dotfiles

name	dotfiles
description	Dotfile and config management using yadm - track, sync, and deploy configuration across machines
metadata	{"tags":"dotfiles, config, yadm, configuration, symlink, backup"}
triggers	["dotfiles","config","yadm",".zshrc",".tmux.conf","my config","track this file"]

When to use

Use this skill whenever dealing with:

• Dotfiles management (.zshrc, .tmux.conf, .vimrc, etc.)
• Config file changes or tracking
• Syncing configuration across machines
• Setting up new machine from dotfiles
• Any mention of "dotfiles" or "my config"

How yadm works

yadm is a git-based dotfile manager that:

• Stores dotfiles in ~/.local/share/yadm/repo.git/
• Creates symlinks from home directory to tracked files
• Works like git but for dotfiles

Commands

Check status

yadm status
# or use alias:
ystat

Add files to tracking

yadm add ~/.zshrc ~/.tmux.conf
yadd ~/.zshrc

Commit changes

yadm commit -m "description of changes"
ycom "updated tmux keybindings"

Push to remote

yadm push
ypush

Pull from remote

yadm pull
ypull

Clone on new machine

yadm clone <repo-url>

Tracked files

Dwain's current dotfiles:

• ~/.zshrc - Shell configuration
• ~/.tmux.conf - Tmux configuration (via ~/.config/tmux/tmux.conf##os.Darwin)
• ~/.agents/skills/ - Claude/opencode agent skills and references
• ~/bin/gwt - Git worktree helper
• ~/.pi/agent/settings.json - Pi settings
• ~/.pi/agent/extensions/harness-review.ts - Pi extension

Best practices

1. Commit after config changes — including skill updates
2. Push after commits to sync to remote
3. Pull before making changes on a new machine
4. Use aliases: ystat, yadd, ycom, ypush, ypull
5. When editing skills: the skill files are tracked — commit after creating or modifying any SKILL.md or references

Example workflow

# Made changes to .zshrc?
yadd ~/.zshrc
ycom "add new alias for git"
ypush

# New machine setup?
yadm clone [e-mail]:user/dotfiles.git

Troubleshooting

• Files show as 120000 mode = symlink (correct!)
• yadm status shows "No commits yet" = needs first commit
• Symlinks broken = re-run yadm checkout <file>