diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 123dda2cda..edf75dd31f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -63,9 +63,8 @@ project.spdx
 # MuJoCo writes this to the working directory, not next to the model.
 MUJOCO_LOG.TXT
 
-# examples/mcap_record_replay, examples/noitom and examples/oglo_tactile write here
-# by default (Path.cwd() / "recordings"), and their READMEs have you run from the
-# repo root.
+# Examples and test scripts that record write here by default
+# (Path.cwd() / "recordings"), and their docs have you run from the repo root.
 /recordings/
 
 # Runtime device files injected by MCP server infrastructure
diff --git a/deps/cloudxr/Dockerfile.test b/deps/cloudxr/Dockerfile.test
index a63dc15f1e..9fbdb5eb3f 100644
--- a/deps/cloudxr/Dockerfile.test
+++ b/deps/cloudxr/Dockerfile.test
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 
 # Test container for Isaac Teleop tests (Python and native C++)
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ COPY --from=ghcr.io/astral-sh/uv:latest /uv /usr/local/bin/uv
 COPY install/ /app/install/
 
 # Copy test files
-COPY examples/oxr/python/ /app/tests/
+COPY tests/python/xr_runtime/ /app/tests/
 
 # Keep the exact CI wheel and its transition dependency available in one install.
 WORKDIR /app/tests
diff --git a/docs/source/device/body_tracking/index.rst b/docs/source/device/body_tracking/index.rst
index a041f264a9..13c0696b85 100644
--- a/docs/source/device/body_tracking/index.rst
+++ b/docs/source/device/body_tracking/index.rst
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ joint ``is_valid`` flags to determine which joints have valid poses.
 For a minimal C++ reader see ``examples/schemaio/full_body_printer.cpp``, which
 creates the tracker, queries the required OpenXR extensions, and prints the
 joint data each frame through ``DeviceIOSession``. The Python equivalent is
-``examples/oxr/python/test_full_body_tracker.py``. Neither embeds
+``tests/python/xr_runtime/test_full_body_tracker.py``. Neither embeds
 ``CloudXRLauncher``, so start the runtime first and source its environment in
 the shell that launches them:
 
diff --git a/docs/source/device/cameras/oak.rst b/docs/source/device/cameras/oak.rst
index f2047989c3..298f65b099 100644
--- a/docs/source/device/cameras/oak.rst
+++ b/docs/source/device/cameras/oak.rst
@@ -172,9 +172,19 @@ controllers, etc.):
        while True:
            session.step()  # metadata is recorded each update
 
-See also :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/test_oak_camera.py` (``--mode
-schema-pusher``) for a standalone PluginManager + DeviceIOSession example of
-the same SchemaPusher flow.
+The test script :code-file:`tests/python/xr_runtime/test_oak_camera.py` runs the
+same SchemaPusher flow with ``PluginManager`` and ``DeviceIOSession`` directly.
+It loads the plugin from ``install/plugins``, so it needs a full build and install
+of the tree configured above, not only ``camera_plugin_oak``. With ``isaaccapture``
+installed in the active environment (step 4 of :doc:`/development/build_from_source/index`)
+and the CloudXR environment loaded (see :ref:`load-cloudxr-environment-variables`),
+run from the repository root:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   cmake --build build --parallel
+   cmake --install build
+   python tests/python/xr_runtime/test_oak_camera.py --mode schema-pusher
 
 Configuration
 -------------
diff --git a/docs/source/device/trackers/index.rst b/docs/source/device/trackers/index.rst
index 0ef313247a..bee082b049 100644
--- a/docs/source/device/trackers/index.rst
+++ b/docs/source/device/trackers/index.rst
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ Tracks the HMD head pose via the OpenXR view space.
 - Examples:
 
   - :code-file:`examples/oxr/cpp/oxr_simple_api_demo.cpp`
-  - :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/modular_example.py`
+  - :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/modular_example.py`
 
