diff --git a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/capabilities/default.json b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/capabilities/default.json
index 59473721..4fd21675 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/capabilities/default.json
+++ b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/capabilities/default.json
@@ -19,9 +19,6 @@
         {
           "path": "$HOME/.goose/**"
         },
-        {
-          "path": "$HOME/.goose/artifacts/**"
-        },
         {
           "path": "$TEMP/**"
         },
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/gen/schemas/capabilities.json b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/gen/schemas/capabilities.json
index 12ce88ac..1fe86787 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/gen/schemas/capabilities.json
+++ b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/gen/schemas/capabilities.json
@@ -1 +1 @@
-{"default":{"identifier":"default","description":"Capability for the main window","local":true,"windows":["main"],"permissions":["core:default","core:window:allow-start-dragging","core:window:allow-toggle-maximize","core:window:allow-show","core:window:allow-close","opener:default",{"identifier":"opener:allow-open-path","allow":[{"path":"$HOME/**"},{"path":"$HOME/.goose/**"},{"path":"$HOME/.goose/artifacts/**"},{"path":"$TEMP/**"},{"path":"/Volumes/**"},{"path":"/mnt/**"},{"path":"/workspace/**"},{"path":"/workspaces/**"},{"path":"/opt/**"},{"path":"/srv/**"},{"path":"*:/**"}]},"window-state:allow-restore-state","window-state:allow-save-window-state","dialog:allow-open","dialog:allow-save","app-test-driver:default","core:webview:allow-set-webview-zoom"]}}
\ No newline at end of file
+{"default":{"identifier":"default","description":"Capability for the main window","local":true,"windows":["main"],"permissions":["core:default","core:window:allow-start-dragging","core:window:allow-toggle-maximize","core:window:allow-show","core:window:allow-close","opener:default",{"identifier":"opener:allow-open-path","allow":[{"path":"$HOME/**"},{"path":"$HOME/.goose/**"},{"path":"$TEMP/**"},{"path":"/Volumes/**"},{"path":"/mnt/**"},{"path":"/workspace/**"},{"path":"/workspaces/**"},{"path":"/opt/**"},{"path":"/srv/**"},{"path":"*:/**"}]},"window-state:allow-restore-state","window-state:allow-save-window-state","dialog:allow-open","dialog:allow-save","app-test-driver:default","core:webview:allow-set-webview-zoom"]}}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/commands/path_resolver.rs b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/commands/path_resolver.rs
index 3efc39f6..a7542abe 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/commands/path_resolver.rs
+++ b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/commands/path_resolver.rs
@@ -61,8 +61,8 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn joins_absolute_path_and_subpath() {
         assert_eq!(
-            resolve_path_parts(vec!["/tmp/project".to_string(), "artifacts".to_string()]),
-            Ok("/tmp/project/artifacts".to_string())
+            resolve_path_parts(vec!["/tmp/project".to_string(), "src".to_string()]),
+            Ok("/tmp/project/src".to_string())
         );
     }
 
@@ -81,24 +81,16 @@ mod tests {
         };
 
         assert_eq!(
-            resolve_path_parts(vec![
-                "~".to_string(),
-                ".goose".to_string(),
-                "artifacts".to_string()
-            ]),
-            Ok(home
-                .join(".goose")
-                .join("artifacts")
-                .to_string_lossy()
-                .into_owned())
+            resolve_path_parts(vec!["~".to_string()]),
+            Ok(home.to_string_lossy().into_owned())
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            resolve_path_parts(vec!["~/artifacts".to_string()]),
-            Ok(home.join("artifacts").to_string_lossy().into_owned())
+            resolve_path_parts(vec!["~/Documents".to_string()]),
+            Ok(home.join("Documents").to_string_lossy().into_owned())
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            resolve_path_parts(vec!["~\\artifacts".to_string()]),
-            Ok(home.join("artifacts").to_string_lossy().into_owned())
+            resolve_path_parts(vec!["~\\Documents".to_string()]),
+            Ok(home.join("Documents").to_string_lossy().into_owned())
         );
     }
 
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/commands/projects.rs b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/commands/projects.rs
index 31c129c1..cd41faa3 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/commands/projects.rs
+++ b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/commands/projects.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use std::fs;
-use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 fn projects_dir() -> Result<PathBuf, String> {
     let home = dirs::home_dir().ok_or("Could not determine home directory")?;
@@ -120,10 +120,6 @@ where
         .collect())
 }
 
-fn project_artifacts_dir(project_dir: &Path) -> String {
-    project_dir.join("artifacts").to_string_lossy().into_owned()
-}
-
 #[derive(serde::Serialize, Deserialize, Clone)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "camelCase")]
 struct StoredProjectInfo {
@@ -170,10 +166,9 @@ pub struct ProjectInfo {
     pub archived_at: Option<String>,
     pub created_at: String,
     pub updated_at: String,
-    pub artifacts_dir: String,
 }
 
-fn project_info_from_stored(project_dir: &Path, stored: StoredProjectInfo) -> ProjectInfo {
+fn project_info_from_stored(stored: StoredProjectInfo) -> ProjectInfo {
     ProjectInfo {
         id: stored.id,
         name: stored.name,
@@ -189,7 +184,6 @@ fn project_info_from_stored(project_dir: &Path, stored: StoredProjectInfo) -> Pr
         archived_at: stored.archived_at,
         created_at: stored.created_at,
         updated_at: stored.updated_at,
-        artifacts_dir: project_artifacts_dir(project_dir),
     }
 }
 
