diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e14ac15c..e29a9506 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,10 +1,15 @@
 # Revision History
 
+## 1.4 (2017/03/21)
+
+- Allow config files to exist in subdirectories of the main project.
+- Added `${GITMAN_CACHE}` to customize the repository cache location.
+
 ## 1.3 (2017/02/03)
 
-- Added `init` command to generate sample configuration files.
+- Added `init` command to generate sample config files.
 - Added support for post-install scripts on dependencies.
-- Updated configuration format to support `null` for links.
+- Updated config format to support `null` for links.
 
 ## 1.2 (2017/01/08)
 
@@ -39,7 +44,7 @@
 
 ## 0.9 (2016/03/31)
 
-- Added `edit` command to launch the configuration file.
+- Added `edit` command to launch the config file.
 - Depth now defaults to 5 to prevent infinite recursion.
 - Fixed handling of source lists containing different dependencies.
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e9bef252..6965e081 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ $ python setup.py install
 
 ## Setup
 
-Generate a sample configuration file:
+Generate a sample config file:
 
 ```sh
 $ gitman init
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ which will essentially:
 1. Create a working tree at `<root>`/`<location>`/`<name>`
 2. Fetch from `repo` and checkout the specified `rev`
 3. Symbolically link each `<location>`/`<name>` from `<root>`/`<link>` (if specified)
-4. Repeat for all nested working trees containing a configuration file
+4. Repeat for all nested working trees containing a config file
 5. Record the actual commit SHAs that were checked out (with `--lock` option)
 6. Run optional post-install scripts for each dependency
 
diff --git a/docs/interfaces/api.md b/docs/interfaces/api.md
index d8c7b3b7..de1a8b50 100644
--- a/docs/interfaces/api.md
+++ b/docs/interfaces/api.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ All of the [command-line interface](cli.md) functionality is available from the
 
 ## Init
 
-To generate a sample configuration for a new project, call:
+To generate a sample config for a new project, call:
 
 ```python
 gitman.init()
diff --git a/docs/interfaces/cli.md b/docs/interfaces/cli.md
index d7d24a4a..ff7c576e 100644
--- a/docs/interfaces/cli.md
+++ b/docs/interfaces/cli.md
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 # Command-line Interface
 
-After setting up `gitman` with a [configuration file](../index.md#setup), various commands can be run to manage these Git-controlled source dependencies.
+After setting up `gitman` with a [config file](../index.md#setup), various commands can be run to manage these Git-controlled source dependencies.
 
 ## Init
 
-To generate a sample configuration for a new project, run:
+To generate a sample config for a new project, run:
 
 ```sh
 $ gitman init
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ To display the path to a dependency:
 gitman show <name>
 ```
 
-To display the path to the configuration file:
+To display the path to the config file:
 
 ```sh
 gitman show --config
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ gitman show --log
 
 ## Edit
 
-To open the existing configuration file:
+To open the existing config file:
 
 ```sh
 gitman edit
diff --git a/docs/setup/environment.md b/docs/setup/environment.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2a50b8a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/setup/environment.md
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# Environment Setup
+
+The following environment variables can be used to configure the behavior of GitMan.
+
+## `GITMAN_CACHE`
+
+GitMan utilizes local repository mirrors to cache dependencies and speed up cloning.
+This variable specifies the path of a directory to store these repository references.
+The default value should be overridden if `$HOME` is not set on your target system.
+
+**Default**: `~/.gitcache`
diff --git a/docs/use-cases/branch-tracking.md b/docs/use-cases/branch-tracking.md
index afac2bf9..5dc6a6e1 100644
--- a/docs/use-cases/branch-tracking.md
+++ b/docs/use-cases/branch-tracking.md
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ tests
 
 ## Understanding Locked Sources
 
-In the configuration file, the `sources_locked` section identifies that commit `b27308` of the API was last used to test this web app -- the last time `$ gitman update` was run.
+In the config file, the `sources_locked` section identifies that commit `b27308` of the API was last used to test this web app -- the last time `$ gitman update` was run.
 
