Essential
- NOT symlinking. Some programs (eg: XFCE) will overwrite symlinks.
- NOT copying. The config files itself should be the source of truth. ie, If the config files are edited, the changes should automatically reflect in the dotfiles vault.
- Version control. If the config files ought be edited without worry, they need be reversible to previous states
- Scriptable
Desirable
- Simple command structure
- Ability to encrypt files
- Ability to ignore files based on OS or other parameters
- Bootstrapping - Ability to run some scripts automatically on first run.
Ideal
- Automated synchronisation to cloud targets on regular intervals (like an inbuilt cron)
- Part of core packages so that it is immediately available upon OS reinstall
Candidates
- Gnu stow: Symlinks
- Chezmoi: Copying
- Yadm: CURRENT