Question 1

How to install paulmillr dotfiles on Ubuntu?

Accepted Answer

Run the curl command from the README: `curl -L https://git.io/pmdot | sh`. This executes the install script, which symlinks files; ensure you have Zsh installed and backup any existing dotfiles first, as it's designed for Unix-like systems.

Question 2

paulmillr dotfiles vs oh-my-zsh: which should I use?

Accepted Answer

Choose paulmillr dotfiles for a lightweight, dependency-free setup with curated utilities, ideal for auditability. Opt for oh-my-zsh if you want a vast plugin ecosystem and themes, but are okay with more complexity and external dependencies.

Question 3

Can I use paulmillr dotfiles with Bash instead of Zsh?

Accepted Answer

Primarily no, as it's optimized for Zsh with features like syntax highlighting. You might need significant modifications to adapt it for Bash, since the shell configurations are Zsh-specific, as noted in the README's focus on Unix-like systems.

Question 4

How to back up my dotfiles before installing paulmillr's version?

Accepted Answer

Manually copy existing dotfiles (e.g., .zshrc, .gitconfig) to a backup directory. The installation script doesn't include automatic backup, so auditing the symlink process is crucial to avoid overwriting custom settings.

Question 5

What are the main Git utilities in paulmillr dotfiles?

Accepted Answer

It includes `gcp` for fast commit-push, `git cleanup` for branch management, `git url` to open GitHub repos, and signing tools for PGP, all defined in the .gitconfig. These automate common workflows but require setup like GPG keys for full functionality.

Question 6

Is paulmillr dotfiles compatible with Windows Subsystem for Linux?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it should work on WSL since it's a Unix-like environment, but ensure you use the Linux installation method and have Zsh installed. However, MacOS-specific scripts in the `etc` directory might not apply directly.

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