diff --git a/internal/recipe/runner.go b/internal/recipe/runner.go
index 347ddb1..cd3feda 100644
--- a/internal/recipe/runner.go
+++ b/internal/recipe/runner.go
@@ -81,11 +81,11 @@ Execute this step now. Respond ONLY with the expected output format — no expla
 	return nil
 }
 
-// discoverFiles — now fully generic using recipe metadata
+// discoverFiles — respects package_path param, with smart defaults
 func (r *Runner) discoverFiles() []string {
 	var files []string
 
-	// Get root from --param or default
+	// 1. Use explicit --param package_path if provided
 	root := "."
 	if v, ok := r.Recipe.ResolvedParams["package_path"]; ok {
 		if s, ok := v.(string); ok && s != "" {
@@ -93,6 +93,15 @@ func (r *Runner) discoverFiles() []string {
 		}
 	}
 
+	// 2. If no param was given, apply smart defaults
+	if root == "." {
+		// Check for src/ directory (common in some layouts)
+		if _, err := os.Stat("src"); err == nil {
+			root = "src"
+		}
+		// otherwise stay at project root (.)
+	}
+
 	// Build allowed extensions from recipe frontmatter
 	allowedExt := make(map[string]bool)
 	for _, lang := range r.Recipe.ProjectLanguages {
@@ -109,7 +118,7 @@ func (r *Runner) discoverFiles() []string {
 		}
 		if allowedExt[filepath.Ext(path)] {
 			b, _ := os.ReadFile(path)
-			if strings.Contains(string(b), "if err != nil") {
+			if strings.Contains(string(b), "if err != nil") { // TODO: generalize this too later
 				files = append(files, path)
 			}
 		}