diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 0a076ec..d12b7a5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -235,3 +235,96 @@ jobs:
           name: playwright-live-report
           path: playwright-report/
           retention-days: 7
+
+  # Cross-browser live smoke tests against real cross-origin deployment (merge queue only)
+  live-preview-cross-browser-tests:
+    name: Live Preview Cross-Browser (${{ matrix.browser }})
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [deploy-preview]
+    if: github.event_name == 'merge_group'
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        browser: [chromium, firefox, webkit]
+    env:
+      LIVE_TARGET: preview
+      PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL: https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: '22'
+          cache: 'npm'
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: make install
+
+      - name: Get Playwright version
+        id: pw-version
+        run: echo "version=$(npx playwright --version | awk '{print $2}')" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+      - name: Cache Playwright browser
+        id: pw-cache
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: ~/.cache/ms-playwright
+          key: pw-${{ runner.os }}-${{ matrix.browser }}-${{ steps.pw-version.outputs.version }}
+
+      - name: Install Playwright browser
+        if: steps.pw-cache.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+        run: npx playwright install --with-deps ${{ matrix.browser }}
+
+      - name: Install Playwright system deps
+        if: steps.pw-cache.outputs.cache-hit == 'true'
+        run: npx playwright install-deps ${{ matrix.browser }}
+
+      - name: Verify test venue is reachable
+        run: |
+          VENUE_URL="${PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL}"
+          echo "Checking test venue at $VENUE_URL..."
+          BYPASS_ARGS=""
+          if [ -n "$VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET" ]; then
+            BYPASS_ARGS="-H x-vercel-protection-bypass:${VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET}"
+          fi
+          curl -sfo /dev/null $BYPASS_ARGS "$VENUE_URL" || (echo "Test venue unreachable at $VENUE_URL" && exit 1)
+          echo "Test venue reachable"
+        env:
+          VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET: ${{ secrets.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET }}
+
+      - name: Record expected preview widget asset
+        run: |
+          VERSION=$(git describe --tags --abbrev=0) npm run build:widget
+          echo "EXPECTED_WIDGET_ORIGIN=https://bugdrop-preview.neonwatty.workers.dev" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          echo "EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256=$(shasum -a 256 public/widget.js | awk '{print $1}')" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+
+      - name: Wait for expected preview widget asset
+        run: |
+          WIDGET_URL="https://bugdrop-preview.neonwatty.workers.dev/widget.js"
+          echo "Waiting for $WIDGET_URL to serve $EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256..."
+          for i in $(seq 1 30); do
+            ACTUAL_SHA="$(curl -sSf "$WIDGET_URL" | shasum -a 256 | awk '{print $1}')"
+            if [ "$ACTUAL_SHA" = "$EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256" ]; then
+              echo "Preview widget asset matched after $((i * 5))s"
+              exit 0
+            fi
+            echo "Attempt $i/30 served $ACTUAL_SHA; waiting 5s..."
+            sleep 5
+          done
+          echo "Preview widget did not serve expected asset $EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256"
+          exit 1
+
+      - name: Run cross-browser live smoke tests
+        run: npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=${{ matrix.browser }}-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+        env:
+          VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET: ${{ secrets.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET }}
+
+      - name: Upload cross-browser test report
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        if: failure()
+        with:
+          name: playwright-cross-browser-report-${{ matrix.browser }}
+          path: playwright-report/
+          retention-days: 7
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index fddd56f..1706333 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-.PHONY: dev build build-widget build-all deploy test test-watch test-e2e test-e2e-ui test-e2e-shard lint lint-fix format format-check typecheck knip audit check ci clean install install-playwright help
+.PHONY: dev build build-widget build-all deploy test test-watch test-e2e test-e2e-ui test-e2e-shard test-live-cross-browser lint lint-fix format format-check typecheck knip audit check ci clean install install-playwright help
 
 # Development
 dev:
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ test-watch:
 	npm run test:watch
 
 test-e2e:
-	npm run test:e2e
+	npx playwright test --project=chromium
 
 test-e2e-ui:
 	npm run test:e2e:ui
@@ -36,6 +36,15 @@ test-e2e-shard:
 	fi
 	npx playwright test --project=chromium --shard=$(SHARD)
 
+test-live-cross-browser:
+	@if [ -z "$(BROWSER)" ] || [ -z "$(LIVE_TARGET)" ] || [ -z "$(PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL)" ]; then \
+		echo "Usage: LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=https://example.com make test-live-cross-browser BROWSER=chromium|firefox|webkit"; \
+		echo "Required: BROWSER, LIVE_TARGET, PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL"; \
+		echo "Set VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET when the Vercel venue is protected."; \
+		exit 1; \
+	fi
+	npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=$(BROWSER)-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+
 # Code Quality
 lint:
 	npx eslint .
