diff --git a/crates/nu-cli/tests/completions/mod.rs b/crates/nu-cli/tests/completions/mod.rs
index a7f88dc3b0..590979251e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-cli/tests/completions/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-cli/tests/completions/mod.rs
@@ -721,7 +721,7 @@ fn file_completion_quoted() {
         "`te#st.txt`".to_string(),
         "`te'st.txt`".to_string(),
         "`te(st).txt`".to_string(),
-        format!("`{}`", folder("test dir".into())),
+        format!("`{}`", folder("test dir")),
     ];
 
     match_suggestions(expected_paths, suggestions);
diff --git a/crates/nu-cli/tests/completions/support/completions_helpers.rs b/crates/nu-cli/tests/completions/support/completions_helpers.rs
index 027ac9d997..623d6fbc5a 100644
--- a/crates/nu-cli/tests/completions/support/completions_helpers.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-cli/tests/completions/support/completions_helpers.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 use nu_engine::eval_block;
 use nu_parser::parse;
+use nu_path::{AbsolutePathBuf, PathBuf};
 use nu_protocol::{
     debugger::WithoutDebug,
     engine::{EngineState, Stack, StateWorkingSet},
@@ -7,14 +8,14 @@ use nu_protocol::{
 };
 use nu_test_support::fs;
 use reedline::Suggestion;
-use std::path::{PathBuf, MAIN_SEPARATOR};
+use std::path::MAIN_SEPARATOR;
 
 fn create_default_context() -> EngineState {
     nu_command::add_shell_command_context(nu_cmd_lang::create_default_context())
 }
 
 // creates a new engine with the current path into the completions fixtures folder
-pub fn new_engine() -> (PathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
+pub fn new_engine() -> (AbsolutePathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
     // Target folder inside assets
     let dir = fs::fixtures().join("completions");
     let dir_str = dir
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ pub fn new_engine() -> (PathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
 }
 
 // creates a new engine with the current path into the completions fixtures folder
-pub fn new_dotnu_engine() -> (PathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
+pub fn new_dotnu_engine() -> (AbsolutePathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
     // Target folder inside assets
     let dir = fs::fixtures().join("dotnu_completions");
     let dir_str = dir
@@ -114,7 +115,7 @@ pub fn new_dotnu_engine() -> (PathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
     (dir, dir_str, engine_state, stack)
 }
 
-pub fn new_quote_engine() -> (PathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
+pub fn new_quote_engine() -> (AbsolutePathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
     // Target folder inside assets
     let dir = fs::fixtures().join("quoted_completions");
     let dir_str = dir
@@ -149,7 +150,7 @@ pub fn new_quote_engine() -> (PathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
     (dir, dir_str, engine_state, stack)
 }
 
-pub fn new_partial_engine() -> (PathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
+pub fn new_partial_engine() -> (AbsolutePathBuf, String, EngineState, Stack) {
     // Target folder inside assets
     let dir = fs::fixtures().join("partial_completions");
     let dir_str = dir
@@ -205,16 +206,15 @@ pub fn match_suggestions(expected: Vec<String>, suggestions: Vec<Suggestion>) {
 }
 
 // append the separator to the converted path
-pub fn folder(path: PathBuf) -> String {
+pub fn folder(path: impl Into<PathBuf>) -> String {
     let mut converted_path = file(path);
     converted_path.push(MAIN_SEPARATOR);
-
     converted_path
 }
 
 // convert a given path to string
-pub fn file(path: PathBuf) -> String {
-    path.into_os_string().into_string().unwrap_or_default()
+pub fn file(path: impl Into<PathBuf>) -> String {
+    path.into().into_os_string().into_string().unwrap()
 }
 
 // merge_input executes the given input into the engine
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ pub fn merge_input(
     input: &[u8],
     engine_state: &mut EngineState,
     stack: &mut Stack,
-    dir: PathBuf,
+    dir: AbsolutePathBuf,
 ) -> Result<(), ShellError> {
     let (block, delta) = {
         let mut working_set = StateWorkingSet::new(engine_state);
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs b/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
index a7ca822011..5e8527b45e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/src/system/run_external.rs
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ mod test {
         Playground::setup("test_expand_glob", |dirs, play| {
             play.with_files(&[Stub::EmptyFile("a.txt"), Stub::EmptyFile("b.txt")]);
 
