diff --git a/vitest.snapshot.config.ts b/vitest.snapshot.config.ts
index 858a3fd9a1..6fad120e06 100644
--- a/vitest.snapshot.config.ts
+++ b/vitest.snapshot.config.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,9 @@ export default defineConfig({
   test: {
     setupFiles: ['./scripts/test-invariants.ts'],
     include: [
-      'apps/web/tests/**/*.snapshot.ts',
+      // The assembled Web snapshot executes generated client bundles; source
+      // mode remains the zero-build path, while lib mode requires a prior build.
+      ...(process.env.DSH_EXAMPLE_MODE === 'lib' ? ['apps/web/tests/**/*.snapshot.ts'] : []),
       'examples/*/tests/**/*.snapshot.ts',
       'packages/sdk/*/tests/**/*.snapshot.ts',
       'packages/ui/tui/tests/**/*.snapshot.ts',