@@ -92,6 +101,9 @@ help:
 	@echo "    make test-e2e         - Run E2E tests"
 	@echo "    make test-e2e-ui      - Run E2E tests with UI"
 	@echo "    make test-e2e-shard SHARD=1/2  - Run E2E test shard"
+	@echo "    LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=<url> make test-live-cross-browser BROWSER=chromium|firefox|webkit"
+	@echo "                          - Run live cross-browser E2E tests"
+	@echo "                          - Set VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET for protected Vercel venues"
 	@echo ""
 	@echo "  Code Quality:"
 	@echo "    make lint             - Run ESLint"
@@ -109,4 +121,5 @@ help:
 	@echo "  Utilities:"
 	@echo "    make clean            - Clean build artifacts"
 	@echo "    make install          - Install dependencies"
-	@echo "    make install-playwright - Install Playwright browsers"
+	@echo "    make install-playwright - Install Chromium Playwright browser"
+	@echo "    npx playwright install --with-deps firefox webkit - Install Firefox/WebKit Playwright browsers"
diff --git a/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-15-merge-queue-cross-browser-preview.md b/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-15-merge-queue-cross-browser-preview.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5a842c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/superpowers/plans/2026-05-15-merge-queue-cross-browser-preview.md
@@ -0,0 +1,487 @@
+# Merge Queue Cross-Browser Preview Implementation Plan
+
+> **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development (recommended) or superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use checkbox (`- [ ]`) syntax for tracking.
+
+**Goal:** Add merge-queue-only preview smoke tests that run the deployed widget against Chromium, Firefox, and Playwright WebKit before code reaches `main`.
+
+**Architecture:** Keep the existing full `chromium-live` suite unchanged. Add a smaller `*.cross-browser-live.spec.ts` suite with browser-stable smoke coverage, then run it in a parallel GitHub Actions matrix after the preview Worker deployment is ready. The WebKit leg intentionally validates the complex-page screenshot option behavior from issue #158 without starting full-page capture.
+
+**Tech Stack:** GitHub Actions `merge_group`, Cloudflare Workers preview deployment, Vercel preview venue, Playwright projects for Chromium/Firefox/WebKit, TypeScript.
