diff --git a/docs/config-format.md b/docs/config-format.md
index 5d32131..666e5a3 100644
--- a/docs/config-format.md
+++ b/docs/config-format.md
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ Entry    | Description | Default
 `longkey` | use long keys for dotfiles when importing (see [Import dotfiles](usage.md#import-dotfiles)) | false
 `minversion` | (*for internal use, do not modify*) provides the minimal dotdrop version to use | -
 `showdiff` | on install show a diff before asking to overwrite (see `--showdiff`) | false
+`template_dotfile_default` | disable templating on all dotfiles when set to false | true
 `upignore` | list of patterns to ignore when updating, apply to all dotfiles (enclose in quotes when using wildcards, see [ignore patterns](config.md#ignore-patterns)) | -
 `workdir` | path to the directory where templates are installed before being symlinked when using `link:link` or `link:link_children` (absolute path or relative to the config file location) | `~/.config/dotdrop`
 <s>link_by_default</s> | when importing a dotfile set `link` to that value per default | false
@@ -48,6 +49,7 @@ Entry    | Description
 `cmpignore` | list of patterns to ignore when comparing (enclose in quotes when using wildcards, see [ignore patterns](config.md#ignore-patterns))
 `ignoreempty` | if true empty template will not be deployed (defaults to value of `ignoreempty`)
 `instignore` | list of patterns to ignore when installing (enclose in quotes when using wildcards, see [ignore patterns](config.md#ignore-patterns))
+`template` | if false disable template for this dotfile (defaults to value of `template_dotfile_default`)
 `trans_read` | transformation key to apply when installing this dotfile (must be defined in the **trans_read** entry below, see [transformations](config-details.md#entry-transformations))
 `trans_write` | transformation key to apply when updating this dotfile (must be defined in the **trans_write** entry below, see [transformations](config-details.md#entry-transformations))
 `upignore` | list of patterns to ignore when updating (enclose in quotes when using wildcards, see [ignore patterns](config.md#ignore-patterns))
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ Entry    | Description
     - "<ignore-pattern>"
   actions:
     - <action-key>
+  template: (true|false)
   trans_read: <transformation-key>
   trans_write: <transformation-key>
 ```
diff --git a/docs/howto/symlink-dotfiles.md b/docs/howto/symlink-dotfiles.md
index 47bf442..bf12068 100644
--- a/docs/howto/symlink-dotfiles.md
+++ b/docs/howto/symlink-dotfiles.md
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ Note that if the dotfile is using template directives, it will be symlinked into
 `~/.config/dotdrop` instead of directly into your *dotpath*
 (see [Templating symlinked dotfiles](#templating-symlinked-dotfiles))
 
-Although the config entries `link_on_import` and `link_dotfile_default` can be set to `link_children`, it
-is not recommended since operations on a dotfile that is not a directory with the option `link_children`
+Although the config entries `link_on_import` and `link_dotfile_default` can be set to the value `link_children`,
+it is not recommended since operations on a dotfile that is not a directory with the option `link_children`
 will fail.
 
 ## Symlink a dotfile
diff --git a/docs/templating.md b/docs/templating.md
index 975f9c2..18de338 100644
--- a/docs/templating.md
+++ b/docs/templating.md
@@ -4,6 +4,19 @@ Dotdrop leverage the power of [jinja2](https://palletsprojects.com/p/jinja/) to
 templating of dotfiles. See [jinja2 template doc](https://jinja.palletsprojects.com/en/2.11.x/templates/)
 or the below sections for more information on how to template your dotfiles.
 
+## Templating or not templating
+
+The dotfile config entry [template](config-format.md#dotfiles-entry)
+and the global config entry [template_dotfile_default](config-format.md#config-entry)
+allow to control if a dotfile is being process by the templating engine.
+
+Obviously if the dotfile uses template directives, it needs to be templated. However if it
+is not, disabling templating will speed up its installation (since it won't have to be
+processed by the engine).
