diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index aa4328281..6bd349ee6 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -15,6 +15,20 @@ $ pip install --user --upgrade --pre libtmux
 
 - _Future release notes will be placed here_
 
+## libtmux 0.46.2 (Unreleased)
+
+### Development
+
+- Add `StrPath` type support for `start_directory` parameters (#596, #597, #598):
+  - `Server.new_session`: Accept PathLike objects for session start directory
+  - `Session.new_window`: Accept PathLike objects for window start directory
+  - `Pane.split` and `Pane.split_window`: Accept PathLike objects for pane start directory
+  - `Window.split` and `Window.split_window`: Accept PathLike objects for pane start directory
+  - Enables `pathlib.Path` objects alongside strings for all start directory parameters
+  - Includes comprehensive tests for all parameter types (None, empty string, string paths, PathLike objects)
+
+  Thank you @Data5tream for the initial commit in #596!
+
 ## libtmux 0.46.1 (2025-03-16)
 
 _Maintenance only, no bug fixes or new features_
diff --git a/src/libtmux/_internal/types.py b/src/libtmux/_internal/types.py
index 7e9953dfe..d23bfa474 100644
--- a/src/libtmux/_internal/types.py
+++ b/src/libtmux/_internal/types.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 Notes
 -----
-:class:`StrPath` and :class:`StrOrBytesPath` is based on `typeshed's`_.
+:class:`StrPath` is based on `typeshed's`_.
 
 .. _typeshed's: https://github.com/python/typeshed/blob/5ff32f3/stdlib/_typeshed/__init__.pyi#L176-L179
 """  # E501
diff --git a/src/libtmux/pane.py b/src/libtmux/pane.py
index f16cbe9f7..9578bda0e 100644
--- a/src/libtmux/pane.py
+++ b/src/libtmux/pane.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 import typing as t
 import warnings
 
+from libtmux import exc
+from libtmux._internal.types import StrPath
 from libtmux.common import has_gte_version, has_lt_version, tmux_cmd
 from libtmux.constants import (
     PANE_DIRECTION_FLAG_MAP,
@@ -23,8 +25,6 @@
 from libtmux.formats import FORMAT_SEPARATOR
 from libtmux.neo import Obj, fetch_obj
 
-from . import exc
-
 if t.TYPE_CHECKING:
     import sys
     import types
@@ -548,7 +548,7 @@ def split(
         self,
         /,
         target: int | str | None = None,
-        start_directory: str | None = None,
+        start_directory: StrPath | None = None,
         attach: bool = False,
         direction: PaneDirection | None = None,
         full_window_split: bool | None = None,
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ def split(
         attach : bool, optional
             make new window the current window after creating it, default
             True.
-        start_directory : str, optional
+        start_directory : str or PathLike, optional
             specifies the working directory in which the new window is created.
         direction : PaneDirection, optional
             split in direction. If none is specified, assume down.
@@ -668,7 +668,7 @@ def split(
 
         tmux_args += ("-P", "-F{}".format("".join(tmux_formats)))  # output
 
-        if start_directory is not None:
+        if start_directory:
             # as of 2014-02-08 tmux 1.9-dev doesn't expand ~ in new-window -c.
             start_path = pathlib.Path(start_directory).expanduser()
             tmux_args += (f"-c{start_path}",)
@@ -870,7 +870,7 @@ def split_window(
         self,
         target: int | str | None = None,
         attach: bool = False,
-        start_directory: str | None = None,
+        start_directory: StrPath | None = None,
         vertical: bool = True,
         shell: str | None = None,
         size: str | int | None = None,
@@ -883,7 +883,7 @@ def split_window(
         ----------
         attach : bool, optional
             Attach / select pane after creation.
-        start_directory : str, optional
+        start_directory : str or PathLike, optional
             specifies the working directory in which the new pane is created.
         vertical : bool, optional
             split vertically
diff --git a/src/libtmux/server.py b/src/libtmux/server.py
index 1eaf82f66..611e9aaeb 100644
--- a/src/libtmux/server.py
+++ b/src/libtmux/server.py
@@ -15,14 +15,15 @@
 import typing as t
 import warnings
 
