Context

• Python 3.11.6
• MacOS 14.1
• Mkdocs 1.5.1

Bug description

I've tried to follow the project plugin documentation to set up a basic example, with a single example project inside the projects directory.

However doing the bare minimum to try and get this working has ended in failure for me.

Related links

• Reporting a bug
• Projects Plugin)
• Projects Plugin Roadmap Discussion

Reproduction

9.4.9+insiders.4.43.0-projects-missing-directory.zip

Steps to reproduce

1. Create initial parent mkdocs project using mkdocs new .
2. Configure resulting mkdocs.yml file with theme being set to material, projects plugin enabled.
3. Create projects directory in the root of the project.
4. Execute mkdocs new abc in the projects directory.
5. Add relevant navigation to link the two using the project:// url scheme.

   nav:
     - Home: index.md
     - abc: project://abc

6. Try and run mkdocs serve.
7. Get the resulting error:

   > mkdocs serve
   INFO    -  Building documentation...
   INFO    -  Cleaning site directory
   ERROR   -  Couldn't find project '.abc'
   
   Aborted with a BuildError!

Browser

No response

Before submitting

• I have read and followed the bug reporting guidelines.
• I have attached links to the documentation, and possibly related issues and discussions.
• I assure that I have removed all customizations before submitting this bug report.
• I have attached a .zip file with a minimal reproduction.