# Change project root

When you open a project, CLion treats the location of the top-level configuration file as project root. Also, in the case of [CMake](quick-cmake-tutorial.html), when you [create](creating-new-project-from-scratch.html#create-prj) a new CMake project, CLion places the `CMakeLists.txt` file under the root.

However, your project may have a different structure. For example, your main project configuration script (`CMakeLists.txt` or other) can be located in some subdirectory. In this case, you need to change the project root manually.

Procedure:

1. Select `Tools | <project format> | Change Project Root` from the main menu.

<project format> is either CMake, Makefile, or Compilation database.

2. Point CLion to the directory that you want to be considered as root.

3. Make sure to reload the project.

> **Note:**
> Change Project Root does not affect the actual location of your files.

## See also

### Procedures

[Quick CMake Tutorial](quick-cmake-tutorial.html) [Makefile projects](makefiles-support.html) [Compilation database](compilation-database.html)