diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 38d9964..18d5eca 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -289,6 +289,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "tracker",
  "uuid",
  "vte4",
+ "xdg",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -2528,3 +2529,9 @@ dependencies = [
  "cfg-if",
  "windows-sys 0.48.0",
 ]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "xdg"
+version = "2.5.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "213b7324336b53d2414b2db8537e56544d981803139155afa84f76eeebb7a546"
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index eb589e4..eb6e87d 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -40,3 +40,4 @@ serde_json = "1.0.106"
 tracker = "0.2.1"
 uuid = { version = "1.8.0", features = ["v4", "fast-rng"] }
 vte4 = { version = "0.7.1", features = ["v0_72"] }
+xdg = "2.5.2"
diff --git a/src/adb.rs b/src/adb.rs
index 70ea6fd..4f23a0f 100644
--- a/src/adb.rs
+++ b/src/adb.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-use crate::cmd_runner::CmdRunner;
-use std::path::Path;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
-pub fn get_adb_install_runner(apk_path: &String) -> CmdRunner {
-    let path = Path::new(apk_path);
+use crate::cmd_runner::CmdRunner;
+
+pub fn get_adb_install_runner(path: &PathBuf) -> CmdRunner {
     path.try_exists().expect("APK file provided does not exist");
     CmdRunner::new(
         None,
         "adb".into(),
-        vec!["install".into(), path.to_str().unwrap().to_string()],
+        vec!["install".into(), path.to_string_lossy().to_string()],
     )
 }
diff --git a/src/build_tools/cmake.rs b/src/build_tools/cmake.rs
index 1f3d39b..7c37855 100644
--- a/src/build_tools/cmake.rs
+++ b/src/build_tools/cmake.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 use crate::ui::job_worker::job::WorkerJob;
-use std::collections::HashMap;
+use std::{collections::HashMap, path::PathBuf};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct Cmake {
-    pub build_dir: String,
-    pub source_dir: String,
+    pub build_dir: PathBuf,
+    pub source_dir: PathBuf,
     pub vars: Option<HashMap<String, String>>,
     pub env: Option<HashMap<String, String>>,
 }
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ impl Cmake {
     pub fn get_prepare_job(&self) -> WorkerJob {
         let mut args = vec![
             "-B".into(),
-            self.build_dir.clone(),
+            self.build_dir.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
             "-G".into(),
             "Ninja".into(),
         ];
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ impl Cmake {
                 }
             }
         }
-        args.push(self.source_dir.clone());
+        args.push(self.source_dir.to_string_lossy().to_string());
         WorkerJob::new_cmd(self.env.clone(), "cmake".into(), Some(args))
     }
 
@@ -37,7 +37,10 @@ impl Cmake {
         WorkerJob::new_cmd(
             self.env.clone(),
             "cmake".into(),
-            Some(vec!["--build".into(), self.build_dir.clone()]),
+            Some(vec![
+                "--build".into(),
+                self.build_dir.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+            ]),
         )
     }
 
@@ -45,7 +48,10 @@ impl Cmake {
         WorkerJob::new_cmd(
             self.env.clone(),
             "cmake".into(),
-            Some(vec!["--install".into(), self.build_dir.clone()]),
+            Some(vec![
+                "--install".into(),
+                self.build_dir.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+            ]),
         )
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/build_tools/git.rs b/src/build_tools/git.rs
index 8476938..eb5a90c 100644
--- a/src/build_tools/git.rs
+++ b/src/build_tools/git.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 use crate::ui::job_worker::job::{FuncWorkerOut, WorkerJob};
 use git2::Repository;
-use std::path::Path;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
 pub struct Git {
     pub repo: String,
-    pub dir: String,
+    pub dir: PathBuf,
     pub branch: String,
 }
 
 impl Git {
     fn cmd(&self, args: Vec<String>) -> WorkerJob {
-        let mut nargs = vec!["-C".into(), self.dir.clone()];
+        let mut nargs = vec!["-C".into(), self.dir.to_string_lossy().to_string()];
         nargs.extend(args);
         WorkerJob::new_cmd(None, "git".into(), Some(nargs))
     }
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ impl Git {
             Some(vec![
                 "clone".into(),
                 self.get_repo(),
-                self.dir.clone(),
+                self.dir.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
                 "--recurse-submodules".into(),
             ]),
         )
@@ -101,8 +101,7 @@ impl Git {
     }
 
     pub fn clone_exists(&self) -> bool {
-        let path_s = format!("{}/.git", self.dir.clone());
-        Path::new(&path_s).is_dir()
+        self.dir.join(".git").is_dir()
     }
 
     pub fn get_pre_build_jobs(&self, pull_on_build: bool) -> Vec<WorkerJob> {
diff --git a/src/builders/build_basalt.rs b/src/builders/build_basalt.rs
index 237fc24..94f7b1c 100644
--- a/src/builders/build_basalt.rs
+++ b/src/builders/build_basalt.rs
@@ -4,10 +4,7 @@ use crate::{
     profile::Profile,
     ui::job_worker::job::WorkerJob,
 };
-use std::{
-    collections::{HashMap, VecDeque},
-    path::Path,
-};
+use std::collections::{HashMap, VecDeque};
 
 pub fn get_build_basalt_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeque<WorkerJob> {
     let mut jobs = VecDeque::<WorkerJob>::new();
@@ -32,16 +29,19 @@ pub fn get_build_basalt_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeque<W
 
     jobs.extend(git.get_pre_build_jobs(profile.pull_on_build));
 
-    let build_dir = format!("{}/build", profile.features.basalt.path.as_ref().unwrap());
+    let build_dir = profile.features.basalt.path.as_ref().unwrap().join("build");
     let mut cmake_vars: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS".into(), "ON".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE".into(), "RelWithDebInfo".into());
-    cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(), profile.prefix.clone());
+    cmake_vars.insert(
+        "CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(),
+        profile.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+    );
     cmake_vars.insert("BUILD_TESTS".into(), "OFF".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("BASALT_INSTANTIATIONS_DOUBLE".into(), "OFF".into());
     cmake_vars.insert(
         "CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR".into(),
-        format!("{}/lib", profile.prefix),
+        profile.prefix.join("lib").to_string_lossy().to_string(),
     );
 
     let mut cmake_env: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ pub fn get_build_basalt_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeque<W
         build_dir: build_dir.clone(),
     };
 
-    if !Path::new(&build_dir).is_dir() || clean_build {
+    if !build_dir.is_dir() || clean_build {
         rm_rf(&build_dir);
         jobs.push_back(cmake.get_prepare_job());
     }
@@ -68,10 +68,11 @@ pub fn get_build_basalt_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeque<W
         "mkdir".into(),
         Some(vec![
             "-p".into(),
-            format!(
-                "{}/share/basalt/thirdparty/basalt-headers/thirdparty",
-                profile.prefix
-            ),
+            profile
+                .prefix
+                .join("share/basalt/thirdparty/basalt-headers/thirdparty")
+                .to_string_lossy()
+                .to_string(),
         ]),
     ));
     jobs.push_back(WorkerJob::new_cmd(
@@ -79,11 +80,20 @@ pub fn get_build_basalt_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeque<W
         "cp".into(),
         Some(vec![
             "-Ra".into(),
-            format!(
-                "{}/thirdparty/basalt-headers/thirdparty/eigen",
-                profile.features.basalt.path.as_ref().unwrap().clone()
-            ),
-            format!("{}/share/basalt/thirdparty", profile.prefix),
+            profile
+                .features
+                .basalt
+                .path
+                .as_ref()
+                .unwrap()
+                .join("thirdparty/basalt-headers/thirdparty/eigen")
+                .to_string_lossy()
+                .to_string(),
+            profile
+                .prefix
+                .join("share/basalt/thirdparty")
+                .to_string_lossy()
+                .to_string(),
         ]),
     ));
 
diff --git a/src/builders/build_libsurvive.rs b/src/builders/build_libsurvive.rs
index 8ddd206..3cf5837 100644
--- a/src/builders/build_libsurvive.rs
+++ b/src/builders/build_libsurvive.rs
@@ -32,20 +32,26 @@ pub fn get_build_libsurvive_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeq
 
     jobs.extend(git.get_pre_build_jobs(profile.pull_on_build));
 
-    let build_dir = format!(
-        "{}/build",
-        profile.features.libsurvive.path.as_ref().unwrap()
-    );
+    let build_dir = profile
+        .features
+        .libsurvive
+        .path
+        .as_ref()
+        .unwrap()
+        .join("build");
     let mut cmake_vars: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS".into(), "ON".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE".into(), "RelWithDebInfo".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("ENABLE_api_example".into(), "OFF".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("USE_HIDAPI".into(), "ON".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_SKIP_INSTALL_RPATH".into(), "YES".into());
-    cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(), profile.prefix.clone());
+    cmake_vars.insert(
+        "CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(),
+        profile.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+    );
     cmake_vars.insert(
         "CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR".into(),
-        format!("{}/lib", profile.prefix),
+        profile.prefix.join("lib").to_string_lossy().to_string(),
     );
 
     let cmake = Cmake {
diff --git a/src/builders/build_mercury.rs b/src/builders/build_mercury.rs
index 43131a4..dd501b9 100644
--- a/src/builders/build_mercury.rs
+++ b/src/builders/build_mercury.rs
@@ -5,10 +5,13 @@ use crate::{
 pub fn get_build_mercury_job(profile: &Profile) -> WorkerJob {
     WorkerJob::new_cmd(
         None,
-        format!(
-            "{sysdata}/scripts/build_mercury.sh",
-            sysdata = pkg_data_dir()
-        ),
-        Some(vec![profile.prefix.clone(), get_cache_dir()]),
+        pkg_data_dir()
+            .join("scripts/build_mercury.sh")
+            .to_string_lossy()
+            .to_string(),
+        Some(vec![
+            profile.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+            get_cache_dir().to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+        ]),
     )
 }
diff --git a/src/builders/build_monado.rs b/src/builders/build_monado.rs
index fb049c5..2266c9d 100644
--- a/src/builders/build_monado.rs
+++ b/src/builders/build_monado.rs
@@ -28,25 +28,41 @@ pub fn get_build_monado_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeque<W
 
     jobs.extend(git.get_pre_build_jobs(profile.pull_on_build));
 