+
+For dotfiles being symlinked (`link` or `link_children`), see
+[the dedicated doc](howto/symlink-dotfiles.md#templating-symlinked-dotfiles)
+
 ## Delimiters
 
 Dotdrop uses different delimiters than
diff --git a/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py b/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
index 7ab5fa1..83255ea 100644
--- a/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
+++ b/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ class CfgYaml:
     key_dotfile_link = 'link'
     key_dotfile_actions = 'actions'
     key_dotfile_noempty = 'ignoreempty'
+    key_dotfile_template = 'template'
 
     # profile
     key_profile_dotfiles = 'dotfiles'
@@ -82,6 +83,7 @@ class CfgYaml:
     key_settings_noempty = Settings.key_ignoreempty
     key_settings_minversion = Settings.key_minversion
     key_imp_link = Settings.key_link_on_import
+    key_settings_template = Settings.key_template_dotfile_default
 
     # link values
     lnk_nolink = LinkTypes.NOLINK.name.lower()
@@ -610,6 +612,11 @@ class CfgYaml:
             if self.key_dotfile_noempty not in v:
                 val = self.settings.get(self.key_settings_noempty, False)
                 v[self.key_dotfile_noempty] = val
+            # apply template if undefined
+            if self.key_dotfile_template not in v:
+                val = self.settings.get(self.key_settings_template, True)
+                v[self.key_dotfile_template] = val
+
         return new
 
     def _add_variables(self, new, shell=False, template=True, prio=False):
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
index 26b4707..366aa57 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
@@ -129,11 +129,13 @@ def cmd_install(o):
             LOG.dbg(dotfile.prt())
         if hasattr(dotfile, 'link') and dotfile.link == LinkTypes.LINK:
             r, err = inst.link(t, dotfile.src, dotfile.dst,
-                               actionexec=pre_actions_exec)
+                               actionexec=pre_actions_exec,
+                               template=dotfile.template)
         elif hasattr(dotfile, 'link') and \
                 dotfile.link == LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN:
             r, err = inst.link_children(t, dotfile.src, dotfile.dst,
-                                        actionexec=pre_actions_exec)
+                                        actionexec=pre_actions_exec,
+                                        template=dotfile.template)
         else:
             src = dotfile.src
             tmp = None
@@ -147,7 +149,8 @@ def cmd_install(o):
             r, err = inst.install(t, src, dotfile.dst,
                                   actionexec=pre_actions_exec,
                                   noempty=dotfile.noempty,
-                                  ignore=ignores)
+                                  ignore=ignores,
+                                  template=dotfile.template)
             if tmp:
                 tmp = os.path.join(o.dotpath, tmp)
                 if os.path.exists(tmp):
@@ -264,7 +267,8 @@ def cmd_compare(o, tmp):
             continue
 
         # install dotfile to temporary dir and compare
-        ret, err, insttmp = inst.install_to_temp(t, tmp, src, dotfile.dst)
+        ret, err, insttmp = inst.install_to_temp(t, tmp, src, dotfile.dst,
+                                                 template=dotfile.template)
         if not ret:
             # failed to install to tmp
             line = '=> compare {}: error'
@@ -737,9 +741,14 @@ def main():
         LOG.err('interrupted')
         ret = False
 
+    if o.debug:
+        LOG.dbg('done executing command')
+
     if ret and o.conf.save():
         LOG.log('config file updated')
 
+    if o.debug:
+        LOG.dbg('return {}'.format(ret))
     return ret
 
 
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotfile.py b/dotdrop/dotfile.py
index ae2025c..da7890d 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotfile.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotfile.py
@@ -16,12 +16,13 @@ class Dotfile(DictParser):
     key_noempty = 'ignoreempty'
     key_trans_r = 'trans_read'
     key_trans_w = 'trans_write'
+    key_template = 'template'
 
     def __init__(self, key, dst, src,
                  actions=[], trans_r=None, trans_w=None,
                  link=LinkTypes.NOLINK, noempty=False,
                  cmpignore=[], upignore=[],
-                 instignore=[]):
+                 instignore=[], template=True):
         """
         constructor
         @key: dotfile key
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ class Dotfile(DictParser):
         @upignore: patterns to ignore when updating
         @cmpignore: patterns to ignore when comparing
         @instignore: patterns to ignore when installing
+        @template: template this dotfile
         """
         self.actions = actions
         self.dst = dst
@@ -47,6 +49,7 @@ class Dotfile(DictParser):
         self.upignore = upignore
         self.cmpignore = cmpignore
         self.instignore = instignore
+        self.template = template
 
         if self.link != LinkTypes.NOLINK and \
                 (
@@ -91,6 +94,7 @@ class Dotfile(DictParser):
         value['noempty'] = value.get(cls.key_noempty, False)
         value['trans_r'] = value.get(cls.key_trans_r)
         value['trans_w'] = value.get(cls.key_trans_w)
+        value['template'] = value.get(cls.key_template, True)
         # remove old entries
         value.pop(cls.key_noempty, None)
         value.pop(cls.key_trans_r, None)
@@ -104,8 +108,12 @@ class Dotfile(DictParser):
         return hash(self.dst) ^ hash(self.src) ^ hash(self.key)
 