+
+---
+
+## File Map
+
+| Action | File | Responsibility |
+|--------|------|----------------|
+| Modify | `playwright.config.ts` | Add cross-browser live Playwright projects that match only `*.cross-browser-live.spec.ts`. |
+| Create | `e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts` | Browser-stable live smoke tests for widget load, submit-without-screenshot, and complex screenshot options. |
+| Modify | `.github/workflows/ci.yml` | Add a merge-queue-only matrix job for Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit after `deploy-preview`. |
+| Optional Modify | `Makefile` | Add a local helper for running one cross-browser live project. |
+
+## Task 1: Add Cross-Browser Live Playwright Projects
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `playwright.config.ts`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Confirm current live project list**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+npx playwright test --list --project=chromium-live
+```
+
+Expected: lists tests from `e2e/widget.live.spec.ts`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Add cross-browser live projects**
+
+In `playwright.config.ts`, keep the existing `chromium` and `chromium-live` projects, then add these three projects inside `projects`:
+
+```ts
+    {
+      name: 'chromium-cross-browser-live',
+      fullyParallel: false,
+      use: {
+        ...devices['Desktop Chrome'],
+      },
+      testMatch: /.*\.cross-browser-live\.spec\.ts/,
+      timeout: 60_000,
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'firefox-cross-browser-live',
+      fullyParallel: false,
+      use: {
+        ...devices['Desktop Firefox'],
+      },
+      testMatch: /.*\.cross-browser-live\.spec\.ts/,
+      timeout: 60_000,
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'webkit-cross-browser-live',
+      fullyParallel: false,
+      use: {
+        ...devices['Desktop Safari'],
+      },
+      testMatch: /.*\.cross-browser-live\.spec\.ts/,
+      timeout: 60_000,
+    },
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Verify Playwright can discover the new empty projects**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app npx playwright test --list --project=webkit-cross-browser-live
+```
+
+Expected before Task 2: exits successfully with no tests or reports no matching tests. The important outcome is that Playwright recognizes the project name.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add playwright.config.ts
+git commit -m "test: add cross-browser live playwright projects"
+```
+
+## Task 2: Add Focused Cross-Browser Live Smoke Tests
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Create the failing smoke suite**
+
+Create `e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts` with:
+
+```ts
+import { createHash } from 'node:crypto';
+import { test, expect, type Page } from '@playwright/test';
+
+const bypassSecret = process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET;
+const expectedWidgetOrigin =
+  process.env.EXPECTED_WIDGET_ORIGIN ||
+  (process.env.LIVE_TARGET === 'preview'
+    ? 'https://bugdrop-preview.neonwatty.workers.dev'
+    : process.env.LIVE_TARGET
+      ? 'https://bugdrop.neonwatty.workers.dev'
+      : undefined);
+const expectedWidgetSha256 = process.env.EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256;
+const venuePath = process.env.LIVE_VENUE_PATH || '/';
+
+if (bypassSecret) {
+  test.beforeEach(async ({ context }) => {
+    await context.route('**/*.vercel.app/**', async route => {
+      await route.continue({
+        headers: {
+          ...route.request().headers(),
+          'x-vercel-protection-bypass': bypassSecret,
+        },
+      });
+    });
+  });
+}
+
+function sha256(buffer: Buffer): string {
+  return createHash('sha256').update(buffer).digest('hex');
+}
+
+async function mockInstalledRepo(page: Page) {
+  await page.route('**/api/check/**', async route => {
+    await route.fulfill({
+      status: 200,
+      contentType: 'application/json',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ installed: true }),
+    });
+  });
+}
+
+async function openForm(page: Page) {
+  const host = page.locator('#bugdrop-host');
+  await expect(host.locator('css=.bd-trigger')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 });
+  await host.locator('css=.bd-trigger').click();
+
+  const getStartedBtn = host.locator('css=[data-action="continue"]');
+  await expect(getStartedBtn).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+  await getStartedBtn.click();
+
+  await expect(host.locator('css=#title')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+  return host;
+}
+
+async function padDom(page: Page, count: number) {
+  await page.evaluate(nodeCount => {
+    const root = document.createElement('div');
+    root.id = 'cross-browser-complexity-padding';
+    for (let i = 0; i < nodeCount; i++) {
+      const node = document.createElement('span');
+      node.textContent = `Complex item ${i}`;
+      root.appendChild(node);
+    }
+    document.body.appendChild(root);
+  }, count);
+}
+
+test.describe('Cross-Browser Live Preview Smoke', () => {
+  test('loads the expected preview widget asset', async ({ page, request }) => {
+    await page.goto(venuePath);
+
+    const host = page.locator('#bugdrop-host');
+    await expect(host).toBeAttached({ timeout: 10_000 });
+    await expect(host.locator('css=.bd-trigger')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 });
+
+    const widgetSrc = await page.evaluate(() => {
+      return (
+        Array.from(document.scripts)
+          .map(script => script.src)
