diff --git a/framework/docker/container/job.go b/framework/docker/container/job.go
index d0c6645..15e35fe 100644
--- a/framework/docker/container/job.go
+++ b/framework/docker/container/job.go
@@ -14,10 +14,10 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/containerd/errdefs"
+	"github.com/moby/moby/api/pkg/stdcopy"
 	"github.com/moby/moby/api/types/container"
 	"github.com/moby/moby/api/types/mount"
 	"github.com/moby/moby/api/types/network"
-	"github.com/moby/moby/api/pkg/stdcopy"
 	"github.com/moby/moby/client"
 	"go.uber.org/zap"
 )
diff --git a/framework/docker/container/lifecycle.go b/framework/docker/container/lifecycle.go
index fb4f1c1..1ecaa0f 100644
--- a/framework/docker/container/lifecycle.go
+++ b/framework/docker/container/lifecycle.go
@@ -96,20 +96,25 @@ func (c *Lifecycle) CreateContainer(
 		}
 	}
 
+	containerCfg := &container.Config{
+		Image: imageRef,
+
+		Entrypoint:   entrypoint,
+		Cmd:          cmd,
+		Env:          env,
+		Hostname:     hostName,
+		Labels:       map[string]string{consts.CleanupLabel: c.client.CleanupLabel()},
+		ExposedPorts: pS,
+	}
+	if image.UIDGID != "" {
+		containerCfg.User = image.UIDGID
+	}
+
 	cc, err := c.client.ContainerCreate(
 		ctx,
 		client.ContainerCreateOptions{
-			Name: c.containerName,
-			Config: &container.Config{
-				Image: imageRef,
-
-				Entrypoint:   entrypoint,
-				Cmd:          cmd,
-				Env:          env,
-				Hostname:     hostName,
-				Labels:       map[string]string{consts.CleanupLabel: c.client.CleanupLabel()},
-				ExposedPorts: pS,
-			},
+			Name:   c.containerName,
+			Config: containerCfg,
 			HostConfig: &container.HostConfig{
 				Binds:           volumeBinds,
 				PortBindings:    pb,
diff --git a/framework/docker/container/node.go b/framework/docker/container/node.go
index e1ad6a9..6182005 100644
--- a/framework/docker/container/node.go
+++ b/framework/docker/container/node.go
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ func (n *Node) Exec(ctx context.Context, logger *zap.Logger, cmd []string, env [
 	opts := Options{
 		Env:   env,
 		Binds: n.Bind(),
+		User:  n.Image.UIDGID,
 	}
 	res := job.Run(ctx, cmd, opts)
 	if res.Err != nil {
diff --git a/framework/docker/cosmos/chain_builder.go b/framework/docker/cosmos/chain_builder.go
index 0b3e1ca..f45fa7d 100644
--- a/framework/docker/cosmos/chain_builder.go
+++ b/framework/docker/cosmos/chain_builder.go
@@ -158,6 +158,8 @@ type ChainBuilder struct {
 	// blockWaitTimeout is the timeout for waiting for blocks after starting the chain.
 	// If zero, defaults to 120 seconds.
 	blockWaitTimeout time.Duration
+	// homeDir overrides the default home directory inside the container
+	homeDir string
 }
 
 // NewChainBuilder initializes and returns a new ChainBuilder with default values for testing purposes.
@@ -315,6 +317,12 @@ func (b *ChainBuilder) WithImage(image container.Image) *ChainBuilder {
 	return b
 }
 
+// WithHomeDir overrides the default home directory inside the container.
+func (b *ChainBuilder) WithHomeDir(homeDir string) *ChainBuilder {
+	b.homeDir = homeDir
+	return b
+}
+
 // WithAdditionalStartArgs sets the default additional start arguments for all nodes in the chain
 func (b *ChainBuilder) WithAdditionalStartArgs(args ...string) *ChainBuilder {
 	b.additionalStartArgs = args
@@ -441,11 +449,11 @@ func (b *ChainBuilder) Build(ctx context.Context) (*Chain, error) {
 			Env:                 b.env,
 			GenesisFileBz:       b.genesisBz,
 		},
-		t:            b.t,
-		Validators:   validators,
-		FullNodes:    fullNodes,
-		cdc:          cdc,
-		log:          b.logger,
+		t:                b.t,
+		Validators:       validators,
+		FullNodes:        fullNodes,
+		cdc:              cdc,
+		log:              b.logger,
 		faucetWallet:     b.faucetWallet,
 		skipInit:         b.skipInit,
 		blockWaitTimeout: b.blockWaitTimeout,
@@ -494,10 +502,12 @@ func (b *ChainBuilder) newChainNode(
 }
 
 func (b *ChainBuilder) newDockerChainNode(log *zap.Logger, nodeConfig ChainNodeConfig, index int) *ChainNode {
-	// use a default home directory if name is not set
-	homeDir := "/var/cosmos-chain"
-	if b.name != "" {
-		homeDir = path.Join("/var/cosmos-chain", b.name)
+	homeDir := b.homeDir
+	if homeDir == "" {
+		homeDir = "/var/cosmos-chain"
+		if b.name != "" {
+			homeDir = path.Join("/var/cosmos-chain", b.name)
+		}
 	}
 
