diff --git a/tools/test-js-with-node b/tools/test-js-with-node
index 639e852353..ce2ea53709 100755
--- a/tools/test-js-with-node
+++ b/tools/test-js-with-node
@@ -289,7 +289,6 @@ EXEMPT_FILES = make_set(
         "web/src/user_groups.ts",
         "web/src/user_pill.ts",
         "web/src/user_profile.ts",
-        "web/src/user_settings.ts",
         "web/src/user_sort.ts",
         "web/src/user_status.ts",
         "web/src/user_status_ui.ts",
diff --git a/web/tests/activity.test.js b/web/tests/activity.test.js
index 050361cda3..8555b3208d 100644
--- a/web/tests/activity.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/activity.test.js
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ const {mock_esm, set_global, with_overrides, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespac
 const {run_test, noop} = require("./lib/test");
 const blueslip = require("./lib/zblueslip");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {current_user, page_params, realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params, realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const $window_stub = $.create("window-stub");
 set_global("to_$", () => $window_stub);
@@ -52,6 +52,10 @@ const peer_data = zrequire("peer_data");
 const message_lists = zrequire("message_lists");
 const util = zrequire("util");
 const {Filter} = zrequire("../src/filter");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const me = {
     email: "me@zulip.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/browser_history.test.js b/web/tests/browser_history.test.js
index 09a9165a2a..56a9ec075d 100644
--- a/web/tests/browser_history.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/browser_history.test.js
@@ -6,11 +6,14 @@ const {zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {make_stub} = require("./lib/stub");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 const blueslip = require("./lib/zblueslip");
-const {user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 window.location.hash = "#bogus";
 
 const browser_history = zrequire("browser_history");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 function test(label, f) {
     run_test(label, (helpers) => {
diff --git a/web/tests/buddy_data.test.js b/web/tests/buddy_data.test.js
index 651d2edcb7..075ae51757 100644
--- a/web/tests/buddy_data.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/buddy_data.test.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const _ = require("lodash");
 
 const {mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {current_user, page_params, realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params, realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 mock_esm("../src/settings_data", {
     user_can_access_all_other_users: () => true,
@@ -24,6 +24,10 @@ const user_status = zrequire("user_status");
 const buddy_data = zrequire("buddy_data");
 const {Filter} = zrequire("filter");
 const message_lists = zrequire("message_lists");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 // The buddy_data module is mostly tested indirectly through
 // activity.test.js, but we should feel free to add direct tests
diff --git a/web/tests/buddy_list.test.js b/web/tests/buddy_list.test.js
index 453a0aceda..338e73a525 100644
--- a/web/tests/buddy_list.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/buddy_list.test.js
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ const message_viewport = mock_esm("../src/message_viewport");
 const buddy_data = zrequire("buddy_data");
 const {BuddyList} = zrequire("buddy_list");
 const people = zrequire("people");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 function init_simulated_scrolling() {
     const elem = {
diff --git a/web/tests/compose.test.js b/web/tests/compose.test.js
index 5c1c599e89..efe799319c 100644
--- a/web/tests/compose.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/compose.test.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ const {mock_banners} = require("./lib/compose_banner");
 const {mock_esm, set_global, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test, noop} = require("./lib/test");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {current_user, page_params, realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params, realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const user_groups = zrequire("user_groups");
 
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ const drafts = zrequire("drafts");
 const echo = zrequire("echo");
 const people = zrequire("people");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 function reset_jquery() {
     // Avoid leaks.
diff --git a/web/tests/compose_ui.test.js b/web/tests/compose_ui.test.js
index d354022746..f3682025fe 100644
--- a/web/tests/compose_ui.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/compose_ui.test.js
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ const channel = mock_esm("../src/channel");
 const compose_reply = zrequire("compose_reply");
 const message_lists = zrequire("message_lists");
 const text_field_edit = mock_esm("text-field-edit");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const alice = {
     email: "alice@zulip.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/composebox_typeahead.test.js b/web/tests/composebox_typeahead.test.js
index 8a23bbcdf7..d2ffde4564 100644
--- a/web/tests/composebox_typeahead.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/composebox_typeahead.test.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const {mock_banners} = require("./lib/compose_banner");
 const {mock_esm, set_global, with_overrides, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test, noop} = require("./lib/test");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {current_user, realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 let autosize_called;
 
