Merge branch 'recursive-cheat-directory-search'

feat: walk up directory tree to find .cheat directory (#602)

README.md

@@ -172,9 +172,11 @@ editing.
 
 ### Directory-scoped Cheatpaths ###
 At times, it can be useful to closely associate cheatsheets with a directory on
-your filesystem. `cheat` facilitates this by searching for a `.cheat` folder in
-the current working directory. If found, the `.cheat` directory will
-(temporarily) be added to the cheatpaths.
+your filesystem. `cheat` facilitates this by searching for a `.cheat` directory
+in the current working directory and its ancestors (similar to how `git` locates
+`.git` directories). The nearest `.cheat` directory found will (temporarily) be
+added to the cheatpaths. This means you can place a `.cheat` directory at your
+project root and it will be available from any subdirectory within that project.
 
 Autocompletion
 --------------

build/fuzz.sh

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ TESTS=(
     "FuzzTagged:./internal/sheet:tag matching with malicious input"
     "FuzzFilter:./internal/sheets:tag filtering operations"
     "FuzzTags:./internal/sheets:tag aggregation and sorting"
+    "FuzzFindLocalCheatpath:./internal/config:recursive .cheat directory discovery"
+    "FuzzFindLocalCheatpathNearestWins:./internal/config:nearest .cheat wins invariant"
 )
 
 echo "Running fuzz tests ($DURATION each)..."

