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dotfiles

Manage home directory dotfiles with a bare-repo Git workflow.

Updated Apr 1, 2018
Search Tags:#git#dotfiles#dev-environment#brew#bare-repo#home-config#macos-setup
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/reset/dotfiles --skill dotfiles-reset
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: dotfiles
Source: https://github.com/reset/dotfiles/tree/main/.claude/skills/dotfiles
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/reset/dotfiles --skill dotfiles-reset

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill eliminates the friction of manually syncing home directory configuration files across multiple machines, preventing lost customizations, inconsistent environments, and tedious manual setup when reprovisioning devices or moving to a new computer.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Bare-repo Git workflow: Uses a dedicated dot wrapper to manage the dotfiles bare repo, avoiding messy direct Git commands in the home directory and hiding untracked file noise.
  • Install + persist workflow: Ensures any installed CLI tool, GUI app, or shell script is added to the setup manifest and pushed to the remote so it survives future machine setups.
  • Guided fresh-machine bootstrap: Provides step-by-step, ordered instructions for setting up a new macOS or Ubuntu machine from scratch, including prerequisite steps and post-install manual configuration.
  • Use Case: If you install a new cask app like Arc browser, the Skill will run the install, add the correct line to setup.sh, commit the change, and push it so the app auto-installs on your next machine.

Quick Start

Ask the Skill to install a new tool like Rectangle and persist it across all your machines, or request help setting up a fresh Mac from scratch with all your existing configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions about dotfiles

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I sync dotfiles across multiple machines without losing customizations?▼

A bare-repo Git workflow manages dotfiles across multiple machines using a dedicated dot wrapper, eliminating manual sync errors and preventing lost customizations during device reprovisioning by tracking home directory configuration files in a centralized remote repository.

What is the best way to bootstrap a fresh macOS setup with my existing dotfiles?▼

Follow a guided fresh-machine bootstrap process providing step-by-step, ordered instructions for setting up a new macOS machine from scratch, including prerequisite steps and post-install manual configuration to restore all your existing tracked home directory configurations.

How do I persist a newly installed Homebrew cask app so it auto-installs on my next computer?▼

Install the cask app, add the correct line to bin/setup.sh to register it in the setup manifest, commit the change, and push it to the remote so the application survives future machine setups and auto-installs automatically on your next computer.

Why use a bare-repo Git workflow instead of standard Git for managing home directory configuration files?▼

A bare-repo Git workflow uses a dedicated dot wrapper to avoid messy direct Git commands in the home directory and hides untracked file noise, providing a cleaner approach than standard Git for managing home directory configuration files across machines.

What configuration files should I exclude from my dotfiles repo?▼

You must strictly exclude secrets and project-specific configuration from tracked files in your dotfiles repo to prevent accidental exposure of sensitive data and maintain a clean, portable cross-machine environment.

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