 	chainParams := ChainNodeParams{
diff --git a/framework/docker/da_network_test.go b/framework/docker/da_network_test.go
index 470ded8..b263e62 100644
--- a/framework/docker/da_network_test.go
+++ b/framework/docker/da_network_test.go
@@ -124,75 +124,75 @@ func TestDANetworkCreation(t *testing.T) {
 // TestDANetworkStopAndRestart ensures a DA network can be stopped and then restarted,
 // and nodes continue to respond to RPC after restart.
 func TestDANetworkStopAndRestart(t *testing.T) {
-    if testing.Short() {
-        t.Skip("skipping due to short mode")
-    }
-    t.Parallel()
-    configureBech32PrefixOnce()
-
-    // Setup isolated docker environment for this test
-    testCfg := setupDockerTest(t)
-
-    chain, err := testCfg.ChainBuilder.Build(testCfg.Ctx)
-    require.NoError(t, err)
-
-    err = chain.Start(testCfg.Ctx)
-    require.NoError(t, err)
-    defer func() { _ = chain.Remove(testCfg.Ctx) }()
-
-    // Default image for the DA network
-    defaultImage := container.Image{
-        Repository: "ghcr.io/celestiaorg/celestia-node",
-        Version:    "v0.26.4",
-        UIDGID:     "10001:10001",
-    }
-
-    // Create bridge node config
-    bridgeNodeConfig := da.NewNodeBuilder().
-        WithNodeType(types.BridgeNode).
-        Build()
-
-    // Create DA network with a single bridge node
-    daNetwork, err := testCfg.DANetworkBuilder.
-        WithChainID(chain.GetChainID()).
-        WithImage(defaultImage).
-        WithNodes(bridgeNodeConfig).
-        Build(testCfg.Ctx)
-    require.NoError(t, err)
-
-    // Start the bridge node
-    bridgeNode := daNetwork.GetBridgeNodes()[0]
-
-    chainNetworkInfo, err := chain.GetNodes()[0].GetNetworkInfo(testCfg.Ctx)
-    require.NoError(t, err, "failed to get network info")
-    hostname := chainNetworkInfo.Internal.Hostname
-
-    chainID := chain.GetChainID()
-    genesisHash, err := getGenesisHash(testCfg.Ctx, chain)
-    require.NoError(t, err)
-
-    require.NoError(t, bridgeNode.Start(testCfg.Ctx,
-        da.WithChainID(chainID),
-        da.WithAdditionalStartArguments("--p2p.network", chainID, "--core.ip", hostname, "--rpc.addr", "0.0.0.0"),
-        da.WithEnvironmentVariables(map[string]string{
-            "CELESTIA_CUSTOM": types.BuildCelestiaCustomEnvVar(chainID, genesisHash, ""),
-            "P2P_NETWORK":     chainID,
-        }),
-    ))
-
-    // Verify it is responding
-    _, err = bridgeNode.GetP2PInfo(testCfg.Ctx)
-    require.NoError(t, err, "failed to get bridge node p2p info before stop")
-
-    // Stop the entire DA network
-    require.NoError(t, daNetwork.Stop(testCfg.Ctx))
-
-    // Start the entire DA network again
-    require.NoError(t, daNetwork.Start(testCfg.Ctx))
-
-    // Verify RPC works after restart
-    _, err = bridgeNode.GetP2PInfo(testCfg.Ctx)
-    require.NoError(t, err, "failed to get bridge node p2p info after restart")
+	if testing.Short() {
+		t.Skip("skipping due to short mode")
+	}
+	t.Parallel()
+	configureBech32PrefixOnce()
+
+	// Setup isolated docker environment for this test
+	testCfg := setupDockerTest(t)
+
+	chain, err := testCfg.ChainBuilder.Build(testCfg.Ctx)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	err = chain.Start(testCfg.Ctx)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+	defer func() { _ = chain.Remove(testCfg.Ctx) }()
+
+	// Default image for the DA network
+	defaultImage := container.Image{
+		Repository: "ghcr.io/celestiaorg/celestia-node",
+		Version:    "v0.26.4",
+		UIDGID:     "10001:10001",
+	}
+
+	// Create bridge node config
+	bridgeNodeConfig := da.NewNodeBuilder().
+		WithNodeType(types.BridgeNode).
+		Build()
+
+	// Create DA network with a single bridge node
+	daNetwork, err := testCfg.DANetworkBuilder.
+		WithChainID(chain.GetChainID()).
+		WithImage(defaultImage).
+		WithNodes(bridgeNodeConfig).
+		Build(testCfg.Ctx)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	// Start the bridge node
+	bridgeNode := daNetwork.GetBridgeNodes()[0]
+
+	chainNetworkInfo, err := chain.GetNodes()[0].GetNetworkInfo(testCfg.Ctx)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to get network info")
+	hostname := chainNetworkInfo.Internal.Hostname
+
+	chainID := chain.GetChainID()
+	genesisHash, err := getGenesisHash(testCfg.Ctx, chain)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	require.NoError(t, bridgeNode.Start(testCfg.Ctx,
+		da.WithChainID(chainID),
+		da.WithAdditionalStartArguments("--p2p.network", chainID, "--core.ip", hostname, "--rpc.addr", "0.0.0.0"),
+		da.WithEnvironmentVariables(map[string]string{
+			"CELESTIA_CUSTOM": types.BuildCelestiaCustomEnvVar(chainID, genesisHash, ""),
+			"P2P_NETWORK":     chainID,
+		}),
+	))
+
+	// Verify it is responding
+	_, err = bridgeNode.GetP2PInfo(testCfg.Ctx)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to get bridge node p2p info before stop")
+
+	// Stop the entire DA network
+	require.NoError(t, daNetwork.Stop(testCfg.Ctx))
+
+	// Start the entire DA network again
+	require.NoError(t, daNetwork.Start(testCfg.Ctx))
+
+	// Verify RPC works after restart
+	_, err = bridgeNode.GetP2PInfo(testCfg.Ctx)
+	require.NoError(t, err, "failed to get bridge node p2p info after restart")
 }
 
