diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests-cypress.yml b/.github/workflows/tests-cypress.yml
index eaaa1f222c..ee8bfb7bad 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests-cypress.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests-cypress.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ jobs:
       - name: Start app
         run: |
           cp .env.sample .env
-          docker compose up --detach client server
+          docker compose up --detach server
+          docker compose run --detach --service-ports client bin/test_start.sh
 
       - name: Run Cypress tests
         uses: cypress-io/github-action@v6
diff --git a/bin/test_start.sh b/bin/test_start.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000000..12c0ebeef5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/bin/test_start.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+set -eux
+
+# container startup script specifically for running Cypress tests
+# needs to reset the DB with sample data and then start the app normally
+
+bin/reset_db.sh
+
+bin/start.sh
diff --git a/docs/tests/automated-tests.md b/docs/tests/automated-tests.md
index f8062b93d6..1b4e6e8947 100644
--- a/docs/tests/automated-tests.md
+++ b/docs/tests/automated-tests.md
@@ -21,25 +21,31 @@ will install `cypress` and its dependencies on your machine. Make sure to run th
 
    If not, [install Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/download/) locally.
 
-2. Start the the application container:
+1. Start the local eligibility verification server:
 
    ```bash
-   docker compose up -d client
+   docker compose up --detach server
    ```
 
-3. Change into the `cypress` directory:
+1. Start the the application:
+
+   ```bash
+   docker compose run --detach --service-ports client bin/test_start.sh
+   ```
+
+1. Change into the `cypress` directory:
 
    ```bash
    cd tests/cypress
    ```
 
-4. Install all packages and `cypress`. Verify `cypress` installation succeeds:
+1. Install all packages and `cypress`. Verify `cypress` installation succeeds:
 
    ```bash
    npm install
    ```
 
-5. Run `cypress` with test environment variables and configuration variables:
+1. Run `cypress` with test environment variables and configuration variables:
 
    ```bash
    CYPRESS_baseUrl=http://localhost:8000 npm run cypress:open