diff --git a/android/Android.bp b/android/Android.bp
index 7950fff..66d361e 100644
--- a/android/Android.bp
+++ b/android/Android.bp
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
     deps: [
         "blueprint",
         "blueprint-bootstrap",
-        "sbox_proto",
         "soong",
         "soong-android-soongconfig",
         "soong-env",
diff --git a/android/rule_builder.go b/android/rule_builder.go
index 3efe9f8..86418b2 100644
--- a/android/rule_builder.go
+++ b/android/rule_builder.go
@@ -20,33 +20,27 @@
 	"path/filepath"
 	"sort"
 	"strings"
-	"testing"
 
-	"github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
 	"github.com/google/blueprint"
 	"github.com/google/blueprint/proptools"
 
-	"android/soong/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto"
 	"android/soong/shared"
 )
 
-const sboxSandboxBaseDir = "__SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__"
-const sboxOutSubDir = "out"
-const sboxOutDir = sboxSandboxBaseDir + "/" + sboxOutSubDir
+const sboxOutDir = "__SBOX_OUT_DIR__"
 
 // RuleBuilder provides an alternative to ModuleContext.Rule and ModuleContext.Build to add a command line to the build
 // graph.
 type RuleBuilder struct {
-	commands         []*RuleBuilderCommand
-	installs         RuleBuilderInstalls
-	temporariesSet   map[WritablePath]bool
-	restat           bool
-	sbox             bool
-	highmem          bool
-	remoteable       RemoteRuleSupports
-	sboxOutDir       WritablePath
-	sboxManifestPath WritablePath
-	missingDeps      []string
+	commands       []*RuleBuilderCommand
+	installs       RuleBuilderInstalls
+	temporariesSet map[WritablePath]bool
+	restat         bool
+	sbox           bool
+	highmem        bool
+	remoteable     RemoteRuleSupports
+	sboxOutDir     WritablePath
+	missingDeps    []string
 }
 
 // NewRuleBuilder returns a newly created RuleBuilder.
@@ -112,14 +106,12 @@
 	return r
 }
 
-// Sbox marks the rule as needing to be wrapped by sbox. The outputDir should point to the output
-// directory that sbox will wipe. It should not be written to by any other rule. manifestPath should
-// point to a location where sbox's manifest will be written and must be outside outputDir. sbox
-// will ensure that all outputs have been written, and will discard any output files that were not
-// specified.
+// Sbox marks the rule as needing to be wrapped by sbox. The WritablePath should point to the output
+// directory that sbox will wipe. It should not be written to by any other rule. sbox will ensure
+// that all outputs have been written, and will discard any output files that were not specified.
 //
 // Sbox is not compatible with Restat()
-func (r *RuleBuilder) Sbox(outputDir WritablePath, manifestPath WritablePath) *RuleBuilder {
+func (r *RuleBuilder) Sbox(outputDir WritablePath) *RuleBuilder {
 	if r.sbox {
 		panic("Sbox() may not be called more than once")
 	}
@@ -131,7 +123,6 @@
 	}
 	r.sbox = true
 	r.sboxOutDir = outputDir
-	r.sboxManifestPath = manifestPath
 	return r
 }
 
@@ -429,8 +420,7 @@
 			r.depFileMergerCmd(ctx, depFiles)
 
 			if r.sbox {
-				// Check for Rel() errors, as all depfiles should be in the output dir.  Errors
-				// will be reported to the ctx.
+				// Check for Rel() errors, as all depfiles should be in the output dir
 				for _, path := range depFiles[1:] {
 					Rel(ctx, r.sboxOutDir.String(), path.String())
 				}
@@ -453,60 +443,34 @@
 	commandString := strings.Join(commands, " && ")
 
 	if r.sbox {
-		// If running the command inside sbox, write the rule data out to an sbox
-		// manifest.textproto.
-		manifest := sbox_proto.Manifest{}
-		command := sbox_proto.Command{}
-		manifest.Commands = append(manifest.Commands, &command)
-		command.Command = proto.String(commandString)
-
-		if depFile != nil {
-			manifest.OutputDepfile = proto.String(depFile.String())
-		}
-
-		// Add copy rules to the manifest to copy each output file from the sbox directory.
-		// to the output directory.
 		sboxOutputs := make([]string, len(outputs))
 		for i, output := range outputs {
-			rel := Rel(ctx, r.sboxOutDir.String(), output.String())
-			sboxOutputs[i] = filepath.Join(sboxOutDir, rel)
-			command.CopyAfter = append(command.CopyAfter, &sbox_proto.Copy{
-				From: proto.String(filepath.Join(sboxOutSubDir, rel)),
-				To:   proto.String(output.String()),
-			})
+			sboxOutputs[i] = filepath.Join(sboxOutDir, Rel(ctx, r.sboxOutDir.String(), output.String()))
 		}
 
-		// Add a hash of the list of input files to the manifest so that the textproto file
-		// changes when the list of input files changes and causes the sbox rule that
-		// depends on it to rerun.
-		command.InputHash = proto.String(hashSrcFiles(inputs))
-
-		// Verify that the manifest textproto is not inside the sbox output directory, otherwise
-		// it will get deleted when the sbox rule clears its output directory.
-		_, manifestInOutDir := MaybeRel(ctx, r.sboxOutDir.String(), r.sboxManifestPath.String())
-		if manifestInOutDir {
-			ReportPathErrorf(ctx, "sbox rule %q manifestPath %q must not be in outputDir %q",
-				name, r.sboxManifestPath.String(), r.sboxOutDir.String())
+		commandString = proptools.ShellEscape(commandString)
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(commandString, `'`) {
+			commandString = `'` + commandString + `'`
 		}
 
-		// Create a rule to write the manifest as a the textproto.
-		WriteFileRule(ctx, r.sboxManifestPath, proto.MarshalTextString(&manifest))
-
-		// Generate a new string to use as the command line of the sbox rule.  This uses
-		// a RuleBuilderCommand as a convenience method of building the command line, then
-		// converts it to a string to replace commandString.
 		sboxCmd := &RuleBuilderCommand{}
-		sboxCmd.Text("rm -rf").Output(r.sboxOutDir)
-		sboxCmd.Text("&&")
 		sboxCmd.BuiltTool(ctx, "sbox").
+			Flag("-c").Text(commandString).
 			Flag("--sandbox-path").Text(shared.TempDirForOutDir(PathForOutput(ctx).String())).
-			Flag("--manifest").Input(r.sboxManifestPath)
+			Flag("--output-root").Text(r.sboxOutDir.String())
 
-		// Replace the command string, and add the sbox tool and manifest textproto to the
-		// dependencies of the final sbox rule.
+		if depFile != nil {
+			sboxCmd.Flag("--depfile-out").Text(depFile.String())
+		}
+
+		// Add a hash of the list of input files to the xbox command line so that ninja reruns
+		// it when the list of input files changes.
+		sboxCmd.FlagWithArg("--input-hash ", hashSrcFiles(inputs))
+
+		sboxCmd.Flags(sboxOutputs)
+
 		commandString = sboxCmd.buf.String()
 		tools = append(tools, sboxCmd.tools...)
-		inputs = append(inputs, sboxCmd.inputs...)
 	} else {
 		// If not using sbox the rule will run the command directly, put the hash of the
 		// list of input files in a comment at the end of the command line to ensure ninja
@@ -926,19 +890,6 @@
 	return ninjaEscapeExceptForSpans(c.String(), c.unescapedSpans)
 }
 
