diff --git a/shannon b/shannon
index e971a2a..b1a7ffe 100755
--- a/shannon
+++ b/shannon
@@ -152,8 +152,9 @@ cmd_start() {
   # Handle custom OUTPUT directory
   # Export OUTPUT_DIR for docker-compose volume mount BEFORE starting containers
   if [ -n "$OUTPUT" ]; then
-    # Create output directory if it doesn't exist
+    # Create output directory with write permissions for container user (UID 1001)
     mkdir -p "$OUTPUT"
+    chmod 777 "$OUTPUT"
     export OUTPUT_DIR="$OUTPUT"
   fi
 
@@ -184,6 +185,10 @@ cmd_start() {
     export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="shannon-router-key"
   fi
 
+  # Ensure audit-logs directory exists with write permissions for container user (UID 1001)
+  mkdir -p ./audit-logs
+  chmod 777 ./audit-logs
+
   # Ensure containers are running (starts them if needed)
   ensure_containers