cmd/cheat/cheatpath_integration_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// hasCwdCheatpath checks whether the --directories output contains a
+// cheatpath named "cwd".  The output format is "name: path\n" per line
+// (tabwriter-aligned), so we look for a line beginning with "cwd".
+func hasCwdCheatpath(output string) bool {
+	for _, line := range strings.Split(output, "\n") {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(line, "cwd") {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+// TestLocalCheatpathIntegration exercises the recursive .cheat directory
+// discovery end-to-end: it builds the real cheat binary, sets up filesystem
+// layouts, and verifies behaviour from the user's perspective.
+func TestLocalCheatpathIntegration(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("integration test uses Unix-specific env vars")
+	}
+
+	// Build the cheat binary once for all sub-tests.
+	binPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "cheat_test")
+	build := exec.Command("go", "build", "-o", binPath, ".")
+	if output, err := build.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to build cheat: %v\nOutput: %s", err, output)
+	}
+
+	// cheatEnv returns a minimal environment for the cheat binary.
+	cheatEnv := func(confPath, home string) []string {
+		return []string{
+			"CHEAT_CONFIG_PATH=" + confPath,
+			"HOME=" + home,
+			"PATH=" + os.Getenv("PATH"),
+			"EDITOR=vi",
+		}
+	}
+
+	// writeConfig writes a minimal valid config file referencing sheetsDir.
+	writeConfig := func(t *testing.T, dir, sheetsDir string) string {
+		t.Helper()
+		conf := fmt.Sprintf("---\neditor: vi\ncolorize: false\ncheatpaths:\n  - name: base\n    path: %s\n    readonly: true\n", sheetsDir)
+		confPath := filepath.Join(dir, "conf.yml")
+		if err := os.WriteFile(confPath, []byte(conf), 0644); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("failed to write config: %v", err)
+		}
+		return confPath
+	}
+
+	t.Run("parent .cheat is discovered from subdirectory", func(t *testing.T) {
+		root := t.TempDir()
+
+		// Configured cheatpath (empty but must exist for validation)
+		sheetsDir := filepath.Join(root, "sheets")
+		os.MkdirAll(sheetsDir, 0755)
+
+		// .cheat at root with a cheatsheet
+		dotCheat := filepath.Join(root, ".cheat")
+		os.Mkdir(dotCheat, 0755)
+		os.WriteFile(
+			filepath.Join(dotCheat, "localsheet"),
+			[]byte("---\nsyntax: bash\n---\necho hello from local\n"),
+			0644,
+		)
+
+		confPath := writeConfig(t, root, sheetsDir)
+
+		// Work from a subdirectory
+		workDir := filepath.Join(root, "src", "pkg")
+		os.MkdirAll(workDir, 0755)
+		env := cheatEnv(confPath, root)
+
+		// --directories should list "cwd" cheatpath
+		cmd := exec.Command(binPath, "--directories")
+		cmd.Dir = workDir
+		cmd.Env = env
+		output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("cheat --directories failed: %v\nOutput: %s", err, output)
+		}
+		if !hasCwdCheatpath(string(output)) {
+			t.Errorf("expected 'cwd' cheatpath in --directories output:\n%s", output)
+		}
+
+		// Viewing the cheatsheet should show its content
+		cmd2 := exec.Command(binPath, "localsheet")
+		cmd2.Dir = workDir
+		cmd2.Env = env
+		output2, err := cmd2.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("cheat localsheet failed: %v\nOutput: %s", err, output2)
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(string(output2), "echo hello from local") {
+			t.Errorf("expected cheatsheet content, got:\n%s", output2)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("grandparent .cheat is discovered from deep subdirectory", func(t *testing.T) {
+		root := t.TempDir()
+
+		sheetsDir := filepath.Join(root, "sheets")
+		os.MkdirAll(sheetsDir, 0755)
+
+		dotCheat := filepath.Join(root, ".cheat")
+		os.Mkdir(dotCheat, 0755)
+		os.WriteFile(
+			filepath.Join(dotCheat, "deepsheet"),
+			[]byte("---\nsyntax: bash\n---\ndeep discovery works\n"),
+			0644,
+		)
+
+		confPath := writeConfig(t, root, sheetsDir)
+
+		deepDir := filepath.Join(root, "a", "b", "c", "d", "e")
+		os.MkdirAll(deepDir, 0755)
+
+		cmd := exec.Command(binPath, "deepsheet")
+		cmd.Dir = deepDir
+		cmd.Env = cheatEnv(confPath, root)
+		output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("cheat deepsheet failed: %v\nOutput: %s", err, output)
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(string(output), "deep discovery works") {
+			t.Errorf("expected cheatsheet content, got:\n%s", output)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("nearest .cheat wins over ancestor .cheat", func(t *testing.T) {
+		root := t.TempDir()
+
+		sheetsDir := filepath.Join(root, "sheets")
+		os.MkdirAll(sheetsDir, 0755)
+
+		// .cheat at root
+		rootCheat := filepath.Join(root, ".cheat")
+		os.Mkdir(rootCheat, 0755)
+		os.WriteFile(
+			filepath.Join(rootCheat, "shared"),
+			[]byte("---\nsyntax: bash\n---\nfrom root\n"),
+			0644,
+		)
+
+		// .cheat at project/ (nearer)
+		projectDir := filepath.Join(root, "project")
+		os.MkdirAll(projectDir, 0755)
+		projectCheat := filepath.Join(projectDir, ".cheat")
+		os.Mkdir(projectCheat, 0755)
+		os.WriteFile(
+			filepath.Join(projectCheat, "shared"),
+			[]byte("---\nsyntax: bash\n---\nfrom project nearest\n"),
+			0644,
+		)
+
+		confPath := writeConfig(t, root, sheetsDir)
+
+		workDir := filepath.Join(projectDir, "src")
+		os.MkdirAll(workDir, 0755)
+		env := cheatEnv(confPath, root)
+
+		// --directories should list the nearer cheatpath
+		cmd := exec.Command(binPath, "--directories")
+		cmd.Dir = workDir
+		cmd.Env = env
+		output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("cheat --directories failed: %v\nOutput: %s", err, output)
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(string(output), projectCheat) {
+			t.Errorf("expected project .cheat path in output, got:\n%s", output)
+		}
+
+		// "shared" sheet should come from the nearer .cheat
+		cmd2 := exec.Command(binPath, "shared")
+		cmd2.Dir = workDir
+		cmd2.Env = env
+		output2, err := cmd2.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("cheat shared failed: %v\nOutput: %s", err, output2)
+		}
+		if !strings.Contains(string(output2), "from project nearest") {
+			t.Errorf("expected nearest .cheat content, got:\n%s", output2)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run("no .cheat directory means no cwd cheatpath", func(t *testing.T) {
+		root := t.TempDir()
+
+		sheetsDir := filepath.Join(root, "sheets")
+		os.MkdirAll(sheetsDir, 0755)
+		// Need at least one sheet for --directories to work without error
+		os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(sheetsDir, "placeholder"),
+			[]byte("---\nsyntax: bash\n---\nplaceholder\n"), 0644)
+
+		confPath := writeConfig(t, root, sheetsDir)
+
+		// No .cheat anywhere under root
+		cmd := exec.Command(binPath, "--directories")
+		cmd.Dir = root
+		cmd.Env = cheatEnv(confPath, root)
+		output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("cheat --directories failed: %v\nOutput: %s", err, output)
+		}
+		if hasCwdCheatpath(string(output)) {
+			t.Errorf("'cwd' cheatpath should not appear when no .cheat exists:\n%s", output)
+		}
+	})
+
+	t.Run(".cheat file (not directory) is ignored", func(t *testing.T) {
+		root := t.TempDir()
+
+		sheetsDir := filepath.Join(root, "sheets")
+		os.MkdirAll(sheetsDir, 0755)
+		os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(sheetsDir, "placeholder"),
+			[]byte("---\nsyntax: bash\n---\nplaceholder\n"), 0644)
+
+		// Create .cheat as a regular file
+		os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(root, ".cheat"), []byte("not a dir"), 0644)
+
+		confPath := writeConfig(t, root, sheetsDir)
+
+		cmd := exec.Command(binPath, "--directories")
+		cmd.Dir = root
+		cmd.Env = cheatEnv(confPath, root)
+		output, err := cmd.CombinedOutput()
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("cheat --directories failed: %v\nOutput: %s", err, output)
+		}
+		if hasCwdCheatpath(string(output)) {
+			t.Errorf("'cwd' should not appear for a .cheat file:\n%s", output)
+		}
+	})
+}