-            let cwd = dirs.test();
+            let cwd = dirs.test().as_std_path();
 
             let actual = expand_glob("*.txt", cwd, Span::unknown(), &Signals::empty()).unwrap();
             let expected = &["a.txt", "b.txt"];
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/database/into_sqlite.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/database/into_sqlite.rs
index 595c88dc38..faa45040b3 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/database/into_sqlite.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/database/into_sqlite.rs
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ fn make_sqlite_db(dirs: &Dirs, nu_table: &str) -> PathBuf {
     );
 
     assert!(nucmd.status.success());
-    testdb_path
+    testdb_path.into()
 }
 
 fn insert_test_rows(dirs: &Dirs, nu_table: &str, sql_query: Option<&str>, expected: Vec<TestRow>) {
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/rm.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/rm.rs
index b3a273ea86..e6cbf88cda 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/rm.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/rm.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use nu_path::AbsolutePath;
 use nu_test_support::fs::{files_exist_at, Stub::EmptyFile};
 use nu_test_support::nu;
 use nu_test_support::playground::Playground;
@@ -405,10 +406,10 @@ fn removes_file_after_cd() {
 }
 
 struct Cleanup<'a> {
-    dir_to_clean: &'a Path,
+    dir_to_clean: &'a AbsolutePath,
 }
 
-fn set_dir_read_only(directory: &Path, read_only: bool) {
+fn set_dir_read_only(directory: &AbsolutePath, read_only: bool) {
     let mut permissions = fs::metadata(directory).unwrap().permissions();
     permissions.set_readonly(read_only);
     fs::set_permissions(directory, permissions).expect("failed to set directory permissions");
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/source_env.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/source_env.rs
index 9dd0320a45..f9cc3fbc1c 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/source_env.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/source_env.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-use nu_test_support::fs::AbsolutePath;
 use nu_test_support::fs::Stub::{FileWithContent, FileWithContentToBeTrimmed};
 use nu_test_support::nu;
 use nu_test_support::pipeline;
@@ -8,17 +7,18 @@ use nu_test_support::playground::Playground;
 #[test]
 fn sources_also_files_under_custom_lib_dirs_path() {
     Playground::setup("source_test_1", |dirs, nu| {
-        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("config.toml"));
-        let library_path = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("lib"));
+        let file = dirs.test().join("config.toml");
+        let library_path = dirs.test().join("lib");
 
-        nu.with_config(&file);
+        nu.with_config(file);
         nu.with_files(&[FileWithContent(
             "config.toml",
             &format!(
                 r#"
-                lib_dirs = ["{library_path}"]
+                lib_dirs = ["{}"]
                 skip_welcome_message = true
-            "#
+            "#,
+                library_path.as_os_str().to_str().unwrap(),
             ),
         )]);
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/ucp.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/ucp.rs
index 728cf1dcb2..2c2b30f252 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/ucp.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/ucp.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use nu_test_support::fs::file_contents;
 use nu_test_support::fs::{
-    files_exist_at, AbsoluteFile,
+    files_exist_at,
     Stub::{EmptyFile, FileWithContent, FileWithPermission},
 };
 use nu_test_support::nu;
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ fn copies_the_file_inside_directory_if_path_to_copy_is_directory() {
 
 fn copies_the_file_inside_directory_if_path_to_copy_is_directory_impl(progress: bool) {
     Playground::setup("ucp_test_2", |dirs, _| {
-        let expected_file = AbsoluteFile::new(dirs.test().join("sample.ini"));
+        let expected_file = dirs.test().join("sample.ini");
         let progress_flag = if progress { "-p" } else { "" };
 
         // Get the hash of the file content to check integrity after copy.
@@ -64,13 +64,13 @@ fn copies_the_file_inside_directory_if_path_to_copy_is_directory_impl(progress:
             cwd: dirs.formats(),
             "cp {} ../formats/sample.ini {}",
             progress_flag,
-            expected_file.dir()
+            expected_file.parent().unwrap().as_os_str().to_str().unwrap(),
         );
 
         assert!(dirs.test().join("sample.ini").exists());
 
