`eim wizard` creates files outside of specified directories (IDFGH-18273)

[agr]

Answers checklist.

• I have read the documentation ESP-IDF Programming Guide and the issue is not addressed there.
• I have updated my IDF branch (master or release) to the latest version and checked that the issue is present there.
• I have searched the issue tracker for a similar issue and not found a similar issue.

IDF version.

6.1

Operating System used.

Windows

How did you build your project?

Other (please specify in More Information)

If you are using Windows, please specify command line type.

PowerShell

What is the expected behavior?

eim wizard creates files only under the paths it asks about.

What is the actual behavior?

The files are partially saved under the specified path, the rest goes under c:\espressif without any prompt or confirmation.

Steps to reproduce.

1. winget install Espressif.EIM-CLI
2. eim wizrd
3. Follow through the wizard. Use different drive for any path asked in the wizard (I used D:)
4. Find files stored under C:\espressif.

Build or installation Logs.

Diagnostic report archive.

No response

More Information.

No response

[Hahihula]

Thank you for reporting this and for providing the reproduction steps.

The behavior you are seeing is expected. By default, EIM uses the standard Espressif installation locations for files that are not explicitly assigned a custom path. The paths presented by the wizard do not necessarily mean that every file associated with the installation will be placed under those directories.

EIM provides control over the installation locations through its configuration and command-line parameters, so the default paths can be changed when a fully custom installation layout is required.

The documentation describes the available options and explains how to configure the individual paths, including installing ESP-IDF and its associated tools to a different drive:

EIM FAQ — Can I install ESP-IDF to a custom location or a different hard drive?

In particular, the FAQ covers how the different installation paths can be configured rather than relying on the default C:\Espressif location.

Therefore, this is not considered a bug in the current implementation, but rather the documented default behavior. If the intention is to keep all EIM/ESP-IDF-related files on a different drive, the corresponding paths need to be explicitly configured through the available configuration options or CLI parameters.

That said, we appreciate the feedback. If the wizard could make these defaults and their relationship to the configured paths clearer, that would be useful feedback for improving the user experience and documentation.