cmd/cheat/main.go

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cheat/cheat/internal/installer"
 )
 
-const version = "4.5.2"
+const version = "4.6.0"
 
 func main() {
 

doc/adr/004-recursive-cheat-directory-search.md

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+# ADR-004: Recursive `.cheat` Directory Search
+
+Date: 2026-02-15
+
+## Status
+
+Accepted
+
+## Context
+
+Previously, `cheat` only checked the current working directory for a `.cheat`
+subdirectory to use as a directory-scoped cheatpath. If a user was in
+`~/projects/myapp/src/handlers/` but the `.cheat` directory lived at
+`~/projects/myapp/.cheat`, it would not be found. Users requested (#602) that
+`cheat` walk up the directory hierarchy to find the nearest `.cheat`
+directory, mirroring the discovery pattern used by `git` for `.git`
+directories.
+
+## Decision
+
+Walk upward from the current working directory to the filesystem root, and
+stop at the first `.cheat` directory found. Only directories are matched (a
+file named `.cheat` is ignored).
+
+### Stop at first `.cheat` found
+
+Rather than collecting multiple `.cheat` directories from ancestor directories:
+
+- Matches `.git` discovery semantics, which users already understand
+- Fits the existing single-cheatpath-named-`"cwd"` code without structural
+  changes
+- Avoids precedence and naming complexity when multiple `.cheat` directories
+  exist in the ancestor chain
+- `cheat` already supports multiple cheatpaths via `conf.yml` for users who
+  want that; directory-scoped `.cheat` serves the project-context use case
+
+### Walk to filesystem root (not `$HOME`)
+
+Rather than stopping the search at `$HOME`:
+
+- Simpler implementation with no platform-specific home-directory detection
+- Supports sysadmins working in `/etc`, `/srv`, `/var`, or other paths
+  outside `$HOME`
+- The boundary only matters on the failure path (no `.cheat` found anywhere),
+  where the cost is a few extra `stat` calls
+- Security is not a concern since cheatsheets are display-only text, not
+  executable code
+
+## Consequences
+
+### Positive
+- Users can place `.cheat` at their project root and it works from any
+  subdirectory, matching their mental model
+- No configuration changes needed; existing `.cheat` directories continue to
+  work identically
+- Minimal code change (one small helper function)
+
+### Negative
+- A `.cheat` directory in an unexpected ancestor could be picked up
+  unintentionally, though this is unlikely in practice and matches how `.git`
+  works
+
+### Neutral
+- The cheatpath name remains `"cwd"` regardless of which ancestor the `.cheat`
+  was found in
+
+## Alternatives Considered
+
+### 1. Stop at `$HOME`
+**Rejected**: Adds platform-specific complexity for minimal benefit. The only
+downside of walking to root is a few extra `stat` calls on the failure path.
+
+### 2. Collect multiple `.cheat` directories
+**Rejected**: Introduces precedence and naming complexity. Users who want
+multiple cheatpaths can configure them in `conf.yml`.
+
+## References
+
+- GitHub issue: #602
+- Implementation: `findLocalCheatpath()` in `internal/config/config.go`

