diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/gb_repository/repository.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/gb_repository/repository.rs
index 8305259c2..561f14018 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/gb_repository/repository.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/gb_repository/repository.rs
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ impl Repository {
             .collect::<Vec<_>>();
 
         let src_target_reader = virtual_branches::target::Reader::new(&last_session_reader);
-        let dst_target_writer = virtual_branches::target::Writer::new(self, &self.project.path)
+        let dst_target_writer = virtual_branches::target::Writer::new(self, self.project.gb_dir())
             .context("failed to open target writer for current session")?;
 
         // copy default target
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ impl Repository {
                 .with_context(|| format!("{}: failed to write target", branch.id))?;
         }
 
-        let dst_branch_writer = virtual_branches::branch::Writer::new(self, &self.project.path)
+        let dst_branch_writer = virtual_branches::branch::Writer::new(self, self.project.gb_dir())
             .context("failed to open branch writer for current session")?;
 
         // copy branches that we don't already have
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/projects/controller.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/projects/controller.rs
index acfa4e22c..327508822 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/projects/controller.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/projects/controller.rs
@@ -87,6 +87,11 @@ impl Controller {
             .add(&project)
             .context("failed to add project to storage")?;
 
+        // Create a .git/gitbutler directory for app data
+        if let Err(error) = std::fs::create_dir_all(project.gb_dir()) {
+            tracing::error!(project_id = %project.id, ?error, "failed to create {:?} on project add", project.gb_dir());
+        }
+
         if let Some(watchers) = &self.watchers {
             watchers.watch(&project)?;
         }
@@ -155,10 +160,31 @@ impl Controller {
     }
 
     pub fn get(&self, id: &ProjectId) -> Result<Project, GetError> {
-        self.projects_storage.get(id).map_err(|error| match error {
+        let project = self.projects_storage.get(id).map_err(|error| match error {
             super::storage::Error::NotFound => GetError::NotFound,
             error => GetError::Other(error.into()),
-        })
+        });
+        if let Ok(project) = &project {
+            if !project.gb_dir().exists() {
+                if let Err(error) = std::fs::create_dir_all(project.gb_dir()) {
+                    tracing::error!(project_id = %project.id, ?error, "failed to create {:?} on project get", project.gb_dir());
+                }
+            }
+            // Clean up old virtual_branches.toml that was never used
+            if project
+                .path
+                .join(".git")
+                .join("virtual_branches.toml")
+                .exists()
+            {
+                if let Err(error) =
+                    std::fs::remove_file(project.path.join(".git").join("virtual_branches.toml"))
+                {
+                    tracing::error!(project_id = %project.id, ?error, "failed to remove old virtual_branches.toml");
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        project
     }
 
     pub fn list(&self) -> Result<Vec<Project>, ListError> {
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/projects/project.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/projects/project.rs
index f04a5ae1d..ded7c8edb 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/projects/project.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/projects/project.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-use std::{path, time};
+use std::{
+    path::{self, PathBuf},
+    time,
+};
 
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
@@ -99,4 +102,11 @@ impl Project {
             .map(|api| api.code_git_url.is_some())
             .unwrap_or_default()
     }
+
+    /// Returns the path to the directory containing the `GitButler` state for this project.
+    ///
+    /// Normally this is `.git/gitbutler` in the project's repository.
+    pub fn gb_dir(&self) -> PathBuf {
+        self.path.join(".git").join("gitbutler")
+    }
 }
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/base.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/base.rs
index 8d139de1c..26f0bdfa5 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/base.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/base.rs
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ pub fn set_base_branch(
         sha: target_commit_oid,
     };
 
-    let target_writer = target::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let target_writer = target::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create target writer")?;
     target_writer.write_default(&target)?;
 
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ pub fn set_base_branch(
             };
 
             let branch_writer =
-                branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+                branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
                     .context("failed to create branch writer")?;
             branch_writer.write(&mut branch)?;
         }
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ pub fn update_base_branch(
             target.sha
         ))?;
 
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create branch writer")?;
 
     let use_context = project_repository
@@ -599,7 +599,7 @@ pub fn update_base_branch(
     )?;
 