-// RuleBuilderSboxProtoForTests takes the BuildParams for the manifest passed to RuleBuilder.Sbox()
-// and returns sbox testproto generated by the RuleBuilder.
-func RuleBuilderSboxProtoForTests(t *testing.T, params TestingBuildParams) *sbox_proto.Manifest {
-	t.Helper()
-	content := ContentFromFileRuleForTests(t, params)
-	manifest := sbox_proto.Manifest{}
-	err := proto.UnmarshalText(content, &manifest)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("failed to unmarshal manifest: %s", err.Error())
-	}
-	return &manifest
-}
-
 func ninjaEscapeExceptForSpans(s string, spans [][2]int) string {
 	if len(spans) == 0 {
 		return proptools.NinjaEscape(s)
diff --git a/android/rule_builder_test.go b/android/rule_builder_test.go
index dc360c3..c1d5521 100644
--- a/android/rule_builder_test.go
+++ b/android/rule_builder_test.go
@@ -395,17 +395,16 @@
 	})
 
 	t.Run("sbox", func(t *testing.T) {
-		rule := NewRuleBuilder().Sbox(PathForOutput(ctx, ""),
-			PathForOutput(ctx, "sbox.textproto"))
+		rule := NewRuleBuilder().Sbox(PathForOutput(ctx))
 		addCommands(rule)
 
 		wantCommands := []string{
-			"__SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/DepFile Flag FlagWithArg=arg FlagWithDepFile=__SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/depfile FlagWithInput=input FlagWithOutput=__SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/output Input __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/Output __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/SymlinkOutput Text Tool after command2 old cmd",
-			"command2 __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/depfile2 input2 __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/output2 tool2",
-			"command3 input3 __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/output2 __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/output3",
+			"__SBOX_OUT_DIR__/DepFile Flag FlagWithArg=arg FlagWithDepFile=__SBOX_OUT_DIR__/depfile FlagWithInput=input FlagWithOutput=__SBOX_OUT_DIR__/output Input __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/Output __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/SymlinkOutput Text Tool after command2 old cmd",
+			"command2 __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/depfile2 input2 __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/output2 tool2",
+			"command3 input3 __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/output2 __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/output3",
 		}
 
-		wantDepMergerCommand := "out/host/" + ctx.Config().PrebuiltOS() + "/bin/dep_fixer __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/DepFile __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/depfile __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/ImplicitDepFile __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/depfile2"
+		wantDepMergerCommand := "out/host/" + ctx.Config().PrebuiltOS() + "/bin/dep_fixer __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/DepFile __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/depfile __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/ImplicitDepFile __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/depfile2"
 
 		if g, w := rule.Commands(), wantCommands; !reflect.DeepEqual(g, w) {
 			t.Errorf("\nwant rule.Commands() = %#v\n                   got %#v", w, g)
@@ -452,12 +451,11 @@
 
 func (t *testRuleBuilderModule) GenerateAndroidBuildActions(ctx ModuleContext) {
 	in := PathsForSource(ctx, t.properties.Srcs)
-	out := PathForModuleOut(ctx, "gen", ctx.ModuleName())
-	outDep := PathForModuleOut(ctx, "gen", ctx.ModuleName()+".d")
-	outDir := PathForModuleOut(ctx, "gen")
-	manifestPath := PathForModuleOut(ctx, "sbox.textproto")
+	out := PathForModuleOut(ctx, ctx.ModuleName())
+	outDep := PathForModuleOut(ctx, ctx.ModuleName()+".d")
+	outDir := PathForModuleOut(ctx)
 
-	testRuleBuilder_Build(ctx, in, out, outDep, outDir, manifestPath, t.properties.Restat, t.properties.Sbox)
+	testRuleBuilder_Build(ctx, in, out, outDep, outDir, t.properties.Restat, t.properties.Sbox)
 }
 
 type testRuleBuilderSingleton struct{}
@@ -468,18 +466,17 @@
 
 func (t *testRuleBuilderSingleton) GenerateBuildActions(ctx SingletonContext) {
 	in := PathForSource(ctx, "bar")
-	out := PathForOutput(ctx, "singleton/gen/baz")
-	outDep := PathForOutput(ctx, "singleton/gen/baz.d")
-	outDir := PathForOutput(ctx, "singleton/gen")
-	manifestPath := PathForOutput(ctx, "singleton/sbox.textproto")
-	testRuleBuilder_Build(ctx, Paths{in}, out, outDep, outDir, manifestPath, true, false)
+	out := PathForOutput(ctx, "baz")
+	outDep := PathForOutput(ctx, "baz.d")
+	outDir := PathForOutput(ctx)
+	testRuleBuilder_Build(ctx, Paths{in}, out, outDep, outDir, true, false)
 }
 
-func testRuleBuilder_Build(ctx BuilderContext, in Paths, out, outDep, outDir, manifestPath WritablePath, restat, sbox bool) {
+func testRuleBuilder_Build(ctx BuilderContext, in Paths, out, outDep, outDir WritablePath, restat, sbox bool) {
 	rule := NewRuleBuilder()
 
 	if sbox {
-		rule.Sbox(outDir, manifestPath)
+		rule.Sbox(outDir)
 	}
 
 	rule.Command().Tool(PathForSource(ctx, "cp")).Inputs(in).Output(out).ImplicitDepFile(outDep)
@@ -521,10 +518,10 @@
 	_, errs = ctx.PrepareBuildActions(config)
 	FailIfErrored(t, errs)
 
-	check := func(t *testing.T, params TestingBuildParams, wantCommand, wantOutput, wantDepfile string, wantRestat bool, extraImplicits, extraCmdDeps []string) {
+	check := func(t *testing.T, params TestingBuildParams, wantCommand, wantOutput, wantDepfile string, wantRestat bool, extraCmdDeps []string) {
 		t.Helper()
 		command := params.RuleParams.Command
-		re := regexp.MustCompile(" # hash of input list: [a-z0-9]*$")
+		re := regexp.MustCompile(" (# hash of input list:|--input-hash) [a-z0-9]*")
 		command = re.ReplaceAllLiteralString(command, "")
 		if command != wantCommand {
 			t.Errorf("\nwant RuleParams.Command = %q\n                      got %q", wantCommand, params.RuleParams.Command)
@@ -539,8 +536,7 @@
 			t.Errorf("want RuleParams.Restat = %v, got %v", wantRestat, params.RuleParams.Restat)
 		}
 
-		wantImplicits := append([]string{"bar"}, extraImplicits...)
-		if !reflect.DeepEqual(params.Implicits.Strings(), wantImplicits) {
+		if len(params.Implicits) != 1 || params.Implicits[0].String() != "bar" {
 			t.Errorf("want Implicits = [%q], got %q", "bar", params.Implicits.Strings())
 		}
 
