# chezmoi

> Dotfile manager that keeps a source state, previews changes with diff, and applies configuration across machines using templates.

Stars: 22.1k · Language: Go · License: MIT · Categories: System

- Repository: https://github.com/twpayne/chezmoi
- Website: https://www.chezmoi.io/
- Page: https://www.trmn.sh/tools/chezmoi

## Overview

chezmoi manages dotfiles across machines by keeping a source state separate from the files in your home directory. Add a configuration file with `chezmoi add`, change the managed copy with `chezmoi edit`, inspect the pending differences with `chezmoi diff`, then update the destination with `chezmoi apply`.

Templates let configuration vary between machines instead of requiring identical files everywhere. This suits people who share a configuration repository across systems with different hostnames, operating systems or local settings. Review the diff before applying changes to an existing setup. The [quick-start guide](https://www.chezmoi.io/quick-start/) explains the source-state workflow, and the [machine differences guide](https://www.chezmoi.io/user-guide/manage-machine-to-machine-differences/) covers templates.

## Alternatives

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- [age](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/age.md): File encryption tool with small explicit keys, post-quantum support, and UNIX-style composability. (Go, 24.2k stars)
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- [duf](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/duf.md): Disk usage utility with colorful output, filtering, and JSON export - replacement for df command (Go, 15.4k stars)
- [Kopia](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/kopia.md): Cross-platform backup tool that creates encrypted, compressed, deduplicated snapshots and stores them on cloud, network, or local storage. Includes CLI and GUI. (Go, 14.6k stars)

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Canonical: https://www.trmn.sh/tools/chezmoi