-    let build_dir = format!("{}/build", profile.xrservice_path);
+    let build_dir = profile.xrservice_path.join("build");
     let mut env: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     env.insert(
         "PKG_CONFIG_PATH".into(),
-        format!("{}/lib/pkgconfig", profile.prefix),
+        profile
+            .prefix
+            .join("lib/pkgconfig")
+            .to_string_lossy()
+            .to_string(),
     );
     let mut cmake_vars: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS".into(), "ON".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE".into(), "RelWithDebInfo".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("XRT_HAVE_SYSTEM_CJSON".into(), "NO".into());
-    cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_LIBDIR".into(), format!("{}/lib", profile.prefix));
-    cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(), profile.prefix.clone());
+    cmake_vars.insert(
+        "CMAKE_LIBDIR".into(),
+        profile.prefix.join("lib").to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+    );
+    cmake_vars.insert(
+        "CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(),
+        profile.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+    );
     cmake_vars.insert(
         "CMAKE_C_FLAGS".into(),
-        format!("-Wl,-rpath='{}/lib'", profile.prefix,),
+        format!(
+            "-Wl,-rpath='{}/lib'",
+            profile.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+        ),
     );
     cmake_vars.insert(
         "CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS".into(),
-        format!("-Wl,-rpath='{}/lib'", profile.prefix,),
+        format!(
+            "-Wl,-rpath='{}/lib'",
+            profile.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+        ),
     );
     profile.xrservice_cmake_flags.iter().for_each(|(k, v)| {
         if k == "CMAKE_C_FLAGS" || k == "CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS" {
diff --git a/src/builders/build_opencomposite.rs b/src/builders/build_opencomposite.rs
index bf45567..84d8125 100644
--- a/src/builders/build_opencomposite.rs
+++ b/src/builders/build_opencomposite.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ pub fn get_build_opencomposite_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> Vec
 
     jobs.extend(git.get_pre_build_jobs(profile.pull_on_build));
 
-    let build_dir = format!("{}/build", profile.opencomposite_path);
+    let build_dir = profile.opencomposite_path.join("build");
     let mut cmake_vars: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS".into(), "ON".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE".into(), "RelWithDebInfo".into());
diff --git a/src/builders/build_openhmd.rs b/src/builders/build_openhmd.rs
index 5fe612c..1573816 100644
--- a/src/builders/build_openhmd.rs
+++ b/src/builders/build_openhmd.rs
@@ -32,14 +32,23 @@ pub fn get_build_openhmd_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeque<
 
     jobs.extend(git.get_pre_build_jobs(profile.pull_on_build));
 
-    let build_dir = format!("{}/build", profile.features.openhmd.path.as_ref().unwrap());
+    let build_dir = profile
+        .features
+        .openhmd
+        .path
+        .as_ref()
+        .unwrap()
+        .join("build");
     let mut cmake_vars: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS".into(), "ON".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE".into(), "RelWithDebInfo".into());
-    cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(), profile.prefix.clone());
+    cmake_vars.insert(
+        "CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(),
+        profile.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+    );
     cmake_vars.insert(
         "CMAKE_INSTALL_LIBDIR".into(),
-        format!("{}/lib", profile.prefix),
+        profile.prefix.join("lib").to_string_lossy().to_string(),
     );
     cmake_vars.insert("OPENHMD_DRIVER_OCULUS_RIFT_S".into(), "OFF".into());
 
diff --git a/src/builders/build_wivrn.rs b/src/builders/build_wivrn.rs
index 52bfb66..5859875 100644
--- a/src/builders/build_wivrn.rs
+++ b/src/builders/build_wivrn.rs
@@ -28,13 +28,16 @@ pub fn get_build_wivrn_jobs(profile: &Profile, clean_build: bool) -> VecDeque<Wo
 
     jobs.extend(git.get_pre_build_jobs(profile.pull_on_build));
 
-    let build_dir = format!("{}/build", profile.xrservice_path);
+    let build_dir = profile.xrservice_path.join("build");
     let mut cmake_vars: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS".into(), "ON".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE".into(), "RelWithDebInfo".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("XRT_HAVE_SYSTEM_CJSON".into(), "NO".into());
     cmake_vars.insert("WIVRN_BUILD_CLIENT".into(), "OFF".into());
-    cmake_vars.insert("CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(), profile.prefix.clone());
+    cmake_vars.insert(
+        "CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX".into(),
+        profile.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+    );
 
     profile.xrservice_cmake_flags.iter().for_each(|(k, v)| {
         cmake_vars.insert(k.clone(), v.clone());
diff --git a/src/cmd_runner.rs b/src/cmd_runner.rs
index c0ab455..efd1f11 100644
--- a/src/cmd_runner.rs
+++ b/src/cmd_runner.rs
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ use crate::{
 use std::{
     collections::HashMap,
     io::{BufRead, BufReader, Write},
+    path::PathBuf,
     process::{Child, Command, Stdio},
     sync::{
         mpsc::{sync_channel, Receiver, SyncSender},
@@ -99,9 +100,11 @@ impl CmdRunner {
         Self::new(
             Some(env),
             match profile.xrservice_type {
-                XRServiceType::Monado => format!("{pfx}/bin/monado-service", pfx = profile.prefix),
-                XRServiceType::Wivrn => format!("{pfx}/bin/wivrn-server", pfx = profile.prefix),
-            },
+                XRServiceType::Monado => profile.prefix.join("bin/monado-service"),
+                XRServiceType::Wivrn => profile.prefix.join("bin/wivrn-server"),
+            }
+            .to_string_lossy()
+            .to_string(),
             vec![],
         )
     }
@@ -171,13 +174,13 @@ impl CmdRunner {
         }
     }
 
-    fn save_log(path_s: String, log: &[String]) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
-        let mut writer = get_writer(&path_s).map_err(std::io::Error::other)?;
+    fn save_log(path: &PathBuf, log: &[String]) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
+        let mut writer = get_writer(path).map_err(std::io::Error::other)?;
         let log_s = log.concat();
         writer.write_all(log_s.as_ref())
     }
 
-    pub fn save_output(&mut self, path: String) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
+    pub fn save_output(&mut self, path: &PathBuf) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
         CmdRunner::save_log(path, &self.output)
     }
 }
@@ -251,14 +254,14 @@ mod tests {
         }
 
         runner
-            .save_output("./target/testout/testlog".into())
+            .save_output(&"./target/testout/testlog".into())
             .expect("Failed to save output file");
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn can_create_from_profile() {
         CmdRunner::xrservice_runner_from_profile(&Profile::load_profile(
-            &"./test/files/profile.json".to_string(),
+            &"./test/files/profile.json".into(),
         ));
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/config.rs b/src/config.rs
index 1e5578d..542c9f6 100644
--- a/src/config.rs
+++ b/src/config.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+use serde::{de::Error, Deserialize, Serialize};
+
 use crate::{
     constants::CMD_NAME,
     device_prober::get_xr_usb_devices,
@@ -9,8 +11,7 @@ use crate::{
         survive::survive_profile, wivrn::wivrn_profile, wmr::wmr_profile,
     },
 };
-use serde::{ser::Error, Deserialize, Serialize};
-use std::{fs::File, io::BufReader};
+use std::{fs::File, io::BufReader, path::PathBuf};
 
 fn default_win_size() -> [i32; 2] {
     [360, 400]
@@ -56,16 +57,12 @@ impl Config {
         }
     }
 
-    pub fn config_file_path() -> String {
-        format!(
-            "{config}/{name}.json",
-            config = get_config_dir(),
-            name = CMD_NAME
-        )
+    pub fn config_file_path() -> PathBuf {
+        get_config_dir().join(format!("{CMD_NAME}.json"))
     }
 
-    fn from_path(path_s: String) -> Self {
-        match File::open(path_s) {
+    fn from_path(path: &PathBuf) -> Self {
+        match File::open(path) {
             Ok(file) => {
                 let reader = BufReader::new(file);
                 match serde_json::from_reader(reader) {
@@ -77,8 +74,8 @@ impl Config {
         }
     }
 
-    fn save_to_path(&self, path_s: &String) -> Result<(), serde_json::Error> {
-        let writer = get_writer(path_s).map_err(serde_json::Error::custom)?;
+    fn save_to_path(&self, path: &PathBuf) -> Result<(), serde_json::Error> {
+        let writer = get_writer(path).map_err(serde_json::Error::custom)?;
         serde_json::to_writer_pretty(writer, self)
     }
 
@@ -88,7 +85,7 @@ impl Config {
     }
 
     pub fn get_config() -> Self {
-        Self::from_path(Self::config_file_path())
+        Self::from_path(&Self::config_file_path())
     }
 
     pub fn set_profiles(&mut self, profiles: &[Profile]) {
@@ -117,7 +114,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn will_load_default_if_config_does_not_exist() {
         assert_eq!(
-            Config::from_path("/non/existing/file.json".into()).debug_view_enabled,
+            Config::from_path(&"/non/existing/file.json".into()).debug_view_enabled,
             false
         )
     }
diff --git a/src/constants.rs.in b/src/constants.rs.in
index a77737c..08cf2fe 100644
--- a/src/constants.rs.in
+++ b/src/constants.rs.in
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 use crate::paths::get_exec_prefix;
 
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+
 pub const APP_NAME: &str = "@PRETTY_NAME@";
 pub const APP_ID: &str = "@APP_ID@";
 pub const RESOURCES_BASE_PATH: &str = "@RESOURCES_BASE_PATH@";
@@ -17,10 +19,10 @@ pub fn get_developers() -> Vec<String> {
     vec!["Gabriele Musco <gabmus@disroot.org>".to_string()]
 }
 
-pub fn pkg_data_dir() -> String {
-    format!("{}/share/{}", get_exec_prefix(), CMD_NAME)
+pub fn pkg_data_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    get_exec_prefix().join("share").join(CMD_NAME)
 }
 
 pub fn resources() -> String {
-    format!("{}/resources.gresource", pkg_data_dir())
+    format!("{}/resources.gresource", pkg_data_dir().to_string_lossy().to_string())
 }
diff --git a/src/downloader.rs b/src/downloader.rs
index 0909a9b..4c01c8d 100644
--- a/src/downloader.rs
+++ b/src/downloader.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use reqwest::{
     header::{HeaderMap, USER_AGENT},
     Method,
 };
-use std::{io::prelude::*, thread::JoinHandle};
+use std::{io::prelude::*, path::PathBuf, thread::JoinHandle};
 use std::{thread, time::Duration};
 
 const TIMEOUT: Duration = Duration::from_secs(60);
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ fn client() -> reqwest::blocking::Client {
         .expect("Failed to build reqwest::Client")
 }
 
