fix working directory issues

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)

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

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:

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

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 = '> ',

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