 // TestModifyConfigFileDANetwork ensures modification of config files is possible by
diff --git a/framework/docker/dataavailability/config.go b/framework/docker/dataavailability/config.go
index d464b3f..6f41941 100644
--- a/framework/docker/dataavailability/config.go
+++ b/framework/docker/dataavailability/config.go
@@ -24,4 +24,11 @@ type Config struct {
 	Image container.Image
 	// AdditionalStartArgs are additional arguments passed to all nodes when starting
 	AdditionalStartArgs []string
+	// HomeDir is the home directory inside the container. Defaults to DefaultHomeDir().
+	HomeDir string
+}
+
+// DefaultHomeDir returns the default home directory for DA node containers.
+func DefaultHomeDir() string {
+	return "/home/celestia"
 }
diff --git a/framework/docker/dataavailability/network.go b/framework/docker/dataavailability/network.go
index 00d3b54..c6f6fa2 100644
--- a/framework/docker/dataavailability/network.go
+++ b/framework/docker/dataavailability/network.go
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ func (n *Network) GetBridgeNodes() []*Node {
 
 // GetLightNodes returns only the light nodes in the network.
 func (n *Network) GetLightNodes() []*Node {
-    return n.GetNodesByType(types.LightNode)
+	return n.GetNodesByType(types.LightNode)
 }
 
 // AddNodes adds one or more nodes to the DA network with the given configurations.
@@ -151,41 +151,41 @@ func (n *Network) RemoveNodes(ctx context.Context, nodeNames ...string) error {
 
 // Stop stops all nodes in the data availability network without removing them.
 func (n *Network) Stop(ctx context.Context) error {
-    nodes := n.GetNodes()
-    var eg errgroup.Group
-    for _, nd := range nodes {
-        nd := nd
-        eg.Go(func() error {
-            return nd.Stop(ctx)
-        })
-    }
-    return eg.Wait()
+	nodes := n.GetNodes()
+	var eg errgroup.Group
+	for _, nd := range nodes {
+		nd := nd
+		eg.Go(func() error {
+			return nd.Stop(ctx)
+		})
+	}
+	return eg.Wait()
 }
 
 // Remove stops and removes all nodes in the data availability network.
 // Matches the semantics of cosmos.Chain.Remove by operating on all components concurrently.
 func (n *Network) Remove(ctx context.Context, opts ...types.RemoveOption) error {
-    nodes := n.GetNodes()
-    var eg errgroup.Group
-    for _, nd := range nodes {
-        nd := nd
-        eg.Go(func() error {
-            return nd.Remove(ctx, opts...)
-        })
-    }
-    return eg.Wait()
+	nodes := n.GetNodes()
+	var eg errgroup.Group
+	for _, nd := range nodes {
+		nd := nd
+		eg.Go(func() error {
+			return nd.Remove(ctx, opts...)
+		})
+	}
+	return eg.Wait()
 }
 
 // Start starts all nodes in the data availability network.
 // If nodes were previously initialized and only stopped, this will only start their containers.
 func (n *Network) Start(ctx context.Context) error {
-    nodes := n.GetNodes()
-    var eg errgroup.Group
-    for _, nd := range nodes {
-        nd := nd
-        eg.Go(func() error {
-            return nd.Start(ctx)
-        })
-    }
-    return eg.Wait()
+	nodes := n.GetNodes()
+	var eg errgroup.Group
+	for _, nd := range nodes {
+		nd := nd
+		eg.Go(func() error {
+			return nd.Start(ctx)
+		})
+	}
+	return eg.Wait()
 }
diff --git a/framework/docker/dataavailability/network_builder.go b/framework/docker/dataavailability/network_builder.go
index 4695dc3..a800446 100644
--- a/framework/docker/dataavailability/network_builder.go
+++ b/framework/docker/dataavailability/network_builder.go
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ type NetworkBuilder struct {
 	chainID string
 	// binaryName is the name of the Node binary executable (e.g., "celestia")
 	binaryName string
+	// homeDir overrides the default home directory inside the container
+	homeDir string
 }
 
 // NewNetworkBuilder initializes and returns a new NetworkBuilder with default values for testing purposes
@@ -108,6 +110,12 @@ func (b *NetworkBuilder) WithDockerNetworkID(networkID string) *NetworkBuilder {
 	return b
 }
 
+// WithHomeDir overrides the default home directory inside the container.
+func (b *NetworkBuilder) WithHomeDir(homeDir string) *NetworkBuilder {
+	b.homeDir = homeDir
+	return b
+}
+
 // WithImage sets the default Docker image for all nodes in the network
 func (b *NetworkBuilder) WithImage(image container.Image) *NetworkBuilder {
 	b.dockerImage = &image
@@ -214,6 +222,7 @@ func (b *NetworkBuilder) newNode(ctx context.Context, nodeConfig NodeConfig, ind
 		ChainID:         b.chainID,
 		Bin:             b.binaryName,
 		Image:           imageToUse,
+		HomeDir:         b.homeDir,
 		// Env and AdditionalStartArgs provide default set of values for all nodes, but can
 		// be individually overridden by nodeConfig.
 		Env:                 b.env,
diff --git a/framework/docker/dataavailability/node.go b/framework/docker/dataavailability/node.go
index fd85643..07fb651 100644
--- a/framework/docker/dataavailability/node.go
+++ b/framework/docker/dataavailability/node.go
@@ -77,6 +77,10 @@ type Node struct {
 }
 
 func NewNode(cfg Config, testName string, image container.Image, index int, nodeConfig NodeConfig) *Node {
+	homeDir := cfg.HomeDir
+	if homeDir == "" {
+		homeDir = DefaultHomeDir()
+	}
 	logger := cfg.Logger.With(
 		zap.String("node_type", nodeConfig.NodeType.String()),
 	)
@@ -86,7 +90,7 @@ func NewNode(cfg Config, testName string, image container.Image, index int, node
 		additionalStartArgs: nodeConfig.AdditionalStartArgs,
 		configModifications: nodeConfig.ConfigModifications,
 		internalPorts:       initializeDANodePorts(nodeConfig.InternalPorts),
-		Node:                container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, image, "/home/celestia", index, nodeConfig.NodeType, logger),
+		Node:                container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, image, homeDir, index, nodeConfig.NodeType, logger),
 	}
 