 HandTracker
 ~~~~~~~~~~~
@@ -225,12 +225,12 @@ Tracks articulated hand joints (26 joints per hand, following the OpenXR
 
   - :code-file:`tests/cpp/core/schema/test_hand.cpp`
   - :code-file:`tests/python/core/schema/test_hand.py`
-  - :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/test_synthetic_hands.py`
+  - :code-file:`tests/python/xr_runtime/test_synthetic_hands.py`
 
 - Examples:
 
   - :code-file:`examples/oxr/cpp/oxr_simple_api_demo.cpp`
-  - :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/modular_example.py`
+  - :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/modular_example.py`
   - :code-file:`examples/retargeting/python/isaaccapture_examples/retargeting/sources_example.py`
 
 ControllerTracker
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ axis inputs. Uses standard OpenXR action bindings.
 
   - :code-file:`tests/cpp/core/schema/test_controller.cpp`
   - :code-file:`tests/python/core/schema/test_controller.py`
-  - :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/test_controller_tracker.py`
+  - :code-file:`tests/python/xr_runtime/test_controller_tracker.py`
 
 - Examples:
 
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ reads the PICO ``XR_BD_body_tracking`` extension directly.
 
   - :code-file:`tests/cpp/core/schema/test_full_body.cpp`
   - :code-file:`tests/python/core/schema/test_full_body.py`
-  - :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/test_full_body_tracker.py`
+  - :code-file:`tests/python/xr_runtime/test_full_body_tracker.py`
 
 - Examples:
 
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ utility internally.
 
   - :code-file:`tests/cpp/core/schema/test_oak.cpp`
   - :code-file:`tests/python/core/schema/test_camera.py`
-  - :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/test_oak_camera.py`
+  - :code-file:`tests/python/xr_runtime/test_oak_camera.py`
 
 - Examples:
 
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ Usage Examples
 For end-to-end usage patterns combining trackers with a ``DeviceIOSession``, see:
 
 - **C++**: :code-file:`examples/oxr/cpp/oxr_simple_api_demo.cpp`
-- **Python**: :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/modular_example.py`
+- **Python**: :code-file:`examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/modular_example.py`
 
 For higher-level usage with the teleop session manager and retargeting, see:
 
diff --git a/docs/source/references/cloudxr.rst b/docs/source/references/cloudxr.rst
index da57b37a85..0befeae243 100644
--- a/docs/source/references/cloudxr.rst
+++ b/docs/source/references/cloudxr.rst
@@ -234,9 +234,14 @@ related environment variables unchanged. Use this when another runtime is alread
 configured (for example Monado) or when a host singleton must not be duplicated
 (see ``examples/robot_viz/README.md`` and ``--no-launch-cloudxr-runtime`` there).
 
+``OpenXRSession`` refuses to start unless ``NV_CXR_RUNTIME_DIR`` and ``XR_RUNTIME_JSON``
+are both set; ``ISAAC_TELEOP_DISABLE_CXR_ENV_CHECKS`` skips that check for a runtime
+other than CloudXR:
+
 .. code-block:: bash
 
    export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/your/openxr.json
+   export ISAAC_TELEOP_DISABLE_CXR_ENV_CHECKS=1
    python examples/teleop/python/gripper_retargeting_example_simple.py --no-launch-cloudxr-runtime
 
 Run the service in a container or CI
diff --git a/examples/oxr/CMakeLists.txt b/examples/oxr/CMakeLists.txt
index 6dcfb26495..1becdfcf51 100644
--- a/examples/oxr/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/examples/oxr/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20)
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.20)
 add_subdirectory(cpp)
 
 include(${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/cmake/InstallPythonExample.cmake)
-install_python_example(DESTINATION examples/oxr/python)
+install_python_example(DESTINATION examples/oxr)
diff --git a/examples/oxr/README.md b/examples/oxr/README.md
index f09146c916..835d8bc6fd 100644
--- a/examples/oxr/README.md
+++ b/examples/oxr/README.md
@@ -31,44 +31,48 @@ examples/oxr/
 │   ├── CMakeLists.txt
 │   ├── oxr_session_sharing.cpp
 │   └── oxr_simple_api_demo.cpp
-└── python/                 # Python examples
-    ├── pyproject.toml      # uv configuration
+├── pyproject.toml          # the distribution
+└── python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/
+    ├── __init__.py
     ├── modular_example.py
-    ├── test_modular.py
-    ├── test_extensions.py
-    └── test_session_sharing.py
+    └── modular_example_with_mcap.py
 ```
 