@@ -223,7 +217,7 @@ pub fn list_projects() -> Result<Vec<ProjectInfo>, String> {
             Err(_) => continue,
         };
 
-        projects.push(project_info_from_stored(&path, info));
+        projects.push(project_info_from_stored(info));
     }
 
     projects.sort_by_key(|p| p.order);
@@ -253,7 +247,7 @@ pub fn list_archived_projects() -> Result<Vec<ProjectInfo>, String> {
         let raw = fs::read_to_string(&project_json).unwrap_or_default();
         if let Ok(info) = serde_json::from_str::<StoredProjectInfo>(&raw) {
             if info.archived_at.is_some() {
-                projects.push(project_info_from_stored(&path, info));
+                projects.push(project_info_from_stored(info));
             }
         }
     }
@@ -329,7 +323,7 @@ pub fn create_project(
         .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to serialize project: {}", e))?;
     fs::write(&project_path, json).map_err(|e| format!("Failed to write project.json: {}", e))?;
 
-    Ok(project_info_from_stored(&dir, stored))
+    Ok(project_info_from_stored(stored))
 }
 
 #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
@@ -374,7 +368,7 @@ pub fn update_project(
         .map_err(|e| format!("Failed to serialize project: {}", e))?;
     fs::write(&project_path, json).map_err(|e| format!("Failed to write project.json: {}", e))?;
 
-    Ok(project_info_from_stored(&dir, stored))
+    Ok(project_info_from_stored(stored))
 }
 
 #[tauri::command]
@@ -400,8 +394,8 @@ pub fn reorder_projects(order: Vec<(String, i32)>) -> Result<(), String> {
 
 #[tauri::command]
 pub fn get_project(id: String) -> Result<ProjectInfo, String> {
-    let (dir, info) = find_project_by_id(&id)?;
-    Ok(project_info_from_stored(&dir, info))
+    let (_, info) = find_project_by_id(&id)?;
+    Ok(project_info_from_stored(info))
 }
 
 #[tauri::command]
@@ -472,8 +466,7 @@ pub fn restore_project(id: String) -> Result<(), String> {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use super::{project_artifacts_dir, StoredProjectInfo};
-    use std::path::Path;
+    use super::StoredProjectInfo;
 
     #[test]
     fn deserializes_legacy_single_working_dir() {
@@ -497,12 +490,4 @@ mod tests {
 
         assert_eq!(project.working_dirs, vec!["/tmp/legacy"]);
     }
-
-    #[test]
-    fn builds_project_artifacts_dir_inside_project_storage() {
-        assert_eq!(
-            project_artifacts_dir(Path::new("/Users/test/.goose/projects/sample-project")),
-            "/Users/test/.goose/projects/sample-project/artifacts"
-        );
-    }
 }
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/services/acp/goose_serve.rs b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/services/acp/goose_serve.rs
index debbabf7..693e2ab5 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/services/acp/goose_serve.rs
+++ b/ui/goose2/src-tauri/src/services/acp/goose_serve.rs
@@ -146,10 +146,7 @@ async fn wait_for_server_ready(port: u16, child: &mut Child) -> Result<(), Strin
 }
 
 fn default_serve_working_dir() -> PathBuf {
-    dirs::home_dir()
-        .unwrap_or_else(|| PathBuf::from("/tmp"))
-        .join(".goose")
-        .join("artifacts")
+    dirs::home_dir().unwrap_or_else(|| PathBuf::from("/tmp"))
 }
 
 fn reserve_free_port() -> Result<u16, String> {
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/ArtifactPolicyContext.tsx b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/ArtifactPolicyContext.tsx
index 0774a6d3..4271f377 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/ArtifactPolicyContext.tsx
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/ArtifactPolicyContext.tsx
@@ -83,49 +83,6 @@ function basenameOf(path: string): string {
   return parts[parts.length - 1] ?? path;
 }
 
-function homeArtifactsRootFromRoots(roots: string[]): string | null {
-  return (
-    roots.find((root) => /\/\.goose\/artifacts\/?$/.test(root.trim())) ?? null
-  );
-}
-
-function stripRootArtifactsSegment(
-  path: string,
-  roots: string[],
-): string | null {
-  for (const root of roots) {
-    const normalizedRoot = root.replace(/\/+$/, "");
-    const prefix = `${normalizedRoot}/artifacts/`;
-    if (path.startsWith(prefix)) {
-      return `${normalizedRoot}/${path.slice(prefix.length)}`;
-    }
-  }
-  return null;
-}
-
-function fallbackArtifactPath(path: string, roots: string[]): string | null {
-  const normalized = path.trim();
-  if (!/\/\.goose\/projects\/.+\/artifacts\/.+/.test(normalized)) {
-    const rootAnchored = stripRootArtifactsSegment(normalized, roots);
-    if (rootAnchored) {
-      return rootAnchored;
-    }
-    return null;
-  }
-
-  const filename = basenameOf(normalized);
-  if (!filename || filename === normalized) {
-    return null;
-  }
-
-  const homeArtifactsRoot = homeArtifactsRootFromRoots(roots);
-  if (!homeArtifactsRoot) {
-    return null;
-  }
-
-  return `${homeArtifactsRoot.replace(/\/+$/, "")}/${filename}`;
-}
-
 export function ArtifactPolicyProvider({
   messages,
   allowedRoots,
@@ -190,14 +147,9 @@ export function ArtifactPolicyProvider({
         return path;
       }
 