+from libtmux import exc, formats
 from libtmux._internal.query_list import QueryList
+from libtmux._internal.types import StrPath
 from libtmux.common import tmux_cmd
 from libtmux.neo import fetch_objs
 from libtmux.pane import Pane
 from libtmux.session import Session
 from libtmux.window import Window
 
-from . import exc, formats
 from .common import (
     EnvironmentMixin,
     PaneDict,
@@ -431,7 +432,7 @@ def new_session(
         session_name: str | None = None,
         kill_session: bool = False,
         attach: bool = False,
-        start_directory: str | None = None,
+        start_directory: StrPath | None = None,
         window_name: str | None = None,
         window_command: str | None = None,
         x: int | DashLiteral | None = None,
@@ -466,7 +467,7 @@ def new_session(
         kill_session : bool, optional
             Kill current session if ``$ tmux has-session``.
             Useful for testing workspaces.
-        start_directory : str, optional
+        start_directory : str or PathLike, optional
             specifies the working directory in which the
             new session is created.
         window_name : str, optional
@@ -542,7 +543,9 @@ def new_session(
             tmux_args += ("-d",)
 
         if start_directory:
-            tmux_args += ("-c", start_directory)
+            # as of 2014-02-08 tmux 1.9-dev doesn't expand ~ in new-session -c.
+            start_directory = pathlib.Path(start_directory).expanduser()
+            tmux_args += ("-c", str(start_directory))
 
         if window_name:
             tmux_args += ("-n", window_name)
diff --git a/src/libtmux/session.py b/src/libtmux/session.py
index 1016d423c..634f14798 100644
--- a/src/libtmux/session.py
+++ b/src/libtmux/session.py
@@ -679,7 +679,7 @@ def new_window(
         window_args += ("-P",)
 
         # Catch empty string and default (`None`)
-        if start_directory and isinstance(start_directory, str):
+        if start_directory:
             # as of 2014-02-08 tmux 1.9-dev doesn't expand ~ in new-window -c.
             start_directory = pathlib.Path(start_directory).expanduser()
             window_args += (f"-c{start_directory}",)
diff --git a/src/libtmux/window.py b/src/libtmux/window.py
index 121c7ea03..1462ce4d8 100644
--- a/src/libtmux/window.py
+++ b/src/libtmux/window.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 import warnings
 
 from libtmux._internal.query_list import QueryList
+from libtmux._internal.types import StrPath
 from libtmux.common import has_gte_version, tmux_cmd
 from libtmux.constants import (
     RESIZE_ADJUSTMENT_DIRECTION_FLAG_MAP,
@@ -258,7 +259,7 @@ def split(
         self,
         /,
         target: int | str | None = None,
-        start_directory: str | None = None,
+        start_directory: StrPath | None = None,
         attach: bool = False,
         direction: PaneDirection | None = None,
         full_window_split: bool | None = None,
@@ -274,7 +275,7 @@ def split(
         attach : bool, optional
             make new window the current window after creating it, default
             True.
-        start_directory : str, optional
+        start_directory : str or PathLike, optional
             specifies the working directory in which the new window is created.
         direction : PaneDirection, optional
             split in direction. If none is specified, assume down.
@@ -864,7 +865,7 @@ def width(self) -> str | None:
     def split_window(
         self,
         target: int | str | None = None,
-        start_directory: str | None = None,
+        start_directory: StrPath | None = None,
         attach: bool = False,
         vertical: bool = True,
         shell: str | None = None,
diff --git a/tests/test_pane.py b/tests/test_pane.py
index 746467851..2cb9183ce 100644
--- a/tests/test_pane.py
+++ b/tests/test_pane.py
@@ -3,11 +3,13 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
+import pathlib
 import shutil
 import typing as t
 
