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What dotfiles manager do you use?

I'm looking for recommendations for a dotfile manager - there are so many out there I've got a bit of options paralysis!

I'd like a system that can backup all my dotfiles - with version management - and, if I nuked my home directory, could restore them all for me with a simple command.

Thanks in advance for you suggestions!

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  • I've tried several dotfile managers, but after adding my files I interact with them so infrequently I forget how to use them.

    The thing which finally stuck is this method from Atlassian: https://www.atlassian.com/git/tutorials/dotfiles

    Your entire home directory is a bare git repo which ignores untracked files. It's just plain git so there is no additional tool to learn or forget.

    I've put my vim plugins as git submodules so they're easily and efficiently tracked and updated too.

    • I used to use this but nowadays I prefer the single, declarative file approach of Guix Home and Home Manager.

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