         // Check the integrity of the file.
-        let after_cp_hash = get_file_hash(expected_file);
+        let after_cp_hash = get_file_hash(expected_file.display());
         assert_eq!(first_hash, after_cp_hash);
     })
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/use_.rs b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/use_.rs
index 63b1f8391a..2895e1635f 100644
--- a/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/use_.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-command/tests/commands/use_.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-use nu_test_support::fs::AbsolutePath;
 use nu_test_support::fs::Stub::{FileWithContent, FileWithContentToBeTrimmed};
 use nu_test_support::nu;
 use nu_test_support::pipeline;
@@ -7,10 +6,10 @@ use nu_test_support::playground::Playground;
 #[test]
 fn use_module_file_within_block() {
     Playground::setup("use_test_1", |dirs, nu| {
-        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("spam.nu"));
+        let file = dirs.test().join("spam.nu");
 
         nu.with_files(&[FileWithContent(
-            &file.to_string(),
+            file.as_os_str().to_str().unwrap(),
             r#"
                 export def foo [] {
                     echo "hello world"
@@ -37,10 +36,10 @@ fn use_module_file_within_block() {
 #[test]
 fn use_keeps_doc_comments() {
     Playground::setup("use_doc_comments", |dirs, nu| {
-        let file = AbsolutePath::new(dirs.test().join("spam.nu"));
+        let file = dirs.test().join("spam.nu");
 
         nu.with_files(&[FileWithContent(
-            &file.to_string(),
+            file.as_os_str().to_str().unwrap(),
             r#"
                 # this is my foo command
                 export def foo [
diff --git a/crates/nu-test-support/src/fs.rs b/crates/nu-test-support/src/fs.rs
index 00321e6590..eb90e16ab2 100644
--- a/crates/nu-test-support/src/fs.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-test-support/src/fs.rs
@@ -1,137 +1,5 @@
-use std::fmt::Display;
+use nu_path::{AbsolutePath, AbsolutePathBuf, Path};
 use std::io::Read;
-use std::ops::Div;
-use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
-
-pub struct AbsoluteFile {
-    inner: PathBuf,
-}
-
-impl AbsoluteFile {
-    pub fn new(path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> AbsoluteFile {
-        let path = path.as_ref();
-
-        if !path.is_absolute() {
-            panic!(
-                "AbsoluteFile::new must take an absolute path :: {}",
-                path.display()
-            )
-        } else if path.is_dir() {
-            // At the moment, this is not an invariant, but rather a way to catch bugs
-            // in tests.
-            panic!(
-                "AbsoluteFile::new must not take a directory :: {}",
-                path.display()
-            )
-        } else {
-            AbsoluteFile {
-                inner: path.to_path_buf(),
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn dir(&self) -> AbsolutePath {
-        AbsolutePath::new(if let Some(parent) = self.inner.parent() {
-            parent
-        } else {
-            unreachable!("Internal error: could not get parent in dir")
-        })
-    }
-}
-
-impl From<AbsoluteFile> for PathBuf {
-    fn from(file: AbsoluteFile) -> Self {
-        file.inner
-    }
-}
-
-pub struct AbsolutePath {
-    pub inner: PathBuf,
-}
-
-impl AbsolutePath {
-    pub fn new(path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> AbsolutePath {
-        let path = path.as_ref();
-
-        if path.is_absolute() {
-            AbsolutePath {
-                inner: path.to_path_buf(),
-            }
-        } else {
-            panic!("AbsolutePath::new must take an absolute path")
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl Div<&str> for &AbsolutePath {
-    type Output = AbsolutePath;
-
-    fn div(self, rhs: &str) -> Self::Output {
-        let parts = rhs.split('/');
-        let mut result = self.inner.clone();
-
-        for part in parts {
-            result = result.join(part);
-        }
-
-        AbsolutePath::new(result)
-    }
-}
-
-impl AsRef<Path> for AbsolutePath {
-    fn as_ref(&self) -> &Path {
-        self.inner.as_path()
-    }
-}
-
-pub struct RelativePath {
-    inner: PathBuf,
-}
-
-impl RelativePath {
-    pub fn new(path: impl Into<PathBuf>) -> RelativePath {
-        let path = path.into();
-
-        if path.is_relative() {
-            RelativePath { inner: path }
-        } else {
-            panic!("RelativePath::new must take a relative path")
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-impl<T: AsRef<str>> Div<T> for &RelativePath {
-    type Output = RelativePath;
-
-    fn div(self, rhs: T) -> Self::Output {
-        let parts = rhs.as_ref().split('/');
-        let mut result = self.inner.clone();
-
-        for part in parts {
-            result = result.join(part);
-        }
-
-        RelativePath::new(result)
-    }
-}
-
-impl Display for AbsoluteFile {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
-        write!(f, "{}", self.inner.display())
-    }
-}
-
-impl Display for AbsolutePath {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
-        write!(f, "{}", self.inner.display())
-    }
-}
-
-impl Display for RelativePath {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut std::fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> std::fmt::Result {
-        write!(f, "{}", self.inner.display())
-    }
-}
 