-      const fallbackPath = fallbackArtifactPath(path, normalizedRoots);
-      if (fallbackPath && (await pathExists(fallbackPath))) {
-        return fallbackPath;
-      }
-
       return null;
     },
-    [normalizedRoots],
+    [],
   );
 
   const checkPathExists = useCallback(
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/__tests__/ArtifactPolicyContext.test.tsx b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/__tests__/ArtifactPolicyContext.test.tsx
index 0ea636e8..e41a7f51 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/__tests__/ArtifactPolicyContext.test.tsx
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/__tests__/ArtifactPolicyContext.test.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { render, screen, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react";
+import { render, screen } from "@testing-library/react";
 import { describe, expect, it, vi } from "vitest";
 import type { Message } from "@/shared/types/messages";
 import {
@@ -85,32 +85,6 @@ function ReadOnlyProbe({ readArgs }: { readArgs: Record<string, unknown> }) {
   );
 }
 
-function FallbackProbe({
-  path = "/Users/test/.goose/projects/sample-project/artifacts/report.md",
-}: {
-  path?: string;
-}) {
-  const { pathExists, openResolvedPath } = useArtifactPolicyContext();
-
-  return (
-    <div>
-      <button
-        type="button"
-        onClick={async () => {
-          const exists = await pathExists(path);
-          (window as Window & { __artifactExists?: boolean }).__artifactExists =
-            exists;
-        }}
-      >
-        Check path
-      </button>
-      <button type="button" onClick={() => void openResolvedPath(path)}>
-        Open path
-      </button>
-    </div>
-  );
-}
-
 describe("ArtifactPolicyContext", () => {
   it("computes one primary host per message and resolves tool cards by args identity", () => {
     mockPathExists.mockReset();
@@ -163,7 +137,7 @@ describe("ArtifactPolicyContext", () => {
     render(
       <ArtifactPolicyProvider
         messages={messages}
-        allowedRoots={["/Users/test/project-a", "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts"]}
+        allowedRoots={["/Users/test/project-a", "/Users/test"]}
       >
         <Probe
           readArgs={readArgs}
@@ -215,7 +189,7 @@ describe("ArtifactPolicyContext", () => {
     render(
       <ArtifactPolicyProvider
         messages={messages}
-        allowedRoots={["/Users/test/project-a", "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts"]}
+        allowedRoots={["/Users/test/project-a", "/Users/test"]}
       >
         <ReadOnlyProbe readArgs={readArgs} />
       </ArtifactPolicyProvider>,
@@ -225,150 +199,6 @@ describe("ArtifactPolicyContext", () => {
     expect(screen.getByTestId("read-only-artifacts")).toHaveTextContent("");
   });
 