@@ -562,29 +558,27 @@
 	}
 
 	t.Run("module", func(t *testing.T) {
-		outFile := filepath.Join(buildDir, ".intermediates", "foo", "gen", "foo")
+		outFile := filepath.Join(buildDir, ".intermediates", "foo", "foo")
 		check(t, ctx.ModuleForTests("foo", "").Rule("rule"),
 			"cp bar "+outFile,
-			outFile, outFile+".d", true, nil, nil)
+			outFile, outFile+".d", true, nil)
 	})
 	t.Run("sbox", func(t *testing.T) {
 		outDir := filepath.Join(buildDir, ".intermediates", "foo_sbox")
-		outFile := filepath.Join(outDir, "gen/foo_sbox")
-		depFile := filepath.Join(outDir, "gen/foo_sbox.d")
-		manifest := filepath.Join(outDir, "sbox.textproto")
+		outFile := filepath.Join(outDir, "foo_sbox")
+		depFile := filepath.Join(outDir, "foo_sbox.d")
 		sbox := filepath.Join(buildDir, "host", config.PrebuiltOS(), "bin/sbox")
 		sandboxPath := shared.TempDirForOutDir(buildDir)
 
-		cmd := `rm -rf ` + outDir + `/gen && ` +
-			sbox + ` --sandbox-path ` + sandboxPath + ` --manifest ` + manifest
+		cmd := sbox + ` -c 'cp bar __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/foo_sbox' --sandbox-path ` + sandboxPath + " --output-root " + outDir + " --depfile-out " + depFile + " __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/foo_sbox"
 
-		check(t, ctx.ModuleForTests("foo_sbox", "").Output("gen/foo_sbox"),
-			cmd, outFile, depFile, false, []string{manifest}, []string{sbox})
+		check(t, ctx.ModuleForTests("foo_sbox", "").Rule("rule"),
+			cmd, outFile, depFile, false, []string{sbox})
 	})
 	t.Run("singleton", func(t *testing.T) {
-		outFile := filepath.Join(buildDir, "singleton/gen/baz")
+		outFile := filepath.Join(buildDir, "baz")
 		check(t, ctx.SingletonForTests("rule_builder_test").Rule("rule"),
-			"cp bar "+outFile, outFile, outFile+".d", true, nil, nil)
+			"cp bar "+outFile, outFile, outFile+".d", true, nil)
 	})
 }
 
@@ -721,16 +715,14 @@
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Run("sbox", func(t *testing.T) {
 				gen := ctx.ModuleForTests(test.name+"_sbox", "")
-				manifest := RuleBuilderSboxProtoForTests(t, gen.Output("sbox.textproto"))
-				hash := manifest.Commands[0].GetInputHash()
-
-				if g, w := hash, test.expectedHash; g != w {
-					t.Errorf("Expected has %q, got %q", w, g)
+				command := gen.Output(test.name + "_sbox").RuleParams.Command
+				if g, w := command, " --input-hash "+test.expectedHash; !strings.Contains(g, w) {
+					t.Errorf("Expected command line to end with %q, got %q", w, g)
 				}
 			})
 			t.Run("", func(t *testing.T) {
 				gen := ctx.ModuleForTests(test.name+"", "")
-				command := gen.Output("gen/" + test.name).RuleParams.Command
+				command := gen.Output(test.name).RuleParams.Command
 				if g, w := command, " # hash of input list: "+test.expectedHash; !strings.HasSuffix(g, w) {
 					t.Errorf("Expected command line to end with %q, got %q", w, g)
 				}
diff --git a/cc/gen.go b/cc/gen.go
index 5895b31..134d6d9 100644
--- a/cc/gen.go
+++ b/cc/gen.go
@@ -232,8 +232,7 @@
 	var yaccRule_ *android.RuleBuilder
 	yaccRule := func() *android.RuleBuilder {
 		if yaccRule_ == nil {
-			yaccRule_ = android.NewRuleBuilder().Sbox(android.PathForModuleGen(ctx, "yacc"),
-				android.PathForModuleGen(ctx, "yacc.sbox.textproto"))
+			yaccRule_ = android.NewRuleBuilder().Sbox(android.PathForModuleGen(ctx, "yacc"))
 		}
 		return yaccRule_
 	}
@@ -262,8 +261,7 @@
 			deps = append(deps, headerFile)
 		case ".aidl":
 			if aidlRule == nil {
-				aidlRule = android.NewRuleBuilder().Sbox(android.PathForModuleGen(ctx, "aidl"),
-					android.PathForModuleGen(ctx, "aidl.sbox.textproto"))
+				aidlRule = android.NewRuleBuilder().Sbox(android.PathForModuleGen(ctx, "aidl"))
 			}
 			cppFile := android.GenPathWithExt(ctx, "aidl", srcFile, "cpp")
 			depFile := android.GenPathWithExt(ctx, "aidl", srcFile, "cpp.d")
diff --git a/cc/gen_test.go b/cc/gen_test.go
index 41ef95c..4b9a36e 100644
--- a/cc/gen_test.go
+++ b/cc/gen_test.go
@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@
 	"path/filepath"
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
-
-	"android/soong/android"
 )
 
 func TestGen(t *testing.T) {
@@ -58,14 +56,13 @@
 		}`)
 
 		aidl := ctx.ModuleForTests("libfoo", "android_arm_armv7-a-neon_shared").Rule("aidl")
-		aidlManifest := ctx.ModuleForTests("libfoo", "android_arm_armv7-a-neon_shared").Output("aidl.sbox.textproto")
 		libfoo := ctx.ModuleForTests("libfoo", "android_arm_armv7-a-neon_shared").Module().(*Module)
 
 		if !inList("-I"+filepath.Dir(aidl.Output.String()), libfoo.flags.Local.CommonFlags) {
 			t.Errorf("missing aidl includes in global flags")
 		}
 
-		aidlCommand := android.RuleBuilderSboxProtoForTests(t, aidlManifest).Commands[0].GetCommand()
+		aidlCommand := aidl.RuleParams.Command
 		if !strings.Contains(aidlCommand, "-Isub") {
 			t.Errorf("aidl command for c.aidl should contain \"-Isub\", but was %q", aidlCommand)
 		}
diff --git a/cmd/sbox/Android.bp b/cmd/sbox/Android.bp
index f5e87c0..6fa304e 100644
--- a/cmd/sbox/Android.bp
+++ b/cmd/sbox/Android.bp
@@ -14,20 +14,8 @@
 
 blueprint_go_binary {
     name: "sbox",
-    deps: [
-        "sbox_proto",
-        "soong-makedeps",
-    ],
+    deps: ["soong-makedeps"],
     srcs: [
         "sbox.go",
     ],
 }
-
-bootstrap_go_package {
-    name: "sbox_proto",
-    pkgPath: "android/soong/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto",
-    deps: ["golang-protobuf-proto"],
-    srcs: [
-        "sbox_proto/sbox.pb.go",
-    ],
-}
diff --git a/cmd/sbox/sbox.go b/cmd/sbox/sbox.go
index e04e0a7..65a34fd 100644
--- a/cmd/sbox/sbox.go
+++ b/cmd/sbox/sbox.go
@@ -19,39 +19,41 @@
 	"errors"
 	"flag"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
+	"path"
 	"path/filepath"
-	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
-	"android/soong/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto"
 	"android/soong/makedeps"
-
-	"github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
 )
 
 var (
 	sandboxesRoot string
-	manifestFile  string
+	rawCommand    string
+	outputRoot    string
 	keepOutDir    bool
-)
-
-const (
-	depFilePlaceholder    = "__SBOX_DEPFILE__"
-	sandboxDirPlaceholder = "__SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__"
+	depfileOut    string
+	inputHash     string
 )
 