+          .find(src => src.includes('/widget.js')) || ''
+      );
+    });
+
+    if (expectedWidgetOrigin) {
+      expect(widgetSrc).toContain(`${expectedWidgetOrigin}/widget.js`);
+    }
+
+    const response = await request.get(widgetSrc);
+    expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy();
+
+    if (expectedWidgetSha256) {
+      expect(sha256(await response.body())).toBe(expectedWidgetSha256);
+    }
+  });
+
+  test('submits feedback without a screenshot', async ({ page }) => {
+    await mockInstalledRepo(page);
+    const payloads: Array<Record<string, unknown>> = [];
+    await page.route('**/feedback', async route => {
+      payloads.push(route.request().postDataJSON());
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: 'application/json',
+        body: JSON.stringify({ success: true, issueNumber: 1, issueUrl: '#', isPublic: false }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.goto(venuePath);
+    const host = await openForm(page);
+
+    await host.locator('css=#title').fill('Cross-browser live smoke');
+    await host.locator('css=#submit-btn').click();
+
+    const skipBtn = host.locator('css=[data-action="skip"]');
+    if (await skipBtn.isVisible().catch(() => false)) {
+      await skipBtn.click();
+    }
+
+    await expect(host.locator('css=.bd-success-icon')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 });
+    expect(payloads).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(payloads[0].screenshot).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  test('handles complex-page screenshot options without starting expensive capture', async ({
+    browserName,
+    page,
+  }) => {
+    await mockInstalledRepo(page);
+    await page.goto(venuePath);
+    await padDom(page, 4000);
+
+    const host = await openForm(page);
+    await host.locator('css=#title').fill('Cross-browser complex screenshot smoke');
+    await host.locator('css=#include-screenshot').check();
+    await host.locator('css=#submit-btn').click();
+
+    await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="element"]')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+
+    if (browserName === 'webkit') {
+      await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="capture"]')).not.toBeAttached();
+      await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="area"]')).not.toBeAttached();
+      await expect(host.locator('css=p >> text=too complex')).toBeVisible();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="capture"]')).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="area"]')).toBeVisible();
+  });
+});
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run the Chromium smoke locally against preview**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=chromium-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+```
+
+Expected: fails only if the current preview Worker is not serving the local expected SHA. If that happens before CI wiring, rerun without `EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256`; in merge queue CI the SHA will be set after deployment.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Run the WebKit smoke locally**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+npx playwright install --with-deps webkit
+LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=webkit-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+```
+
+Expected after PR #160 is merged into the preview deployment: WebKit passes and the complex-page test hides full-page and area capture.
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts
+git commit -m "test: add cross-browser live preview smoke tests"
+```
+
+## Task 3: Run Cross-Browser Smoke in Merge Queue CI
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `.github/workflows/ci.yml`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add browser matrix job after `live-preview-tests`**
+
+In `.github/workflows/ci.yml`, add this job after the existing `live-preview-tests` job:
+
+```yaml
+  live-preview-cross-browser-tests:
+    name: Live Preview Cross-Browser (${{ matrix.browser }})
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    needs: [deploy-preview]
+    if: github.event_name == 'merge_group'
+    strategy:
+      fail-fast: false
+      matrix:
+        browser: [chromium, firefox, webkit]
+    env:
+      LIVE_TARGET: preview
+      PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL: https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0
+
+      - uses: actions/setup-node@v4
+        with:
+          node-version: '22'
+          cache: 'npm'
+
+      - name: Install dependencies
+        run: make install
+
+      - name: Get Playwright version
+        id: pw-version
+        run: echo "version=$(npx playwright --version | awk '{print $2}')" >> "$GITHUB_OUTPUT"
+
+      - name: Cache Playwright browsers
+        id: pw-cache
+        uses: actions/cache@v4
+        with:
+          path: ~/.cache/ms-playwright
+          key: pw-${{ runner.os }}-${{ matrix.browser }}-${{ steps.pw-version.outputs.version }}
+
+      - name: Install Playwright browser
+        if: steps.pw-cache.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+        run: npx playwright install --with-deps ${{ matrix.browser }}
+
+      - name: Install Playwright system deps
+        if: steps.pw-cache.outputs.cache-hit == 'true'
+        run: npx playwright install-deps ${{ matrix.browser }}
+
+      - name: Verify test venue is reachable
+        run: |
+          VENUE_URL="${PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL}"
+          echo "Checking test venue at $VENUE_URL..."