internal/cheatpath/doc.go

@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@
 // # Directory-Scoped Cheatpaths
 //
 // The package supports directory-scoped cheatpaths via `.cheat` directories.
-// When running cheat from a directory containing a `.cheat` subdirectory,
-// that directory is temporarily added to the available cheatpaths.
+// When running cheat, the tool walks upward from the current working directory
+// to the filesystem root, stopping at the first `.cheat` directory found. That
+// directory is temporarily added to the available cheatpaths.
 //
 // # Precedence and Overrides
 //

internal/config/config.go

@@ -45,21 +45,20 @@ func New(_ map[string]interface{}, confPath string, resolve bool) (Config, error
 		return Config{}, fmt.Errorf("could not unmarshal yaml: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	// if a .cheat directory exists locally, append it to the cheatpaths
+	// if a .cheat directory exists in the current directory or any ancestor,
+	// append it to the cheatpaths
 	cwd, err := os.Getwd()
 	if err != nil {
 		return Config{}, fmt.Errorf("failed to get cwd: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	local := filepath.Join(cwd, ".cheat")
-	if _, err := os.Stat(local); err == nil {
+	if local := findLocalCheatpath(cwd); local != "" {
 		path := cp.Cheatpath{
 			Name:     "cwd",
 			Path:     local,
 			ReadOnly: false,
 			Tags:     []string{},
 		}
-
 		conf.Cheatpaths = append(conf.Cheatpaths, path)
 	}
 
@@ -140,3 +139,21 @@ func New(_ map[string]interface{}, confPath string, resolve bool) (Config, error
 
 	return conf, nil
 }
+
+// findLocalCheatpath walks upward from dir looking for a .cheat directory.
+// It returns the path to the first .cheat directory found, or an empty string
+// if none exists. This mirrors the discovery pattern used by git for .git
+// directories.
+func findLocalCheatpath(dir string) string {
+	for {
+		candidate := filepath.Join(dir, ".cheat")
+		if info, err := os.Stat(candidate); err == nil && info.IsDir() {
+			return candidate
+		}
+		parent := filepath.Dir(dir)
+		if parent == dir {
+			return ""
+		}
+		dir = parent
+	}
+}