 The `sources` section identifies that the `develop` branch should be used when checking out a new version of the API.
 
diff --git a/docs/use-cases/build-integration.md b/docs/use-cases/build-integration.md
index 15ce12fd..392a96f3 100644
--- a/docs/use-cases/build-integration.md
+++ b/docs/use-cases/build-integration.md
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ clean:
   gitman uninstall
 ```
 
-using a configuration file similar to:
+using a config file similar to:
 
 ```yaml
 location: vendor/gitman
@@ -47,8 +47,8 @@ sources_locked:
 
 Running `make depends` performs the following actions:
 
-1. Check the modification times of the configuration and log files
-2. If the configuration file is newer, continue
+1. Check the modification times of the config and log files
+2. If the config file is newer, continue
 3. Install the locked dependency versions
 4. Run `make` inside of each dependency's folder
 5. Update the log file with the current versions of all dependencies
@@ -57,4 +57,4 @@ To update your dependencies:
 
 1. Run `gitman update`
 2. Run `make depends`
-3. If the new build passes your tests, commit the new configuration file
+3. If the new build passes your tests, commit the new config file
diff --git a/docs/use-cases/submodules.md b/docs/use-cases/submodules.md
index 7bba5f05..d2f55582 100644
--- a/docs/use-cases/submodules.md
+++ b/docs/use-cases/submodules.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ While Git [submodules](http://git-scm.com/docs/git-submodule) are an obvious cho
 
