diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3e73137..ba3ec47 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -316,6 +316,19 @@ The base URL should point to a server that mirrors the structure of `https://mal
 - `/releases/npm.json` (JavaScript new packages list)
 - `/releases/pypi.json` (Python new packages list)
 
+## Custom Install Directory
+
+By default, Safe Chain installs itself into `~/.safe-chain`. You can change this by setting `SAFE_CHAIN_DIR` before running the installer. This is useful for system-wide installations (e.g. inside a Docker image) or when you need to avoid conflicts with other tools.
+
+When set, all Safe Chain data (binary, shims, scripts) is placed under the custom directory instead of `~/.safe-chain`.
+
+```shell
+export SAFE_CHAIN_DIR=/usr/local/.safe-chain
+curl -fsSL https://github.com/AikidoSec/safe-chain/releases/latest/download/install-safe-chain.sh | sh
+```
+
+> **Note:** CLI argument and config file options are not supported for `SAFE_CHAIN_DIR`. The config file lives inside the Safe Chain directory itself, creating a chicken-and-egg problem, and passing a directory path as a flag to package manager commands (e.g. `npm install express --safe-chain-dir=...`) does not make sense.
+
 # Usage in CI/CD
 
 You can protect your CI/CD pipelines from malicious packages by integrating Aikido Safe Chain into your build process. This ensures that any packages installed during your automated builds are checked for malware before installation.
@@ -406,6 +419,7 @@ pipeline {
   environment {
     // Jenkins does not automatically persist PATH updates from setup-ci,
     // so add the shims + binary directory explicitly for all stages.
+    // If you set SAFE_CHAIN_DIR, replace ~/.safe-chain with that path here.
     PATH = "${env.HOME}/.safe-chain/shims:${env.HOME}/.safe-chain/bin:${env.PATH}"
   }
 
@@ -461,7 +475,7 @@ To add safe-chain in GitLab pipelines, you need to install it in the image runni
    # Install safe-chain
    RUN curl -fsSL https://github.com/AikidoSec/safe-chain/releases/latest/download/install-safe-chain.sh | sh -s -- --ci
 
-   # Add safe-chain to PATH
+   # Add safe-chain to PATH (update paths if you set SAFE_CHAIN_DIR during install)
    ENV PATH="/root/.safe-chain/shims:/root/.safe-chain/bin:${PATH}"
    ```
 
diff --git a/install-scripts/install-safe-chain.ps1 b/install-scripts/install-safe-chain.ps1
index ffe2505..f95fdfd 100644
--- a/install-scripts/install-safe-chain.ps1
+++ b/install-scripts/install-safe-chain.ps1
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ param(
 )
 
 $Version = $env:SAFE_CHAIN_VERSION  # Will be fetched from latest release if not set
-$InstallDir = Join-Path $env:USERPROFILE ".safe-chain\bin"
+$SafeChainBase = if ($env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR) { $env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR } else { Join-Path $env:USERPROFILE ".safe-chain" }
+$InstallDir = Join-Path $SafeChainBase "bin"
 $RepoUrl = "https://github.com/AikidoSec/safe-chain"
 
 # Ensure TLS 1.2 is enabled for downloads
diff --git a/install-scripts/install-safe-chain.sh b/install-scripts/install-safe-chain.sh
index 182cdad..f65b1d7 100755
--- a/install-scripts/install-safe-chain.sh
+++ b/install-scripts/install-safe-chain.sh
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ set -e  # Exit on error
 
 # Configuration
 VERSION="${SAFE_CHAIN_VERSION:-}"  # Will be fetched from latest release if not set
-INSTALL_DIR="${HOME}/.safe-chain/bin"
+SAFE_CHAIN_BASE="${SAFE_CHAIN_DIR:-${HOME}/.safe-chain}"
+INSTALL_DIR="${SAFE_CHAIN_BASE}/bin"
 REPO_URL="https://github.com/AikidoSec/safe-chain"
 
