# seed-paths

dbt\_project.yml

```yml
seed-paths: [directorypath]
```

## Definition

Optionally specify a custom list of directories where [seed](../../docs/build/seeds.md) files are located.

## Default

By default, dbt expects seeds to be located in the `seeds` directory. For example, `seed-paths: ["seeds"]`.

Paths specified in `seed-paths` must be relative to the location of your `dbt_project.yml` file. Avoid using absolute paths like `/Users/username/project/seed`, as it will lead to unexpected behavior and outcomes.

* ✅ **Do**

  * Use relative path:

    ```yml
    seed-paths: ["seed"]
    ```

* ❌ **Don't:**

  * Avoid absolute paths:

    ```yml
    seed-paths: ["/Users/username/project/seed"]
    ```

## Examples

### Use a directory named `custom_seeds` instead of `seeds`

dbt\_project.yml

```yml
seed-paths: ["custom_seeds"]
```

### Co-locate your models and seeds in the `models` directory

Note: this works because dbt is looking for different file types for seeds (`.csv` files) and models (`.sql` files).

dbt\_project.yml

```yml
seed-paths: ["models"]
model-paths: ["models"]
```

### Split your seeds across two directories

Note: We recommend that you instead use two subdirectories within the `seeds/` directory to achieve a similar effect.

dbt\_project.yml

```yml
seed-paths: ["seeds", "custom_seeds"]
```

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