@@ -57,6 +57,10 @@ const compose_pm_pill = zrequire("compose_pm_pill");
 const compose_recipient = zrequire("compose_recipient");
 const composebox_typeahead = zrequire("composebox_typeahead");
 const settings_config = zrequire("settings_config");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const ct = composebox_typeahead;
 
diff --git a/web/tests/dispatch.test.js b/web/tests/dispatch.test.js
index 5c6006d509..e0998e187b 100644
--- a/web/tests/dispatch.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/dispatch.test.js
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ const {
     page_params,
     realm,
     realm_user_settings_defaults,
-    user_settings,
 } = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const event_fixtures = events.fixtures;
@@ -103,6 +102,10 @@ const user_group_edit = mock_esm("../src/user_group_edit");
 const overlays = mock_esm("../src/overlays");
 mock_esm("../src/giphy");
 const {Filter} = zrequire("filter");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 message_lists.update_recipient_bar_background_color = noop;
 message_lists.current = {
diff --git a/web/tests/drafts.test.js b/web/tests/drafts.test.js
index 48f8078f7d..66d6568bb7 100644
--- a/web/tests/drafts.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/drafts.test.js
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ const compose_state = zrequire("compose_state");
 const compose_recipient = zrequire("compose_recipient");
 const sub_store = zrequire("sub_store");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const aaron = {
     email: "aaron@zulip.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/example2.test.js b/web/tests/example2.test.js
index 2b17287fe3..ad7c0ddd5c 100644
--- a/web/tests/example2.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/example2.test.js
@@ -19,11 +19,14 @@ const people = zrequire("people");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const stream_topic_history = zrequire("stream_topic_history");
 const unread = zrequire("unread");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
 
 // It's typical to set up a little bit of data at the top of a
 // test module, but you can also do this within tests. Here we
 // will set up things at the top.
 
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
+
 const isaac = make_user({
     email: "isaac@example.com",
     user_id: 30,
diff --git a/web/tests/example5.test.js b/web/tests/example5.test.js
index b2902a6223..5a2445a7c5 100644
--- a/web/tests/example5.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/example5.test.js
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ message_lists.non_rendered_data = () => [];
 const message_events = zrequire("message_events");
 const message_store = zrequire("message_store");
 const people = zrequire("people");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const isaac = make_user({
     email: "isaac@example.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/filter.test.js b/web/tests/filter.test.js
index 396f1632cd..7ee8d6433f 100644
--- a/web/tests/filter.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/filter.test.js
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ const resolved_topic = zrequire("../shared/src/resolved_topic");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const people = zrequire("people");
 const {Filter} = zrequire("../src/filter");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const stream_message = "stream";
 const direct_message = "private";
diff --git a/web/tests/hashchange.test.js b/web/tests/hashchange.test.js
index dbd80c4e48..f823768cdf 100644
--- a/web/tests/hashchange.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/hashchange.test.js
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ const {mock_esm, set_global, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 const blueslip = require("./lib/zblueslip");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 let $window_stub;
 set_global("to_$", () => $window_stub);
@@ -37,6 +36,10 @@ const hashchange = zrequire("hashchange");
 const message_view = zrequire("../src/message_view");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const {Filter} = zrequire("../src/filter");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const devel_id = 100;
 const devel = {
diff --git a/web/tests/lib/index.js b/web/tests/lib/index.js
index 6e96c379d9..102a320226 100644
--- a/web/tests/lib/index.js
+++ b/web/tests/lib/index.js
@@ -131,8 +131,6 @@ test.set_verbose(files.length === 1);
         require("../../src/page_params");
         namespace.mock_esm("../../src/state_data", zpage_params);
         require("../../src/state_data");
-        namespace.mock_esm("../../src/user_settings", zpage_params);
-        require("../../src/user_settings");
         namespace.mock_esm("../../src/realm_user_settings_defaults", zpage_params);
         require("../../src/realm_user_settings_defaults");
 
