Dotfiles: Managing Home Directory Config Files with Git

On Linux, Mac, and Windows, a variety of configuration files live in your home directory (or a descendant thereof). They are valuable. And they change over time. Given this, managing them with a version control system like Git makes sense.

This series explores a variety of methods for managing dotfiles conveniently. Pick a direction that is right for you, or read them all, and then decide!

1. Dotfiles, the Prequel: Easy and Fast

   Want to get up and running quickly with dotfiles in a git repo? Follow these no-frills directions to turn your home directory into a git repo, but with only the files you want to manage.

2. Dotfiles Part 1: A Simple Approach to storing Home Directory Config Files in Git without a Bare Repo

   A more detailed and gentle introduction to making your home directory a git repo, then handpicking the files you want to commit to version control.

3. Dotfiles Part 2: A Bare Repo Approach to storing Home Directory Config Files in Git

   The dotfile management method detailed in this article involves a _bare repository_ which offers greater flexibility and segmentation than other approaches, but at the cost of some complexity.

4. Dotfiles Part 3: A Modular Approach Using Multiple Git Repositories

   Want a different set of dotfiles for home and work? Consider this modular approach allowing multiple git repositories to manage your config files.