diff --git a/piker/testing/__init__.py b/piker/testing/__init__.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 5e3ac93a..00000000
--- a/piker/testing/__init__.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-TEST_CONFIG_DIR_PATH = '_testing' 
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 68d392aa..a7244d82 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -2,12 +2,10 @@ from contextlib import asynccontextmanager as acm
 from functools import partial
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
-from shutil import rmtree
 
 import pytest
 import tractor
 from piker import (
-    # log,
     config,
 )
 from piker.service import (
@@ -71,6 +69,7 @@ def ci_env() -> bool:
 
 @acm
 async def _open_test_pikerd(
+    tmpconfdir: str,
     reg_addr: tuple[str, int] | None = None,
     loglevel: str = 'warning',
     **kwargs,
@@ -97,6 +96,10 @@ async def _open_test_pikerd(
         maybe_open_pikerd(
             registry_addr=reg_addr,
             loglevel=loglevel,
+
+            tractor_runtime_overrides={
+                'piker_test_dir': tmpconfdir,
+            },
             **kwargs,
         ) as service_manager,
     ):
@@ -119,18 +122,40 @@ async def _open_test_pikerd(
 
 @pytest.fixture
 def open_test_pikerd(
-    request,
+    request: pytest.FixtureRequest,
+    tmp_path: Path,
     loglevel: str,
 ):
+    tmpconfdir: Path = tmp_path / '_testing'
+    tmpconfdir.mkdir()
+    tmpconfdir_str: str = str(tmpconfdir)
+
+    # NOTE: on linux the tmp config dir is generally located at:
+    # /tmp/pytest-of-<username>/pytest-<run#>/test_<current_test_name>/
+    # the default `pytest` config ensures that only the last 4 test
+    # suite run's dirs will be persisted, otherwise they are removed:
+    # https://docs.pytest.org/en/6.2.x/tmpdir.html#the-default-base-temporary-directory
+    print(f'CURRENT TEST CONF DIR: {tmpconfdir}')
 
     yield partial(
         _open_test_pikerd,
 
+        # pass in a unique temp dir for this test request
+        # so that we can have multiple tests running (maybe in parallel)
+        # bwitout clobbering each other's config state.
+        tmpconfdir=tmpconfdir_str,
+
         # bind in level from fixture, which is itself set by
         # `--ll <value>` cli flag.
         loglevel=loglevel,
     )
 
+    # NOTE: the `tmp_dir` fixture will wipe any files older then 3 test
+    # sessions by default:
+    # https://docs.pytest.org/en/6.2.x/tmpdir.html#the-default-base-temporary-directory
+    # BUT, if we wanted to always wipe conf dir and all contained files,
+    # rmtree(str(tmp_path))
+
     # TODO: teardown checks such as,
     # - no leaked subprocs or shm buffers
     # - all requested container service are torn down
@@ -169,19 +194,3 @@ def open_test_pikerd_and_ems(
         loglevel,
         open_test_pikerd
     )
-
-
-@pytest.fixture(scope='module')
-def delete_testing_dir():
-    '''
-    This fixture removes the temp directory
-    used for storing all config/ledger/pp data
-    created during testing sessions. During test runs
-    this file can be found in .config/piker/_testing
-
-    '''
-    yield
-    app_dir = Path(config.get_app_dir('piker')).resolve()
-    if app_dir.is_dir():
-        rmtree(str(app_dir))
-        assert not app_dir.is_dir()
diff --git a/tests/test_paper.py b/tests/test_paper.py
index 8da1cf12..53e03f47 100644
--- a/tests/test_paper.py
+++ b/tests/test_paper.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ from functools import partial
 from piker.log import get_logger
 from piker.clearing._messages import Order
 from piker.pp import (
-    open_trade_ledger,
     open_pps,
 )
 
@@ -42,18 +41,19 @@ async def _async_main(
     price: int = 30000,
     executions: int = 1,
     size: float = 0.01,
+
     # Assert options
     assert_entries: bool = False,
     assert_pps: bool = False,
     assert_zeroed_pps: bool = False,
     assert_msg: bool = False,
+
 ) -> None:
     '''
     Start piker, place a trade and assert data in
     pps stream, ledger and position table.
 
     '''
-
     oid: str = ''
     last_msg = {}
 
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def _assert(
 
 
 def _run_test_and_check(fn):
-    '''        
+    '''
     Close position and assert empty position in pps
 
     '''
@@ -150,8 +150,7 @@ def _run_test_and_check(fn):
 
 
 def test_buy(
-    open_test_pikerd_and_ems: AsyncContextManager, 
-    delete_testing_dir
+    open_test_pikerd_and_ems: AsyncContextManager,
 ):
     '''
     Enter a trade and assert entries are made in pps and ledger files.
@@ -177,8 +176,7 @@ def test_buy(
 
 
 def test_sell(
-    open_test_pikerd_and_ems: AsyncContextManager, 
-    delete_testing_dir
+    open_test_pikerd_and_ems: AsyncContextManager,
 ):
     '''
     Sell position and ensure pps are zeroed.
@@ -201,13 +199,13 @@ def test_sell(
         ),
     )
 
+
 def test_multi_sell(
-    open_test_pikerd_and_ems: AsyncContextManager, 
-    delete_testing_dir
+    open_test_pikerd_and_ems: AsyncContextManager,
 ):
     '''
-    Make 5 market limit buy orders and 
-    then sell 5 slots at the same price. 
+    Make 5 market limit buy orders and
+    then sell 5 slots at the same price.
     Finally, assert cleared positions.
 
     '''