diff --git a/web/tests/lib/zpage_params.js b/web/tests/lib/zpage_params.js
index e77e9dd499..359ff5c976 100644
--- a/web/tests/lib/zpage_params.js
+++ b/web/tests/lib/zpage_params.js
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ exports.current_user = {};
 exports.page_params = {};
 exports.realm = {};
 exports.realm_user_settings_defaults = {};
-exports.user_settings = {};
 
 exports.reset = () => {
     for (const field in exports.current_user) {
@@ -22,11 +21,6 @@ exports.reset = () => {
             delete exports.realm[field];
         }
     }
-    for (const field in exports.user_settings) {
-        if (Object.hasOwn(exports.user_settings, field)) {
-            delete exports.user_settings[field];
-        }
-    }
     for (const field in exports.realm_user_settings_defaults) {
         if (Object.hasOwn(exports.realm_user_settings_defaults, field)) {
             delete exports.realm_user_settings_defaults[field];
diff --git a/web/tests/markdown.test.js b/web/tests/markdown.test.js
index 553c388ba7..3a0ee0bd0d 100644
--- a/web/tests/markdown.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/markdown.test.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const markdown_test_cases = require("../../zerver/tests/fixtures/markdown_test_c
 const markdown_assert = require("./lib/markdown_assert");
 const {mock_esm, set_global, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {page_params, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {page_params} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const example_realm_linkifiers = [
     {
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ const people = zrequire("people");
 const pygments_data = zrequire("pygments_data");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const user_groups = zrequire("user_groups");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const emoji_params = {
     realm_emoji: {
diff --git a/web/tests/message_events.test.js b/web/tests/message_events.test.js
index ee4b2c5314..c942c1a39b 100644
--- a/web/tests/message_events.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/message_events.test.js
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ const message_helper = zrequire("message_helper");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const stream_topic_history = zrequire("stream_topic_history");
 const unread = zrequire("unread");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const alice = {
     email: "alice@example.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/message_flags.test.js b/web/tests/message_flags.test.js
index 627ec5701a..f49dd1e12c 100644
--- a/web/tests/message_flags.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/message_flags.test.js
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ mock_esm("../src/left_sidebar_navigation_area", {
 
 const message_flags = zrequire("message_flags");
 const starred_messages_ui = zrequire("starred_messages_ui");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 run_test("starred", ({override}) => {
     const message = {
diff --git a/web/tests/message_store.test.js b/web/tests/message_store.test.js
index ef9e7bb87f..8fe5564f54 100644
--- a/web/tests/message_store.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/message_store.test.js
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ const pm_conversations = zrequire("pm_conversations");
 const message_helper = zrequire("message_helper");
 const message_store = zrequire("message_store");
 const message_user_ids = zrequire("message_user_ids");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const denmark = {
     subscribed: false,
diff --git a/web/tests/message_view.test.js b/web/tests/message_view.test.js
index aa313b01dd..70c87cafc0 100644
--- a/web/tests/message_view.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/message_view.test.js
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ const recent_view_util = zrequire("recent_view_util");
 const inbox_util = zrequire("inbox_util");
 const message_lists = zrequire("message_lists");
 const user_groups = zrequire("user_groups");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 mock_esm("../src/compose_banner", {
     clear_errors() {},
diff --git a/web/tests/muted_users.test.js b/web/tests/muted_users.test.js
index ab90452ee9..6c31abb4c3 100644
--- a/web/tests/muted_users.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/muted_users.test.js
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ const {zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 
 const muted_users = zrequire("muted_users");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 function test(label, f) {
     run_test(label, ({override}) => {
diff --git a/web/tests/notifications.test.js b/web/tests/notifications.test.js
index 9aa45dc206..dc806b1473 100644
--- a/web/tests/notifications.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/notifications.test.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 const {mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {current_user, page_params, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 mock_esm("../src/electron_bridge");
 mock_esm("../src/spoilers", {hide_spoilers_in_notification() {}});
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@ const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 
 const desktop_notifications = zrequire("desktop_notifications");
 const message_notifications = zrequire("message_notifications");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 // Not muted streams
 const general = {
diff --git a/web/tests/people.test.js b/web/tests/people.test.js
index 28d3a84bac..838fd8c265 100644
--- a/web/tests/people.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/people.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const {$t} = require("./lib/i18n");
 const {mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 const blueslip = require("./lib/zblueslip");
-const {current_user, page_params, realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params, realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const message_user_ids = mock_esm("../src/message_user_ids");
 const settings_data = mock_esm("../src/settings_data", {
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ const settings_data = mock_esm("../src/settings_data", {
 const muted_users = zrequire("muted_users");
 const people = zrequire("people");
 const user_groups = zrequire("user_groups");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const welcome_bot = {
     email: "welcome-bot@example.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/pm_list_data.test.js b/web/tests/pm_list_data.test.js
index 451538b48c..db7a6512e5 100644
--- a/web/tests/pm_list_data.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/pm_list_data.test.js
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ const people = zrequire("people");
 const pm_conversations = zrequire("pm_conversations");
 const pm_list_data = zrequire("pm_list_data");
 const message_lists = zrequire("message_lists");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const alice = {
     email: "alice@zulip.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/postprocess_content.test.js b/web/tests/postprocess_content.test.js
index d6162fa81a..63380eea83 100644
--- a/web/tests/postprocess_content.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/postprocess_content.test.js
@@ -4,11 +4,14 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 
 const {mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const thumbnail = mock_esm("../src/thumbnail");
 