     def __str__(self):
-        msg = 'key:\"{}\", src:\"{}\", dst:\"{}\", link:\"{}\"'
-        return msg.format(self.key, self.src, self.dst, str(self.link))
+        msg = 'key:\"{}\"'.format(self.key)
+        msg += ', src:\"{}\"'.format(self.src)
+        msg += ', dst:\"{}\"'.format(self.dst)
+        msg += ', link:\"{}\"'.format(str(self.link))
+        msg += ', template:{}'.format(self.template)
+        return msg
 
     def prt(self):
         """extended dotfile to str"""
@@ -114,6 +122,7 @@ class Dotfile(DictParser):
         out += '\n{}src: \"{}\"'.format(indent, self.src)
         out += '\n{}dst: \"{}\"'.format(indent, self.dst)
         out += '\n{}link: \"{}\"'.format(indent, str(self.link))
+        out += '\n{}template: \"{}\"'.format(indent, str(self.template))
 
         out += '\n{}pre-action:'.format(indent)
         some = self.get_pre_actions()
diff --git a/dotdrop/installer.py b/dotdrop/installer.py
index ef0e0a9..6f1cb73 100644
--- a/dotdrop/installer.py
+++ b/dotdrop/installer.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ handle the installation of dotfiles
 
 import os
 import errno
+import shutil
 
 # local imports
 from dotdrop.logger import Logger
@@ -65,7 +66,7 @@ class Installer:
 
     def install(self, templater, src, dst,
                 actionexec=None, noempty=False,
-                ignore=[]):
+                ignore=[], template=True):
         """
         install src to dst using a template
         @templater: the templater object
@@ -74,6 +75,7 @@ class Installer:
         @actionexec: action executor callback
         @noempty: render empty template flag
         @ignore: pattern to ignore when installing
+        @template: template this dotfile
 
         return
         - True, None        : success
@@ -103,22 +105,25 @@ class Installer:
             self.log.dbg('install {} to {}'.format(src, dst))
             self.log.dbg('is a directory \"{}\": {}'.format(src, isdir))
         if isdir:
-            b, e = self._handle_dir(templater, src, dst,
-                                    actionexec=actionexec,
-                                    noempty=noempty, ignore=ignore)
+            b, e = self._install_dir(templater, src, dst,
+                                     actionexec=actionexec,
+                                     noempty=noempty, ignore=ignore,
+                                     template=template)
             return self._log_install(b, e)
-        b, e = self._handle_file(templater, src, dst,
-                                 actionexec=actionexec,
-                                 noempty=noempty, ignore=ignore)
+        b, e = self._install_file(templater, src, dst,
+                                  actionexec=actionexec,
+                                  noempty=noempty, ignore=ignore,
+                                  template=template)
         return self._log_install(b, e)
 
-    def link(self, templater, src, dst, actionexec=None):
+    def link(self, templater, src, dst, actionexec=None, template=True):
         """
         set src as the link target of dst
         @templater: the templater
         @src: dotfile source path in dotpath
         @dst: dotfile destination path in the FS
         @actionexec: action executor callback
+        @template: template this dotfile
 
         return
         - True, None        : success
@@ -140,28 +145,32 @@ class Installer:
         dst = os.path.normpath(os.path.expanduser(dst))
         if self.totemp:
             # ignore actions
-            b, e = self.install(templater, src, dst, actionexec=None)
+            b, e = self.install(templater, src, dst, actionexec=None,
+                                template=template)
             return self._log_install(b, e)
 
-        if Templategen.is_template(src):
+        if template and Templategen.is_template(src):
             if self.debug:
                 self.log.dbg('dotfile is a template')
                 self.log.dbg('install to {} and symlink'.format(self.workdir))
             tmp = self._pivot_path(dst, self.workdir, striphome=True)
-            i, err = self.install(templater, src, tmp, actionexec=actionexec)
+            i, err = self.install(templater, src, tmp, actionexec=actionexec,
+                                  template=template)
             if not i and not os.path.exists(tmp):
                 return self._log_install(i, err)
             src = tmp
         b, e = self._link(src, dst, actionexec=actionexec)
         return self._log_install(b, e)
 
-    def link_children(self, templater, src, dst, actionexec=None):
+    def link_children(self, templater, src, dst, actionexec=None,
+                      template=True):
         """
-        link all dotfiles in a given directory
+        link all files under a given directory
         @templater: the templater
         @src: dotfile source path in dotpath
         @dst: dotfile destination path in the FS
         @actionexec: action executor callback
+        @template: template this dotfile
 
         return
         - True, None: success
@@ -221,13 +230,14 @@ class Installer:
             if self.debug:
                 self.log.dbg('symlink child {} to {}'.format(src, dst))
 
-            if Templategen.is_template(src):
+            if template and Templategen.is_template(src):
                 if self.debug:
                     self.log.dbg('dotfile is a template')
                     self.log.dbg('install to {} and symlink'
                                  .format(self.workdir))
                 tmp = self._pivot_path(dst, self.workdir, striphome=True)
-                r, e = self.install(templater, src, tmp, actionexec=actionexec)
