diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..62c0ad8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+name: Tests
+on: [push, pull_request]
+
+jobs:
+  test:
+    name: Run Playwright Tests
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+      with:
+        node-version: latest
+    - name: Install dependencies
+      run: npm ci
+    - name: Install Playwright Browsers
+      run: npx playwright install --with-deps
+    - name: Run Playwright tests
+      run: npm run test
+    - uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+      if: always()
+      with:
+        name: playwright-report
+        path: playwright-report/
+        retention-days: 30
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 6dc486a..257b8a5 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,3 +4,7 @@ dist
 dist-electron
 release
 .env
+/test-results/
+/playwright-report/
+/blob-report/
+/playwright/.cache/
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 6087403..8500eb5 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -34,8 +34,10 @@
         "@electron/asar": "^3.2.2",
         "@lezer/generator": "^1.5.1",
         "@lezer/markdown": "^1.1.2",
+        "@playwright/test": "^1.40.1",
         "@replit/codemirror-lang-csharp": "^6.2.0",
         "@rollup/plugin-node-resolve": "^15.0.1",
+        "@types/node": "^20.10.5",
         "@vitejs/plugin-vue": "^4.0.0",
         "debounce": "^1.2.1",
         "electron": "^28.0.0",
@@ -1210,6 +1212,21 @@
         "node": ">= 10.0.0"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/@playwright/test": {
+      "version": "1.40.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@playwright/test/-/test-1.40.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-EaaawMTOeEItCRvfmkI9v6rBkF1svM8wjl/YPRrg2N2Wmp+4qJYkWtJsbew1szfKKDm6fPLy4YAanBhIlf9dWw==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "dependencies": {
+        "playwright": "1.40.1"
+      },
+      "bin": {
+        "playwright": "cli.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=16"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/@replit/codemirror-lang-csharp": {
       "version": "6.2.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@replit/codemirror-lang-csharp/-/codemirror-lang-csharp-6.2.0.tgz",
@@ -1563,9 +1580,9 @@
       "dev": true
     },
     "node_modules/@types/node": {
-      "version": "18.19.3",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/node/-/node-18.19.3.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-k5fggr14DwAytoA/t8rPrIz++lXK7/DqckthCmoZOKNsEbJkId4Z//BqgApXBUGrGddrigYa1oqheo/7YmW4rg==",
+      "version": "20.10.5",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/node/-/node-20.10.5.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-nNPsNE65wjMxEKI93yOP+NPGGBJz/PoN3kZsVLee0XMiJolxSekEVD8wRwBUBqkwc7UWop0edW50yrCQW4CyRw==",
       "dev": true,
       "dependencies": {
         "undici-types": "~5.26.4"
@@ -3447,6 +3464,15 @@
         "node": ">= 10.0.0"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/electron/node_modules/@types/node": {
+      "version": "18.19.3",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@types/node/-/node-18.19.3.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-k5fggr14DwAytoA/t8rPrIz++lXK7/DqckthCmoZOKNsEbJkId4Z//BqgApXBUGrGddrigYa1oqheo/7YmW4rg==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "dependencies": {
+        "undici-types": "~5.26.4"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/emoji-regex": {
       "version": "8.0.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/emoji-regex/-/emoji-regex-8.0.0.tgz",
@@ -4882,6 +4908,50 @@
         "node": ">=8"
       }
     },
+    "node_modules/playwright": {
+      "version": "1.40.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/playwright/-/playwright-1.40.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-2eHI7IioIpQ0bS1Ovg/HszsN/XKNwEG1kbzSDDmADpclKc7CyqkHw7Mg2JCz/bbCxg25QUPcjksoMW7JcIFQmw==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "dependencies": {
+        "playwright-core": "1.40.1"
+      },
+      "bin": {