 func init() {
 	flag.StringVar(&sandboxesRoot, "sandbox-path", "",
 		"root of temp directory to put the sandbox into")
-	flag.StringVar(&manifestFile, "manifest", "",
-		"textproto manifest describing the sandboxed command(s)")
+	flag.StringVar(&rawCommand, "c", "",
+		"command to run")
+	flag.StringVar(&outputRoot, "output-root", "",
+		"root of directory to copy outputs into")
 	flag.BoolVar(&keepOutDir, "keep-out-dir", false,
 		"whether to keep the sandbox directory when done")
+
+	flag.StringVar(&depfileOut, "depfile-out", "",
+		"file path of the depfile to generate. This value will replace '__SBOX_DEPFILE__' in the command and will be treated as an output but won't be added to __SBOX_OUT_FILES__")
+
+	flag.StringVar(&inputHash, "input-hash", "",
+		"This option is ignored. Typical usage is to supply a hash of the list of input names so that the module will be rebuilt if the list (and thus the hash) changes.")
 }
 
 func usageViolation(violation string) {
@@ -60,7 +62,11 @@
 	}
 
 	fmt.Fprintf(os.Stderr,
-		"Usage: sbox --manifest <manifest> --sandbox-path <sandboxPath>\n")
+		"Usage: sbox -c <commandToRun> --sandbox-path <sandboxPath> --output-root <outputRoot> [--depfile-out depFile] [--input-hash hash] <outputFile> [<outputFile>...]\n"+
+			"\n"+
+			"Deletes <outputRoot>,"+
+			"runs <commandToRun>,"+
+			"and moves each <outputFile> out of <sandboxPath> and into <outputRoot>\n")
 
 	flag.PrintDefaults()
 
@@ -97,8 +103,8 @@
 }
 
 func run() error {
-	if manifestFile == "" {
-		usageViolation("--manifest <manifest> is required and must be non-empty")
+	if rawCommand == "" {
+		usageViolation("-c <commandToRun> is required and must be non-empty")
 	}
 	if sandboxesRoot == "" {
 		// In practice, the value of sandboxesRoot will mostly likely be at a fixed location relative to OUT_DIR,
@@ -108,28 +114,61 @@
 		// and by passing it as a parameter we don't need to duplicate its value
 		usageViolation("--sandbox-path <sandboxPath> is required and must be non-empty")
 	}
-
-	manifest, err := readManifest(manifestFile)
-
-	if len(manifest.Commands) == 0 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("at least one commands entry is required in %q", manifestFile)
+	if len(outputRoot) == 0 {
+		usageViolation("--output-root <outputRoot> is required and must be non-empty")
 	}
 
-	// setup sandbox directory
-	err = os.MkdirAll(sandboxesRoot, 0777)
+	// the contents of the __SBOX_OUT_FILES__ variable
+	outputsVarEntries := flag.Args()
+	if len(outputsVarEntries) == 0 {
+		usageViolation("at least one output file must be given")
+	}
+
+	// all outputs
+	var allOutputs []string
+
+	// setup directories
+	err := os.MkdirAll(sandboxesRoot, 0777)
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create %q: %w", sandboxesRoot, err)
+		return err
+	}
+	err = os.RemoveAll(outputRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	err = os.MkdirAll(outputRoot, 0777)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
 	}
 
 	tempDir, err := ioutil.TempDir(sandboxesRoot, "sbox")
+
+	for i, filePath := range outputsVarEntries {
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(filePath, "__SBOX_OUT_DIR__/") {
+			return fmt.Errorf("output files must start with `__SBOX_OUT_DIR__/`")
+		}
+		outputsVarEntries[i] = strings.TrimPrefix(filePath, "__SBOX_OUT_DIR__/")
+	}
+
+	allOutputs = append([]string(nil), outputsVarEntries...)
+
+	if depfileOut != "" {
+		sandboxedDepfile, err := filepath.Rel(outputRoot, depfileOut)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		allOutputs = append(allOutputs, sandboxedDepfile)
+		rawCommand = strings.Replace(rawCommand, "__SBOX_DEPFILE__", filepath.Join(tempDir, sandboxedDepfile), -1)
+
+	}
+
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create temporary dir in %q: %w", sandboxesRoot, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to create temp dir: %s", err)
 	}
 
 	// In the common case, the following line of code is what removes the sandbox
 	// If a fatal error occurs (such as if our Go process is killed unexpectedly),
-	// then at the beginning of the next build, Soong will wipe the temporary
-	// directory.
+	// then at the beginning of the next build, Soong will retry the cleanup
 	defer func() {
 		// in some cases we decline to remove the temp dir, to facilitate debugging
 		if !keepOutDir {
@@ -137,95 +176,27 @@
 		}
 	}()
 
-	// If there is more than one command in the manifest use a separate directory for each one.
-	useSubDir := len(manifest.Commands) > 1
-	var depFiles []string
+	if strings.Contains(rawCommand, "__SBOX_OUT_DIR__") {
+		rawCommand = strings.Replace(rawCommand, "__SBOX_OUT_DIR__", tempDir, -1)
+	}
 
-	for i, command := range manifest.Commands {
-		localTempDir := tempDir
-		if useSubDir {
-			localTempDir = filepath.Join(localTempDir, strconv.Itoa(i))
+	if strings.Contains(rawCommand, "__SBOX_OUT_FILES__") {
+		// expands into a space-separated list of output files to be generated into the sandbox directory
+		tempOutPaths := []string{}
+		for _, outputPath := range outputsVarEntries {
+			tempOutPath := path.Join(tempDir, outputPath)
+			tempOutPaths = append(tempOutPaths, tempOutPath)
 		}
-		depFile, err := runCommand(command, localTempDir)
+		pathsText := strings.Join(tempOutPaths, " ")
+		rawCommand = strings.Replace(rawCommand, "__SBOX_OUT_FILES__", pathsText, -1)
+	}
+
+	for _, filePath := range allOutputs {
+		dir := path.Join(tempDir, filepath.Dir(filePath))
+		err = os.MkdirAll(dir, 0777)
 		if err != nil {
-			// Running the command failed, keep the temporary output directory around in
-			// case a user wants to inspect it for debugging purposes.  Soong will delete
-			// it at the beginning of the next build anyway.
-			keepOutDir = true
 			return err
 		}
-		if depFile != "" {
-			depFiles = append(depFiles, depFile)
-		}
-	}
-
-	depFile := manifest.GetOutputDepfile()
-	if len(depFiles) > 0 && depFile == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Sandboxed commands used %s but output depfile is not set in manifest file",
-			depFilePlaceholder)
-	}
-
-	if depFile != "" {
-		// Merge the depfiles from each command in the manifest to a single output depfile.
-		err = rewriteDepFiles(depFiles, depFile)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("failed merging depfiles: %w", err)
-		}
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// readManifest reads an sbox manifest from a textproto file.
-func readManifest(file string) (*sbox_proto.Manifest, error) {
-	manifestData, err := ioutil.ReadFile(file)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error reading manifest %q: %w", file, err)
-	}
-
-	manifest := sbox_proto.Manifest{}
-
-	err = proto.UnmarshalText(string(manifestData), &manifest)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("error parsing manifest %q: %w", file, err)
-	}
-
-	return &manifest, nil
-}
-
-// runCommand runs a single command from a manifest.  If the command references the
-// __SBOX_DEPFILE__ placeholder it returns the name of the depfile that was used.
-func runCommand(command *sbox_proto.Command, tempDir string) (depFile string, err error) {
-	rawCommand := command.GetCommand()
-	if rawCommand == "" {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("command is required")
-	}
-
-	err = os.MkdirAll(tempDir, 0777)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("failed to create %q: %w", tempDir, err)
-	}
-
-	// Copy in any files specified by the manifest.
-	err = linkOrCopyFiles(command.CopyBefore, "", tempDir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-
-	if strings.Contains(rawCommand, depFilePlaceholder) {
-		depFile = filepath.Join(tempDir, "deps.d")
-		rawCommand = strings.Replace(rawCommand, depFilePlaceholder, depFile, -1)
-	}
-
-	if strings.Contains(rawCommand, sandboxDirPlaceholder) {
-		rawCommand = strings.Replace(rawCommand, sandboxDirPlaceholder, tempDir, -1)
-	}
-
-	// Emulate ninja's behavior of creating the directories for any output files before
-	// running the command.
-	err = makeOutputDirs(command.CopyAfter, tempDir)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
 	}
 
