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Change Directory

Zero-dependency Python snippets for changing the working directory using the standard library.

4 snippets available in this sub-category.

Simple

Change working directory

directory change chdir os

Change the current working directory

import os

os.chdir("/path/to/new/directory")

Notes

  • Changes current working directory
  • Raises OSError if directory doesn't exist
  • Affects all subsequent relative path operations

Change directory safely

directory change chdir error-handling os

Change working directory with error handling

import os

try:
    os.chdir("/path/to/new/directory")
    print("Directory changed successfully")
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("Directory does not exist")
except OSError as e:
    print(f"Error changing directory: {e}")

Notes

  • Handles case where directory doesn't exist
  • Provides clear error messages
  • Safe for scripts

Complex

Change directory with validation

directory change chdir validation permissions os

Change directory with comprehensive validation

import os


def change_directory_safe(directory):
    """Change directory with existence and permission validation."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        print(f"Directory '{directory}' does not exist")
        return False

    if not os.path.isdir(directory):
        print(f"'{directory}' is not a directory")
        return False

    if not os.access(directory, os.R_OK | os.X_OK):
        print(f"No access to directory '{directory}'")
        return False

    try:
        old_dir = os.getcwd()
        os.chdir(directory)
        new_dir = os.getcwd()
        print(f"Changed directory: {old_dir} -> {new_dir}")
        return True
    except OSError as e:
        print(f"Error changing directory: {e}")
        return False


change_directory_safe("/path/to/new/directory")

Notes

  • Validates directory existence and type
  • Checks read and execute permissions
  • Shows before/after directory paths
  • Returns success/failure status

Change directory with context manager

directory change chdir context-manager temporary os

Change directory temporarily using context manager

import os
from contextlib import contextmanager


@contextmanager
def change_directory(directory):
    """Context manager for temporarily changing directory."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        raise FileNotFoundError(f"Directory '{directory}' does not exist")

    if not os.path.isdir(directory):
        raise NotADirectoryError(f"'{directory}' is not a directory")

    original_dir = os.getcwd()
    try:
        os.chdir(directory)
        yield
    finally:
        os.chdir(original_dir)


# Use as context manager
with change_directory("/path/to/project"):
    print(f"Working in: {os.getcwd()}")
    # Do work in the new directory
    files = os.listdir(".")
    print(f"Files: {files}")
# Automatically returns to original directory
print(f"Back in: {os.getcwd()}")

Notes

  • Automatically returns to original directory
  • Safe for temporary directory changes
  • Handles errors gracefully
  • Useful for operations in specific directories

🔗 Cross-References

🏷️ Tags

file, directory, change, os, chdir, io

📝 Notes

  • Use os.chdir() to change the current working directory
  • Always check if the directory exists before changing
  • Useful for scripts and automation