 const {postprocess_content} = zrequire("postprocess_content");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 run_test("postprocess_content", () => {
     assert.equal(
diff --git a/web/tests/presence.test.js b/web/tests/presence.test.js
index 9da869c8d5..f6d6eb2ffb 100644
--- a/web/tests/presence.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/presence.test.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 
 const {mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 mock_esm("../src/settings_data", {
     user_can_access_all_other_users: () => true,
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ mock_esm("../src/settings_data", {
 
 const people = zrequire("people");
 const presence = zrequire("presence");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const OFFLINE_THRESHOLD_SECS = 200;
 
diff --git a/web/tests/reactions.test.js b/web/tests/reactions.test.js
index 67b141ad6a..6c78f2aabc 100644
--- a/web/tests/reactions.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/reactions.test.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const {make_stub} = require("./lib/stub");
 const {run_test, noop} = require("./lib/test");
 const blueslip = require("./lib/zblueslip");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {current_user, page_params, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const alice_user_id = 5;
 
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ const emoji = zrequire("emoji");
 const emoji_codes = zrequire("../../static/generated/emoji/emoji_codes.json");
 const people = zrequire("people");
 const reactions = zrequire("reactions");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const emoji_params = {
     realm_emoji: {
diff --git a/web/tests/rendered_markdown.test.js b/web/tests/rendered_markdown.test.js
index 57af781593..061ed366a1 100644
--- a/web/tests/rendered_markdown.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/rendered_markdown.test.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const {mock_cjs, mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test, noop} = require("./lib/test");
 const blueslip = require("./lib/zblueslip");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 let clipboard_args;
 class Clipboard {
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ const message_store = mock_esm("../src/message_store");
 mock_esm("../src/settings_data", {
     user_can_access_all_other_users: () => false,
 });
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const iago = {
     email: "iago@zulip.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/scheduled_messages.test.js b/web/tests/scheduled_messages.test.js
index 48e3596443..66418f8198 100644
--- a/web/tests/scheduled_messages.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/scheduled_messages.test.js
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 
 const scheduled_messages = zrequire("scheduled_messages");
 const compose_send_menu_popover = zrequire("compose_send_menu_popover");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const per_day_stamps = {
     "2023-04-30": {
diff --git a/web/tests/settings_config.test.js b/web/tests/settings_config.test.js
index d5ea785b5c..5b523a129e 100644
--- a/web/tests/settings_config.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/settings_config.test.js
@@ -4,9 +4,12 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 
 const {zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const settings_config = zrequire("settings_config");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 run_test("all_notifications", ({override}) => {
     override(user_settings, "enable_stream_desktop_notifications", false);
diff --git a/web/tests/settings_data.test.js b/web/tests/settings_data.test.js
index 89bc67c085..c8dd09be92 100644
--- a/web/tests/settings_data.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/settings_data.test.js
@@ -4,11 +4,15 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 
 const {mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {current_user, page_params, realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params, realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const settings_data = zrequire("settings_data");
 const settings_config = zrequire("settings_config");
 const user_groups = zrequire("user_groups");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 /*
     Some methods in settings_data are fairly
diff --git a/web/tests/settings_muted_users.test.js b/web/tests/settings_muted_users.test.js
index 4b3a34ed59..01f61dc2b5 100644
--- a/web/tests/settings_muted_users.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/settings_muted_users.test.js