-pub fn download_file(url: String, path: String) -> JoinHandle<Result<(), reqwest::Error>> {
+pub fn download_file(url: String, path: PathBuf) -> JoinHandle<Result<(), reqwest::Error>> {
     thread::spawn(move || {
         let client = client();
         match client.request(Method::GET, url).send() {
diff --git a/src/file_builders/active_runtime_json.rs b/src/file_builders/active_runtime_json.rs
index 46fef6a..9e583b7 100644
--- a/src/file_builders/active_runtime_json.rs
+++ b/src/file_builders/active_runtime_json.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 use crate::{
     file_utils::{copy_file, deserialize_file, get_writer, set_file_readonly},
-    paths::{get_backup_dir, get_xdg_config_dir, get_xdg_data_dir, SYSTEM_PREFIX},
+    paths::{get_backup_dir, SYSTEM_PREFIX},
     profile::{Profile, XRServiceType},
+    xdg::XDG,
 };
 use serde::{ser::Error, Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
@@ -10,9 +11,9 @@ use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 pub struct ActiveRuntimeInnerRuntime {
     #[serde(rename = "VALVE_runtime_is_steamvr")]
     pub valve_runtime_is_steamvr: Option<bool>,
-    pub library_path: String,
     #[serde(rename = "MND_libmonado_path")]
     pub libmonado_path: Option<PathBuf>,
+    pub library_path: PathBuf,
     pub name: Option<String>,
 }
 
@@ -22,26 +23,20 @@ pub struct ActiveRuntime {
     pub runtime: ActiveRuntimeInnerRuntime,
 }
 
-pub fn get_openxr_conf_dir() -> String {
-    format!("{config}/openxr", config = get_xdg_config_dir())
+pub fn get_openxr_conf_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_config_home().join("openxr")
 }
 
-fn get_active_runtime_json_path() -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{config}/1/active_runtime.json",
-        config = get_openxr_conf_dir()
-    )
+fn get_active_runtime_json_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_openxr_conf_dir().join("1/active_runtime.json")
 }
 
 pub fn is_steam(active_runtime: &ActiveRuntime) -> bool {
     matches!(active_runtime.runtime.valve_runtime_is_steamvr, Some(true))
 }
 
-fn get_backup_steam_active_runtime_path() -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{backup}/active_runtime.json.steam.bak",
-        backup = get_backup_dir()
-    )
+fn get_backup_steam_active_runtime_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_backup_dir().join("active_runtime.json.steam.bak")
 }
 
 fn get_backed_up_steam_active_runtime() -> Option<ActiveRuntime> {
@@ -59,8 +54,8 @@ fn backup_steam_active_runtime() {
     }
 }
 
-fn get_active_runtime_from_path(path_s: &String) -> Option<ActiveRuntime> {
-    deserialize_file(path_s)
+fn get_active_runtime_from_path(path: &PathBuf) -> Option<ActiveRuntime> {
+    deserialize_file(path)
 }
 
 pub fn get_current_active_runtime() -> Option<ActiveRuntime> {
@@ -69,9 +64,9 @@ pub fn get_current_active_runtime() -> Option<ActiveRuntime> {
 
 fn dump_active_runtime_to_path(
     active_runtime: &ActiveRuntime,
-    path_s: &String,
+    path: &PathBuf,
 ) -> Result<(), serde_json::Error> {
-    let writer = get_writer(path_s).map_err(serde_json::Error::custom)?;
+    let writer = get_writer(path).map_err(serde_json::Error::custom)?;
     serde_json::to_writer_pretty(writer, active_runtime)
 }
 
@@ -89,11 +84,10 @@ fn build_steam_active_runtime() -> ActiveRuntime {
         file_format_version: "1.0.0".into(),
         runtime: ActiveRuntimeInnerRuntime {
             valve_runtime_is_steamvr: Some(true),
-            library_path: format!(
-                "{data}/Steam/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64/vrclient.so",
-                data = get_xdg_data_dir()
-            ),
             libmonado_path: None,
+            library_path: XDG
+                .get_data_home()
+                .join("Steam/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64/vrclient.so"),
             name: Some("SteamVR".into()),
         },
     }
@@ -144,26 +138,25 @@ pub fn build_profile_active_runtime(profile: &Profile) -> ActiveRuntime {
             name: None,
             valve_runtime_is_steamvr: None,
             libmonado_path: monado_so,
-            library_path: oxr_so.to_string_lossy().into_owned(),
+            library_path: oxr_so,
         },
     }
 }
 
 // for system installs
-fn relativize_active_runtime_lib_path(ar: &ActiveRuntime, dest: &str) -> ActiveRuntime {
+fn relativize_active_runtime_lib_path(ar: &ActiveRuntime, path: &PathBuf) -> ActiveRuntime {
     let mut res = ar.clone();
-    let path = Path::new(dest);
     let mut rel_chain = path
         .components()
         .map(|_| String::from(".."))
         .collect::<Vec<String>>();
     rel_chain.pop();
     rel_chain.pop();
-    res.runtime.library_path = format!(
+    res.runtime.library_path = PathBuf::from(format!(
         "{rels}{fullpath}",
         rels = rel_chain.join("/"),
-        fullpath = ar.runtime.library_path
-    );
+        fullpath = ar.runtime.library_path.to_string_lossy()
+    ));
     res
 }
 
@@ -174,7 +167,7 @@ pub fn set_current_active_runtime_to_profile(profile: &Profile) -> anyhow::Resul
     let pfx = profile.clone().prefix;
     let mut ar = build_profile_active_runtime(profile);
     // hack: relativize libopenxr_monado.so path for system installs
-    if pfx == SYSTEM_PREFIX {
+    if pfx == PathBuf::from(SYSTEM_PREFIX) {
         ar = relativize_active_runtime_lib_path(&ar, &dest);
     }
     dump_current_active_runtime(&ar)?;
@@ -184,6 +177,8 @@ pub fn set_current_active_runtime_to_profile(profile: &Profile) -> anyhow::Resul
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
+
     use super::{
         dump_active_runtime_to_path, get_active_runtime_from_path,
         relativize_active_runtime_lib_path, ActiveRuntime, ActiveRuntimeInnerRuntime,
@@ -197,7 +192,9 @@ mod tests {
         assert!(ar.runtime.valve_runtime_is_steamvr.unwrap());
         assert_eq!(
             ar.runtime.library_path,
-            "/home/user/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64/vrclient.so"
+            PathBuf::from(
+                "/home/user/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64/vrclient.so"
+            )
         );
         assert_eq!(ar.runtime.name.unwrap(), "SteamVR");
     }
@@ -232,10 +229,14 @@ mod tests {
         };
         let relativized = relativize_active_runtime_lib_path(
             &ar,
-            "/home/user/.config/openxr/1/active_runtime.json",
+            &PathBuf::from("/home/user/.config/openxr/1/active_runtime.json"),
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            relativized.runtime.library_path,
+            relativized
+                .runtime
+                .library_path
+                .to_string_lossy()
+                .to_string(),
             "../../../../../usr/lib64/libopenxr_monado.so"
         );
     }
diff --git a/src/file_builders/monado_autorun.rs b/src/file_builders/monado_autorun.rs
index 7eb3b05..588ae1e 100644
--- a/src/file_builders/monado_autorun.rs
+++ b/src/file_builders/monado_autorun.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+
 use crate::{
     file_utils::{deserialize_file, get_writer},
-    paths::get_xdg_config_dir,
+    xdg::XDG,
 };
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
@@ -28,15 +30,12 @@ impl Default for MonadoAutorunConfig {
     }
 }
 
-fn get_monado_autorun_config_path() -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{config}/monado/autorun_v0.json",
-        config = get_xdg_config_dir()
-    )
+fn get_monado_autorun_config_path() -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_config_home().join("monado/autorun_v0.json")
 }
 
-fn get_monado_autorun_config_from_path(path_s: &String) -> Option<MonadoAutorunConfig> {
-    deserialize_file(path_s)
+fn get_monado_autorun_config_from_path(path: &PathBuf) -> Option<MonadoAutorunConfig> {
+    deserialize_file(path)
 }
 
 pub fn get_monado_autorun_config() -> MonadoAutorunConfig {
@@ -44,8 +43,8 @@ pub fn get_monado_autorun_config() -> MonadoAutorunConfig {
         .unwrap_or(MonadoAutorunConfig::default())
 }
 
-fn dump_monado_autorun_config_to_path(config: &MonadoAutorunConfig, path_s: &String) {
-    let writer = get_writer(path_s).expect("Unable to save Monado Autorun config");
+fn dump_monado_autorun_config_to_path(config: &MonadoAutorunConfig, path: &PathBuf) {
+    let writer = get_writer(path).expect("Unable to save Monado Autorun config");
     serde_json::to_writer_pretty(writer, config).expect("Unable to save Monado Autorun config");
 }
 
diff --git a/src/file_builders/openvrpaths_vrpath.rs b/src/file_builders/openvrpaths_vrpath.rs
index 28343ba..49459a2 100644
--- a/src/file_builders/openvrpaths_vrpath.rs
+++ b/src/file_builders/openvrpaths_vrpath.rs
@@ -1,43 +1,41 @@
+use std::path::PathBuf;
+
 use crate::{
     file_utils::{copy_file, deserialize_file, get_writer, set_file_readonly},
-    paths::{get_backup_dir, get_xdg_config_dir, get_xdg_data_dir},
+    paths::get_backup_dir,
     profile::Profile,
+    xdg::XDG,
 };
 use serde::{ser::Error, Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub struct OpenVrPaths {
-    config: Vec<String>,
+    config: Vec<PathBuf>,
     external_drivers: Option<Vec<String>>, // never seen it populated
     jsonid: String,
-    log: Vec<String>,
-    runtime: Vec<String>,
+    log: Vec<PathBuf>,
+    runtime: Vec<PathBuf>,
     version: u32,
 }
 
-pub fn get_openvr_conf_dir() -> String {
-    format!("{config}/openvr", config = get_xdg_config_dir())
+pub fn get_openvr_conf_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_config_home().join("openvr")
 }
 
-fn get_openvrpaths_vrpath_path() -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{config}/openvrpaths.vrpath",
-        config = get_openvr_conf_dir()
-    )
+fn get_openvrpaths_vrpath_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_openvr_conf_dir().join("openvrpaths.vrpath")
 }
 
 pub fn is_steam(ovr_paths: &OpenVrPaths) -> bool {
     ovr_paths.runtime.iter().any(|rt| {
-        rt.to_lowercase()
+        rt.to_string_lossy()
+            .to_lowercase()
             .ends_with("/steam/steamapps/common/steamvr")
     })
 }
 
