diff --git a/python_core/config.py b/python_core/config.py
index 879e909..e39706b 100644
--- a/python_core/config.py
+++ b/python_core/config.py
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ except ImportError:
     # Fallback for older pydantic versions
     from pydantic import BaseSettings, Field
 
-
+project_root = Path(__file__).parent.parent
 class Settings(BaseSettings):
     """Application settings with environment variable support."""
     
@@ -25,10 +25,10 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     debug: bool = Field(default=False, env="DEBUG")
     
     # Paths
-    project_root: Path = Path(__file__).parent.parent
-    temp_dir: Path = Field(default_factory=lambda: Path.home() / ".mixvideo" / "temp")
-    cache_dir: Path = Field(default_factory=lambda: Path.home() / ".mixvideo" / "cache")
-    projects_dir: Path = Field(default_factory=lambda: Path.home() / "MixVideoProjects")
+    project_root: Path = project_root
+    temp_dir: Path = Field(default_factory=lambda: project_root / ".mixvideo" / "temp")
+    cache_dir: Path = Field(default_factory=lambda: project_root / ".mixvideo" / "cache")
+    projects_dir: Path = Field(default_factory=lambda: project_root / "MixVideoProjects")
     
     # Video Processing
     max_video_resolution: str = "1920x1080"