-## Python Examples
+The `test_*.py` scripts in [`tests/python/xr_runtime/`](../../tests/python/xr_runtime/)
+exercise the same API. CloudXR GPU CI runs the ones listed in
+[`scripts/run_tests_with_cloudxr.sh`](../../scripts/run_tests_with_cloudxr.sh).
+To run one by hand, use `python tests/python/xr_runtime/<script>.py` from the
+project root, sourcing the CloudXR environment first as for the C++ examples.
+The scripts that start a plugin look in `install/plugins` after
+`cmake --install build`, or pass `--plugin-root`.
 
-Python examples use `uv` for dependency management and execution.
+## Python Examples
 
 ### Running Python Examples
 
-After building and installing, navigate to the installed examples:
+Install `isaaccapture` from this build into a virtual environment made with the
+build's Python and activated, as in
+[Build from source, step 4](https://nvidia.github.io/IsaacCapture/main/development/build_from_source/index.html#install-the-isaaccapture-pip-package).
+Then, from the project root, with `X.Y` the first two numbers of `VERSION`:
 
 ```bash
-# From install directory (recommended)
-cd install/examples/oxr/python
-export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/cloudxr/openxr_cloudxr-dev.json
-uv run test_modular.py
+uv pip install "isaaccapture[cloudxr]==X.Y+local" --find-links=./install/wheels/ --reinstall-package isaaccapture
+uv pip install -e ./examples/oxr
+python -m isaaccapture_examples.oxr.modular_example
+python -m isaaccapture_examples.oxr.modular_example_with_mcap   # writes recordings/tracking_recording_<timestamp>.mcap
 ```
 
-Or run from source directory:
-
-```bash
-# From source directory (requires build to be complete)
-cd examples/oxr/python
-export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/cloudxr/openxr_cloudxr-dev.json
-uv run test_modular.py
-```
+Each module attaches to the running CloudXR runtime, or starts one in the
+background and leaves it running; stop it with
+`python -m isaaccapture.cloudxr.service stop`. The first start asks you to
+accept the CloudXR EULA, and `--accept-eula` accepts it without the prompt. To
+use a different OpenXR runtime, pass `--no-launch-cloudxr-runtime` as in
+[Use a system OpenXR runtime](https://nvidia.github.io/IsaacCapture/main/references/cloudxr.html#use-a-system-openxr-runtime-no-cloudxr-attach).
 
 ### Available Python Examples
 
-- **modular_example.py** - Basic hand + head tracking
-- **test_modular.py** - Complete API test
-- **test_extensions.py** - Extension query demonstration
-- **test_session_sharing.py** - Session sharing between DeviceIOSession instances
+- **modular_example** - Basic hand + head tracking
+- **modular_example_with_mcap** - The same trackers recorded to an MCAP file, then replayed
 
 ## C++ Examples
 
@@ -88,8 +92,12 @@ cmake --install build
 **oxr_session_sharing** - Demonstrates session sharing between multiple DeviceIOSession instances
 **oxr_simple_api_demo** - Demonstrates the simple API
 