-fn get_backup_steam_openvrpaths_path() -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{backup}/openvrpaths.vrpath.steam.bak",
-        backup = get_backup_dir()
-    )
+fn get_backup_steam_openvrpaths_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_backup_dir().join("openvrpaths.vrpath.steam.bak")
 }
 
 fn get_backed_up_steam_openvrpaths() -> Option<OpenVrPaths> {
@@ -55,8 +53,8 @@ fn backup_steam_openvrpaths() {
     }
 }
 
-fn get_openvrpaths_from_path(path_s: &String) -> Option<OpenVrPaths> {
-    deserialize_file(path_s)
+fn get_openvrpaths_from_path(path: &PathBuf) -> Option<OpenVrPaths> {
+    deserialize_file(path)
 }
 
 pub fn get_current_openvrpaths() -> Option<OpenVrPaths> {
@@ -65,9 +63,9 @@ pub fn get_current_openvrpaths() -> Option<OpenVrPaths> {
 
 fn dump_openvrpaths_to_path(
     ovr_paths: &OpenVrPaths,
-    path_s: &String,
+    path: &PathBuf,
 ) -> Result<(), serde_json::Error> {
-    let writer = get_writer(path_s).map_err(serde_json::Error::custom)?;
+    let writer = get_writer(path).map_err(serde_json::Error::custom)?;
     serde_json::to_writer_pretty(writer, ovr_paths)
 }
 
@@ -79,16 +77,13 @@ fn build_steam_openvrpaths() -> OpenVrPaths {
     if let Some(backup) = get_backed_up_steam_openvrpaths() {
         return backup;
     }
-    let datadir = get_xdg_data_dir();
+    let datadir = XDG.get_data_home();
     OpenVrPaths {
-        config: vec![format!("{data}/Steam/config", data = datadir)],
+        config: vec![datadir.join("Steam/config")],
         external_drivers: None,
         jsonid: "vrpathreg".into(),
-        log: vec![format!("{data}/Steam/logs", data = datadir)],
-        runtime: vec![format!(
-            "{data}/Steam/steamapps/common/SteamVR",
-            data = datadir
-        )],
+        log: vec![datadir.join("Steam/logs")],
+        runtime: vec![datadir.join("Steam/steamapps/common/SteamVR")],
         version: 1,
     }
 }
@@ -100,16 +95,13 @@ pub fn set_current_openvrpaths_to_steam() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
 }
 
 pub fn build_profile_openvrpaths(profile: &Profile) -> OpenVrPaths {
-    let datadir = get_xdg_data_dir();
+    let datadir = XDG.get_data_home();
     OpenVrPaths {
-        config: vec![format!("{data}/Steam/config", data = datadir)],
+        config: vec![datadir.join("Steam/config")],
         external_drivers: None,
         jsonid: "vrpathreg".into(),
-        log: vec![format!("{data}/Steam/logs", data = datadir)],
-        runtime: vec![format!(
-            "{opencomp_dir}/build",
-            opencomp_dir = profile.opencomposite_path
-        )],
+        log: vec![datadir.join("Steam/logs")],
+        runtime: vec![profile.opencomposite_path.join("build")],
         version: 1,
     }
 }
@@ -125,6 +117,8 @@ pub fn set_current_openvrpaths_to_profile(profile: &Profile) -> anyhow::Result<(
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
+
     use super::{dump_openvrpaths_to_path, get_openvrpaths_from_path, OpenVrPaths};
 
     #[test]
@@ -133,7 +127,7 @@ mod tests {
         assert_eq!(ovrp.config.len(), 1);
         assert_eq!(
             ovrp.config.get(0).unwrap(),
-            "/home/user/.local/share/Steam/config"
+            &PathBuf::from("/home/user/.local/share/Steam/config")
         );
         assert_eq!(ovrp.external_drivers, None);
         assert_eq!(ovrp.jsonid, "vrpathreg");
diff --git a/src/file_builders/wivrn_config.rs b/src/file_builders/wivrn_config.rs
index d27828a..ac41fe0 100644
--- a/src/file_builders/wivrn_config.rs
+++ b/src/file_builders/wivrn_config.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 use crate::{
     file_utils::{deserialize_file, get_writer},
-    paths::get_xdg_config_dir,
+    xdg::XDG,
 };
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-use std::{fmt::Display, slice::Iter};
+use std::{fmt::Display, path::PathBuf, slice::Iter};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
@@ -123,20 +123,20 @@ impl Default for WivrnConfig {
     }
 }
 
-fn get_wivrn_config_path() -> String {
-    format!("{config}/wivrn/config.json", config = get_xdg_config_dir())
+fn get_wivrn_config_path() -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_config_home().join("wivrn/config.json")
 }
 
-fn get_wivrn_config_from_path(path_s: &String) -> Option<WivrnConfig> {
-    deserialize_file(path_s)
+fn get_wivrn_config_from_path(path: &PathBuf) -> Option<WivrnConfig> {
+    deserialize_file(path)
 }
 
 pub fn get_wivrn_config() -> WivrnConfig {
     get_wivrn_config_from_path(&get_wivrn_config_path()).unwrap_or(WivrnConfig::default())
 }
 
-fn dump_wivrn_config_to_path(config: &WivrnConfig, path_s: &String) {
-    let writer = get_writer(path_s).expect("Unable to save WiVRn config");
+fn dump_wivrn_config_to_path(config: &WivrnConfig, path: &PathBuf) {
+    let writer = get_writer(path).expect("Unable to save WiVRn config");
     serde_json::to_writer_pretty(writer, config).expect("Unable to save WiVRn config");
 }
 
diff --git a/src/file_utils.rs b/src/file_utils.rs
index 9e322d4..9d262a9 100644
--- a/src/file_utils.rs
+++ b/src/file_utils.rs
@@ -6,11 +6,10 @@ use nix::{
 use std::{
     fs::{self, copy, create_dir_all, remove_dir_all, File, OpenOptions},
     io::{BufReader, BufWriter},
-    path::Path,
+    path::{Path, PathBuf},
 };
 
-pub fn get_writer(path_s: &str) -> anyhow::Result<BufWriter<std::fs::File>> {
-    let path = Path::new(path_s);
+pub fn get_writer(path: &PathBuf) -> anyhow::Result<BufWriter<std::fs::File>> {
     if let Some(parent) = path.parent() {
         if !parent.is_dir() {
             create_dir_all(parent)?;
@@ -24,26 +23,25 @@ pub fn get_writer(path_s: &str) -> anyhow::Result<BufWriter<std::fs::File>> {
     Ok(BufWriter::new(file))
 }
 
-pub fn get_reader(path_s: &str) -> Option<BufReader<File>> {
-    let path = Path::new(&path_s);
+pub fn get_reader(path: &PathBuf) -> Option<BufReader<File>> {
     if !(path.is_file() || path.is_symlink()) {
         return None;
     }
     match File::open(path) {
         Err(e) => {
-            println!("Error opening {}: {}", path_s, e);
+            println!("Error opening {}: {}", path.to_string_lossy(), e);
             None
         }
         Ok(fd) => Some(BufReader::new(fd)),
     }
 }
 
-pub fn deserialize_file<T: serde::de::DeserializeOwned>(path_s: &String) -> Option<T> {
-    match get_reader(path_s) {
+pub fn deserialize_file<T: serde::de::DeserializeOwned>(path: &PathBuf) -> Option<T> {
+    match get_reader(path) {
         None => None,
         Some(reader) => match serde_json::from_reader(reader) {
             Err(e) => {
-                println!("Failed to deserialize {}: {}", path_s, e);
+                println!("Failed to deserialize {}: {}", path.to_string_lossy(), e);
                 None
             }
             Ok(res) => Some(res),
@@ -51,8 +49,7 @@ pub fn deserialize_file<T: serde::de::DeserializeOwned>(path_s: &String) -> Opti
     }
 }
 
-pub fn set_file_readonly(path_s: &str, readonly: bool) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
-    let path = Path::new(&path_s);
+pub fn set_file_readonly(path: &PathBuf, readonly: bool) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
     if !path.is_file() {
         println!("WARN: trying to set readonly on a file that does not exist");
         return Ok(());
@@ -64,38 +61,45 @@ pub fn set_file_readonly(path_s: &str, readonly: bool) -> Result<(), std::io::Er
     fs::set_permissions(path, perms)
 }
 
-pub fn setcap_cap_sys_nice_eip(file: String) {
+pub fn setcap_cap_sys_nice_eip(file: &PathBuf) {
     let mut runner = CmdRunner::new(
         None,
         "pkexec".into(),
-        vec!["setcap".into(), "CAP_SYS_NICE=eip".into(), file],
+        vec![
+            "setcap".into(),
+            "CAP_SYS_NICE=eip".into(),
+            file.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+        ],
     );
     runner.start();
     runner.join();
 }
 
-pub fn rm_rf(path_s: &String) {
-    if remove_dir_all(path_s).is_err() {
-        println!("Failed to remove path {}", path_s);
+pub fn rm_rf(path: &PathBuf) {
+    if remove_dir_all(path).is_err() {
+        println!("Failed to remove path {}", path.to_string_lossy());
     }
 }
 
-pub fn copy_file(source_s: &str, dest_s: &str) {
-    let source = Path::new(source_s);
-    let dest = Path::new(dest_s);
+pub fn copy_file(source: &PathBuf, dest: &PathBuf) {
     if let Some(parent) = dest.parent() {
         if !parent.is_dir() {
             create_dir_all(parent)
                 .unwrap_or_else(|_| panic!("Failed to create dir {}", parent.to_str().unwrap()));
         }
     }
-    set_file_readonly(dest_s, false)
-        .unwrap_or_else(|_| panic!("Failed to set file {} as rw", dest_s));
-    copy(source, dest).unwrap_or_else(|_| panic!("Failed to copy {} to {}", source_s, dest_s));
+    set_file_readonly(dest, false)
+        .unwrap_or_else(|_| panic!("Failed to set file {} as rw", dest.to_string_lossy()));
+    copy(source, dest).unwrap_or_else(|_| {
+        panic!(
+            "Failed to copy {} to {}",
+            source.to_string_lossy(),
+            dest.to_string_lossy()
+        )
+    });
 }
 
-pub fn mount_has_nosuid(path_s: &str) -> Result<bool, Errno> {
-    let path = Path::new(path_s);
+pub fn mount_has_nosuid(path: &PathBuf) -> Result<bool, Errno> {
     match statvfs(path) {
         Ok(fstats) => Ok(fstats.flags().contains(FsFlags::ST_NOSUID)),
         Err(e) => Err(e),
@@ -104,10 +108,12 @@ pub fn mount_has_nosuid(path_s: &str) -> Result<bool, Errno> {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
+
     use crate::file_utils::mount_has_nosuid;
 
