diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 73a946634..4284058f4 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ testem.log
 Thumbs.db
 
 # generated Code PushUp reports
-**/.code-pushup
+/.code-pushup
 
 # Nx workspace cache
 .nx
diff --git a/e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/target-report.json b/e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/report-after.json
similarity index 100%
rename from e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/target-report.json
rename to e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/report-after.json
diff --git a/e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/target-report.md b/e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/report-after.md
similarity index 100%
rename from e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/target-report.md
rename to e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/report-after.md
diff --git a/e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/source-report.json b/e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/report-before.json
similarity index 100%
rename from e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/source-report.json
rename to e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/report-before.json
diff --git a/e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/source-report.md b/e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/report-before.md
similarity index 100%
rename from e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/source-report.md
rename to e2e/cli-e2e/mocks/fixtures/existing-reports/.code-pushup/report-before.md
diff --git a/e2e/cli-e2e/tests/compare.e2e.test.ts b/e2e/cli-e2e/tests/compare.e2e.test.ts
index d7510d7f9..4108d9b9e 100644
--- a/e2e/cli-e2e/tests/compare.e2e.test.ts
+++ b/e2e/cli-e2e/tests/compare.e2e.test.ts
@@ -39,12 +39,7 @@ describe('CLI compare', () => {
   it('should compare report.json files and create report-diff.json and report-diff.md', async () => {
     await executeProcess({
       command: 'npx',
-      args: [
-        '@code-pushup/cli',
-        'compare',
-        `--before=${path.join('.code-pushup', 'source-report.json')}`,
-        `--after=${path.join('.code-pushup', 'target-report.json')}`,
-      ],
+      args: ['@code-pushup/cli', 'compare'],
       cwd: existingDir,
     });
 
diff --git a/packages/ci/src/lib/cli/commands/compare.ts b/packages/ci/src/lib/cli/commands/compare.ts
index 4321e8e5a..6ce6d0726 100644
--- a/packages/ci/src/lib/cli/commands/compare.ts
+++ b/packages/ci/src/lib/cli/commands/compare.ts
@@ -2,26 +2,19 @@ import { DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import { executeProcess, isVerbose } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import type { CommandContext } from '../context.js';
 
-type CompareOptions = {
-  before: string;
-  after: string;
-  label?: string;
-};
-
 export async function runCompare(
-  { before, after, label }: CompareOptions,
   { bin, config, directory, observer }: CommandContext,
+  { hasFormats }: { hasFormats: boolean },
 ): Promise<void> {
   await executeProcess({
     command: bin,
     args: [
       'compare',
       ...(isVerbose() ? ['--verbose'] : []),
-      `--before=${before}`,
-      `--after=${after}`,
-      ...(label ? [`--label=${label}`] : []),
       ...(config ? [`--config=${config}`] : []),
-      ...DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT.map(format => `--persist.format=${format}`),
+      ...(hasFormats
+        ? []
+        : DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT.map(format => `--persist.format=${format}`)),
     ],
     cwd: directory,
     observer,
diff --git a/packages/ci/src/lib/cli/persist.ts b/packages/ci/src/lib/cli/persist.ts
index 843f13d60..b349f5160 100644
--- a/packages/ci/src/lib/cli/persist.ts
+++ b/packages/ci/src/lib/cli/persist.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import {
   persistConfigSchema,
   uploadConfigSchema,
 } from '@code-pushup/models';
-import { objectFromEntries } from '@code-pushup/utils';
+import { createReportPath, objectFromEntries } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 
 export type EnhancedPersistConfig = Pick<CoreConfig, 'persist' | 'upload'>;
 
@@ -27,12 +27,12 @@ export function persistedFilesFromConfig(
   const dir = path.isAbsolute(outputDir)
     ? outputDir
     : path.join(directory, outputDir);
-  const name = isDiff ? `${filename}-diff` : filename;
+  const suffix = isDiff ? 'diff' : undefined;
 
   return objectFromEntries(
     DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT.map(format => [
       format,
-      path.join(dir, `${name}.${format}`),
+      createReportPath({ outputDir: dir, filename, format, suffix }),
     ]),
   );
 }
diff --git a/packages/ci/src/lib/run-monorepo.ts b/packages/ci/src/lib/run-monorepo.ts
index 8216f3543..7b6786632 100644
--- a/packages/ci/src/lib/run-monorepo.ts
+++ b/packages/ci/src/lib/run-monorepo.ts
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import {
   createCommandContext,
   persistedFilesFromConfig,
   runCollect,
+  runCompare,
   runMergeDiffs,
 } from './cli/index.js';
 import { commentOnPR } from './comment.js';
@@ -29,16 +30,18 @@ import {
 import { saveOutputFiles } from './output-files.js';
 import {
   type BaseReportArgs,
+  type CompareReportsArgs,
   type ReportData,
   type RunEnv,
   checkPrintConfig,
-  compareReports,
   configFromPatterns,
   hasDefaultPersistFormats,
   loadCachedBaseReport,
+  prepareReportFilesToCompare,
   printPersistConfig,
   runInBaseBranch,
   runOnProject,
+  saveDiffFiles,
   saveReportFiles,
 } from './run-utils.js';
 
@@ -226,18 +229,38 @@ async function compareProjectsInBulk(
       ...args,
       prevReport: args.prevReport || collectedPrevReports[args.project.name],
     }))
-    .filter(hasNoNullableProps);
+    .filter(hasNoNullableProps) satisfies CompareReportsArgs[];
 
