diff --git a/.github/workflows/rust.yml b/.github/workflows/rust.yml
index 532582fd..2443c060 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/rust.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/rust.yml
@@ -20,8 +20,10 @@ jobs:
       run: rustup target add wasm32-wasi
     - name: Install cargo-make
       run: cargo install --debug cargo-make
-    - name: Build & Test
-      run: cargo make
+    - name: Build
+      run: cargo make build
+    - name: Test
+      run: cargo make test
 
   format:
     name: Check Formatting
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index f833285a..6e3833f9 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ cargo make
 cargo make format
 cargo make build
 cargo make test
-# Run Zellij (optionally with a non-default layout)
+# Run Zellij (optionally with additional arguments)
 cargo make run
-cargo make run strider
+cargo make run -- -l strider
 # Run Clippy (potentially with additional options)
 cargo make clippy
 cargo make clippy -W clippy::pedantic
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index b814071f..66310ea0 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2194,7 +2194,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "zellij"
-version = "0.3.1"
+version = "0.3.2"
 dependencies = [
  "ansi_term 0.12.1",
  "async-std",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index e4db7573..6170016c 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "zellij"
-version = "0.3.1"
+version = "0.3.2"
 authors = ["Aram Drevekenin <aram@poor.dev>"]
 edition = "2018"
 description = "Terminal workspace (WIP)"
diff --git a/Makefile.toml b/Makefile.toml
index a4388ebc..4ee28112 100644
--- a/Makefile.toml
+++ b/Makefile.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Global Settings
 [env]
 CARGO_MAKE_EXTEND_WORKSPACE_MAKEFILE = true
+CARGO_TARGET_DIR = "${CARGO_MAKE_WORKSPACE_WORKING_DIRECTORY}/target"
 SKIP_TEST = false
 
 # Add clippy to the default flow
@@ -27,76 +28,34 @@ dependencies = ["pre-test"]
 [tasks.post-test]
 env = { "SKIP_TEST" = false }
 
-# Running Zellij using patched layouts
+# Running Zellij using the development data directory
 [tasks.run]
 workspace = false
-dependencies = ["build-workspace", "patch-layouts"]
+dependencies = ["build-workspace", "build-dev-data-dir"]
 run_task = "launch"
 
 [tasks.build-workspace]
 run_task = { name = "build", fork = true }
 
-[tasks.patch-layouts]
-script_runner = "@rust"
-script = '''
-//! ```cargo
-//! [dependencies]
-//! yaml-rust = "0.4"
-//! ```
-use std::{env, error::Error, fs, path::Path};
-use yaml_rust::{Yaml, YamlEmitter, YamlLoader};
-
-fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
-    let root = env::var("CARGO_MAKE_WORKSPACE_WORKING_DIRECTORY")?;
-    let layout_path = Path::new(&root).join("assets/layouts");
-    for layout in fs::read_dir(layout_path)? {
-        let layout = layout?.path();
-        let yaml = fs::read_to_string(&layout)?;
-        let yaml = YamlLoader::load_from_str(&yaml)?.remove(0);
-        let yaml = patch_plugins(&root, yaml);
-        let new_layout = Path::new(&root)
-            .join("target")
-            .join(layout.file_name().unwrap());
-        let mut new_yaml = String::new();
-        let mut emitter = YamlEmitter::new(&mut new_yaml);
-        emitter.dump(&yaml)?;
-        fs::write(new_layout, new_yaml)?;
-    }
-    Ok(())
-}
-
-fn patch_plugins(root: &str, part: Yaml) -> Yaml {
-    let mut map = part.into_hash().unwrap();
-    if let Some(plugin) = map.get_mut(&Yaml::from_str("plugin")) {
-        let new_plugin = Path::new(root)
-            .join("target/wasm32-wasi/debug")
-            .join(plugin.as_str().unwrap());
-        *plugin = Yaml::String(new_plugin.to_string_lossy().into_owned());
-    }
-    if let Some(parts) = map.get_mut(&Yaml::from_str("parts")) {
-        let new_parts = parts
-            .clone()
-            .into_iter()
-            .map(|p| patch_plugins(root, p))
-            .collect();
-        *parts = Yaml::Array(new_parts);
-    }
-    Yaml::Hash(map)
-}
-'''
-
-[tasks.pre-launch]
+[tasks.build-dev-data-dir]
 script_runner = "@duckscript"
 script = '''
-if is_empty ${CARGO_MAKE_TASK_ARGS}
-    set_env CARGO_MAKE_TASK_ARGS default
+asset_dir = set ${CARGO_MAKE_WORKSPACE_WORKING_DIRECTORY}/assets
+target_dir = set ${CARGO_MAKE_WORKSPACE_WORKING_DIRECTORY}/target
+data_dir = set ${target_dir}/dev-data
+rm -r ${data_dir}
+cp ${asset_dir}/layouts ${data_dir}/
+plugins = glob_array ${target_dir}/wasm32-wasi/debug/*.wasm
+for plugin in ${plugins}
+    plugin_name = basename ${plugin}
+    cp ${plugin} ${data_dir}/plugins/${plugin_name}
 end
+writefile ${data_dir}/VERSION ${CARGO_MAKE_CRATE_VERSION}
 '''
 
