diff --git a/internal/engine/infinity/sql_test.go b/internal/engine/infinity/sql_test.go
index 727d285a92..f072d1c47f 100644
--- a/internal/engine/infinity/sql_test.go
+++ b/internal/engine/infinity/sql_test.go
@@ -376,6 +376,12 @@ func TestLoadFieldMapping_ParsesAliases(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestLoadFieldMapping_EmptyNameDefaultsToInfinityMappingJSON(t *testing.T) {
+	// Ensure the test runs in an isolated project base so any repo file
+	// named "infinity_mapping.json" doesn't get picked up.
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	os.Setenv("RAG_PROJECT_BASE", dir)
+	defer os.Unsetenv("RAG_PROJECT_BASE")
+
 	// Empty name → defaults to "infinity_mapping.json" (line 145).
 	// We just verify the function doesn't panic and the file-not-found
 	// path is taken silently.
diff --git a/internal/utility/path.go b/internal/utility/path.go
index b7baf93424..d913a26674 100644
--- a/internal/utility/path.go
+++ b/internal/utility/path.go
@@ -19,11 +19,15 @@ package utility
 import (
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"runtime"
 )
 
 // GetProjectRoot returns the project root directory
 func GetProjectRoot() string {
 	// Try environment variable first
+	if confDir := os.Getenv("RAGFLOW_CONF_DIR"); confDir != "" {
+		return confDir
+	}
 	if d := os.Getenv("RAG_PROJECT_BASE"); d != "" {
 		return d
 	}
@@ -31,8 +35,23 @@ func GetProjectRoot() string {
 		return d
 	}
 
-	// The binary is always at <project_root>/bin/, so going up 2 levels from
-	// the executable path gives the project root.
+	// Find project root by looking for go.mod from this source file.
+	_, curFile, _, ok := runtime.Caller(0)
+	if ok {
+		dir := filepath.Dir(curFile)
+		for {
+			if _, err := os.Stat(filepath.Join(dir, "go.mod")); err == nil {
+				return dir
+			}
+			parent := filepath.Dir(dir)
+			if parent == dir {
+				break
+			}
+			dir = parent
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Deployment binaries are normally at <project_root>/bin/.
 	exe, err := os.Executable()
 	if err != nil {
 		return "."