Cannot change project Root Directory in when using .sln files

Environment

• Projects using Visual Studio Solution (.sln) files
• Development environments require access to files outside the .sln directory (e.g. GitHub Actions workflows in the repository root)

Issue

• When opening a project based on a .sln file in Rider, the IDE sets the project root directory to the location of the .sln file.
• There is no built-in option within Rider to change this perceived project root to a different directory (e.g., the actual Git repository root).

Cause

JetBrains Rider internally uses a project model based on the .sln solution file(s). By design, this model treats the directory containing the .sln file as the project's root, and this behavior is not currently configurable.

Resolution

There is currently no direct way to change the project root directory within JetBrains Rider when using the default .sln-based project model.

Workarounds:

1. Manage Files Externally: Use the system's file explorer or another IDE/editor to manage files located outside the .sln directory.

2. Consider CLion with CMake: If the project structure allows for the generation of CMake build files (CMakeLists.txt), consider opening the project in JetBrains CLion using CMake. CMake projects typically allow for more flexible project root definitions.

Note: there are plans to implement .sln support in CLion in the future in the scope of the Support MSBuild project Support MSBuild project.