diff --git a/hosts/common/programs/bonsai.nix b/hosts/common/programs/bonsai.nix
index 889194bc..4e575ad0 100644
--- a/hosts/common/programs/bonsai.nix
+++ b/hosts/common/programs/bonsai.nix
@@ -124,7 +124,10 @@ in
       partOf = [ "graphical-session" ];
       # nice -n -11 chosen arbitrarily. i hope this will allow for faster response to inputs, but without audio underruns (pipewire is -21, dino -15-ish)
       command = pkgs.writeShellScript "bonsai-start" ''
-        mkdir -p $XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/bonsai
+        # TODO: don't create the sway directory here!
+        # i do it for now because sway and bonsai call into eachother; circular dependency:
+        # - sway -> bonsai -> sane-input-handler -> swaymsg
+        mkdir -p $XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/{bonsai,sway}
         exec nice -n -11 bonsaid -t $HOME/.config/bonsai/bonsai_tree.json
       '';
       cleanupCommand = "rm -f $XDG_RUNTIME_DIR/bonsai/bonsai";
diff --git a/hosts/common/programs/sane-input-handler/default.nix b/hosts/common/programs/sane-input-handler/default.nix
index fb0d8bdb..3b2a3728 100644
--- a/hosts/common/programs/sane-input-handler/default.nix
+++ b/hosts/common/programs/sane-input-handler/default.nix
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ in
     voldown_pressed.timeout = recurseHold "voldown" {};
   });
 
+  sane.programs.sway.sandbox.extraRuntimePaths = lib.mkIf cfg.enabled [ "bonsai" ];
   sane.programs.sway.config.extra_lines = lib.mkIf cfg.enabled (
     ''
       # bindsym --input-device=... :
diff --git a/hosts/common/programs/sway/default.nix b/hosts/common/programs/sway/default.nix
index 29ff5930..a8ec788e 100644
--- a/hosts/common/programs/sway/default.nix
+++ b/hosts/common/programs/sway/default.nix
@@ -191,7 +191,6 @@ in
     sandbox.whitelistX = true;  # sway invokes xwayland itself
     sandbox.whitelistWayland = true;
     sandbox.extraRuntimePaths = [
-      "bonsai"
       "sway"
     ];
     sandbox.extraPaths = [