 	node.SetContainerLifecycle(container.NewLifecycle(cfg.Logger, cfg.DockerClient, node.Name()))
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/chain_builder.go b/framework/docker/evstack/chain_builder.go
index b231367..900566a 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/chain_builder.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/chain_builder.go
@@ -37,6 +37,8 @@ type ChainBuilder struct {
 	binaryName string
 	// aggregatorPassphrase is the passphrase used for aggregator nodes
 	aggregatorPassphrase string
+	// homeDir overrides the default home directory inside the container
+	homeDir string
 }
 
 // NewChainBuilder initializes and returns a new ChainBuilder with default values for testing purposes
@@ -101,6 +103,12 @@ func (b *ChainBuilder) WithDockerNetworkID(networkID string) *ChainBuilder {
 	return b
 }
 
+// WithHomeDir overrides the default home directory inside the container.
+func (b *ChainBuilder) WithHomeDir(homeDir string) *ChainBuilder {
+	b.homeDir = homeDir
+	return b
+}
+
 // WithImage sets the default Docker image for all nodes in the chain
 func (b *ChainBuilder) WithImage(image container.Image) *ChainBuilder {
 	b.dockerImage = &image
@@ -185,6 +193,7 @@ func (b *ChainBuilder) newNode(ctx context.Context, nodeConfig NodeConfig, index
 		Bin:                  b.binaryName,
 		AggregatorPassphrase: b.aggregatorPassphrase,
 		Image:                imageToUse,
+		HomeDir:              b.homeDir,
 	}
 
 	node := NewNode(cfg, b.testName, imageToUse, index, nodeConfig.IsAggregator, b.getAdditionalStartArgs(nodeConfig))
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/config.go b/framework/docker/evstack/config.go
index 495285b..3d0085a 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/config.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/config.go
@@ -24,4 +24,11 @@ type Config struct {
 	AggregatorPassphrase string
 	// Image specifies the Docker image used for the evstack nodes.
 	Image container.Image
+	// HomeDir is the home directory inside the container. Defaults to DefaultHomeDir().
+	HomeDir string
+}
+
+// DefaultHomeDir returns the default home directory for evstack containers.
+func DefaultHomeDir() string {
+	return "/var/evstack"
 }
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/builder.go b/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/builder.go
index 8207b71..312b2bb 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/builder.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/builder.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ type ChainBuilder struct {
 	addlArgs     []string
 	nodes        []NodeConfig
 	name         string
+	homeDir      string
 }
 
 func NewChainBuilder(t *testing.T) *ChainBuilder {
@@ -100,6 +101,11 @@ func (b *ChainBuilder) WithNodes(cfgs ...NodeConfig) *ChainBuilder {
 	return b
 }
 
+func (b *ChainBuilder) WithHomeDir(homeDir string) *ChainBuilder {
+	b.homeDir = homeDir
+	return b
+}
+
 func (b *ChainBuilder) WithName(name string) *ChainBuilder {
 	if err := internal.ValidateDockerHostnamePart(name); err != nil {
 		panic(fmt.Sprintf("invalid evmsingle chain name: %v", err))
@@ -110,12 +116,18 @@ func (b *ChainBuilder) WithName(name string) *ChainBuilder {
 
 // Build constructs a Chain with nodes created and volumes initialized (not isInitialized)
 func (b *ChainBuilder) Build(ctx context.Context) (*Chain, error) {
+	homeDir := b.homeDir
+	if homeDir == "" {
+		homeDir = DefaultHomeDir()
+	}
+
 	cfg := Config{
 		Logger:              b.logger,
 		DockerClient:        b.dockerClient,
 		DockerNetworkID:     b.networkID,
 		Image:               b.image,
 		Bin:                 b.bin,
+		HomeDir:             homeDir,
 		Env:                 b.env,
 		AdditionalStartArgs: b.addlArgs,
 	}
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/config.go b/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/config.go
index 7e8887c..8e24027 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/config.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/config.go
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ type Config struct {
 	Image container.Image
 	// Bin is the executable name (default: evm-single)
 	Bin string
+	// HomeDir is the home directory inside the container. Defaults to DefaultHomeDir().
+	HomeDir string
 	// Env are default environment variables applied to all nodes
 	Env []string
 	// AdditionalStartArgs are default start arguments applied to all nodes
@@ -23,13 +25,17 @@ type Config struct {
 	AdditionalInitArgs []string
 }
 
+// DefaultHomeDir returns the default home directory for ev-node-evm containers.
+func DefaultHomeDir() string {
+	return "/home/ev-node/.evm"
+}
+
 // DefaultImage returns the default container image for ev-node-evm.
 func DefaultImage() container.Image {
-    // Default ev-node tag pinned for reproducibility
-    return container.Image{Repository: "ghcr.io/evstack/ev-node-evm", Version: "v1.0.0-rc.4"}
+	return container.Image{Repository: "ghcr.io/evstack/ev-node-evm", Version: "v1.0.0-rc.4", UIDGID: "10001:10001"}
 }
 
 // DefaultBinary returns the default binary name for ev-node-evm.
 func DefaultBinary() string {
-    return "evm"
+	return "evm"
 }
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/node.go b/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/node.go
index 5483e22..2e40895 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/node.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/evmsingle/node.go
@@ -42,11 +42,8 @@ func newNode(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, testName string, index int, nodeCf
 
 	log := cfg.Logger.With(zap.String("component", "evm-single"), zap.Int("i", index))
 