+They do not start CloudXR. With the service running
+(`python -m isaaccapture.cloudxr.service start --accept-eula`), source its
+environment, which sets `XR_RUNTIME_JSON` and the `NV_CXR_*` variables:
+
 ```bash
-export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/cloudxr/openxr_cloudxr-dev.json
+source ~/.cloudxr/run/cloudxr.env
 
 # From build directory
 ./build/examples/oxr/cpp/oxr_session_sharing
@@ -109,10 +117,13 @@ cmake -B build
 cmake --build build
 cmake --install build
 
-# Run Python example
-cd install/examples/oxr/python
-export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/cloudxr/openxr_cloudxr-dev.json
-uv run test_modular.py
+# Run Python example. Replace 3.11 with your ISAAC_TELEOP_PYTHON_VERSION and
+# X.Y with the first two numbers of VERSION.
+uv venv --python 3.11 --seed .venv
+source .venv/bin/activate
+uv pip install "isaaccapture[cloudxr]==X.Y+local" --find-links=./install/wheels/ --reinstall-package isaaccapture
+uv pip install -e ./examples/oxr
+python -m isaaccapture_examples.oxr.modular_example
 ```
 
 ### C++ Example
@@ -121,8 +132,8 @@ uv run test_modular.py
 cmake -B build
 cmake --build build
 
-# Run C++ example
-export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/cloudxr/openxr_cloudxr-dev.json
+# Run C++ example, with the CloudXR service running
+source ~/.cloudxr/run/cloudxr.env
 ./build/examples/oxr/cpp/oxr_session_sharing
 ```
 
diff --git a/examples/oxr/pyproject.toml b/examples/oxr/pyproject.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a000590c7a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/oxr/pyproject.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+
+[build-system]
+requires = ["hatchling"]
+build-backend = "hatchling.build"
+
+[project]
+# The dist name mirrors the import path, so an installed example claims no bare
+# top-level name in site-packages.
+name = "isaaccapture-examples-oxr"
+version = "0.0.0"  # Internal examples - not versioned
+description = "OpenXR Tracking Python Examples"
+requires-python = ">=3.11,<3.14"
+dependencies = [
+    "isaaccapture[cloudxr]",
+]
+
+# `only-include` + `sources`, not `packages`, and no __init__.py above
+# oxr -- see the packaging rules in examples/README.md.
+[tool.hatch.build.targets.wheel]
+only-include = ["python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr"]
+sources = ["python"]
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/README.md b/examples/oxr/python/README.md
deleted file mode 100644
index 5ff2ca5f07..0000000000
--- a/examples/oxr/python/README.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,100 +0,0 @@
-<!--
-SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
-SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
--->
-
-# OpenXR Python Examples
-
-Python examples demonstrating the OpenXR tracking API using the `isaaccapture` Python wheel.
-
-## Prerequisites
-
-1. **Build and install the project** from the project root, after the
-   [source-build prerequisites](https://nvidia.github.io/IsaacCapture/main/development/build_from_source/index.html):
-   ```bash
-   cd ../../..
-   cmake -B build
-   cmake --build build
-   cmake --install build
-   ```
-   This creates the Python wheel in `build/wheels/` and installs it to `install/wheels/`.
-
-2. **Install uv** (if not already installed):
-   ```bash
-   curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
-   ```
-
-## Running Examples
-
-### From Install Directory (Recommended)
-
-After building and installing, run examples from the install directory:
-
-```bash
-cd ../../../install/examples/oxr/python
-export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/your/openxr_runtime.json
-uv run test_modular.py
-```
-
-### From Source Directory
-
-You can also run from the source directory:
-
-```bash
-export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/your/openxr_runtime.json
-uv run test_modular.py
-```
-
-The `pyproject.toml` configuration automatically locates the built wheel.
-
-## Available Examples
-
-### modular_example.py
-Basic demonstration of hand and head tracking.
-
-```bash
-uv run modular_example.py
-```
-
-### test_modular.py
-Comprehensive test of the modular tracking API.
-
-```bash
-uv run test_modular.py
-```
-
-### test_extensions.py
