diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ca0519d..ebd8784 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ A lightweight, context‑aware shell for developers
 [![License: Apache 2.0](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-Apache%202.0-blue.svg)](https://opensource.org/licenses/Apache-2.0)
 [![Python Version](https://img.shields.io/badge/python-3.10%2B-blue)](https://www.python.org/downloads/)
 
-===========================================================
+---
 
 TruShell is not a full replacement for bash or zsh. It is a small
 utility shell that sits next to your normal terminal and helps you
diff --git a/tests/test_cli_cd.py b/tests/test_cli_cd.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4b39cab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_cli_cd.py
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from trushell import cli
+
+
+def test_handle_cd_command_changes_directory(tmp_path, monkeypatch, capsys):
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+    target = tmp_path / "dir"
+    target.mkdir()
+
+    called = False
+
+    def fake_run_external_command(command: str, shell: bool = True, check: bool = False, cwd: str | None = None):
+        nonlocal called
+        called = True
+        return None
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(cli, "_run_external_command", fake_run_external_command)
+
+    result = cli._handle_cd_command("cd dir")
+
+    assert result is True
+    assert Path.cwd() == target
+    assert not called
+    assert str(target) in capsys.readouterr().out
diff --git a/tests/test_trukernel.py b/tests/test_trukernel.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7b02e03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_trukernel.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import os
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from trushell.core.trukernel import TruKernel
+
+
+def test_execute_entry_handles_trushell_cd_sentinel(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    target = tmp_path / "target"
+    target.mkdir()
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+
+    module_path = tmp_path / "jump_module.py"
+    module_path.write_text(
+        "def jump(args):\n"
+        "    return '__TRUSHELL_CD__: ' + args\n",
+        encoding="utf-8",
+    )
+
+    entry = {
+        "command": "j",
+        "path": str(module_path),
+        "function": "jump",
+    }
+
+    kernel = TruKernel()
+    try:
+        result = kernel._execute_entry(entry, args=str(target))
+        assert result is True
+        assert Path(os.getcwd()) == target
+    finally:
+        # Reset cwd for the rest of the test session if needed
+        monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
diff --git a/trushell/cli.py b/trushell/cli.py
index d0749bf..79beb6a 100644
--- a/trushell/cli.py
+++ b/trushell/cli.py
@@ -18,10 +18,9 @@
     psutil = None
 
 from . import __version__
-from .core.trukernel import EXIT_SENTINEL, TruKernel
+from .core.trukernel import EXIT_SENTINEL, get_kernel
 
 app = typer.Typer(name="trushell", help="TruShell manifest-driven launcher.")
-kernel = TruKernel()
 
 
 def app_with_lower() -> None:
@@ -30,7 +29,7 @@ def app_with_lower() -> None:
         sys.argv[1] = sys.argv[1].lower()
         if sys.argv[1] not in {"--help", "-h", "version"}:
             raw = " ".join(sys.argv[1:])
-            kernel.execute_command(raw)
+            get_kernel().execute_command(raw)
             return
     app()
 
@@ -271,7 +270,7 @@ def _handle_cd_command(raw_command: str) -> bool:
 
     try:
         os.chdir(target)
-        _run_external_command("ls", shell=True, check=False, cwd=os.getcwd())
+        typer.echo(os.getcwd())
     except (FileNotFoundError, NotADirectoryError, PermissionError) as error:
         typer.secho(f"❌ Cannot navigate: {error}", fg=typer.colors.RED)
     except OSError as error:
@@ -299,7 +298,7 @@ def _handle_os_fallback(raw_command: str) -> bool:
 
 def run_interactive_shell() -> None:
     """Persistent REPL loop for the TruShell core."""
-    kernel = TruKernel()
+    kernel = get_kernel()
 
     typer.secho("Entering TruShell. Type 'exit' to quit.", fg=typer.colors.CYAN)
 
diff --git a/trushell/core/trukernel.py b/trushell/core/trukernel.py
index cd57b6b..9a1929b 100644
--- a/trushell/core/trukernel.py
+++ b/trushell/core/trukernel.py
@@ -49,9 +49,16 @@ def _load_manifests(self) -> None:
         plugins = parse_manifest(
             self._manifest_path("plugins.md"), source="plugin"
         )
-        aliases = parse_manifest(
-            self._manifest_path("my_command_config.md"), source="alias"
-        )
+
+        alias_path = self._manifest_path("my_command_config.md")
+        if alias_path.exists():
+            aliases = parse_manifest(alias_path, source="alias")
+        else:
+            self.logger.debug(
+                "Alias manifest not found, skipping optional manifest: %s",
+                alias_path,
+            )
+            aliases = []
 
         for entry in builtins:
             self._register(entry)
@@ -141,6 +148,18 @@ def _execute_entry(
                 self.logger.info("Exit command received")
                 return EXIT_SENTINEL
 
+            # Special-case TruShell directory jump helper
+            if isinstance(result, str) and result.startswith("__TRUSHELL_CD__: "):
+                target_path = result.split(": ", 1)[1].strip()
+                try:
+                    os.chdir(target_path)
+                    print(os.getcwd())
+                    return True
+                except OSError as error:
+                    print(f"cd: {error}")
+                    self.logger.warning("Failed to change directory to %s: %s", target_path, error)
+                    return False
+
             # Only print if the function explicitly returned a value
             # This prevents the kernel from printing 'None' when functions
             # perform their own prints and return None.