diff --git a/ghost/core/core/cli/record-test.js b/ghost/core/core/cli/record-test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..17d6fc8598
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ghost/core/core/cli/record-test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+const {chromium} = require('@playwright/test');
+const Command = require('./command');
+const playwrightConfig = require('../../playwright.config');
+const {globalSetup} = require('../../test/e2e-browser/utils');
+
+module.exports = class RecordTest extends Command {
+    setup() {
+        this.help('Use PlayWright to record a browser-based test');
+    }
+
+    permittedEnvironments() {
+        return ['testing-browser'];
+    }
+
+    async handle() {
+        await globalSetup({
+            projects: [playwrightConfig]
+        });
+
+        const browser = await chromium.launch({headless: false});
+
+        const context = await browser.newContext(playwrightConfig.use);
+
+        // Pause the page, and start recording manually.
+        const page = await context.newPage();
+        await page.goto('/ghost');
+
+        await page.pause();
+    }
+};
diff --git a/ghost/core/package.json b/ghost/core/package.json
index 0e41c06b73..66b33ad37b 100644
--- a/ghost/core/package.json
+++ b/ghost/core/package.json
@@ -33,10 +33,12 @@
     "test:integration": "yarn test:base './test/integration' --timeout=10000",
     "test:e2e": "yarn test:base ./test/e2e-* --timeout=15000",
     "test:regression": "yarn test:base './test/regression' --timeout=60000",
-    "test:browser": "NODE_ENV=testing-browser playwright test",
+    "test:browser": "yarn test:browser:admin && yarn test:browser:portal",
     "test:browser:admin": "NODE_ENV=testing-browser  playwright test test/e2e-browser --project=admin",
     "test:browser:portal": "NODE_ENV=testing-browser playwright test test/e2e-browser --project=portal",
+    "test:browser:single": "NODE_ENV=testing-browser playwright test",
     "test:browser:setup": "npx playwright install",
+    "test:browser:record": "NODE_ENV=testing-browser yarn start record-test",
     "test:ci:e2e": "c8 -c ./.c8rc.e2e.json -o coverage-e2e yarn test:e2e -b --retries=2 --reporter=./test/utils/mocha-retry-reporter.js",
     "test:ci:regression": "yarn test:regression -b --retries=2 --reporter=./test/utils/mocha-retry-reporter.js",
     "test:ci:integration": "c8 -c ./.c8rc.e2e.json -o coverage-integration --lines 57 --functions 47 --branches 77 --statements 57 yarn test:integration -b --retries=2 --reporter=./test/utils/mocha-retry-reporter.js",
diff --git a/ghost/core/playwright.config.js b/ghost/core/playwright.config.js
index 63314f384e..bac5a1d041 100644
--- a/ghost/core/playwright.config.js
+++ b/ghost/core/playwright.config.js
@@ -5,15 +5,15 @@ const config = {
     expect: {
         timeout: 10000
     },
-    retries: process.env.CI ? 2 : 0,
-    workers: process.env.CI ? '100%' : (process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_SLOWMO ? 1 : undefined),
+    workers: 1,
     reporter: [['list', {printSteps: true}]],
     use: {
         // Use a single browser since we can't simultaneously test multiple browsers
         browserName: 'chromium',
         headless: !process.env.PLAYWRIGHT_DEBUG,
-        // Port doesn't matter, overriden by baseURL fixture for each worker
-        baseURL: 'http://127.0.0.1:2368'
+        baseURL: process.env.TEST_URL ?? 'http://127.0.0.1:2369',
+        // TODO: Where to put this
+        storageState: 'playwright-state.json'
     },
     // separated tests to projects for better logging to console
     // portal tests are much more stable when running in the separate DB from admin tests
@@ -24,10 +24,11 @@ const config = {
         },
         {
             name: 'portal',
-            testDir: 'test/e2e-browser/portal',
-            fullyParallel: true
+            testDir: 'test/e2e-browser/portal'
         }
-    ]
+    ],
+    globalSetup: './test/e2e-browser/utils/global-setup',
+    globalTeardown: './test/e2e-browser/utils/global-teardown'
 };
 
 module.exports = config;
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/announcement-bar-settings.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/announcement-bar-settings.spec.js
index 7a8e448656..1300e0736d 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/announcement-bar-settings.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/announcement-bar-settings.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 
 test.describe('Announcement Bar Settings', () => {
     test('Bar hidden by default', async ({page}) => {
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/members.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/members.spec.js
index 47c37f4ede..6bfce6cbfd 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/members.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/members.spec.js
@@ -1,11 +1,10 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 const {createMember, deleteAllMembers} = require('../utils/e2e-browser-utils');
 const fs = require('fs');
 
 test.describe('Admin', () => {
     test.describe('Members', () => {
-        test.describe.configure({retries: 1, mode: 'serial'});
+        test.describe.configure({retries: 1});
         test('A member can be created', async ({page}) => {
             await page.goto('/ghost');
             await page.locator('.gh-nav a[href="#/members/"]').click();
@@ -280,7 +279,7 @@ test.describe('Admin', () => {
         });
 
         test('A member can be granted a comp in admin', async ({page}) => {
-            await page.goto('/ghost');
+            page.goto('/ghost');
             await deleteAllMembers(page);
 
