diff --git a/tests/e2e/user-journeys.spec.ts b/tests/e2e/user-journeys.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/user-journeys.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,420 @@
+/**
+ * E2E tests for core user journeys
+ *
+ * Tests cover the five main user workflows:
+ * 1. Create - Quick capture new entries
+ * 2. Edit - Modify existing entries
+ * 3. Search - Find entries by text
+ * 4. Organize - Tags and pinning
+ * 5. Delete - Remove entries
+ */
+import { test, expect, testData } from './index';
+
+test.describe('Create workflow', () => {
+	test('can create a new entry via quick capture', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Fill in quick capture form
+		const contentInput = page.locator('textarea[name="content"]');
+		await contentInput.fill('New test entry from E2E');
+
+		// Select task type
+		const typeSelect = page.locator('select[name="type"]');
+		await typeSelect.selectOption('task');
+
+		// Submit the form
+		const addButton = page.locator('button[type="submit"]:has-text("Add")');
+		await addButton.click();
+
+		// Wait for entry to appear in list
+		await expect(page.locator('text=New test entry from E2E')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
+	});
+
+	test('created entry persists after page reload', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		const uniqueContent = `Persistence test ${Date.now()}`;
+
+		// Create an entry
+		const contentInput = page.locator('textarea[name="content"]');
+		await contentInput.fill(uniqueContent);
+
+		const addButton = page.locator('button[type="submit"]:has-text("Add")');
+		await addButton.click();
+
+		// Wait for entry to appear
+		await expect(page.locator(`text=${uniqueContent}`)).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
+
+		// Reload page
+		await page.reload();
+
+		// Verify entry still exists
+		await expect(page.locator(`text=${uniqueContent}`)).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
+	});
+
+	test('can create entry with optional title', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Fill in title and content
+		const titleInput = page.locator('input[name="title"]');
+		await titleInput.fill('My Test Title');
+
+		const contentInput = page.locator('textarea[name="content"]');
+		await contentInput.fill('Content with a title');
+
+		const addButton = page.locator('button[type="submit"]:has-text("Add")');
+		await addButton.click();
+
+		// Wait for entry to appear with the content
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Content with a title')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
+	});
+});
+
+test.describe('Edit workflow', () => {
+	test('can expand and edit an existing entry', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Find seeded entry by content and click to expand
+		const entryContent = testData.entries[0].content; // "Buy groceries for the week"
+		const entryCard = page.locator(`article:has-text("${entryContent}")`);
+		await expect(entryCard).toBeVisible();
+
+		// Click to expand (the clickable area with role="button")
+		await entryCard.locator('[role="button"]').click();
+
+		// Wait for edit textarea to appear
+		const editTextarea = entryCard.locator('textarea');
+		await expect(editTextarea).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
+
+		// Modify content
+		await editTextarea.fill('Buy groceries for the week - updated');
+
+		// Auto-save triggers after 400ms, wait for save indicator
+		await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+
+		// Collapse the card
+		await entryCard.locator('[role="button"]').click();
+
+		// Verify updated content is shown
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Buy groceries for the week - updated')).toBeVisible({
+			timeout: 5000
+		});
+	});
+
+	test('edited changes persist after reload', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Find and edit an entry
+		const entryContent = testData.entries[3].content; // "Meeting notes with stakeholders"
+		const entryCard = page.locator(`article:has-text("${entryContent}")`);
+		await entryCard.locator('[role="button"]').click();
+
+		const editTextarea = entryCard.locator('textarea');
+		await expect(editTextarea).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
+
+		const updatedContent = 'Meeting notes - edited in E2E test';
+		await editTextarea.fill(updatedContent);
+
+		// Wait for auto-save
+		await page.waitForTimeout(600);
+
+		// Reload page
+		await page.reload();
+
+		// Verify changes persisted
+		await expect(page.locator(`text=${updatedContent}`)).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5000 });
+	});
+});
+
+test.describe('Search workflow', () => {
+	test('can search entries by text', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Type in search bar
+		const searchInput = page.locator('input[placeholder*="Search"]');
+		await searchInput.fill('groceries');
+
+		// Wait for debounced search (300ms + render time)
+		await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+
