How dot compares

How dot differs from chezmoi, yadm, GNU Stow and classic dotfiles repos, and when another tool fits better.

Most dotfiles tools manage files: they put your configuration files in place on each machine. dot manages a Mac: files are one part, and the rest is system preferences, apps, tools and logins, each checked against what you declared.

At a glance

	dot	chezmoi	yadm	GNU Stow	Classic repo
Manages	a Mac: preferences, apps, files, logins	files	files	files (symlinks)	files, plus scripts
Declares	one line per setting	file templates	files in git	a folder per package	whatever the scripts do
Shows drift	`dot check`, setting by setting	`chezmoi diff`, for files	`yadm status`, for files	no	no
Applies	only what differs	files	files	links	reruns the scripts
Secrets	1Password, by reference	password managers, in templates	encrypted files	no	no
Platforms	macOS	many	many	many	usually one

chezmoi

chezmoi manages dotfiles across many machines, with templates for the differences between them and integrations with password managers. Choose it if you work across Linux, macOS and Windows, or if your problem is mostly files that vary per machine. dot is macOS only, and treats preferences and apps as first-class, not as scripts.

yadm

yadm is git for your home folder, with alternate files per machine, encryption and a bootstrap script. It suits people who want git to be the whole tool. In dot, git holds the repo, and the Mac’s state is checked setting by setting.

GNU Stow

GNU Stow links files from folders into your home folder. dot does the same for the files it owns (config/home/), and adds everything that isn’t a file.

Classic dotfiles repos

Repos such as mathiasbynens/dotfiles or holman/dotfiles are collections of files and scripts: a bootstrap script and a .macos script of defaults write commands, run by hand. They’re great to read and borrow from. dot keeps the same spirit (a repo you fork and own) but declares the result instead of scripting the steps, so it can tell you what drifted and fix only that.

When dot fits

You use a Mac, and want a new one to become yours in one step.
You want to know when your Mac drifts from what you chose.
You want project secrets out of .env files, and logins without tokens on disk.
You work with coding agents and want them to inspect your setup safely.