From 4e9e22da00680053d9a6161dfe46bad78c85b5df Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: ray <gitea@rayelliott.dev>
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:24:41 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] fix working directory issues

---
 LOG.md                    |  1 +
 MIGRATION_PLAN.md         |  1 +
 README.md                 | 10 ++++++++++
 lua/netrw-config.lua      |  4 +++-
 lua/plugins/telescope.lua |  3 +++
 lua/settings.lua          |  3 +++
 6 files changed, 21 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/LOG.md b/LOG.md
index 93def00..4716ef8 100644
--- a/LOG.md
+++ b/LOG.md
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ Record every decision here with a short rationale. Append new entries; do not re
   - Add Oil.nvim for file manipulation (rename/move/delete with buffer sync)
   - netrw for tree view and preview splits; Oil for operations that would break buffer names
   - PHP `gf` enhancement via `includeexpr` for WordPress/PHP path resolution
+  - **Working directory locked to project root**: Disabled `autochdir`, set `netrw_keepdir = 1`, captured initial cwd in `vim.g.project_root`, configured Telescope to always search from project root regardless of current buffer
 - 2025-12-07: Treesitter Phase 5 decisions:
   - Focus on core languages: PHP, HTML, JavaScript, TypeScript, CSS, Markdown, Lua, Bash, JSON
   - Enable syntax highlighting with performance safeguard (disable for files >100KB)
diff --git a/MIGRATION_PLAN.md b/MIGRATION_PLAN.md
index e0c82b4..56fe7d0 100644
--- a/MIGRATION_PLAN.md
+++ b/MIGRATION_PLAN.md
@@ -474,6 +474,7 @@ Source of truth for the step-by-step rebuild. Keep this concise and up to date.
 - [ ] Validate Telescope navigation + LSP jumps
 - [ ] Validate netrw browsing and preview splits
 - [ ] Validate Oil.nvim file operations
+- [x] Fix working directory behavior (disabled autochdir, locked Telescope to project root)
 
 ## Phase 12.5 — Language tooling validation
 - [ ] Validate HTML/PHP/JS/Markdown tooling
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 14e780b..9378af2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,6 +2,16 @@
 
 Living reference for session management, keymaps, commands, and plugin-specific features in this config.
 
+## Working Directory Behavior
+
+The working directory (`:pwd`) is locked to the directory where you opened Neovim and does NOT change when switching files:
+
+- `autochdir` is disabled (working directory stays fixed at project root)
+- `netrw_keepdir = 1` prevents netrw from changing directory when browsing
+- Project root is captured at startup in `vim.g.project_root` (used by Telescope and netrw)
+- Telescope searches from the initial project root regardless of current buffer
+- Use `:cd <path>` to manually change directory if needed (affects Telescope search scope)
+
 ## Session Management
 
 Session support is automatic but user-controlled:
diff --git a/lua/netrw-config.lua b/lua/netrw-config.lua
index 7855ba6..de3e558 100644
--- a/lua/netrw-config.lua
+++ b/lua/netrw-config.lua
@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ vim.g.netrw_alto = 0
 -- 50% split when pressing 'p'
 vim.g.netrw_winsize = 50
 
-vim.g.netrw_keepdir = 0
+-- Keep working directory unchanged when browsing (1 = don't change directory)
+-- Setting to 1 prevents netrw from changing vim's working directory
+vim.g.netrw_keepdir = 1
 
 -- Open files in the same window (replace netrw buffer)
 -- Options: 0=same window, 1=horizontal split, 2=vertical split, 3=new tab, 4=previous window
diff --git a/lua/plugins/telescope.lua b/lua/plugins/telescope.lua
index 997a60c..5ff9b49 100644
--- a/lua/plugins/telescope.lua
+++ b/lua/plugins/telescope.lua
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ return {
 
       telescope.setup({
         defaults = {
+          -- Always search from project root (where Neovim was opened)
+          cwd = vim.g.project_root,
+          
           -- Minimal UI, keep it clean
           prompt_prefix = '> ',
           selection_caret = '> ',
diff --git a/lua/settings.lua b/lua/settings.lua
index 1a76db1..19f96fe 100644
--- a/lua/settings.lua
+++ b/lua/settings.lua
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ vim.g.loaded_node_provider = 0
 -- Used by netrw navigation to return to project root after following symlinks
 vim.g.project_root = vim.fn.getcwd()
 
+-- Prevent automatic directory changes when switching files
+vim.opt.autochdir = false -- Keep working directory at project root
+
 -- Enable project-local configuration files
 vim.opt.exrc = true -- Load .nvim.lua from project root
 vim.opt.secure = true -- Prompt before loading untrusted files