             // create a new member with a comped plan
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/membership-settings.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/membership-settings.spec.js
index b234d41df3..65a4bf5902 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/membership-settings.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/membership-settings.spec.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
-const {disconnectStripe, setupStripe, generateStripeIntegrationToken, getStripeAccountId} = require('../utils');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
+const {disconnectStripe, setupStripe, generateStripeIntegrationToken} = require('../utils');
 
 test.describe('Membership Settings', () => {
     test.describe('Portal settings', () => {
@@ -19,8 +18,7 @@ test.describe('Membership Settings', () => {
             await expect(modal.locator('label').filter({hasText: 'Free'}).first()).toBeVisible();
 
             // Reconnect Stripe for other tests
-            const stripeAccountId = await getStripeAccountId();
-            const stripeToken = await generateStripeIntegrationToken(stripeAccountId);
+            const stripeToken = await generateStripeIntegrationToken();
             await page.goto('/ghost');
             await setupStripe(page, stripeToken);
         });
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/portal-settings.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/portal-settings.spec.js
index b83c32c267..4ccca63f68 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/portal-settings.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/portal-settings.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 
 test.describe('Portal Settings', () => {
     test.describe('Links', () => {
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/posts.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/posts.spec.js
index 20dd40dce5..0a92d8cbb3 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/posts.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/posts.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 
 test.describe('Admin', () => {
     test.describe('Posts', () => {
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/private-site.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/private-site.spec.js
index ffc9a9f856..8c96bfbc2b 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/private-site.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/private-site.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {test, expect} = require('@playwright/test');
 
 test.describe('Site Settings', () => {
     test.describe('Privacy setting', () => {
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/publishing.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/publishing.spec.js
index d1845e6890..1baff0dad1 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/publishing.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/publishing.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 const {DateTime} = require('luxon');
 const {slugify} = require('@tryghost/string');
 const {createTier, createMember, createPostDraft, impersonateMember} = require('../utils');
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@ test.describe('Publishing', () => {
             };
 
             // Create a member to send and email to
-            await createMember(page, {email: 'test+recipient1@example.com', name: 'Publishing member'});
+            await createMember(page, {email: 'example@example.com', name: 'Publishing member'});
 
             await page.goto('/ghost');
             await createPostDraft(page, postData);
@@ -221,13 +220,12 @@ test.describe('Publishing', () => {
 
         // Post should be available on web and sent as a newsletter
         test('Email only', async ({page}) => {
+            // Note: this currently depends on 'Publish and Email' to create a member!
             const postData = {
                 title: 'Email only post',
                 body: 'This is my post body.'
             };
 
-            await createMember(page, {email: 'test+recipient2@example.com', name: 'Publishing member'});
-
             await page.goto('/ghost');
             await createPostDraft(page, postData);
             await publishPost(page, {type: 'send'});
@@ -329,14 +327,13 @@ test.describe('Publishing', () => {
     test.describe('Schedule post', () => {
         // Post should be published to web and sent as a newsletter at the scheduled time
         test('Publish and Email', async ({page}) => {
+            // Note: this currently depends on the first 'Publish and Email' to create a member!
             const postData = {
                 // This title should be unique
                 title: 'Scheduled post publish+email test',
                 body: 'This is my scheduled post body.'
             };
 
-            await createMember(page, {email: 'test+recipient3@example.com', name: 'Publishing member'});
-
             await page.goto('/ghost');
             await createPostDraft(page, postData);
 
@@ -398,8 +395,6 @@ test.describe('Publishing', () => {
                 body: 'This is my scheduled post body.'
             };
 
-            await createMember(page, {email: 'test+recipient4@example.com', name: 'Publishing member'});
-
             await page.goto('/ghost');
             await createPostDraft(page, postData);
 
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/setup.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/setup.spec.js
index f6785eab05..b4117b7215 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/setup.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/setup.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 
 test.describe('Admin', () => {
     test.describe('Setup', () => {
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/site-settings.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/site-settings.spec.js
index 3991759bdd..9d0a1c07e6 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/site-settings.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/site-settings.spec.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
-const {createPostDraft, createTier, disconnectStripe, generateStripeIntegrationToken, setupStripe, getStripeAccountId} = require('../utils');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
+const {createPostDraft, createTier, disconnectStripe, generateStripeIntegrationToken, setupStripe} = require('../utils');
 
 const changeSubscriptionAccess = async (page, access) => {
     await page.locator('[data-test-nav="settings"]').click();
@@ -126,8 +125,7 @@ test.describe('Site Settings', () => {
             await changeSubscriptionAccess(page, 'all');
 
             await page.goto('/ghost');
-            const stripeAccountId = await getStripeAccountId();
-            const stripeToken = await generateStripeIntegrationToken(stripeAccountId);
+            const stripeToken = await generateStripeIntegrationToken();
             await setupStripe(page, stripeToken);
         });
     });
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/tiers.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/tiers.spec.js
index be53617792..af7f2e2835 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/tiers.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/admin/tiers.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 const {createTier, createOffer, getUniqueName, getSlug, goToMembershipPage, openTierModal} = require('../utils');
 