-  const projectComparisons = Object.fromEntries(
-    await asyncSequential(projectsToCompare, async args => [
-      args.project.name,
-      await compareReports(args),
-    ]),
+  const projectComparisons = await compareManyProjects(
+    projectsToCompare,
+    runManyCommand,
+    env,
   );
 
   return finalizeProjectReports(currProjectReports, projectComparisons);
 }
 
+async function compareManyProjects(
+  projectsToCompare: ExcludeNullableProps<CompareReportsArgs>[],
+  runManyCommand: RunManyCommand,
+  env: RunEnv,
+): Promise<Record<string, ProjectRunResult>> {
+  await Promise.all(projectsToCompare.map(prepareReportFilesToCompare));
+
+  await compareMany(runManyCommand, env, {
+    hasFormats: allProjectsHaveDefaultPersistFormats(projectsToCompare),
+  });
+
+  return Object.fromEntries(
+    await Promise.all(
+      projectsToCompare.map(async args => [
+        args.project.name,
+        await saveDiffFiles(args),
+      ]),
+    ),
+  );
+}
+
 function finalizeProjectReports(
   projectReports: ProjectReport[],
   projectComparisons?: Record<string, ProjectRunResult>,
@@ -352,6 +375,26 @@ async function collectMany(
   );
 }
 
+async function compareMany(
+  runManyCommand: RunManyCommand,
+  env: RunEnv,
+  options: {
+    hasFormats: boolean;
+  },
+): Promise<void> {
+  const { settings } = env;
+  const { hasFormats } = options;
+
+  const ctx: CommandContext = {
+    ...createCommandContext(settings, null),
+    bin: await runManyCommand(),
+  };
+
+  await runCompare(ctx, { hasFormats });
+
+  settings.logger.debug('Compared all project reports');
+}
+
 export function allProjectsHaveDefaultPersistFormats(
   projects: { config: EnhancedPersistConfig }[],
 ): boolean {
diff --git a/packages/ci/src/lib/run-utils.ts b/packages/ci/src/lib/run-utils.ts
index c00c82bdf..74f2dda5b 100644
--- a/packages/ci/src/lib/run-utils.ts
+++ b/packages/ci/src/lib/run-utils.ts
@@ -1,13 +1,20 @@
 /* eslint-disable max-lines */
-import { readFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
+import { readFile, writeFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
+import path from 'node:path';
 import type { SimpleGit } from 'simple-git';
 import {
+  DEFAULT_PERSIST_FILENAME,
   DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT,
+  DEFAULT_PERSIST_OUTPUT_DIR,
   type Report,
   type ReportsDiff,
 } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import {
+  type Diff,
+  createReportPath,
   interpolate,
+  objectFromEntries,
+  readJsonFile,
   removeUndefinedAndEmptyProps,
   stringifyError,
 } from '@code-pushup/utils';
@@ -53,6 +60,7 @@ type NormalizedGitRefs = {
 export type CompareReportsArgs = {
   project: ProjectConfig | null;
   env: RunEnv;
+  ctx: CommandContext;
   base: GitBranch;
   currReport: ReportData<'current'>;
   prevReport: ReportData<'previous'>;
@@ -152,38 +160,91 @@ export async function runOnProject(
     return noDiffOutput;
   }
 
-  const compareArgs = { project, env, base, config, currReport, prevReport };
+  const compareArgs = { ...baseArgs, currReport, prevReport };
   return compareReports(compareArgs);
 }
 
 export async function compareReports(
   args: CompareReportsArgs,
 ): Promise<ProjectRunResult> {
+  const { ctx, env, config } = args;
+  const { logger } = env.settings;
+
+  await prepareReportFilesToCompare(args);
+  await runCompare(ctx, { hasFormats: hasDefaultPersistFormats(config) });
+
+  logger.info('Compared reports and generated diff files');
+
+  return saveDiffFiles(args);
+}
+
+export async function prepareReportFilesToCompare(
+  args: CompareReportsArgs,
+): Promise<Diff<string>> {
+  const { config, project, env, ctx } = args;
+  const {
+    outputDir = DEFAULT_PERSIST_OUTPUT_DIR,
+    filename = DEFAULT_PERSIST_FILENAME,
+  } = config.persist ?? {};
+  const label = project?.name;
+  const { logger } = env.settings;
+
+  const originalReports = await Promise.all(
+    [args.currReport, args.prevReport].map(({ files }) =>
+      readJsonFile<Report>(files.json),
+    ),
+  );
+  const labeledReports = label
+    ? originalReports.map(report => ({ ...report, label }))
+    : originalReports;
+
+  const reportPaths = labeledReports.map((report, idx) => {
+    const key: keyof Diff<string> = idx === 0 ? 'after' : 'before';
+    const filePath = createReportPath({
+      outputDir: path.resolve(ctx.directory, outputDir),
+      filename,
+      format: 'json',
+      suffix: key,
+    });
+    return { key, report, filePath };
+  });
+
+  await Promise.all(
+    reportPaths.map(({ filePath, report }) =>
+      writeFile(filePath, JSON.stringify(report, null, 2)),
+    ),
+  );
+
+  logger.debug(
+    [
+      'Prepared',
+      project && `"${project.name}" project's`,
+      'report files for comparison',
+      `at ${reportPaths.map(({ filePath }) => filePath).join(' and ')}`,
+    ]
+      .filter(Boolean)
+      .join(' '),
+  );
+
+  return objectFromEntries(
+    reportPaths.map(({ key, filePath }) => [key, filePath]),
+  );
+}
+
+export async function saveDiffFiles(args: CompareReportsArgs) {
   const {
     project,
+    ctx,
     env: { settings },
     currReport,
     prevReport,
     config,
   } = args;
-  const logger = settings.logger;
-
-  const ctx = createCommandContext(settings, project);
 
-  await runCompare(
-    {
-      before: prevReport.files.json,
-      after: currReport.files.json,
-      label: project?.name,
-    },
-    ctx,
-  );
   const diffFiles = persistedFilesFromConfig(config, {
     directory: ctx.directory,
     isDiff: true,
   });
-  logger.info('Compared reports and generated diff files');
-  logger.debug(`Generated diff files at ${diffFiles.json} and ${diffFiles.md}`);
 
   return {
     name: projectToName(project),
diff --git a/packages/ci/src/lib/run.int.test.ts b/packages/ci/src/lib/run.int.test.ts
index 67393a206..8dcda5e95 100644
--- a/packages/ci/src/lib/run.int.test.ts
+++ b/packages/ci/src/lib/run.int.test.ts
@@ -139,11 +139,26 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
     await mkdir(outputDir, { recursive: true });
     let stdout = '';
 