-  it("falls back to the home artifacts root when a project artifacts path is missing", async () => {
-    mockPathExists.mockReset();
-    vi.mocked(openPath).mockReset();
-    mockPathExists.mockImplementation(
-      async (path: string) => path === "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts/report.md",
-    );
-
-    render(
-      <ArtifactPolicyProvider
-        messages={[]}
-        allowedRoots={[
-          "/Users/test/.goose/projects/sample-project/artifacts",
-          "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts",
-        ]}
-      >
-        <FallbackProbe />
-      </ArtifactPolicyProvider>,
-    );
-
-    screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Check path" }).click();
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(
-        (window as Window & { __artifactExists?: boolean }).__artifactExists,
-      ).toBe(true);
-    });
-
-    screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Open path" }).click();
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(vi.mocked(openPath)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts/report.md",
-      );
-    });
-  });
-
-  it("falls back from a working-dir artifacts path to the project root when the file lives there", async () => {
-    mockPathExists.mockReset();
-    vi.mocked(openPath).mockReset();
-    mockPathExists.mockImplementation(
-      async (path: string) =>
-        path === "/Users/test/project-a/README_ENHANCED.md",
-    );
-
-    render(
-      <ArtifactPolicyProvider
-        messages={[]}
-        allowedRoots={[
-          "/Users/test/project-a/artifacts",
-          "/Users/test/project-a",
-          "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts",
-        ]}
-      >
-        <FallbackProbe path="/Users/test/project-a/artifacts/README_ENHANCED.md" />
-      </ArtifactPolicyProvider>,
-    );
-
-    screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Check path" }).click();
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(
-        (window as Window & { __artifactExists?: boolean }).__artifactExists,
-      ).toBe(true);
-    });
-
-    screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Open path" }).click();
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(vi.mocked(openPath)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        "/Users/test/project-a/README_ENHANCED.md",
-      );
-    });
-  });
-
-  it("does not strip /artifacts/ from a parent directory in the path", async () => {
-    mockPathExists.mockReset();
-    vi.mocked(openPath).mockReset();
-    // The file lives at the nested artifacts path — the parent `/artifacts/` should NOT be stripped
-    mockPathExists.mockImplementation(
-      async (path: string) =>
-        path === "/Users/test/artifacts/project/artifacts/README_ENHANCED.md",
-    );
-
-    render(
-      <ArtifactPolicyProvider
-        messages={[]}
-        allowedRoots={[
-          "/Users/test/artifacts/project/artifacts",
-          "/Users/test/artifacts/project",
-          "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts",
-        ]}
-      >
-        <FallbackProbe path="/Users/test/artifacts/project/artifacts/README_ENHANCED.md" />
-      </ArtifactPolicyProvider>,
-    );
-
-    screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Check path" }).click();
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(
-        (window as Window & { __artifactExists?: boolean }).__artifactExists,
-      ).toBe(true);
-    });
-
-    screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Open path" }).click();
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(vi.mocked(openPath)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        "/Users/test/artifacts/project/artifacts/README_ENHANCED.md",
-      );
-    });
-  });
-
-  it("falls back correctly when /artifacts/ appears in a parent dir", async () => {
-    mockPathExists.mockReset();
-    vi.mocked(openPath).mockReset();
-    // File is NOT at the artifacts path, but IS at the root-stripped path
-    mockPathExists.mockImplementation(
-      async (path: string) =>
-        path === "/Users/test/artifacts/project/README.md",
-    );
-
-    render(
-      <ArtifactPolicyProvider
-        messages={[]}
-        allowedRoots={[
-          "/Users/test/artifacts/project/artifacts",
-          "/Users/test/artifacts/project",
-          "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts",
-        ]}
-      >
-        <FallbackProbe path="/Users/test/artifacts/project/artifacts/README.md" />
-      </ArtifactPolicyProvider>,
-    );
-
-    screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Check path" }).click();
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(
-        (window as Window & { __artifactExists?: boolean }).__artifactExists,
-      ).toBe(true);
-    });
-
-    screen.getByRole("button", { name: "Open path" }).click();
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(vi.mocked(openPath)).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-        "/Users/test/artifacts/project/README.md",
-      );
-    });
-  });
-
   it("uses assistant text after a tool call to populate file actions and the Files tab", () => {
     mockPathExists.mockReset();
     vi.mocked(openPath).mockReset();
@@ -396,7 +226,7 @@ describe("ArtifactPolicyContext", () => {
           },
           {
             type: "text",
-            text: "The file alpha.md has been created at /Users/test/.goose/artifacts/alpha.md.",
+            text: "The file alpha.md has been created at /Users/test/alpha.md.",
           },
         ],
       },
@@ -405,7 +235,7 @@ describe("ArtifactPolicyContext", () => {
     render(
       <ArtifactPolicyProvider
         messages={messages}
-        allowedRoots={["/Users/test/.goose/artifacts"]}
+        allowedRoots={["/Users/test"]}
       >
         <TextFollowupProbe writeArgs={writeArgs} />
       </ArtifactPolicyProvider>,
@@ -415,10 +245,10 @@ describe("ArtifactPolicyContext", () => {
       "primary_host",
     );
     expect(screen.getByTestId("text-followup-path")).toHaveTextContent(
-      "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts/alpha.md",
+      "/Users/test/alpha.md",
     );
     expect(screen.getByTestId("text-followup-artifacts")).toHaveTextContent(
-      "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts/alpha.md",
+      "/Users/test/alpha.md",
     );
   });
 });
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/__tests__/useArtifactLinkHandler.test.tsx b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/__tests__/useArtifactLinkHandler.test.tsx
index 610c2cd0..59040189 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/__tests__/useArtifactLinkHandler.test.tsx
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/__tests__/useArtifactLinkHandler.test.tsx
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ describe("useArtifactLinkHandler", () => {
     const user = userEvent.setup();
     const blocked = makeCandidate({
       allowed: false,
-      blockedReason: "Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots.",
+      blockedReason: "Path is outside allowed roots.",
     });
     mockResolveMarkdownHref.mockReturnValue(blocked);
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ describe("useArtifactLinkHandler", () => {
 
     expect(mockOpenResolvedPath).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     expect(screen.getByTestId("notice")).toHaveTextContent(
-      "Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots.",
+      "Path is outside allowed roots.",
     );
   });
 
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ describe("useArtifactLinkHandler", () => {
     await user.click(screen.getByText("Blocked"));
 
     expect(screen.getByTestId("notice")).toHaveTextContent(
-      "Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots.",
+      "Path is outside allowed roots.",
     );
   });
 });
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/useArtifactLinkHandler.ts b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/useArtifactLinkHandler.ts
index 52aaa54e..543b535d 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/useArtifactLinkHandler.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/hooks/useArtifactLinkHandler.ts
@@ -30,8 +30,7 @@ export function useArtifactLinkHandler() {
 
       if (!resolved.allowed) {
         setPathNotice(
-          resolved.blockedReason ||
-            "Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots.",
+          resolved.blockedReason || "Path is outside allowed roots.",
         );
         return;
       }
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/lib/__tests__/artifactPathPolicy.test.ts b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/lib/__tests__/artifactPathPolicy.test.ts
index f1ed34b1..13079223 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/lib/__tests__/artifactPathPolicy.test.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/lib/__tests__/artifactPathPolicy.test.ts
@@ -8,11 +8,7 @@ import {
   resolvePathCandidate,
 } from "../artifactPathPolicy";
 
-const roots = [
-  "/Users/test/project-a",
-  "/Users/test/project-b",
-  "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts",
-];
+const roots = ["/Users/test/project-a", "/Users/test/project-b", "/Users/test"];
 
 describe("artifactPathPolicy", () => {
   it("prefers the latest write-oriented tool call over earlier tool calls", () => {
@@ -112,7 +108,7 @@ describe("artifactPathPolicy", () => {
     expect(allowed.allowed).toBe(true);
     expect(allowed.blockedReason).toBeNull();
 