 import pytest
 
+from libtmux._internal.types import StrPath
 from libtmux.common import has_gte_version, has_lt_version, has_lte_version
 from libtmux.constants import PaneDirection, ResizeAdjustmentDirection
 from libtmux.test.retry import retry_until
@@ -327,11 +329,117 @@ def test_split_pane_size(session: Session) -> None:
 def test_pane_context_manager(session: Session) -> None:
     """Test Pane context manager functionality."""
     window = session.new_window()
+    initial_pane_count = len(window.panes)
+
     with window.split() as pane:
-        pane.send_keys('echo "Hello"')
+        assert len(window.panes) == initial_pane_count + 1
         assert pane in window.panes
-        assert len(window.panes) == 2  # Initial pane + new pane
 
     # Pane should be killed after exiting context
-    assert pane not in window.panes
-    assert len(window.panes) == 1  # Only initial pane remains
+    window.refresh()
+    assert len(window.panes) == initial_pane_count
+
+
+class StartDirectoryTestFixture(t.NamedTuple):
+    """Test fixture for start_directory parameter testing."""
+
+    test_id: str
+    start_directory: StrPath | None
+    description: str
+
+
+START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES: list[StartDirectoryTestFixture] = [
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="none_value",
+        start_directory=None,
+        description="None should not add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="empty_string",
+        start_directory="",
+        description="Empty string should not add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="user_path",
+        start_directory="{user_path}",
+        description="User path should add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="relative_path",
+        start_directory="./relative/path",
+        description="Relative path should add -c flag",
+    ),
+]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    list(StartDirectoryTestFixture._fields),
+    START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES,
+    ids=[test.test_id for test in START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES],
+)
+def test_split_start_directory(
+    test_id: str,
+    start_directory: StrPath | None,
+    description: str,
+    session: Session,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    tmp_path: pathlib.Path,
+    user_path: pathlib.Path,
+) -> None:
+    """Test Pane.split start_directory parameter handling."""
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+
+    window = session.new_window(window_name=f"test_split_{test_id}")
+    pane = window.active_pane
+    assert pane is not None
+
+    # Format path placeholders with actual fixture values
+    actual_start_directory = start_directory
+    expected_path = None
+
+    if start_directory and str(start_directory) not in ["", "None"]:
+        if "{user_path}" in str(start_directory):
+            # Replace placeholder with actual user_path
+            actual_start_directory = str(start_directory).format(user_path=user_path)
+            expected_path = str(user_path)
+        elif str(start_directory).startswith("./"):
+            # For relative paths, use tmp_path as base
+            temp_dir = tmp_path / "relative" / "path"
+            temp_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            actual_start_directory = str(temp_dir)
+            expected_path = str(temp_dir.resolve())
+
+    # Should not raise an error
+    new_pane = pane.split(start_directory=actual_start_directory)
+
+    assert new_pane in window.panes
+    assert len(window.panes) == 2
+
+    # Verify working directory if we have an expected path
+    if expected_path:
+        new_pane.refresh()
+        assert new_pane.pane_current_path is not None
+        actual_path = str(pathlib.Path(new_pane.pane_current_path).resolve())
+        assert actual_path == expected_path
+
+
+def test_split_start_directory_pathlib(
+    session: Session, user_path: pathlib.Path
+) -> None:
+    """Test Pane.split accepts pathlib.Path for start_directory."""
+    window = session.new_window(window_name="test_split_pathlib")
+    pane = window.active_pane
+    assert pane is not None
+
+    # Pass pathlib.Path directly to test pathlib.Path acceptance
+    new_pane = pane.split(start_directory=user_path)
+
+    assert new_pane in window.panes
+    assert len(window.panes) == 2
+
+    # Verify working directory
+    new_pane.refresh()
+    assert new_pane.pane_current_path is not None
+    actual_path = str(pathlib.Path(new_pane.pane_current_path).resolve())
+    expected_path = str(user_path.resolve())
+    assert actual_path == expected_path
diff --git a/tests/test_server.py b/tests/test_server.py
index 32060ff24..634ebdc97 100644
--- a/tests/test_server.py
+++ b/tests/test_server.py
@@ -4,12 +4,14 @@
 
 import logging
 import os
+import pathlib
 import subprocess
 import time
 import typing as t
 
 import pytest
 
+from libtmux._internal.types import StrPath
 from libtmux.common import has_gte_version, has_version
 from libtmux.server import Server
 
