diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 81fd7fc4..be2b5ab3 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -17,3 +17,6 @@ node_modules/
 
 # Worktrees
 .worktrees/
+
+# Accidental literal "~" directories (e.g. when a configured path contains "~" but isn't expanded)
+backend/~/
diff --git a/backend/app/services/agent_provisioning.py b/backend/app/services/agent_provisioning.py
index a1214d3d..c3640f9e 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/agent_provisioning.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/agent_provisioning.py
@@ -130,7 +130,9 @@ def _ensure_workspace_file(
 ) -> None:
     if not workspace_path or not name:
         return
-    root = Path(workspace_path)
+    # `gateway.workspace_root` is sometimes configured as `~/.openclaw`.
+    # Expand user here to avoid creating a literal `./~` directory under the backend cwd.
+    root = Path(workspace_path).expanduser()
     path = root / name
     if not overwrite and path.exists():
         return