 pub enum Stub<'a> {
     FileWithContent(&'a str, &'a str),
@@ -140,7 +8,7 @@ pub enum Stub<'a> {
     FileWithPermission(&'a str, bool),
 }
 
-pub fn file_contents(full_path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> String {
+pub fn file_contents(full_path: impl AsRef<AbsolutePath>) -> String {
     let mut file = std::fs::File::open(full_path.as_ref()).expect("can not open file");
     let mut contents = String::new();
     file.read_to_string(&mut contents)
@@ -148,7 +16,7 @@ pub fn file_contents(full_path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> String {
     contents
 }
 
-pub fn file_contents_binary(full_path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> Vec<u8> {
+pub fn file_contents_binary(full_path: impl AsRef<AbsolutePath>) -> Vec<u8> {
     let mut file = std::fs::File::open(full_path.as_ref()).expect("can not open file");
     let mut contents = Vec::new();
     file.read_to_end(&mut contents).expect("can not read file");
@@ -167,56 +35,32 @@ pub fn line_ending() -> String {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn delete_file_at(full_path: impl AsRef<Path>) {
-    let full_path = full_path.as_ref();
-
-    if full_path.exists() {
-        std::fs::remove_file(full_path).expect("can not delete file");
-    }
+pub fn files_exist_at(files: Vec<impl AsRef<Path>>, path: impl AsRef<AbsolutePath>) -> bool {
+    let path = path.as_ref();
+    files.iter().all(|f| path.join(f.as_ref()).exists())
 }
 
-pub fn create_file_at(full_path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
-    let full_path = full_path.as_ref();
-
-    if full_path.parent().is_some() {
-        panic!("path exists");
-    }
-
-    std::fs::write(full_path, b"fake data")
-}
-
-pub fn copy_file_to(source: &str, destination: &str) {
-    std::fs::copy(source, destination).expect("can not copy file");
-}
-
-pub fn files_exist_at(files: Vec<impl AsRef<Path>>, path: impl AsRef<Path>) -> bool {
-    files.iter().all(|f| {
-        let mut loc = PathBuf::from(path.as_ref());
-        loc.push(f);
-        loc.exists()
-    })
-}
-
-pub fn delete_directory_at(full_path: &str) {
-    std::fs::remove_dir_all(PathBuf::from(full_path)).expect("can not remove directory");
-}
-
-pub fn executable_path() -> PathBuf {
+pub fn executable_path() -> AbsolutePathBuf {
     let mut path = binaries();
     path.push("nu");
     path
 }
 
-pub fn installed_nu_path() -> PathBuf {
+pub fn installed_nu_path() -> AbsolutePathBuf {
     let path = std::env::var_os(crate::NATIVE_PATH_ENV_VAR);
-    which::which_in("nu", path, ".").unwrap_or_else(|_| executable_path())
+    if let Ok(path) = which::which_in("nu", path, ".") {
+        AbsolutePathBuf::try_from(path).expect("installed nushell path is absolute")
+    } else {
+        executable_path()
+    }
 }
 
-pub fn root() -> PathBuf {
+pub fn root() -> AbsolutePathBuf {
     let manifest_dir = if let Ok(manifest_dir) = std::env::var("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR") {
-        PathBuf::from(manifest_dir)
+        AbsolutePathBuf::try_from(manifest_dir).expect("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR is not an absolute path")
     } else {
-        PathBuf::from(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"))
+        AbsolutePathBuf::try_from(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"))
+            .expect("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR is not an absolute path")
     };
 
     let test_path = manifest_dir.join("Cargo.lock");
@@ -228,11 +72,11 @@ pub fn root() -> PathBuf {
             .expect("Couldn't find the debug binaries directory")
             .parent()
             .expect("Couldn't find the debug binaries directory")
-            .to_path_buf()
+            .into()
     }
 }
 