-Demonstrates querying available OpenXR extensions.
-
-```bash
-uv run test_extensions.py
-```
-
-### test_session_sharing.py
-Shows how to share sessions between multiple DeviceIOSession instances.
-
-```bash
-uv run test_session_sharing.py
-```
-
-## Troubleshooting
-
-### Wheel not found
-If you get an error about the wheel not being found, build the project:
-```bash
-cd ../../..
-cmake -B build
-cmake --build build
-```
-
-### uv not installed
-```bash
-curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
-# Then restart your shell
-```
-
-### OpenXR runtime errors
-Set the XR_RUNTIME_JSON environment variable:
-```bash
-export XR_RUNTIME_JSON=/path/to/your/openxr_runtime.json
-```
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/__init__.py b/examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..52a7a9daf0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/modular_example.py b/examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/modular_example.py
similarity index 100%
rename from examples/oxr/python/modular_example.py
rename to examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/modular_example.py
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/modular_example_with_mcap.py b/examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/modular_example_with_mcap.py
similarity index 93%
rename from examples/oxr/python/modular_example_with_mcap.py
rename to examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/modular_example_with_mcap.py
index f9655d560f..eb4e3196a3 100644
--- a/examples/oxr/python/modular_example_with_mcap.py
+++ b/examples/oxr/python/isaaccapture_examples/oxr/modular_example_with_mcap.py
@@ -7,14 +7,16 @@
 Demonstrates the modular architecture with MCAP data capture:
 - Create independent trackers
 - Add only the trackers you need
-- Record all tracker data to an MCAP file for playback/analysis
-- Pass mcap_filename and mcap_channels to DeviceIOSession.run() to enable recording
+- Record all tracker data to ./recordings/tracking_recording_<timestamp>.mcap
+- Pass a McapRecordingConfig to DeviceIOSession.run() to enable recording
+- Replay the file with ReplaySession, no OpenXR session needed
 """
 
 import argparse
 import sys
 import time
 from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
 import isaaccapture.deviceio as deviceio
 import isaaccapture.oxr as oxr
 from isaaccapture.cloudxr import CloudXRLauncher
@@ -35,7 +37,8 @@ def main():
 
     # Generate timestamped filename for recording
     timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")
-    mcap_filename = f"tracking_recording_{timestamp}.mcap"
+    mcap_filename = f"recordings/tracking_recording_{timestamp}.mcap"
+    Path(mcap_filename).parent.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
 
     with CloudXRLauncher.launch_context(args):
         # Create trackers independently
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/pyproject.toml b/examples/oxr/python/pyproject.toml
deleted file mode 100644
index e5fb2720da..0000000000
--- a/examples/oxr/python/pyproject.toml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
-
-[project]
-name = "oxr-examples"
-version = "0.0.0"  # Internal examples - not versioned
-description = "OpenXR Tracking Python Examples"
-requires-python = ">=3.11,<3.14"
-dependencies = [
-    "isaaccapture",
-    "numpy>=1.23.0",
-]
diff --git a/scripts/run_tests_with_cloudxr.sh b/scripts/run_tests_with_cloudxr.sh
index a99b870bd5..19505b429c 100755
--- a/scripts/run_tests_with_cloudxr.sh
+++ b/scripts/run_tests_with_cloudxr.sh
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ set -euo pipefail
 # the ctest configuration in `build-ubuntu.yml` instead, so that they can be
 # run on a runner without GPU support immediately after the build.
 #==============================================================================
+# Scripts in tests/python/xr_runtime/, which the test image copies to /app/tests.
 CXR_PYTHON_GPU_TESTS=(
     "test_package_version.py"
     "test_extensions.py"
diff --git a/src/plugins/oak/README.md b/src/plugins/oak/README.md
index ff1eb17ee6..308cee2455 100644
--- a/src/plugins/oak/README.md
+++ b/src/plugins/oak/README.md
@@ -147,9 +147,22 @@ with TeleopSession(config) as session:
         session.step()  # metadata is recorded each update
 ```
 