+    const isBulkCommand = /workspaces|concurrency|parallel/.test(command);
+    const projectOutputDirs = ['cli', 'core', 'utils'].map(project =>
+      path.join(workDir, `packages/${project}/.code-pushup`),
+    );
+
     switch (args![0]) {
       case 'compare':
         const diffs = fixturePaths.diffs.project;
-        await copyFile(diffs.json, path.join(outputDir, 'report-diff.json'));
-        await copyFile(diffs.md, path.join(outputDir, 'report-diff.md'));
+        if (isBulkCommand) {
+          await Promise.all(
+            projectOutputDirs.map(async dir => {
+              await mkdir(dir, { recursive: true });
+              await copyFile(diffs.json, path.join(dir, 'report-diff.json'));
+              await copyFile(diffs.md, path.join(dir, 'report-diff.md'));
+            }),
+          );
+        } else {
+          await copyFile(diffs.json, path.join(outputDir, 'report-diff.json'));
+          await copyFile(diffs.md, path.join(outputDir, 'report-diff.md'));
+        }
         break;
 
       case 'print-config':
@@ -186,23 +201,14 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
         const kind =
           (await git.branch()).current === 'main' ? 'before' : 'after';
         const reports = fixturePaths.reports[kind];
-        if (/workspaces|concurrency|parallel/.test(command)) {
-          // eslint-disable-next-line functional/no-loop-statements
-          for (const project of ['cli', 'core', 'utils']) {
-            const projectOutputDir = path.join(
-              workDir,
-              `packages/${project}/.code-pushup`,
-            );
-            await mkdir(projectOutputDir, { recursive: true });
-            await copyFile(
-              reports.json,
-              path.join(projectOutputDir, 'report.json'),
-            );
-            await copyFile(
-              reports.json,
-              path.join(projectOutputDir, 'report.md'),
-            );
-          }
+        if (isBulkCommand) {
+          await Promise.all(
+            projectOutputDirs.map(async dir => {
+              await mkdir(dir, { recursive: true });
+              await copyFile(reports.json, path.join(dir, 'report.json'));
+              await copyFile(reports.md, path.join(dir, 'report.md'));
+            }),
+          );
         } else {
           await copyFile(reports.json, path.join(outputDir, 'report.json'));
           await copyFile(reports.md, path.join(outputDir, 'report.md'));
@@ -386,13 +392,7 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
         } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
         expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(5, {
           command: options.bin,
-          args: [
-            'compare',
-            `--before=${path.join(outputDir, '.previous/report.json')}`,
-            `--after=${path.join(outputDir, '.current/report.json')}`,
-            '--persist.format=json',
-            '--persist.format=md',
-          ],
+          args: ['compare'],
           cwd: workDir,
           observer: expectedObserver,
         } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
@@ -458,13 +458,7 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
         } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
         expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(3, {
           command: options.bin,
-          args: [
-            'compare',
-            `--before=${path.join(outputDir, '.previous/report.json')}`,
-            `--after=${path.join(outputDir, '.current/report.json')}`,
-            '--persist.format=json',
-            '--persist.format=md',
-          ],
+          args: ['compare'],
           cwd: workDir,
           observer: expectedObserver,
         } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
@@ -531,13 +525,7 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
         } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
         expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenNthCalledWith(3, {
           command: options.bin,
-          args: [
-            'compare',
-            `--before=${path.join(outputDir, '.previous/report.json')}`,
-            `--after=${path.join(outputDir, '.current/report.json')}`,
-            '--persist.format=json',
-            '--persist.format=md',
-          ],
+          args: ['compare'],
           cwd: workDir,
           observer: expectedObserver,
         } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
@@ -944,13 +932,13 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
           // 3 print-configs for each project
           // 1 print-config for uncached project
           // 1 autorun for uncached projects
-          // 3 compares for each project
+          // 1 compare for all projects
           // 1 merge-diffs for all projects
           expect(
             executeProcessSpy.mock.calls.filter(([cfg]) =>
               cfg.command.includes('code-pushup'),
             ),
-          ).toHaveLength(10);
+          ).toHaveLength(8);
           expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
             command: run,
             args: [
@@ -967,15 +955,8 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
             observer: expectedObserver,
           } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
           expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
-            command: run,
-            args: [
-              'compare',
-              expect.stringMatching(/^--before=.*\.previous[/\\]report\.json$/),
-              expect.stringMatching(/^--after=.*\.current[/\\]report\.json$/),
-              expect.stringMatching(/^--label=\w+$/),
-              '--persist.format=json',
-              '--persist.format=md',
-            ],
+            command: runMany,
+            args: ['compare'],
             cwd: expect.stringContaining(workDir),
             observer: expectedObserver,
           } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
@@ -1060,13 +1041,13 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
 