+        "playwright": "cli.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=16"
+      },
+      "optionalDependencies": {
+        "fsevents": "2.3.2"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/playwright-core": {
+      "version": "1.40.1",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/playwright-core/-/playwright-core-1.40.1.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-+hkOycxPiV534c4HhpfX6yrlawqVUzITRKwHAmYfmsVreltEl6fAZJ3DPfLMOODw0H3s1Itd6MDCWmP1fl/QvQ==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "bin": {
+        "playwright-core": "cli.js"
+      },
+      "engines": {
+        "node": ">=16"
+      }
+    },
+    "node_modules/playwright/node_modules/fsevents": {
+      "version": "2.3.2",
+      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/fsevents/-/fsevents-2.3.2.tgz",
+      "integrity": "sha512-xiqMQR4xAeHTuB9uWm+fFRcIOgKBMiOBP+eXiyT7jsgVCq1bkVygt00oASowB7EdtpOHaaPgKt812P9ab+DDKA==",
+      "dev": true,
+      "hasInstallScript": true,
+      "optional": true,
+      "os": [
+        "darwin"
+      ],
+      "engines": {
+        "node": "^8.16.0 || ^10.6.0 || >=11.0.0"
+      }
+    },
     "node_modules/plist": {
       "version": "3.1.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/plist/-/plist-3.1.0.tgz",
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index d352e1a..51867ff 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@
     "preview": "vite preview",
     "build_grammar": "lezer-generator src/editor/lang-heynote/heynote.grammar -o src/editor/lang-heynote/parser.js",
     "webapp:dev": "vite webapp",
-    "webapp:build": "vite build webapp"
+    "webapp:build": "vite build webapp",
+    "test": "playwright test",
+    "test:ui": "playwright test --ui"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
     "@codemirror/autocomplete": "^6.11.1",
@@ -51,8 +53,10 @@
     "@electron/asar": "^3.2.2",
     "@lezer/generator": "^1.5.1",
     "@lezer/markdown": "^1.1.2",
+    "@playwright/test": "^1.40.1",
     "@replit/codemirror-lang-csharp": "^6.2.0",
     "@rollup/plugin-node-resolve": "^15.0.1",
+    "@types/node": "^20.10.5",
     "@vitejs/plugin-vue": "^4.0.0",
     "debounce": "^1.2.1",
     "electron": "^28.0.0",
diff --git a/playwright.config.ts b/playwright.config.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..22c3505
--- /dev/null
+++ b/playwright.config.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import { defineConfig, devices } from '@playwright/test';
+
+/**
+ * Read environment variables from file.
+ * https://github.com/motdotla/dotenv
+ */
+// require('dotenv').config();
+
+/**
+ * See https://playwright.dev/docs/test-configuration.
+ */
+export default defineConfig({
+  testDir: './tests',
+  /* Run tests in files in parallel */
+  fullyParallel: true,
+  /* Fail the build on CI if you accidentally left test.only in the source code. */
+  forbidOnly: !!process.env.CI,
+  /* Retry on CI only */
+  retries: process.env.CI ? 2 : 0,
+  /* Opt out of parallel tests on CI. */
+  workers: process.env.CI ? 1 : undefined,
+  /* Reporter to use. See https://playwright.dev/docs/test-reporters */
+  reporter: 'html',
+  /* Shared settings for all the projects below. See https://playwright.dev/docs/api/class-testoptions. */
+  use: {
+    /* Base URL to use in actions like `await page.goto('/')`. */
+    baseURL: 'http://localhost:3000',
+
+    /* Collect trace when retrying the failed test. See https://playwright.dev/docs/trace-viewer */
+    trace: 'on-first-retry',
+  },
+
+  /* Configure projects for major browsers */
+  projects: [
+    {
+      name: 'chromium',
+      use: { ...devices['Desktop Chrome'] },
+    },
+
+    {
+      name: 'firefox',
+      use: { ...devices['Desktop Firefox'] },
+    },
+
+    {
+      name: 'webkit',
+      use: { ...devices['Desktop Safari'] },
+    },
+
+    /* Test against mobile viewports. */
+    // {
+    //   name: 'Mobile Chrome',
+    //   use: { ...devices['Pixel 5'] },
+    // },
+    // {
+    //   name: 'Mobile Safari',
+    //   use: { ...devices['iPhone 12'] },
+    // },
+
+    /* Test against branded browsers. */
+    // {
+    //   name: 'Microsoft Edge',