 	commandDescription := rawCommand
@@ -234,20 +205,27 @@
 	cmd.Stdin = os.Stdin
 	cmd.Stdout = os.Stdout
 	cmd.Stderr = os.Stderr
-
-	if command.GetChdir() {
-		cmd.Dir = tempDir
-	}
 	err = cmd.Run()
 
 	if exit, ok := err.(*exec.ExitError); ok && !exit.Success() {
-		return "", fmt.Errorf("sbox command failed with err:\n%s\n%w\n", commandDescription, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("sbox command (%s) failed with err %#v\n", commandDescription, err.Error())
 	} else if err != nil {
-		return "", err
+		return err
 	}
 
-	missingOutputErrors := validateOutputFiles(command.CopyAfter, tempDir)
-
+	// validate that all files are created properly
+	var missingOutputErrors []string
+	for _, filePath := range allOutputs {
+		tempPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, filePath)
+		fileInfo, err := os.Stat(tempPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			missingOutputErrors = append(missingOutputErrors, fmt.Sprintf("%s: does not exist", filePath))
+			continue
+		}
+		if fileInfo.IsDir() {
+			missingOutputErrors = append(missingOutputErrors, fmt.Sprintf("%s: not a file", filePath))
+		}
+	}
 	if len(missingOutputErrors) > 0 {
 		// find all created files for making a more informative error message
 		createdFiles := findAllFilesUnder(tempDir)
@@ -258,7 +236,7 @@
 		errorMessage += "in sandbox " + tempDir + ",\n"
 		errorMessage += fmt.Sprintf("failed to create %v files:\n", len(missingOutputErrors))
 		for _, missingOutputError := range missingOutputErrors {
-			errorMessage += "  " + missingOutputError.Error() + "\n"
+			errorMessage += "  " + missingOutputError + "\n"
 		}
 		if len(createdFiles) < 1 {
 			errorMessage += "created 0 files."
@@ -275,137 +253,19 @@
 			}
 		}
 