-pub fn binaries() -> PathBuf {
+pub fn binaries() -> AbsolutePathBuf {
     let build_target = std::env::var("CARGO_BUILD_TARGET").unwrap_or_default();
 
     let profile = if let Ok(env_profile) = std::env::var("NUSHELL_CARGO_PROFILE") {
@@ -244,27 +88,28 @@ pub fn binaries() -> PathBuf {
     };
 
     std::env::var("CARGO_TARGET_DIR")
-        .map(PathBuf::from)
-        .unwrap_or_else(|_| root().join("target"))
+        .ok()
+        .and_then(|p| AbsolutePathBuf::try_from(p).ok())
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| root().join("target"))
         .join(build_target)
         .join(profile)
 }
 
-pub fn fixtures() -> PathBuf {
-    root().join("tests").join("fixtures")
+pub fn fixtures() -> AbsolutePathBuf {
+    let mut path = root();
+    path.push("tests");
+    path.push("fixtures");
+    path
 }
 
-pub fn assets() -> PathBuf {
-    root().join("tests/assets")
-}
+// FIXME: re-enable nu_json tests
+// pub fn assets() -> AbsolutePathBuf {
+//     let mut path = root();
+//     path.push("tests");
+//     path.push("assets");
+//     path
+// }
 
-pub fn in_directory(str: impl AsRef<Path>) -> String {
-    let path = str.as_ref();
-    let path = if path.is_relative() {
-        root().join(path)
-    } else {
-        path.to_path_buf()
-    };
-
-    path.display().to_string()
+pub fn in_directory(path: impl AsRef<nu_path::Path>) -> AbsolutePathBuf {
+    root().join(path)
 }
diff --git a/crates/nu-test-support/src/macros.rs b/crates/nu-test-support/src/macros.rs
index 958a2453f5..6fd3a8c307 100644
--- a/crates/nu-test-support/src/macros.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-test-support/src/macros.rs
@@ -234,16 +234,16 @@ macro_rules! nu_with_plugins {
 }
 
 use crate::{Outcome, NATIVE_PATH_ENV_VAR};
-use std::ffi::OsStr;
+use nu_path::{AbsolutePath, AbsolutePathBuf, Path};
 use std::{
-    path::Path,
+    ffi::OsStr,
     process::{Command, Stdio},
 };
 use tempfile::tempdir;
 
 #[derive(Default)]
 pub struct NuOpts {
-    pub cwd: Option<String>,
+    pub cwd: Option<AbsolutePathBuf>,
     pub locale: Option<String>,
     pub envs: Option<Vec<(String, String)>>,
     pub collapse_output: Option<bool>,
@@ -251,19 +251,12 @@ pub struct NuOpts {
 }
 
 pub fn nu_run_test(opts: NuOpts, commands: impl AsRef<str>, with_std: bool) -> Outcome {
-    let test_bins = crate::fs::binaries();
-
-    let cwd = std::env::current_dir().expect("Could not get current working directory.");
-    let test_bins = nu_path::canonicalize_with(&test_bins, cwd).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
-        panic!(
-            "Couldn't canonicalize dummy binaries path {}: {:?}",
-            test_bins.display(),
-            e
-        )
-    });
+    let test_bins = crate::fs::binaries()
+        .canonicalize()
+        .expect("Could not canonicalize dummy binaries path");
 
     let mut paths = crate::shell_os_paths();
-    paths.insert(0, test_bins);
+    paths.insert(0, test_bins.into());
 
     let commands = commands.as_ref().lines().collect::<Vec<_>>().join("; ");
 
@@ -272,7 +265,7 @@ pub fn nu_run_test(opts: NuOpts, commands: impl AsRef<str>, with_std: bool) -> O
         Err(_) => panic!("Couldn't join paths for PATH var."),
     };
 
-    let target_cwd = opts.cwd.unwrap_or(".".to_string());
+    let target_cwd = opts.cwd.unwrap_or_else(crate::fs::root);
     let locale = opts.locale.unwrap_or("en_US.UTF-8".to_string());
     let executable_path = crate::fs::executable_path();
 
@@ -450,7 +443,7 @@ fn collapse_output(out: &str) -> String {
     out.replace('\n', "")
 }
 