+    //   use: { ...devices['Desktop Edge'], channel: 'msedge' },
+    // },
+    // {
+    //   name: 'Google Chrome',
+    //   use: { ...devices['Desktop Chrome'], channel: 'chrome' },
+    // },
+  ],
+
+  /* Run your local dev server before starting the tests */
+   webServer: {
+     command: 'npx vite --port=3000 webapp',
+     url: 'http://localhost:3000',
+     timeout: 10 * 1000,
+     reuseExistingServer: !process.env.CI,
+   },
+});
diff --git a/src/components/Editor.vue b/src/components/Editor.vue
index 4072d1b..f65a80c 100644
--- a/src/components/Editor.vue
+++ b/src/components/Editor.vue
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
                     showLineNumberGutter: this.showLineNumberGutter,
                     showFoldGutter: this.showFoldGutter,
                 })
+                window._heynote_editor = this.editor
                 window.document.addEventListener("currenciesLoaded", this.onCurrenciesLoaded)
             })
             // set up window close handler that will save the buffer and quit
diff --git a/src/editor/annotation.js b/src/editor/annotation.js
index 3b4ca75..e7f72f2 100644
--- a/src/editor/annotation.js
+++ b/src/editor/annotation.js
@@ -3,4 +3,5 @@ import { Annotation } from "@codemirror/state"
 export const heynoteEvent = Annotation.define()
 export const LANGUAGE_CHANGE = "heynote-change"
 export const CURRENCIES_LOADED = "heynote-currencies-loaded"
+export const SET_CONTENT = "heynote-set-content"
 
diff --git a/src/editor/block/block.js b/src/editor/block/block.js
index 40b868a..4aa7322 100644
--- a/src/editor/block/block.js
+++ b/src/editor/block/block.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import { emptyBlockSelected } from "./select-all.js";
 // tracks the size of the first delimiter
 let firstBlockDelimiterSize
 
-function getBlocks(state) {
+export function getBlocks(state) {
     const blocks = [];  
     const tree = ensureSyntaxTree(state, state.doc.length)
     if (tree) {
diff --git a/src/editor/editor.js b/src/editor/editor.js
index 6578c03..9a4a319 100644
--- a/src/editor/editor.js
+++ b/src/editor/editor.js
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ import { heynoteDark } from "./theme/dark.js"
 import { heynoteBase } from "./theme/base.js"
 import { customSetup } from "./setup.js"
 import { heynoteLang } from "./lang-heynote/heynote.js"
-import { noteBlockExtension, blockLineNumbers } from "./block/block.js"
+import { noteBlockExtension, blockLineNumbers, getBlocks } from "./block/block.js"
+import { heynoteEvent, SET_CONTENT } from "./annotation.js";
 import { changeCurrentBlockLanguage, triggerCurrenciesLoaded } from "./block/commands.js"
 import { formatBlockContent } from "./block/format-code.js"
 import { heynoteKeymap } from "./keymap.js"
@@ -111,6 +112,25 @@ export class HeynoteEditor {
         return this.view.state.sliceDoc()
     }
 
+    setContent(content) {
+        this.view.dispatch({
+            changes: {
+                from: 0,
+                to: this.view.state.doc.length,
+                insert: content,
+            },
+            annotations: [heynoteEvent.of(SET_CONTENT)],
+        })
+        this.view.dispatch({
+            selection: {anchor: this.view.state.doc.length, head: this.view.state.doc.length},
+            scrollIntoView: true,
+        })
+    }
+
+    getBlocks() {
+        return getBlocks(this.view.state)
+    }
+
     focus() {
         this.view.focus()
     }
diff --git a/tests/basic-editing.spec.js b/tests/basic-editing.spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..797a6fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/basic-editing.spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test";
+import { HeynotePage } from "./test-utils.js";
+
+let heynotePage
+
+test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+    console.log("beforeEach")
+    heynotePage = new HeynotePage(page)
+    await heynotePage.goto()
+});
+
+test("enter text and create new block", async ({ page }) => {
+    expect((await heynotePage.getBlocks()).length).toBe(1)
+    await page.locator("body").pressSequentially("Hello World!")