-		return "", errors.New(errorMessage)
+		// Keep the temporary output directory around in case a user wants to inspect it for debugging purposes.
+		// Soong will delete it later anyway.
+		keepOutDir = true
+		return errors.New(errorMessage)
 	}
 	// the created files match the declared files; now move them
-	err = moveFiles(command.CopyAfter, tempDir, "")
-
-	return depFile, nil
-}
-
-// makeOutputDirs creates directories in the sandbox dir for every file that has a rule to be copied
-// out of the sandbox.  This emulate's Ninja's behavior of creating directories for output files
-// so that the tools don't have to.
-func makeOutputDirs(copies []*sbox_proto.Copy, sandboxDir string) error {
-	for _, copyPair := range copies {
-		dir := joinPath(sandboxDir, filepath.Dir(copyPair.GetFrom()))
-		err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0777)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
+	for _, filePath := range allOutputs {
+		tempPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, filePath)
+		destPath := filePath
+		if len(outputRoot) != 0 {
+			destPath = filepath.Join(outputRoot, filePath)
 		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-// validateOutputFiles verifies that all files that have a rule to be copied out of the sandbox
-// were created by the command.
-func validateOutputFiles(copies []*sbox_proto.Copy, sandboxDir string) []error {
-	var missingOutputErrors []error
-	for _, copyPair := range copies {
-		fromPath := joinPath(sandboxDir, copyPair.GetFrom())
-		fileInfo, err := os.Stat(fromPath)
-		if err != nil {
-			missingOutputErrors = append(missingOutputErrors, fmt.Errorf("%s: does not exist", fromPath))
-			continue
-		}
-		if fileInfo.IsDir() {
-			missingOutputErrors = append(missingOutputErrors, fmt.Errorf("%s: not a file", fromPath))
-		}
-	}
-	return missingOutputErrors
-}
-
-// linkOrCopyFiles hardlinks or copies files in or out of the sandbox.
-func linkOrCopyFiles(copies []*sbox_proto.Copy, fromDir, toDir string) error {
-	for _, copyPair := range copies {
-		fromPath := joinPath(fromDir, copyPair.GetFrom())
-		toPath := joinPath(toDir, copyPair.GetTo())
-		err := linkOrCopyOneFile(fromPath, toPath)
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("error copying %q to %q: %w", fromPath, toPath, err)
-		}
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-// linkOrCopyOneFile first attempts to hardlink a file to a destination, and falls back to making
-// a copy if the hardlink fails.
-func linkOrCopyOneFile(from string, to string) error {
-	err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(to), 0777)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	// First try hardlinking
-	err = os.Link(from, to)
-	if err != nil {
-		// Retry with copying in case the source an destination are on different filesystems.
-		// TODO: check for specific hardlink error?
-		err = copyOneFile(from, to)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// copyOneFile copies a file.
-func copyOneFile(from string, to string) error {
-	stat, err := os.Stat(from)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	perm := stat.Mode()
-
-	in, err := os.Open(from)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	defer in.Close()
-
-	out, err := os.Create(to)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		out.Close()
-		if err != nil {
-			os.Remove(to)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	_, err = io.Copy(out, in)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	if err = out.Close(); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	if err = os.Chmod(to, perm); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// moveFiles moves files specified by a set of copy rules.  It uses os.Rename, so it is restricted
-// to moving files where the source and destination are in the same filesystem.  This is OK for
-// sbox because the temporary directory is inside the out directory.  It updates the timestamp
-// of the new file.
-func moveFiles(copies []*sbox_proto.Copy, fromDir, toDir string) error {
-	for _, copyPair := range copies {
-		fromPath := joinPath(fromDir, copyPair.GetFrom())
-		toPath := joinPath(toDir, copyPair.GetTo())
-		err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(toPath), 0777)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		err = os.Rename(fromPath, toPath)
+		err := os.MkdirAll(filepath.Dir(destPath), 0777)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
@@ -413,45 +273,37 @@
 		// Update the timestamp of the output file in case the tool wrote an old timestamp (for example, tar can extract
 		// files with old timestamps).
 		now := time.Now()
-		err = os.Chtimes(toPath, now, now)
+		err = os.Chtimes(tempPath, now, now)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		err = os.Rename(tempPath, destPath)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
 	}
+
+	// Rewrite the depfile so that it doesn't include the (randomized) sandbox directory
+	if depfileOut != "" {
+		in, err := ioutil.ReadFile(depfileOut)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		deps, err := makedeps.Parse(depfileOut, bytes.NewBuffer(in))
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+
+		deps.Output = "outputfile"
+
+		err = ioutil.WriteFile(depfileOut, deps.Print(), 0666)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+
+	// TODO(jeffrygaston) if a process creates more output files than it declares, should there be a warning?
 	return nil
 }
-
-// Rewrite one or more depfiles so that it doesn't include the (randomized) sandbox directory
-// to an output file.
-func rewriteDepFiles(ins []string, out string) error {
-	var mergedDeps []string
-	for _, in := range ins {
-		data, err := ioutil.ReadFile(in)
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		deps, err := makedeps.Parse(in, bytes.NewBuffer(data))
-		if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		mergedDeps = append(mergedDeps, deps.Inputs...)
-	}
-
-	deps := makedeps.Deps{
-		// Ninja doesn't care what the output file is, so we can use any string here.
-		Output: "outputfile",
-		Inputs: mergedDeps,
-	}
-
-	return ioutil.WriteFile(out, deps.Print(), 0666)
-}
-
-// joinPath wraps filepath.Join but returns file without appending to dir if file is
-// absolute.
-func joinPath(dir, file string) string {
-	if filepath.IsAbs(file) {
-		return file
-	}
-	return filepath.Join(dir, file)
-}
diff --git a/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto/sbox.pb.go b/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto/sbox.pb.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 6584bdf..0000000
--- a/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto/sbox.pb.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,233 +0,0 @@
-// Code generated by protoc-gen-go. DO NOT EDIT.
-// source: sbox.proto
-
-package sbox_proto
-
-import (
-	fmt "fmt"
-	proto "github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
-	math "math"
-)
-
-// Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
-var _ = proto.Marshal
-var _ = fmt.Errorf
-var _ = math.Inf
-
-// This is a compile-time assertion to ensure that this generated file
-// is compatible with the proto package it is being compiled against.
-// A compilation error at this line likely means your copy of the
-// proto package needs to be updated.
-const _ = proto.ProtoPackageIsVersion3 // please upgrade the proto package
-
-// A set of commands to run in a sandbox.
-type Manifest struct {
-	// A list of commands to run in the sandbox.
-	Commands []*Command `protobuf:"bytes,1,rep,name=commands" json:"commands,omitempty"`
-	// If set, GCC-style dependency files from any command that references __SBOX_DEPFILE__ will be
-	// merged into the given output file relative to the $PWD when sbox was started.
-	OutputDepfile        *string  `protobuf:"bytes,2,opt,name=output_depfile,json=outputDepfile" json:"output_depfile,omitempty"`
-	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{} `json:"-"`
-	XXX_unrecognized     []byte   `json:"-"`
-	XXX_sizecache        int32    `json:"-"`
-}
-
-func (m *Manifest) Reset()         { *m = Manifest{} }
-func (m *Manifest) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
-func (*Manifest) ProtoMessage()    {}
-func (*Manifest) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_9d0425bf0de86ed1, []int{0}
-}
-
-func (m *Manifest) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Manifest.Unmarshal(m, b)
-}
-func (m *Manifest) XXX_Marshal(b []byte, deterministic bool) ([]byte, error) {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Manifest.Marshal(b, m, deterministic)
-}
-func (m *Manifest) XXX_Merge(src proto.Message) {
-	xxx_messageInfo_Manifest.Merge(m, src)
-}
-func (m *Manifest) XXX_Size() int {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Manifest.Size(m)
-}
-func (m *Manifest) XXX_DiscardUnknown() {
-	xxx_messageInfo_Manifest.DiscardUnknown(m)
-}
-
-var xxx_messageInfo_Manifest proto.InternalMessageInfo
-
-func (m *Manifest) GetCommands() []*Command {
-	if m != nil {
-		return m.Commands
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *Manifest) GetOutputDepfile() string {
-	if m != nil && m.OutputDepfile != nil {
-		return *m.OutputDepfile
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-// SandboxManifest describes a command to run in the sandbox.
-type Command struct {
-	// A list of copy rules to run before the sandboxed command.  The from field is relative to the
-	// $PWD when sbox was run, the to field is relative to the top of the temporary sandbox directory.