 test.describe('Admin', () => {
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/fixtures/ghost-test.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/fixtures/ghost-test.js
deleted file mode 100644
index ad1b4b1e8d..0000000000
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/fixtures/ghost-test.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,141 +0,0 @@
-// express-test.js
-const base = require('@playwright/test');
-const {promisify} = require('util');
-const {spawn, exec} = require('child_process');
-const {setupGhost, setupMailgun, enableLabs, setupStripe, getStripeAccountId, generateStripeIntegrationToken} = require('../utils/e2e-browser-utils');
-const {allowStripe, mockMail} = require('../../utils/e2e-framework-mock-manager');
-const MailgunClient = require('@tryghost/mailgun-client');
-const sinon = require('sinon');
-const ObjectID = require('bson-objectid').default;
-const Stripe = require('stripe').Stripe;
-const configUtils = require('../../utils/configUtils');
-
-const startWebhookServer = (port) => {
-    const command = `stripe listen --forward-connect-to http://127.0.0.1:${port}/members/webhooks/stripe/`;
-    const webhookServer = spawn(command.split(' ')[0], command.split(' ').slice(1));
-
-    // Adding event listeners here seems to prevent heisenbug where webhooks aren't received
-    webhookServer.stdout.on('data', () => {});
-    webhookServer.stderr.on('data', () => {});
-
-    return webhookServer;
-};
-
-const getWebhookSecret = async () => {
-    const command = `stripe listen --print-secret ${process.env.CI ? `--api-key ${process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY}` : ''}`.trim();
-    const webhookSecret = (await promisify(exec)(command)).stdout;
-    return webhookSecret.toString().trim();
-};
-
-// Global promises for webhook secret / Stripe integration token
-const webhookSecretPromise = getWebhookSecret();
-
-module.exports = base.test.extend({
-    baseURL: async ({port, baseURL}, use) => {
-        // Replace the port in baseURL with the one we got from the port fixture
-        const url = new URL(baseURL);
-        url.port = port.toString();
-        await use(url.toString());
-    },
-
-    storageState: async ({ghost}, use) => {
-        await use(ghost.state);
-    },
-
-    // eslint-disable-next-line no-empty-pattern
-    port: [async ({}, use, workerInfo) => {
-        await use(2369 + workerInfo.parallelIndex);
-    }, {scope: 'worker'}],
-
-    ghost: [async ({browser, port}, use, workerInfo) => {
-        // Do not initialise database before this block
-        const currentDate = new Date();
-        const formattedDate = `${currentDate.getFullYear()}-${String(currentDate.getMonth() + 1).padStart(2, '0')}-${String(currentDate.getDate()).padStart(2, '0')}-${String(currentDate.getHours()).padStart(2, '0')}-${String(currentDate.getMinutes()).padStart(2, '0')}-${String(currentDate.getSeconds()).padStart(2, '0')}`;
-        process.env.database__connection__filename = `/tmp/ghost-playwright.${workerInfo.workerIndex}.${formattedDate}.db`;
-        configUtils.set('database:connection:filename', process.env.database__connection__filename);
-        configUtils.set('server:port', port);
-        configUtils.set('url', `http://127.0.0.1:${port}`);
-
-        const stripeAccountId = await getStripeAccountId();
-        const stripeIntegrationToken = await generateStripeIntegrationToken(stripeAccountId);
-
-        const WebhookManager = require('../../../../stripe/lib/WebhookManager');
-        const originalParseWebhook = WebhookManager.prototype.parseWebhook;
-        const sandbox = sinon.createSandbox();
-        sandbox.stub(WebhookManager.prototype, 'parseWebhook').callsFake(function (body, signature) {
-            const parsedBody = JSON.parse(body);
-            if (!('account' in parsedBody)) {
-                throw new Error('Webhook without account');
-            } else if (parsedBody.account !== stripeAccountId) {
-                throw new Error('Webhook for wrong account');
-            } else {
-                return originalParseWebhook.call(this, body, signature);
-            }
-        });
-
-        const StripeAPI = require('../../../../stripe/lib/StripeAPI');
-        const originalStripeConfigure = StripeAPI.prototype.configure;
-        sandbox.stub(StripeAPI.prototype, 'configure').callsFake(function (stripeConfig) {
-            originalStripeConfigure.call(this, stripeConfig);
-            if (stripeConfig) {
-                this._stripe = new Stripe(stripeConfig.secretKey, {
-                    apiVersion: '2020-08-27',
-                    stripeAccount: stripeAccountId
-                });
-            }
-        });
-
-        const stripeServer = startWebhookServer(port);
-
-        process.env.WEBHOOK_SECRET = await webhookSecretPromise;
-
-        sandbox.stub(MailgunClient.prototype, 'getInstance').returns({
-            // @ts-ignore
-            messages: {
-                create: async function () {
-                    return {
-                        id: `mailgun-mock-id-${ObjectID().toHexString()}`
-                    };
-                }
-            }
-        });
-
-        mockMail();
-
-        const {startGhost} = require('../../utils/e2e-framework');
-        const server = await startGhost({
-            frontend: true,
-            server: true,
-            backend: true
-        });
-
-        // StartGhost automatically disables network, so we need to re-enable it for Stripe
-        allowStripe();
-
-        const page = await browser.newPage({
-            baseURL: `http://127.0.0.1:${port}/`,
-            storageState: undefined
-        });
-
-        await setupGhost(page);
-        await setupStripe(page, stripeIntegrationToken);
-        await setupMailgun(page);
-        await enableLabs(page);
-        const state = await page.context().storageState();
-
-        await page.close();
-
-        // Use the server in the tests.
-        try {
-            await use({
-                server,
-                state
-            });
-        } finally {
-            const {stopGhost} = require('../../utils/e2e-utils');
-            await stopGhost();
-            stripeServer.kill();
-            sandbox.restore();
-        }
-    }, {scope: 'worker', auto: true}]
-});
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/donations.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/donations.spec.js
index 4acda414b5..b5c5a2f4da 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/donations.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/donations.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 const {createMember, impersonateMember, completeStripeSubscription} = require('../utils');
 
 test.describe('Portal', () => {
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/member-actions.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/member-actions.spec.js
index 93b03b2c6f..b7d8b27f9c 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/member-actions.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/member-actions.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 const {createMember, impersonateMember} = require('../utils');
 