-    // ev-node-evm default home
-    homeDir := "/root/.evm"
-
 	n := &Node{cfg: cfg, nodeCfg: nodeCfg, logger: log, internal: ports, chainName: chainName}
-	n.Node = container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, image, homeDir, index, NodeType, log)
+	n.Node = container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, image, cfg.HomeDir, index, NodeType, log)
 	n.SetContainerLifecycle(container.NewLifecycle(cfg.Logger, cfg.DockerClient, n.Name()))
 	if err := n.CreateAndSetupVolume(ctx, n.Name()); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/node.go b/framework/docker/evstack/node.go
index facb14f..cbae849 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/node.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/node.go
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@ import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
-	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
@@ -55,6 +54,10 @@ type Node struct {
 }
 
 func NewNode(cfg Config, testName string, image container.Image, index int, isAggregator bool, additionalStartArgs []string) *Node {
+	homeDir := cfg.HomeDir
+	if homeDir == "" {
+		homeDir = DefaultHomeDir()
+	}
 	logger := cfg.Logger.With(
 		zap.Int("i", index),
 		zap.Bool("aggregator", isAggregator),
@@ -63,7 +66,7 @@ func NewNode(cfg Config, testName string, image container.Image, index int, isAg
 		cfg:                 cfg,
 		isAggregatorFlag:    isAggregator,
 		additionalStartArgs: additionalStartArgs,
-		Node:                container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, image, path.Join("/var", "evstack"), index, EvstackType, logger),
+		Node:                container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, image, homeDir, index, EvstackType, logger),
 	}
 
 	node.SetContainerLifecycle(container.NewLifecycle(cfg.Logger, cfg.DockerClient, node.Name()))
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/reth/builder.go b/framework/docker/evstack/reth/builder.go
index a407a4a..51d1c3f 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/reth/builder.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/reth/builder.go
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ type NodeBuilder struct {
 	genesis             []byte
 	jwtSecretHex        string
 	name                string
+	homeDir             string
 	hyperlaneChainName  string
 	hyperlaneChainID    uint64
 	hyperlaneDomainID   uint32
@@ -104,6 +105,11 @@ func (b *NodeBuilder) WithName(name string) *NodeBuilder {
 	return b
 }
 
+func (b *NodeBuilder) WithHomeDir(homeDir string) *NodeBuilder {
+	b.homeDir = homeDir
+	return b
+}
+
 func (b *NodeBuilder) WithHyperlaneChainName(name string) *NodeBuilder {
 	b.hyperlaneChainName = name
 	return b
@@ -121,12 +127,18 @@ func (b *NodeBuilder) WithHyperlaneDomainID(domainID uint32) *NodeBuilder {
 
 // Build constructs the Node and initializes its Docker volume but does not start the container.
 func (b *NodeBuilder) Build(ctx context.Context) (*Node, error) {
+	homeDir := b.homeDir
+	if homeDir == "" {
+		homeDir = DefaultHomeDir()
+	}
+
 	cfg := Config{
 		Logger:              b.logger,
 		DockerClient:        b.dockerClient,
 		DockerNetworkID:     b.networkID,
 		Image:               b.image,
 		Bin:                 b.bin,
+		HomeDir:             homeDir,
 		Env:                 b.env,
 		AdditionalStartArgs: b.additionalStartArgs,
 		JWTSecretHex:        b.jwtSecretHex,
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/reth/config.go b/framework/docker/evstack/reth/config.go
index 766b2fb..a23d676 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/reth/config.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/reth/config.go
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ type Config struct {
 	Image container.Image
 	// Bin is the executable name (default: ev-reth)
 	Bin string
+	// HomeDir is the home directory inside the container. Defaults to DefaultHomeDir().
+	HomeDir string
 
 	// Env are default environment variables applied to all nodes
 	Env []string
@@ -51,8 +53,13 @@ func (c Config) Validate() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// DefaultHomeDir returns the default home directory for Reth containers.
+func DefaultHomeDir() string {
+	return "/home/ev-reth"
+}
+
 // DefaultImage returns the default container image for Reth nodes.
 func DefaultImage() container.Image {
-    // Pin default to a known stable release for local/E2E reproducibility
-    return container.Image{Repository: "ghcr.io/evstack/ev-reth", Version: "v0.2.2"}
+	// Pin default to a known stable release for local/E2E reproducibility
+	return container.Image{Repository: "ghcr.io/evstack/ev-reth", Version: "v0.2.2"}
 }
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/reth/node.go b/framework/docker/evstack/reth/node.go
index 90271ea..93181d5 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/reth/node.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/reth/node.go
@@ -38,13 +38,12 @@ func newNode(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, testName string, index int, name s
 
 	log := cfg.Logger.With(zap.String("component", "reth-node"), zap.Int("i", index))
 
-	homeDir := "/home/ev-reth"
 	n := &Node{
 		cfg:    cfg,
 		logger: log,
 		name:   name,
 	}
-	n.Node = container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, image, homeDir, index, NodeType, log)
+	n.Node = container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, image, cfg.HomeDir, index, NodeType, log)
 	n.SetContainerLifecycle(container.NewLifecycle(cfg.Logger, cfg.DockerClient, n.Name()))
 
 	if err := n.CreateAndSetupVolume(ctx, n.Name()); err != nil {
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/spamoor/builder.go b/framework/docker/evstack/spamoor/builder.go
index ce7753b..0f68ba5 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/spamoor/builder.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/spamoor/builder.go
@@ -1,49 +1,53 @@
 package spamoor
 
 import (
-    "context"
+	"context"
 
