diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 43d51e5..83cfc3f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ runs/*
 wandb/
 outputs/
 multirun/
+metrics/
 
 # Python-generated files
 __pycache__/
diff --git a/configs/README.md b/configs/README.md
index 21f95b1..91208f2 100644
--- a/configs/README.md
+++ b/configs/README.md
@@ -49,4 +49,6 @@ python scripts/train.py --cfg job
 
 - **Adding a new group**: Create a subdirectory in `configs/` and register the new dataclass in `src/brittle_star_project/configs/register_configs.py`.
 - **Typo Catching**: If you see a `ConfigAttributeError`, check for typos in your YAML keys or CLI overrides.
-- **Output Redirection**: Hydra automatically creates `outputs/` directories. On HPC, ensure `hydra.run.dir` is set to a fast scratch storage.
+- **Output Redirection**: We use `experiment.base_run_dir` to configure where logs and models are stored (defaults to `runs/`).
+  - To change it locally: `python scripts/train.py experiment.base_run_dir=/path/to/custom/dir`
+  - On HPC, ensure this points to a fast scratch storage.
diff --git a/configs/main_config.yaml b/configs/main_config.yaml
index 7e3d642..a4efbb7 100644
--- a/configs/main_config.yaml
+++ b/configs/main_config.yaml
@@ -12,3 +12,9 @@ defaults:
   - arena: default
   - environment: directed_locomotion
   - _self_
+
+hydra:
+  job:
+    chdir: True
+  run:
+    dir: ${experiment.base_run_dir}/${experiment.exp_name}/${now:%Y-%m-%d}/${now:%H-%M-%S}
diff --git a/src/brittle_star_project/configs/config_experiment.py b/src/brittle_star_project/configs/config_experiment.py
index 716d3b6..7409811 100644
--- a/src/brittle_star_project/configs/config_experiment.py
+++ b/src/brittle_star_project/configs/config_experiment.py
@@ -8,3 +8,4 @@ class ExperimentConfig:
     torch_deterministic: bool = True
     cuda: bool = True
     debug_sanity: bool = False
+    base_run_dir: str = "runs"