 /**
@@ -23,9 +22,7 @@ const addNewsletter = async (page) => {
 
 test.describe('Portal', () => {
     test.describe('Member actions', () => {
-        // Use serial mode as the order of tests matters, we create newsletters during the tests
-        // TODO: Use a `before` block to create all the requisite newsletters before the tests run
-        test.describe.configure({retries: 1, mode: 'serial'});
+        test.describe.configure({retries: 1});
 
         test('can log out', async ({page}) => {
             // create a new free member
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/offers.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/offers.spec.js
index eaf87dbdaa..4a1e09f441 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/offers.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/offers.spec.js
@@ -1,16 +1,15 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 const {deleteAllMembers, createTier, createOffer, completeStripeSubscription} = require('../utils');
 
 test.describe('Portal', () => {
     test.describe('Offers', () => {
         test('Creates and uses a free-trial Offer', async ({page}) => {
             // reset members by deleting all existing
-            await page.goto('/ghost');
+            page.goto('/ghost');
             await deleteAllMembers(page);
 
             // add a new tier for offers
-            const tierName = 'Trial Tier';
+            const tierName = 'Portal Tier';
             await createTier(page, {
                 name: tierName,
                 monthlyPrice: 6,
@@ -44,7 +43,7 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
 
             // fill member details and click start trial
             await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-input="input-name"]').fill('Testy McTesterson');
-            await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-input="input-email"]').fill('testy+trial@example.com');
+            await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-input="input-email"]').fill('testy@example.com');
             await portalFrame.getByRole('button', {name: 'Start 14-day free trial'}).click();
 
             // handle newsletter selection page if it opens and click continue
@@ -67,7 +66,7 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
             await page.locator('.gh-nav a[href="#/members/"]').click();
 
             // 1 member, should be Testy, on Portal Tier
-            await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: 'Testy McTesterson testy+trial@example.com'}), 'Should have 1 paid member').toBeVisible();
+            await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: 'Testy McTesterson testy@example.com'}), 'Should have 1 paid member').toBeVisible();
             await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: tierName}), `Paid member should be on ${tierName}`).toBeVisible();
 
             // Ensure the offer redemption count was bumped
@@ -78,11 +77,11 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
 
         test('Creates and uses a one-time discount Offer', async ({page}) => {
             // reset members by deleting all existing
-            await page.goto('/ghost');
+            page.goto('/ghost');
             await deleteAllMembers(page);
 
             // add new tier
-            const tierName = 'One-off Tier';
+            const tierName = 'Portal Tier';
             await createTier(page, {
                 name: tierName,
                 monthlyPrice: 6,
@@ -115,7 +114,7 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
 
             // fill member details and continue
             await portalFrame.locator('#input-name').fill('Testy McTesterson');
-            await portalFrame.locator('#input-email').fill('testy+oneoff@example.com');
+            await portalFrame.locator('#input-email').fill('testy@example.com');
             await portalFrame.getByRole('button', {name: 'Continue'}).click();
 
             // check if newsletter selection screen is shown and continue
@@ -137,17 +136,17 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
             await page.locator('.gh-nav a[href="#/members/"]').click();
 
             // 1 member, should be Testy, on Portal Tier
-            await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: 'Testy McTesterson testy+oneoff@example.com'}), 'Should have 1 paid member').toBeVisible();
+            await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: 'Testy McTesterson testy@example.com'}), 'Should have 1 paid member').toBeVisible();
             await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: tierName}), `Paid member should be on ${tierName}`).toBeVisible();
         });
 
         test('Creates and uses a multiple-months discount Offer', async ({page}) => {
             // reset members by deleting all existing
-            await page.goto('/ghost');
+            page.goto('/ghost');
             await deleteAllMembers(page);
 
             // add new tier
-            const tierName = 'Multiple-month Tier';
+            const tierName = 'Portal Tier';
             await createTier(page, {
                 name: tierName,
                 monthlyPrice: 6,
@@ -184,7 +183,7 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
 
             // fill member details and continue
             await portalFrame.locator('#input-name').fill('Testy McTesterson');
-            await portalFrame.locator('#input-email').fill('testy+multi@example.com');
+            await portalFrame.locator('#input-email').fill('testy@example.com');
             await portalFrame.getByRole('button', {name: 'Continue'}).click();
 
             // check newsletter selection if shown and continue
@@ -205,17 +204,17 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
             await page.locator('.gh-nav a[href="#/members/"]').click();
 
             // 1 member, should be Testy, on Portal Tier
-            await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: 'Testy McTesterson testy+multi@example.com'}), 'Should have 1 paid member').toBeVisible();
+            await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: 'Testy McTesterson testy@example.com'}), 'Should have 1 paid member').toBeVisible();
             await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: tierName}), `Paid member should be on ${tierName}`).toBeVisible();
         });
 
         test('Creates and uses a forever discount Offer', async ({page}) => {
             // reset members by deleting all existing
-            await page.goto('/ghost');
+            page.goto('/ghost');
             await deleteAllMembers(page);
 
