Dotfiles

Personal Linux desktop configuration managed as code.

updated: 2026-07-14
status: Active
type: Developer environment
role: Primary user
impact: Makes the desktop reproducible and keeps helper scripts, bindings, and restore notes in one place.
stack: GNU Stow / Bash / i3 / rofi / i3blocks / kitty

git remote -v

Problem

A desktop setup grows slowly: window manager config, launcher scripts, notification styling, terminal defaults, browser tweaks, package lists, notes, status modules, and recovery steps. Without a source of truth, each rebuild depends on memory and drift.

Approach

The dotfiles repo uses GNU Stow to manage configuration from ~/.dots into the home directory. The init.sh workflow installs missing Debian and Ubuntu packages, sets up i3 and Xorg support on fresh GNOME installs, refreshes local tools, and restows the managed files.

The current i3 setup includes rofi launcher modes, a control center, searchable keybinding help, scratchpad terminal, notes, media and radio controls, i3blocks status modules, dunst notifications, qutebrowser, CopyQ, monitor and keyboard helpers, audio and network menus, screenshots, power actions, and Catppuccin Frappe theming.

Result

The repo turns the workstation into a repeatable system instead of an accumulation of undocumented tweaks. It also keeps the operational bits close to the documentation: bindings live in the cheat sheet, restore steps live in RESTORE.md, and local-only secrets or station lists stay out of the repository.