diff --git a/src/derivatives/atlas.md b/src/derivatives/atlas.md
index c84d39000f..8a04f47d96 100644
--- a/src/derivatives/atlas.md
+++ b/src/derivatives/atlas.md
@@ -220,12 +220,14 @@ corresponding to the atlas or atlases in the structure.
 Atlas metadata fields:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
+These tables are defined in
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of these fields can be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 and a guide for using macros can be found at
  https://github.com/bids-standard/bids-specification/blob/master/macros_doc.md
 -->
-{{ MACROS___make_json_table('dataset_metadata.atlas_description') }}
+{{ MACROS___make_json_table('json.atlas.atlas_description') }}
 
 Example `atlas-MyAtlas2025_description.json`:
 
diff --git a/src/metaschema.json b/src/metaschema.json
index 7d5b83ebf5..7bc5517d68 100644
--- a/src/metaschema.json
+++ b/src/metaschema.json
@@ -459,9 +459,6 @@
           "type": "array",
           "items": { "type": "string" }
         },
-        "dataset_metadata": {
-          "type": "object"
-        },
         "directories": {
           "type": "object"
         },
@@ -513,7 +510,6 @@
         "tabular_data",
         "metaentities",
         "common_principles",
-        "dataset_metadata",
         "directories",
         "errors",
         "modalities"
diff --git a/src/modality-agnostic-files/dataset-description.md b/src/modality-agnostic-files/dataset-description.md
index 769afb0e9f..f8964a9f44 100644
--- a/src/modality-agnostic-files/dataset-description.md
+++ b/src/modality-agnostic-files/dataset-description.md
@@ -19,12 +19,14 @@ A guide for using macros can be found at
 Every dataset MUST include this file with the following fields:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
+These tables are defined in
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of these fields can be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 and a guide for using macros can be found at
  https://github.com/bids-standard/bids-specification/blob/master/macros_doc.md
 -->
-{{ MACROS___make_json_table('dataset_metadata.dataset_description') }}
+{{ MACROS___make_json_table('json.dataset.dataset_description') }}
 
 Each object in the `GeneratedBy` array includes the following REQUIRED, RECOMMENDED
 and OPTIONAL keys:
diff --git a/src/modality-specific-files/electroencephalography.md b/src/modality-specific-files/electroencephalography.md
index 52e4f6de2a..2ed7fc40d0 100644
--- a/src/modality-specific-files/electroencephalography.md
+++ b/src/modality-specific-files/electroencephalography.md
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ General fields:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ Fields relating to the EEG electrode positions:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -408,7 +408,7 @@ Fields relating to the position of fiducials measured during an EEG session/run:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -420,7 +420,7 @@ Fields relating to the position of anatomical landmark measured during an EEG se
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
diff --git a/src/modality-specific-files/electromyography.md b/src/modality-specific-files/electromyography.md
index d5d58bf071..10796983b6 100644
--- a/src/modality-specific-files/electromyography.md
+++ b/src/modality-specific-files/electromyography.md
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ Fields relating to the EMG coordinate system(s):
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
diff --git a/src/modality-specific-files/genetic-descriptor.md b/src/modality-specific-files/genetic-descriptor.md
index 462aa7db99..50cdcce401 100644
--- a/src/modality-specific-files/genetic-descriptor.md
+++ b/src/modality-specific-files/genetic-descriptor.md
@@ -94,21 +94,14 @@ A guide for using macros can be found at
 {{ MACROS___render_text("objects.files.genetic_info.description") }}
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
+These tables are defined in
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of these fields can be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 and a guide for using macros can be found at
  https://github.com/bids-standard/bids-specification/blob/master/macros_doc.md
 -->
-{{ MACROS___make_metadata_table(
-   {
-      "GeneticLevel": "REQUIRED",
-      "AnalyticalApproach": "OPTIONAL",
-      "SampleOrigin": "REQUIRED",
-      "TissueOrigin": "OPTIONAL",
-      "BrainLocation": "OPTIONAL",
-      "CellType": "OPTIONAL",
-   }
-) }}
+{{ MACROS___make_json_table("json.genetics.genetic_info") }}
 
