# Why are \`group\_vars\` and \`host\_vars\` paths relative to playbook basedir?

**URL:** <https://forum.ansible.com/t/why-are-group-vars-and-host-vars-paths-relative-to-playbook-basedir/21709>\
**Category:** Ansible Developer\
**Created:** [June 9, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/why-are-group-vars-and-host-vars-paths-relative-to-playbook-basedir/21709 "2016-06-09T00:39:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kevin.phillips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@kevin.phillips](https://forum.ansible.com/u/kevin.phillips)\
**Post date:** [June 9, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://forum.ansible.com/t/why-are-group-vars-and-host-vars-paths-relative-to-playbook-basedir/21709/1 "2016-06-09T00:39:53Z")

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Hi All,

Can someone explain why `ansible.inventory.Inventory._find_group_vars_files()` and `ansible.inventory.Inventory._find_host_vars_files()` are relative to the basedir of the playbook? From my armchair, I suppose it may ensure included plays/tasks/vars with relative paths always resolve to the expected file.

Thanks for taking the time!

Kevin