-    "github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/docker/container"
-    "github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/types"
-    "go.uber.org/zap"
+	"github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/docker/container"
+	"github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/types"
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
 )
 
 type Builder struct {
-    testName      string
-    dockerClient  types.TastoraDockerClient
-    dockerNetwork string
-    logger        *zap.Logger
-    image         container.Image
-
-    rpcHosts   []string
-    privKey    string
-    nameSuffix string
+	testName      string
+	dockerClient  types.TastoraDockerClient
+	dockerNetwork string
+	logger        *zap.Logger
+	image         container.Image
+	homeDir       string
+
+	rpcHosts   []string
+	privKey    string
+	nameSuffix string
 }
 
 func NewNodeBuilder(testName string) *Builder {
-    return &Builder{
-        testName: testName,
-        image:    container.NewImage("ethpandaops/spamoor", "latest", ""),
-    }
+	return &Builder{
+		testName: testName,
+		image:    container.NewImage("ethpandaops/spamoor", "latest", ""),
+	}
 }
 
-func (b *Builder) WithDockerClient(c types.TastoraDockerClient) *Builder { b.dockerClient = c; return b }
+func (b *Builder) WithDockerClient(c types.TastoraDockerClient) *Builder {
+	b.dockerClient = c
+	return b
+}
 func (b *Builder) WithDockerNetworkID(id string) *Builder { b.dockerNetwork = id; return b }
 func (b *Builder) WithLogger(l *zap.Logger) *Builder      { b.logger = l; return b }
 func (b *Builder) WithImage(img container.Image) *Builder { b.image = img; return b }
+func (b *Builder) WithHomeDir(homeDir string) *Builder    { b.homeDir = homeDir; return b }
 func (b *Builder) WithRPCHosts(hosts ...string) *Builder  { b.rpcHosts = hosts; return b }
 func (b *Builder) WithPrivateKey(pk string) *Builder      { b.privKey = pk; return b }
 func (b *Builder) WithNameSuffix(s string) *Builder       { b.nameSuffix = s; return b }
 
 func (b *Builder) Build(ctx context.Context) (*Node, error) {
-    cfg := Config{
-        DockerClient:    b.dockerClient,
-        DockerNetworkID: b.dockerNetwork,
-        Logger:          b.logger,
-        Image:           b.image,
-        RPCHosts:        b.rpcHosts,
-        PrivateKey:      b.privKey,
-    }
-    return newNode(ctx, cfg, b.testName, 0, b.nameSuffix)
+	cfg := Config{
+		DockerClient:    b.dockerClient,
+		DockerNetworkID: b.dockerNetwork,
+		Logger:          b.logger,
+		Image:           b.image,
+		RPCHosts:        b.rpcHosts,
+		PrivateKey:      b.privKey,
+	}
+	return newNode(ctx, cfg, b.testName, 0, b.nameSuffix, b.homeDir)
 }
-
diff --git a/framework/docker/evstack/spamoor/node.go b/framework/docker/evstack/spamoor/node.go
index 1abcc3e..7ca3a76 100644
--- a/framework/docker/evstack/spamoor/node.go
+++ b/framework/docker/evstack/spamoor/node.go
@@ -1,20 +1,20 @@
 package spamoor
 
 import (
-    "context"
-    "fmt"
-    "net/http"
-    "strings"
-    "sync"
-    "time"
-
-    "github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/docker/container"
-    "github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/docker/internal"
-    "github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/types"
-    "net/netip"
-
-    "github.com/moby/moby/api/types/network"
-    "go.uber.org/zap"
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
+	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/docker/container"
+	"github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/docker/internal"
+	"github.com/celestiaorg/tastora/framework/types"
+	"net/netip"
+
+	"github.com/moby/moby/api/types/network"
+	"go.uber.org/zap"
 )
 
 type nodeType int
@@ -22,146 +22,153 @@ type nodeType int
 func (nodeType) String() string { return "spamoor" }
 
 type Ports struct {
-    Web string // web UI + /metrics
+	Web string // web UI + /metrics
 }
 
 func defaultInternalPorts() Ports { return Ports{Web: "8080"} }
 
 type Config struct {
-    DockerClient    types.TastoraDockerClient
-    DockerNetworkID string
-    Logger          *zap.Logger
-    Image           container.Image
+	DockerClient    types.TastoraDockerClient
+	DockerNetworkID string
+	Logger          *zap.Logger
+	Image           container.Image
 
-    RPCHosts   []string
-    PrivateKey string
+	RPCHosts   []string
+	PrivateKey string
 }
 
 type Node struct {
-    *container.Node
-
-    cfg      Config
-    logger   *zap.Logger
-    started  bool
-    mu       sync.Mutex
-    external types.Ports // HTTP field stores web/metrics host port
-    name     string
+	*container.Node
+
+	cfg      Config
+	logger   *zap.Logger
+	started  bool
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+	external types.Ports // HTTP field stores web/metrics host port
+	name     string
 }
 
-func newNode(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, testName string, index int, name string) (*Node, error) {
-    log := cfg.Logger.With(zap.String("component", "spamoor-daemon"), zap.Int("i", index))
-    n := &Node{cfg: cfg, logger: log, name: name}
-    n.Node = container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, cfg.Image, "/home/spamoor", index, nodeType(0), log)
-    n.SetContainerLifecycle(container.NewLifecycle(cfg.Logger, cfg.DockerClient, n.Name()))
-    if err := n.CreateAndSetupVolume(ctx, n.Name()); err != nil {
-        return nil, err
-    }
-    return n, nil
+// DefaultHomeDir returns the default home directory for spamoor containers.
+func DefaultHomeDir() string {
+	return "/home/spamoor"
+}
+
+func newNode(ctx context.Context, cfg Config, testName string, index int, name string, homeDir string) (*Node, error) {
+	if homeDir == "" {
+		homeDir = DefaultHomeDir()
+	}
+	log := cfg.Logger.With(zap.String("component", "spamoor-daemon"), zap.Int("i", index))
+	n := &Node{cfg: cfg, logger: log, name: name}
+	n.Node = container.NewNode(cfg.DockerNetworkID, cfg.DockerClient, testName, cfg.Image, homeDir, index, nodeType(0), log)
+	n.SetContainerLifecycle(container.NewLifecycle(cfg.Logger, cfg.DockerClient, n.Name()))
+	if err := n.CreateAndSetupVolume(ctx, n.Name()); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return n, nil
 }
 