 # Colors for output
diff --git a/install-scripts/uninstall-safe-chain.ps1 b/install-scripts/uninstall-safe-chain.ps1
index 3292cdd..32a27a5 100644
--- a/install-scripts/uninstall-safe-chain.ps1
+++ b/install-scripts/uninstall-safe-chain.ps1
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 # Use HOME on Unix, USERPROFILE on Windows (PowerShell Core is cross-platform)
 $HomeDir = if ($env:HOME) { $env:HOME } else { $env:USERPROFILE }
-$DotSafeChain = Join-Path $HomeDir ".safe-chain"
+$DotSafeChain = if ($env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR) { $env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR } else { Join-Path $HomeDir ".safe-chain" }
 $InstallDir = Join-Path $DotSafeChain "bin"
 
 # Helper functions
diff --git a/install-scripts/uninstall-safe-chain.sh b/install-scripts/uninstall-safe-chain.sh
index dff6f31..fcb5153 100755
--- a/install-scripts/uninstall-safe-chain.sh
+++ b/install-scripts/uninstall-safe-chain.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 set -e  # Exit on error
 
 # Configuration
-DOT_SAFE_CHAIN="${HOME}/.safe-chain"
+DOT_SAFE_CHAIN="${SAFE_CHAIN_DIR:-${HOME}/.safe-chain}"
 
 # Colors for output
 RED='\033[0;31m'
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ main() {
     else
         info "Installation directory $DOT_SAFE_CHAIN does not exist. Nothing to remove."
     fi
+
 }
 
 main "$@"
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/config/configFile.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/config/configFile.js
index 3fb0f21..1b978ea 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/config/configFile.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/config/configFile.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import path from "path";
 import os from "os";
 import { ui } from "../environment/userInteraction.js";
 import { getEcoSystem } from "./settings.js";
+import { getSafeChainDir } from "./environmentVariables.js";
 
 /**
  * @typedef {Object} SafeChainConfig
@@ -304,8 +305,7 @@ function getConfigFilePath() {
  * @returns {string}
  */
 export function getSafeChainDirectory() {
-  const homeDir = os.homedir();
-  const safeChainDir = path.join(homeDir, ".safe-chain");
+  const safeChainDir = getSafeChainDir() ?? path.join(os.homedir(), ".safe-chain");
 
   if (!fs.existsSync(safeChainDir)) {
     fs.mkdirSync(safeChainDir, { recursive: true });
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/helpers.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/helpers.js
index 7ccfd99..2d66d1d 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/helpers.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/helpers.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import fs from "fs";
 import path from "path";
 import { ECOSYSTEM_JS, ECOSYSTEM_PY } from "../config/settings.js";
 import { getSafeChainDir } from "../config/environmentVariables.js";
+export { getSafeChainDir };
 import { safeSpawn } from "../utils/safeSpawn.js";
 import { ui } from "../environment/userInteraction.js";
 
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/setup.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/setup.js
index 66c6533..120723a 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/setup.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/setup.js
@@ -122,7 +122,6 @@ function copyStartupFiles() {
       fs.mkdirSync(targetDir, { recursive: true });
     }
 
-    // Use absolute path for source
     const sourcePath = path.join(dirname, "startup-scripts", file);
     fs.copyFileSync(sourcePath, targetPath);
   }
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/bash.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/bash.js
index 364323e..4f04c5e 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/bash.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/bash.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   doesExecutableExistOnSystem,
   removeLinesMatchingPattern,
   getScriptsDir,
+  getSafeChainDir,
 } from "../helpers.js";
 import { execSync, spawnSync } from "child_process";
 import * as os from "os";
@@ -41,12 +42,27 @@ function teardown(tools) {
     eol
   );
 
