diff --git a/cypress/support/commands.js b/cypress/support/commands.js
index 66ea16ef..aa3b052c 100644
--- a/cypress/support/commands.js
+++ b/cypress/support/commands.js
@@ -22,4 +22,16 @@
 //
 //
 // -- This will overwrite an existing command --
-// Cypress.Commands.overwrite('visit', (originalFn, url, options) => { ... })
\ No newline at end of file
+// Cypress.Commands.overwrite('visit', (originalFn, url, options) => { ... })
+
+// start of a login command with sessions
+// TODO: resolve issues with the CSRF token
+Cypress.Commands.add('login', (username, password) => {
+  cy.session([username, password], () => {
+    cy.visit('/login');
+    cy.get('[data-test=username]').type(username);
+    cy.get('[data-test=password]').type(password);
+    cy.get('[data-test=login]').click();
+    cy.url().should('contain', '/admin/profile');
+  });
+});