diff --git a/zellij-server/src/lib.rs b/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
index 45ea85940..bf0f1a82f 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
@@ -343,9 +343,11 @@ pub fn start_server(mut os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
                 let default_shell = config_options.default_shell.map(|shell| {
                     TerminalAction::RunCommand(RunCommand {
                         command: shell,
+                        cwd: config_options.default_cwd.clone(),
                         ..Default::default()
                     })
                 });
+                let cwd = config_options.default_cwd;
 
                 let spawn_tabs = |tab_layout, floating_panes_layout, tab_name, swap_layouts| {
                     session_data
@@ -355,6 +357,7 @@ pub fn start_server(mut os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
                         .unwrap()
                         .senders
                         .send_to_screen(ScreenInstruction::NewTab(
+                            cwd.clone(),
                             default_shell.clone(),
                             tab_layout,
                             floating_panes_layout,
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/mod.rs b/zellij-server/src/plugins/mod.rs
index e1884b1e6..2aca679a3 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/mod.rs
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ pub enum PluginInstruction {
     AddClient(ClientId),
     RemoveClient(ClientId),
     NewTab(
+        Option<PathBuf>,
         Option<TerminalAction>,
         Option<TiledPaneLayout>,
         Vec<FloatingPaneLayout>,
@@ -112,6 +113,7 @@ pub(crate) fn plugin_thread_main(
                 wasm_bridge.remove_client(client_id);
             },
             PluginInstruction::NewTab(
+                cwd,
                 terminal_action,
                 tab_layout,
                 floating_panes_layout,
@@ -142,6 +144,7 @@ pub(crate) fn plugin_thread_main(
                     }
                 }
                 drop(bus.senders.send_to_pty(PtyInstruction::NewTab(
+                    cwd,
                     terminal_action,
                     tab_layout,
                     floating_panes_layout,
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/pty.rs b/zellij-server/src/pty.rs
index d28b333b7..ea2d4fe44 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/pty.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/pty.rs
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ pub enum PtyInstruction {
     UpdateActivePane(Option<PaneId>, ClientId),
     GoToTab(TabIndex, ClientId),
     NewTab(
+        Option<PathBuf>,
         Option<TerminalAction>,
         Option<TiledPaneLayout>,
         Vec<FloatingPaneLayout>,
@@ -336,6 +337,7 @@ pub(crate) fn pty_thread_main(mut pty: Pty, layout: Box<Layout>) -> Result<()> {
                     })?;
             },
             PtyInstruction::NewTab(
+                cwd,
                 terminal_action,
                 tab_layout,
                 floating_panes_layout,
@@ -351,6 +353,7 @@ pub(crate) fn pty_thread_main(mut pty: Pty, layout: Box<Layout>) -> Result<()> {
                     floating_panes_layout
                 };
                 pty.spawn_terminals_for_layout(
+                    cwd,
                     tab_layout.unwrap_or_else(|| layout.new_tab().0),
                     floating_panes_layout,
                     terminal_action.clone(),
@@ -591,6 +594,7 @@ impl Pty {
     }
     pub fn spawn_terminals_for_layout(
         &mut self,
+        cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
         layout: TiledPaneLayout,
         floating_panes_layout: Vec<FloatingPaneLayout>,
         default_shell: Option<TerminalAction>,
@@ -601,7 +605,7 @@ impl Pty {
         let err_context = || format!("failed to spawn terminals for layout for client {client_id}");
 
         let mut default_shell =
-            default_shell.unwrap_or_else(|| self.get_default_terminal(None, None));
+            default_shell.unwrap_or_else(|| self.get_default_terminal(cwd, None));
         self.fill_cwd(&mut default_shell, client_id);
         let extracted_run_instructions = layout.extract_run_instructions();
         let extracted_floating_run_instructions =
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/route.rs b/zellij-server/src/route.rs
index c240ec40d..c14d0c14e 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/route.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/route.rs
@@ -464,6 +464,7 @@ pub(crate) fn route_action(
             session
                 .senders
                 .send_to_screen(ScreenInstruction::NewTab(
+                    None,
                     shell,
                     tab_layout,
                     floating_panes_layout,
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/screen.rs b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
index ecd1c7521..8b5cc5d64 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 use std::cell::RefCell;
 use std::collections::{BTreeMap, HashMap, HashSet};
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::rc::Rc;
 use std::str;
 