 [tasks.launch]
-dependencies = ["pre-launch"]
 command = "cargo"
-args = ["run", "--", "-l", "${CARGO_MAKE_WORKSPACE_WORKING_DIRECTORY}/target/${CARGO_MAKE_TASK_ARGS}.yaml"]
+args = ["run", "--", "--data-dir", "${CARGO_MAKE_WORKSPACE_WORKING_DIRECTORY}/target/dev-data/", "@@split(CARGO_MAKE_TASK_ARGS,;)"]
 
 # Simple clippy tweak
 [tasks.clippy]
@@ -105,7 +64,7 @@ args = ["clippy", "--", "@@split(CARGO_MAKE_TASK_ARGS,;)"]
 # Release building and installing Zellij
 [tasks.install]
 workspace = false
-dependencies = ["build-tiles-release", "wasm-opt-tiles", "build-release", "clear-data-directory"]
+dependencies = ["build-tiles-release", "wasm-opt-tiles", "build-release"]
 script_runner = "@duckscript"
 script = '''
 cp ${CARGO_MAKE_WORKSPACE_WORKING_DIRECTORY}/target/release/${CARGO_MAKE_CRATE_NAME} ${CARGO_MAKE_TASK_ARGS}
@@ -129,35 +88,15 @@ for tile in ${tiles}
 end
 '''
 
-# FIXME: Maybe this should be more generic? Or just blow away the whole directory?
-[tasks.clear-data-directory]
-script_runner = "@rust"
-script = '''
-//! ```cargo
-//! [dependencies]
-//! directories-next = "2.0"
-//! ```
-use directories_next::ProjectDirs;
-use std::fs;
-
-fn main() {
-    let project_dirs = ProjectDirs::from("org", "Zellij Contributors", "Zellij").unwrap();
-    let data_dir = project_dirs.data_dir();
-    drop(fs::remove_file(data_dir.join("plugins/status-bar.wasm")));
-    drop(fs::remove_file(data_dir.join("plugins/tab-bar.wasm")));
-    drop(fs::remove_file(data_dir.join("plugins/strider.wasm")));
-    drop(fs::remove_file(data_dir.join("layouts/default.yaml")));
-    drop(fs::remove_file(data_dir.join("layouts/strider.yaml")));
-}
-'''
-
 # Publishing Zellij
 [tasks.publish]
 clear = true
 workspace = false
-dependencies = ["build-tiles-release", "wasm-opt-tiles", "build-release", "publish-zellij-tile", "publish-zellij"]
+dependencies = ["build-tiles-release", "wasm-opt-tiles", "build-release", "publish-zellij-tile"]
+run_task = "publish-zellij"
 
 [tasks.publish-zellij-tile]
+ignore_errors = true
 cwd = "zellij-tile"
 command = "cargo"
 args = ["publish"]
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8b05e1f5..af7e1bc4 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@ Zellij was initially called "Mosaic".
 ## How to use it?
 * Clone the project
 * Install cargo-make with `cargo install --force cargo-make`
-* Make sure that the `~/.cargo/bin` directory is on your PATH
 * In the project folder, run: `cargo make run`
 
 (note that right now Zellij only supports linux and mac)
diff --git a/assets/completions/_zellij b/assets/completions/_zellij
index fc1cd00f..9eecf8e2 100644
--- a/assets/completions/_zellij
+++ b/assets/completions/_zellij
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ _zellij() {
 '-o+[Send "open file in new pane" to active zellij session]' \
 '--open-file=[Send "open file in new pane" to active zellij session]' \
 '--max-panes=[Maximum panes on screen, caution: opening more panes will close old ones]' \
+'--data-dir=[Change where zellij looks for layouts and plugins]' \
 '-l+[Path to a layout yaml file]' \
 '--layout=[Path to a layout yaml file]' \
 '-m[Send "move focused pane" to active zellij session]' \
diff --git a/assets/completions/zellij.bash b/assets/completions/zellij.bash
index 10c18d53..4f28140a 100644
--- a/assets/completions/zellij.bash
+++ b/assets/completions/zellij.bash
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ _zellij() {
 
