`--cwd` Not Working In Virtme-init? Here's The Fix!

Hey guys! Let's dive into a quirky issue some of you might have encountered while using virtme-init with Bash. It revolves around the --cwd option and how it interacts (or rather, doesn't!) when you're not running as the root user. We'll break down the problem, explore the root cause, and, most importantly, figure out how to fix it. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Understanding the --cwd Option in virtme-init

When working with virtme-init, the --cwd option is your trusty sidekick for specifying the working directory. It's super handy because it tells the script where you want all the action to happen – where files should be created, scripts executed, and so on. Ideally, if you run a command like vng --cwd /home/user/mydir -r v6.15 --no-virtme-ng-init, you'd expect the current working directory to be /home/user/mydir. This is crucial for keeping your projects organized and ensuring that scripts run in the correct context. Let's say you're setting up a virtual environment for a specific project. You'd naturally want all the virtual environment files to reside within that project's directory. That's where --cwd comes in, allowing you to keep everything neatly contained and avoid cluttering your home directory or other locations. This is especially important when dealing with multiple projects simultaneously, as it prevents file collisions and makes it easier to manage dependencies.

The Unexpected Behavior: When --cwd Goes Rogue

However, there's a snag! Some users have noticed that when they're not running as root, the --cwd option doesn't always behave as expected. Instead of setting the working directory to the specified path (like /home/user/mydir), it stubbornly sticks to the user's home directory (/home/user). This can lead to a real mess, with files ending up in the wrong place and scripts failing to find the resources they need. Imagine you're trying to automate the deployment of a web application within a specific directory, but the --cwd option fails, causing the deployment scripts to run in the wrong location. This could lead to the application being deployed incorrectly, potentially exposing sensitive information or causing the application to fail entirely. Such unexpected behavior can be a major headache, especially when you're relying on automation for critical tasks.

Digging into the Root Cause: The su Command and Its Quirks

To understand why this happens, we need to peek under the hood and examine the script's inner workings. The culprit, as it turns out, lies in how virtme-init uses the su command. The su command, short for