-    const blocked = evaluatePathScope("/Users/test/outside/file.md", roots);
+    const blocked = evaluatePathScope("/Users/other/outside/file.md", roots);
     expect(blocked.allowed).toBe(false);
     expect(blocked.blockedReason).toContain("outside allowed");
   });
@@ -128,7 +124,7 @@ describe("artifactPathPolicy", () => {
           toolCallIndex: 0,
         },
       ],
-      ["/Users/test/.goose/artifacts"],
+      ["/Users/test"],
     );
 
     expect(ranking.primaryCandidate?.resolvedPath).toBe(
@@ -146,7 +142,7 @@ describe("artifactPathPolicy", () => {
         args: { path: "/Users/test/Desktop/coffee_shop_inventory.csv" },
         toolCallIndex: 0,
       },
-      ["/Users/test/.goose/artifacts"],
+      ["/Users/test/project-a"],
     );
 
     expect(candidates).toHaveLength(1);
@@ -268,7 +264,7 @@ describe("artifactPathPolicy", () => {
           toolCallIndex: 0,
         },
       ],
-      ["/Users/test", "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts"],
+      ["/Users/test", "/Users/test"],
     );
 
     expect(ranking.primaryCandidate?.resolvedPath).toBe(
@@ -301,18 +297,18 @@ describe("artifactPathPolicy", () => {
             },
             {
               type: "text",
-              text: "The file alpha.md has been created at /Users/test/.goose/artifacts/alpha.md.",
+              text: "The file alpha.md has been created at /Users/test/alpha.md.",
             },
           ],
         },
       ],
-      ["/Users/test/.goose/artifacts"],
+      ["/Users/test"],
     );
 
     const ranking = result.byMessageId.get("assistant-1");
     expect(ranking?.primaryToolCallId).toBe("tool-1");
     expect(ranking?.primaryCandidate?.resolvedPath).toBe(
-      "/Users/test/.goose/artifacts/alpha.md",
+      "/Users/test/alpha.md",
     );
     expect(ranking?.primaryCandidate?.allowed).toBe(true);
   });
@@ -367,7 +363,7 @@ describe("artifactPathPolicy", () => {
           toolCallIndex: 0,
         },
       ],
-      ["/Users/test/.goose/artifacts"],
+      ["/Users/test"],
     );
 
     expect(ranking.primaryCandidate?.allowed).toBe(true);
@@ -382,10 +378,7 @@ describe("artifactPathPolicy", () => {
   });
 
   it("preserves Windows drive roots when resolving relative paths", () => {
-    const windowsRoots = [
-      "C:/Users/test/project-a",
-      "C:/Users/test/.goose/artifacts",
-    ];
+    const windowsRoots = ["C:/Users/test/project-a", "C:/Users/test"];
     const resolved = resolvePathCandidate(
       "output/final_report.md",
       windowsRoots,
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/lib/artifactPathPolicyCore.ts b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/lib/artifactPathPolicyCore.ts
index e227e0e2..4f95a167 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/lib/artifactPathPolicyCore.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/lib/artifactPathPolicyCore.ts
@@ -245,11 +245,7 @@ function pickBaseRoot(allowedRoots: string[]): string | null {
   const normalizedRoots = allowedRoots
     .map((root) => normalizePath(root))
     .filter(Boolean);
-  if (normalizedRoots.length === 0) return null;
-  const projectRoots = normalizedRoots.filter(
-    (root) => !root.includes("/.goose/artifacts"),
-  );
-  return projectRoots[0] ?? normalizedRoots[0];
+  return normalizedRoots[0] ?? null;
 }
 
 export function resolvePathCandidate(
@@ -294,7 +290,7 @@ export function evaluatePathScope(
   }
   return {
     allowed: false,
-    blockedReason: "Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots.",
+    blockedReason: "Path is outside allowed roots.",
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/ui/__tests__/ToolCallAdapter.test.tsx b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/ui/__tests__/ToolCallAdapter.test.tsx
index ba267593..49dccd7a 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/ui/__tests__/ToolCallAdapter.test.tsx
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/chat/ui/__tests__/ToolCallAdapter.test.tsx
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ describe("ToolCallAdapter — ArtifactActions", () => {
   it("disables button and shows blocked reason for disallowed primary candidate", () => {
     const blocked = makeCandidate({
       allowed: false,
-      blockedReason: "Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots.",
+      blockedReason: "Path is outside allowed roots.",
     });
     mockResolveToolCardDisplay.mockReturnValue({
       role: "primary_host",
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ describe("ToolCallAdapter — ArtifactActions", () => {
 
