@@ -82,6 +82,11 @@ jobs:
           - name: languages
             isPrivateRepo: false
 
+    env:
+      # These suites make no HTTP requests, so they skip the Next.js build and test server.
+      # A suite that adds an HTTP test fails with a connection error until it's removed from this list.
+      START_VITEST_SERVER: ${{ contains(fromJSON('["color-schemes", "content-linter", "data-directory", "ghes-releases", "journeys", "links", "observability", "products", "workflows"]'), matrix.name) && 'false' || 'true' }}
+
     steps:
       # Repeat each if on its step so skipped work still leaves the required check present.
       - name: Check out repo
@@ -133,8 +138,10 @@ jobs:
         run: echo "${{ steps.changed_files.outputs.all_modified_files }}" > get_diff_files.txt
 
       - uses: ./.github/actions/cache-nextjs
+        if: ${{ env.START_VITEST_SERVER != 'false' }}
 
       - name: Run build script
+        if: ${{ env.START_VITEST_SERVER != 'false' }}
         run: npm run build
 
       - uses: ./.github/actions/warmup-remotejson-cache
 
@@ -142,6 +142,13 @@ Tests that make HTTP requests to `localhost:4000`:
 - Vitest automatically starts/stops server via hooks
 - Disable with `START_VITEST_SERVER=false` for manual server control
 
+Unit tests that don't make HTTP requests can skip the server. This avoids the build, Elasticsearch, and translations:
+```bash
+START_VITEST_SERVER=false npm test -- src/languages/tests/correct-translation-content.ts
+```
+
+In CI, `.github/workflows/test.yml` sets `START_VITEST_SERVER=false` and skips the build for suites with no HTTP tests. If you add an HTTP test to one of those suites, remove the suite from that list.
+
 Manual server for debugging:
 ```bash
 # Terminal 1
 
@@ -1,14 +1,16 @@
-import { main } from '@/frame/start-server'
 import { overrideEnvForTesting } from './mocks/start-mock-server'
 
 let teardownHappened = false
-type PromiseType<T extends Promise<unknown>> = T extends Promise<infer U> ? U : never
-type Server = PromiseType<ReturnType<typeof main>>
+type Server = Awaited<ReturnType<typeof import('@/frame/start-server').main>>
 
 let server: Server | undefined
 
 export async function setup() {
   overrideEnvForTesting()
+  // Unit tests and manually started servers don't need the Vitest-managed server.
+  if (process.env.START_VITEST_SERVER === 'false') return
+  // Import lazily so skipping the server also skips loading the app.
+  const { main } = await import('@/frame/start-server')
   server = await main()
 }