     // write new target oid
-    let target_writer = target::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let target_writer = target::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create target writer")?;
     target_writer.write_default(&target::Target {
         sha: new_target_commit.id(),
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/branch/reader.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/branch/reader.rs
index 468307e7e..09918cf94 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/branch/reader.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/branch/reader.rs
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let mut branch = test_branch();
 
-        let writer = Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let writer = Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         writer.write(&mut branch)?;
 
         let session = gb_repository.get_current_session()?.unwrap();
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/branch/writer.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/branch/writer.rs
index 1c69cb0fe..3561c0577 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/branch/writer.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/branch/writer.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ impl<'writer> BranchWriter<'writer> {
     ) -> Result<Self, std::io::Error> {
         let reader = reader::Reader::open(repository.root())?;
         let writer = writer::DirWriter::open(repository.root())?;
-        let state_handle = VirtualBranchesHandle::new(path.as_ref().join(".git").as_path());
+        let state_handle = VirtualBranchesHandle::new(path.as_ref());
         Ok(Self {
             repository,
             writer,
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let mut branch = test_branch();
 
-        let writer = BranchWriter::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let writer = BranchWriter::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         writer.write(&mut branch)?;
 
         let root = gb_repository
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let mut branch = test_branch();
 
-        let writer = BranchWriter::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let writer = BranchWriter::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         writer.write(&mut branch)?;
 
         assert!(gb_repository.get_current_session()?.is_some());
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ mod tests {
 
         let mut branch = test_branch();
 
-        let writer = BranchWriter::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let writer = BranchWriter::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         writer.write(&mut branch)?;
 
         let mut updated_branch = Branch {
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/integration.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/integration.rs
index 7b36afedf..a46478423 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/integration.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/integration.rs
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ fn verify_head_is_clean(
     .context("failed to create virtual branch")?;
 
     // rebasing the extra commits onto the new branch
-    let writer = super::branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let writer = super::branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
     extra_commits.reverse();
     let mut head = new_branch.head;
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/iterator.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/iterator.rs
index 9cd1f3219..ceff3d7cc 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/iterator.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/iterator.rs
@@ -152,10 +152,10 @@ mod tests {
             ..
         } = Suite::default().new_case();
 
-        let target_writer = target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let target_writer = target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         target_writer.write_default(&test_target())?;
 
-        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         let mut branch_1 = test_branch();
         branch_writer.write(&mut branch_1)?;
         let mut branch_2 = test_branch();
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/target/reader.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/target/reader.rs
index 4d02b7489..0bc3ef445 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/target/reader.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/target/reader.rs
@@ -165,13 +165,13 @@ mod tests {
             sha: "0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567".parse().unwrap(),
         };
 
-        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         branch_writer.write(&mut branch)?;
 
         let session = gb_repository.get_current_session()?.unwrap();
         let session_reader = sessions::Reader::open(&gb_repository, &session)?;
 
-        let target_writer = TargetWriter::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let target_writer = TargetWriter::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         let reader = TargetReader::new(&session_reader);
 
         target_writer.write_default(&default_target)?;
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/target/writer.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/target/writer.rs
index aed634236..a48276bab 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/target/writer.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/target/writer.rs
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ impl<'writer> TargetWriter<'writer> {
     ) -> Result<Self, std::io::Error> {
         let reader = reader::Reader::open(&repository.root())?;
         let writer = writer::DirWriter::open(repository.root())?;
-        let state_handle = VirtualBranchesHandle::new(path.as_ref().join(".git").as_path());
+        let state_handle = VirtualBranchesHandle::new(path.as_ref());
         Ok(Self {
             repository,
             writer,
@@ -183,10 +183,10 @@ mod tests {
             sha: "0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567".parse().unwrap(),
         };
 
-        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         branch_writer.write(&mut branch)?;
 
-        let target_writer = TargetWriter::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let target_writer = TargetWriter::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         target_writer.write(&branch.id, &target)?;
 
         let root = gb_repository
@@ -274,9 +274,9 @@ mod tests {
             sha: "0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567".parse().unwrap(),
         };
 
-        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         branch_writer.write(&mut branch)?;
-        let target_writer = TargetWriter::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let target_writer = TargetWriter::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         target_writer.write(&branch.id, &target)?;
 
         let updated_target = Target {
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/tests.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/tests.rs
index a4368012d..75a31ab9b 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/tests.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/tests.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ pub fn set_test_target(
         .expect("failed to add remote");
     remote.push(&["refs/heads/master:refs/heads/master"], None)?;
 