     expect(screen.getByRole("button", { name: /open file/i })).toBeDisabled();
     expect(
-      screen.getByText("Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots."),
+      screen.getByText("Path is outside allowed roots."),
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
@@ -191,7 +191,7 @@ describe("ToolCallAdapter — ArtifactActions", () => {
       rawPath: "/outside/secret.md",
       resolvedPath: "/Users/test/outside/secret.md",
       allowed: false,
-      blockedReason: "Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots.",
+      blockedReason: "Path is outside allowed roots.",
     });
     mockResolveToolCardDisplay.mockReturnValue({
       role: "primary_host",
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ describe("ToolCallAdapter — ArtifactActions", () => {
     const secondaryBtn = screen.getByTitle(blockedSecondary.resolvedPath);
     expect(secondaryBtn).toBeDisabled();
     expect(
-      screen.getByText("Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots."),
+      screen.getByText("Path is outside allowed roots."),
     ).toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/api/projects.ts b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/api/projects.ts
index 621e4288..7d338387 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/api/projects.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/api/projects.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ export interface ProjectInfo {
   archivedAt: string | null;
   createdAt: string;
   updatedAt: string;
-  artifactsDir: string;
 }
 
 export interface ProjectIconCandidate {
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/chatProjectContext.test.ts b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/chatProjectContext.test.ts
index 9420a9de..b1c915e5 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/chatProjectContext.test.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/chatProjectContext.test.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ describe("chatProjectContext", () => {
       preferredProvider: "goose",
       preferredModel: "claude-sonnet-4",
       workingDirs: ["/Users/wesb/dev/goose2"],
-      artifactsDir: "/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/goose2/artifacts",
       useWorktrees: true,
       order: 0,
       archivedAt: null,
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ describe("chatProjectContext", () => {
       "Working directories: /Users/wesb/dev/goose2",
     );
     expect(systemPrompt).toContain(
-      "Artifact directory: /Users/wesb/dev/goose2/artifacts",
+      "Default working directory: /Users/wesb/dev/goose2",
     );
     expect(systemPrompt).toContain("Preferred provider: goose");
     expect(systemPrompt).toContain(
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ describe("chatProjectContext", () => {
     );
     expect(systemPrompt).toContain("<project-file-policy>");
     expect(systemPrompt).toContain(
-      "Write newly generated files to /Users/wesb/dev/goose2/artifacts by default.",
+      "Use /Users/wesb/dev/goose2 as the default working directory for this project.",
     );
     expect(systemPrompt).toContain("<project-instructions>");
     expect(systemPrompt).toContain("Always read AGENTS.md before editing.");
@@ -62,18 +61,17 @@ describe("chatProjectContext", () => {
     expect(
       getProjectFolderOption({
         workingDirs: ["/Users/wesb/dev/goose2", "/Users/wesb/dev/other"],
-        artifactsDir: "/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/goose2/artifacts",
       }),
     ).toEqual([
       {
-        id: "/Users/wesb/dev/goose2/artifacts",
-        name: "artifacts",
-        path: "/Users/wesb/dev/goose2/artifacts",
+        id: "/Users/wesb/dev/goose2",
+        name: "goose2",
+        path: "/Users/wesb/dev/goose2",
       },
       {
-        id: "/Users/wesb/dev/other/artifacts",
-        name: "artifacts",
-        path: "/Users/wesb/dev/other/artifacts",
+        id: "/Users/wesb/dev/other",
+        name: "other",
+        path: "/Users/wesb/dev/other",
       },
     ]);
   });
@@ -82,30 +80,19 @@ describe("chatProjectContext", () => {
     expect(
       getProjectFolderOption({
         workingDirs: [],
-        artifactsDir: "/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/sample-project/artifacts",
       }),
-    ).toEqual([
-      {
-        id: "/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/sample-project/artifacts",
-        name: "artifacts",
-        path: "/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/sample-project/artifacts",
-      },
-    ]);
+    ).toEqual([]);
   });
 
   it("returns an empty array when project is null", () => {
     expect(getProjectFolderOption(null)).toEqual([]);
   });
 
-  it("returns only artifact subdirectories for working dirs", () => {
+  it("returns working dirs unchanged", () => {
     expect(
       getProjectArtifactRoots({
         workingDirs: ["/Users/wesb/dev/goose2", "/Users/wesb/dev/other"],
-        artifactsDir: "/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/goose2/artifacts",
       }),
-    ).toEqual([
-      "/Users/wesb/dev/goose2/artifacts",
-      "/Users/wesb/dev/other/artifacts",
-    ]);
+    ).toEqual(["/Users/wesb/dev/goose2", "/Users/wesb/dev/other"]);
   });
 });
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/chatProjectContext.ts b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/chatProjectContext.ts
index 5b106972..9ba9377c 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/chatProjectContext.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/chatProjectContext.ts
@@ -21,53 +21,35 @@ export function getProjectFolderName(path: string): string {
   return parts[parts.length - 1] ?? normalized;
 }
 
-function appendArtifactsSegment(path: string): string {
-  return `${path.replace(/[\\/]+$/, "")}/artifacts`;
-}
-
-function resolveProjectArtifactRoots(
-  project: Pick<ProjectInfo, "workingDirs" | "artifactsDir"> | null | undefined,
+function resolveProjectRoots(
+  project: Pick<ProjectInfo, "workingDirs"> | null | undefined,
 ): string[] {
-  const workingDirs = (project?.workingDirs ?? [])
+  return (project?.workingDirs ?? [])
     .map((directory) => trimValue(directory))
     .filter((directory): directory is string => directory !== null);
-
-  if (workingDirs.length > 0) {
-    return workingDirs.map(appendArtifactsSegment);
-  }
-
-  const artifactsDir = trimValue(project?.artifactsDir);
-  return artifactsDir ? [artifactsDir] : [];
 }
 