+          BYPASS_ARGS=""
+          if [ -n "$VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET" ]; then
+            BYPASS_ARGS="-H x-vercel-protection-bypass:${VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET}"
+          fi
+          curl -sfo /dev/null $BYPASS_ARGS "$VENUE_URL" || (echo "Test venue unreachable at $VENUE_URL" && exit 1)
+          echo "Test venue reachable"
+        env:
+          VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET: ${{ secrets.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET }}
+
+      - name: Record expected preview widget asset
+        run: |
+          VERSION=$(git describe --tags --abbrev=0) npm run build:widget
+          echo "EXPECTED_WIDGET_ORIGIN=https://bugdrop-preview.neonwatty.workers.dev" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+          echo "EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256=$(shasum -a 256 public/widget.js | awk '{print $1}')" >> "$GITHUB_ENV"
+
+      - name: Wait for expected preview widget asset
+        run: |
+          WIDGET_URL="https://bugdrop-preview.neonwatty.workers.dev/widget.js"
+          echo "Waiting for $WIDGET_URL to serve $EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256..."
+          for i in $(seq 1 30); do
+            ACTUAL_SHA="$(curl -sSf "$WIDGET_URL" | shasum -a 256 | awk '{print $1}')"
+            if [ "$ACTUAL_SHA" = "$EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256" ]; then
+              echo "Preview widget asset matched after $((i * 5))s"
+              exit 0
+            fi
+            echo "Attempt $i/30 served $ACTUAL_SHA; waiting 5s..."
+            sleep 5
+          done
+          echo "Preview widget did not serve expected asset $EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256"
+          exit 1
+
+      - name: Run cross-browser live E2E tests
+        run: npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=${{ matrix.browser }}-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+        env:
+          VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET: ${{ secrets.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET }}
+
+      - name: Upload cross-browser report
+        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
+        if: failure()
+        with:
+          name: playwright-cross-browser-report-${{ matrix.browser }}
+          path: playwright-report/
+          retention-days: 7
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Confirm YAML parses**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+npx prettier --check .github/workflows/ci.yml
+```
+
+Expected: passes.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add .github/workflows/ci.yml
+git commit -m "ci: run cross-browser live smoke tests in merge queue"
+```
+
+## Task 4: Optional Local Helper
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `Makefile`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add a helper target**
+
+Add this target near the existing Playwright targets:
+
+```make
+test-live-cross-browser:
+	@if [ -z "$(BROWSER)" ]; then \
+		echo "Usage: make test-live-cross-browser BROWSER=chromium|firefox|webkit"; \
+		exit 1; \
+	fi
+	npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=$(BROWSER)-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+```
+
+Update `.PHONY` to include `test-live-cross-browser`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run the helper once**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app make test-live-cross-browser BROWSER=chromium
+```
+
+Expected: same result as the direct Playwright command in Task 2.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add Makefile
+git commit -m "chore: add cross-browser live test helper"
+```
+
+## Task 5: Final Verification and PR
+
+**Files:**
+- Verify all modified files.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Run static checks**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+npm run format:check
+npm run typecheck
+npm run lint
+```
+
+Expected: all pass. Existing lint warnings are acceptable only if the command exits `0`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run focused local browser checks**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=chromium-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=firefox-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+LIVE_TARGET=preview PLAYWRIGHT_BASE_URL=https://bugdrop-widget-test-git-preview-jermwatts-projects.vercel.app npx playwright test e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts --project=webkit-cross-browser-live --workers=1
+```
+
+Expected: all pass after PR #160 is included in the deployed preview Worker. If WebKit fails only because the preview Worker has not yet received the Safari threshold fix, wait for #160 to merge and rerun.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Open PR**
+
+Run:
+
+```bash
+git push -u origin merge-queue-cross-browser-preview
+gh pr create --base main --head merge-queue-cross-browser-preview --title "Add merge-queue cross-browser preview smoke tests" --body "## Summary
+- add focused cross-browser live Playwright projects
+- add live preview smoke coverage for Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit
+- run the smoke suite in a merge-queue-only browser matrix after preview deploy
+
+## Verification
+- npm run format:check
+- npm run typecheck
+- npm run lint
+- chromium/firefox/webkit cross-browser live smoke locally"
+```
+
+Expected: PR opens and normal PR checks run. The new cross-browser preview matrix runs only when the PR enters the merge queue.