+    await page.locator("body").press("Enter")
+    await page.locator("body").press(heynotePage.isMac ? "Meta+Enter" : "Control+Enter")
+    await page.waitForTimeout(100);
+    expect((await heynotePage.getBlocks()).length).toBe(2)
+    expect(await heynotePage.getBlockContent(0)).toBe("Hello World!\n")
+    expect(await heynotePage.getBlockContent(1)).toBe("")
+
+    // check that visual block layers are created
+    expect(await page.locator("css=.heynote-blocks-layer > div").count()).toBe(2)
+})
+
+test("backspace", async ({ page }) => {
+
+    await page.locator("body").pressSequentially("Hello World!")
+    for (let i=0; i<5; i++) {
+        await page.locator("body").press("Backspace")
+    }
+    expect(await heynotePage.getBlockContent(0)).toBe("Hello W")
+})
+
+test("first block is protected", async ({ page }) => {
+    const initialContent = await heynotePage.getContent()
+    await page.locator("body").press("Backspace")
+    expect(await heynotePage.getBlockContent(0)).toBe("")
+    expect(await heynotePage.getContent()).toBe(initialContent)
+})
diff --git a/tests/markdown.spec.js b/tests/markdown.spec.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e83528d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/markdown.spec.js
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import { test, expect } from "@playwright/test";
+import { HeynotePage } from "./test-utils.js";
+
+let heynotePage
+
+test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+    console.log("beforeEach")
+    heynotePage = new HeynotePage(page)
+    await heynotePage.goto()
+});
+
+test("test markdown mode", async ({ page }) => {
+    heynotePage.setContent(`
+∞∞∞markdown
+# Markdown!
+
+- [ ] todo
+- [x] done
+`)
+    //await page.locator("body").pressSequentially("test")
+    expect(await page.locator("css=.status .status-block.lang")).toHaveText("Markdown")
+})
+
+test("checkbox toggle", async ({ page }) => {
+    heynotePage.setContent(`
+∞∞∞markdown
+- [ ] todo
+`)
+    const checkbox = await page.locator("css=.cm-content input[type=checkbox]")
+    expect(checkbox).toHaveCount(1)
+    await checkbox.click()
+    expect(await heynotePage.getBlockContent(0)).toBe("- [x] todo\n")
+    await checkbox.click()
+    expect(await heynotePage.getBlockContent(0)).toBe("- [ ] todo\n")
+})
diff --git a/tests/test-utils.js b/tests/test-utils.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..005694c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test-utils.js
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+
+export function pageErrorGetter(page) {
+    let messages = [];
+    page.on('pageerror', (error) => {
+        messages.push(`[${error.name}] ${error.message}`);
+    });
+    return () => messages;
+}
+
+
+export class HeynotePage {
+    constructor(page) {
+        this.page = page
+        this.getErrors = pageErrorGetter(page)
+        this.isMac = process.platform === "darwin"
+    }
+
+    async goto() {
+        await this.page.goto("/")
+        await expect(this.page).toHaveTitle(/Heynote/)
+        expect(this.getErrors()).toStrictEqual([])
+    }
+
+    async getBlocks() {
+        return await this.page.evaluate(() => window._heynote_editor.getBlocks())
+    }
+
+    async getContent() {
+        return await this.page.evaluate(() => window._heynote_editor.getContent())
+    }
+    
+    async setContent(content) {
+        await this.page.evaluate((content) => window._heynote_editor.setContent(content), content)
+    }
+
+    async getBlockContent(blockIndex) {
+        const blocks = await this.getBlocks()
+        const content = await this.getContent()
+        expect(blocks.length).toBeGreaterThan(blockIndex)
+        const block = blocks[blockIndex]
+        return content.slice(block.content.from, block.content.to)
+    }
+}