---
title: How dot compares
description: 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](https://www.chezmoi.io) 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](https://yadm.io) 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](https://www.gnu.org/software/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.