-See also `examples/oxr/python/test_oak_camera.py --mode schema-pusher` for a
-standalone PluginManager + DeviceIOSession example of the same SchemaPusher
-flow.
+The test script `tests/python/xr_runtime/test_oak_camera.py` runs the same
+SchemaPusher flow with PluginManager and DeviceIOSession directly. It loads the
+plugin from `install/plugins`, so it needs a full build and install of the tree
+configured above, not only `camera_plugin_oak`. With `isaaccapture` installed in
+the active environment
+([Build from source, step 4](https://nvidia.github.io/IsaacCapture/main/development/build_from_source/index.html#install-the-isaaccapture-pip-package))
+and the CloudXR service running
+(`python -m isaaccapture.cloudxr.service start --accept-eula`), from the
+repository root:
+
+```bash
+cmake --build build --parallel
+cmake --install build
+source ~/.cloudxr/run/cloudxr.env
+python tests/python/xr_runtime/test_oak_camera.py --mode schema-pusher
+```
 
 ## Configuration
 
diff --git a/tests/AGENTS.md b/tests/AGENTS.md
index 5d1ea1a328..a789399ec4 100644
--- a/tests/AGENTS.md
+++ b/tests/AGENTS.md
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ Shared C++ fixtures (not executables) live under `tests/cpp/viz/support/`
 
 - Vehicle teleop worker tests belong in `examples/vehicle_teleop/tests/`, alongside the example they exercise.
 - `src/core/codegen/test_*.py` — unittest, co-located with the generator.
-- `examples/oxr/python/test_*.py` — standalone scripts for CloudXR GPU CI.
+- `tests/python/xr_runtime/` — standalone scripts for CloudXR GPU CI, not pytest:
+  no `pyproject.toml` or CTest wiring. `scripts/run_tests_with_cloudxr.sh` lists
+  the ones CI runs.
 - ROS2 Docker integration helpers under `examples/teleop_ros2/.../integration_tests/`.
 - `scripts/sbom/tests/` — the SBOM collector's tests, run from its own uv project.
diff --git a/tests/python/xr_runtime/install_tree.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/install_tree.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0881c0d502
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/python/xr_runtime/install_tree.py
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+
+"""Locate the install tree that the plugin scripts here run against."""
+
+import argparse
+from pathlib import Path
+
+
+def plugins_dir() -> Path:
+    """Return ``install/plugins`` of this checkout, or of the CloudXR test image.
+
+    The checkout root is the nearest ancestor with ``VERSION`` and ``CMakeLists.txt``,
+    as in ``tests/python/repo_paths.py``. The image has neither and puts these
+    scripts in ``/app/tests``, beside ``/app/install``.
+    """
+    here = Path(__file__).resolve()
+    for parent in here.parents:
+        if (parent / "VERSION").is_file() and (parent / "CMakeLists.txt").is_file():
+            return parent / "install" / "plugins"
+    return here.parents[1] / "install" / "plugins"
+
+
+def add_plugin_root_argument(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
+    """Register ``--plugin-root``, defaulting to :func:`plugins_dir`."""
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--plugin-root",
+        type=Path,
+        default=plugins_dir(),
+        help="Plugin search directory, e.g. <install prefix>/plugins (default: %(default)s)",
+    )
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_controller_tracker.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_controller_tracker.py
similarity index 100%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_controller_tracker.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_controller_tracker.py
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_extensions.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_extensions.py
similarity index 100%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_extensions.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_extensions.py
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_full_body_tracker.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_full_body_tracker.py
similarity index 100%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_full_body_tracker.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_full_body_tracker.py
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_hand_inactive_on_plugin_stop.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_hand_inactive_on_plugin_stop.py
similarity index 90%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_hand_inactive_on_plugin_stop.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_hand_inactive_on_plugin_stop.py
index 7fadcdc1dd..dd82c1ca74 100644
--- a/examples/oxr/python/test_hand_inactive_on_plugin_stop.py
+++ b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_hand_inactive_on_plugin_stop.py
@@ -13,14 +13,15 @@
 5. Poll for a few seconds and assert that both hands become inactive (data is None).
 """
 
+import argparse
+import sys
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import isaaccapture.deviceio as deviceio
 import isaaccapture.oxr as oxr
 import isaaccapture.plugin_manager as pm
-
-PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent.parent.parent / "plugins"
+from install_tree import add_plugin_root_argument
 
