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(emacs)Directory Tracking

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Directory Tracking
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   Shell mode keeps track of `cd', `pushd' and `popd' commands given to
the inferior shell, so it can keep the `*shell*' buffer's default
directory the same as the shell's working directory.  It recognizes
these commands syntactically, by examining lines of input that are sent.

   If you use aliases for these commands, you can tell Emacs to
recognize them also.  For example, if the value of the variable
`shell-pushd-regexp' matches the beginning of a shell command line,
that line is regarded as a `pushd' command.  Change this variable when
you add aliases for `pushd'.  Likewise, `shell-popd-regexp' and
`shell-cd-regexp' are used to recognize commands with the meaning of
`popd' and `cd'.  These commands are recognized only at the beginning
of a shell command line.

   If Emacs gets confused about changes in the current directory of the
subshell, use the command `M-x dirs' to ask the shell what its current
directory is.  This command works for shells that support the most
common command syntax; it may not work for unusual shells.

   You can also use `M-x dirtrack-mode' to enable (or disable) an
alternative and more aggressive method of tracking changes in the
current directory.