             // add tier
-            const tierName = 'Forever Tier';
+            const tierName = 'Portal Tier';
             await createTier(page, {
                 name: tierName,
                 monthlyPrice: 6,
@@ -251,7 +250,7 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
 
             // fill member details and continue
             await portalFrame.locator('#input-name').fill('Testy McTesterson');
-            await portalFrame.locator('#input-email').fill('testy+forever@example.com');
+            await portalFrame.locator('#input-email').fill('testy@example.com');
             await portalFrame.getByRole('button', {name: 'Continue'}).click();
 
             // check if newsletter selection page is shown and continue
@@ -270,15 +269,15 @@ test.describe('Portal', () => {
             await page.locator('.gh-nav a[href="#/members/"]').click();
 
             // 1 member, should be Testy, on Portal Tier
-            await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: 'Testy McTesterson testy+forever@example.com'}), 'Should have 1 paid member').toBeVisible();
+            await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: 'Testy McTesterson testy@example.com'}), 'Should have 1 paid member').toBeVisible();
             await expect(page.getByRole('link', {name: tierName}), `Paid member should be on ${tierName}`).toBeVisible();
         });
 
         test('Archiving an offer', async ({page}) => {
-            await page.goto('/ghost');
+            page.goto('/ghost');
 
             // Create a new tier to attach offer to
-            const tierName = 'Archive Test Tier';
+            const tierName = 'Portal Tier';
             await createTier(page, {
                 name: tierName,
                 monthlyPrice: 6,
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/tiers.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/tiers.spec.js
index 5a4f9b4bf9..c005901264 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/tiers.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/tiers.spec.js
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 const {deleteAllMembers, completeStripeSubscription} = require('../utils');
 
 test.describe('Portal', () => {
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/upgrade.spec.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/upgrade.spec.js
index a2cdb12ad2..ff42bd30f8 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/upgrade.spec.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/portal/upgrade.spec.js
@@ -1,164 +1,152 @@
-const {expect} = require('@playwright/test');
-const test = require('../fixtures/ghost-test');
-const {completeStripeSubscription, createMember, createTier, impersonateMember} = require('../utils');
-
-const tierName = 'Upgrade Tests';
+const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
+const {completeStripeSubscription, createMember, impersonateMember} = require('../utils');
 
 test.describe('Portal', () => {
-    test.describe('Upgrades', () => {
-        // Tier created in first test used in subsequent tests
-        test.describe.configure({mode: 'serial'});
+    test.describe('Upgrade: Comped Member', () => {
+        test('allows comped member to upgrade to paid tier', async ({page}) => {
+            const tierName = 'The Local Test';
 
-        test.describe('Upgrade: Comped Member', () => {
-            test('allows comped member to upgrade to paid tier', async ({page}) => {
-                // create a new member
-                await page.goto('/ghost');
-                await createTier(page, {
-                    name: tierName,
-                    monthlyPrice: 5,
-                    yearlyPrice: 50
-                });
-                await createMember(page, {
-                    name: 'Testy McTest',
-                    email: 'testy+upgradecompedportal@example.com',
-                    note: 'Testy McTest is a test member'
-                });
-
-                //get the url of the current member on admin
-                const memberUrl = page.url();
-
-                // Give member comped subscription
-                await page.locator('[data-test-button="add-complimentary"]').click();
-                await page.locator('[data-test-button="save-comp-tier"]').first().click({
-                    delay: 500
-                });
-
-                await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
-                await impersonateMember(page);
-
-                const portalTriggerButton = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-frame"]').locator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-button"]');
-                const portalFrame = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-popup-frame"]');
-
-                // open portal, go to plans and click continue to select the first plan(yearly)
-                await portalTriggerButton.click();
-                await portalFrame.getByRole('button', {name: 'Change'}).click();
-
-                // select the tier for checkout (yearly)
-                await choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName);
-
-                // complete stripe checkout
-                await completeStripeSubscription(page);
-
-                // open portal and check that member has been upgraded to paid tier
-                await portalTriggerButton.click();
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText('$50.00/year')).toBeVisible();
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByRole('heading', {name: 'Billing info'})).toBeVisible();
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText('**** **** **** 4242')).toBeVisible();
-
-                // check that member has been upgraded in admin and a tier exists for them
-                await page.goto(memberUrl);
-                await expect(page.locator('[data-test-tier]').first()).toBeVisible();
+            // create a new member
+            await page.goto('/ghost');
+            await createMember(page, {
+                name: 'Testy McTest',
+                email: 'testy+upgradecompedportal@example.com',
+                note: 'Testy McTest is a test member'
             });
+
+            //get the url of the current member on admin
+            const memberUrl = page.url();
+
+            // Give member comped subscription
+            await page.locator('[data-test-button="add-complimentary"]').click();
+            await page.locator('[data-test-button="save-comp-tier"]').first().click({
+                delay: 500
+            });
+
+            await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
+            await impersonateMember(page);
+
+            const portalTriggerButton = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-frame"]').locator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-button"]');
+            const portalFrame = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-popup-frame"]');
+            //await page.pause();
+
+            // open portal, go to plans and click continue to select the first plan(yearly)
+            await portalTriggerButton.click();
+            await portalFrame.getByRole('button', {name: 'Change'}).click();
+
+            // select the tier for checkout (yearly)
+            await choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName);
+
+            // complete stripe checkout
+            await completeStripeSubscription(page);
+
+            // open portal and check that member has been upgraded to paid tier
+            await portalTriggerButton.click();
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText('$50.00/year')).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByRole('heading', {name: 'Billing info'})).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText('**** **** **** 4242')).toBeVisible();
+
+            // check that member has been upgraded in admin and a tier exists for them
+            await page.goto(memberUrl);
+            await expect(page.locator('[data-test-tier]').first()).toBeVisible();
+        });
+    });
+
+    test.describe('Upgrade: Single Tier', () => {
+        let memberUrl;
+        const tierName = 'The Local Test';
+        const member = {
+            name: 'Testy McTest',
+            email: 'testy+upgradeportal@example.com',
+            note: 'Testy McTest is a test member'
+        };
+
+        test('allows free member upgrade to paid tier', async ({page}) => {
+            await page.goto('/ghost');
+
+            // create a new free member
+            await page.goto('/ghost');
+            await createMember(page, member);
+
+            //store the url of the member detail page
+            memberUrl = page.url();
+
+            // impersonate the member on frontend
+            await impersonateMember(page);
+
+            const portalTriggerButton = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-frame"]').locator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-button"]');
+            const portalFrame = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-popup-frame"]');
+
+            // open portal, go to plans and click continue to select the first plan(yearly)
+            await portalTriggerButton.click();
+            // verify the member we created is logged in
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText('testy+upgradeportal@example.com')).toBeVisible();
+            // view plans button only shows for free member
+            await portalFrame.getByRole('button', {name: 'View plans'}).click();
+
+            // select the tier for checkout (yearly)
+            await choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName);
+
+            // complete stripe checkout
+            await completeStripeSubscription(page);
+
+            // open portal and check that member has been upgraded to paid tier
+            await portalTriggerButton.click();
+            // verify member's tier, price and card details
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText(tierName)).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText('$50.00/year')).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText('**** **** **** 4242')).toBeVisible();
+
+            // verify member's tier on member detail page in admin
+            await page.goto(memberUrl);
+            const tierCard = await page.locator('[data-test-tier]').first();
+            const tierText = await tierCard.locator('[data-test-text="tier-name"]');
+            await expect(tierCard).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(tierText, 'Where is tier text').toHaveText(new RegExp(tierName));
         });
 
