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I run Emacs in batch mode to execute some scripting actions. I'd like to get paths of files relative to where Emacs got started in batch mode:

(file-relative-name (buffer-file-name) directory-where-emacs-was-started)

I do not know how to find out directory-where-emacs-was-started. default-directory does not work because it defaults to buffer file directory and (default-value 'default-directory) is nil.

How to find out what I'm looking for?

Edit: clarification, I need as elisp variable the value that pwd will print just before running Emacs in shell invocation like this:

pwd && emacs
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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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You can use command-line-default-directory, it is intended when using Emacs in batch mode, or when processing command line options:

Default directory to use for command line arguments. This is normally copied from `default-directory' when Emacs starts.

It retains its value throughout the session.

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If by "directory-where-emacs-was-started" you mean the directory where Emacs is located, then it is the value of this variable: invocation-directory:

The directory in which the Emacs executable was found, to run it. The value is nil if that directory's name is not known.

Depending on what you mean, you might also want to look at exec-directory or even the value of default-directory immediately after Emacs starts.

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  • Neither invocation-directory nor exec-directory are what I'm looking for. Question clarified.
    – Gracjan Polak
    May 14, 2016 at 15:51
  • Your clarification confirms that what you want is "the value of default-directory immediately after Emacs starts."
    – Drew
    May 14, 2016 at 21:51
  • @Drew, which isn't what invocation-directory contains. It contains the directory of the Emacs binary, not the original current directory of the user.
    – Lindydancer
    May 16, 2016 at 11:49
  • @Lindydancer: Yes, of course. My answer said clearly "IF" what you mean is the directory where Emacs is located..." And the answer includes exec-directory and default-directory, "depending on what you [OP] mean". OP's clarification of the question shows that what was meant/requested is "default-directory immediately after Emacs starts".
    – Drew
    May 16, 2016 at 14:08
  • @Drew -- Ah, I interpreted your comment (see "Your clarification...") that you still thought your answer was valid after the clarification.
    – Lindydancer
    May 16, 2016 at 14:35

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