@@ -190,6 +191,7 @@ pub enum ScreenInstruction {
     UpdatePaneName(Vec<u8>, ClientId),
     UndoRenamePane(ClientId),
     NewTab(
+        Option<PathBuf>,
         Option<TerminalAction>,
         Option<TiledPaneLayout>,
         Vec<FloatingPaneLayout>,
@@ -2097,6 +2099,7 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                 screen.render()?;
             },
             ScreenInstruction::NewTab(
+                cwd,
                 default_shell,
                 layout,
                 floating_panes_layout,
@@ -2111,6 +2114,7 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                     .bus
                     .senders
                     .send_to_plugin(PluginInstruction::NewTab(
+                        cwd,
                         default_shell,
                         layout,
                         floating_panes_layout,
@@ -2202,6 +2206,7 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                                 .bus
                                 .senders
                                 .send_to_plugin(PluginInstruction::NewTab(
+                                    None,
                                     default_shell,
                                     None,
                                     vec![],
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs b/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
index adc7b0441..d4cd8c1e7 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
@@ -299,6 +299,7 @@ impl MockScreen {
         let tab_name = None;
         let tab_index = self.last_opened_tab_index.map(|l| l + 1).unwrap_or(0);
         let _ = self.to_screen.send(ScreenInstruction::NewTab(
+            None,
             default_shell,
             Some(pane_layout.clone()),
             vec![], // floating_panes_layout
@@ -329,6 +330,7 @@ impl MockScreen {
             pane_ids.push((i as u32, None));
         }
         let _ = self.to_screen.send(ScreenInstruction::NewTab(
+            None,
             default_shell,
             Some(tab_layout.clone()),
             vec![], // floating_panes_layout
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_new_tab_action_default_params.snap b/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_new_tab_action_default_params.snap
index 42eeaa7c4..a25b01b47 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_new_tab_action_default_params.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_new_tab_action_default_params.snap
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", new_tab_action)"
 ---
 Some(
     NewTab(
+        None,
         None,
         Some(
             TiledPaneLayout {
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_new_tab_action_with_name_and_layout.snap b/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_new_tab_action_with_name_and_layout.snap
index f06ae128c..cd5300d08 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_new_tab_action_with_name_and_layout.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_new_tab_action_with_name_and_layout.snap
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ assertion_line: 2448
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", new_tab_instruction)"
 ---
 NewTab(
+    None,
     None,
     Some(
         TiledPaneLayout {
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_rename_tab.snap b/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_rename_tab.snap
index 596b5e800..f5e86b280 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_rename_tab.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_rename_tab.snap
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", * received_plugin_instructions.lock().unwrap())"
         ],
     ),
     NewTab(
+        None,
         None,
         Some(
             TiledPaneLayout {
@@ -187,6 +188,7 @@ expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", * received_plugin_instructions.lock().unwrap())"
         ],
     ),
     NewTab(
+        None,
         None,
         Some(
             TiledPaneLayout {
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_undo_rename_tab.snap b/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_undo_rename_tab.snap
index 1a80ff086..bae48188f 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_undo_rename_tab.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__screen__screen_tests__send_cli_undo_rename_tab.snap
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", * received_plugin_instructions.lock().unwrap())"
         ],
     ),
     NewTab(
+        None,
         None,
         Some(
             TiledPaneLayout {
@@ -187,6 +188,7 @@ expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", * received_plugin_instructions.lock().unwrap())"
         ],
     ),
     NewTab(
+        None,
         None,
         Some(
             TiledPaneLayout {
diff --git a/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.kdl b/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.kdl
index 1e8ddd7c3..57106681d 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.kdl
+++ b/zellij-utils/assets/config/default.kdl
@@ -200,6 +200,10 @@ plugins {
 //
 // default_shell "fish"
 
+// Choose the path to override cwd that zellij will use for opening new panes
+//
+// default_cwd ""
+
 // Toggle between having pane frames around the panes
 // Options:
 //   - true (default)
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
index 9d0c6da39..8022ea28e 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
@@ -303,6 +303,7 @@ mod config_test {
             theme "my cool theme"
             default_mode "locked"
             default_shell "/path/to/my/shell"
+            default_cwd "/path"
             default_layout "/path/to/my/layout.kdl"
             layout_dir "/path/to/my/layout-dir"
             theme_dir "/path/to/my/theme-dir"
@@ -339,6 +340,11 @@ mod config_test {
             Some(PathBuf::from("/path/to/my/shell")),
             "Option set in config"
         );
+        assert_eq!(
+            config.options.default_cwd,
+            Some(PathBuf::from("/path")),
+            "Option set in config"
+        );
         assert_eq!(
             config.options.default_layout,
             Some(PathBuf::from("/path/to/my/layout.kdl")),
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs
index 8f7902364..68ef49e0f 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ pub struct Options {
     /// Set the default shell
     #[clap(long, value_parser)]
     pub default_shell: Option<PathBuf>,
+    /// Set the default cwd
+    #[clap(long, value_parser)]
+    pub default_cwd: Option<PathBuf>,
     /// Set the default layout
     #[clap(long, value_parser)]
     pub default_layout: Option<PathBuf>,
@@ -167,6 +170,7 @@ impl Options {
         let simplified_ui = other.simplified_ui.or(self.simplified_ui);
         let default_mode = other.default_mode.or(self.default_mode);
         let default_shell = other.default_shell.or_else(|| self.default_shell.clone());
+        let default_cwd = other.default_cwd.or_else(|| self.default_cwd.clone());
         let default_layout = other.default_layout.or_else(|| self.default_layout.clone());
         let layout_dir = other.layout_dir.or_else(|| self.layout_dir.clone());
         let theme_dir = other.theme_dir.or_else(|| self.theme_dir.clone());
@@ -189,6 +193,7 @@ impl Options {
             theme,
             default_mode,
             default_shell,
+            default_cwd,
             default_layout,
             layout_dir,
             theme_dir,
@@ -230,6 +235,7 @@ impl Options {
 
