diff --git a/crates/doot-cli/src/commands/mod.rs b/crates/doot-cli/src/commands/mod.rs
index 1d72639..e18cd4c 100644
--- a/crates/doot-cli/src/commands/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/doot-cli/src/commands/mod.rs
@@ -26,11 +26,12 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 /// Resolves the config file path, checking the given path or default locations.
+/// Always returns an absolute path so source_dir is correct regardless of CWD.
 #[tracing::instrument(skip_all)]
 pub fn find_config_file(base: Option<PathBuf>) -> anyhow::Result<PathBuf> {
     if let Some(path) = base {
         if path.exists() {
-            return Ok(path);
+            return Ok(std::fs::canonicalize(&path)?);
         }
         anyhow::bail!("config file not found: {}", path.display());
     }
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ pub fn find_config_file(base: Option<PathBuf>) -> anyhow::Result<PathBuf> {
 
     for candidate in candidates {
         if candidate.exists() {
-            return Ok(candidate);
+            return Ok(std::fs::canonicalize(&candidate)?);
         }
     }