internal/config/config_extended_test.go

@@ -86,6 +86,187 @@ func TestConfigLocalCheatpath(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestConfigLocalCheatpathInParent tests that .cheat in a parent directory is found
+func TestConfigLocalCheatpathInParent(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-config-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	// Resolve symlinks in temp dir path (macOS /var -> /private/var)
+	tempDir, err = filepath.EvalSymlinks(tempDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to resolve temp dir symlinks: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	oldCwd, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get cwd: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.Chdir(oldCwd)
+
+	// Create .cheat in the root of the temp dir
+	localCheat := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(localCheat, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create a subdirectory and cd into it
+	subDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, "sub")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(subDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create sub dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Chdir(subDir); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to chdir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	conf, err := New(map[string]interface{}{}, mock.Path("conf/empty.yml"), false)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("failed to load config: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	found := false
+	for _, cp := range conf.Cheatpaths {
+		if cp.Name == "cwd" && cp.Path == localCheat {
+			found = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if !found {
+		t.Error("parent .cheat directory was not added to cheatpaths")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestConfigLocalCheatpathNearestWins tests that the nearest .cheat wins
+func TestConfigLocalCheatpathNearestWins(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-config-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	// Resolve symlinks in temp dir path (macOS /var -> /private/var)
+	tempDir, err = filepath.EvalSymlinks(tempDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to resolve temp dir symlinks: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	oldCwd, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get cwd: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.Chdir(oldCwd)
+
+	// Create .cheat at root
+	if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat"), 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create root .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create sub/.cheat (the nearer one)
+	subDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, "sub")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(subDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create sub dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	nearCheat := filepath.Join(subDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(nearCheat, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create near .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// cd into sub/deep/
+	deepDir := filepath.Join(subDir, "deep")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(deepDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create deep dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Chdir(deepDir); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to chdir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	conf, err := New(map[string]interface{}{}, mock.Path("conf/empty.yml"), false)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("failed to load config: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	found := false
+	for _, cp := range conf.Cheatpaths {
+		if cp.Name == "cwd" {
+			if cp.Path != nearCheat {
+				t.Errorf("expected nearest .cheat %s, got %s", nearCheat, cp.Path)
+			}
+			found = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+	if !found {
+		t.Error("no cwd cheatpath found")
+	}
+}
+
+// TestConfigNoLocalCheatpath tests that no cwd cheatpath is added when no .cheat exists
+func TestConfigNoLocalCheatpath(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-config-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	oldCwd, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get cwd: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.Chdir(oldCwd)
+
+	if err := os.Chdir(tempDir); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to chdir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	conf, err := New(map[string]interface{}{}, mock.Path("conf/empty.yml"), false)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("failed to load config: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	for _, cp := range conf.Cheatpaths {
+		if cp.Name == "cwd" {
+			t.Error("cwd cheatpath should not be added when no .cheat exists")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// TestConfigLocalCheatpathFileSkipped tests that a .cheat file (not dir) is skipped
+func TestConfigLocalCheatpathFileSkipped(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-config-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	oldCwd, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get cwd: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.Chdir(oldCwd)
+
+	// Create .cheat as a file, not a directory
+	if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat"), []byte("not a dir"), 0644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create .cheat file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if err := os.Chdir(tempDir); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to chdir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	conf, err := New(map[string]interface{}{}, mock.Path("conf/empty.yml"), false)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Errorf("failed to load config: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	for _, cp := range conf.Cheatpaths {
+		if cp.Name == "cwd" {
+			t.Error("cwd cheatpath should not be added for a .cheat file")
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 // TestConfigDefaults tests default values
 func TestConfigDefaults(t *testing.T) {
 	// Load empty config