+  removeLinesMatchingPattern(
+    startupFile,
+    /^export\s+SAFE_CHAIN_DIR=.*#\s*Safe-chain/,
+    eol
+  );
+
   return true;
 }
 
 function setup() {
   const startupFile = getStartupFile();
 
+  const customDir = getSafeChainDir();
+  if (customDir) {
+    addLineToFile(
+      startupFile,
+      `export SAFE_CHAIN_DIR="${customDir}" # Safe-chain installation directory`,
+      eol
+    );
+  }
+
   addLineToFile(
     startupFile,
     `source ${path.join(getScriptsDir(), "init-posix.sh")} # Safe-chain bash initialization script`,
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/bash.spec.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/bash.spec.js
index f0a56d2..a8cd067 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/bash.spec.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/bash.spec.js
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ describe("Bash shell integration", () => {
   let bash;
   let windowsCygwinPath = "";
   let platform = "linux";
+  let getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
     // Create temporary startup file for testing
@@ -20,6 +21,7 @@ describe("Bash shell integration", () => {
       namedExports: {
         doesExecutableExistOnSystem: () => true,
         getScriptsDir: () => "/test-home/.safe-chain/scripts",
+        getSafeChainDir: () => getSafeChainDirResult,
         addLineToFile: (filePath, line) => {
           if (!fs.existsSync(filePath)) {
             fs.writeFileSync(filePath, "", "utf-8");
@@ -89,6 +91,7 @@ describe("Bash shell integration", () => {
     // Reset mocks
     mock.reset();
     platform = "linux";
+    getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
   });
 
   describe("isInstalled", () => {
@@ -200,6 +203,40 @@ describe("Bash shell integration", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR", () => {
+    it("should write export line to rc file when custom dir is set", () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = "/custom/safe-chain";
+      bash.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(
+        content.includes('export SAFE_CHAIN_DIR="/custom/safe-chain" # Safe-chain installation directory')
+      );
+    });
+
+    it("should not write export line when no custom dir is set", () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
+      bash.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+
+    it("should remove export line on teardown", () => {
+      const initialContent = [
+        '#!/bin/bash',
+        'export SAFE_CHAIN_DIR="/custom/safe-chain" # Safe-chain installation directory',
+        'source /test-home/.safe-chain/scripts/init-posix.sh # Safe-chain bash initialization script',
+      ].join("\n");
+
+      fs.writeFileSync(mockStartupFile, initialContent, "utf-8");
+
+      bash.teardown(knownAikidoTools);
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+  });
+
   describe("integration tests", () => {
     it("should handle complete setup and teardown cycle", () => {
       const tools = [
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/fish.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/fish.js
index 5f59826..bac8e7b 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/fish.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/fish.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   doesExecutableExistOnSystem,
   removeLinesMatchingPattern,
   getScriptsDir,
+  getSafeChainDir,
 } from "../helpers.js";
 import { execSync } from "child_process";
 import path from "path";
@@ -40,12 +41,27 @@ function teardown(tools) {
     eol
   );
 
+  removeLinesMatchingPattern(
+    startupFile,
+    /^set\s+-gx\s+SAFE_CHAIN_DIR\s+.*#\s*Safe-chain/,
+    eol
+  );
+
   return true;
 }
 
 function setup() {
   const startupFile = getStartupFile();
 
+  const customDir = getSafeChainDir();
+  if (customDir) {
+    addLineToFile(
+      startupFile,
+      `set -gx SAFE_CHAIN_DIR "${customDir}" # Safe-chain installation directory`,
+      eol
+    );
+  }
+
   addLineToFile(
     startupFile,
     `source ${path.join(getScriptsDir(), "init-fish.fish")} # Safe-chain Fish initialization script`,
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/fish.spec.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/fish.spec.js
index 0933b6e..c9918c5 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/fish.spec.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/fish.spec.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { knownAikidoTools } from "../helpers.js";
 describe("Fish shell integration", () => {
   let mockStartupFile;
   let fish;
+  let getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
     // Create temporary startup file for testing
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ describe("Fish shell integration", () => {
       namedExports: {
         doesExecutableExistOnSystem: () => true,
         getScriptsDir: () => "/test-home/.safe-chain/scripts",
+        getSafeChainDir: () => getSafeChainDirResult,
         addLineToFile: (filePath, line) => {
           if (!fs.existsSync(filePath)) {
             fs.writeFileSync(filePath, "", "utf-8");
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@ describe("Fish shell integration", () => {
 