-	CopyBefore []*Copy `protobuf:"bytes,1,rep,name=copy_before,json=copyBefore" json:"copy_before,omitempty"`
-	// If true, change the working directory to the top of the temporary sandbox directory before
-	// running the command.  If false, leave the working directory where it was when sbox was started.
-	Chdir *bool `protobuf:"varint,2,opt,name=chdir" json:"chdir,omitempty"`
-	// The command to run.
-	Command *string `protobuf:"bytes,3,req,name=command" json:"command,omitempty"`
-	// A list of copy rules to run after the sandboxed command.  The from field is relative to the
-	// top of the temporary sandbox directory, the to field is relative to the $PWD when sbox was run.
-	CopyAfter []*Copy `protobuf:"bytes,4,rep,name=copy_after,json=copyAfter" json:"copy_after,omitempty"`
-	// An optional hash of the input files to ensure the textproto files and the sbox rule reruns
-	// when the lists of inputs changes, even if the inputs are not on the command line.
-	InputHash            *string  `protobuf:"bytes,5,opt,name=input_hash,json=inputHash" json:"input_hash,omitempty"`
-	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{} `json:"-"`
-	XXX_unrecognized     []byte   `json:"-"`
-	XXX_sizecache        int32    `json:"-"`
-}
-
-func (m *Command) Reset()         { *m = Command{} }
-func (m *Command) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
-func (*Command) ProtoMessage()    {}
-func (*Command) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_9d0425bf0de86ed1, []int{1}
-}
-
-func (m *Command) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Command.Unmarshal(m, b)
-}
-func (m *Command) XXX_Marshal(b []byte, deterministic bool) ([]byte, error) {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Command.Marshal(b, m, deterministic)
-}
-func (m *Command) XXX_Merge(src proto.Message) {
-	xxx_messageInfo_Command.Merge(m, src)
-}
-func (m *Command) XXX_Size() int {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Command.Size(m)
-}
-func (m *Command) XXX_DiscardUnknown() {
-	xxx_messageInfo_Command.DiscardUnknown(m)
-}
-
-var xxx_messageInfo_Command proto.InternalMessageInfo
-
-func (m *Command) GetCopyBefore() []*Copy {
-	if m != nil {
-		return m.CopyBefore
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *Command) GetChdir() bool {
-	if m != nil && m.Chdir != nil {
-		return *m.Chdir
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
-func (m *Command) GetCommand() string {
-	if m != nil && m.Command != nil {
-		return *m.Command
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *Command) GetCopyAfter() []*Copy {
-	if m != nil {
-		return m.CopyAfter
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (m *Command) GetInputHash() string {
-	if m != nil && m.InputHash != nil {
-		return *m.InputHash
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-// Copy describes a from-to pair of files to copy.  The paths may be relative, the root that they
-// are relative to is specific to the context the Copy is used in and will be different for
-// from and to.
-type Copy struct {
-	From                 *string  `protobuf:"bytes,1,req,name=from" json:"from,omitempty"`
-	To                   *string  `protobuf:"bytes,2,req,name=to" json:"to,omitempty"`
-	XXX_NoUnkeyedLiteral struct{} `json:"-"`
-	XXX_unrecognized     []byte   `json:"-"`
-	XXX_sizecache        int32    `json:"-"`
-}
-
-func (m *Copy) Reset()         { *m = Copy{} }
-func (m *Copy) String() string { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
-func (*Copy) ProtoMessage()    {}
-func (*Copy) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) {
-	return fileDescriptor_9d0425bf0de86ed1, []int{2}
-}
-
-func (m *Copy) XXX_Unmarshal(b []byte) error {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Copy.Unmarshal(m, b)
-}
-func (m *Copy) XXX_Marshal(b []byte, deterministic bool) ([]byte, error) {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Copy.Marshal(b, m, deterministic)
-}
-func (m *Copy) XXX_Merge(src proto.Message) {
-	xxx_messageInfo_Copy.Merge(m, src)
-}
-func (m *Copy) XXX_Size() int {
-	return xxx_messageInfo_Copy.Size(m)
-}
-func (m *Copy) XXX_DiscardUnknown() {
-	xxx_messageInfo_Copy.DiscardUnknown(m)
-}
-
-var xxx_messageInfo_Copy proto.InternalMessageInfo
-
-func (m *Copy) GetFrom() string {
-	if m != nil && m.From != nil {
-		return *m.From
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func (m *Copy) GetTo() string {
-	if m != nil && m.To != nil {
-		return *m.To
-	}
-	return ""
-}
-
-func init() {
-	proto.RegisterType((*Manifest)(nil), "sbox.Manifest")
-	proto.RegisterType((*Command)(nil), "sbox.Command")
-	proto.RegisterType((*Copy)(nil), "sbox.Copy")
-}
-
-func init() {
-	proto.RegisterFile("sbox.proto", fileDescriptor_9d0425bf0de86ed1)
-}
-
-var fileDescriptor_9d0425bf0de86ed1 = []byte{
-	// 252 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
-	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xff, 0x64, 0x90, 0x41, 0x4b, 0xc3, 0x40,
-	0x10, 0x85, 0x49, 0x9a, 0xd2, 0x66, 0x6a, 0x7b, 0x18, 0x3c, 0xec, 0x45, 0x08, 0x01, 0x21, 0x55,
-	0xe8, 0xc1, 0x7f, 0x60, 0xf5, 0xe0, 0xc5, 0xcb, 0x1e, 0x45, 0x08, 0xdb, 0x64, 0x97, 0x04, 0x4c,
-	0x66, 0xd9, 0xdd, 0x82, 0xfd, 0x57, 0xfe, 0x44, 0xd9, 0x49, 0xea, 0xc5, 0xdb, 0xcc, 0xfb, 0x78,
-	0xf3, 0x1e, 0x03, 0xe0, 0x4f, 0xf4, 0x7d, 0xb0, 0x8e, 0x02, 0x61, 0x16, 0xe7, 0xf2, 0x13, 0xd6,
-	0xef, 0x6a, 0xec, 0x8d, 0xf6, 0x01, 0xf7, 0xb0, 0x6e, 0x68, 0x18, 0xd4, 0xd8, 0x7a, 0x91, 0x14,
-	0x8b, 0x6a, 0xf3, 0xb4, 0x3d, 0xb0, 0xe1, 0x65, 0x52, 0xe5, 0x1f, 0xc6, 0x7b, 0xd8, 0xd1, 0x39,
-	0xd8, 0x73, 0xa8, 0x5b, 0x6d, 0x4d, 0xff, 0xa5, 0x45, 0x5a, 0x24, 0x55, 0x2e, 0xb7, 0x93, 0xfa,
-	0x3a, 0x89, 0xe5, 0x4f, 0x02, 0xab, 0xd9, 0x8c, 0x8f, 0xb0, 0x69, 0xc8, 0x5e, 0xea, 0x93, 0x36,
-	0xe4, 0xf4, 0x1c, 0x00, 0xd7, 0x00, 0x7b, 0x91, 0x10, 0xf1, 0x91, 0x29, 0xde, 0xc2, 0xb2, 0xe9,
-	0xda, 0xde, 0xf1, 0xd9, 0xb5, 0x9c, 0x16, 0x14, 0xb0, 0x9a, 0x1b, 0x88, 0x45, 0x91, 0x56, 0xb9,
-	0xbc, 0xae, 0xb8, 0x07, 0x76, 0xd7, 0xca, 0x04, 0xed, 0x44, 0xf6, 0xef, 0x76, 0x1e, 0xe9, 0x73,
-	0x84, 0x78, 0x07, 0xd0, 0x8f, 0xb1, 0x79, 0xa7, 0x7c, 0x27, 0x96, 0x5c, 0x3b, 0x67, 0xe5, 0x4d,
-	0xf9, 0xae, 0x7c, 0x80, 0x2c, 0x3a, 0x10, 0x21, 0x33, 0x8e, 0x06, 0x91, 0x70, 0x10, 0xcf, 0xb8,
-	0x83, 0x34, 0x90, 0x48, 0x59, 0x49, 0x03, 0x1d, 0x6f, 0x3e, 0xf8, 0xa1, 0x35, 0x3f, 0xf4, 0x37,
-	0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x95, 0x4d, 0xee, 0x7d, 0x5d, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00,
-}
diff --git a/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto/sbox.proto b/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto/sbox.proto
deleted file mode 100644
index ab95545..0000000
--- a/cmd/sbox/sbox_proto/sbox.proto
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,58 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright 2020 Google Inc. All Rights Reserved.
-//
-// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-// You may obtain a copy of the License at
-//
-//   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-//
-// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-// limitations under the License.
-
-syntax = "proto2";
-
-package sbox;
-option go_package = "sbox_proto";
-
-// A set of commands to run in a sandbox.
-message Manifest {
-  // A list of commands to run in the sandbox.
-  repeated Command commands = 1;
-
-  // If set, GCC-style dependency files from any command that references __SBOX_DEPFILE__ will be
-  // merged into the given output file relative to the $PWD when sbox was started.
-  optional string output_depfile = 2;
-}
-
-// SandboxManifest describes a command to run in the sandbox.
-message Command {
-  // A list of copy rules to run before the sandboxed command.  The from field is relative to the
-  // $PWD when sbox was run, the to field is relative to the top of the temporary sandbox directory.
-  repeated Copy copy_before = 1;
-
-  // If true, change the working directory to the top of the temporary sandbox directory before
-  // running the command.  If false, leave the working directory where it was when sbox was started.
-  optional bool chdir = 2;
-
-  // The command to run.
-  required string command = 3;
-
-  // A list of copy rules to run after the sandboxed command.  The from field is relative to the
-  // top of the temporary sandbox directory, the to field is relative to the $PWD when sbox was run.
-  repeated Copy copy_after = 4;
-
-  // An optional hash of the input files to ensure the textproto files and the sbox rule reruns
-  // when the lists of inputs changes, even if the inputs are not on the command line.
-  optional string input_hash = 5;
-}
-
-// Copy describes a from-to pair of files to copy.  The paths may be relative, the root that they
-// are relative to is specific to the context the Copy is used in and will be different for
-// from and to.
-message Copy {
-  required string from = 1;
-  required string to = 2;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/genrule/Android.bp b/genrule/Android.bp
index ba6f40d..ff543a6 100644
--- a/genrule/Android.bp
+++ b/genrule/Android.bp
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
     deps: [
         "blueprint",
         "blueprint-pathtools",
-        "sbox_proto",
         "soong",
         "soong-android",
         "soong-shared",
diff --git a/genrule/genrule.go b/genrule/genrule.go
index b6a5861..f85146c 100644
--- a/genrule/genrule.go
+++ b/genrule/genrule.go
@@ -417,23 +417,18 @@
 		}
 		g.rawCommands = append(g.rawCommands, rawCommand)
 
