diff --git a/lua/avante/llm_tools/helpers.lua b/lua/avante/llm_tools/helpers.lua
index bd4e09b..3f0be92 100644
--- a/lua/avante/llm_tools/helpers.lua
+++ b/lua/avante/llm_tools/helpers.lua
@@ -111,7 +111,11 @@ end
 function M.has_permission_to_access(abs_path)
   if not Path:new(abs_path):is_absolute() then return false end
   local project_root = Utils.get_project_root()
-  if abs_path:sub(1, #project_root) ~= project_root then return false end
+  -- allow if inside project root OR inside user config dir
+  local config_dir = vim.fn.stdpath("config")
+  local in_project = abs_path:sub(1, #project_root) == project_root
+  local in_config = abs_path:sub(1, #config_dir) == config_dir
+  if not in_project and not in_config then return false end
   return not M.is_ignored(abs_path)
 end