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ mock_esm("../src/settings_data", {
 const settings_muted_users = zrequire("settings_muted_users");
 const muted_users = zrequire("muted_users");
 const people = zrequire("people");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 run_test("settings", ({override}) => {
     people.add_active_user({user_id: 5, email: "five@zulip.com", full_name: "Feivel Fiverson"});
diff --git a/web/tests/settings_org.test.js b/web/tests/settings_org.test.js
index 843c8036d6..ea5c48052b 100644
--- a/web/tests/settings_org.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/settings_org.test.js
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ const settings_bots = zrequire("settings_bots");
 const settings_account = zrequire("settings_account");
 const settings_components = zrequire("settings_components");
 const settings_org = zrequire("settings_org");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 function test(label, f) {
     run_test(label, (helpers) => {
diff --git a/web/tests/settings_user_topics.test.js b/web/tests/settings_user_topics.test.js
index 6996d65b5d..c4d8f2b857 100644
--- a/web/tests/settings_user_topics.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/settings_user_topics.test.js
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ const list_widget = mock_esm("../src/list_widget", {
 const settings_user_topics = zrequire("settings_user_topics");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const user_topics = zrequire("user_topics");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const frontend = {
     stream_id: 101,
diff --git a/web/tests/starred_messages.test.js b/web/tests/starred_messages.test.js
index 9b372b7305..1310451dab 100644
--- a/web/tests/starred_messages.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/starred_messages.test.js
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 const {mock_esm, with_overrides, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {make_stub} = require("./lib/stub");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const left_sidebar_navigation_area = mock_esm("../src/left_sidebar_navigation_area", {
     update_starred_count() {},
@@ -13,6 +12,10 @@ const left_sidebar_navigation_area = mock_esm("../src/left_sidebar_navigation_ar
 const message_store = zrequire("message_store");
 const starred_messages = zrequire("starred_messages");
 const starred_messages_ui = zrequire("starred_messages_ui");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 run_test("add starred", () => {
     starred_messages.starred_ids.clear();
diff --git a/web/tests/stream_data.test.js b/web/tests/stream_data.test.js
index 5b464fa8fb..119c593cb4 100644
--- a/web/tests/stream_data.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/stream_data.test.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 const {mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 const blueslip = require("./lib/zblueslip");
-const {current_user, page_params, realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params, realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 // TODO: Remove after we enable support for
 // web_public_streams in production.
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const hash_util = zrequire("hash_util");
 const stream_settings_data = zrequire("stream_settings_data");
 const user_groups = zrequire("user_groups");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 mock_esm("../src/group_permission_settings", {
     get_group_permission_setting_config() {
diff --git a/web/tests/stream_list.test.js b/web/tests/stream_list.test.js
index 801549dd7b..8f428f0ccc 100644
--- a/web/tests/stream_list.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/stream_list.test.js
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 const {mock_esm, set_global, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test, noop} = require("./lib/test");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {current_user, page_params, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, page_params} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 set_global("document", "document-stub");
 
@@ -35,6 +35,10 @@ const {Filter} = zrequire("../src/filter");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const stream_list = zrequire("stream_list");
 const stream_list_sort = zrequire("stream_list_sort");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const devel = {
     name: "devel",
diff --git a/web/tests/stream_list_sort.test.js b/web/tests/stream_list_sort.test.js
index 5ad4c400f2..5da734e76b 100644
--- a/web/tests/stream_list_sort.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/stream_list_sort.test.js
@@ -6,13 +6,16 @@ const _ = require("lodash");
 