 To ensure dataset description consistency, we recommend following [Multi-omics approaches to disease](https://genomebiology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13059-017-1215-1) by Hasin et al. 2017 to determine the `GeneticLevel:`
 
diff --git a/src/modality-specific-files/intracranial-electroencephalography.md b/src/modality-specific-files/intracranial-electroencephalography.md
index a37757eb4a..3d65bca98b 100644
--- a/src/modality-specific-files/intracranial-electroencephalography.md
+++ b/src/modality-specific-files/intracranial-electroencephalography.md
@@ -383,7 +383,7 @@ General fields:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -395,7 +395,7 @@ Fields relating to the iEEG electrode positions:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
diff --git a/src/modality-specific-files/magnetoencephalography.md b/src/modality-specific-files/magnetoencephalography.md
index b5b66aea59..babb7d8f4d 100644
--- a/src/modality-specific-files/magnetoencephalography.md
+++ b/src/modality-specific-files/magnetoencephalography.md
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ MEG and EEG sensors:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ Head localization coils:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ Digitized head points:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@ Anatomical MRI:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ Anatomical landmarks:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ Fiducials information:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
diff --git a/src/modality-specific-files/near-infrared-spectroscopy.md b/src/modality-specific-files/near-infrared-spectroscopy.md
index e977ec48e9..9ad9b2cd89 100644
--- a/src/modality-specific-files/near-infrared-spectroscopy.md
+++ b/src/modality-specific-files/near-infrared-spectroscopy.md
@@ -387,7 +387,7 @@ General fields:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ Fields relating to the NIRS optode positions:
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ Fields relating to the position of fiducials measured during an NIRS session/run
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ Fields relating to the position of anatomical landmarks measured during an NIRS
 
 <!-- This block generates a metadata table.
 These tables are defined in
-  src/schema/rules/sidecars
+  src/schema/rules/json
 The definitions of the fields specified in these tables may be found in
   src/schema/objects/metadata.yaml
 A guide for using macros can be found at
diff --git a/src/schema/README.md b/src/schema/README.md
index c0da0fa55e..52724856f2 100644
--- a/src/schema/README.md
+++ b/src/schema/README.md
@@ -873,9 +873,9 @@ meg_meg_common:
     description: optional
 ```
 
-### Sidecar and tabular data rules
+### JSON and tabular data rules
 
-Tabular data and JSON sidecar files follow a similar pattern:
+Tabular data and JSON files follow a similar pattern:
 
 |      | Name          | Value         |
 | ---- | ------------- | ------------- |
@@ -937,7 +937,7 @@ rule is applied.
 
 #### Valid fields for definitions
 
-1.  `rules.sidecars.*`
+1.  `rules.sidecars.*` and `rules.json.*`
 
     | Field       | Description                                                                                              |
     | ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
@@ -984,6 +984,11 @@ MRIFuncVolumeTiming:
 An additional check will be required to assert that both are not present,
 but these tables may be combined for rendering purposes.
 
+`rules.json.*` and `rules.sidecars.*` are essentially identical,
+except `rules.json` rules describe the contents of individual JSON files,
+while `rules.sidecars` rules describe the contents of sidecar files,
+accumulated by the inheritance principle.
+
 Here we present an example rule in `rules.tabular_data.eeg`:
 
 ```YAML
@@ -1058,9 +1063,6 @@ EventsMissing:
     | ----------- | ------------------------------------- |
     | `datatypes` | List of datatypes mapping to modality |
 