     #[test]
     fn can_get_nosuid() {
-        mount_has_nosuid("/tmp").expect("Error running statvfs");
+        mount_has_nosuid(&PathBuf::from("/tmp")).expect("Error running statvfs");
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/gpu_profile.rs b/src/gpu_profile.rs
index a23744b..5ba54a1 100644
--- a/src/gpu_profile.rs
+++ b/src/gpu_profile.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 use crate::file_utils::get_reader;
-use std::{error::Error, fmt::Display, io::Read, str::FromStr};
+use std::{error::Error, fmt::Display, io::Read, path::PathBuf, str::FromStr};
 
 // const POW_PROF_PATH: &str = "/sys/class/drm/card0/device/pp_power_profile_mode";
 
-fn power_profile_mode_file(card_dir: &str) -> String {
-    format!("{}/device/pp_power_profile_mode", card_dir)
+fn power_profile_mode_file(card_dir: &PathBuf) -> PathBuf {
+    card_dir.join("device/pp_power_profile_mode")
 }
 
-pub fn get_set_amd_vr_pow_prof_cmd(card_dir: &str) -> String {
+pub fn get_set_amd_vr_pow_prof_cmd(card_dir: &PathBuf) -> String {
     format!(
         "sudo sh -c \"echo '4' > {}\"",
-        power_profile_mode_file(card_dir)
+        power_profile_mode_file(card_dir).to_string_lossy()
     )
 }
 
@@ -93,10 +93,10 @@ const AMD_VENDOR_ID: &str = "0x1002";
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum GpuSysDrm {
-    Amd(String),
-    Intel(String),
-    Nvidia(String),
-    Other(String),
+    Amd(PathBuf),
+    Intel(PathBuf),
+    Nvidia(PathBuf),
+    Other(PathBuf),
 }
 
 fn list_gpus() -> Vec<GpuSysDrm> {
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ fn list_gpus() -> Vec<GpuSysDrm> {
 
     for i in 0..5 {
         // arbitrary range, find a better way
-        let card_dir = format!("/sys/class/drm/card{}", i);
-        let vendor_file = format!("{}/device/vendor", card_dir);
+        let card_dir = PathBuf::from(format!("/sys/class/drm/card{}", i));
+        let vendor_file = card_dir.join("device/vendor");
         if let Some(mut reader) = get_reader(&vendor_file) {
             let mut buf = String::new();
             if reader.read_to_string(&mut buf).is_ok() {
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ pub fn get_first_amd_gpu() -> Option<GpuSysDrm> {
 pub fn get_amd_gpu_power_profile() -> Option<GpuPowerProfile> {
     let amd_gpu = get_first_amd_gpu();
     if let Some(GpuSysDrm::Amd(card_dir)) = amd_gpu {
-        if let Some(mut reader) = get_reader(&power_profile_mode_file(card_dir.as_str())) {
+        if let Some(mut reader) = get_reader(&power_profile_mode_file(&card_dir)) {
             let mut txt = String::new();
             reader.read_to_string(&mut txt).ok()?;
             for line in txt.split('\n') {
diff --git a/src/linux_distro.rs b/src/linux_distro.rs
index 247a5c8..783aefa 100644
--- a/src/linux_distro.rs
+++ b/src/linux_distro.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 use crate::file_utils::get_reader;
-use std::io::{BufRead, Read};
+use std::{
+    io::{BufRead, Read},
+    path::PathBuf,
+};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, Eq, PartialEq, Hash)]
 pub enum LinuxDistro {
@@ -18,10 +21,10 @@ impl LinuxDistro {
     }
 
     fn get_from_etc_os_release() -> Option<Self> {
-        Self::get_from_etc_os_release_file("/etc/os-release")
+        Self::get_from_etc_os_release_file(&"/etc/os-release".into())
     }
 
-    fn get_from_etc_os_release_file(fp: &str) -> Option<Self> {
+    fn get_from_etc_os_release_file(fp: &PathBuf) -> Option<Self> {
         if let Some(mut reader) = get_reader(fp) {
             let mut buf = String::new();
             loop {
@@ -47,7 +50,7 @@ impl LinuxDistro {
     }
 
     fn get_from_etc_issue() -> Option<Self> {
-        if let Some(mut reader) = get_reader("/etc/issue") {
+        if let Some(mut reader) = get_reader(&"/etc/issue".into()) {
             let mut buf = String::new();
             if reader.read_to_string(&mut buf).is_ok() {
                 buf = buf.trim().to_lowercase();
@@ -111,7 +114,7 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn can_detect_arch_linux_from_etc_os_release() {
         assert_eq!(
-            LinuxDistro::get_from_etc_os_release_file("./test/files/archlinux-os-release"),
+            LinuxDistro::get_from_etc_os_release_file(&"./test/files/archlinux-os-release".into()),
             Some(LinuxDistro::Arch)
         )
     }
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 6859e7a..906c0b5 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ pub mod runner_pipeline;
 pub mod steam_linux_runtime_injector;
 pub mod steamvr_utils;
 pub mod ui;
+pub mod xdg;
 pub mod xr_devices;
 
 fn restore_steam_xr_files() {
diff --git a/src/paths.rs b/src/paths.rs
index bb34a64..5f36620 100644
--- a/src/paths.rs
+++ b/src/paths.rs
@@ -1,32 +1,36 @@
-use crate::{constants::CMD_NAME, profile::XRServiceType};
-use std::{env, fs::create_dir_all, path::Path};
+use crate::{constants::CMD_NAME, profile::XRServiceType, xdg::XDG};
+use std::{
+    env,
+    fs::create_dir_all,
+    path::{Path, PathBuf},
+};
 
-pub fn data_opencomposite_path() -> String {
-    format!("{data}/opencomposite", data = get_data_dir())
+pub fn data_opencomposite_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_data_dir().join("opencomposite")
 }
 
-pub fn data_monado_path() -> String {
-    format!("{data}/monado", data = get_data_dir())
+pub fn data_monado_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_data_dir().join("monado")
 }
 
-pub fn data_wivrn_path() -> String {
-    format!("{data}/wivrn", data = get_data_dir())
+pub fn data_wivrn_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_data_dir().join("wivrn")
 }
 
-pub fn data_libsurvive_path() -> String {
-    format!("{data}/libsurvive", data = get_data_dir())
+pub fn data_libsurvive_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_data_dir().join("libsurvive")
 }
 
-pub fn data_openhmd_path() -> String {
-    format!("{data}/openhmd", data = get_data_dir())
+pub fn data_openhmd_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_data_dir().join("openhmd")
 }
 
-pub fn data_basalt_path() -> String {
-    format!("{data}/basalt", data = get_data_dir())
+pub fn data_basalt_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_data_dir().join("basalt")
 }
 
-pub fn wivrn_apk_download_path() -> String {
-    format!("{cache}/wivrn.apk", cache = get_cache_dir())
+pub fn wivrn_apk_download_path() -> PathBuf {
+    get_cache_dir().join("wivrn.apk")
 }
 
 pub const SYSTEM_PREFIX: &str = "/usr";
@@ -34,58 +38,24 @@ pub const SYSTEM_PREFIX: &str = "/usr";
 /** System prefix inside a bubblewrap environment (flatpak or pressure vessel) */
 pub const BWRAP_SYSTEM_PREFIX: &str = "/run/host/usr";
 
-pub fn get_home_dir() -> String {
-    env::var("HOME").expect("HOME env var not defined")
+pub fn get_home_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    env::var("HOME").expect("HOME env var not defined").into()
 }
 
-pub fn get_xdg_config_dir() -> String {
-    match env::var("XDG_CONFIG_HOME") {
-        Ok(conf_home) => conf_home,
-        Err(_) => format!("{home}/.config", home = get_home_dir()),
-    }
+pub fn get_config_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_config_home().join(CMD_NAME)
 }
 
-pub fn get_xdg_data_dir() -> String {
-    match env::var("XDG_DATA_HOME") {
-        Ok(data_home) => data_home,
-        Err(_) => format!("{home}/.local/share", home = get_home_dir()),
-    }
+pub fn get_data_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_data_home().join(CMD_NAME)
 }
 
-pub fn get_xdg_cache_dir() -> String {
-    match env::var("XDG_CACHE_HOME") {
-        Ok(cache_home) => cache_home,
-        Err(_) => format!("{home}/.cache", home = get_home_dir()),
-    }
+pub fn get_cache_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_cache_home().join(CMD_NAME)
 }
 
-pub fn get_xdg_runtime_dir() -> String {
-    env::var("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR").expect("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR is not set")
-}
-
-pub fn get_config_dir() -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{config}/{name}",
-        config = get_xdg_config_dir(),
-        name = CMD_NAME
-    )
-}
-
-pub fn get_data_dir() -> String {
-    format!("{data}/{name}", data = get_xdg_data_dir(), name = CMD_NAME)
-}
-
-pub fn get_cache_dir() -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{cache}/{name}",
-        cache = get_xdg_cache_dir(),
-        name = CMD_NAME
-    )
-}
-
-pub fn get_backup_dir() -> String {
-    let p_s = format!("{data}/backups", data = get_data_dir());
-    let p = Path::new(&p_s);
+pub fn get_backup_dir() -> PathBuf {
+    let p = get_data_dir().join("backups");
     if !p.is_dir() {
         if p.is_file() {
             panic!(
@@ -93,12 +63,12 @@ pub fn get_backup_dir() -> String {
                 p.to_str().unwrap()
             );
         }
-        create_dir_all(p).expect("Failed to create backups dir");
+        create_dir_all(&p).expect("Failed to create backups dir");
     }
-    p.to_str().unwrap().to_string()
+    p
 }
 
-pub fn get_exec_prefix() -> String {
+pub fn get_exec_prefix() -> PathBuf {
     let p = Path::new("/proc/self/exe");
     if !p.is_symlink() {
         panic!("/proc/self/exe is not a symlink!");
@@ -110,25 +80,19 @@ pub fn get_exec_prefix() -> String {
         .unwrap()
         .parent()
         .unwrap()
-        .to_str()
-        .unwrap()
-        .to_string()
+        .into()
 }
 
-pub fn get_ipc_file_path(xrservice_type: &XRServiceType) -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{runtime}/{xrservice}_comp_ipc",
-        runtime = get_xdg_runtime_dir(),
-        xrservice = match xrservice_type {
-            XRServiceType::Monado => "monado",
-            XRServiceType::Wivrn => "wivrn",
-        }
-    )
+pub fn get_ipc_file_path(xrservice_type: &XRServiceType) -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_runtime_directory()
+        .expect("XDG runtime directory is not available")
+        .join(match xrservice_type {
+            XRServiceType::Monado => "monado_comp_ipc",
+            XRServiceType::Wivrn => "wivrn_comp_ipc",
+        })
 }
 
