Change directory to the directory of a Python script

Question

How do I change directory to the directory with my Python script in? So far, I figured out I should use os.chdir and sys.argv[0]. I'm sure there is a better way then to write my own function to parse argv[0].

You can directly copy-paste this: `import os; os.chdir(os.path.dirname(__file__))` — Basj, Feb 11 '18 at 21:52
Possible duplicate of [How do I change directory (cd) in Python?](https://stackoverflow.com/q/431684/608639) — jww, Jan 31 '19 at 00:23
This is **not** a duplicate, this question here is specific to change to the working script's dir, it's not a general question about "how to `cd` in Python" — Basj, Jul 26 '22 at 15:54
For future reference: in the case of a cython-`--embed` .exe, `__file__` does not work. `sys.path[0]` works but it is the path of the `python38.zip` package (containing all modules) as it is usual in the case of an embedded install. — Basj, Jul 26 '22 at 15:57

score 32 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 04 '09 at 01:30

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os.chdir(os.path.dirname(__file__))

answered Feb 04 '09 at 01:30

ayrnieu

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for whatever reason __file__ was C:\dev\Python25\Lib\idlelib so a quick replace with argv[0] solved it. +1 and check marked – Feb 04 '09 at 03:07
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Also, depending on platform you may want to use `os.path.abspath` on the result of `os.path.dirname` to make sure any symbolic links or other filesystem redirection get expanded properly. – James Bennett Feb 04 '09 at 07:16
Example of case when `os.path.abspath` is needed: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/509742/change-directory-to-the-directory-of-a-python-script#comment129152389_23595382 – Basj Jul 26 '22 at 16:02

score 16 · Answer 2 · answered May 11 '14 at 16:56

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os.chdir(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))) should do it.

os.chdir(os.path.dirname(__file__)) would not work if the script is run from the directory in which it is present.

answered May 11 '14 at 16:56

iamas

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It also works to write `os.chdir(os.path.dirname(__file__) or '.')`. The in-directory problem arises when `__file__` is not prefixed with `./`. `os.path.dirname` returns an empty string in that case. – George Aug 03 '14 at 20:12
Nice observation @George :) – iamas Oct 17 '14 at 15:09
Example of case when `os.path.abspath` is needed: you call the script on Windows from a .bat file: `python myscript.py`. Then `abspath` is mandatory. – Basj Jul 26 '22 at 16:02

score 7 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 04 '09 at 03:47

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Sometimes __file__ is not defined, in this case you can try sys.path[0]

answered Feb 04 '09 at 03:47

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@Miki - when is `__file__` not defined? – Rob Bednark Nov 20 '12 at 19:52
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@RobBednark: `python3.3 -c "print(__file__)"` – Janus Troelsen Mar 23 '13 at 18:51
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@JanusTroelsen: Also true for Python 2.7. – George Aug 03 '14 at 19:26
This is true, yet irrelevant to the question, because context is outside 'Python script'. – tishma May 14 '22 at 12:12

Scott 混合理论 · Answer 4 · 2015-11-27T02:30:49.757

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on windows OS, if you call something like python somefile.py this os.chdir(os.path.dirname(__file__)) will throw a WindowsError. But this should work for all cases:

import os
absFilePath = os.path.abspath(__file__)
os.chdir( os.path.dirname(absFilePath) )

edited Nov 27 '15 at 02:30

answered Nov 12 '15 at 10:37

Scott 混合理论

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Change directory to the directory of a Python script

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