 func (n *Node) Name() string {
-    if n.name != "" {
-        return fmt.Sprintf("spamoor-%s-%d-%s", n.name, n.Index, internal.SanitizeDockerResourceName(n.TestName))
-    }
-    return fmt.Sprintf("spamoor-%d-%s", n.Index, internal.SanitizeDockerResourceName(n.TestName))
+	if n.name != "" {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("spamoor-%s-%d-%s", n.name, n.Index, internal.SanitizeDockerResourceName(n.TestName))
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("spamoor-%d-%s", n.Index, internal.SanitizeDockerResourceName(n.TestName))
 }
 
 func (n *Node) HostName() string { return internal.CondenseHostName(n.Name()) }
 
 func (n *Node) GetNetworkInfo(ctx context.Context) (types.NetworkInfo, error) {
-    internalIP, err := internal.GetContainerInternalIP(ctx, n.DockerClient, n.ContainerLifecycle.ContainerID())
-    if err != nil {
-        return types.NetworkInfo{}, err
-    }
-    return types.NetworkInfo{
-        Internal: types.Network{Hostname: n.HostName(), IP: internalIP, Ports: types.Ports{HTTP: defaultInternalPorts().Web}},
-        External: types.Network{Hostname: "0.0.0.0", Ports: n.external},
-    }, nil
+	internalIP, err := internal.GetContainerInternalIP(ctx, n.DockerClient, n.ContainerLifecycle.ContainerID())
+	if err != nil {
+		return types.NetworkInfo{}, err
+	}
+	return types.NetworkInfo{
+		Internal: types.Network{Hostname: n.HostName(), IP: internalIP, Ports: types.Ports{HTTP: defaultInternalPorts().Web}},
+		External: types.Network{Hostname: "0.0.0.0", Ports: n.external},
+	}, nil
 }
 
 func (n *Node) Start(ctx context.Context) error {
-    n.mu.Lock()
-    defer n.mu.Unlock()
-    if n.started {
-        return n.StartContainer(ctx)
-    }
-    if err := n.createNodeContainer(ctx); err != nil {
-        return err
-    }
-    if err := n.ContainerLifecycle.StartContainer(ctx); err != nil {
-        return err
-    }
-    hostPorts, err := n.ContainerLifecycle.GetHostPorts(ctx, defaultInternalPorts().Web+"/tcp")
-    if err != nil {
-        return err
-    }
-    mapped := internal.MustExtractPort(hostPorts[0])
-    n.external = types.Ports{HTTP: mapped}
-    n.started = true
-    // readiness wait for /metrics endpoint (best-effort)
-    waitHTTP(fmt.Sprintf("http://127.0.0.1:%s/metrics", n.external.HTTP), 20*time.Second)
-    return nil
+	n.mu.Lock()
+	defer n.mu.Unlock()
+	if n.started {
+		return n.StartContainer(ctx)
+	}
+	if err := n.createNodeContainer(ctx); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if err := n.ContainerLifecycle.StartContainer(ctx); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	hostPorts, err := n.ContainerLifecycle.GetHostPorts(ctx, defaultInternalPorts().Web+"/tcp")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	mapped := internal.MustExtractPort(hostPorts[0])
+	n.external = types.Ports{HTTP: mapped}
+	n.started = true
+	// readiness wait for /metrics endpoint (best-effort)
+	waitHTTP(fmt.Sprintf("http://127.0.0.1:%s/metrics", n.external.HTTP), 20*time.Second)
+	return nil
 }
 
 // API returns a client bound to this node's exposed HTTP port.
 func (n *Node) API() *API {
-    base := fmt.Sprintf("http://127.0.0.1:%s", n.external.HTTP)
-    return NewAPI(base)
+	base := fmt.Sprintf("http://127.0.0.1:%s", n.external.HTTP)
+	return NewAPI(base)
 }
 
 func (n *Node) createNodeContainer(ctx context.Context) error {
-    p := defaultInternalPorts()
-
-    // Daemon flags only; entrypoint will be spamoor-daemon
-    dbPath := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s", n.HomeDir(), "spamoor.db")
-    binds := n.Bind()
-    cmd := []string{
-        "--privkey", n.cfg.PrivateKey,
-        "--port", p.Web,
-        "--db", dbPath,
-    }
-    for _, h := range n.cfg.RPCHosts {
-        if s := strings.TrimSpace(h); s != "" {
-            cmd = append(cmd, "--rpchost", s)
-        }
-    }
-
-    port := network.MustParsePort(p.Web + "/tcp")
-    ports := network.PortMap{
-        port: []network.PortBinding{{HostIP: netip.MustParseAddr("0.0.0.0"), HostPort: ""}},
-    }
-
-    // IMPORTANT: override entrypoint to the daemon (absolute path inside image)
-    return n.CreateContainer(
-        ctx,
-        n.TestName,
-        n.NetworkID,
-        n.cfg.Image,
-        ports,
-        "",
-        binds,
-        nil,
-        n.HostName(),
-        cmd,
-        nil,
-        []string{"/app/spamoor-daemon"}, // entrypoint override
-    )
+	p := defaultInternalPorts()
+
+	// Daemon flags only; entrypoint will be spamoor-daemon
+	dbPath := fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s", n.HomeDir(), "spamoor.db")
+	binds := n.Bind()
+	cmd := []string{
+		"--privkey", n.cfg.PrivateKey,
+		"--port", p.Web,
+		"--db", dbPath,
+	}
+	for _, h := range n.cfg.RPCHosts {
+		if s := strings.TrimSpace(h); s != "" {
+			cmd = append(cmd, "--rpchost", s)
+		}
+	}
+
+	port := network.MustParsePort(p.Web + "/tcp")
+	ports := network.PortMap{
+		port: []network.PortBinding{{HostIP: netip.MustParseAddr("0.0.0.0"), HostPort: ""}},
+	}
+
+	// IMPORTANT: override entrypoint to the daemon (absolute path inside image)
+	return n.CreateContainer(
+		ctx,
+		n.TestName,
+		n.NetworkID,
+		n.cfg.Image,
+		ports,
+		"",
+		binds,
+		nil,
+		n.HostName(),
+		cmd,
+		nil,
+		[]string{"/app/spamoor-daemon"}, // entrypoint override
+	)
 }
 
