Academy · Project folders · PF-03

PF-03 · Project folders

Finder, Explorer & WSL Paths

Get to the folder in your file UI — and map WSL paths.

25–40 min Needs: PF-02 (path written) Outcome: file UI open on the project

Who this is for

Anyone who “knows the folder exists” but can’t reliably get there.

Which machine are you on? (saved across terminal + folder lessons)

↑ Pick one to see only your path. (Showing all until you do.)

The emergency brake

  • Two “Documents” folders (local vs OneDrive)? Pick one, write down which. Both are real; mixing them is the trap.
  • Backslashes vs forward slashes? Windows uses \, Mac/Linux use /. Agents in WSL want the Linux form.

Click there

About 10–15 min

  1. Open Finder. Go Documents → Projects → my-app. Leave the window open.
  2. Open File Explorer. Go Documents → Projects → my-app. Leave the window open.
  3. In the Ubuntu terminal: cd to your project path. Leave it open. (Explorer can browse /mnt/c/… paths too.)

Try this

Navigate to your PF-02 folder with clicks (or one cd) only — no agent, no search.

You should see: your project files (README or source) in front of you. If you landed in a parent folder, keep going one deeper.

Copy the path

About 5 min

  1. In Finder: View → Show Path Bar; or right-click the folder, hold Option, Copy as Pathname. Paste into your notes.
  2. In Explorer: click the address bar (or Ctrl+L); or Shift+Right-click → Copy as path. Paste into your notes.
  3. Run pwd. Paste the output into your notes.
  4. Compare with what you wrote in PF-02. Fix mismatches now.
Don't

“Fix” confusion by launching the agent from C:\ “so it can see everything.” Seeing everything is the problem.

Map WSL paths (WSL only)

About 10 min

Skip this step unless you use WSL.

WindowsWSL
C:\Users\You\Documents\Projects\my-app/mnt/c/Users/You/Documents/Projects/my-app
D:\work\my-app/mnt/d/work/my-app
\\wsl$\Ubuntu\home\you\projects\my-app (Windows view)/home/you/projects/my-app
  1. From Ubuntu, cd to the matching path. Run pwd. Confirm it matches the table.

Success check

  • File UI shows the project’s files (README or source)
  • Full path copied matches notes
  • WSL users: pwd matches the expected Linux path (others: check freely)

Common failure modes

FailureFix
OneDrive “Documents” vs local DocumentsPick one location; write which
In WSL at /mnt/c/Users/You (home dump)Keep cd’ing into Documents/Projects/my-app
Confused by \\wsl$ in ExplorerThat’s Windows viewing Linux files — fine for browsing; launch agents from the WSL terminal

Don't launch from root

Don’t launch the agent from C:\ or / “so it can see everything.” PF-04 opens the terminal in the project instead.

Stuck with a named error or a confusing path?

Bring the exact path and the exact error text to a free 30-minute consult. Copy them first — vague “it doesn't work” wastes the call.

Book free