--   `rules.dataset_metadata` - These are similar to `rules.sidecars.*`, for JSON files at the root level.
-    This is likely to go away in favor of other approaches.
-
 -   `rules.errors` - This file describes errors that cannot be expressed in the schema. This provides common
     codes and language that implementing validators can use to ensure the same problems are reported to
     users in the same way.
diff --git a/src/schema/SCHEMA_VERSION b/src/schema/SCHEMA_VERSION
index b6bb93f7c7..d72f26267b 100644
--- a/src/schema/SCHEMA_VERSION
+++ b/src/schema/SCHEMA_VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-1.3.0-dev
+2.0.0-dev
diff --git a/src/schema/rules/json/atlas.yaml b/src/schema/rules/json/atlas.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..09fdf99d8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/schema/rules/json/atlas.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+---
+atlas_description:
+  selectors:
+    - suffix == 'description'
+    - extension == '.json'
+    - entities.atlas
+  fields:
+    AtlasName: required
+    License: required
+    Description: recommended
+    Authors: recommended
+    Curators: optional
+    Funding: optional
+    ReferencesAndLinks: optional
+    Species: optional
+    AtlasSampleSize: optional
+    DerivedFrom: optional
+    LevelType: optional
+    RRID: optional
diff --git a/src/schema/rules/dataset_metadata.yaml b/src/schema/rules/json/dataset.yaml
similarity index 61%
rename from src/schema/rules/dataset_metadata.yaml
rename to src/schema/rules/json/dataset.yaml
index c206476390..bf967a4948 100644
--- a/src/schema/rules/dataset_metadata.yaml
+++ b/src/schema/rules/json/dataset.yaml
@@ -44,40 +44,3 @@ derivative_description:
     - json.DatasetType == "derivative"
   fields:
     GeneratedBy: required
-
-dataset_description_with_genetics:
-  selectors:
-    - path == "/dataset_description.json"
-    - exists('genetic_info.json', 'dataset')
-  fields:
-    Genetics: required
-
-genetic_info:
-  selectors:
-    - path == "/genetic_info.json"
-  fields:
-    GeneticLevel: required
-    SampleOrigin: required
-    AnalyticalApproach: optional
-    TissueOrigin: optional
-    BrainLocation: optional
-    CellType: optional
-
-atlas_description:
-  selectors:
-    - suffix == 'description'
-    - extension == '.json'
-    - entities.atlas
-  fields:
-    AtlasName: required
-    License: required
-    Description: recommended
-    Authors: recommended
-    Curators: optional
-    Funding: optional
-    ReferencesAndLinks: optional
-    Species: optional
-    AtlasSampleSize: optional
-    DerivedFrom: optional
-    LevelType: optional
-    RRID: optional
diff --git a/src/schema/rules/json/genetics.yaml b/src/schema/rules/json/genetics.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2385351164
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/schema/rules/json/genetics.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+---
+genetic_info:
+  selectors:
+    - path == "/genetic_info.json"
+  fields:
+    GeneticLevel: required
+    SampleOrigin: required
+    AnalyticalApproach: optional
+    TissueOrigin: optional
+    BrainLocation: optional
+    CellType: optional
+
+dataset_description_with_genetics:
+  selectors:
+    - path == "/dataset_description.json"
+    - exists('genetic_info.json', 'dataset')
+  fields:
+    Genetics: required
diff --git a/tools/schemacode/pyproject.toml b/tools/schemacode/pyproject.toml
index 978fe5a31b..f3cb719169 100644
--- a/tools/schemacode/pyproject.toml
+++ b/tools/schemacode/pyproject.toml
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ exclude_also = [
 # uvx bump-my-version bump <patch|minor|major>
 # git push upstream <current-branch>
 [tool.bumpversion]
-current_version = "1.3.0-dev"
+current_version = "2.0.0-dev"
 parse = """(?x)
     (?P<major>[0-9]+)
     \\.(?P<minor>[0-9]+)
diff --git a/tools/schemacode/src/bidsschematools/tests/test_expressions.py b/tools/schemacode/src/bidsschematools/tests/test_expressions.py
index c74c27c58d..610b868e69 100644
--- a/tools/schemacode/src/bidsschematools/tests/test_expressions.py
+++ b/tools/schemacode/src/bidsschematools/tests/test_expressions.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def test_selectors(schema_obj):
     # For directories of files, need to look three down
     for rules, level in (
         (schema_obj.rules.checks, 3),
-        (schema_obj.rules.dataset_metadata, 2),
+        (schema_obj.rules.json, 3),
         (schema_obj.rules.sidecars, 3),
         (schema_obj.rules.tabular_data, 3),
         (schema_obj.rules.errors, 2),