harper dev does not serve static files when app path contains a dotfile directory

[hdbjeff]

Bug Summary

When running harper dev . from a directory whose path contains a dotfile directory (e.g. .claude), the static extension fails to serve files — all requests return 404. Other extensions (jsResource, fastifyRoutes, graphqlSchema, loadEnv) work correctly from the same path.

Reproduction Repository (if applicable)

No response

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create a Harper app with a static extension in config.yaml:

static:
  files: 'site/**'
  urlPath: 'app'
  index: true
  extensions: ['html']

2. Place HTML files in the site/ directory
3. Run harper dev . from a path containing a dotfile directory, e.g.:
   /Users/me/my-app/.hidden-dir/worktrees/my-branch/
4. Request http://localhost:9926/app/ → 404
5. Request http://localhost:9926/HealthCheck (jsResource) → 200 ✅

Expected Behavior

Static files are served at /app/ regardless of the app's directory path.

Actual Behavior

Static files return 404 when the path includes a dotfile directory. Other extensions load fine.

Platform

Harper 4.7.20 (also reproduced on 4.7.3 and 4.7.19), Node.js v24.11.0, macOS

Console Errors

No response

Screenshots or Videos

No response

Additional Context

Workaround: Run harper dev . from a path that doesn't contain dotfile directories (e.g. the main repo root rather than a git worktree under a hidden directory).

• File permissions are all standard (755 dirs, 644 files) — not a permissions issue
• loadEnv loads correctly from the same path (env conflict warnings confirm Harper finds the right directory)
• Fresh Harper install (removed data directory and reinstalled) — same result
• The same app code works perfectly when deployed to Harper Fabric
• The same app works with harper dev . from the main repo path (/Users/me/my-app/) which has no dotfile directories
• This was discovered using git worktrees located under .claude/worktrees/, a common pattern with Claude Code

Are you planning to fix this issue?

No, just reporting the issue

First-time contributor support

• I'm new to contributing and would appreciate guidance on the process
• I'd like help understanding the project structure
• I need assistance with setting up the development environment
• I'm comfortable contributing, but new to this project specifically

[Ethan-Arrowood]

This is likely a limitation of the static plugin or how file paths are resolved in the plugin API. Will need to reproduce and debug to know more.