     // Reset mocks
     mock.reset();
+    getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
   });
 
   describe("isInstalled", () => {
@@ -153,6 +156,39 @@ describe("Fish shell integration", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR", () => {
+    it("should write set line to config file when custom dir is set", () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = "/custom/safe-chain";
+      fish.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(
+        content.includes('set -gx SAFE_CHAIN_DIR "/custom/safe-chain" # Safe-chain installation directory')
+      );
+    });
+
+    it("should not write set line when no custom dir is set", () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
+      fish.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+
+    it("should remove set line on teardown", () => {
+      const initialContent = [
+        'set -gx SAFE_CHAIN_DIR "/custom/safe-chain" # Safe-chain installation directory',
+        "source /test-home/.safe-chain/scripts/init-fish.fish # Safe-chain Fish initialization script",
+      ].join("\n");
+
+      fs.writeFileSync(mockStartupFile, initialContent, "utf-8");
+
+      fish.teardown(knownAikidoTools);
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+  });
+
   describe("integration tests", () => {
     it("should handle complete setup and teardown cycle", () => {
       const tools = [
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/powershell.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/powershell.js
index 59aee41..38b0b42 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/powershell.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/powershell.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   removeLinesMatchingPattern,
   validatePowerShellExecutionPolicy,
   getScriptsDir,
+  getSafeChainDir,
 } from "../helpers.js";
 import { execSync } from "child_process";
 import path from "path";
@@ -38,6 +39,11 @@ function teardown(tools) {
     /^\.\s+["']?.*init-pwsh\.ps1["']?.*#\s*Safe-chain/,
   );
 
+  removeLinesMatchingPattern(
+    startupFile,
+    /^\$env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR\s*=.*#\s*Safe-chain/,
+  );
+
   return true;
 }
 
@@ -52,6 +58,14 @@ async function setup() {
 
   const startupFile = getStartupFile();
 
+  const customDir = getSafeChainDir();
+  if (customDir) {
+    addLineToFile(
+      startupFile,
+      `$env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR = '${customDir}' # Safe-chain installation directory`,
+    );
+  }
+
   addLineToFile(
     startupFile,
     `. "${path.join(getScriptsDir(), "init-pwsh.ps1")}" # Safe-chain PowerShell initialization script`,
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/powershell.spec.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/powershell.spec.js
index 1d9f65c..97901f1 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/powershell.spec.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/powershell.spec.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ describe("PowerShell Core shell integration", () => {
   let mockStartupFile;
   let powershell;
   let executionPolicyResult;
+  let getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
     // Create temporary startup file for testing
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ describe("PowerShell Core shell integration", () => {
     mock.module("../helpers.js", {
       namedExports: {
         doesExecutableExistOnSystem: () => true,
+        getSafeChainDir: () => getSafeChainDirResult,
         addLineToFile: (filePath, line) => {
           if (!fs.existsSync(filePath)) {
             fs.writeFileSync(filePath, "", "utf-8");
@@ -63,6 +65,7 @@ describe("PowerShell Core shell integration", () => {
 