-pub fn get_steamvr_bin_dir_path() -> String {
-    format!(
-        "{data}/Steam/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64",
-        data = get_xdg_data_dir()
-    )
+pub fn get_steamvr_bin_dir_path() -> PathBuf {
+    XDG.get_data_home()
+        .join("Steam/steamapps/common/SteamVR/bin/linux64")
 }
diff --git a/src/profile.rs b/src/profile.rs
index 2f3bde2..934b2a2 100644
--- a/src/profile.rs
+++ b/src/profile.rs
@@ -2,8 +2,16 @@ use crate::{
     file_utils::get_writer,
     paths::{get_data_dir, get_ipc_file_path, BWRAP_SYSTEM_PREFIX, SYSTEM_PREFIX},
 };
+use nix::NixPath;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-use std::{collections::HashMap, fmt::Display, fs::File, io::BufReader, path::Path, slice::Iter};
+use std::{
+    collections::HashMap,
+    fmt::Display,
+    fs::File,
+    io::BufReader,
+    path::{Path, PathBuf},
+    slice::Iter,
+};
 use uuid::Uuid;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -85,7 +93,7 @@ impl Display for ProfileFeatureType {
 pub struct ProfileFeature {
     pub feature_type: ProfileFeatureType,
     pub enabled: bool,
-    pub path: Option<String>,
+    pub path: Option<PathBuf>,
     pub repo: Option<String>,
     pub branch: Option<String>,
 }
@@ -207,18 +215,18 @@ pub struct Profile {
     pub uuid: String,
     pub name: String,
     pub xrservice_type: XRServiceType,
-    pub xrservice_path: String,
+    pub xrservice_path: PathBuf,
     pub xrservice_repo: Option<String>,
     pub xrservice_branch: Option<String>,
     #[serde(default = "HashMap::<String, String>::default")]
     pub xrservice_cmake_flags: HashMap<String, String>,
-    pub opencomposite_path: String,
+    pub opencomposite_path: PathBuf,
     pub opencomposite_repo: Option<String>,
     pub opencomposite_branch: Option<String>,
     pub features: ProfileFeatures,
     pub environment: HashMap<String, String>,
     /** Install prefix */
-    pub prefix: String,
+    pub prefix: PathBuf,
     pub can_be_built: bool,
     pub editable: bool,
     pub pull_on_build: bool,
@@ -239,10 +247,10 @@ impl Display for Profile {
 impl Default for Profile {
     fn default() -> Self {
         let uuid = Uuid::new_v4().to_string();
-        let profile_dir = format!("{}/{}", get_data_dir(), uuid);
+        let profile_dir = get_data_dir().join(&uuid);
         Self {
             name: "Default profile name".into(),
-            xrservice_path: format!("{}/xrservice", profile_dir),
+            xrservice_path: profile_dir.join("xrservice"),
             xrservice_type: XRServiceType::Monado,
             xrservice_repo: None,
             xrservice_branch: None,
@@ -250,21 +258,21 @@ impl Default for Profile {
             features: ProfileFeatures {
                 libsurvive: ProfileFeature {
                     enabled: false,
-                    path: Some(format!("{}/libsurvive", profile_dir)),
+                    path: Some(profile_dir.join("libsurvive")),
                     repo: None,
                     branch: None,
                     feature_type: ProfileFeatureType::Libsurvive,
                 },
                 basalt: ProfileFeature {
                     enabled: false,
-                    path: Some(format!("{}/basalt", profile_dir)),
+                    path: Some(profile_dir.join("basalt")),
                     repo: None,
                     branch: None,
                     feature_type: ProfileFeatureType::Basalt,
                 },
                 openhmd: ProfileFeature {
                     enabled: false,
-                    path: Some(format!("{}/openhmd", profile_dir)),
+                    path: Some(profile_dir.join("openhmd")),
                     repo: None,
                     branch: None,
                     feature_type: ProfileFeatureType::OpenHmd,
@@ -272,10 +280,10 @@ impl Default for Profile {
                 mercury_enabled: false,
             },
             environment: HashMap::new(),
-            prefix: format!("{}/prefixes/{}", get_data_dir(), uuid),
+            prefix: get_data_dir().join("prefixes").join(&uuid),
             can_be_built: true,
             pull_on_build: true,
-            opencomposite_path: format!("{}/opencomposite", profile_dir),
+            opencomposite_path: profile_dir.join("opencomposite"),
             opencomposite_repo: None,
             opencomposite_branch: None,
             editable: true,
@@ -291,7 +299,7 @@ impl Profile {
     pub fn xr_runtime_json_env_var(&self) -> String {
         format!(
             "XR_RUNTIME_JSON=\"{prefix}/share/openxr/1/openxr_{runtime}.json\"",
-            prefix = match self.prefix.as_str() {
+            prefix = match self.prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string().as_str() {
                 SYSTEM_PREFIX => BWRAP_SYSTEM_PREFIX,
                 other => other,
             },
@@ -312,7 +320,7 @@ impl Profile {
             self.xr_runtime_json_env_var(),
             format!(
                 "PRESSURE_VESSEL_FILESYSTEMS_RW=\"{path}\"",
-                path = get_ipc_file_path(&self.xrservice_type),
+                path = get_ipc_file_path(&self.xrservice_type).to_string_lossy(),
             ),
         ]
     }
@@ -332,22 +340,22 @@ impl Profile {
         vars.join(" ")
     }
 
-    pub fn get_survive_cli_path(&self) -> Option<String> {
-        let path_s = format!("{pfx}/bin/survive-cli", pfx = self.prefix);
-        if Path::new(&path_s).is_file() {
-            return Some(path_s);
+    pub fn get_survive_cli_path(&self) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+        let path = self.prefix.join("bin/survive-cli");
+        if path.is_file() {
+            return Some(path);
         }
         None
     }
 
-    pub fn load_profile(path: &String) -> Self {
+    pub fn load_profile(path: &PathBuf) -> Self {
         let file = File::open(path).expect("Unable to open profile");
         let reader = BufReader::new(file);
         serde_json::from_reader(reader).expect("Faiuled to deserialize profile")
     }
 
-    pub fn dump_profile(&self, path_s: &String) {
-        let writer = get_writer(path_s).expect("Could not write profile");
+    pub fn dump_profile(&self, path: &PathBuf) {
+        let writer = get_writer(path).expect("Could not write profile");
         serde_json::to_writer_pretty(writer, self).expect("Could not write profile")
     }
 
@@ -398,53 +406,46 @@ impl Profile {
             && !self.xrservice_path.is_empty()
             && !self.prefix.is_empty()
             && (!self.features.libsurvive.enabled
-                || !self
+                || self
                     .features
                     .libsurvive
                     .path
                     .as_ref()
-                    .unwrap_or(&"".to_string())
-                    .is_empty())
+                    .is_some_and(|p| !p.is_empty()))
             && (!self.features.basalt.enabled
-                || !self
+                || self
                     .features
                     .basalt
                     .path
                     .as_ref()
-                    .unwrap_or(&"".to_string())
-                    .is_empty())
+                    .is_some_and(|p| !p.is_empty()))
             && (!self.features.openhmd.enabled
-                || !self
+                || self
                     .features
                     .openhmd
                     .path
                     .as_ref()
-                    .unwrap_or(&"".to_string())
-                    .is_empty())
+                    .is_some_and(|p| !p.is_empty()))
     }
 
-    pub fn xrservice_binary(&self) -> String {
-        format!(
-            "{}/bin/{}",
-            self.prefix,
-            match self.xrservice_type {
-                XRServiceType::Monado => "monado-service",
-                XRServiceType::Wivrn => "wivrn-server",
-            }
-        )
+    pub fn xrservice_binary(&self) -> PathBuf {
+        self.prefix.join("bin").join(match self.xrservice_type {
+            XRServiceType::Monado => "monado-service",
+            XRServiceType::Wivrn => "wivrn-server",
+        })
     }
 
     pub fn can_start(&self) -> bool {
         Path::new(&self.xrservice_binary()).is_file()
     }
 
-    pub fn libmonado_so(&self) -> Option<String> {
-        let mut res = format!("{}/lib/libmonado.so", self.prefix);
-        if Path::new(&res).is_file() {
+    pub fn libmonado_so(&self) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+        let res = self.prefix.join("lib/libmonado.so");
+        if res.is_file() {
             return Some(res);
         }
-        res = format!("{}/lib64/libmonado.so", self.prefix);
-        if Path::new(&res).is_file() {
+        let res = self.prefix.join("lib64/libmonado.so");
+        if res.is_file() {
             return Some(res);
         }
 
@@ -458,7 +459,7 @@ impl Profile {
 
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
-    use std::collections::HashMap;
+    use std::{collections::HashMap, path::PathBuf};
 
     use crate::profile::{ProfileFeature, ProfileFeatureType, ProfileFeatures, XRServiceType};
 
