diff --git a/js/e2e-web/README.md b/js/e2e-web/README.md
index 965ffeb1f..2b8a2e3a9 100644
--- a/js/e2e-web/README.md
+++ b/js/e2e-web/README.md
@@ -62,7 +62,9 @@ image uploads are already limited to the web.
 `stream` also covers the narrow portrait web layout at 320 × 568, where the
 live video sits above chat. It reveals the player chrome, exercises mute and
 fullscreen entry/exit, and verifies that faded controls reveal instead of
-accepting an unseen tap.
+accepting an unseen tap. Its readiness check uses the video itself: accumulated
+chat history can virtualize the stream's initial system message, so that row is
+not a reliable player prerequisite.
 
 `player-breakpoints` exercises live playback at 23 widths in portrait and
 landscape, including 1080 × 722 and immediately below, at, and above the theme
diff --git a/js/e2e-web/flows/chat-timezone.spec.ts b/js/e2e-web/flows/chat-timezone.spec.ts
index 849d02203..fc8459a29 100644
--- a/js/e2e-web/flows/chat-timezone.spec.ts
+++ b/js/e2e-web/flows/chat-timezone.spec.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
 import { loginThroughPds } from "./login";
 
+// Native counterpart: .maestro/logged-in/chat-timezone.yaml checks the
+// sending device's offset against the actual record stored by the PDS.
 const HTTPS_URL = process.env.SERVER_HTTPS_URL;
 test.skip(!HTTPS_URL, "harness started without its HTTPS hostnames");
 
diff --git a/js/e2e-web/flows/stream.spec.ts b/js/e2e-web/flows/stream.spec.ts
index e184cf7d2..293682b60 100644
--- a/js/e2e-web/flows/stream.spec.ts
+++ b/js/e2e-web/flows/stream.spec.ts
@@ -27,10 +27,9 @@ test("stream: portrait player exposes playback controls", async ({ page }) => {
   const card = page.getByTestId("home-stream-card").first();
   await expect(card).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
   await card.click();
-  await expect(
-    page.getByText("Now streaming - e2e test stream").first(),
-  ).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
 
+  // Chat may virtualize its initial system message once history fills up.
+  // Playback controls depend on the player being ready, not that chat row.
   const video = page.locator("video").first();
   await expect(video).toBeVisible({ timeout: 30_000 });
   const videoBox = await video.boundingBox();