 ACTIVE_WAIT_S = 15.0  # max time to wait for hands to become active
 INACTIVE_WAIT_S = 5.0  # max time to wait for hands to become inactive after stop
@@ -35,18 +36,18 @@ def poll_hands(hand_tracker, deviceio_session):
     return left is not None, right is not None
 
 
-def run_test():
+def run_test(plugin_root: Path):
     print("=" * 80)
     print("Hand Inactive On Plugin Stop Test")
     print("=" * 80)
     print()
 
-    if not PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR.exists():
-        print(f"✗ Plugin directory not found at {PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR}")
-        print("  Please build and install the project first.")
+    if not plugin_root.exists():
+        print(f"✗ Plugin directory not found at {plugin_root}")
+        print("  Please build and install the project first, or pass --plugin-root.")
         return False
 
-    manager = pm.PluginManager([str(PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR)])
+    manager = pm.PluginManager([str(plugin_root)])
     plugin_name = "controller_synthetic_hands"
     plugin_root_id = "synthetic_hands"
 
@@ -146,6 +147,6 @@ def run_test():
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    import sys
-
-    sys.exit(0 if run_test() else 1)
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
+    add_plugin_root_argument(parser)
+    sys.exit(0 if run_test(parser.parse_args().plugin_root) else 1)
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_modular.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_modular.py
similarity index 100%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_modular.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_modular.py
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_oak_camera.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_oak_camera.py
similarity index 90%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_oak_camera.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_oak_camera.py
index 4fac39e6af..346e6d442b 100755
--- a/examples/oxr/python/test_oak_camera.py
+++ b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_oak_camera.py
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@
 
 Note: Plugin crashes will raise pm.PluginCrashException
       By default, video is saved to the plugin's working directory under ./recordings/
-      MCAP file is saved in the current directory with timestamped filename.
+      The MCAP file is saved under ./recordings/ in the current directory, with a
+      timestamped filename.
 """
 
 import sys
@@ -25,8 +26,7 @@
 import isaaccapture.plugin_manager as pm
 import isaaccapture.deviceio as deviceio
 import isaaccapture.oxr as oxr
-
-PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent.parent.parent / "plugins"
+from install_tree import add_plugin_root_argument
 
 MODE_NO_METADATA = "no-metadata"
 MODE_SCHEMA_PUSHER = "schema-pusher"
@@ -118,21 +118,21 @@ def _run_schema_pusher(
                 print(f"  ✓ {name}: {metadata_samples.get(name, 0)} metadata samples")
 
 
-def run_test(duration: float = 10.0, mode: str = MODE_NO_METADATA):
+def run_test(plugin_root: Path, duration: float = 10.0, mode: str = MODE_NO_METADATA):
     print("=" * 80)
     print(f"OAK Camera Plugin Test  [mode: {mode}]")
     print("=" * 80)
     print()
 
-    if not PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR.exists():
-        print(f"Error: Plugin directory not found at {PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR}")
-        print("Please build and install the project first.")
+    if not plugin_root.exists():
+        print(f"Error: Plugin directory not found at {plugin_root}")
+        print("Please build and install the project first, or pass --plugin-root.")
         return False
 
     # 1. Initialize Plugin Manager
     print("[Step 1] Initializing Plugin Manager...")
-    print(f"  Search path: {PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR}")
-    manager = pm.PluginManager([str(PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR)])
+    print(f"  Search path: {plugin_root}")
+    manager = pm.PluginManager([str(plugin_root)])
 
     plugins = manager.get_plugin_names()
     print(f"  Discovered plugins: {plugins}")
@@ -158,7 +158,9 @@ def run_test(duration: float = 10.0, mode: str = MODE_NO_METADATA):
     stream_names = ["Color", "MonoLeft"]
     collection_prefix = "oak_camera"
     timestamp = datetime.now().strftime("%Y%m%d_%H%M%S")
-    mcap_filename = f"camera_metadata_{timestamp}.mcap"
+    mcap_filename = f"recordings/camera_metadata_{timestamp}.mcap"
+    if mode != MODE_NO_METADATA:
+        Path(mcap_filename).parent.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
 