@@ -466,14 +467,17 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn profile_can_be_loaded() {
-        let profile = Profile::load_profile(&"./test/files/profile.json".to_string());
+        let profile = Profile::load_profile(&"./test/files/profile.json".into());
         assert_eq!(profile.name, "Demo profile");
-        assert_eq!(profile.xrservice_path, "/home/user/monado");
-        assert_eq!(profile.opencomposite_path, "/home/user/opencomposite");
-        assert_eq!(profile.prefix, "/home/user/envisionprefix");
+        assert_eq!(profile.xrservice_path, PathBuf::from("/home/user/monado"));
         assert_eq!(
-            profile.features.libsurvive.path.as_deref(),
-            Some("/home/user/libsurvive")
+            profile.opencomposite_path,
+            PathBuf::from("/home/user/opencomposite")
+        );
+        assert_eq!(profile.prefix, PathBuf::from("/home/user/envisionprefix"));
+        assert_eq!(
+            profile.features.libsurvive.path,
+            Some(PathBuf::from("/home/user/libsurvive"))
         );
         assert_eq!(profile.features.basalt.path, None);
         assert_eq!(profile.features.libsurvive.enabled, true);
@@ -496,14 +500,14 @@ mod tests {
         let p = Profile {
             uuid: "demo".into(),
             name: "Demo profile".into(),
-            xrservice_path: String::from("/home/user/monado"),
+            xrservice_path: PathBuf::from("/home/user/monado"),
             xrservice_type: XRServiceType::Monado,
-            opencomposite_path: String::from("/home/user/opencomposite"),
+            opencomposite_path: PathBuf::from("/home/user/opencomposite"),
             features: ProfileFeatures {
                 libsurvive: ProfileFeature {
                     feature_type: ProfileFeatureType::Libsurvive,
                     enabled: true,
-                    path: Some(String::from("/home/user/libsurvive")),
+                    path: Some(PathBuf::from("/home/user/libsurvive")),
                     repo: None,
                     branch: None,
                 },
@@ -512,17 +516,17 @@ mod tests {
                 mercury_enabled: false,
             },
             environment: env,
-            prefix: String::from("/home/user/envisionprefix"),
+            prefix: PathBuf::from("/home/user/envisionprefix"),
             editable: true,
             ..Default::default()
         };
-        let fpath = String::from("./target/testout/testprofile.json");
+        let fpath = PathBuf::from("./target/testout/testprofile.json");
         p.dump_profile(&fpath);
         let loaded = Profile::load_profile(&fpath);
         assert_eq!(loaded.name, "Demo profile");
         assert_eq!(
             loaded.features.libsurvive.path,
-            Some(String::from("/home/user/libsurvive"))
+            Some(PathBuf::from("/home/user/libsurvive"))
         );
         assert_eq!(
             loaded
@@ -534,6 +538,6 @@ mod tests {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn prepare_ld_library_path(prefix: &str) -> String {
-    format!("{pfx}/lib:{pfx}/lib64", pfx = prefix)
+pub fn prepare_ld_library_path(prefix: &PathBuf) -> String {
+    format!("{pfx}/lib:{pfx}/lib64", pfx = prefix.to_string_lossy())
 }
diff --git a/src/profiles/lighthouse.rs b/src/profiles/lighthouse.rs
index 43a64eb..794ee3e 100644
--- a/src/profiles/lighthouse.rs
+++ b/src/profiles/lighthouse.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 pub fn lighthouse_profile() -> Profile {
     let data_dir = get_data_dir();
-    let prefix = format!("{data}/prefixes/lighthouse_default", data = data_dir);
+    let prefix = data_dir.join("prefixes/lighthouse_default");
     let mut environment: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     environment.insert("XRT_JSON_LOG".into(), "1".into());
     environment.insert("XRT_COMPOSITOR_SCALE_PERCENTAGE".into(), "140".into());
diff --git a/src/profiles/openhmd.rs b/src/profiles/openhmd.rs
index 3f20432..b045c1e 100644
--- a/src/profiles/openhmd.rs
+++ b/src/profiles/openhmd.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 pub fn openhmd_profile() -> Profile {
     let data_dir = get_data_dir();
-    let prefix = format!("{data}/prefixes/openhmd_default", data = data_dir);
+    let prefix = data_dir.join("prefixes/openhmd_default");
     let mut environment: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     environment.insert("XRT_JSON_LOG".into(), "1".into());
     environment.insert("XRT_COMPOSITOR_SCALE_PERCENTAGE".into(), "140".into());
diff --git a/src/profiles/simulated.rs b/src/profiles/simulated.rs
index d04d4c4..2283caf 100644
--- a/src/profiles/simulated.rs
+++ b/src/profiles/simulated.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 pub fn simulated_profile() -> Profile {
     let data_dir = get_data_dir();
-    let prefix = format!("{data}/prefixes/simulated_default", data = data_dir);
+    let prefix = data_dir.join("prefixes/simulated_default");
     let mut environment: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     environment.insert("QWERTY_ENABLE".into(), "1".into());
     environment.insert("XRT_JSON_LOG".into(), "1".into());
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ pub fn simulated_profile() -> Profile {
     environment.insert("U_PACING_APP_USE_MIN_FRAME_PERIOD".into(), "1".into());
     environment.insert(
         "LD_LIBRARY_PATH".into(),
-        format!("{pfx}/lib:{pfx}/lib64", pfx = prefix),
+        format!("{pfx}/lib:{pfx}/lib64", pfx = prefix.to_string_lossy()),
     );
     Profile {
         uuid: "simulated-default".into(),
diff --git a/src/profiles/survive.rs b/src/profiles/survive.rs
index ae767db..481f624 100644
--- a/src/profiles/survive.rs
+++ b/src/profiles/survive.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 pub fn survive_profile() -> Profile {
     let data_dir = get_data_dir();
-    let prefix = format!("{data}/prefixes/survive_default", data = data_dir);
+    let prefix = data_dir.join("prefixes/survive_default");
     let mut environment: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     environment.insert("XRT_JSON_LOG".into(), "1".into());
     environment.insert("XRT_COMPOSITOR_SCALE_PERCENTAGE".into(), "140".into());
diff --git a/src/profiles/wivrn.rs b/src/profiles/wivrn.rs
index 6f4d0c7..dd58da9 100644
--- a/src/profiles/wivrn.rs
+++ b/src/profiles/wivrn.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 pub fn wivrn_profile() -> Profile {
     let data_dir = get_data_dir();
-    let prefix = format!("{data}/prefixes/wivrn_default", data = data_dir);
+    let prefix = data_dir.join("prefixes/wivrn_default");
     let mut environment: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     environment.insert("LD_LIBRARY_PATH".into(), prepare_ld_library_path(&prefix));
     environment.insert("XRT_DEBUG_GUI".into(), "1".into());
diff --git a/src/profiles/wmr.rs b/src/profiles/wmr.rs
index 0b1124e..23e238d 100644
--- a/src/profiles/wmr.rs
+++ b/src/profiles/wmr.rs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 
 pub fn wmr_profile() -> Profile {
     let data_dir = get_data_dir();
-    let prefix = format!("{data}/prefixes/wmr_default", data = data_dir);
+    let prefix = data_dir.join("prefixes/wmr_default");
     let mut environment: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
     environment.insert("XRT_JSON_LOG".into(), "1".into());
     environment.insert("XRT_COMPOSITOR_SCALE_PERCENTAGE".into(), "140".into());
diff --git a/src/steam_linux_runtime_injector.rs b/src/steam_linux_runtime_injector.rs
index 8ade9d8..71abbce 100644
--- a/src/steam_linux_runtime_injector.rs
+++ b/src/steam_linux_runtime_injector.rs
@@ -1,26 +1,28 @@
 use crate::{
     file_utils::{copy_file, get_writer},
-    paths::{get_backup_dir, get_home_dir, get_xdg_data_dir},
+    paths::{get_backup_dir, get_home_dir},
     profile::Profile,
 };
 use anyhow::bail;
-use std::{fs::read_to_string, io::Write, path::Path};
+use std::{
+    fs::read_to_string,
+    io::Write,
+    path::{Path, PathBuf},
+};
 
-fn get_runtime_entrypoint_path() -> Option<String> {
-    vec![format!(
-        "{home}/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/SteamLinuxRuntime_sniper/_v2-entry-point",
-        home = get_home_dir(),
-    )]
+fn get_runtime_entrypoint_path() -> Option<PathBuf> {
+    vec![get_home_dir()
+        .join(".steam/steam/steamapps/common/SteamLinuxRuntime_sniper/_v2-entry-point")]
     .iter()
-    .find(|path| Path::new(&path).is_file())
+    .find(|p| p.is_file())
     .cloned()
 }
 
-fn get_backup_runtime_entrypoint_location() -> String {
-    format!("{backup}/_v2-entry-point.bak", backup = get_backup_dir())
+fn get_backup_runtime_entrypoint_location() -> PathBuf {
+    get_backup_dir().join("_v2-entry-point.bak")
 }
 
-fn backup_runtime_entrypoint(path: &str) {
+fn backup_runtime_entrypoint(path: &PathBuf) {
     copy_file(&path, &get_backup_runtime_entrypoint_location());
 }
 
@@ -33,7 +35,7 @@ pub fn restore_runtime_entrypoint() {
     }
 }
 
-fn append_to_runtime_entrypoint(data: &str, path: &str) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+fn append_to_runtime_entrypoint(data: &str, path: &PathBuf) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
     let existing = read_to_string(path)?;
     let new = existing.replace(
         "exec \"${here}/${run}\" \"$@\"\nexit 125",
diff --git a/src/steamvr_utils.rs b/src/steamvr_utils.rs
index 633e4b1..cc05edd 100644
--- a/src/steamvr_utils.rs
+++ b/src/steamvr_utils.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,7 @@
 use crate::paths::get_home_dir;
-use std::path::Path;
 
 pub fn chaperone_info_exists() -> bool {
-    let path_s = format!(
-        "{}/.steam/steam/config/chaperone_info.vrchap",
-        get_home_dir()
-    );
-    let path = Path::new(&path_s);
-    path.is_file()
+    get_home_dir()
+        .join(".steam/steam/config/chaperone_info.vrchap")
+        .is_file()
 }
diff --git a/src/ui/app.rs b/src/ui/app.rs
index 57fe10f..46737ad 100644
--- a/src/ui/app.rs
+++ b/src/ui/app.rs
@@ -644,10 +644,7 @@ impl SimpleComponent for App {
                     println!("pkexec not found, skipping setcap");
                 } else {
                     let profile = self.get_selected_profile();
-                    setcap_cap_sys_nice_eip(format!(
-                        "{pfx}/bin/monado-service",
-                        pfx = profile.prefix
-                    ));
+                    setcap_cap_sys_nice_eip(&profile.prefix.join("bin/monado-service"));
                 }
             }
             Msg::ProfileSelected(prof) => {
@@ -692,12 +689,12 @@ impl SimpleComponent for App {
                 self.application.quit();
             }
             Msg::DebugOpenData => {
-                open_with_default_handler(&format!("file://{}", get_data_dir()));
+                open_with_default_handler(&format!("file://{}", get_data_dir().to_string_lossy()));
             }
             Msg::DebugOpenPrefix => {
                 open_with_default_handler(&format!(
                     "file://{}",
-                    self.get_selected_profile().prefix
+                    self.get_selected_profile().prefix.to_string_lossy()
                 ));
             }
             Msg::DebugCopyEnvVars => {
diff --git a/src/ui/job_worker/internal_worker.rs b/src/ui/job_worker/internal_worker.rs
index 3426a4c..bc1527d 100644
--- a/src/ui/job_worker/internal_worker.rs
+++ b/src/ui/job_worker/internal_worker.rs
@@ -196,14 +196,21 @@ impl InternalJobWorker {
                     match launch_opts.contains(LAUNCH_OPTS_CMD_PLACEHOLDER) {
                         true => launch_opts.replacen(
                             LAUNCH_OPTS_CMD_PLACEHOLDER,
-                            prof.xrservice_binary().as_str(),
+                            &prof.xrservice_binary().to_string_lossy().to_string(),
                             1,
                         ),
-                        false => format!("{} {}", prof.xrservice_binary(), launch_opts),
+                        false => format!(
+                            "{} {}",
+                            prof.xrservice_binary().to_string_lossy(),
+                            launch_opts
+                        ),
                     },
                 ],
             ),
-            true => (prof.xrservice_binary(), vec![]),
+            true => (
+                prof.xrservice_binary().to_string_lossy().to_string(),
+                vec![],
+            ),
         };
         let data = CmdWorkerData {
             environment: env,
diff --git a/src/ui/libsurvive_setup_window.rs b/src/ui/libsurvive_setup_window.rs
index bf4d282..1712c89 100644
--- a/src/ui/libsurvive_setup_window.rs
+++ b/src/ui/libsurvive_setup_window.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,13 @@ use crate::{
 use adw::prelude::*;
 use gtk::glib;
 use relm4::prelude::*;
-use std::{cell::Cell, collections::HashMap, path::Path, rc::Rc, time::Duration};
+use std::{
+    cell::Cell,
+    collections::HashMap,
+    path::{Path, PathBuf},
+    rc::Rc,
+    time::Duration,
+};
 
