dotfile

README

#+TITLE: Dotfile
Dotfile is a version control system designed for [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_file_and_hidden_directory][dotfiles]]. It aliases
file paths to short names and provides an interface to manage file
state. Use a remote server like [[https://dotfilehub.com][dotfilehub.com]] to push, pull, or find
new files.
* Why Dotfile?
Most [[https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Dotfiles#Tools][existing solutions]] are built on some combination of
git/stow/symlinks. This introduces the complexities and potential
pitfalls of these tools. Git is designed for a directory of related
files, whereas dotfiles are often scattered unrelated files.

Dotfile is a self contained system designed from the ground up to make
managing single files as simple as possible. Files are stored in their
normal locations on disk without any symbolic links. Dotfile doesn't
care if tracked files are moved or edited with external tools.

*Advantages over git based systems:*
+ Not limited to one parent directory - initialize any file, even
  outside =$HOME=
+ No merge conflicts
+ Pull or push a single file instead of the entire repo
+ Revert a single file to a past revision without affecting other
  files
+ Easily rewrite or delete file history
+ Simple web interface for managing files remotely

*Things Dotfile doesn't do:*
+ File encryption
+ Manage non text files
+ Manage large files
+ Templates
+ Branches
* Getting Started
1. [[docs/cli.org#install][Install]] the CLI
2. [[https://dotfilehub.com/signup][Create a Dotfilehub]] account to share files between machines
3. [[https://dotfilehub.com/settings/cli][Setup the CLI]] to use remote functions

Optionally [[docs/web.org#self-host][self host]] a Dotfilehub instance.
* Documentation
+ [[docs/cli.org][CLI Documentation]]
+ [[docs/web.org][Web Documentation]]
+ [[docs/acknowledgments.org][Acknowledgments]]
* Examples
Dotfile commands are like git but simplified.

Check a file in:
#+BEGIN_SRC bash
dotfile init ~/.bashrc
#+END_SRC

This creates an initial commit. Dotfile will store the path of the
file and give it a default alias of =bashrc=. Use the alias to refer
to it at anytime.

Open =~/.bashrc= in =$EDITOR=:
#+BEGIN_SRC bash
dotfile edit bashrc
#+END_SRC

Check the diff after making changes:
#+BEGIN_SRC bash
dotfile diff bashrc
#+END_SRC

Commit new changes:
#+BEGIN_SRC bash
dotfile commit bashrc "Add dotfile alias"
#+END_SRC

View commit history:
#+BEGIN_SRC bash
dotfile log bashrc
#+END_SRC

Revert its uncommitted changes:
#+BEGIN_SRC bash
dotfile checkout -f bashrc
#+END_SRC

Push to a remote server:
#+BEGIN_SRC bash
dotfile push bashrc
#+END_SRC

Install all of your dotfiles:
#+BEGIN_SRC bash
dotfile pull --all
#+END_SRC
* Contribute
Want to contribute? Open a pull request or an issue at
[[https://github.com/knoebber/dotfile][github.com/knoebber/dotfile]]

Feedback is always appreciated - contact me at [[mailto:knoebber@gmail.com][knoebber@gmail.com]]