diff --git a/Taskfile.yml b/Taskfile.yml
index 142957a..4c9e5a6 100644
--- a/Taskfile.yml
+++ b/Taskfile.yml
@@ -186,10 +186,15 @@ tasks:
             - poetry run mutmut run "meshchatx.src.backend.meshchat_utils*"
 
     test:fe:
-        desc: Run frontend tests (vitest)
+        desc: Run frontend tests (vitest; excludes i18n — see test:lang; excludes LoadTimePerformance — use test:fe:loadtime locally)
         cmds:
             - "{{.NPM}} run test -- --exclude tests/frontend/i18n.test.js"
 
+    test:fe:loadtime:
+        desc: Optional frontend load-time / sidebar performance tests (not run in CI)
+        cmds:
+            - "{{.NPM}} run test:loadtime"
+
     test:fe:cov:
         desc: Run frontend tests with line coverage (Vitest v8)
         cmds:
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 75780f6..7867ffc 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -15,11 +15,12 @@
         "lint": "eslint .",
         "lint:fix": "eslint . --fix",
         "format": "prettier --write .",
-        "test": "vitest run",
-        "test:coverage": "vitest run --coverage",
+        "test": "vitest run --exclude tests/frontend/LoadTimePerformance.test.js",
+        "test:coverage": "vitest run --coverage --exclude tests/frontend/LoadTimePerformance.test.js",
         "test:fuzz": "vitest run -t fuzzing",
-        "test:watch": "vitest",
-        "test:ui": "vitest --ui --open",
+        "test:watch": "vitest --exclude tests/frontend/LoadTimePerformance.test.js",
+        "test:loadtime": "vitest run tests/frontend/LoadTimePerformance.test.js",
+        "test:ui": "vitest --ui --open --exclude tests/frontend/LoadTimePerformance.test.js",
         "test:e2e": "playwright test",
         "test:e2e:ui": "playwright test --ui",
         "test:e2e:install": "playwright install chromium",