 ## An Existing Submodule
 
-When managing a single dependency using submodules, there will be two items in your working tree with special meaning. The `.gitmodules` file, which contains submodule configuration, and semi-ignored directory containing the checked out dependency:
+When managing a single dependency using submodules, there will be two items in your working tree with special meaning. The `.gitmodules` file, which contains submodule config, and semi-ignored directory containing the checked out dependency:
 
 ```sh
 <root>/vendor/my_dependency  # submodule at: a943a702d06f34599aee1f8da8ef9f7296031d69
@@ -39,4 +39,4 @@ In other working trees, simply run `$ gitman install` to check out the source de
 
 ### Modifying Dependencies
 
-To include a different version of a dependency, modify the `rev` value in the configuration file.
+To include a different version of a dependency, modify the `rev` value in the config file.
diff --git a/gitman/__init__.py b/gitman/__init__.py
index 3ebe5a02..e64eef3a 100644
--- a/gitman/__init__.py
+++ b/gitman/__init__.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 import sys
 
 __project__ = 'GitMan'
-__version__ = '1.3'
+__version__ = '1.4'
 
 CLI = 'gitman'
 PLUGIN = 'deps'
diff --git a/gitman/cli.py b/gitman/cli.py
index 850ec852..a982e387 100644
--- a/gitman/cli.py
+++ b/gitman/cli.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def main(args=None, function=None):  # pylint: disable=too-many-statements
     subs = parser.add_subparsers(help="", dest='command', metavar="<command>")
 
     # Init parser
-    info = "create a new configuration file for the project"
+    info = "create a new config file for the project"
     sub = subs.add_parser('init', description=info.capitalize() + '.',
                           help=info, parents=[debug], **shared)
 
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ def main(args=None, function=None):  # pylint: disable=too-many-statements
                      help="display the path of the log file")
 
     # Edit parser
-    info = "open the configuration file in the default editor"
+    info = "open the config file in the default editor"
     sub = subs.add_parser('edit', description=info.capitalize() + '.',
                           help=info, parents=[debug, project], **shared)
 
diff --git a/gitman/commands.py b/gitman/commands.py
index 1af16a41..150b249d 100644
--- a/gitman/commands.py
+++ b/gitman/commands.py
@@ -22,10 +22,11 @@ def wrapped(*args, **kwargs):
 
 
 def init():
-    """Create a new configuration file for the project."""
+    """Create a new config file for the project."""
     success = False
 
     config = load_config()
+
     if config:
         msg = "Configuration file already exists: {}".format(config.path)
         common.show(msg, color='error')
@@ -39,11 +40,11 @@ def init():
         config.sources_locked.append(source)
         config.save()
 
-        msg = "Created sample configuration file: {}".format(config.path)
+        msg = "Created sample config file: {}".format(config.path)
         common.show(msg, color='success')
         success = True
 
-    msg = "To edit this configuration file, run: gitman edit"
+    msg = "To edit this config file, run: gitman edit"
     common.show(msg, color='message')
 
     return success
@@ -70,7 +71,6 @@ def install(*names, root=None, depth=None,
              ', '.join(names) if names else '<all>')
     count = None
 
-    root = _find_root(root)
     config = load_config(root)
 
     if config:
@@ -111,7 +111,6 @@ def update(*names, root=None, depth=None,
              ', '.join(names) if names else '<all>')
     count = None
 
-    root = _find_root(root)
     config = load_config(root)
 
     if config:
@@ -166,7 +165,6 @@ def display(*, root=None, depth=None, allow_dirty=True):
     log.info("Displaying dependencies...")
     count = None
 
-    root = _find_root(root)
     config = load_config(root)
 
     if config:
@@ -198,7 +196,6 @@ def lock(*names, root=None):
     log.info("Locking dependencies...")
     count = None
 
-    root = _find_root(root)
     config = load_config(root)
 
     if config:
@@ -224,7 +221,6 @@ def delete(*, root=None, force=False):
     log.info("Deleting dependencies...")
     count = None
 
-    root = _find_root(root)
     config = load_config(root)
 
     if config:
@@ -250,10 +246,10 @@ def show(*names, root=None):
     """
     log.info("Finding paths...")
 
-    root = _find_root(root)
     config = load_config(root)
+
     if not config:
-        log.error("No configuration found")
+        log.error("No config found")
         return False
 
     for name in names or [None]:
@@ -270,48 +266,17 @@ def edit(*, root=None):
     - `root`: specifies the path to the root working tree
 
     """
-    log.info("Launching configuration...")
+    log.info("Launching config...")
 
-    root = _find_root(root)
     config = load_config(root)
+
     if not config:
-        log.error("No configuration found")
+        log.error("No config found")
         return False
 
     return system.launch(config.path)
 
 
-def _find_root(base, cwd=None):
-    if cwd is None:
