Energy storage for portable applications requires low cost batteries capable of high gravimetric capacity and reliable cyclability. Conversion electrodes operate by a different mechanism than intercalation electrodes, giving rise to theoretical capacities several times larger than current available technology. Titanium trisulfide (TiS₃) is a promising cathode material for conversion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity (186 mA.h g^-1 per Li) and low materials cost. Electrochemical performance of TiS₃ batteries will be discussed in the context of a local structure investigation during galvanostatic cycling. The local atomic structure of the active material is probed with in-situ pair distribution function (PDFs) technique from total x-ray scattering. This type of analysis provides valuable quantitative insight into the local chemical environment of titanium and sulfur. A comparison of the as-prepared cathode before cycling, and during subsequent cycles of discharge and charge, shows formation of intermediate phase transformations that correlate with the electrochemical performance of the battery and capacity fade. The evolution of local structure of TiS₃ with cycling may be tied with other transition metal sulfides to inform what chemistries are most promising for better conversion materials. Such fundamental understanding is essential for improving conversion battery technology and pursuing it as a viable alternative to the intercalation mechanism for next generation materials for energy storage.