     // Reset mocks
     mock.reset();
+    getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
   });
 
   describe("isInstalled", () => {
@@ -206,6 +209,40 @@ describe("PowerShell Core shell integration", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR", () => {
+    it("should write $env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR line to profile when custom dir is set", async () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = "C:\\custom\\safe-chain";
+      await powershell.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(
+        content.includes("$env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR = 'C:\\custom\\safe-chain' # Safe-chain installation directory")
+      );
+    });
+
+    it("should not write $env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR line when no custom dir is set", async () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
+      await powershell.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+
+    it("should remove $env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR line on teardown", () => {
+      const initialContent = [
+        "# PowerShell profile",
+        "$env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR = 'C:\\custom\\safe-chain' # Safe-chain installation directory",
+        '. "/test-home/.safe-chain/scripts/init-pwsh.ps1" # Safe-chain PowerShell initialization script',
+      ].join("\n");
+
+      fs.writeFileSync(mockStartupFile, initialContent, "utf-8");
+
+      powershell.teardown(knownAikidoTools);
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+  });
+
   describe("execution policy", () => {
     it(`should throw for restricted policies`, async () => {
       executionPolicyResult = {
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/windowsPowershell.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/windowsPowershell.js
index 36ab114..506b891 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/windowsPowershell.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/windowsPowershell.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {
   removeLinesMatchingPattern,
   validatePowerShellExecutionPolicy,
   getScriptsDir,
+  getSafeChainDir,
 } from "../helpers.js";
 import { execSync } from "child_process";
 import path from "path";
@@ -38,6 +39,11 @@ function teardown(tools) {
     /^\.\s+["']?.*init-pwsh\.ps1["']?.*#\s*Safe-chain/,
   );
 
+  removeLinesMatchingPattern(
+    startupFile,
+    /^\$env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR\s*=.*#\s*Safe-chain/,
+  );
+
   return true;
 }
 
@@ -52,6 +58,14 @@ async function setup() {
 
   const startupFile = getStartupFile();
 
+  const customDir = getSafeChainDir();
+  if (customDir) {
+    addLineToFile(
+      startupFile,
+      `$env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR = '${customDir}' # Safe-chain installation directory`,
+    );
+  }
+
   addLineToFile(
     startupFile,
     `. "${path.join(getScriptsDir(), "init-pwsh.ps1")}" # Safe-chain PowerShell initialization script`,
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/windowsPowershell.spec.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/windowsPowershell.spec.js
index 621b380..efb5cc3 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/windowsPowershell.spec.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/windowsPowershell.spec.js
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ describe("Windows PowerShell shell integration", () => {
   let mockStartupFile;
   let windowsPowershell;
   let executionPolicyResult;
+  let getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
     // Create temporary startup file for testing
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ describe("Windows PowerShell shell integration", () => {
     mock.module("../helpers.js", {
       namedExports: {
         doesExecutableExistOnSystem: () => true,
+        getSafeChainDir: () => getSafeChainDirResult,
         addLineToFile: (filePath, line) => {
           if (!fs.existsSync(filePath)) {
             fs.writeFileSync(filePath, "", "utf-8");
@@ -63,6 +65,7 @@ describe("Windows PowerShell shell integration", () => {
 
     // Reset mocks
     mock.reset();
+    getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
   });
 
   describe("isInstalled", () => {
@@ -206,6 +209,40 @@ describe("Windows PowerShell shell integration", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR", () => {
+    it("should write $env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR line to profile when custom dir is set", async () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = "C:\\custom\\safe-chain";
+      await windowsPowershell.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(
+        content.includes("$env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR = 'C:\\custom\\safe-chain' # Safe-chain installation directory")
+      );
+    });
+
+    it("should not write $env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR line when no custom dir is set", async () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
+      await windowsPowershell.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+
+    it("should remove $env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR line on teardown", () => {
+      const initialContent = [
+        "# Windows PowerShell profile",
+        "$env:SAFE_CHAIN_DIR = 'C:\\custom\\safe-chain' # Safe-chain installation directory",
+        '. "/test-home/.safe-chain/scripts/init-pwsh.ps1" # Safe-chain PowerShell initialization script',
+      ].join("\n");
+
+      fs.writeFileSync(mockStartupFile, initialContent, "utf-8");
+
+      windowsPowershell.teardown(knownAikidoTools);
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+  });
+
   describe("execution policy", () => {
     it(`should throw for restricted policies`, async () => {
       executionPolicyResult = {
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/zsh.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/zsh.js
index 369b445..a340424 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/zsh.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/zsh.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import {
   doesExecutableExistOnSystem,
   removeLinesMatchingPattern,
   getScriptsDir,
+  getSafeChainDir,
 } from "../helpers.js";
 import { execSync } from "child_process";
 import path from "path";
@@ -40,12 +41,27 @@ function teardown(tools) {
     eol
   );
 