-fn setup_command(executable_path: &Path, target_cwd: &str) -> Command {
+fn setup_command(executable_path: &AbsolutePath, target_cwd: &AbsolutePath) -> Command {
     let mut command = Command::new(executable_path);
 
     command
diff --git a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground.rs b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground.rs
index 375f192983..4d33dcebe5 100644
--- a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground.rs
@@ -6,5 +6,5 @@ mod play;
 mod tests;
 
 pub use director::Director;
-pub use nu_process::{Executable, NuProcess, NuResult, Outcome};
+pub use nu_process::{Executable, NuProcess, Outcome};
 pub use play::{Dirs, EnvironmentVariable, Playground};
diff --git a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/director.rs b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/director.rs
index 3d04155c25..a361342495 100644
--- a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/director.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/director.rs
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ impl Director {
 }
 
 impl Executable for Director {
-    fn execute(&mut self) -> NuResult {
+    fn execute(&mut self) -> Result<Outcome, NuError> {
         use std::process::Stdio;
 
         match self.executable() {
diff --git a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/nu_process.rs b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/nu_process.rs
index 0031a173e8..2eeac703c6 100644
--- a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/nu_process.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/nu_process.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 use super::EnvironmentVariable;
 use crate::fs::{binaries as test_bins_path, executable_path};
-use std::ffi::{OsStr, OsString};
-use std::fmt;
-use std::path::Path;
-use std::process::{Command, ExitStatus};
+use std::{
+    ffi::{OsStr, OsString},
+    fmt,
+    process::{Command, ExitStatus},
+};
 
 pub trait Executable {
-    fn execute(&mut self) -> NuResult;
+    fn execute(&mut self) -> Result<Outcome, NuError>;
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -24,8 +25,6 @@ impl Outcome {
     }
 }
 
-pub type NuResult = Result<Outcome, NuError>;
-
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct NuError {
     pub desc: String,
@@ -69,14 +68,10 @@ impl NuProcess {
         self
     }
 
-    pub fn get_cwd(&self) -> Option<&Path> {
-        self.cwd.as_ref().map(Path::new)
-    }
-
     pub fn construct(&self) -> Command {
         let mut command = Command::new(executable_path());
 
-        if let Some(cwd) = self.get_cwd() {
+        if let Some(cwd) = &self.cwd {
             command.current_dir(cwd);
         }
 
diff --git a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/play.rs b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/play.rs
index 902997200e..12295c2690 100644
--- a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/play.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/play.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 use super::Director;
-use crate::fs;
-use crate::fs::Stub;
+use crate::fs::{self, Stub};
 use nu_glob::glob;
-use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+#[cfg(not(target_arch = "wasm32"))]
+use nu_path::Path;
+use nu_path::{AbsolutePath, AbsolutePathBuf};
 use std::str;
 use tempfile::{tempdir, TempDir};
 
@@ -22,46 +23,46 @@ impl EnvironmentVariable {
 }
 
 pub struct Playground<'a> {
-    root: TempDir,
+    _root: TempDir,
     tests: String,
-    cwd: PathBuf,
-    config: Option<PathBuf>,
+    cwd: AbsolutePathBuf,
+    config: Option<AbsolutePathBuf>,
     environment_vars: Vec<EnvironmentVariable>,
     dirs: &'a Dirs,
 }
 
-#[derive(Default, Clone)]
+#[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct Dirs {
-    pub root: PathBuf,
-    pub test: PathBuf,
-    pub fixtures: PathBuf,
+    pub root: AbsolutePathBuf,
+    pub test: AbsolutePathBuf,
+    pub fixtures: AbsolutePathBuf,
 }
 
 impl Dirs {
-    pub fn formats(&self) -> PathBuf {
+    pub fn formats(&self) -> AbsolutePathBuf {
         self.fixtures.join("formats")
     }
 
-    pub fn root(&self) -> &Path {
-        self.root.as_path()
+    pub fn root(&self) -> &AbsolutePath {
+        &self.root
     }
 
-    pub fn test(&self) -> &Path {
-        self.test.as_path()
+    pub fn test(&self) -> &AbsolutePath {
+        &self.test
     }
 }
 
 impl<'a> Playground<'a> {
-    pub fn root(&self) -> &Path {
-        self.root.path()
+    pub fn root(&self) -> &AbsolutePath {
+        &self.dirs.root
     }
 