internal/config/config_fuzz_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+package config
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// FuzzFindLocalCheatpath exercises findLocalCheatpath with randomised
+// directory depths and .cheat placements.  For each fuzz input it builds a
+// temporary directory hierarchy, places a single .cheat directory at a
+// computed level, and asserts that the function always returns it.
+func FuzzFindLocalCheatpath(f *testing.F) {
+	// Seed corpus: (totalDepth, cheatPlacement)
+	f.Add(uint8(1), uint8(0))  // depth 1, .cheat at root
+	f.Add(uint8(3), uint8(0))  // depth 3, .cheat at root
+	f.Add(uint8(5), uint8(3))  // depth 5, .cheat at level 3
+	f.Add(uint8(1), uint8(1))  // depth 1, .cheat at same level as search dir
+	f.Add(uint8(10), uint8(5)) // deep hierarchy
+
+	f.Fuzz(func(t *testing.T, totalDepth uint8, cheatPlacement uint8) {
+		// Clamp to reasonable values to keep I/O bounded
+		depth := int(totalDepth%15) + 1              // 1..15
+		cheatAt := int(cheatPlacement) % (depth + 1) // 0..depth (0 = tempDir itself)
+
+		tempDir := t.TempDir()
+
+		// Build chain: tempDir/d0/d1/…/d{depth-1}
+		dirs := make([]string, 0, depth+1)
+		dirs = append(dirs, tempDir)
+		current := tempDir
+		for i := 0; i < depth; i++ {
+			current = filepath.Join(current, fmt.Sprintf("d%d", i))
+			if err := os.Mkdir(current, 0755); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("mkdir: %v", err)
+			}
+			dirs = append(dirs, current)
+		}
+
+		// Place .cheat at dirs[cheatAt]
+		cheatDir := filepath.Join(dirs[cheatAt], ".cheat")
+		if err := os.Mkdir(cheatDir, 0755); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("mkdir .cheat: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		// Search from the deepest directory
+		result := findLocalCheatpath(current)
+
+		// Invariant 1: must find the .cheat we placed
+		if result != cheatDir {
+			t.Errorf("depth=%d cheatAt=%d: expected %s, got %s",
+				depth, cheatAt, cheatDir, result)
+		}
+
+		// Invariant 2: result must end with /.cheat
+		if !strings.HasSuffix(result, string(filepath.Separator)+".cheat") {
+			t.Errorf("result %q does not end with /.cheat", result)
+		}
+
+		// Invariant 3: result must be under tempDir
+		if !strings.HasPrefix(result, tempDir) {
+			t.Errorf("result %q is not under tempDir %s", result, tempDir)
+		}
+	})
+}
+
+// FuzzFindLocalCheatpathNearestWins verifies that when two .cheat directories
+// exist at different levels of the ancestor chain, the nearest one is returned.
+func FuzzFindLocalCheatpathNearestWins(f *testing.F) {
+	f.Add(uint8(5), uint8(1), uint8(3))
+	f.Add(uint8(8), uint8(0), uint8(7))
+	f.Add(uint8(3), uint8(0), uint8(2))
+	f.Add(uint8(10), uint8(2), uint8(8))
+
+	f.Fuzz(func(t *testing.T, totalDepth, shallowRaw, deepRaw uint8) {
+		depth := int(totalDepth%12) + 2 // 2..13 (need room for two placements)
+		s := int(shallowRaw) % depth
+		d := int(deepRaw) % depth
+
+		// Need two distinct levels
+		if s == d {
+			d = (d + 1) % depth
+		}
+		// Ensure s < d (shallow is higher in tree, deep is closer to search dir)
+		if s > d {
+			s, d = d, s
+		}
+
+		tempDir := t.TempDir()
+
+		// Build chain
+		dirs := make([]string, 0, depth+1)
+		dirs = append(dirs, tempDir)
+		current := tempDir
+		for i := 0; i < depth; i++ {
+			current = filepath.Join(current, fmt.Sprintf("d%d", i))
+			if err := os.Mkdir(current, 0755); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("mkdir: %v", err)
+			}
+			dirs = append(dirs, current)
+		}
+
+		// Place .cheat at both levels
+		shallowCheat := filepath.Join(dirs[s], ".cheat")
+		deepCheat := filepath.Join(dirs[d], ".cheat")
+		if err := os.Mkdir(shallowCheat, 0755); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("mkdir shallow .cheat: %v", err)
+		}
+		if err := os.Mkdir(deepCheat, 0755); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("mkdir deep .cheat: %v", err)
+		}
+
+		// Search from the deepest directory — should find the deeper (nearer) .cheat
+		result := findLocalCheatpath(current)
+		if result != deepCheat {
+			t.Errorf("depth=%d shallow=%d deep=%d: expected nearest %s, got %s",
+				depth, s, d, deepCheat, result)
+		}
+	})
+}

internal/config/config_test.go

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"reflect"
+	"runtime"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/davecgh/go-spew/spew"
@@ -13,9 +14,267 @@ import (
 	"github.com/cheat/cheat/internal/mock"
 )
 