-		// Pick a unique path outside the task.genDir for the sbox manifest textproto,
-		// a unique rule name, and the user-visible description.
-		manifestName := g.subDir + "genrule.sbox.textproto"
+		// Pick a unique rule name and the user-visible description.
 		desc := "generate"
 		name := "generator"
 		if task.shards > 0 {
-			manifestName = g.subDir + "genrule_" + strconv.Itoa(task.shard) + ".sbox.textproto"
 			desc += " " + strconv.Itoa(task.shard)
 			name += strconv.Itoa(task.shard)
 		} else if len(task.out) == 1 {
 			desc += " " + task.out[0].Base()
 		}
 
-		manifestPath := android.PathForModuleOut(ctx, manifestName)
-
 		// Use a RuleBuilder to create a rule that runs the command inside an sbox sandbox.
-		rule := android.NewRuleBuilder().Sbox(task.genDir, manifestPath)
+		rule := android.NewRuleBuilder().Sbox(task.genDir)
 		cmd := rule.Command()
 		cmd.Text(rawCommand)
 		cmd.ImplicitOutputs(task.out)
diff --git a/genrule/genrule_test.go b/genrule/genrule_test.go
index 89ac675..6779c73 100644
--- a/genrule/genrule_test.go
+++ b/genrule/genrule_test.go
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "empty location tool2",
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "empty location tool file",
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "tool_file1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "tool_file1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "empty location tool file fg",
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "tool_file1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "tool_file1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "empty location tool and tool file",
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "tool",
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location tool) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "tool2",
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location :tool) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "out/tool > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "tool file",
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location tool_file1) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "tool_file1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "tool_file1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "tool file fg",
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(location :1tool_file) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "tool_file1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "tool_file1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "tool files",
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "$(locations :tool_files) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "tool_file1 tool_file2 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "tool_file1 tool_file2 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "in1",
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "cat $(in) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "in1 fg",
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "cat $(in) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "ins",
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "cat $(in) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "cat in1 in2 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat in1 in2 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "ins fg",
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "cat $(in) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "cat in1 in2 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat in1 in2 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "location in1",
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "cat $(location in1) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "location in1 fg",
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "cat $(location :1in) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "location ins",
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "cat $(location in1) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat in1 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "location ins fg",
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "cat $(locations :ins) > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "cat in1 in2 > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat in1 in2 > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "outs",
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@
 				out: ["out", "out2"],
 				cmd: "echo foo > $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "echo foo > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out2",
+			expect: "echo foo > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out2",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "location out",
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@
 				out: ["out", "out2"],
 				cmd: "echo foo > $(location out2)",
 			`,
-			expect: "echo foo > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out2",
+			expect: "echo foo > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out2",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "depfile",
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@
 				depfile: true,
 				cmd: "echo foo > $(out) && touch $(depfile)",
 			`,
-			expect: "echo foo > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out && touch __SBOX_DEPFILE__",
+			expect: "echo foo > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out && touch __SBOX_DEPFILE__",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "gendir",
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@
 				out: ["out"],
 				cmd: "echo foo > $(genDir)/foo && cp $(genDir)/foo $(out)",
 			`,
-			expect: "echo foo > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/foo && cp __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/foo __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "echo foo > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/foo && cp __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/foo __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 
 		{
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@
 
 			allowMissingDependencies: true,
 
-			expect: "cat ***missing srcs :missing*** > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "cat ***missing srcs :missing*** > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 		{
 			name: "tool allow missing dependencies",
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@
 
 			allowMissingDependencies: true,
 
-			expect: "***missing tool :missing*** > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out",
+			expect: "***missing tool :missing*** > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out",
 		},
 	}
 
@@ -570,11 +570,20 @@
 	for _, test := range testcases {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			gen := ctx.ModuleForTests(test.name, "")
-			manifest := android.RuleBuilderSboxProtoForTests(t, gen.Output("genrule.sbox.textproto"))
-			hash := manifest.Commands[0].GetInputHash()
+			command := gen.Rule("generator").RuleParams.Command
 
-			if g, w := hash, test.expectedHash; g != w {
-				t.Errorf("Expected has %q, got %q", w, g)
+			if len(test.expectedHash) > 0 {
+				// We add spaces before and after to make sure that
+				// this option doesn't abutt another sbox option.
+				expectedInputHashOption := " --input-hash " + test.expectedHash
+
+				if !strings.Contains(command, expectedInputHashOption) {
+					t.Errorf("Expected command \"%s\" to contain \"%s\"", command, expectedInputHashOption)
+				}
+			} else {
+				if strings.Contains(command, "--input-hash") {
+					t.Errorf("Unexpected \"--input-hash\" found in command: \"%s\"", command)
+				}
 			}
 		})
 	}
@@ -600,7 +609,7 @@
 				cmd: "$(location) $(in) > $(out)",
 			`,
 			cmds: []string{
-				"bash -c 'out/tool in1.txt > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/in1.h' && bash -c 'out/tool in2.txt > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/in2.h'",
+				"bash -c 'out/tool in1.txt > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/in1.h' && bash -c 'out/tool in2.txt > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/in2.h'",
 			},
 			deps:  []string{buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in1.h", buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in2.h"},
 			files: []string{buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in1.h", buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in2.h"},
@@ -614,8 +623,8 @@
 				shard_size: 2,
 			`,
 			cmds: []string{
-				"bash -c 'out/tool in1.txt > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/in1.h' && bash -c 'out/tool in2.txt > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/in2.h'",
-				"bash -c 'out/tool in3.txt > __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/in3.h'",
+				"bash -c 'out/tool in1.txt > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/in1.h' && bash -c 'out/tool in2.txt > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/in2.h'",
+				"bash -c 'out/tool in3.txt > __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/in3.h'",
 			},
 			deps:  []string{buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in1.h", buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in2.h", buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in3.h"},
 			files: []string{buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in1.h", buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in2.h", buildDir + "/.intermediates/gen/gen/gensrcs/in3.h"},
@@ -701,7 +710,7 @@
 	}
 	gen := ctx.ModuleForTests("gen", "").Module().(*Module)
 
-	expectedCmd := "cp in1 __SBOX_SANDBOX_DIR__/out/out"
+	expectedCmd := "cp in1 __SBOX_OUT_DIR__/out"
 	if gen.rawCommands[0] != expectedCmd {
 		t.Errorf("Expected cmd: %q, actual: %q", expectedCmd, gen.rawCommands[0])
 	}