+		// Verify matching entry is visible
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Buy groceries for the week')).toBeVisible();
+
+		// Verify non-matching entries are hidden
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Meeting notes with stakeholders')).not.toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('search shows "no results" message when nothing matches', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		const searchInput = page.locator('input[placeholder*="Search"]');
+		await searchInput.fill('xyznonexistent123');
+
+		// Wait for debounced search
+		await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+
+		// Should show no results message
+		await expect(page.locator('text=No entries match your search')).toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('clearing search shows all entries again', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// First, search for something specific
+		const searchInput = page.locator('input[placeholder*="Search"]');
+		await searchInput.fill('groceries');
+		await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+
+		// Verify filtered
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Meeting notes')).not.toBeVisible();
+
+		// Clear search
+		await searchInput.clear();
+		await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+
+		// Verify all entries are visible again (at least our seeded ones)
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Buy groceries')).toBeVisible();
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Meeting notes')).toBeVisible();
+	});
+});
+
+test.describe('Organize workflow', () => {
+	test('can filter entries by type (tasks vs thoughts)', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Click "Tasks" filter button
+		const tasksButton = page.locator('button:has-text("Tasks")');
+		await tasksButton.click();
+
+		// Wait for filter to apply
+		await page.waitForTimeout(300);
+
+		// Tasks should be visible
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Buy groceries for the week')).toBeVisible();
+
+		// Thoughts should be hidden
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Meeting notes with stakeholders')).not.toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('can filter entries by tag', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Open tag filter dropdown (Svelecte component)
+		const tagFilter = page.locator('.filter-tag-input');
+		await tagFilter.click();
+
+		// Select "work" tag from dropdown
+		await page.locator('text=work').first().click();
+
+		// Wait for filter to apply
+		await page.waitForTimeout(300);
+
+		// Entries with "work" tag should be visible
+		await expect(
+			page.locator('text=Important pinned thought about project architecture')
+		).toBeVisible();
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Meeting notes with stakeholders')).toBeVisible();
+
+		// Entries without "work" tag should be hidden
+		await expect(page.locator('text=Buy groceries for the week')).not.toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('pinned entries appear in Pinned section', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// The seeded entry "Important pinned thought about project architecture" is pinned
+		// Verify Pinned section exists and contains this entry
+		await expect(page.locator('h2:has-text("Pinned")')).toBeVisible();
+		await expect(
+			page.locator('text=Important pinned thought about project architecture')
+		).toBeVisible();
+	});
+
+	test('can toggle pin on an entry', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Find an unpinned entry and expand it
+		const entryContent = testData.entries[3].content; // "Meeting notes with stakeholders"
+		const entryCard = page.locator(`article:has-text("${entryContent}")`);
+		await entryCard.locator('[role="button"]').click();
+
+		// Find and click the pin button (should have pin icon)
+		const pinButton = entryCard.locator('button[aria-label*="pin" i], button:has-text("Pin")');
+		if ((await pinButton.count()) > 0) {
+			await pinButton.first().click();
+			await page.waitForTimeout(300);
+
+			// Verify the entry now appears in Pinned section
+			await expect(
+				page.locator('h2:has-text("Pinned") + div').locator(`text=${entryContent}`)
+			).toBeVisible();
+		}
+	});
+});
+
+test.describe('Delete workflow', () => {
+	test('can delete an entry via swipe (mobile)', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		// This test simulates mobile swipe-to-delete
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		const entryContent = testData.entries[4].content; // "Review pull request for feature branch"
+		const entryCard = page.locator(`article:has-text("${entryContent}")`);
+		await expect(entryCard).toBeVisible();
+
+		// Simulate swipe left (touchstart, touchmove, touchend)
+		const box = await entryCard.boundingBox();
+		if (box) {
+			// Touch start
+			await page.touchscreen.tap(box.x + box.width / 2, box.y + box.height / 2);