+                r, e = self.install(templater, src, tmp, actionexec=actionexec,
+                                    template=template)
                 if not r and e and not os.path.exists(tmp):
                     continue
                 src = tmp
@@ -264,7 +274,7 @@ class Installer:
                 self.log.dry('would remove {} and link to {}'.format(dst, src))
                 return True, None
             if self.showdiff:
-                self._diff_before_write(src, dst)
+                self._diff_before_write(src, dst, quiet=False)
             msg = 'Remove "{}" for link creation?'.format(dst)
             if self.safe and not self.log.ask(msg):
                 err = 'ignoring "{}", link was not created'.format(dst)
@@ -306,14 +316,16 @@ class Installer:
         tmp['_dotfile_sub_abs_dst'] = dst
         return tmp
 
-    def _handle_file(self, templater, src, dst,
-                     actionexec=None, noempty=False,
-                     ignore=[]):
+    def _install_file(self, templater, src, dst,
+                      actionexec=None, noempty=False,
+                      ignore=[], template=True):
         """install src to dst when is a file"""
         if self.debug:
-            self.log.dbg('generate template for {}'.format(src))
+            self.log.dbg('deploy file: {}'.format(src))
             self.log.dbg('ignore empty: {}'.format(noempty))
             self.log.dbg('ignore pattern: {}'.format(ignore))
+            self.log.dbg('template: {}'.format(template))
+            self.log.dbg('no empty: {}'.format(noempty))
 
         if utils.must_ignore([src, dst], ignore, debug=self.debug):
             if self.debug:
@@ -324,42 +336,55 @@ class Installer:
             # symlink loop
             err = 'dotfile points to itself: {}'.format(dst)
             return False, err
-        saved = templater.add_tmp_vars(self._get_tmp_file_vars(src, dst))
-        try:
-            content = templater.generate(src)
-        except UndefinedException as e:
-            return False, str(e)
-        finally:
-            templater.restore_vars(saved)
-        if noempty and utils.content_empty(content):
-            if self.debug:
-                self.log.dbg('ignoring empty template: {}'.format(src))
-            return False, None
-        if content is None:
-            err = 'empty template {}'.format(src)
-            return False, err
+
         if not os.path.exists(src):
             err = 'source dotfile does not exist: {}'.format(src)
             return False, err
-        st = os.stat(src)
-        ret, err = self._write(src, dst, content,
-                               st.st_mode, actionexec=actionexec)
+
+        # handle the file
+        content = None
+        if template:
+            # template the file
+            saved = templater.add_tmp_vars(self._get_tmp_file_vars(src, dst))
+            try:
+                content = templater.generate(src)
+            except UndefinedException as e:
+                return False, str(e)
+            finally:
+                templater.restore_vars(saved)
+            if noempty and utils.content_empty(content):
+                if self.debug:
+                    self.log.dbg('ignoring empty template: {}'.format(src))
+                return False, None
+            if content is None:
+                err = 'empty template {}'.format(src)
+                return False, err
+        ret, err = self._write(src, dst,
+                               content=content,
+                               actionexec=actionexec,
+                               template=template)
+
+        # build return values
         if ret < 0:
+            # error
             return False, err
         if ret > 0:
+            # already exists
             if self.debug:
                 self.log.dbg('ignoring {}'.format(dst))
             return False, None
         if ret == 0:
+            # success
             if not self.dry and not self.comparing:
                 self.log.sub('copied {} to {}'.format(src, dst))
             return True, None
+        # error
         err = 'installing {} to {}'.format(src, dst)
         return False, err
 
-    def _handle_dir(self, templater, src, dst,
-                    actionexec=None, noempty=False,
-                    ignore=[]):
+    def _install_dir(self, templater, src, dst,
+                     actionexec=None, noempty=False,
+                     ignore=[], template=True):
         """install src to dst when is a directory"""
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('install dir {}'.format(src))
@@ -374,11 +399,12 @@ class Installer:
             f = os.path.join(src, entry)
             if not os.path.isdir(f):
                 # is file
-                res, err = self._handle_file(templater, f,
-                                             os.path.join(dst, entry),
-                                             actionexec=actionexec,
-                                             noempty=noempty,
-                                             ignore=ignore)
+                res, err = self._install_file(templater, f,
+                                              os.path.join(dst, entry),
+                                              actionexec=actionexec,
+                                              noempty=noempty,
+                                              ignore=ignore,
+                                              template=template)
                 if not res and err:
                     # error occured
                     ret = res, err
@@ -388,11 +414,12 @@ class Installer:
                     ret = True, None