-        cwd = os.getcwd()
-        log.info("Current directory: %s", cwd)
-
-    if base:
-        root = os.path.abspath(base)
-        log.info("Specified root: %s", root)
-
-    else:
-        log.info("Searching for root...")
-        path = cwd
-        prev = None
-        root = None
-        while path != prev:
-            log.debug("Checking path: %s", path)
-            if '.git' in os.listdir(path):
-                root = path
-                break
-            prev = path
-            path = os.path.dirname(path)
-
-        if root:
-            log.info("Found root: %s", root)
-        else:
-            root = cwd
-            log.warning("No root found, default: %s", root)
-
-    return root
-
-
 def _display_result(present, past, count, allow_zero=False):
     """Convert a command's dependency count to a return status.
 
diff --git a/gitman/common.py b/gitman/common.py
index 20af0e49..eb3896db 100644
--- a/gitman/common.py
+++ b/gitman/common.py
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def positive_int(value):
 
 
 class _Config:
-    """Share configuration options."""
+    """Share logging options."""
 
     MAX_VERBOSITY = 4
 
diff --git a/gitman/exceptions.py b/gitman/exceptions.py
index 141b7a0d..dbf6c4a5 100644
--- a/gitman/exceptions.py
+++ b/gitman/exceptions.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 
 class InvalidConfig(ValueError):
-    """Raised when the configuration file is invalid."""
+    """Raised when the config file is invalid."""
 
 
 class ShellError(RuntimeError):
diff --git a/gitman/git.py b/gitman/git.py
index 7fc2c86a..2b990f72 100644
--- a/gitman/git.py
+++ b/gitman/git.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 import logging
 from contextlib import suppress
 
-from . import common
+from . import common, settings
 from .shell import call
 from .exceptions import ShellError
 
@@ -16,13 +16,10 @@ def git(*args, **kwargs):
     return call('git', *args, **kwargs)
 
 
-def clone(repo, path, *, cache=None):
+def clone(repo, path, *, cache=settings.CACHE):
     """Clone a new Git repository."""
     log.debug("Creating a new repository...")
 
-    cache = cache or os.path.expanduser("~/.gitcache")
-    cache = os.path.normpath(cache)
-
     name = repo.split('/')[-1]
     if name.endswith(".git"):
         name = name[:-4]
diff --git a/gitman/models/__init__.py b/gitman/models/__init__.py
index aae020cf..a71cf5e3 100644
--- a/gitman/models/__init__.py
+++ b/gitman/models/__init__.py
@@ -1,4 +1,2 @@
-"""Domain models for interacting with dependency configuration."""
-
 from .source import Source
 from .config import Config, load_config
diff --git a/gitman/models/config.py b/gitman/models/config.py
index 7bf03c08..6a241eab 100644
--- a/gitman/models/config.py
+++ b/gitman/models/config.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-"""Wrappers for the dependency configuration files."""
-
 import os
 import logging
 
@@ -18,7 +16,7 @@
 @yorm.attr(sources_locked=SortedList.of_type(Source))
 @yorm.sync("{self.root}/{self.filename}", auto_save=False)
 class Config(yorm.ModelMixin):
-    """A dictionary of dependency configuration options."""
+    """Specifies all dependencies for a project."""
 
     LOG = "gitman.log"
 
@@ -33,7 +31,7 @@ def __init__(self, root=None,
 
     @property
     def config_path(self):
-        """Get the full path to the configuration file."""
+        """Get the full path to the config file."""
         return os.path.normpath(os.path.join(self.root, self.filename))
     path = config_path
 
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ def install_dependencies(self, *names, depth=None,
             common.newline()
             count += 1
 
-            config = load_config()
+            config = load_config(search=False)
             if config:
                 common.indent()
                 count += config.install_dependencies(
@@ -130,7 +128,7 @@ def run_scripts(self, *names, depth=None, force=False):
                 source.run_scripts(force=force)
                 count += 1
 
-                config = load_config()
+                config = load_config(search=False)
                 if config:
                     common.indent()
                     count += config.run_scripts(
@@ -198,7 +196,7 @@ def get_dependencies(self, depth=None, allow_dirty=True):
 
             yield source.identify(allow_dirty=allow_dirty)
 
-            config = load_config()
+            config = load_config(search=False)
             if config:
                 common.indent()
                 yield from config.get_dependencies(
@@ -245,18 +243,36 @@ def _get_sources(self, *, use_locked=None):
         return sources + extras
 
 
-def load_config(root=None):
-    """Load the configuration for the current project."""
-    if root is None:
-        root = os.getcwd()
+def load_config(start=None, *, search=True):
+    """Load the config for the current project."""
+    if start:
+        start = os.path.abspath(start)
+    else:
+        start = os.getcwd()
+
+    if search:
+        log.debug("Searching for config...")
+
+    path = start