           // 1 autorun for all projects
           // 1 autorun for uncached projects
-          // 3 compares for each project
+          // 1 compare for all projects
           // 1 merge-diffs for all projects
           expect(
             executeProcessSpy.mock.calls.filter(([cfg]) =>
               cfg.command.includes('code-pushup'),
             ),
-          ).toHaveLength(6);
+          ).toHaveLength(4);
           expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
             command: runMany,
             args: [],
@@ -1074,15 +1055,8 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
             observer: expectedObserver,
           } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
           expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
-            command: run,
-            args: [
-              'compare',
-              expect.stringMatching(/^--before=.*\.previous[/\\]report\.json$/),
-              expect.stringMatching(/^--after=.*\.current[/\\]report\.json$/),
-              expect.stringMatching(/^--label=\w+$/),
-              '--persist.format=json',
-              '--persist.format=md',
-            ],
+            command: runMany,
+            args: ['compare'],
             cwd: expect.stringContaining(workDir),
             observer: expectedObserver,
           } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
@@ -1161,7 +1135,7 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
             observer: expectedObserver,
           } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
           expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
-            command: run,
+            command: runMany,
             args: expect.arrayContaining(['compare']),
             cwd: expect.stringContaining(workDir),
             observer: expectedObserver,
@@ -1441,14 +1415,7 @@ describe('runInCI', () => {
         } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
         expect(utils.executeProcess).toHaveBeenCalledWith({
           command: options.bin,
-          args: [
-            'compare',
-            expect.stringMatching(/^--before=.*\.previous[/\\]report\.json$/),
-            expect.stringMatching(/^--after=.*\.current[/\\]report\.json$/),
-            expect.stringMatching(/^--label=\w+$/),
-            '--persist.format=json',
-            '--persist.format=md',
-          ],
+          args: ['compare'],
           cwd: expect.stringContaining(workDir),
           observer: expectedObserver,
         } satisfies utils.ProcessConfig);
diff --git a/packages/cli/README.md b/packages/cli/README.md
index 38bb77e73..0d09ad1ad 100644
--- a/packages/cli/README.md
+++ b/packages/cli/README.md
@@ -279,7 +279,7 @@ Refer to the [Common Command Options](#common-command-options) for the list of a
 | **`--from`**             | `string`  | n/a     | Hash to start in history                                         |
 | **`--to`**               | `string`  | n/a     | Hash to end in history                                           |
 
-### `compare` command
+#### `compare` command
 
 Usage:
 `code-pushup compare --before SOURCE_PATH --after TARGET_PATH [options]`
@@ -289,11 +289,15 @@ Compare 2 reports and produce a report diff file.
 
 In addition to the [Common Command Options](#common-command-options), the following options are recognized by the `compare` command:
 
-| Option         | Required | Type     | Description                         |
-| -------------- | :------: | -------- | ----------------------------------- |
-| **`--before`** |   yes    | `string` | Path to source `report.json`.       |
-| **`--after`**  |   yes    | `string` | Path to target `report.json`.       |
-| **`--label`**  |    no    | `string` | Label for diff (e.g. project name). |
+| Option         | Type     | Default                                | Description                         |
+| -------------- | -------- | -------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
+| **`--before`** | `string` | `.code-pushup/report-before.json` [^1] | Path to source `report.json`.       |
+| **`--after`**  | `string` | `.code-pushup/report-after.json` [^1]  | Path to target `report.json`.       |
+| **`--label`**  | `string` | n/a [^2]                               | Label for diff (e.g. project name). |
+
+[^1]: Uses `persist` config to determine report paths, so default file paths are actually `${persist.outputDir}/${persist.filename}-before.json` and `${persist.outputDir}/${persist.filename}-after.json`.
+
+[^2]: Uses `label` from input `report.json` files is they both have the same value.
 
 #### `print-config` command
 
@@ -309,7 +313,7 @@ In addition to the [Common Command Options](#common-command-options), the follow
 | -------------- | :------: | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
 | **`--output`** |    no    | `string` | Path to output file to print config (default is stdout). |
 
-### `merge-diffs` command
+#### `merge-diffs` command
 
 Usage:
 `code-pushup merge-diffs --files PATH_1 PATH_2 ... [options]`
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.ts
index c098fb848..3934d06f8 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
 import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
 import type { CommandModule } from 'yargs';
-import { compareReportFiles } from '@code-pushup/core';
+import { type CompareOptions, compareReportFiles } from '@code-pushup/core';
 import type { PersistConfig, UploadConfig } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import { ui } from '@code-pushup/utils';
 import { CLI_NAME } from '../constants.js';
-import type { CompareOptions } from '../implementation/compare.model.js';
 import { yargsCompareOptionsDefinition } from '../implementation/compare.options.js';
 
 export function yargsCompareCommandObject() {
@@ -25,10 +24,8 @@ export function yargsCompareCommandObject() {
       const { before, after, label, persist, upload } = options;
 
       const outputPaths = await compareReportFiles(
-        { before, after },
-        persist,
-        upload,
-        label,
+        { persist, upload },
+        { before, after, label },
       );
 
       ui().logger.info(
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.unit.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.unit.test.ts
index 571d5b1e2..b2279fd80 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/compare/compare-command.unit.test.ts
@@ -36,14 +36,18 @@ describe('compare-command', () => {
     expect(compareReportFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith<
       Parameters<typeof compareReportFiles>
     >(
-      { before: 'source-report.json', after: 'target-report.json' },
       {
-        outputDir: DEFAULT_PERSIST_OUTPUT_DIR,
-        filename: DEFAULT_PERSIST_FILENAME,
-        format: DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT,
+        persist: {
+          outputDir: DEFAULT_PERSIST_OUTPUT_DIR,
+          filename: DEFAULT_PERSIST_FILENAME,
+          format: DEFAULT_PERSIST_FORMAT,
+        },
+        upload: expect.any(Object),
+      },
+      {
+        before: 'source-report.json',
+        after: 'target-report.json',
       },
-      expect.any(Object),
-      undefined,
     );
   });
 