-        test.describe('Upgrade: Single Tier', () => {
-            // Because memberUrl is set during first test, we need to run these tests in series
-            test.describe.configure({mode: 'serial'});
+        test('allows member to switch plans', async ({page}) => {
+            // go to member detail page in admin
+            await page.goto(memberUrl);
 
-            let memberUrl;
-            const member = {
-                name: 'Testy McTest',
-                email: 'testy+upgradeportal@example.com',
-                note: 'Testy McTest is a test member'
-            };
+            // impersonate the member on frontend
+            await impersonateMember(page);
 
-            test('allows free member upgrade to paid tier', async ({page}) => {
-                await page.goto('/ghost');
+            const portalTriggerButton = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-frame"]').locator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-button"]');
+            const portalFrame = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-popup-frame"]');
 
-                // create a new free member
-                await page.goto('/ghost');
-                await createMember(page, member);
+            // open portal
+            await portalTriggerButton.click();
 
-                //store the url of the member detail page
-                memberUrl = page.url();
+            // test member can switch to monthly plan from yearly
+            await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="change-plan"]').click();
 
-                // impersonate the member on frontend
-                await impersonateMember(page);
+            await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="switch-monthly"]').click();
 
-                const portalTriggerButton = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-frame"]').locator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-button"]');
-                const portalFrame = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-popup-frame"]');
+            // select the monthly plan
+            await choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName);
 
-                // open portal, go to plans and click continue to select the first plan(yearly)
-                await portalTriggerButton.click();
-                // verify the member we created is logged in
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText('testy+upgradeportal@example.com')).toBeVisible();
-                // view plans button only shows for free member
-                await portalFrame.getByRole('button', {name: 'View plans'}).click();
+            // confirm the switch
+            await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="confirm-action"]').first().click();
+            // verify member has switched to monthly plan
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText(tierName)).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText('$5.00/month')).toBeVisible();
 