 // waitHTTP polls a URL until it succeeds or the timeout elapses.
 func waitHTTP(url string, timeout time.Duration) {
-    deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
-    client := &http.Client{Timeout: 500 * time.Millisecond}
-    for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
-        resp, err := client.Get(url)
-        if err == nil && resp.StatusCode >= 200 && resp.StatusCode < 500 {
-            _ = resp.Body.Close()
-            return
-        }
-        if resp != nil && resp.Body != nil {
-            _ = resp.Body.Close()
-        }
-        time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
-    }
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	client := &http.Client{Timeout: 500 * time.Millisecond}
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		resp, err := client.Get(url)
+		if err == nil && resp.StatusCode >= 200 && resp.StatusCode < 500 {
+			_ = resp.Body.Close()
+			return
+		}
+		if resp != nil && resp.Body != nil {
+			_ = resp.Body.Close()
+		}
+		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
 }
-
diff --git a/framework/docker/hyperlane/hyperlane_config.go b/framework/docker/hyperlane/hyperlane_config.go
index f0903ba..c69dfe3 100644
--- a/framework/docker/hyperlane/hyperlane_config.go
+++ b/framework/docker/hyperlane/hyperlane_config.go
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ func DefaultDeployerImage() container.Image {
 }
 
 func DefaultForwardRelayerImage() container.Image {
-	return container.NewImage("ghcr.io/celestiaorg/forwarding-relayer", "v0.1.0", "1000:1000")
+	// binary writes to /app/storage/ which is outside the volume, requires root
+	return container.NewImage("ghcr.io/celestiaorg/forwarding-relayer", "v0.1.0", "0:0")
 }
 
 // CosmosConfig contains the IDs of all deployed cosmos-native hyperlane components
diff --git a/framework/docker/ibc/relayer/hermes_types.go b/framework/docker/ibc/relayer/hermes_types.go
index cecd8f1..fbb341f 100644
--- a/framework/docker/ibc/relayer/hermes_types.go
+++ b/framework/docker/ibc/relayer/hermes_types.go
@@ -33,4 +33,4 @@ type CreateConnectionResult struct {
 // ConnectionSide captures the connection ID for each side
 type ConnectionSide struct {
 	ConnectionID string `json:"connection_id"`
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/framework/docker/ibc_test.go b/framework/docker/ibc_test.go
index 0a9d691..7a27e5b 100644
--- a/framework/docker/ibc_test.go
+++ b/framework/docker/ibc_test.go
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ func createSimappChain(t *testing.T, ctx context.Context, client types.TastoraDo
 		// use the simapp from ibc-go as a simple app with basic wiring and no token filters.
 		// TODO: this is a custom built simapp that has the bech32prefix as "celestia" as a workaround for the global
 		// SDK config not being usable when 2 chains have a different beck32 preix (e.g. "celestia" and "cosmos" ) if it is sealed.
-		WithImage(container.NewImage("ghcr.io/chatton/ibc-go-simd", "v8.5.0", "1000:1000")).
+		// simd writes to $HOME/.simapp on startup, requires root
+		WithImage(container.NewImage("ghcr.io/chatton/ibc-go-simd", "v8.5.0", "0:0")).
 		WithBinaryName("simd").
 		WithBech32Prefix("celestia").
 		WithDenom("stake").
diff --git a/framework/docker/internal/keyring.go b/framework/docker/internal/keyring.go
index 4f8f57b..b14d9a9 100644
--- a/framework/docker/internal/keyring.go
+++ b/framework/docker/internal/keyring.go
@@ -11,10 +11,10 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec"
-	"github.com/moby/moby/client"
 	codectypes "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/codec/types"
 	cryptocodec "github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/codec"
 	"github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/crypto/keyring"
+	"github.com/moby/moby/client"
 )
 
 // NewLocalKeyringFromDockerContainer copies the contents of the given container directory into a specified local directory.
diff --git a/framework/docker/reth_test.go b/framework/docker/reth_test.go
index b61b787..6f4b251 100644
--- a/framework/docker/reth_test.go
+++ b/framework/docker/reth_test.go
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 package docker
 
 import (
-    "math/big"
-    "strings"
-    "testing"
-    "time"
+	"math/big"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+	"time"
 
-    "github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
 // TestRethNode_LivenessAndGenesis verifies the first-class reth resource by
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ func TestRethNode_LivenessAndGenesis(t *testing.T) {
 
 	testCfg := setupDockerTest(t)
 
-    // Build a single Reth node from pre-configured builder
-    node, err := testCfg.RethBuilder.Build(testCfg.Ctx)
+	// Build a single Reth node from pre-configured builder
+	node, err := testCfg.RethBuilder.Build(testCfg.Ctx)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
 	t.Cleanup(func() {