@@ -60,19 +64,18 @@ describe('compare-command', () => {
 
     expect(compareReportFiles).toHaveBeenCalledWith<
       Parameters<typeof compareReportFiles>
-    >(
-      { before: 'source-report.json', after: 'target-report.json' },
-      expect.any(Object),
-      expect.any(Object),
-      'core',
-    );
+    >(expect.any(Object), {
+      before: 'source-report.json',
+      after: 'target-report.json',
+      label: 'core',
+    });
   });
 
   it('should log output paths to stdout', async () => {
-    await yargsCli(
-      ['compare', '--before=source-report.json', '--after=target-report.json'],
-      { ...DEFAULT_CLI_CONFIGURATION, commands: [yargsCompareCommandObject()] },
-    ).parseAsync();
+    await yargsCli(['compare'], {
+      ...DEFAULT_CLI_CONFIGURATION,
+      commands: [yargsCompareCommandObject()],
+    }).parseAsync();
 
     expect(ui()).toHaveLogged(
       'info',
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/compare.model.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/compare.model.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index fccf191f3..000000000
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/compare.model.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-import type { Diff } from '@code-pushup/utils';
-
-export type CompareOptions = Diff<string> & { label?: string };
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/compare.options.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/compare.options.ts
index d7ab52985..b6dd4a5e2 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/compare.options.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/implementation/compare.options.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import type { Options } from 'yargs';
-import type { CompareOptions } from './compare.model.js';
+import type { CompareOptions } from '@code-pushup/core';
 
 export function yargsCompareOptionsDefinition(): Record<
   keyof CompareOptions,
@@ -9,12 +9,10 @@ export function yargsCompareOptionsDefinition(): Record<
     before: {
       describe: 'Path to source report.json',
       type: 'string',
-      demandOption: true,
     },
     after: {
       describe: 'Path to target report.json',
       type: 'string',
-      demandOption: true,
     },
     label: {
       describe: 'Label for diff (e.g. project name)',
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/lib/yargs-cli.int.test.ts b/packages/cli/src/lib/yargs-cli.int.test.ts
index 7865108cc..a6ac7bd6b 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/lib/yargs-cli.int.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/lib/yargs-cli.int.test.ts
@@ -160,15 +160,6 @@ describe('yargsCli', () => {
     expect(parsedArgv.after).toBe('target-report.json');
   });
 
-  it('should error if required compare option is missing', () => {
-    expect(() =>
-      yargsCli<GeneralCliOptions & CompareOptions>([], {
-        options: { ...options, ...yargsCompareOptionsDefinition() },
-        noExitProcess: true,
-      }).parse(),
-    ).toThrow('Missing required arguments: before, after');
-  });
-
   it('should parse merge-diffs options', async () => {
     const parsedArgv = await yargsCli<GeneralCliOptions & MergeDiffsOptions>(
       [
diff --git a/packages/core/src/index.ts b/packages/core/src/index.ts
index 0dc27e77e..25cf1d343 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/index.ts
@@ -1,14 +1,23 @@
 export {
-  type CollectAndPersistReportsOptions,
   collectAndPersistReports,
+  type CollectAndPersistReportsOptions,
 } from './lib/collect-and-persist.js';
-export { compareReportFiles, compareReports } from './lib/compare.js';
-export { type CollectOptions, collect } from './lib/implementation/collect.js';
+export {
+  compareReportFiles,
+  compareReports,
+  type CompareOptions,
+} from './lib/compare.js';
+export {
+  history,
+  type HistoryOnlyOptions,
+  type HistoryOptions,
+} from './lib/history.js';
+export { collect, type CollectOptions } from './lib/implementation/collect.js';
 export type { ReportsToCompare } from './lib/implementation/compare-scorables.js';
 export {
-  PluginOutputMissingAuditError,
   executePlugin,
   executePlugins,
+  PluginOutputMissingAuditError,
 } from './lib/implementation/execute-plugin.js';
 export {
   PersistDirError,
@@ -16,15 +25,10 @@ export {
   persistReport,
 } from './lib/implementation/persist.js';
 export {
-  history,
-  type HistoryOptions,
-  type HistoryOnlyOptions,
-} from './lib/history.js';
-export {
-  ConfigPathError,
   autoloadRc,
+  ConfigPathError,
   readRcByPath,
 } from './lib/implementation/read-rc-file.js';
-export type { GlobalOptions } from './lib/types.js';
-export { type UploadOptions, upload } from './lib/upload.js';
 export { mergeDiffs } from './lib/merge-diffs.js';
+export type { GlobalOptions } from './lib/types.js';
+export { upload, type UploadOptions } from './lib/upload.js';
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/compare.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/compare.ts
index c56ff63d8..13d09ab3d 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/compare.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/compare.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import { writeFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
 import { createRequire } from 'node:module';
-import path from 'node:path';
 import {
   type Format,
   type PersistConfig,
@@ -12,6 +11,7 @@ import {
 import {
   type Diff,
   calcDuration,
+  createReportPath,
   ensureDirectoryExists,
   generateMdReportsDiff,
   readJsonFile,
@@ -26,17 +26,27 @@ import {
 } from './implementation/compare-scorables.js';
 import { loadPortalClient } from './load-portal-client.js';
 
+export type CompareOptions = {
+  before?: string;
+  after?: string;
+  label?: string;
+};
+
 export async function compareReportFiles(
-  inputPaths: Diff<string>,
-  persistConfig: Required<PersistConfig>,
-  uploadConfig: UploadConfig | undefined,
-  label?: string,
+  config: {
+    persist: Required<PersistConfig>;
+    upload?: UploadConfig;
+  },
+  options?: CompareOptions,
 ): Promise<string[]> {
-  const { outputDir, filename, format } = persistConfig;
+  const { outputDir, filename, format } = config.persist;
+
+  const defaultInputPath = (suffix: keyof Diff<string>) =>
+    createReportPath({ outputDir, filename, format: 'json', suffix });
 
   const [reportBefore, reportAfter] = await Promise.all([
-    readJsonFile(inputPaths.before),
-    readJsonFile(inputPaths.after),
+    readJsonFile(options?.before ?? defaultInputPath('before')),
+    readJsonFile(options?.after ?? defaultInputPath('after')),
   ]);
   const reports: Diff<Report> = {
     before: reportSchema.parse(reportBefore),
@@ -44,22 +54,27 @@ export async function compareReportFiles(
   };
 