 export function getProjectArtifactRoots(
-  project: Pick<ProjectInfo, "workingDirs" | "artifactsDir"> | null | undefined,
+  project: Pick<ProjectInfo, "workingDirs"> | null | undefined,
 ): string[] {
-  return resolveProjectArtifactRoots(project);
+  return resolveProjectRoots(project);
 }
 
 export function resolveProjectDefaultArtifactRoot(
   project: ProjectInfo | null | undefined,
 ): string | undefined {
-  const workingDirs = (project?.workingDirs ?? [])
-    .map((directory) => trimValue(directory))
-    .filter((directory): directory is string => directory !== null);
-
-  if (workingDirs.length > 0) {
-    return appendArtifactsSegment(workingDirs[0]);
-  }
-
-  return trimValue(project?.artifactsDir) ?? undefined;
+  const workingDirs = resolveProjectRoots(project);
+  return workingDirs[0];
 }
 
 export async function defaultGlobalArtifactRoot(): Promise<string> {
-  return (await resolvePath({ parts: ["~", ".goose", "artifacts"] })).path;
+  return (await resolvePath({ parts: ["~"] })).path;
 }
 
 export function getProjectFolderOption(
-  project: Pick<ProjectInfo, "workingDirs" | "artifactsDir"> | null | undefined,
+  project: Pick<ProjectInfo, "workingDirs"> | null | undefined,
 ): ProjectFolderOption[] {
-  return resolveProjectArtifactRoots(project).map((d) => ({
+  return resolveProjectRoots(project).map((d) => ({
     id: d,
     name: getProjectFolderName(d),
     path: d,
@@ -81,12 +63,10 @@ export function buildProjectSystemPrompt(
     return undefined;
   }
 
-  const artifactDir = resolveProjectDefaultArtifactRoot(project);
+  const workingDir = resolveProjectDefaultArtifactRoot(project);
   const settings: string[] = [`Project name: ${project.name}`];
   const description = trimValue(project.description);
-  const workingDirs = (project.workingDirs ?? [])
-    .map((d) => trimValue(d))
-    .filter((d): d is string => d !== null);
+  const workingDirs = resolveProjectRoots(project);
   const prompt = trimValue(project.prompt);
 
   if (description) {
@@ -95,8 +75,8 @@ export function buildProjectSystemPrompt(
   if (workingDirs.length > 0) {
     settings.push(`Working directories: ${workingDirs.join(", ")}`);
   }
-  if (artifactDir) {
-    settings.push(`Artifact directory: ${artifactDir}`);
+  if (workingDir) {
+    settings.push(`Default working directory: ${workingDir}`);
   }
   if (project.preferredProvider) {
     settings.push(`Preferred provider: ${project.preferredProvider}`);
@@ -114,13 +94,12 @@ export function buildProjectSystemPrompt(
     `<project-settings>\n${settings.join("\n")}\n</project-settings>`,
   ];
 
-  if (artifactDir) {
+  if (workingDir) {
     sections.push(
       `<project-file-policy>\n` +
-        `Write newly generated files to ${artifactDir} by default.\n` +
-        `When creating translations, variants, summaries, or derived documents from existing project files, save the new file in ${artifactDir} instead of the project root.\n` +
-        `Only write outside ${artifactDir} when the user explicitly asks you to edit or create a file at a specific path.\n` +
-        `If you need to read existing files elsewhere in the project, that is fine, but generated outputs should stay in ${artifactDir} unless the user says otherwise.\n` +
+        `Use ${workingDir} as the default working directory for this project.\n` +
+        `Write newly generated files relative to ${workingDir} by default.\n` +
+        `Only write outside ${workingDir} when the user explicitly asks you to edit or create a file at a specific path.\n` +
         `</project-file-policy>`,
     );
   }
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/sessionCwdSelection.test.ts b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/sessionCwdSelection.test.ts
index f25f8da1..47a071cf 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/sessionCwdSelection.test.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/sessionCwdSelection.test.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ function makeProject(overrides: Partial<ProjectInfo> = {}): ProjectInfo {
     archivedAt: null,
     createdAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
     updatedAt: "2026-01-01T00:00:00.000Z",
-    artifactsDir: "",
     ...overrides,
   };
 }
@@ -37,70 +36,64 @@ describe("sessionCwdSelection", () => {
     vi.mocked(resolvePath).mockReset();
   });
 
-  it("resolves the first workspace root to the default artifact root", () => {
+  it("resolves the first workspace root unchanged", () => {
     expect(
       resolveProjectDefaultArtifactRoot(
         makeProject({
           workingDirs: ["/Users/wesb/dev/goose2", "/Users/wesb/dev/other"],
-          artifactsDir: "/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/goose2/artifacts",
         }),
       ),
-    ).toBe("/Users/wesb/dev/goose2/artifacts");
+    ).toBe("/Users/wesb/dev/goose2");
   });
 
-  it("falls back to the stored project artifact root when no workspace roots exist", () => {
+  it("returns undefined when no workspace roots exist", () => {
     expect(
       resolveProjectDefaultArtifactRoot(
         makeProject({
           workingDirs: [],
-          artifactsDir: "/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/sample-project/artifacts",
-        }),
-      ),
-    ).toBe("/Users/wesb/.goose/projects/sample-project/artifacts");
-  });
-
-  it("returns undefined for a pathless project artifact root", () => {
-    expect(
-      resolveProjectDefaultArtifactRoot(
-        makeProject({
-          workingDirs: [],
-          artifactsDir: "   ",
         }),
       ),
     ).toBeUndefined();
   });
 