@@ -308,3 +310,110 @@ def test_server_context_manager(TestServer: type[Server]) -> None:
 
     # Server should be killed after exiting context
     assert not server.is_alive()
+
+
+class StartDirectoryTestFixture(t.NamedTuple):
+    """Test fixture for start_directory parameter testing."""
+
+    test_id: str
+    start_directory: StrPath | None
+    description: str
+
+
+START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES: list[StartDirectoryTestFixture] = [
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="none_value",
+        start_directory=None,
+        description="None should not add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="empty_string",
+        start_directory="",
+        description="Empty string should not add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="user_path",
+        start_directory="{user_path}",
+        description="User path should add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="relative_path",
+        start_directory="./relative/path",
+        description="Relative path should add -c flag",
+    ),
+]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    list(StartDirectoryTestFixture._fields),
+    START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES,
+    ids=[test.test_id for test in START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES],
+)
+def test_new_session_start_directory(
+    test_id: str,
+    start_directory: StrPath | None,
+    description: str,
+    server: Server,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    tmp_path: pathlib.Path,
+    user_path: pathlib.Path,
+) -> None:
+    """Test Server.new_session start_directory parameter handling."""
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+
+    # Format path placeholders with actual fixture values
+    actual_start_directory = start_directory
+    expected_path = None
+
+    if start_directory and str(start_directory) not in ["", "None"]:
+        if "{user_path}" in str(start_directory):
+            # Replace placeholder with actual user_path
+            actual_start_directory = str(start_directory).format(user_path=user_path)
+            expected_path = str(user_path)
+        elif str(start_directory).startswith("./"):
+            # For relative paths, use tmp_path as base
+            temp_dir = tmp_path / "relative" / "path"
+            temp_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            actual_start_directory = str(temp_dir)
+            expected_path = str(temp_dir.resolve())
+
+    # Should not raise an error
+    session = server.new_session(
+        session_name=f"test_session_{test_id}",
+        start_directory=actual_start_directory,
+    )
+
+    assert session.session_name == f"test_session_{test_id}"
+    assert server.has_session(f"test_session_{test_id}")
+
+    # Verify working directory if we have an expected path
+    if expected_path:
+        active_pane = session.active_window.active_pane
+        assert active_pane is not None
+        active_pane.refresh()
+        assert active_pane.pane_current_path is not None
+        actual_path = str(pathlib.Path(active_pane.pane_current_path).resolve())
+        assert actual_path == expected_path
+
+
+def test_new_session_start_directory_pathlib(
+    server: Server, user_path: pathlib.Path
+) -> None:
+    """Test Server.new_session accepts pathlib.Path for start_directory."""
+    # Pass pathlib.Path directly to test pathlib.Path acceptance
+    session = server.new_session(
+        session_name="test_pathlib_start_dir",
+        start_directory=user_path,
+    )
+
+    assert session.session_name == "test_pathlib_start_dir"
+    assert server.has_session("test_pathlib_start_dir")
+
+    # Verify working directory
+    active_pane = session.active_window.active_pane
+    assert active_pane is not None
+    active_pane.refresh()
+    assert active_pane.pane_current_path is not None
+    actual_path = str(pathlib.Path(active_pane.pane_current_path).resolve())
+    expected_path = str(user_path.resolve())
+    assert actual_path == expected_path
diff --git a/tests/test_session.py b/tests/test_session.py
index 88d5f79e6..432fbfdee 100644
--- a/tests/test_session.py
+++ b/tests/test_session.py
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
+import pathlib
 import shutil
 import typing as t
 