   const diff = compareReports(reports);
-  if (label) {
-    // eslint-disable-next-line functional/immutable-data
-    diff.label = label;
-  }
-  if (uploadConfig && diff.commits) {
-    // eslint-disable-next-line functional/immutable-data
-    diff.portalUrl = await fetchPortalComparisonLink(
-      uploadConfig,
-      diff.commits,
-    );
-  }
+
+  const label = options?.label ?? getLabelFromReports(reports);
+  const portalUrl =
+    config.upload &&
+    diff.commits &&
+    (await fetchPortalComparisonLink(config.upload, diff.commits));
+
+  const diffWithLinks: ReportsDiff =
+    label || portalUrl
+      ? { ...diff, ...(label && { label }), ...(portalUrl && { portalUrl }) }
+      : diff;
 
   return Promise.all(
     format.map(async fmt => {
-      const outputPath = path.join(outputDir, `${filename}-diff.${fmt}`);
-      const content = reportsDiffToFileContent(diff, fmt);
+      const outputPath = createReportPath({
+        outputDir,
+        filename,
+        format: fmt,
+        suffix: 'diff',
+      });
+      const content = reportsDiffToFileContent(diffWithLinks, fmt);
       await ensureDirectoryExists(outputDir);
       await writeFile(outputPath, content);
       return outputPath;
@@ -146,3 +161,14 @@ async function fetchPortalComparisonLink(
     throw error;
   }
 }
+
+function getLabelFromReports(reports: Diff<Report>): string | undefined {
+  if (
+    reports.before.label &&
+    reports.after.label &&
+    reports.before.label === reports.after.label
+  ) {
+    return reports.after.label;
+  }
+  return undefined;
+}
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/compare.unit.test.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/compare.unit.test.ts
index d1ea58ddd..303aaa7cf 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/compare.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/compare.unit.test.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 import { vol } from 'memfs';
-import { readFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
+import * as fs from 'node:fs/promises';
 import path from 'node:path';
 import { getPortalComparisonLink } from '@code-pushup/portal-client';
 import {
   type Commit,
+  type PersistConfig,
   type Report,
   reportsDiffSchema,
 } from '@code-pushup/models';
@@ -24,26 +25,65 @@ describe('compareReportFiles', () => {
     after: REPORT_MOCK.commit!.hash,
   };
 
+  const persistConfig: Required<PersistConfig> = {
+    outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME,
+    filename: 'report',
+    format: ['json', 'md'],
+  };
+
+  beforeAll(() => {
+    vi.spyOn(fs, 'readFile');
+  });
+
   beforeEach(() => {
     vol.fromJSON(
       {
-        'source-report.json': JSON.stringify(MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK),
-        'target-report.json': JSON.stringify(REPORT_MOCK),
+        'report-before.json': JSON.stringify(MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK),
+        'report-after.json': JSON.stringify(REPORT_MOCK),
       },
       MEMFS_VOLUME,
     );
   });
 
-  it('should create valid report-diff.json from report.json files', async () => {
+  it('should read report files from default locations', async () => {
+    await compareReportFiles({ persist: persistConfig });
+
+    expect(fs.readFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-before.json'),
+    );
+    expect(fs.readFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-after.json'),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should read report files from custom locations', async () => {
+    vol.fromJSON(
+      {
+        '.code-pushup/.ci/.prev/report.json': JSON.stringify(REPORT_MOCK),
+        '.code-pushup/.ci/.curr/report.json': JSON.stringify(REPORT_MOCK),
+      },
+      MEMFS_VOLUME,
+    );
+
     await compareReportFiles(
+      { persist: persistConfig },
       {
-        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'source-report.json'),
-        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'target-report.json'),
+        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, '.code-pushup/.ci/.prev/report.json'),
+        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, '.code-pushup/.ci/.curr/report.json'),
       },
-      { outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME, filename: 'report', format: ['json'] },
-      undefined,
     );
 
+    expect(fs.readFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, '.code-pushup/.ci/.prev/report.json'),
+    );
+    expect(fs.readFile).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, '.code-pushup/.ci/.curr/report.json'),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should create valid report-diff.json from report.json files', async () => {
+    await compareReportFiles({ persist: persistConfig });
+
     const reportsDiffPromise = readJsonFile(
       path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.json'),
     );
@@ -54,14 +94,12 @@ describe('compareReportFiles', () => {
   });
 
   it('should create all diff files specified by persist.format', async () => {
-    await compareReportFiles(
-      {
-        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'source-report.json'),
-        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'target-report.json'),
+    await compareReportFiles({
+      persist: {
+        ...persistConfig,
+        format: ['json', 'md'],
       },
-      { outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME, filename: 'report', format: ['json', 'md'] },
-      undefined,
-    );
+    });
 
     await expect(
       fileExists(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.json')),
@@ -72,22 +110,18 @@ describe('compareReportFiles', () => {
   });
 
   it('should include portal link (fetched using upload config) in Markdown file', async () => {
-    await compareReportFiles(
-      {
-        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'source-report.json'),
-        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'target-report.json'),
-      },
-      { outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME, filename: 'report', format: ['json', 'md'] },
-      {
+    await compareReportFiles({
+      persist: persistConfig,
+      upload: {
         server: 'https://api.code-pushup.dev/graphql',
         apiKey: 'cp_XXXXX',
         organization: 'dunder-mifflin',
         project: 'website',
       },
-    );
+    });
 
     await expect(
-      readFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.md'), 'utf8'),
+      fs.readFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.md'), 'utf8'),
     ).resolves.toContain(
       `[🕵️ See full comparison in Code PushUp portal 🔍](https://code-pushup.example.com/portal/dunder-mifflin/website/comparison/${commitShas.before}/${commitShas.after})`,
     );
@@ -107,17 +141,10 @@ describe('compareReportFiles', () => {
   });
 
   it('should not include portal link in Markdown if upload config is missing', async () => {
-    await compareReportFiles(
-      {
-        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'source-report.json'),
-        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'target-report.json'),
-      },
-      { outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME, filename: 'report', format: ['json', 'md'] },
-      undefined,
-    );
+    await compareReportFiles({ persist: persistConfig });
 