+
+## Self-Review
+
+- Spec coverage: The plan adds merge-queue-only preview tests, keeps current Chromium live coverage, adds Firefox/WebKit coverage, and targets the issue #158 WebKit/Safari risk path without broadening the full suite.
+- Placeholder scan: No implementation steps use TBD/TODO placeholders.
+- Type consistency: Project names are consistently `chromium-cross-browser-live`, `firefox-cross-browser-live`, and `webkit-cross-browser-live`; CI uses `${{ matrix.browser }}-cross-browser-live`.
diff --git a/e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts b/e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ed41fe1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/e2e/widget.cross-browser-live.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+import { createHash } from 'node:crypto';
+import { test, expect, type Page } from '@playwright/test';
+
+const bypassSecret = process.env.VERCEL_AUTOMATION_BYPASS_SECRET;
+const expectedWidgetOrigin =
+  process.env.EXPECTED_WIDGET_ORIGIN ||
+  (process.env.LIVE_TARGET === 'preview'
+    ? 'https://bugdrop-preview.neonwatty.workers.dev'
+    : process.env.LIVE_TARGET
+      ? 'https://bugdrop.neonwatty.workers.dev'
+      : undefined);
+const expectedWidgetSha256 = process.env.EXPECTED_WIDGET_SHA256;
+const venuePath = process.env.LIVE_VENUE_PATH || '/';
+
+if (bypassSecret) {
+  test.beforeEach(async ({ context }) => {
+    await context.route('**/*.vercel.app/**', async route => {
+      await route.continue({
+        headers: {
+          ...route.request().headers(),
+          'x-vercel-protection-bypass': bypassSecret,
+        },
+      });
+    });
+  });
+}
+
+function sha256(buffer: Buffer): string {
+  return createHash('sha256').update(buffer).digest('hex');
+}
+
+async function mockInstalledRepo(page: Page) {
+  await page.route('**/api/check/**', async route => {
+    await route.fulfill({
+      status: 200,
+      contentType: 'application/json',
+      body: JSON.stringify({ installed: true }),
+    });
+  });
+}
+
+async function openForm(page: Page) {
+  const host = page.locator('#bugdrop-host');
+  const button = host.locator('css=.bd-trigger');
+  await expect(button).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 });
+  await button.click();
+
+  const getStartedBtn = host.locator('css=[data-action="continue"]');
+  await expect(getStartedBtn).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+  await getStartedBtn.click();
+
+  await expect(host.locator('css=#title')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+  return host;
+}
+
+async function padDom(page: Page, count: number) {
+  await page.evaluate(nodeCount => {
+    const root = document.createElement('div');
+    root.id = 'cross-browser-complexity-padding';
+
+    for (let i = 0; i < nodeCount; i++) {
+      const node = document.createElement('span');
+      node.textContent = `Complex item ${i}`;
+      root.appendChild(node);
+    }
+
+    document.body.appendChild(root);
+  }, count);
+}
+
+async function padDomToNodeCount(page: Page, targetNodeCount: number) {
+  const currentNodeCount = await page.evaluate(() => document.body.querySelectorAll('*').length);
+  await padDom(page, Math.max(0, targetNodeCount - currentNodeCount));
+}
+
+test.describe('Cross-Browser Live Preview Smoke', () => {
+  test('loads the expected preview widget asset', async ({ page, request }) => {
+    await page.goto(venuePath);
+
+    const host = page.locator('#bugdrop-host');
+    await expect(host).toBeAttached({ timeout: 10_000 });
+    await expect(host.locator('css=.bd-trigger')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 });
+
+    const widgetSrc = await page.evaluate(() => {
+      return (
+        Array.from(document.scripts)
+          .map(script => script.src)
+          .find(src => src.includes('/widget.js')) || ''
+      );
+    });
+
+    expect(widgetSrc).toBeTruthy();
+
