Chezmoi
Command-line tool for managing dotfiles across multiple machines.
Liked for replacing hand-written setup scripts12 and for configuring new machines and varied environments quickly.345 The most common complaint is that its workflow, templates and file naming take getting used to.67
Why people recommend it
Multi-machine setup · 3
Keeps configs consistent across many devices and disparate server environments.
“I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now.”
“it works well, so I'm in no rush to simplify again”
Show 1 more
“Switched to Chezmoi from random assortment of manually authored scripts.”
Replaces scripts · 2
Users switched to it from collections of custom shell scripts.
“Switched to Chezmoi from random assortment of manually authored scripts.”
“it works well, so I'm in no rush to simplify again”
Fast bootstrapping · 1
Paired with mise, a new computer can be fully configured in a few commands.
“Switched to Chezmoi from random assortment of manually authored scripts.”
Works with tools · 2
Combines well with tools like Syncthing, Gitea and mise.
“I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now.”
“Switched to Chezmoi from random assortment of manually authored scripts.”
Workplace fit · 1
Fits work-issued MacBook setups where Nix is too unusual to propose.
“Chezmoi fits.”
Caveats and dissent
Learning curve · 2
Editing files without `chezmoi edit` forces merges, and its templates and naming conventions don't click for everyone.
“Switched to Chezmoi from random assortment of manually authored scripts.”
“I think Chezmoi's templates and file naming conventions don't click for me”
Git sync friction · 1
One user avoids manual commit, push and pull by syncing the directory with Syncthing instead.
“I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now.”
Possible overkill · 1
May be more than needed if you rarely switch machines.
“it works well, so I'm in no rush to simplify again”
Nix alternative · 2
Some commenters preferred Nix and Home Manager instead.
“I think Chezmoi's templates and file naming conventions don't click for me”
Often compared with
Who recommends it in their own words
Threads where it came up
Also written as chezmoi. Data: chezmoi.json. Quotes are verbatim; the verdict and theme labels are written by a model from these comments, and every clause links to its sources.
All comments 9
“I've been using chezmoi + Syncthing for about a year now.”
“Chezmoi,”
“it works well, so I'm in no rush to simplify again”
“I might eventually make the jump to something like chezmoi or nix”
“started considering chezmoi”
“Chezmoi fits.”
“Switched to Chezmoi from random assortment of manually authored scripts.”
“I think Chezmoi's templates and file naming conventions don't click for me”
“Check out Chezmoi (https://chezmoi.io). They even offer a nice comparison table for alternatives.”