     trackers = {}
     required_extensions = []
@@ -224,7 +226,7 @@ def run_test(duration: float = 10.0, mode: str = MODE_NO_METADATA):
     print()
     print("=" * 80)
     print("Test completed successfully!")
-    recordings_dir = PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR / "oak_camera" / "recordings"
+    recordings_dir = plugin_root / "oak_camera" / "recordings"
     print(f"  Color H.264:    {recordings_dir / Path(color_path).name}")
     print(f"  MonoLeft H.264: {recordings_dir / Path(mono_left_path).name}")
     if mode in (MODE_SCHEMA_PUSHER, MODE_PLUGIN_MCAP):
@@ -252,11 +254,12 @@ def main():
         "--mode",
         choices=[MODE_NO_METADATA, MODE_SCHEMA_PUSHER, MODE_PLUGIN_MCAP],
         default=MODE_NO_METADATA,
-        help="Metadata mode (default: schema-pusher)",
+        help="Metadata mode (default: %(default)s)",
     )
+    add_plugin_root_argument(parser)
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
-    success = run_test(duration=args.duration, mode=args.mode)
+    success = run_test(args.plugin_root, duration=args.duration, mode=args.mode)
     sys.exit(0 if success else 1)
 
 
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_package_version.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_package_version.py
similarity index 89%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_package_version.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_package_version.py
index 13d3e875a5..6e9197b82c 100755
--- a/examples/oxr/python/test_package_version.py
+++ b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_package_version.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python3
-# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright (c) 2025-2026 NVIDIA CORPORATION & AFFILIATES. All rights reserved.
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
 
 """Validate isaaccapture module version reporting against CI-provided expected version."""
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_session_sharing.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_session_sharing.py
similarity index 100%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_session_sharing.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_session_sharing.py
diff --git a/examples/oxr/python/test_synthetic_hands.py b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_synthetic_hands.py
similarity index 87%
rename from examples/oxr/python/test_synthetic_hands.py
rename to tests/python/xr_runtime/test_synthetic_hands.py
index 9c5f07fe66..a018d7b180 100644
--- a/examples/oxr/python/test_synthetic_hands.py
+++ b/tests/python/xr_runtime/test_synthetic_hands.py
@@ -14,35 +14,31 @@
 Note: Plugin crashes will raise pm.PluginCrashException
 """
 
+import argparse
 import time
 from pathlib import Path
 
 import isaaccapture.deviceio as deviceio
 import isaaccapture.oxr as oxr
 import isaaccapture.plugin_manager as pm
+from install_tree import add_plugin_root_argument
 
-# Paths
-# The test will look for plugins in the install directory relative to this script
-# This script is in install/examples/oxr/python
-# Plugins are in install/plugins
-PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR = Path(__file__).resolve().parent.parent.parent.parent / "plugins"
 
-
-def run_test():
+def run_test(plugin_root: Path):
     print("=" * 80)
     print("Controller Synthetic Hands Plugin Test")
     print("=" * 80)
     print()
 
-    if not PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR.exists():
-        print(f"Error: Plugin directory not found at {PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR}")
-        print("Please build and install the project first.")
+    if not plugin_root.exists():
+        print(f"Error: Plugin directory not found at {plugin_root}")
+        print("Please build and install the project first, or pass --plugin-root.")
         return
 
     # 1. Initialize Plugin Manager
     print("[Step 1] Initializing Plugin Manager...")
-    print(f"  Search path: {PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR}")
-    manager = pm.PluginManager([str(PLUGIN_ROOT_DIR)])
+    print(f"  Search path: {plugin_root}")
+    manager = pm.PluginManager([str(plugin_root)])
 
     plugins = manager.get_plugin_names()
     print(f"  Discovered plugins: {plugins}")
@@ -130,4 +126,6 @@ def run_test():
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    run_test()
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
+    add_plugin_root_argument(parser)
+    run_test(parser.parse_args().plugin_root)