             else:
                 # is directory
-                res, err = self._handle_dir(templater, f,
-                                            os.path.join(dst, entry),
-                                            actionexec=actionexec,
-                                            noempty=noempty,
-                                            ignore=ignore)
+                res, err = self._install_dir(templater, f,
+                                             os.path.join(dst, entry),
+                                             actionexec=actionexec,
+                                             noempty=noempty,
+                                             ignore=ignore,
+                                             template=template)
                 if not res and err:
                     # error occured
                     ret = res, err
@@ -403,22 +430,31 @@ class Installer:
         return ret
 
     def _fake_diff(self, dst, content):
-        """fake diff by comparing file content with content"""
+        """
+        fake diff by comparing file content with content
+        returns True if same
+        """
         cur = ''
         with open(dst, 'br') as f:
             cur = f.read()
         return cur == content
 
-    def _write(self, src, dst, content, rights, actionexec=None):
-        """write content to file
+    def _write(self, src, dst, content=None,
+               actionexec=None, template=True):
+        """
+        copy dotfile / write content to file
         return  0, None:  for success,
                 1, None:  when already exists
-               -1, err: when error"""
+               -1, err: when error
+        content is always empty if template is False
+        and is to be ignored
+        """
         overwrite = not self.safe
         if self.dry:
             self.log.dry('would install {}'.format(dst))
             return 0, None
         if os.path.lexists(dst):
+            rights = os.stat(src).st_mode
             samerights = False
             try:
                 samerights = os.stat(dst).st_mode == rights
@@ -427,15 +463,26 @@ class Installer:
                     # broken symlink
                     err = 'broken symlink {}'.format(dst)
                     return -1, err
-            if self.diff and self._fake_diff(dst, content) and samerights:
-                if self.debug:
-                    self.log.dbg('{} is the same'.format(dst))
-                return 1, None
+            diff = None
+            if self.diff:
+                diff = self._diff_before_write(src, dst,
+                                               content=content,
+                                               quiet=True)
+                if not diff and samerights:
+                    if self.debug:
+                        self.log.dbg('{} is the same'.format(dst))
+                    return 1, None
             if self.safe:
                 if self.debug:
                     self.log.dbg('change detected for {}'.format(dst))
                 if self.showdiff:
-                    self._diff_before_write(src, dst, content=content)
+                    if diff is None:
+                        # get diff
+                        diff = self._diff_before_write(src, dst,
+                                                       content=content,
+                                                       quiet=True)
+                        if diff:
+                            self._print_diff(src, dst, diff)
                 if not self.log.ask('Overwrite \"{}\"'.format(dst)):
                     self.log.warn('ignoring {}'.format(dst))
                     return 1, None
@@ -450,24 +497,39 @@ class Installer:
         if not r:
             return -1, e
         if self.debug:
-            self.log.dbg('writes content to \"{}\"'.format(dst))
+            self.log.dbg('install dotfile to \"{}\"'.format(dst))
         # re-check in case action created the file
         if self.safe and not overwrite and os.path.lexists(dst):
             if not self.log.ask('Overwrite \"{}\"'.format(dst)):
                 self.log.warn('ignoring {}'.format(dst))
                 return 1, None
-        # write the file
-        try:
-            with open(dst, 'wb') as f:
-                f.write(content)
-        except NotADirectoryError as e:
-            err = 'opening dest file: {}'.format(e)
-            return -1, err
-        os.chmod(dst, rights)
+
+        if template:
+            # write content the file
+            try:
+                with open(dst, 'wb') as f:
+                    f.write(content)
+                shutil.copymode(src, dst)
+            except NotADirectoryError as e:
+                err = 'opening dest file: {}'.format(e)
+                return -1, err
+            except Exception as e:
+                return -1, str(e)
+        else:
+            # copy file
+            try:
+                shutil.copyfile(src, dst)
+                shutil.copymode(src, dst)
+            except Exception as e:
+                return -1, str(e)
         return 0, None
 
-    def _diff_before_write(self, src, dst, content=None):
-        """diff before writing when using --showdiff - not efficient"""
+    def _diff_before_write(self, src, dst, content=None, quiet=False):
+        """
+        diff before writing
+        using a temp file if content is not None
+        returns diff string ('' if same)
+        """
         tmp = None
         if content:
             tmp = utils.write_to_tmpfile(content)
@@ -477,9 +539,12 @@ class Installer:
         if tmp:
             utils.remove(tmp, quiet=True)
 
-        # fake the output for readability