         let default_mode = other.default_mode.or(self.default_mode);
         let default_shell = other.default_shell.or_else(|| self.default_shell.clone());
+        let default_cwd = other.default_cwd.or_else(|| self.default_cwd.clone());
         let default_layout = other.default_layout.or_else(|| self.default_layout.clone());
         let layout_dir = other.layout_dir.or_else(|| self.layout_dir.clone());
         let theme_dir = other.theme_dir.or_else(|| self.theme_dir.clone());
@@ -252,6 +258,7 @@ impl Options {
             theme,
             default_mode,
             default_shell,
+            default_cwd,
             default_layout,
             layout_dir,
             theme_dir,
@@ -310,6 +317,7 @@ impl From<CliOptions> for Options {
             theme: opts.theme,
             default_mode: opts.default_mode,
             default_shell: opts.default_shell,
+            default_cwd: opts.default_cwd,
             default_layout: opts.default_layout,
             layout_dir: opts.layout_dir,
             theme_dir: opts.theme_dir,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
index fa11077c0..a892cf8c3 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
@@ -1304,6 +1304,8 @@ impl Options {
         let default_shell =
             kdl_property_first_arg_as_string_or_error!(kdl_options, "default_shell")
                 .map(|(string, _entry)| PathBuf::from(string));
+        let default_cwd = kdl_property_first_arg_as_string_or_error!(kdl_options, "default_cwd")
+            .map(|(string, _entry)| PathBuf::from(string));
         let pane_frames =
             kdl_property_first_arg_as_bool_or_error!(kdl_options, "pane_frames").map(|(v, _)| v);
         let auto_layout =
@@ -1358,6 +1360,7 @@ impl Options {
             theme,
             default_mode,
             default_shell,
+            default_cwd,
             default_layout,
             layout_dir,
             theme_dir,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__cli_arguments_override_config_options.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__cli_arguments_override_config_options.snap
index dfe128dab..0ef13c025 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__cli_arguments_override_config_options.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__cli_arguments_override_config_options.snap
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ Options {
     theme: None,
     default_mode: None,
     default_shell: None,
+    default_cwd: None,
     default_layout: None,
     layout_dir: None,
     theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__cli_arguments_override_layout_options.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__cli_arguments_override_layout_options.snap
index 881d22ee3..ac3f4bf1e 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__cli_arguments_override_layout_options.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__cli_arguments_override_layout_options.snap
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ Options {
     theme: None,
     default_mode: None,
     default_shell: None,
+    default_cwd: None,
     default_layout: None,
     layout_dir: None,
     theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments-3.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments-3.snap
index b8c2a501b..cf623d2e5 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments-3.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments-3.snap
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ Options {
     theme: None,
     default_mode: None,
     default_shell: None,
+    default_cwd: None,
     default_layout: None,
     layout_dir: None,
     theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
index a51321f89..c9267c329 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
@@ -3525,6 +3525,7 @@ Config {
         theme: None,
         default_mode: None,
         default_shell: None,
+        default_cwd: None,
         default_layout: None,
         layout_dir: None,
         theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
index 226385df8..2c8b20956 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
@@ -3525,6 +3525,7 @@ Config {
         theme: None,
         default_mode: None,
         default_shell: None,
+        default_cwd: None,
         default_layout: None,
         layout_dir: None,
         theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_keybinds_override_config_keybinds.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_keybinds_override_config_keybinds.snap
index 55574997d..4cea16134 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_keybinds_override_config_keybinds.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_keybinds_override_config_keybinds.snap
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ Config {
         theme: None,
         default_mode: None,
         default_shell: None,
+        default_cwd: None,
         default_layout: None,
         layout_dir: None,
         theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_options_override_config_options.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_options_override_config_options.snap
index 2a3e7acea..d354e6fed 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_options_override_config_options.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_options_override_config_options.snap
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ Options {
     theme: None,
     default_mode: None,
     default_shell: None,
+    default_cwd: None,
     default_layout: None,
     layout_dir: None,
     theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_plugins_override_config_plugins.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_plugins_override_config_plugins.snap
index 772eb5266..5f55ff1d7 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_plugins_override_config_plugins.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_plugins_override_config_plugins.snap
@@ -3525,6 +3525,7 @@ Config {
         theme: None,
         default_mode: None,
         default_shell: None,
+        default_cwd: None,
         default_layout: None,
         layout_dir: None,
         theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
index e4532bbe3..4534d4912 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
@@ -3525,6 +3525,7 @@ Config {
         theme: None,
         default_mode: None,
         default_shell: None,
+        default_cwd: None,
         default_layout: None,
         layout_dir: None,
         theme_dir: None,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
index 001041fce..414b1d84b 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
@@ -3525,6 +3525,7 @@ Config {
         theme: None,
         default_mode: None,
         default_shell: None,
+        default_cwd: None,
         default_layout: None,
         layout_dir: None,
         theme_dir: None,