts",
         "**/drafts-screenshots.spec.ts",
+        "**/buzz-theme-screenshots.spec.ts",
         "**/channel-sort.spec.ts",
       ],
       use: {
diff --git a/desktop/tests/e2e/buzz-theme-screenshots.spec.ts b/desktop/tests/e2e/buzz-theme-screenshots.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..60856cddc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/desktop/tests/e2e/buzz-theme-screenshots.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+import { expect, test, type Page } from "@playwright/test";
+
+import { waitForAnimations } from "../helpers/animations";
+import { installMockBridge } from "../helpers/bridge";
+
+const SHOTS = "test-results/buzz-theme";
+const THEME_STORAGE_KEY = "buzz-theme";
+
+/**
+ * Seed the active theme into localStorage BEFORE the mock bridge installs so
+ * ThemeProvider reads it on first mount (init scripts run in registration
+ * order; React reads state on mount, which the bridge triggers).
+ */
+async function seedTheme(page: Page, theme: string) {
+  await page.addInitScript(
+    ({ key, value }) => {
+      window.localStorage.setItem(key, value);
+    },
+    { key: THEME_STORAGE_KEY, value: theme },
+  );
+}
+
+async function openChannel(page: Page) {
+  await page.goto("/", { waitUntil: "domcontentloaded" });
+  await page.getByTestId("channel-general").click();
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("chat-title")).toHaveText("general");
+  await expect(page.getByTestId("app-sidebar")).toBeVisible();
+}
+
+test("buzz light sidebar gradient", async ({ page }) => {
+  await seedTheme(page, "buzz");
+  await installMockBridge(page);
+  await openChannel(page);
+  await waitForAnimations(page);
+  await page
+    .getByTestId("app-sidebar")
+    .screenshot({ path: `${SHOTS}/01-buzz-light-sidebar.png` });
+});
+
+test("buzz dark sidebar gradient", async ({ page }) => {
+  await seedTheme(page, "buzz-dark");
+  await installMockBridge(page);
+  await openChannel(page);
+  await waitForAnimations(page);
+  await page
+    .getByTestId("app-sidebar")
+    .screenshot({ path: `${SHOTS}/02-buzz-dark-sidebar.png` });
+});
+
+async function openAppearance(page: Page, mode: "system" | "light" | "dark") {
+  // Settings renders at the AppShell level; open it via the profile card
+  // button, then select the Appearance section.
+  await page.goto("/", { waitUntil: "domcontentloaded" });
+  await page.getByTestId("open-settings").click();
+  await page.getByTestId("profile-popover-settings").click();
+  await page.getByTestId("settings-nav-appearance").click();
+  const panel = page.getByTestId("settings-theme");
+  await expect(panel).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 });
+  await page.getByTestId(`appearance-mode-${mode}`).click();
+  await waitForAnimations(page);
+  return panel;
+}
+
+test("appearance picker — system tab (Buzz follows OS)", async ({ page }) => {
+  await seedTheme(page, "buzz");
+  await installMockBridge(page);
+  const panel = await openAppearance(page, "system");
+  await panel.screenshot({ path: `${SHOTS}/03-picker-system.png` });
+});
+
+test("appearance picker — light tab (Buzz)", async ({ page }) => {
+  await seedTheme(page, "buzz");
+  await installMockBridge(page);
+  const panel = await openAppearance(page, "light");
+  await panel.screenshot({ path: `${SHOTS}/04-picker-light.png` });
+});
+
+test("appearance picker — dark tab (Buzz Dark)", async ({ page }) => {
+  await seedTheme(page, "buzz-dark");
+  await installMockBridge(page);
+  const panel = await openAppearance(page, "dark");
+  await panel.screenshot({ path: `${SHOTS}/05-picker-dark.png` });
+});