Techniques are provided for transitioning from a hierarchical file system to an object store. A request is received to change file metadata of a hierarchical file system. In response to the request: in-cache file metadata of the hierarchical file system is modified. The in-cache file metadata includes a directory structure of the hierarchical file system and file metadata of the hierarchical file system. Additionally, an in-store metadata journal entry is generated. The in-store metadata journal entry indicates an update to in-store file metadata. The in-store file metadata includes the directory structure of the hierarchical file system and file metadata of the hierarchical file system and is stored in an object store. The in-store metadata journal entry is stored in the object store. Furthermore, in-store file metadata and in-store metadata journal entry may be used to reconstruct the in-cache file metadata on another node.