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathInCurrentDir tests that .cheat in the given dir is found
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathInCurrentDir(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	cheatDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(cheatDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(tempDir)
+	if result != cheatDir {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", cheatDir, result)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathInParent tests walking up to a parent directory
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathInParent(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	cheatDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(cheatDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	subDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, "sub")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(subDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create sub dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(subDir)
+	if result != cheatDir {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", cheatDir, result)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathInGrandparent tests walking up multiple levels
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathInGrandparent(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	cheatDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(cheatDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	deepDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, "a", "b", "c")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(deepDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create deep dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(deepDir)
+	if result != cheatDir {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", cheatDir, result)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathNearestWins tests that the closest .cheat is returned
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathNearestWins(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	// Create .cheat at root level
+	if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat"), 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create root .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create sub/.cheat (the nearer one)
+	subDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, "sub")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(subDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create sub dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	nearCheatDir := filepath.Join(subDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(nearCheatDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create sub .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Search from sub/deep/
+	deepDir := filepath.Join(subDir, "deep")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(deepDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create deep dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(deepDir)
+	if result != nearCheatDir {
+		t.Errorf("expected nearest %s, got %s", nearCheatDir, result)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathNotFound tests that empty string is returned when no .cheat exists
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathNotFound(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(tempDir)
+	if result != "" {
+		t.Errorf("expected empty string, got %s", result)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathSkipsFile tests that a file named .cheat is not matched
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathSkipsFile(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "cheat-test-*")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create temp dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.RemoveAll(tempDir)
+
+	// Create .cheat as a file, not a directory
+	cheatFile := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.WriteFile(cheatFile, []byte("not a directory"), 0644); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create .cheat file: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(tempDir)
+	if result != "" {
+		t.Errorf("expected empty string for .cheat file, got %s", result)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathSymlink tests that a .cheat symlink to a directory is found
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathSymlink(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	// Create the real directory
+	realDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, "real-cheat")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(realDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create real dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Symlink .cheat -> real-cheat
+	cheatLink := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.Symlink(realDir, cheatLink); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create symlink: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(tempDir)
+	if result != cheatLink {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", cheatLink, result)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathSymlinkInAncestor tests discovery through a symlinked
+// ancestor directory. When the cwd is reached via a symlink, filepath.Dir
+// walks the symlinked path (not the real path), so .cheat must be findable
+// through that chain.
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathSymlinkInAncestor(t *testing.T) {
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	// Create real/project/.cheat
+	realProject := filepath.Join(tempDir, "real", "project")
+	if err := os.MkdirAll(realProject, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create real project dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(realProject, ".cheat"), 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create symlink: linked -> real/project
+	linkedProject := filepath.Join(tempDir, "linked")
+	if err := os.Symlink(realProject, linkedProject); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create symlink: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create sub inside the symlinked path
+	subDir := filepath.Join(linkedProject, "sub")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(subDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create sub dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Search from linked/sub — should find linked/.cheat
+	// (os.Stat follows symlinks, so linked/.cheat resolves to real/project/.cheat)
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(subDir)
+	expected := filepath.Join(linkedProject, ".cheat")
+	if result != expected {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s, got %s", expected, result)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestFindLocalCheatpathPermissionDenied tests that unreadable ancestor
+// directories are skipped and the walk continues upward.
+func TestFindLocalCheatpathPermissionDenied(t *testing.T) {
+	if runtime.GOOS == "windows" {
+		t.Skip("Unix permissions do not apply on Windows")
+	}
+	if os.Getuid() == 0 {
+		t.Skip("test requires non-root user")
+	}
+
+	tempDir := t.TempDir()
+
+	// Resolve symlinks (macOS /var -> /private/var)
+	tempDir, err := filepath.EvalSymlinks(tempDir)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to resolve symlinks: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create tempDir/.cheat (the target we want found)
+	cheatDir := filepath.Join(tempDir, ".cheat")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(cheatDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Create tempDir/restricted/ with its own .cheat and sub/
+	restricted := filepath.Join(tempDir, "restricted")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(restricted, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create restricted dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	if err := os.Mkdir(filepath.Join(restricted, ".cheat"), 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create restricted .cheat dir: %v", err)
+	}
+	subDir := filepath.Join(restricted, "sub")
+	if err := os.Mkdir(subDir, 0755); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create sub dir: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Make restricted/ unreadable — blocks stat of children
+	if err := os.Chmod(restricted, 0000); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to chmod: %v", err)
+	}
+	t.Cleanup(func() { os.Chmod(restricted, 0755) })
+
+	// Walk from restricted/sub: stat("restricted/sub/.cheat") fails (EACCES),
+	// stat("restricted/.cheat") fails (EACCES), walk continues to tempDir/.cheat
+	result := findLocalCheatpath(subDir)
+	if result != cheatDir {
+		t.Errorf("expected %s (walked past restricted dir), got %s", cheatDir, result)
+	}
+}
+
 // TestConfig asserts that the configs are loaded correctly
 func TestConfigSuccessful(t *testing.T) {
 
+	// Chdir into a temp directory so no ancestor .cheat directory can
+	// leak into the cheatpaths (findLocalCheatpath walks the full
+	// ancestor chain).
+	oldCwd, err := os.Getwd()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to get cwd: %v", err)
+	}
+	defer os.Chdir(oldCwd)
+	if err := os.Chdir(t.TempDir()); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to chdir: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	// clear env vars so they don't override the config file value
 	oldVisual := os.Getenv("VISUAL")
 	oldEditor := os.Getenv("EDITOR")