-    target::Writer::new(gb_repo, &project_repository.project().path)?
+    target::Writer::new(gb_repo, project_repository.project().gb_dir())?
         .write_default(&target::Target {
             branch: "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
             remote_url: remote_repo.path().to_str().unwrap().parse().unwrap(),
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ fn test_move_hunks_multiple_sources() -> Result<()> {
     let current_session = gb_repository.get_or_create_current_session()?;
     let current_session_reader = sessions::Reader::open(&gb_repository, &current_session)?;
     let branch_reader = branch::Reader::new(&current_session_reader);
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
     let mut branch2 = branch_reader.read(&branch2_id)?;
     branch2.ownership = BranchOwnershipClaims {
         claims: vec!["test.txt:1-5".parse()?],
@@ -911,7 +911,7 @@ fn test_merge_vbranch_upstream_clean_rebase() -> Result<()> {
     )?;
 
     set_test_target(&gb_repository, &project_repository)?;
-    target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)?.write_default(
+    target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())?.write_default(
         &target::Target {
             branch: "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
             remote_url: "origin".to_string(),
@@ -927,7 +927,7 @@ fn test_merge_vbranch_upstream_clean_rebase() -> Result<()> {
     )?;
 
     let remote_branch: git::RemoteRefname = "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap();
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
     let mut branch = create_virtual_branch(
         &gb_repository,
         &project_repository,
@@ -1037,7 +1037,7 @@ fn test_merge_vbranch_upstream_conflict() -> Result<()> {
     )?;
 
     set_test_target(&gb_repository, &project_repository)?;
-    target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?.write_default(&target::Target {
+    target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?.write_default(&target::Target {
         branch: "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
         remote_url: "origin".to_string(),
         sha: target_oid,
@@ -1050,7 +1050,7 @@ fn test_merge_vbranch_upstream_conflict() -> Result<()> {
     )?;
 
     let remote_branch: git::RemoteRefname = "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap();
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
     let mut branch = create_virtual_branch(
         &gb_repository,
         &project_repository,
@@ -1412,7 +1412,7 @@ fn test_detect_mergeable_branch() -> Result<()> {
     let current_session = gb_repository.get_or_create_current_session()?;
     let current_session_reader = sessions::Reader::open(&gb_repository, &current_session)?;
     let branch_reader = branch::Reader::new(&current_session_reader);
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
 
     update_branch(
         &gb_repository,
@@ -1606,7 +1606,7 @@ fn test_upstream_integrated_vbranch() -> Result<()> {
         "update target",
     )?;
 
-    target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)?.write_default(
+    target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())?.write_default(
         &target::Target {
             branch: "refs/remotes/origin/master".parse().unwrap(),
             remote_url: "http://origin.com/project".to_string(),
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/virtual.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/virtual.rs
index 37810635f..d7e95919a 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/virtual.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/virtual_branches/virtual.rs
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ pub fn apply_branch(
             })
         })?;
 
-    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create branch writer")?;
 
     let mut branch = match branch::Reader::new(&current_session_reader).read(branch_id) {
@@ -662,7 +662,7 @@ pub fn unapply_branch(
         .find_commit(default_target.sha)
         .context("failed to find target commit")?;
 
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
 
     let final_tree = if conflicts::is_resolving(project_repository) {
@@ -1286,7 +1286,7 @@ pub fn create_virtual_branch(
         .unwrap_or(all_virtual_branches.len())
         .clamp(0, all_virtual_branches.len());
 
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
 
     let selected_for_changes = if let Some(selected_for_changes) = create.selected_for_changes {
@@ -1505,8 +1505,9 @@ pub fn merge_virtual_branch_upstream(
         let merge_tree = repo
             .find_tree(merge_tree_oid)
             .context("failed to find merge tree")?;
-        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
-            .context("failed to create writer")?;
+        let branch_writer =
+            branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
+                .context("failed to create writer")?;
 
         if *project_repository.project().ok_with_force_push {
             // attempt a rebase
@@ -1614,7 +1615,7 @@ pub fn update_branch(
     let current_session_reader = sessions::Reader::open(gb_repository, &current_session)
         .context("failed to open current session")?;
     let branch_reader = branch::Reader::new(&current_session_reader);
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
 
     let mut branch = branch_reader
@@ -1720,7 +1721,7 @@ pub fn delete_branch(
     let current_session_reader = sessions::Reader::open(gb_repository, &current_session)
         .context("failed to open current session")?;
     let branch_reader = branch::Reader::new(&current_session_reader);
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
 
     let branch = match branch_reader.read(branch_id) {
@@ -2151,8 +2152,9 @@ fn get_applied_status(
 