-        if not diff:
-            return
+        if not quiet and diff:
+            self._print_diff(src, dst, diff)
+        return diff
+
+    def _print_diff(self, src, dst, diff):
+        """show diff to user"""
         self.log.log('diff \"{}\" VS \"{}\"'.format(dst, src))
         self.log.emph(diff)
 
@@ -530,12 +595,13 @@ class Installer:
         self.action_executed = True
         return ret, err
 
-    def _install_to_temp(self, templater, src, dst, tmpdir):
+    def _install_to_temp(self, templater, src, dst, tmpdir, template=True):
         """install a dotfile to a tempdir"""
         tmpdst = self._pivot_path(dst, tmpdir)
-        return self.install(templater, src, tmpdst), tmpdst
+        r = self.install(templater, src, tmpdst, template=template)
+        return r, tmpdst
 
-    def install_to_temp(self, templater, tmpdir, src, dst):
+    def install_to_temp(self, templater, tmpdir, src, dst, template=True):
         """install a dotfile to a tempdir"""
         ret = False
         tmpdst = ''
@@ -553,7 +619,8 @@ class Installer:
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('tmp install {} (defined dst: {})'.format(src, dst))
         # install the dotfile to a temp directory for comparing
-        r, tmpdst = self._install_to_temp(templater, src, dst, tmpdir)
+        r, tmpdst = self._install_to_temp(templater, src, dst, tmpdir,
+                                          template=template)
         ret, err = r
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('tmp installed in {}'.format(tmpdst))
diff --git a/dotdrop/settings.py b/dotdrop/settings.py
index 264ccc2..64d0853 100644
--- a/dotdrop/settings.py
+++ b/dotdrop/settings.py
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ class Settings(DictParser):
     key_func_file = 'func_file'
     key_filter_file = 'filter_file'
     key_diff_command = 'diff_command'
+    key_template_dotfile_default = 'template_dotfile_default'
 
     # import keys
     key_import_actions = 'import_actions'
@@ -49,7 +50,8 @@ class Settings(DictParser):
                  upignore=[], cmpignore=[], instignore=[],
                  workdir='~/.config/dotdrop', showdiff=False,
                  minversion=None, func_file=[], filter_file=[],
-                 diff_command='diff -r -u {0} {1}'):
+                 diff_command='diff -r -u {0} {1}',
+                 template_dotfile_default=True):
         self.backup = backup
         self.banner = banner
         self.create = create
@@ -72,6 +74,7 @@ class Settings(DictParser):
         self.func_file = func_file
         self.filter_file = filter_file
         self.diff_command = diff_command
+        self.template_dotfile_default = template_dotfile_default
 
     def _serialize_seq(self, name, dic):
         """serialize attribute 'name' into 'dic'"""
@@ -94,6 +97,7 @@ class Settings(DictParser):
             self.key_workdir: self.workdir,
             self.key_minversion: self.minversion,
             self.key_diff_command: self.diff_command,
+            self.key_template_dotfile_default: self.template_dotfile_default,
         }
         self._serialize_seq(self.key_default_actions, dic)
         self._serialize_seq(self.key_import_actions, dic)
diff --git a/dotdrop/utils.py b/dotdrop/utils.py
index 705c3fc..61f3d44 100644
--- a/dotdrop/utils.py
+++ b/dotdrop/utils.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def shell(cmd, debug=False):
 
 def diff(original, modified, raw=True,
          diff_cmd='', debug=False):
-    """compare two files"""
+    """compare two files, returns '' if same"""
     if not diff_cmd:
         diff_cmd = 'diff -r -u {0} {1}'
 
diff --git a/tests-ng/compare-ignore-relative.sh b/tests-ng/compare-ignore-relative.sh
index a8c1260..4b9278c 100755
--- a/tests-ng/compare-ignore-relative.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/compare-ignore-relative.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
diff --git a/tests-ng/compare-ignore.sh b/tests-ng/compare-ignore.sh
index 53d86c9..cf162c4 100755
--- a/tests-ng/compare-ignore.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/compare-ignore.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
diff --git a/tests-ng/corner-case.sh b/tests-ng/corner-case.sh
index 1bc4e2a..bea39c1 100755
--- a/tests-ng/corner-case.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/corner-case.sh
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
diff --git a/tests-ng/diff-cmd.sh b/tests-ng/diff-cmd.sh
index b09378d..166135d 100755
--- a/tests-ng/diff-cmd.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/diff-cmd.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
diff --git a/tests-ng/global-compare-ignore.sh b/tests-ng/global-compare-ignore.sh
index 056be9a..5f9ef10 100755
--- a/tests-ng/global-compare-ignore.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/global-compare-ignore.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
diff --git a/tests-ng/global-update-ignore.sh b/tests-ng/global-update-ignore.sh
index 5a387a6..4983d96 100755
--- a/tests-ng/global-update-ignore.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/global-update-ignore.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
diff --git a/tests-ng/install-ignore.sh b/tests-ng/install-ignore.sh
index 9651338..fd62890 100755
--- a/tests-ng/install-ignore.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/install-ignore.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
diff --git a/tests-ng/notemplate.sh b/tests-ng/notemplate.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..4e5a72c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-ng/notemplate.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,286 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+# Copyright (c) 2020, deadc0de6