-                // select the tier for checkout (yearly)
-                await choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName);
-
-                // complete stripe checkout
-                await completeStripeSubscription(page);
-
-                // open portal and check that member has been upgraded to paid tier
-                await portalTriggerButton.click();
-                // verify member's tier, price and card details
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText(tierName)).toBeVisible();
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText('$50.00/year')).toBeVisible();
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText('**** **** **** 4242')).toBeVisible();
-
-                // verify member's tier on member detail page in admin
-                await page.goto(memberUrl);
-                const tierCard = await page.locator('[data-test-tier]').first();
-                const tierText = await tierCard.locator('[data-test-text="tier-name"]');
-                await expect(tierCard).toBeVisible();
-                await expect(tierText, 'Where is tier text').toHaveText(new RegExp(tierName));
-            });
-
-            test('allows member to switch plans', async ({page}) => {
-                // go to member detail page in admin
-                await page.goto(memberUrl);
-
-                // impersonate the member on frontend
-                await impersonateMember(page);
-
-                const portalTriggerButton = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-frame"]').locator('[data-testid="portal-trigger-button"]');
-                const portalFrame = page.frameLocator('[data-testid="portal-popup-frame"]');
-
-                // open portal
-                await portalTriggerButton.click();
-
-                // test member can switch to monthly plan from yearly
-                await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="change-plan"]').click();
-
-                await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="switch-monthly"]').click();
-
-                // select the monthly plan
-                await choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName);
-
-                // confirm the switch
-                await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="confirm-action"]').first().click();
-                // verify member has switched to monthly plan
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText(tierName)).toBeVisible();
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText('$5.00/month')).toBeVisible();
-
-                // test member can switch back to yearly
-                await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="change-plan"]').click();
-                await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="switch-yearly"]').click();
-                // select the monthly plan
-                await choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName);
-                // confirm the switch
-                await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="confirm-action"]').first().click();
-                // verify member has switched to yearly plan, timeout added to allow for delays
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText(tierName)).toBeVisible();
-                await expect(portalFrame.getByText('$50.00/year')).toBeVisible();
-            });
+            // test member can switch back to yearly
+            await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="change-plan"]').click();
+            await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="switch-yearly"]').click();
+            // select the monthly plan
+            await choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName);
+            // confirm the switch
+            await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-button="confirm-action"]').first().click();
+            // verify member has switched to yearly plan, timeout added to allow for delays
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText(tierName)).toBeVisible();
+            await expect(portalFrame.getByText('$50.00/year')).toBeVisible();
         });
     });
 });
 
-async function choseTierByName(portalFrame, tier) {
-    const portalTierCard = await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-tier="paid"]').filter({hasText: tier}).first();
+async function choseTierByName(portalFrame, tierName) {
+    const portalTierCard = await portalFrame.locator('[data-test-tier="paid"]').filter({hasText: tierName}).first();
     await portalTierCard.locator('[data-test-button="select-tier"]').click();
 }
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/e2e-browser-utils.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/e2e-browser-utils.js
index 74f1957a04..02a1e6af1b 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/e2e-browser-utils.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/e2e-browser-utils.js
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 const DataGenerator = require('../../utils/fixtures/data-generator');
 const {expect, test} = require('@playwright/test');
 const ObjectID = require('bson-objectid').default;
-const Stripe = require('stripe').Stripe;
+const {promisify} = require('util');
+const {exec} = require('child_process');
 
 /**
  * Tier
@@ -213,7 +214,7 @@ const impersonateMember = async (page) => {
  */
 const createTier = async (page, {name, monthlyPrice, yearlyPrice, trialDays}, enableInPortal = true) => {
     await test.step('Create a tier', async () => {
-        // Navigate to the member settings
+    // Navigate to the member settings
         await page.locator('[data-test-nav="settings"]').click();
 
         // Tiers request can take time, so waiting until there is no connections before interacting with them
@@ -468,48 +469,29 @@ const openTierModal = async (page, {slug}) => {
     });
 };
 
-const getStripeAccountId = async () => {
-    if (!('STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY' in process.env) || !('STRIPE_SECRET_KEY' in process.env)) {
-        throw new Error('Missing STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY or STRIPE_SECRET_KEY environment variables');
-    }
+const generateStripeIntegrationToken = async () => {
+    const inquirer = require('inquirer');
+    const {knex} = require('../../../core/server/data/db');
 
-    const parallelIndex = process.env.TEST_PARALLEL_INDEX;
-    let accountId;
-    const accountEmail = `test${parallelIndex}@example.com`;
+    const stripeDatabaseKeys = {
+        publishableKey: 'stripe_connect_publishable_key',
+        secretKey: 'stripe_connect_secret_key',
+        liveMode: 'stripe_connect_livemode'
+    };
+    const publishableKey = process.env.STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY ?? (await knex('settings').select('value').where('key', stripeDatabaseKeys.publishableKey).first())?.value
+        ?? (await inquirer.prompt([{
+            message: 'Stripe publishable key (starts "pk_test_")',
+            type: 'password',
+            name: 'value'
+        }])).value;
+    const secretKey = process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY ?? (await knex('settings').select('value').where('key', stripeDatabaseKeys.secretKey).first())?.value
+        ?? (await inquirer.prompt([{
+            message: 'Stripe secret key (starts "sk_test_")',
+            type: 'password',
+            name: 'value'
+        }])).value;
 
-    const secretKey = process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY;
-    const stripe = new Stripe(secretKey, {
-        apiVersion: '2020-08-27'
-    });
-    const accounts = await stripe.accounts.list();
-    if (accounts.data.length > 0) {
-        const account = accounts.data.find(acc => acc.email === accountEmail);
-        if (account) {
-            await stripe.accounts.del(account.id);
-        }
-    }
-    if (!accountId) {
-        const account = await stripe.accounts.create({
-            type: 'standard',
-            email: accountEmail,
-            business_type: 'company',
-            company: {
-                name: `Test Company ${parallelIndex}`
-            }
-        });
-        accountId = account.id;
-    }
-
-    return accountId;
-};
-
-const generateStripeIntegrationToken = async (accountId) => {
-    if (!('STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY' in process.env) || !('STRIPE_SECRET_KEY' in process.env)) {
-        throw new Error('Missing STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY or STRIPE_SECRET_KEY environment variables');
-    }
-
-    const publishableKey = process.env.STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY;
-    const secretKey = process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY;
+    const accountId = process.env.STRIPE_ACCOUNT_ID ?? JSON.parse((await promisify(exec)('stripe get account')).stdout).id;
 