+    if (expectedWidgetOrigin) {
+      expect(widgetSrc).toContain(`${expectedWidgetOrigin}/widget.js`);
+    }
+
+    const response = await request.get(widgetSrc);
+    expect(response.ok()).toBeTruthy();
+
+    if (expectedWidgetSha256) {
+      expect(sha256(await response.body())).toBe(expectedWidgetSha256);
+    }
+  });
+
+  test('submits feedback without a screenshot', async ({ page }) => {
+    await mockInstalledRepo(page);
+
+    const payloads: Array<Record<string, unknown>> = [];
+    await page.route('**/feedback', async route => {
+      payloads.push(route.request().postDataJSON());
+      await route.fulfill({
+        status: 200,
+        contentType: 'application/json',
+        body: JSON.stringify({ success: true, issueNumber: 1, issueUrl: '#', isPublic: false }),
+      });
+    });
+
+    await page.goto(venuePath);
+    const host = await openForm(page);
+
+    await host.locator('css=#title').fill('Cross-browser live smoke');
+    await host.locator('css=#submit-btn').click();
+
+    const skipBtn = host.locator('css=[data-action="skip"]');
+    if (await skipBtn.isVisible().catch(() => false)) {
+      await skipBtn.click();
+    }
+
+    await expect(host.locator('css=.bd-success-icon')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 10_000 });
+    expect(payloads).toHaveLength(1);
+    expect(payloads[0].screenshot).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  test('handles complex-page screenshot options without starting expensive capture', async ({
+    browserName,
+    page,
+  }) => {
+    await mockInstalledRepo(page);
+    await page.goto(venuePath);
+    await padDomToNodeCount(page, 4000);
+
+    const host = await openForm(page);
+    await host.locator('css=#title').fill('Cross-browser complex screenshot smoke');
+    await host.locator('css=#include-screenshot').check();
+    await host.locator('css=#submit-btn').click();
+
+    await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="element"]')).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
+
+    if (browserName === 'webkit') {
+      await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="capture"]')).not.toBeAttached();
+      await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="area"]')).not.toBeAttached();
+      await expect(host.locator('css=p >> text=too complex')).toBeVisible();
+      return;
+    }
+
+    await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="capture"]')).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(host.locator('css=[data-action="area"]')).toBeVisible();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/playwright.config.ts b/playwright.config.ts
index 3f4418e..29cdc67 100644
--- a/playwright.config.ts
+++ b/playwright.config.ts
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
     {
       name: 'chromium',
       use: { ...devices['Desktop Chrome'] },
-      testIgnore: /.*\.live\.spec\.ts/,
+      testIgnore: /.*\.(?:live|cross-browser-live)\.spec\.ts$/,
     },
     {
       name: 'chromium-live',
@@ -28,6 +28,33 @@ export default defineConfig({
       testMatch: /.*\.live\.spec\.ts/,
       timeout: 60_000,
     },
+    {
+      name: 'chromium-cross-browser-live',
+      fullyParallel: false,
+      use: {
+        ...devices['Desktop Chrome'],
+      },
+      testMatch: /.*\.cross-browser-live\.spec\.ts/,
+      timeout: 60_000,
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'firefox-cross-browser-live',
+      fullyParallel: false,
+      use: {
+        ...devices['Desktop Firefox'],
+      },
+      testMatch: /.*\.cross-browser-live\.spec\.ts/,
+      timeout: 60_000,
+    },
+    {
+      name: 'webkit-cross-browser-live',
+      fullyParallel: false,
+      use: {
+        ...devices['Desktop Safari'],
+      },
+      testMatch: /.*\.cross-browser-live\.spec\.ts/,
+      timeout: 60_000,
+    },
   ],
   webServer: process.env.LIVE_TARGET
     ? undefined