     // write updated state if not resolving
     if !project_repository.is_resolving() {
-        let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
-            .context("failed to create writer")?;
+        let branch_writer =
+            branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
+                .context("failed to create writer")?;
         for (vbranch, files) in &mut hunks_by_branch {
             vbranch.tree = write_tree(project_repository, default_target, files)?;
             branch_writer
@@ -2238,7 +2240,7 @@ pub fn reset_branch(
         ));
     }
 
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
     branch.head = target_commit_oid;
     branch_writer
@@ -2576,7 +2578,7 @@ pub fn commit(
     }
 
     // update the virtual branch head
-    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
     branch.tree = tree_oid;
     branch.head = commit_oid;
@@ -2605,7 +2607,7 @@ pub fn push(
         .map_err(errors::PushError::Other)?;
 
     let branch_reader = branch::Reader::new(&current_session_reader);
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
 
     let mut vbranch = branch_reader.read(branch_id).map_err(|error| match error {
@@ -3049,7 +3051,7 @@ pub fn amend(
         )
         .context("failed to create commit")?;
 
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
     target_branch.head = commit_oid;
     branch_writer.write(target_branch)?;
@@ -3232,7 +3234,7 @@ pub fn cherry_pick(
             .context("failed to checkout final tree")?;
 
         // update branch status
-        let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+        let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
             .context("failed to create writer")?;
         branch.head = commit_oid;
         writer
@@ -3425,7 +3427,7 @@ pub fn squash(
     };
 
     // save new branch head
-    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
     branch.head = new_head_id;
     writer
@@ -3602,7 +3604,7 @@ pub fn update_commit_message(
     };
 
     // save new branch head
-    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
     branch.head = new_head_id;
     writer
@@ -3728,7 +3730,7 @@ pub fn move_commit(
         return Err(errors::MoveCommitError::SourceLocked);
     }
 
-    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let branch_writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
     let branch_reader = branch::Reader::new(&latest_session_reader);
 
@@ -3946,7 +3948,7 @@ pub fn create_virtual_branch_from_branch(
         selected_for_changes,
     };
 
-    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, &project_repository.project().path)
+    let writer = branch::Writer::new(gb_repository, project_repository.project().gb_dir())
         .context("failed to create writer")?;
     writer
         .write(&mut branch)
diff --git a/gitbutler-app/src/watcher/handlers/calculate_deltas_handler.rs b/gitbutler-app/src/watcher/handlers/calculate_deltas_handler.rs
index 0977bf097..d20f46c86 100644
--- a/gitbutler-app/src/watcher/handlers/calculate_deltas_handler.rs
+++ b/gitbutler-app/src/watcher/handlers/calculate_deltas_handler.rs
@@ -828,8 +828,10 @@ mod test {
         )]));
         let listener = Handler::from_path(&suite.local_app_data);
 
-        let branch_writer = virtual_branches::branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
-        let target_writer = virtual_branches::target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let branch_writer =
+            virtual_branches::branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
+        let target_writer =
+            virtual_branches::target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         let default_target = test_target();
         target_writer.write_default(&default_target)?;
         let mut vbranch0 = test_branch();
@@ -884,8 +886,10 @@ mod test {
         )]));
         let listener = Handler::from_path(&suite.local_app_data);
 
-        let branch_writer = virtual_branches::branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
-        let target_writer = virtual_branches::target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, &project.path)?;
+        let branch_writer =
+            virtual_branches::branch::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
+        let target_writer =
+            virtual_branches::target::Writer::new(&gb_repository, project.gb_dir())?;
         let default_target = test_target();
         target_writer.write_default(&default_target)?;
         let mut vbranch0 = test_branch();