     return Buffer.from(JSON.stringify({
         a: secretKey,
@@ -524,7 +506,6 @@ module.exports = {
     setupStripe,
     disconnectStripe,
     enableLabs,
-    getStripeAccountId,
     generateStripeIntegrationToken,
     setupMailgun,
     deleteAllMembers,
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/global-setup.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/global-setup.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0cff970fc3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/global-setup.js
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+const config = require('../../../core/shared/config');
+const {promisify} = require('util');
+const {spawn, exec} = require('child_process');
+const {knex} = require('../../../core/server/data/db');
+const {setupGhost, setupStripe, setupMailgun, enableLabs} = require('./e2e-browser-utils');
+const {chromium} = require('@playwright/test');
+const {startGhost} = require('../../utils/e2e-framework');
+const {stopGhost} = require('../../utils/e2e-utils');
+const MailgunClient = require('@tryghost/mailgun-client');
+const sinon = require('sinon');
+const ObjectID = require('bson-objectid').default;
+const {allowStripe} = require('../../utils/e2e-framework-mock-manager');
+
+const startWebhookServer = () => {
+    const command = `stripe listen --forward-to ${config.getSiteUrl()}members/webhooks/stripe/ ${process.env.CI ? `--api-key ${process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY}` : ''}`.trim();
+    spawn(command.split(' ')[0], command.split(' ').slice(1));
+};
+
+const getWebhookSecret = async () => {
+    const command = `stripe listen --print-secret ${process.env.CI ? `--api-key ${process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY}` : ''}`.trim();
+    const webhookSecret = (await promisify(exec)(command)).stdout;
+    return webhookSecret.toString().trim();
+};
+
+const generateStripeIntegrationToken = async () => {
+    const inquirer = require('inquirer');
+    const stripeDatabaseKeys = {
+        publishableKey: 'stripe_connect_publishable_key',
+        secretKey: 'stripe_connect_secret_key',
+        liveMode: 'stripe_connect_livemode'
+    };
+    const publishableKey = process.env.STRIPE_PUBLISHABLE_KEY ?? (await knex('settings').select('value').where('key', stripeDatabaseKeys.publishableKey).first())?.value
+        ?? (await inquirer.prompt([{
+            message: 'Stripe publishable key (starts "pk_test_")',
+            type: 'password',
+            name: 'value'
+        }])).value;
+    const secretKey = process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY ?? (await knex('settings').select('value').where('key', stripeDatabaseKeys.secretKey).first())?.value
+        ?? (await inquirer.prompt([{
+            message: 'Stripe secret key (starts "sk_test_")',
+            type: 'password',
+            name: 'value'
+        }])).value;
+
+    const accountId = process.env.STRIPE_ACCOUNT_ID ?? JSON.parse((await promisify(exec)('stripe get account')).stdout).id;
+
+    return Buffer.from(JSON.stringify({
+        a: secretKey,
+        p: publishableKey,
+        l: false,
+        i: accountId
+    })).toString('base64');
+};
+
+const stubMailgun = () => {
+    // We need to stub the Mailgun client before starting Ghost
+    sinon.stub(MailgunClient.prototype, 'getInstance').returns({
+        // @ts-ignore
+        messages: {
+            create: async function () {
+                return {
+                    id: `mailgun-mock-id-${ObjectID().toHexString()}`
+                };
+            }
+        }
+    });
+};
+
+/**
+ * Setup the environment
+ */
+const setup = async (playwrightConfig) => {
+    const usingRemoteServer = process.env.CI && process.env.TEST_URL;
+
+    let stripeConnectIntegrationToken;
+    if (!usingRemoteServer) {
+        startWebhookServer();
+        stripeConnectIntegrationToken = await generateStripeIntegrationToken();
+
+        process.env.WEBHOOK_SECRET = await getWebhookSecret();
+
+        // Stub out NodeMailer
+        stubMailgun();
+
+        await startGhost({
+            frontend: true,
+            server: true,
+            backend: true
+        });
+
+        // StartGhost automatically disables network, so we need to re-enable it for Stripe
+        allowStripe();
+    }
+
+    const {baseURL, storageState} = playwrightConfig.projects[0].use;
+    const browser = await chromium.launch();
+    const page = await browser.newPage({
+        baseURL
+    });
+    await setupGhost(page);
+    if (!usingRemoteServer) {
+        await setupStripe(page, stripeConnectIntegrationToken);
+        await setupMailgun(page);
+    }
+    await enableLabs(page);
+    await page.context().storageState({path: storageState});
+    await browser.close();
+
+    if (!usingRemoteServer) {
+        await stopGhost();
+    }
+};
+
+module.exports = setup;
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/global-teardown.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/global-teardown.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e5998d610b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/global-teardown.js
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+/**
+ * Teardown the environment
+ */
+const teardown = async () => {
+    // @NOTE: local environment should probably drop the db state here
+};
+
+module.exports = teardown;
diff --git a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/index.js b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/index.js
index 937f9f6e53..31574a8b31 100644
--- a/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/index.js
+++ b/ghost/core/test/e2e-browser/utils/index.js
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 module.exports = {
     ...require('./e2e-browser-utils'),
-    ...require('./helpers')
+    ...require('./helpers'),
+    globalSetup: require('./global-setup')
 };