 const NO_FILE_MSG: &str = "(No file selected)";
 const CALIBRATION_RUN_TIME_SECONDS: f64 = 30.0;
@@ -57,7 +63,7 @@ pub enum LibsurviveSetupMsg {
 }
 
 impl LibsurviveSetupWindow {
-    fn create_calibration_runner(&mut self, survive_cli_path: String) -> CmdRunner {
+    fn create_calibration_runner(&mut self, survive_cli_path: &PathBuf) -> CmdRunner {
         let lh_path = self.steam_lighthouse_path.clone();
         let mut env = HashMap::new();
         let profile_prefix = &self.profile.as_ref().unwrap().prefix;
@@ -67,7 +73,7 @@ impl LibsurviveSetupWindow {
         );
         CmdRunner::new(
             Some(env),
-            survive_cli_path,
+            survive_cli_path.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
             vec!["--steamvr-calibration".into(), lh_path],
         )
     }
@@ -369,7 +375,7 @@ impl SimpleComponent for LibsurviveSetupWindow {
                     if let Some(survive_cli_path) =
                         self.profile.as_ref().unwrap().get_survive_cli_path()
                     {
-                        let mut runner = self.create_calibration_runner(survive_cli_path);
+                        let mut runner = self.create_calibration_runner(&survive_cli_path);
                         self.calibration_running.set(true);
                         self.first_run_done = false;
                         self.calibration_seconds_elapsed = 0.0;
@@ -444,7 +450,8 @@ impl SimpleComponent for LibsurviveSetupWindow {
                         let runner = self.calibration_runner.as_mut().unwrap();
                         runner.terminate();
                         let mut n_runner = self.create_calibration_runner(
-                            self.profile
+                            &self
+                                .profile
                                 .as_ref()
                                 .unwrap()
                                 .get_survive_cli_path()
diff --git a/src/ui/main_view.rs b/src/ui/main_view.rs
index 66b3117..4fb23be 100644
--- a/src/ui/main_view.rs
+++ b/src/ui/main_view.rs
@@ -188,13 +188,13 @@ impl SimpleComponent for MainView {
                             add_css_class: "card",
                             add_css_class: "padded",
                             #[track = "model.changed(Self::selected_profile())"]
-                            set_visible: match mount_has_nosuid(model.selected_profile.prefix.as_str()) {
+                            set_visible: match mount_has_nosuid(&model.selected_profile.prefix) {
                                 Ok(b) => b,
                                 Err(_) => {
                                     // TODO: handle this error better
-                                    println!(
+                                    eprintln!(
                                         "Warning: could not get stat on path {}",
-                                        model.selected_profile.prefix);
+                                        model.selected_profile.prefix.to_string_lossy());
                                     false
                                 },
                             },
diff --git a/src/ui/profile_editor.rs b/src/ui/profile_editor.rs
index 6a5d888..112382a 100644
--- a/src/ui/profile_editor.rs
+++ b/src/ui/profile_editor.rs
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ use crate::{
 use adw::prelude::*;
 use gtk::glib::clone;
 use relm4::{factory::AsyncFactoryVecDeque, prelude::*};
-use std::{cell::RefCell, rc::Rc};
+use std::{cell::RefCell, path::PathBuf, rc::Rc};
 
 #[tracker::track]
 pub struct ProfileEditor {
@@ -110,10 +110,10 @@ impl SimpleComponent for ProfileEditor {
                         add: &path_row(
                             "Install Prefix",
                             None,
-                            Some(model.profile.borrow().prefix.clone()),
+                            Some(model.profile.borrow().prefix.to_string_lossy().to_string()),
                             Some(init.root_win.clone()),
                             clone!(@strong prof => move |n_path| {
-                                prof.borrow_mut().prefix = n_path.unwrap_or_default()
+                                prof.borrow_mut().prefix = n_path.unwrap_or_default().into();
                             }),
                         ),
                         add: &entry_row("Autostart Command",
@@ -171,10 +171,10 @@ impl SimpleComponent for ProfileEditor {
                         add: &path_row(
                             "XR Service Path",
                             None,
-                            Some(model.profile.borrow().xrservice_path.clone()),
+                            Some(model.profile.borrow().xrservice_path.clone().to_string_lossy().to_string()),
                             Some(init.root_win.clone()),
                             clone!(@strong prof => move |n_path| {
-                                prof.borrow_mut().xrservice_path = n_path.unwrap_or_default()
+                                prof.borrow_mut().xrservice_path = n_path.unwrap_or_default().into();
                             }),
                         ),
                         add: &entry_row(
@@ -200,10 +200,10 @@ impl SimpleComponent for ProfileEditor {
                         set_description: Some("OpenVR driver built on top of OpenXR"),
                         add: &path_row(
                             "OpenComposite Path", None,
-                            Some(model.profile.borrow().opencomposite_path.clone()),
+                            Some(model.profile.borrow().opencomposite_path.clone().to_string_lossy().to_string()),
                             Some(init.root_win.clone()),
                             clone!(@strong prof => move |n_path| {
-                                prof.borrow_mut().opencomposite_path = n_path.unwrap_or_default();
+                                prof.borrow_mut().opencomposite_path = n_path.unwrap_or_default().into();
                             })
                         ),
                         add: &entry_row(
@@ -236,10 +236,10 @@ impl SimpleComponent for ProfileEditor {
                         ),
                         add: &path_row(
                             "Libsurvive Path", None,
-                            model.profile.borrow().features.libsurvive.path.clone(),
+                            model.profile.borrow().features.libsurvive.path.clone().map(|p| p.to_string_lossy().to_string()),
                             Some(init.root_win.clone()),
                             clone!(@strong prof => move |n_path| {
-                                prof.borrow_mut().features.libsurvive.path = n_path;
+                                prof.borrow_mut().features.libsurvive.path = n_path.map(PathBuf::from);
                             })
                         ),
                         add: &entry_row(
@@ -272,10 +272,10 @@ impl SimpleComponent for ProfileEditor {
                         ),
                         add: &path_row(
                             "OpenHMD Path", None,
-                            model.profile.borrow().features.openhmd.path.clone(),
+                            model.profile.borrow().features.openhmd.path.clone().map(|p| p.to_string_lossy().to_string()),
                             Some(init.root_win.clone()),
                             clone!(@strong prof => move |n_path| {
-                                prof.borrow_mut().features.openhmd.path = n_path;
+                                prof.borrow_mut().features.openhmd.path = n_path.map(PathBuf::from);
                             })
                         ),
                         add: &entry_row(
@@ -308,10 +308,10 @@ impl SimpleComponent for ProfileEditor {
                         ),
                         add: &path_row(
                             "Basalt Path", None,
-                            model.profile.borrow().features.basalt.path.clone(),
+                            model.profile.borrow().features.basalt.path.clone().map(|p| p.to_string_lossy().to_string()),
                             Some(init.root_win.clone()),
                             clone!(@strong prof => move |n_path| {
-                                prof.borrow_mut().features.basalt.path = n_path;
+                                prof.borrow_mut().features.basalt.path = n_path.map(PathBuf::from);
                             })
                         ),
                         add: &entry_row(
diff --git a/src/ui/steamvr_calibration_box.rs b/src/ui/steamvr_calibration_box.rs
index 807af36..08c1780 100644
--- a/src/ui/steamvr_calibration_box.rs
+++ b/src/ui/steamvr_calibration_box.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ use super::job_worker::{
 };
 use crate::paths::get_steamvr_bin_dir_path;
 use relm4::{
-    binding::{Binding, ConnectBinding, StringBinding},
     gtk::{self, prelude::*},
     ComponentParts, ComponentSender, RelmWidgetExt, SimpleComponent,
 };
@@ -145,7 +144,7 @@ impl SimpleComponent for SteamVrCalibrationBox {
             }
             Self::Input::RunCalibration => {
                 self.set_calibration_result(None);
-                let steamvr_bin_dir = get_steamvr_bin_dir_path();
+                let steamvr_bin_dir = get_steamvr_bin_dir_path().to_string_lossy().to_string();
                 if !Path::new(&steamvr_bin_dir).is_dir() {
                     self.set_calibration_success(false);
                     self.set_calibration_result(Some("SteamVR not found".into()));
@@ -154,7 +153,7 @@ impl SimpleComponent for SteamVrCalibrationBox {
                 let mut env: HashMap<String, String> = HashMap::new();
                 env.insert("LD_LIBRARY_PATH".into(), steamvr_bin_dir.clone());
                 let vrcmd = format!("{steamvr_bin_dir}/vrcmd");
-                let mut server_worker = {
+                let server_worker = {
                     let mut jobs: VecDeque<WorkerJob> = VecDeque::new();
                     jobs.push_back(WorkerJob::new_cmd(
                         Some(env.clone()),
@@ -166,7 +165,7 @@ impl SimpleComponent for SteamVrCalibrationBox {
                         JobWorkerOut::Exit(code) => Self::Input::OnServerWorkerExit(code),
                     })
                 };
-                let mut cal_worker = {
+                let cal_worker = {
                     let mut jobs: VecDeque<WorkerJob> = VecDeque::new();
                     jobs.push_back(WorkerJob::new_func(Box::new(move || {
                         sleep(Duration::from_secs(2));
diff --git a/src/xdg.rs b/src/xdg.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf4e4b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/xdg.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+use lazy_static::lazy_static;
+use xdg::BaseDirectories;
+
+lazy_static! {
+    pub static ref XDG: BaseDirectories =
+        BaseDirectories::new().expect("Failed to get XDG base directories");
+}