-    pub fn cwd(&self) -> &Path {
+    pub fn cwd(&self) -> &AbsolutePath {
         &self.cwd
     }
 
     pub fn back_to_playground(&mut self) -> &mut Self {
-        self.cwd = PathBuf::from(self.root()).join(self.tests.clone());
+        self.cwd = self.root().join(&self.tests);
         self
     }
 
@@ -70,68 +71,46 @@ impl<'a> Playground<'a> {
     }
 
     pub fn setup(topic: &str, block: impl FnOnce(Dirs, &mut Playground)) {
-        let root = tempdir().expect("Couldn't create a tempdir");
-        let nuplay_dir = root.path().join(topic);
+        let temp = tempdir().expect("Could not create a tempdir");
 
-        if PathBuf::from(&nuplay_dir).exists() {
-            std::fs::remove_dir_all(PathBuf::from(&nuplay_dir)).expect("can not remove directory");
+        let root = AbsolutePathBuf::try_from(temp.path())
+            .expect("Tempdir is not an absolute path")
+            .canonicalize()
+            .expect("Could not canonicalize tempdir");
+
+        let test = root.join(topic);
+        if test.exists() {
+            std::fs::remove_dir_all(&test).expect("Could not remove directory");
         }
+        std::fs::create_dir(&test).expect("Could not create directory");
+        let test = test
+            .canonicalize()
+            .expect("Could not canonicalize test path");
 
-        std::fs::create_dir(PathBuf::from(&nuplay_dir)).expect("can not create directory");
-
-        let fixtures = fs::fixtures();
-        let cwd = std::env::current_dir().expect("Could not get current working directory.");
-        let fixtures = nu_path::canonicalize_with(fixtures.clone(), cwd).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
-            panic!(
-                "Couldn't canonicalize fixtures path {}: {:?}",
-                fixtures.display(),
-                e
-            )
-        });
-
-        let mut playground = Playground {
-            root,
-            tests: topic.to_string(),
-            cwd: nuplay_dir,
-            config: None,
-            environment_vars: Vec::default(),
-            dirs: &Dirs::default(),
-        };
-
-        let playground_root = playground.root.path();
-
-        let cwd = std::env::current_dir().expect("Could not get current working directory.");
-        let test =
-            nu_path::canonicalize_with(playground_root.join(topic), cwd).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
-                panic!(
-                    "Couldn't canonicalize test path {}: {:?}",
-                    playground_root.join(topic).display(),
-                    e
-                )
-            });
-
-        let cwd = std::env::current_dir().expect("Could not get current working directory.");
-        let root = nu_path::canonicalize_with(playground_root, cwd).unwrap_or_else(|e| {
-            panic!(
-                "Couldn't canonicalize tests root path {}: {:?}",
-                playground_root.display(),
-                e
-            )
-        });
+        let fixtures = fs::fixtures()
+            .canonicalize()
+            .expect("Could not canonicalize fixtures path");
 
         let dirs = Dirs {
-            root,
-            test,
-            fixtures,
+            root: root.into(),
+            test: test.as_path().into(),
+            fixtures: fixtures.into(),
         };
 
-        playground.dirs = &dirs;
+        let mut playground = Playground {
+            _root: temp,
+            tests: topic.to_string(),
+            cwd: test.into(),
+            config: None,
+            environment_vars: Vec::default(),
+            dirs: &dirs,
+        };
 
         block(dirs.clone(), &mut playground);
     }
 
-    pub fn with_config(&mut self, source_file: impl AsRef<Path>) -> &mut Self {
-        self.config = Some(source_file.as_ref().to_path_buf());
+    pub fn with_config(&mut self, source_file: AbsolutePathBuf) -> &mut Self {
+        self.config = Some(source_file);
         self
     }
 
@@ -205,7 +184,6 @@ impl<'a> Playground<'a> {
         files
             .iter()
             .map(|f| {
-                let mut path = PathBuf::from(&self.cwd);
                 let mut permission_set = false;
                 let mut write_able = true;
                 let (file_name, contents) = match *f {
@@ -227,7 +205,7 @@ impl<'a> Playground<'a> {
                     }
                 };
 