+
+			// Swipe left
+			await entryCard.evaluate((el) => {
+				// Dispatch touch events to trigger swipe
+				const touchStart = new TouchEvent('touchstart', {
+					bubbles: true,
+					cancelable: true,
+					touches: [
+						new Touch({
+							identifier: 0,
+							target: el,
+							clientX: 200,
+							clientY: 50
+						})
+					]
+				});
+				const touchMove = new TouchEvent('touchmove', {
+					bubbles: true,
+					cancelable: true,
+					touches: [
+						new Touch({
+							identifier: 0,
+							target: el,
+							clientX: 50, // Swipe 150px left
+							clientY: 50
+						})
+					]
+				});
+				const touchEnd = new TouchEvent('touchend', {
+					bubbles: true,
+					cancelable: true,
+					touches: []
+				});
+
+				el.dispatchEvent(touchStart);
+				el.dispatchEvent(touchMove);
+				el.dispatchEvent(touchEnd);
+			});
+
+			// Wait for delete confirmation to appear
+			await page.waitForTimeout(300);
+
+			// Click confirm delete if visible
+			const confirmDelete = page.locator('button:has-text("Delete"), button:has-text("Confirm")');
+			if ((await confirmDelete.count()) > 0) {
+				await confirmDelete.first().click();
+			}
+		}
+	});
+
+	test('deleted entry is removed from list', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Use a known entry we can delete
+		const entryContent = testData.entries[1].content; // "Completed task from yesterday"
+		const entryCard = page.locator(`article:has-text("${entryContent}")`);
+		await expect(entryCard).toBeVisible();
+
+		// Expand the entry to find delete button
+		await entryCard.locator('[role="button"]').click();
+		await page.waitForTimeout(200);
+
+		// Try to find a delete button in expanded view
+		// If the entry has a delete button accessible via UI (not just swipe)
+		const deleteButton = entryCard.locator(
+			'button[aria-label*="delete" i], button:has-text("Delete")'
+		);
+		if ((await deleteButton.count()) > 0) {
+			await deleteButton.first().click();
+
+			// Wait for deletion
+			await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+
+			// Verify entry is no longer visible
+			await expect(page.locator(`text=${entryContent}`)).not.toBeVisible();
+		}
+	});
+
+	test('deleted entry does not appear after reload', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Note: This test depends on the previous test having deleted an entry
+		// In a real scenario, we'd delete in this test first
+		// For now, let's verify the seeded data is present, delete it, then reload
+
+		const entryContent = testData.entries[1].content;
+		const entryCard = page.locator(`article:has-text("${entryContent}")`);
+
+		// If the entry exists, try to delete it
+		if ((await entryCard.count()) > 0) {
+			// Expand and try to delete
+			await entryCard.locator('[role="button"]').click();
+			await page.waitForTimeout(200);
+
+			const deleteButton = entryCard.locator(
+				'button[aria-label*="delete" i], button:has-text("Delete")'
+			);
+			if ((await deleteButton.count()) > 0) {
+				await deleteButton.first().click();
+				await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+
+				// Reload and verify
+				await page.reload();
+				await expect(page.locator(`text=${entryContent}`)).not.toBeVisible();
+			}
+		}
+	});
+});
+
+test.describe('Task completion workflow', () => {
+	test('can mark task as complete via checkbox', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Find a task entry (has checkbox)
+		const entryContent = testData.entries[0].content; // "Buy groceries for the week"
+		const entryCard = page.locator(`article:has-text("${entryContent}")`);
+
+		// Find and click the completion checkbox
+		const checkbox = entryCard.locator('button[type="submit"][aria-label*="complete" i]');
+		await expect(checkbox).toBeVisible();
+		await checkbox.click();
+
+		// Wait for the update
+		await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+
+		// Verify the task is now shown as complete (strikethrough or checkmark)
+		// The checkbox should now have a green background
+		await expect(checkbox).toHaveClass(/bg-green-500/);
+	});
+
+	test('completed task has strikethrough styling', async ({ page, seededDb }) => {
+		await page.goto('/');
+
+		// Find the already-completed seeded task
+		const completedEntry = testData.entries[1]; // "Completed task from yesterday" - status: done
+
+		// Need to enable "show completed" to see it
+		// Click the toggle in the header
+		const completedToggle = page.locator('button:has-text("Show completed"), label:has-text("completed") input');
+		if ((await completedToggle.count()) > 0) {
+			await completedToggle.first().click();
+			await page.waitForTimeout(300);
+		}
+
+		// Verify the completed task has strikethrough class
+		const entryCard = page.locator(`article:has-text("${completedEntry.content}")`);
+		if ((await entryCard.count()) > 0) {
+			const titleElement = entryCard.locator('h3');
+			await expect(titleElement).toHaveClass(/line-through/);
+		}
+	});
+});