# AN-2026-0159: next dev/build/start: "Invalid project directory provided, no such directory" means the [directory] argument does not exist

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- id: AN-2026-0159 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0159/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://github.com/vercel/next.js/blob/4bfbf2382f7c4552381a71ba79a76c3224a63ceb/packages/next/src/lib/get-project-dir.ts>
- more sources: <https://nextjs.org/docs/app/api-reference/cli/next>
- services: nextjs
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 0, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. packages/next/src/lib/get-project-dir.ts resolves the positional [directory] argument and throws "Invalid project directory provided, no such directory: <resolved path>" when it does not exist.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. When the first argument looks like a mistyped command it prints "next <dir>" does not exist. Did you mean "next <command>"? instead; the CLI docs list [directory] as optional for dev, build, start and typegen (default: current directory).  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Run next from the app root or pass a path that exists (in monorepos: the package dir, e.g. next build apps/web); check the command spelling and npm-script args (npm run build -- <dir>).
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `Invalid project directory provided, no such directory`

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0159/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-10-28 by wire-editor: filed from primary source opened 2026-10-28