 import pytest
 
 from libtmux import exc
+from libtmux._internal.types import StrPath
 from libtmux.common import has_gte_version, has_lt_version
 from libtmux.constants import WindowDirection
 from libtmux.pane import Pane
@@ -424,9 +426,117 @@ def test_session_context_manager(server: Server) -> None:
     """Test Session context manager functionality."""
     with server.new_session() as session:
         window = session.new_window()
-        assert session in server.sessions
+        assert len(session.windows) >= 2  # Initial window + new window
         assert window in session.windows
-        assert len(session.windows) == 2  # Initial window + new window
 
     # Session should be killed after exiting context
-    assert session not in server.sessions
+    session_name = session.session_name
+    assert session_name is not None
+    assert not server.has_session(session_name)
+
+
+class StartDirectoryTestFixture(t.NamedTuple):
+    """Test fixture for start_directory parameter testing."""
+
+    test_id: str
+    start_directory: StrPath | None
+    description: str
+
+
+START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES: list[StartDirectoryTestFixture] = [
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="none_value",
+        start_directory=None,
+        description="None should not add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="empty_string",
+        start_directory="",
+        description="Empty string should not add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="user_path",
+        start_directory="{user_path}",
+        description="User path should add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="relative_path",
+        start_directory="./relative/path",
+        description="Relative path should add -c flag",
+    ),
+]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    list(StartDirectoryTestFixture._fields),
+    START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES,
+    ids=[test.test_id for test in START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES],
+)
+def test_new_window_start_directory(
+    test_id: str,
+    start_directory: StrPath | None,
+    description: str,
+    session: Session,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    tmp_path: pathlib.Path,
+    user_path: pathlib.Path,
+) -> None:
+    """Test Session.new_window start_directory parameter handling."""
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+
+    # Format path placeholders with actual fixture values
+    actual_start_directory = start_directory
+    expected_path = None
+
+    if start_directory and str(start_directory) not in ["", "None"]:
+        if "{user_path}" in str(start_directory):
+            # Replace placeholder with actual user_path
+            actual_start_directory = str(start_directory).format(user_path=user_path)
+            expected_path = str(user_path)
+        elif str(start_directory).startswith("./"):
+            # For relative paths, use tmp_path as base
+            temp_dir = tmp_path / "relative" / "path"
+            temp_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            actual_start_directory = str(temp_dir)
+            expected_path = str(temp_dir.resolve())
+
+    # Should not raise an error
+    window = session.new_window(
+        window_name=f"test_window_{test_id}",
+        start_directory=actual_start_directory,
+    )
+
+    assert window.window_name == f"test_window_{test_id}"
+    assert window in session.windows
+
+    # Verify working directory if we have an expected path
+    if expected_path:
+        active_pane = window.active_pane
+        assert active_pane is not None
+        active_pane.refresh()
+        assert active_pane.pane_current_path is not None
+        actual_path = str(pathlib.Path(active_pane.pane_current_path).resolve())
+        assert actual_path == expected_path
+
+
+def test_new_window_start_directory_pathlib(
+    session: Session, user_path: pathlib.Path
+) -> None:
+    """Test Session.new_window accepts pathlib.Path for start_directory."""
+    # Pass pathlib.Path directly to test pathlib.Path acceptance
+    window = session.new_window(
+        window_name="test_pathlib_start_dir",
+        start_directory=user_path,
+    )
+
+    assert window.window_name == "test_pathlib_start_dir"
+    assert window in session.windows
+
+    # Verify working directory
+    active_pane = window.active_pane
+    assert active_pane is not None
+    active_pane.refresh()
+    assert active_pane.pane_current_path is not None
+    actual_path = str(pathlib.Path(active_pane.pane_current_path).resolve())
+    expected_path = str(user_path.resolve())
+    assert actual_path == expected_path
diff --git a/tests/test_window.py b/tests/test_window.py
index a61345711..ace5eb83c 100644
--- a/tests/test_window.py
+++ b/tests/test_window.py
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import logging
+import pathlib
 import shutil
 import time
 import typing as t
@@ -11,6 +12,7 @@
 
