diff --git a/codev/projects/bugfix-828-test-dashboard-e2e-strict-mode/status.yaml b/codev/projects/bugfix-828-test-dashboard-e2e-strict-mode/status.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fbaa42a39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/codev/projects/bugfix-828-test-dashboard-e2e-strict-mode/status.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+id: bugfix-828
+title: test-dashboard-e2e-strict-mode
+protocol: bugfix
+phase: pr
+plan_phases: []
+current_plan_phase: null
+gates:
+  pr:
+    status: approved
+    requested_at: '2026-05-28T10:40:10.269Z'
+    approved_at: '2026-05-28T10:40:57.591Z'
+iteration: 1
+build_complete: false
+history: []
+started_at: '2026-05-28T10:30:53.869Z'
+updated_at: '2026-05-28T10:40:57.592Z'
+pr_history:
+  - phase: pr
+    pr_number: 917
+    branch: builder/bugfix-828
+    created_at: '2026-05-28T10:39:55.080Z'
+pr_ready_for_human: false
diff --git a/codev/state/bugfix-828_thread.md b/codev/state/bugfix-828_thread.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b69736498
--- /dev/null
+++ b/codev/state/bugfix-828_thread.md
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+# bugfix-828 — strict-mode locator collision
+
+## Investigate
+
+Issue #828: scheduled Dashboard E2E failed because `.work-section:has-text("Recently Closed")` matched **two** sections — the actual Recently Closed section *and* the Backlog section, which renders issue #813 ("vscode: migrate Recently Closed view from sidebar to Codev panel tab") as a row whose title contains the substring "Recently Closed".
+
+`:has-text()` does substring-match across the whole subtree, so any backlog item whose title contains a section heading literal poisons the selector.
+
+Four occurrences of the loose pattern, all in `packages/codev/src/agent-farm/__tests__/e2e/work-view-backlog.test.ts`:
+
+- L77 `Backlog`
+- L116 `Backlog`
+- L152 `Recently Closed`
+- L173 `Recently Closed`
+
+`Backlog` is also vulnerable — any future issue whose title contains "Backlog" would break L77/L116 the same way.
+
+`grep -rn ':has-text' packages/codev/src/agent-farm/__tests__/e2e/` shows no other `.work-section:has-text` matches — the rest of the `:has-text` usage is on tab buttons and `.instance a`, which aren't vulnerable to the same collision.
+
+## Plan
+
+Replace all four with the heading-scoped form:
+
+```ts
+page.locator('.work-section:has(h3.work-section-title:text-is("Backlog"))')
+```
+
+`:text-is()` matches the exact text content of the heading, not a substring of the section subtree.
+
+## Implement
+
+All four `.work-section:has-text(...)` occurrences in `work-view-backlog.test.ts` replaced with `.work-section:has(h3.work-section-title:text-is("..."))`. Single short comment on the first occurrence explains the workaround (referencing #828). Diff: +60 / -5, test-only.
+
+`porch check` build/tests both pass (after one-time core build to materialize `@cluesmith/codev-core` declaration files in the worktree).
+
+## Review
+
+CMAP-3 all APPROVE:
+- Gemini — APPROVE / HIGH
+- Codex — APPROVE / MEDIUM
+- Claude — APPROVE / HIGH
+
+No KEY_ISSUES from any reviewer. Claude noted `.tab-bar-item:has-text("Work")` uses the same `:has-text` pattern but is safe (button with fixed link text, no dynamic descendants) — verified during sweep.
+
+PR #917 created with CMAP table in body. Architect notified.
+
+## Awaiting
+
+`pr` gate approval from human.
diff --git a/packages/codev/src/agent-farm/__tests__/e2e/work-view-backlog.test.ts b/packages/codev/src/agent-farm/__tests__/e2e/work-view-backlog.test.ts
index 62c76e050..e583c7db4 100644
--- a/packages/codev/src/agent-farm/__tests__/e2e/work-view-backlog.test.ts
+++ b/packages/codev/src/agent-farm/__tests__/e2e/work-view-backlog.test.ts
@@ -73,8 +73,11 @@ test.describe('Work view: backlog clickability and artifacts', () => {
       await workTab.click();
     }
 
-    // Wait for backlog section to appear
-    const backlogSection = page.locator('.work-section:has-text("Backlog")');
+    // Scope to the heading element — `:has-text` would collide with any backlog
+    // item whose title contains the section name (see #828).
+    const backlogSection = page.locator(
+      '.work-section:has(h3.work-section-title:text-is("Backlog"))',
+    );
     await expect(backlogSection).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15_000 });
 
     // Check if there are backlog rows
@@ -113,7 +116,9 @@ test.describe('Work view: backlog clickability and artifacts', () => {
       await workTab.click();
     }
 
-    const backlogSection = page.locator('.work-section:has-text("Backlog")');
+    const backlogSection = page.locator(
+      '.work-section:has(h3.work-section-title:text-is("Backlog"))',
+    );
     await expect(backlogSection).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15_000 });
 
     // Check for artifact link buttons (they appear when items have specs/plans/reviews)
@@ -149,7 +154,9 @@ test.describe('Work view: backlog clickability and artifacts', () => {
 
     if (data.recentlyClosed && data.recentlyClosed.length > 0) {
       // Recently Closed section should be visible
-      const closedSection = page.locator('.work-section:has-text("Recently Closed")');
+      const closedSection = page.locator(
+        '.work-section:has(h3.work-section-title:text-is("Recently Closed"))',
+      );
       await expect(closedSection).toBeVisible({ timeout: 5_000 });
 
       // Items should be clickable links
@@ -170,7 +177,9 @@ test.describe('Work view: backlog clickability and artifacts', () => {
     }
     // If no recently closed items, the section should not be visible
     else {
-      const closedSection = page.locator('.work-section:has-text("Recently Closed")');
+      const closedSection = page.locator(
+        '.work-section:has(h3.work-section-title:text-is("Recently Closed"))',
+      );
       await expect(closedSection).not.toBeVisible();
     }
   });