 const {zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const people = zrequire("people");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const stream_topic_history = zrequire("stream_topic_history");
 const stream_list_sort = zrequire("stream_list_sort");
 const settings_config = zrequire("settings_config");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 function contains_sub(subs, sub) {
     return subs.some((s) => s.name === sub.name);
diff --git a/web/tests/stream_settings_ui.test.js b/web/tests/stream_settings_ui.test.js
index a0817bac5f..48539ff2e4 100644
--- a/web/tests/stream_settings_ui.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/stream_settings_ui.test.js
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@ set_global("page_params", {});
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const stream_settings_ui = zrequire("stream_settings_ui");
 const user_groups = zrequire("user_groups");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 run_test("redraw_left_panel", ({mock_template}) => {
     const admins_group = {
diff --git a/web/tests/timerender.test.js b/web/tests/timerender.test.js
index 7a6c55ee72..0b1386c1a1 100644
--- a/web/tests/timerender.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/timerender.test.js
@@ -9,7 +9,11 @@ const {$t} = require("./lib/i18n");
 const {zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 const $ = require("./lib/zjquery");
-const {user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const timerender = zrequire("timerender");
 
diff --git a/web/tests/typeahead_helper.test.js b/web/tests/typeahead_helper.test.js
index 7c982f1a0e..0e458341c1 100644
--- a/web/tests/typeahead_helper.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/typeahead_helper.test.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ const assert = require("node:assert/strict");
 
 const {mock_esm, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {current_user, realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {current_user, realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 const stream_topic_history = mock_esm("../src/stream_topic_history");
 
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ const util = zrequire("util");
 const ct = zrequire("composebox_typeahead");
 const th = zrequire("typeahead_helper");
 const user_groups = zrequire("user_groups");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 let next_id = 0;
 
diff --git a/web/tests/typing_status.test.js b/web/tests/typing_status.test.js
index 1d7ae68d25..378cb5f185 100644
--- a/web/tests/typing_status.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/typing_status.test.js
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ const stream_data = mock_esm("../src/stream_data");
 
 const typing = zrequire("typing");
 const typing_status = zrequire("../shared/src/typing_status");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const TYPING_STARTED_WAIT_PERIOD = 10000;
 const TYPING_STOPPED_WAIT_PERIOD = 5000;
diff --git a/web/tests/unread.test.js b/web/tests/unread.test.js
index c415bc7eba..aaa89d2340 100644
--- a/web/tests/unread.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/unread.test.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const _ = require("lodash");
 
 const {set_global, with_overrides, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
-const {realm, user_settings} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
+const {realm} = require("./lib/zpage_params");
 
 realm.realm_push_notifications_enabled = false;
 
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ const people = zrequire("people");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
 const sub_store = zrequire("sub_store");
 const unread = zrequire("unread");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+const user_settings = {};
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings});
 
 const me = {
     email: "me@example.com",
diff --git a/web/tests/user_status.test.js b/web/tests/user_status.test.js
index 5efd49f91f..77a8cdf5c5 100644
--- a/web/tests/user_status.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/user_status.test.js
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ const channel = mock_esm("../src/channel");
 const user_status = zrequire("user_status");
 const emoji_codes = zrequire("../../static/generated/emoji/emoji_codes.json");
 const emoji = zrequire("emoji");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const emoji_params = {
     realm_emoji: {
diff --git a/web/tests/user_topics.test.js b/web/tests/user_topics.test.js
index af1fc1d29b..82820b08f4 100644
--- a/web/tests/user_topics.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/user_topics.test.js
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ const blueslip = require("./lib/zblueslip");
 
 const user_topics = zrequire("user_topics");
 const stream_data = zrequire("stream_data");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
+
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
 
 const design = {
     stream_id: 100,
diff --git a/web/tests/util.test.js b/web/tests/util.test.js
index 83bd65ee04..48c8ee91b5 100644
--- a/web/tests/util.test.js
+++ b/web/tests/util.test.js
@@ -9,10 +9,13 @@ const {set_global, zrequire} = require("./lib/namespace");
 const {run_test} = require("./lib/test");
 
 const blueslip = zrequire("blueslip");
+const {initialize_user_settings} = zrequire("user_settings");
 
 set_global("document", {});
 const util = zrequire("util");
 
+initialize_user_settings({user_settings: {}});
+
 run_test("CachedValue", () => {
     let x = 5;