     case "${cmd}" in
         zellij)
-            opts=" -m -d -h -V -s -o -l  --move-focus --debug --help --version --split --open-file --max-panes --layout   config help  c c"
+            opts=" -m -d -h -V -s -o -l  --move-focus --debug --help --version --split --open-file --max-panes --data-dir --layout   config help  c c"
             if [[ ${cur} == -* || ${COMP_CWORD} -eq 1 ]] ; then
                 COMPREPLY=( $(compgen -W "${opts}" -- "${cur}") )
                 return 0
@@ -56,6 +56,10 @@ _zellij() {
                     COMPREPLY=($(compgen -f "${cur}"))
                     return 0
                     ;;
+                --data-dir)
+                    COMPREPLY=($(compgen -f "${cur}"))
+                    return 0
+                    ;;
                 --layout)
                     COMPREPLY=($(compgen -f "${cur}"))
                     return 0
diff --git a/assets/completions/zellij.fish b/assets/completions/zellij.fish
index 36bab192..ec758be6 100644
--- a/assets/completions/zellij.fish
+++ b/assets/completions/zellij.fish
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 complete -c zellij -n "__fish_use_subcommand" -s s -l split -d 'Send "split (direction h == horizontal / v == vertical)" to active zellij session'
 complete -c zellij -n "__fish_use_subcommand" -s o -l open-file -d 'Send "open file in new pane" to active zellij session'
 complete -c zellij -n "__fish_use_subcommand" -l max-panes -d 'Maximum panes on screen, caution: opening more panes will close old ones'
+complete -c zellij -n "__fish_use_subcommand" -l data-dir -d 'Change where zellij looks for layouts and plugins'
 complete -c zellij -n "__fish_use_subcommand" -s l -l layout -d 'Path to a layout yaml file'
 complete -c zellij -n "__fish_use_subcommand" -s m -l move-focus -d 'Send "move focused pane" to active zellij session'
 complete -c zellij -n "__fish_use_subcommand" -s d -l debug
diff --git a/src/cli.rs b/src/cli.rs
index b1fb8f38..43047dd3 100644
--- a/src/cli.rs
+++ b/src/cli.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ pub struct CliArgs {
     #[structopt(long)]
     pub max_panes: Option<usize>,
 
+    /// Change where zellij looks for layouts and plugins
+    #[structopt(long)]
+    pub data_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
+
     /// Path to a layout yaml file
     #[structopt(short, long)]
     pub layout: Option<PathBuf>,
diff --git a/src/client/layout.rs b/src/client/layout.rs
index 2524f894..e82f9045 100644
--- a/src/client/layout.rs
+++ b/src/client/layout.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-use directories_next::ProjectDirs;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-use std::path::PathBuf;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::{fs::File, io::prelude::*};
 
 use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
@@ -180,11 +179,9 @@ pub struct Layout {
 }
 
 impl Layout {
-    pub fn new(layout_path: PathBuf) -> Self {
-        let project_dirs = ProjectDirs::from("org", "Zellij Contributors", "Zellij").unwrap();
-        let layout_dir = project_dirs.data_dir().join("layouts/");
+    pub fn new(layout_path: &Path, data_dir: &Path) -> Self {
+        let layout_dir = data_dir.join("layouts/");
         let mut layout_file = File::open(&layout_path)
-            .or_else(|_| File::open(&layout_path.with_extension("yaml")))
             .or_else(|_| File::open(&layout_dir.join(&layout_path).with_extension("yaml")))
             .unwrap_or_else(|_| panic!("cannot find layout {}", &layout_path.display()));
 
diff --git a/src/common/install.rs b/src/common/install.rs
index 8b070848..86fdd269 100644
--- a/src/common/install.rs
+++ b/src/common/install.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,41 @@
+use std::{fs, path::Path};
+
+const VERSION: &str = env!("CARGO_PKG_VERSION");
+
 #[macro_export]
 macro_rules! asset_map {
     ($($src:literal => $dst:literal),+ $(,)?) => {
         {
             let mut assets = std::collections::HashMap::new();
             $(
-                assets.insert($dst, include_bytes!(concat!("../", $src)).to_vec());
+                assets.insert($dst, include_bytes!(concat!(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"), "/", $src)).to_vec());
             )+
             assets
         }
     }
 }
+
+pub fn populate_data_dir(data_dir: &Path) {
+    // First run installation of default plugins & layouts
+    let mut assets = asset_map! {
+        "assets/layouts/default.yaml" => "layouts/default.yaml",
+        "assets/layouts/strider.yaml" => "layouts/strider.yaml",
+    };
+    assets.extend(asset_map! {
+        "assets/plugins/status-bar.wasm" => "plugins/status-bar.wasm",
+        "assets/plugins/tab-bar.wasm" => "plugins/tab-bar.wasm",
+        "assets/plugins/strider.wasm" => "plugins/strider.wasm",
+    });
+    assets.insert("VERSION", VERSION.as_bytes().to_vec());
+
+    let last_version = fs::read_to_string(data_dir.join("VERSION")).unwrap_or_default();
+    let out_of_date = VERSION != last_version;
+
+    for (path, bytes) in assets {
+        let path = data_dir.join(path);
+        fs::create_dir_all(path.parent().unwrap()).unwrap();
+        if out_of_date || !path.exists() {
+            fs::write(path, bytes).expect("Failed to install default assets!");
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/common/mod.rs b/src/common/mod.rs
index 88eb7214..860d12db 100644
--- a/src/common/mod.rs
+++ b/src/common/mod.rs
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ use errors::{
     ScreenContext,
 };
 use input::handler::input_loop;
+use install::populate_data_dir;
 use os_input_output::OsApi;
 use pty_bus::{PtyBus, PtyInstruction};
 use screen::{Screen, ScreenInstruction};
@@ -167,12 +168,22 @@ pub fn start(mut os_input: Box<dyn OsApi>, opts: CliArgs) {
         opts.debug,
     );
 