+    while path != os.path.dirname(path):
+        log.debug("Looking for config in: %s", path)
+
+        for filename in os.listdir(path):
+            if _valid_filename(filename):
+                config = Config(path, filename)
+                log.debug("Found config: %s", config.path)
+                return config
+
+        if search:
+            path = os.path.dirname(path)
+        else:
+            break
 
-    for filename in os.listdir(root):
-        if _valid_filename(filename):
-            config = Config(root, filename)
-            log.debug("Loaded config: %s", config.path)
-            return config
+    if search:
+        log.debug("No config found starting from: %s", start)
+    else:
+        log.debug("No config found in: %s", start)
 
-    log.debug("No config found in: %s", root)
     return None
 
 
diff --git a/gitman/models/source.py b/gitman/models/source.py
index 2b4bfb9e..63ffd960 100644
--- a/gitman/models/source.py
+++ b/gitman/models/source.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-"""Wrappers for the dependency configuration files."""
-
 import os
 import logging
 import warnings
diff --git a/gitman/settings.py b/gitman/settings.py
index ce69b83a..f926dbbc 100644
--- a/gitman/settings.py
+++ b/gitman/settings.py
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 """Program defaults."""
 
+import os
 import logging
 
+# Cache settings
+CACHE = os.path.expanduser(os.getenv('GITMAN_CACHE', "~/.gitcache"))
+
 # Logging settings
 DEFAULT_LOGGING_FORMAT = "%(message)s"
 LEVELED_LOGGING_FORMAT = "%(levelname)s: %(message)s"
diff --git a/gitman/tests/test_commands.py b/gitman/tests/test_commands.py
index 18466da6..ef9b078a 100644
--- a/gitman/tests/test_commands.py
+++ b/gitman/tests/test_commands.py
@@ -1,37 +1,61 @@
-# pylint: disable=no-self-use
+# pylint: disable=redefined-outer-name,unused-argument,unused-variable,singleton-comparison,expression-not-assigned
 
-import os
+from expecter import expect
 
-from gitman.commands import _find_root, install, update, display, delete
+from gitman import commands
 
-from .conftest import ROOT, FILES
 
-PROJECT_ROOT = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(ROOT))
-PROJECT_PARENT = os.path.dirname(PROJECT_ROOT)
+def describe_install():
 
+    def can_be_run_without_project(tmpdir):
+        tmpdir.chdir()
+
+        expect(commands.install()) == False
+
+
+def describe_update():
+
+    def can_be_run_without_project(tmpdir):
+        tmpdir.chdir()
+
+        expect(commands.update()) == False
+
+
+def describe_display():
+
+    def can_be_run_without_project(tmpdir):
+        tmpdir.chdir()
 
-class TestCommands:
+        expect(commands.display()) == False
 
-    def test_commands_can_be_run_without_project(self, tmpdir):
+
+def describe_lock():
+
+    def can_be_run_without_project(tmpdir):
         tmpdir.chdir()
 
-        assert not install()
-        assert not update()
-        assert not display()
-        assert not delete()
+        expect(commands.lock()) == False
+
 
+def describe_delete():
 
-class TestFindRoot:
+    def can_be_run_without_project(tmpdir):
+        tmpdir.chdir()
+
+        expect(commands.delete()) == False
 
-    def test_specified(self):
-        os.chdir(PROJECT_PARENT)
-        assert FILES == _find_root(FILES)
 
-    def test_none(self):
-        assert PROJECT_ROOT == _find_root(None, cwd=ROOT)
+def describe_show():
 
-    def test_current(self):
-        assert PROJECT_ROOT == _find_root(PROJECT_ROOT, cwd=ROOT)
+    def can_be_run_without_project(tmpdir):
+        tmpdir.chdir()
+
+        expect(commands.show()) == False
+
+
+def describe_edit():
+
+    def can_be_run_without_project(tmpdir):
+        tmpdir.chdir()
 
-    def test_missing(self):
-        assert PROJECT_PARENT == _find_root(None, cwd=PROJECT_PARENT)
+        expect(commands.show()) == False
diff --git a/gitman/tests/test_models_config.py b/gitman/tests/test_models_config.py
index 534153e8..fc0c2032 100644
--- a/gitman/tests/test_models_config.py
+++ b/gitman/tests/test_models_config.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 class TestConfig:
 
     def test_init_defaults(self):
-        """Verify a configuration has a default filename and location."""
+        """Verify a config has a default filename and location."""
         config = Config('mock/root')
 
         assert 'mock/root' == config.root
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ def test_init_location(self):
         assert '.gitman' == config.location
 
     def test_path(self):
-        """Verify a configuration's path is correct."""
+        """Verify the path is correct."""
         config = Config('mock/root')
 
         assert os.path.normpath("mock/root/gitman.yml") == config.path
diff --git a/mkdocs.yml b/mkdocs.yml
index 5f72d1b6..442d53d0 100644
--- a/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/mkdocs.yml
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ pages:
 - Home: index.md
 - Setup:
     - Git: setup/git.md
+    - Environment: setup/environment.md
 - Interfaces:
     - Command Line: interfaces/cli.md
     - Git Plugin: interfaces/plugin.md