+#
+# test notemplate
+# returns 1 in case of error
+#
+
+# exit on first error
+set -e
+
+# all this crap to get current path
+rl="readlink -f"
+if ! ${rl} "${0}" >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+  rl="realpath"
+
+  if ! hash ${rl}; then
+    echo "\"${rl}\" not found !" && exit 1
+  fi
+fi
+cur=$(dirname "$(${rl} "${0}")")
+
+#hash dotdrop >/dev/null 2>&1
+#[ "$?" != "0" ] && echo "install dotdrop to run tests" && exit 1
+
+#echo "called with ${1}"
+
+# dotdrop path can be pass as argument
+ddpath="${cur}/../"
+[ "${1}" != "" ] && ddpath="${1}"
+[ ! -d ${ddpath} ] && echo "ddpath \"${ddpath}\" is not a directory" && exit 1
+
+export PYTHONPATH="${ddpath}:${PYTHONPATH}"
+bin="python3 -m dotdrop.dotdrop"
+hash coverage 2>/dev/null && bin="coverage run -a --source=dotdrop -m dotdrop.dotdrop" || true
+
+echo "dotdrop path: ${ddpath}"
+echo "pythonpath: ${PYTHONPATH}"
+
+# get the helpers
+source ${cur}/helpers
+
+echo -e "$(tput setaf 6)==> RUNNING $(basename $BASH_SOURCE) <==$(tput sgr0)"
+
+################################################################
+# this is the test
+################################################################
+
+# the dotfile source
+tmps=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests' || mktemp -d`
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+#echo "dotfile source: ${tmps}"
+# the dotfile destination
+tmpd=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests' || mktemp -d`
+#echo "dotfile destination: ${tmpd}"
+
+# create the config file
+cfg="${tmps}/config.yaml"
+
+# globally
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  template_dotfile_default: false
+dotfiles:
+  f_f1:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/f1
+    src: f1
+  d_d1:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/dir1
+    src: dir1
+  d_d2:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/dir2
+    src: dir2
+    link: link
+  d_d3:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/dir3
+    src: dir3
+    link: link_children
+  f_fl:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/fl
+    src: fl
+    link: link
+  f_fn:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/fn
+    src: fn
+    template: true
+profiles:
+  p1:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_f1
+    - d_d1
+    - d_d2
+    - d_d3
+    - f_fl
+    - f_fn
+_EOF
+#cat ${cfg}
+
+# create the dotfile
+echo "before" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+echo "{#@@ should not be stripped @@#}" >> ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+echo "{{@@ header() @@}}" >> ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+echo "after" >> ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+
+# create the directory
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles/dir1/d1
+echo "{{@@ header() @@}}" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/dir1/d1/f2
+
+# create the linked directory
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles/dir2/d1
+echo "{{@@ header() @@}}" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/dir2/d1/f2
+
+# create the link_children directory
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles/dir3/{s1,s2,s3}
+echo "{{@@ header() @@}}" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/dir3/s1/f1
+echo "{{@@ header() @@}}" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/dir3/s2/f2
+
+# create the linked dotfile
+echo "{{@@ header() @@}}" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/fl
+
+# create the normal dotfile
+echo "before" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/fn
+echo "{#@@ should not be stripped @@#}" >> ${tmps}/dotfiles/fn
+echo "after" >> ${tmps}/dotfiles/fn
+
+# install
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f --showdiff -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} compare -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+
+# simple file
+echo "doing globally"
+echo "* test simple file"
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/f1 ] && echo 'not installed1' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/f1 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+grep 'should not be stripped' ${tmpd}/f1 || (echo "comment stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# directory
+echo "* test directory"
+[ ! -d ${tmpd}/dir1 ] && echo 'not installed1' && exit 1
+[ ! -d ${tmpd}/dir1/d1 ] && echo 'not installed2' && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/dir1/d1/f2 ] && echo 'not installed3' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/dir1/d1/f2 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# linked directory
+echo "* test linked directory"
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/dir2 ] && echo 'not installed1' && exit 1
+[ ! -d ${tmpd}/dir2/d1 ] && echo 'not installed2' && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/dir2/d1/f2 ] && echo 'not installed3' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/dir2/d1/f2 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# children_link directory
+echo "* test link_children directory"
+[ ! -d ${tmpd}/dir3 ] && echo 'not installed1' && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/dir3/s1 ] && echo 'not installed2' && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/dir3/s2 ] && echo 'not installed3' && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/dir3/s3 ] && echo 'not installed4' && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/dir3/s1/f1 ] && echo 'not installed5' && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/dir3/s2/f2 ] && echo 'not installed6' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/dir3/s1/f1 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/dir3/s2/f2 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# linked file