     await expect(
-      readFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.md'), 'utf8'),
+      fs.readFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.md'), 'utf8'),
     ).resolves.not.toContain(
       '[🕵️ See full comparison in Code PushUp portal 🔍]',
     );
@@ -138,20 +165,22 @@ describe('compareReportFiles', () => {
     );
     await compareReportFiles(
       {
-        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'source-report.json'),
-        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'target-report.json'),
+        persist: persistConfig,
+        upload: {
+          server: 'https://api.code-pushup.dev/graphql',
+          apiKey: 'cp_XXXXX',
+          organization: 'dunder-mifflin',
+          project: 'website',
+        },
       },
-      { outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME, filename: 'report', format: ['json', 'md'] },
       {
-        server: 'https://api.code-pushup.dev/graphql',
-        apiKey: 'cp_XXXXX',
-        organization: 'dunder-mifflin',
-        project: 'website',
+        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'source-report.json'),
+        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'target-report.json'),
       },
     );
 
     await expect(
-      readFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.md'), 'utf8'),
+      fs.readFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.md'), 'utf8'),
     ).resolves.not.toContain(
       '[🕵️ See full comparison in Code PushUp portal 🔍]',
     );
@@ -160,19 +189,15 @@ describe('compareReportFiles', () => {
   });
 
   it('should include portal link in JSON file', async () => {
-    await compareReportFiles(
-      {
-        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'source-report.json'),
-        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'target-report.json'),
-      },
-      { outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME, filename: 'report', format: ['json', 'md'] },
-      {
+    await compareReportFiles({
+      persist: persistConfig,
+      upload: {
         server: 'https://api.code-pushup.dev/graphql',
         apiKey: 'cp_XXXXX',
         organization: 'dunder-mifflin',
         project: 'website',
       },
-    );
+    });
 
     await expect(
       readJsonFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.json')),
@@ -183,25 +208,90 @@ describe('compareReportFiles', () => {
     );
   });
 
-  it('should include label in JSON file', async () => {
+  it('should include label option in JSON file', async () => {
     await compareReportFiles(
+      { persist: persistConfig },
+      { label: 'backoffice' },
+    );
+
+    await expect(
+      readJsonFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.json')),
+    ).resolves.toEqual(
+      expect.objectContaining({
+        label: 'backoffice',
+      }),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it('should include label if same in both report.json files', async () => {
+    vol.fromJSON(
       {
-        before: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'source-report.json'),
-        after: path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'target-report.json'),
+        'report-before.json': JSON.stringify({
+          ...MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK,
+          label: 'api',
+        } satisfies Report),
+        'report-after.json': JSON.stringify({
+          ...REPORT_MOCK,
+          label: 'api',
+        } satisfies Report),
       },
-      { outputDir: MEMFS_VOLUME, filename: 'report', format: ['json', 'md'] },
-      undefined,
-      'backoffice',
+      MEMFS_VOLUME,
     );
 
+    await compareReportFiles({ persist: persistConfig });
+
     await expect(
       readJsonFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.json')),
     ).resolves.toEqual(
       expect.objectContaining({
-        label: 'backoffice',
+        label: 'api',
       }),
     );
   });
+
+  it('should not include label if missing in report.json files', async () => {
+    vol.fromJSON(
+      {
+        'report-before.json': JSON.stringify({
+          ...MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK,
+          label: undefined,
+        } satisfies Report),
+        'report-after.json': JSON.stringify({
+          ...REPORT_MOCK,
+          label: undefined,
+        } satisfies Report),
+      },
+      MEMFS_VOLUME,
+    );
+
+    await compareReportFiles({ persist: persistConfig });
+
+    await expect(
+      readJsonFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.json')),
+    ).resolves.not.toHaveProperty('label');
+  });
+
+  it('should not include label if it differs in report.json files', async () => {
+    vol.fromJSON(
+      {
+        'report-before.json': JSON.stringify({
+          ...MINIMAL_REPORT_MOCK,
+          label: 'frontend',
+        } satisfies Report),
+        'report-after.json': JSON.stringify({
+          ...REPORT_MOCK,
+          label: 'backend',
+        } satisfies Report),
+      },
+      MEMFS_VOLUME,
+    );
+
+    await compareReportFiles({ persist: persistConfig });
+
+    await expect(
+      readJsonFile(path.join(MEMFS_VOLUME, 'report-diff.json')),
+    ).resolves.not.toHaveProperty('label');
+  });
 });
 
 describe('compareReports', () => {
@@ -243,7 +333,7 @@ describe('compareReports', () => {
     it('should contain all categories/groups/audits in unchanged arrays', () => {
       const reportsDiff = compareReports(mockReports);
       expect(reportsDiff.categories.unchanged).toHaveLength(
-        mockReport.categories.length,
+        mockReport.categories!.length,
       );
       expect(reportsDiff.groups.unchanged).toHaveLength(
         mockReport.plugins.reduce((acc, { groups }) => acc + groups!.length, 0),
@@ -273,7 +363,7 @@ describe('compareReports', () => {
     it('should only have added categories (minimal report has none)', () => {
       const reportsDiff = compareReports(mockReports);
       expect(reportsDiff.categories.added).toHaveLength(
-        REPORT_MOCK.categories.length,
+        REPORT_MOCK.categories!.length,
       );
       expect(reportsDiff.categories.removed).toHaveLength(0);
       expect(reportsDiff.categories.changed).toHaveLength(0);
diff --git a/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.ts b/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.ts
index 0d4c062c2..915af9459 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/lib/implementation/persist.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 import { mkdir, stat, writeFile } from 'node:fs/promises';
-import path from 'node:path';
-import type { PersistConfig, Report } from '@code-pushup/models';
+import type { Format, PersistConfig, Report } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import {
   type MultipleFileResults,
   type ScoredReport,
+  createReportPath,
   directoryExists,
   generateMdReport,
   logMultipleFileResults,
@@ -30,20 +30,22 @@ export async function persistReport(
   const { outputDir, filename, format } = options;
 