+  removeLinesMatchingPattern(
+    startupFile,
+    /^export\s+SAFE_CHAIN_DIR=.*#\s*Safe-chain/,
+    eol
+  );
+
   return true;
 }
 
 function setup() {
   const startupFile = getStartupFile();
 
+  const customDir = getSafeChainDir();
+  if (customDir) {
+    addLineToFile(
+      startupFile,
+      `export SAFE_CHAIN_DIR="${customDir}" # Safe-chain installation directory`,
+      eol
+    );
+  }
+
   addLineToFile(
     startupFile,
     `source ${path.join(getScriptsDir(), "init-posix.sh")} # Safe-chain Zsh initialization script`,
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/zsh.spec.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/zsh.spec.js
index 41e1bd1..4f1ca88 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/zsh.spec.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/supported-shells/zsh.spec.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { knownAikidoTools } from "../helpers.js";
 describe("Zsh shell integration", () => {
   let mockStartupFile;
   let zsh;
+  let getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
 
   beforeEach(async () => {
     // Create temporary startup file for testing
@@ -18,6 +19,7 @@ describe("Zsh shell integration", () => {
       namedExports: {
         doesExecutableExistOnSystem: () => true,
         getScriptsDir: () => "/test-home/.safe-chain/scripts",
+        getSafeChainDir: () => getSafeChainDirResult,
         addLineToFile: (filePath, line) => {
           if (!fs.existsSync(filePath)) {
             fs.writeFileSync(filePath, "", "utf-8");
@@ -53,6 +55,7 @@ describe("Zsh shell integration", () => {
 
     // Reset mocks
     mock.reset();
+    getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
   });
 
   describe("isInstalled", () => {
@@ -171,6 +174,40 @@ describe("Zsh shell integration", () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR", () => {
+    it("should write export line to rc file when custom dir is set", () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = "/custom/safe-chain";
+      zsh.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(
+        content.includes('export SAFE_CHAIN_DIR="/custom/safe-chain" # Safe-chain installation directory')
+      );
+    });
+
+    it("should not write export line when no custom dir is set", () => {
+      getSafeChainDirResult = undefined;
+      zsh.setup();
+
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+
+    it("should remove export line on teardown", () => {
+      const initialContent = [
+        "#!/bin/zsh",
+        'export SAFE_CHAIN_DIR="/custom/safe-chain" # Safe-chain installation directory',
+        "source /test-home/.safe-chain/scripts/init-posix.sh # Safe-chain Zsh initialization script",
+      ].join("\n");
+
+      fs.writeFileSync(mockStartupFile, initialContent, "utf-8");
+
+      zsh.teardown(knownAikidoTools);
+      const content = fs.readFileSync(mockStartupFile, "utf-8");
+      assert.ok(!content.includes("SAFE_CHAIN_DIR"));
+    });
+  });
+
   describe("integration tests", () => {
     it("should handle complete setup and teardown cycle", () => {
       const tools = [
diff --git a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/teardown.js b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/teardown.js
index bcf6346..e5f149d 100644
--- a/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/teardown.js
+++ b/packages/safe-chain/src/shell-integration/teardown.js
@@ -109,4 +109,5 @@ export async function teardownDirectories() {
       );
     }
   }
+
 }