diff --git a/yuqei-infra/scripts/verify-template-draft-sweep.cjs b/yuqei-infra/scripts/verify-template-draft-sweep.cjs
index a986aff1..bde89350 100644
--- a/yuqei-infra/scripts/verify-template-draft-sweep.cjs
+++ b/yuqei-infra/scripts/verify-template-draft-sweep.cjs
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@ const { chromium } = require("playwright");
 const fs = require("fs");
 const path = require("path");
 
-const REPO_ROOT = path.resolve(__dirname, "..", "..");
-
 function parseArgs(argv) {
   const args = {
     baseUrl: "http://localhost:3000",
@@ -12,7 +10,7 @@ function parseArgs(argv) {
     expectedCount: 60,
     selection: "draftable",
     templateId: "",
-    outputDir: "",
+    outputDir: process.env.YUQEI_TEMPLATE_SWEEP_OUTPUT_DIR || "",
     screenshots: "all",
     browserExecutable: "",
     email: process.env.YUQEI_TEST_EMAIL || "",
@@ -93,7 +91,7 @@ Options:
   --expected-count <n>            Expected selected template count. Default: 60
   --selection <mode>              draftable | published. Default: draftable
   --template-id <id>              Restrict the sweep to one template while retaining the full catalog UI assertion.
-  --output-dir <path>             Artifact directory. Default: output/playwright/template-draft-sweep/<timestamp>
+  --output-dir <path>             Required external artifact directory (or set YUQEI_TEMPLATE_SWEEP_OUTPUT_DIR).
   --screenshots <mode>            all | failures | none. Default: all
   --browser-executable <path>     Use an installed Chromium browser instead of Playwright's bundled browser.
   YUQEI_TEST_EMAIL/PASSWORD       Optional authenticated test account; both environment variables are required together.
@@ -102,20 +100,15 @@ Options:
 `);
 }
 
-function nowStamp() {
-  const value = new Date().toISOString().replace(/[:.]/g, "-");
-  return value.replace("Z", "");
-}
-
 function normalizeBaseUrl(value) {
   return value.replace(/\/+$/, "");
 }
 
 function resolveOutputDir(value) {
-  if (value) {
-    return path.isAbsolute(value) ? value : path.resolve(REPO_ROOT, value);
+  if (!value) {
+    throw new Error("--output-dir or YUQEI_TEMPLATE_SWEEP_OUTPUT_DIR is required; store raw sweep evidence outside the source worktree.");
   }
-  return path.resolve(REPO_ROOT, "output", "playwright", "template-draft-sweep", nowStamp());
+  return path.isAbsolute(value) ? value : path.resolve(value);
 }
 
 async function fetchJson(url) {