   // collect physical format outputs
-  const results = format.map(reportType => {
-    switch (reportType) {
-      case 'json':
-        return {
-          format: 'json',
-          content: JSON.stringify(report, null, 2),
-        };
-      case 'md':
-        return {
-          format: 'md',
-          content: generateMdReport(sortedScoredReport, { outputDir }),
-        };
-    }
-  });
+  const results = format.map(
+    (reportType): { format: Format; content: string } => {
+      switch (reportType) {
+        case 'json':
+          return {
+            format: 'json',
+            content: JSON.stringify(report, null, 2),
+          };
+        case 'md':
+          return {
+            format: 'md',
+            content: generateMdReport(sortedScoredReport, { outputDir }),
+          };
+      }
+    },
+  );
 
   if (!(await directoryExists(outputDir))) {
     try {
@@ -58,7 +60,7 @@ export async function persistReport(
   return Promise.allSettled(
     results.map(result =>
       persistResult(
-        path.join(outputDir, `${filename}.${result.format}`),
+        createReportPath({ outputDir, filename, format: result.format }),
         result.content,
       ),
     ),
diff --git a/packages/models/docs/models-reference.md b/packages/models/docs/models-reference.md
index 599b04b25..bffd0633f 100644
--- a/packages/models/docs/models-reference.md
+++ b/packages/models/docs/models-reference.md
@@ -1331,6 +1331,7 @@ _Object containing the following properties:_
 | **`plugins`** (\*)     |                                           | _Array of at least 1 [PluginReport](#pluginreport) items_ |
 | `categories`           |                                           | _Array of [CategoryConfig](#categoryconfig) items_        |
 | **`commit`** (\*)      | Git commit for which report was collected | [Commit](#commit) (_nullable_)                            |
+| `label`                | Label (e.g. project name)                 | `string`                                                  |
 
 _(\*) Required._
 
diff --git a/packages/models/src/lib/report.ts b/packages/models/src/lib/report.ts
index 6042d2481..e18945dd9 100644
--- a/packages/models/src/lib/report.ts
+++ b/packages/models/src/lib/report.ts
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ export const reportSchema = packageVersionSchema({
       commit: commitSchema
         .describe('Git commit for which report was collected')
         .nullable(),
+      label: z.string().optional().describe('Label (e.g. project name)'),
     }),
   )
   .check(createCheck(findMissingSlugsInCategoryRefs))
diff --git a/packages/models/src/lib/report.unit.test.ts b/packages/models/src/lib/report.unit.test.ts
index e1ab2f916..eff7fbf83 100644
--- a/packages/models/src/lib/report.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/models/src/lib/report.unit.test.ts
@@ -207,6 +207,7 @@ describe('reportSchema', () => {
         ],
         packageName: 'cli',
         version: '1.0.1',
+        label: 'api',
       } satisfies Report),
     ).not.toThrow();
   });
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/index.ts b/packages/utils/src/index.ts
index e2d46c47c..90d8a58eb 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/index.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ export {
 } from './lib/execute-process.js';
 export {
   crawlFileSystem,
+  createReportPath,
   directoryExists,
   ensureDirectoryExists,
   fileExists,
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.ts
index 647a4adfe..d97982bfe 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { bold, gray } from 'ansis';
 import { type Options, bundleRequire } from 'bundle-require';
 import { mkdir, readFile, readdir, rm, stat } from 'node:fs/promises';
 import path from 'node:path';
+import type { Format, PersistConfig } from '@code-pushup/models';
 import { formatBytes } from './formatting.js';
 import { logMultipleResults } from './log-results.js';
 import { ui } from './logging.js';
@@ -84,6 +85,21 @@ export async function importModule<T = unknown>(options: Options): Promise<T> {
   return mod as T;
 }
 
+export function createReportPath({
+  outputDir,
+  filename,
+  format,
+  suffix,
+}: Omit<Required<PersistConfig>, 'format'> & {
+  format: Format;
+  suffix?: string;
+}): string {
+  return path.join(
+    outputDir,
+    suffix ? `${filename}-${suffix}.${format}` : `${filename}.${format}`,
+  );
+}
+
 export function pluginWorkDir(slug: string): string {
   return path.join('node_modules', '.code-pushup', slug);
 }
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.unit.test.ts b/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.unit.test.ts
index 5aea3d8b6..b141ee4ff 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.unit.test.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/lib/file-system.unit.test.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { MEMFS_VOLUME } from '@code-pushup/test-utils';
 import {
   type FileResult,
   crawlFileSystem,
+  createReportPath,
   ensureDirectoryExists,
   filePathToCliArg,
   findLineNumberInText,
@@ -29,6 +30,29 @@ describe('ensureDirectoryExists', () => {
   });
 });
 
+describe('createReportPath', () => {
+  it('should create report.json path', () => {
+    expect(
+      createReportPath({
+        outputDir: '.code-pushup',
+        filename: 'report',
+        format: 'json',
+      }),
+    ).toMatchPath('.code-pushup/report.json');
+  });
+
+  it('should create report-diff.md path', () => {
+    expect(
+      createReportPath({
+        outputDir: '.code-pushup',
+        filename: 'report',
+        format: 'md',
+        suffix: 'diff',
+      }),
+    ).toMatchPath('.code-pushup/report-diff.md');
+  });
+});
+
 describe('logMultipleFileResults', () => {
   it('should call logMultipleResults with the correct arguments', () => {
     const logMultipleResultsSpy = vi.spyOn(
diff --git a/packages/utils/vitest.unit.config.ts b/packages/utils/vitest.unit.config.ts
index af057c331..64208a43e 100644
--- a/packages/utils/vitest.unit.config.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/vitest.unit.config.ts
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ export default defineConfig({
       '../../testing/test-setup/src/lib/reset.mocks.ts',
       '../../testing/test-setup/src/lib/extend/ui-logger.matcher.ts',
       '../../testing/test-setup/src/lib/extend/markdown-table.matcher.ts',
+      '../../testing/test-setup/src/lib/extend/path.matcher.ts',
     ],
   },
 });