-                path.push(file_name);
+                let path = self.cwd.join(file_name);
 
                 std::fs::write(&path, contents.as_bytes()).expect("can not create file");
                 if permission_set {
@@ -252,7 +230,7 @@ impl<'a> Playground<'a> {
         self
     }
 
-    pub fn glob_vec(pattern: &str) -> Vec<PathBuf> {
+    pub fn glob_vec(pattern: &str) -> Vec<std::path::PathBuf> {
         let glob = glob(pattern);
 
         glob.expect("invalid pattern")
diff --git a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/tests.rs b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/tests.rs
index cc4daa597b..7c2be0237e 100644
--- a/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/nu-test-support/src/playground/tests.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,4 @@
 use crate::playground::Playground;
-use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
-
-fn path(p: &Path) -> PathBuf {
-    let cwd = std::env::current_dir().expect("Could not get current working directory.");
-    nu_path::canonicalize_with(p, cwd)
-        .unwrap_or_else(|e| panic!("Couldn't canonicalize path {}: {:?}", p.display(), e))
-}
 
 #[test]
 fn current_working_directory_in_sandbox_directory_created() {
@@ -13,7 +6,7 @@ fn current_working_directory_in_sandbox_directory_created() {
         let original_cwd = dirs.test();
         nu.within("some_directory_within");
 
-        assert_eq!(path(nu.cwd()), original_cwd.join("some_directory_within"));
+        assert_eq!(nu.cwd(), original_cwd.join("some_directory_within"));
     })
 }
 
@@ -25,6 +18,6 @@ fn current_working_directory_back_to_root_from_anywhere() {
         nu.within("some_directory_within");
         nu.back_to_playground();
 
-        assert_eq!(path(nu.cwd()), *original_cwd);
+        assert_eq!(nu.cwd(), original_cwd);
     })
 }
diff --git a/tests/plugins/nu_plugin_nu_example.rs b/tests/plugins/nu_plugin_nu_example.rs
index f178c64316..afeb487b60 100644
--- a/tests/plugins/nu_plugin_nu_example.rs
+++ b/tests/plugins/nu_plugin_nu_example.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use assert_cmd::Command;
 fn call() {
     // Add the `nu` binaries to the path env
     let path_env = std::env::join_paths(
-        std::iter::once(nu_test_support::fs::binaries()).chain(
+        std::iter::once(nu_test_support::fs::binaries().into()).chain(
             std::env::var_os(nu_test_support::NATIVE_PATH_ENV_VAR)
                 .as_deref()
                 .map(std::env::split_paths)
diff --git a/tests/plugins/registry_file.rs b/tests/plugins/registry_file.rs
index c0f0fa0724..2cb1473b6f 100644
--- a/tests/plugins/registry_file.rs
+++ b/tests/plugins/registry_file.rs
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ fn plugin_rm_then_restart_nu() {
         contents.upsert_plugin(PluginRegistryItem {
             name: "foo".into(),
             // this doesn't exist, but it should be ok
-            filename: dirs.test().join("nu_plugin_foo"),
+            filename: dirs.test().join("nu_plugin_foo").into(),
             shell: None,
             data: valid_plugin_item_data(),
         });
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ fn plugin_rm_from_custom_path() {
         contents.upsert_plugin(PluginRegistryItem {
             name: "foo".into(),
             // this doesn't exist, but it should be ok
-            filename: dirs.test().join("nu_plugin_foo"),
+            filename: dirs.test().join("nu_plugin_foo").into(),
             shell: None,
             data: valid_plugin_item_data(),
         });
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ fn plugin_rm_using_filename() {
         contents.upsert_plugin(PluginRegistryItem {
             name: "foo".into(),
             // this doesn't exist, but it should be ok
-            filename: dirs.test().join("nu_plugin_foo"),
+            filename: dirs.test().join("nu_plugin_foo").into(),
             shell: None,
             data: valid_plugin_item_data(),
         });
@@ -344,7 +344,7 @@ fn warning_on_invalid_plugin_item() {
         contents.upsert_plugin(PluginRegistryItem {
             name: "badtest".into(),
             // this doesn't exist, but it should be ok
-            filename: dirs.test().join("nu_plugin_badtest"),
+            filename: dirs.test().join("nu_plugin_badtest").into(),
             shell: None,
             data: PluginRegistryItemData::Invalid,
         });