-  it("falls back to global artifacts for a pathless project session cwd", async () => {
+  it("returns undefined for a pathless project fallback directory", () => {
+    expect(
+      resolveProjectDefaultArtifactRoot(
+        makeProject({
+          workingDirs: [],
+        }),
+      ),
+    ).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+
+  it("falls back to home for a pathless project session cwd", async () => {
     vi.mocked(resolvePath).mockResolvedValue({
-      path: "/Users/wesb/.goose/artifacts",
+      path: "/Users/wesb",
     });
 
     await expect(
       resolveSessionCwd(
         makeProject({
           workingDirs: [],
-          artifactsDir: "   ",
         }),
       ),
-    ).resolves.toBe("/Users/wesb/.goose/artifacts");
+    ).resolves.toBe("/Users/wesb");
 
     expect(resolvePath).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
-      parts: ["~", ".goose", "artifacts"],
+      parts: ["~"],
     });
   });
 
   describe("defaultGlobalArtifactRoot", () => {
-    it("resolves the global artifact root through the path resolver", async () => {
+    it("resolves the home directory through the path resolver", async () => {
       vi.mocked(resolvePath).mockResolvedValue({
-        path: "/Users/wesb/.goose/artifacts",
+        path: "/Users/wesb",
       });
 
-      await expect(defaultGlobalArtifactRoot()).resolves.toBe(
-        "/Users/wesb/.goose/artifacts",
-      );
+      await expect(defaultGlobalArtifactRoot()).resolves.toBe("/Users/wesb");
 
       expect(resolvePath).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
-        parts: ["~", ".goose", "artifacts"],
+        parts: ["~"],
       });
     });
   });
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/sessionCwdSelection.ts b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/sessionCwdSelection.ts
index 064585d8..efeb543b 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/sessionCwdSelection.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/lib/sessionCwdSelection.ts
@@ -19,15 +19,10 @@ function buildSessionCwdParts(
     .map((directory) => trimValue(directory))
     .filter((directory): directory is string => directory !== null);
   if (workingDirs.length > 0) {
-    return [workingDirs[0], "artifacts"];
+    return [workingDirs[0]];
   }
 
-  const artifactRoot = trimValue(project?.artifactsDir);
-  if (artifactRoot) {
-    return [artifactRoot];
-  }
-
-  return ["~", ".goose", "artifacts"];
+  return ["~"];
 }
 
 export async function resolveSessionCwd(
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/ui/__tests__/CreateProjectDialog.test.tsx b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/ui/__tests__/CreateProjectDialog.test.tsx
index 89156b86..da09860f 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/ui/__tests__/CreateProjectDialog.test.tsx
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/features/projects/ui/__tests__/CreateProjectDialog.test.tsx
@@ -106,7 +106,6 @@ function makeEditingProject(overrides: Partial<ProjectInfo> = {}): ProjectInfo {
     archivedAt: null,
     createdAt: "2024-01-01",
     updatedAt: "2024-01-01",
-    artifactsDir: "/home/user/code/.goose",
     ...overrides,
   };
 }
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/__tests__/acpNotificationHandler.test.ts b/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/__tests__/acpNotificationHandler.test.ts
index 5384af29..53283a56 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/__tests__/acpNotificationHandler.test.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/__tests__/acpNotificationHandler.test.ts
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ describe("acpNotificationHandler", () => {
       "local-session",
       "goose-session",
       "goose",
-      "/Users/aharvard/.goose/artifacts",
+      "/Users/aharvard",
     );
     setActiveMessageId("goose-session", "assistant-1");
 
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/acp.ts b/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/acp.ts
index 45764178..9a07f7d7 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/acp.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/acp.ts
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ export async function acpLoadSession(
   gooseSessionId: string,
   workingDir?: string,
 ): Promise<void> {
-  const effectiveWorkingDir = workingDir ?? "~/.goose/artifacts";
+  const effectiveWorkingDir = workingDir ?? "~";
   const sid = sessionId.slice(0, 8);
   const t0 = performance.now();
   const rollbackSessionRegistration = sessionTracker.registerSession(
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/acpApi.ts b/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/acpApi.ts
index 33e7d848..0c23a2a8 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/acpApi.ts
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/shared/api/acpApi.ts
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ export async function forkSession(sessionId: string): Promise<AcpSessionInfo> {
   const client = await getClient();
   const response = await client.unstable_forkSession({
     sessionId,
-    cwd: "~/.goose/artifacts",
+    cwd: "~",
   });
   return {
     sessionId: response.sessionId,
diff --git a/ui/goose2/src/shared/i18n/locales/en/chat.json b/ui/goose2/src/shared/i18n/locales/en/chat.json
index 63a1b4d3..763a0df9 100644
--- a/ui/goose2/src/shared/i18n/locales/en/chat.json
+++ b/ui/goose2/src/shared/i18n/locales/en/chat.json
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
     "openFile": "Open file",
     "openFolder": "Open folder",
     "openPath": "Open path",
-    "pathOutsideRoots": "Path is outside allowed project/artifacts roots.",
+    "pathOutsideRoots": "Path is outside allowed roots",
     "structuredContent": "Structured content",
     "structuredOutput": "Structured output",
     "structuredOutputLines": "{{count}} lines"