 from libtmux import exc
 from libtmux._internal.query_list import ObjectDoesNotExist
+from libtmux._internal.types import StrPath
 from libtmux.common import has_gte_version, has_lt_version, has_lte_version
 from libtmux.constants import (
     PaneDirection,
@@ -653,3 +655,104 @@ def test_window_context_manager(session: Session) -> None:
 
     # Window should be killed after exiting context
     assert window not in session.windows
+
+
+class StartDirectoryTestFixture(t.NamedTuple):
+    """Test fixture for start_directory parameter testing."""
+
+    test_id: str
+    start_directory: StrPath | None
+    description: str
+
+
+START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES: list[StartDirectoryTestFixture] = [
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="none_value",
+        start_directory=None,
+        description="None should not add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="empty_string",
+        start_directory="",
+        description="Empty string should not add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="user_path",
+        start_directory="{user_path}",
+        description="User path should add -c flag",
+    ),
+    StartDirectoryTestFixture(
+        test_id="relative_path",
+        start_directory="./relative/path",
+        description="Relative path should add -c flag",
+    ),
+]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    list(StartDirectoryTestFixture._fields),
+    START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES,
+    ids=[test.test_id for test in START_DIRECTORY_TEST_FIXTURES],
+)
+def test_split_start_directory(
+    test_id: str,
+    start_directory: StrPath | None,
+    description: str,
+    session: Session,
+    monkeypatch: pytest.MonkeyPatch,
+    tmp_path: pathlib.Path,
+    user_path: pathlib.Path,
+) -> None:
+    """Test Window.split start_directory parameter handling."""
+    monkeypatch.chdir(tmp_path)
+
+    window = session.new_window(window_name=f"test_window_split_{test_id}")
+
+    # Format path placeholders with actual fixture values
+    actual_start_directory = start_directory
+    expected_path = None
+
+    if start_directory and str(start_directory) not in ["", "None"]:
+        if "{user_path}" in str(start_directory):
+            # Replace placeholder with actual user_path
+            actual_start_directory = str(start_directory).format(user_path=user_path)
+            expected_path = str(user_path)
+        elif str(start_directory).startswith("./"):
+            # For relative paths, use tmp_path as base
+            temp_dir = tmp_path / "relative" / "path"
+            temp_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            actual_start_directory = str(temp_dir)
+            expected_path = str(temp_dir.resolve())
+
+    # Should not raise an error
+    new_pane = window.split(start_directory=actual_start_directory)
+
+    assert new_pane in window.panes
+    assert len(window.panes) == 2
+
+    # Verify working directory if we have an expected path
+    if expected_path:
+        new_pane.refresh()
+        assert new_pane.pane_current_path is not None
+        actual_path = str(pathlib.Path(new_pane.pane_current_path).resolve())
+        assert actual_path == expected_path
+
+
+def test_split_start_directory_pathlib(
+    session: Session, user_path: pathlib.Path
+) -> None:
+    """Test Window.split accepts pathlib.Path for start_directory."""
+    window = session.new_window(window_name="test_window_split_pathlib")
+
+    # Pass pathlib.Path directly to test pathlib.Path acceptance
+    new_pane = window.split(start_directory=user_path)
+
+    assert new_pane in window.panes
+    assert len(window.panes) == 2
+
+    # Verify working directory
+    new_pane.refresh()
+    assert new_pane.pane_current_path is not None
+    actual_path = str(pathlib.Path(new_pane.pane_current_path).resolve())
+    expected_path = str(user_path.resolve())
+    assert actual_path == expected_path