Um, just a reminder. @INC = [ @INC, './' ]; probably should be push @INC, "./";, except in your case, you want to say use lib "./";.

You didn't get bit by this (making @INC an array reference, or more appropriately, putting an array reference in @INC) because all your modules (and interactions with @INC) are done by the time Perl actually executes your @INC = ... line, but you should be aware of the mistake.