+    // Determine and initialize the data directory
+    let project_dirs = ProjectDirs::from("org", "Zellij Contributors", "Zellij").unwrap();
+    let data_dir = opts
+        .data_dir
+        .unwrap_or_else(|| project_dirs.data_dir().to_path_buf());
+    populate_data_dir(&data_dir);
+
     // Don't use default layouts in tests, but do everywhere else
     #[cfg(not(test))]
     let default_layout = Some(PathBuf::from("default"));
     #[cfg(test)]
     let default_layout = None;
-    let maybe_layout = opts.layout.or(default_layout).map(Layout::new);
+    let maybe_layout = opts
+        .layout
+        .or(default_layout)
+        .map(|p| Layout::new(&p, &data_dir));
 
     #[cfg(not(test))]
     std::panic::set_hook({
@@ -443,9 +454,7 @@ pub fn start(mut os_input: Box<dyn OsApi>, opts: CliArgs) {
                 err_ctx.add_call(ContextType::Plugin(PluginContext::from(&event)));
                 match event {
                     PluginInstruction::Load(pid_tx, path) => {
-                        let project_dirs =
-                            ProjectDirs::from("org", "Zellij Contributors", "Zellij").unwrap();
-                        let plugin_dir = project_dirs.data_dir().join("plugins/");
+                        let plugin_dir = data_dir.join("plugins/");
                         let wasm_bytes = fs::read(&path)
                             .or_else(|_| fs::read(&path.with_extension("wasm")))
                             .or_else(|_| fs::read(&plugin_dir.join(&path).with_extension("wasm")))
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index d6cbb05d..ec249e8a 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -1,23 +1,10 @@
-#[cfg(test)]
-mod tests;
-
 mod cli;
 mod common;
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests;
 // TODO mod server;
 mod client;
 
-use client::{boundaries, layout, panes, tab};
-use common::{
-    command_is_executing, errors, os_input_output, pty_bus, screen, start, utils, wasm_vm,
-    ApiCommand,
-};
-use directories_next::ProjectDirs;
-
-use std::os::unix::net::UnixStream;
-use std::{fs, io::Write};
-
-use structopt::StructOpt;
-
 use crate::cli::CliArgs;
 use crate::command_is_executing::CommandIsExecuting;
 use crate::os_input_output::get_os_input;
@@ -25,29 +12,16 @@ use crate::utils::{
     consts::{ZELLIJ_IPC_PIPE, ZELLIJ_TMP_DIR, ZELLIJ_TMP_LOG_DIR},
     logging::*,
 };
+use client::{boundaries, layout, panes, tab};
+use common::{
+    command_is_executing, errors, os_input_output, pty_bus, screen, start, utils, wasm_vm,
+    ApiCommand,
+};
+use std::io::Write;
+use std::os::unix::net::UnixStream;
+use structopt::StructOpt;
 
 pub fn main() {
-    // First run installation of default plugins & layouts
-    let project_dirs = ProjectDirs::from("org", "Zellij Contributors", "Zellij").unwrap();
-    let data_dir = project_dirs.data_dir();
-    let mut assets = asset_map! {
-        "assets/layouts/default.yaml" => "layouts/default.yaml",
-        "assets/layouts/strider.yaml" => "layouts/strider.yaml",
-    };
-    assets.extend(asset_map! {
-        "assets/plugins/status-bar.wasm" => "plugins/status-bar.wasm",
-        "assets/plugins/tab-bar.wasm" => "plugins/tab-bar.wasm",
-        "assets/plugins/strider.wasm" => "plugins/strider.wasm",
-    });
-
-    for (path, bytes) in assets {
-        let path = data_dir.join(path);
-        fs::create_dir_all(path.parent().unwrap()).unwrap();
-        if !path.exists() {
-            fs::write(path, bytes).expect("Failed to install default assets!");
-        }
-    }
-
     let opts = CliArgs::from_args();
     if let Some(split_dir) = opts.split {
         match split_dir {