Changed the base directory where the data generated by the program to be at the home directory and also added a check to ensure the creation of the program directory

src/pilgrim/application.py

@@ -1,16 +1,47 @@
 from pilgrim.database import Database
 from pilgrim.service.servicemanager import ServiceManager
 from pilgrim.ui.ui import UIApp
+from pathlib import Path
+import os
+import sys
 
 
 class Application:
     def __init__(self):
+        self.config_dir = self._ensure_config_directory()
         self.database = Database()
         session = self.database.session()
         session_manager = ServiceManager()
         session_manager.set_session(session)
         self.ui = UIApp(session_manager)
 
+    def _ensure_config_directory(self) -> Path:
+        """
+        Ensures the ~/.pilgrim directory exists and has the correct permissions.
+        Creates it if it doesn't exist.
+        Returns the Path object for the config directory.
+        """
+        home = Path.home()
+        config_dir = home / ".pilgrim"
+        
+        try:
+            # Create directory if it doesn't exist
+            config_dir.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
+            
+            # Ensure correct permissions (rwx for user only)
+            os.chmod(config_dir, 0o700)
+            
+            # Create an empty .gitignore if it doesn't exist
+            gitignore = config_dir / ".gitignore"
+            if not gitignore.exists():
+                gitignore.write_text("*\n")
+            
+            return config_dir
+            
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"Error setting up Pilgrim configuration directory: {str(e)}", file=sys.stderr)
+            sys.exit(1)
+
     def run(self):
         self.database.create()
         self.ui.run()