Audit path assumptions in helper functions

[skyler-hart]

Summary

Review helper and configuration functions for hard-coded or platform-specific path assumptions.

Part of #21.

Acceptance Criteria

• Identify hard-coded path separators.
• Identify Windows-only paths.
• Identify assumptions about user profile or application data locations.
• Recommend cross-platform alternatives where appropriate.
• Preserve existing behavior unless a change is clearly safe.