+echo "* test linked file"
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/fl ] && echo 'not installed' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/f1 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# normal dotfile
+echo "* normal dotfile"
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/fn ] && echo 'not installed' && exit 1
+grep 'should not be stripped' ${tmpd}/fn && echo "no templated" && exit 1
+
+# test backup done
+echo "before" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f --showdiff -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/f1.dotdropbak ] && echo "backup not done" && exit 1
+
+# re-create the dotfile
+echo "before" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+echo "{#@@ should not be stripped @@#}" >> ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+echo "{{@@ header() @@}}" >> ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+echo "after" >> ${tmps}/dotfiles/f1
+
+# through the dotfile
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  template_dotfile_default: true
+dotfiles:
+  f_f1:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/f1
+    src: f1
+    template: false
+  d_d1:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/dir1
+    src: dir1
+    template: false
+  d_d2:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/dir2
+    src: dir2
+    link: link
+    template: false
+  d_d3:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/dir3
+    src: dir3
+    link: link_children
+    template: false
+  f_fl:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/fl
+    src: fl
+    link: link
+    template: false
+  f_fn:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/fn
+    src: fn
+profiles:
+  p1:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_f1
+    - d_d1
+    - d_d2
+    - d_d3
+    - f_fl
+    - f_fn
+_EOF
+#cat ${cfg}
+
+# clean destination
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/*
+
+# install
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f --showdiff -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} compare -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+
+# simple file
+echo "doing specifically"
+echo "* test simple file"
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/f1 ] && echo 'not installed1' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/f1 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+grep 'should not be stripped' ${tmpd}/f1 || (echo "comment stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# directory
+echo "* test directory"
+[ ! -d ${tmpd}/dir1 ] && echo 'not installed1' && exit 1
+[ ! -d ${tmpd}/dir1/d1 ] && echo 'not installed2' && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/dir1/d1/f2 ] && echo 'not installed3' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/dir1/d1/f2 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# linked directory
+echo "* test linked directory"
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/dir2 ] && echo 'not installed1' && exit 1
+[ ! -d ${tmpd}/dir2/d1 ] && echo 'not installed2' && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/dir2/d1/f2 ] && echo 'not installed3' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/dir2/d1/f2 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# children_link directory
+echo "* test link_children directory"
+[ ! -d ${tmpd}/dir3 ] && echo 'not installed1' && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/dir3/s1 ] && echo 'not installed2' && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/dir3/s2 ] && echo 'not installed3' && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/dir3/s3 ] && echo 'not installed4' && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/dir3/s1/f1 ] && echo 'not installed5' && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/dir3/s2/f2 ] && echo 'not installed6' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/dir3/s1/f1 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/dir3/s2/f2 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# linked file
+echo "* test linked file"
+[ ! -h ${tmpd}/fl ] && echo 'not installed' && exit 1
+grep 'header' ${tmpd}/f1 || (echo "header stripped" && exit 1)
+
+# normal dotfile
+echo "* normal dotfile"
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/fn ] && echo 'not installed' && exit 1
+grep 'should not be stripped' ${tmpd}/fn && echo "no templated" && exit 1
+
+
+## CLEANING
+rm -rf ${tmps} ${tmpd}
+
+echo "OK"
+exit 0
diff --git a/tests-ng/update-ignore-relative.sh b/tests-ng/update-ignore-relative.sh
index 09d4021..d2302d5 100755
--- a/tests-ng/update-ignore-relative.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/update-ignore-relative.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
diff --git a/tests-ng/update-ignore.sh b/tests-ng/update-ignore.sh
index af9e34c..9794e36 100755
--- a/tests-ng/update-ignore.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/update-ignore.sh
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 #
 
 # exit on first error
-#set -e
+set -e
 
 # all this crap to get current path
 rl="readlink -f"
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} update -f -c ${cfg} --verbose --profile=p1 --key f_abc
 
 # check files haven't been updated
 grep 'b' ${dt}/a/c/acfile >/dev/null
-[ -e ${dt}/a/newfile ] && exit 1
+[ -e ${dt}/a/newfile ] && echo "should not have been updated" && exit 1
 
 ## CLEANING
 rm -rf ${tmps} ${tmpd}