diff --git a/docs/config-format.md b/docs/config-format.md
index 36ea314..d9d2b56 100644
--- a/docs/config-format.md
+++ b/docs/config-format.md
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Entry    | Description | Default
 `check_version` | Check if a new version of dotdrop is available on github | false
 `chmod_on_import` | Always add a chmod entry on newly imported dotfiles (see `--preserve-mode`) | false
 `clear_workdir` | On `install` clear the `workdir` before installing dotfiles (see `--workdir-clear`) | false
+`compare_workdir` | On `compare` notify on files in `workdir` not tracked by dotdrop | false
 `cmpignore` | List of patterns to ignore when comparing, applied to all dotfiles (enclose in quotes when using wildcards; see [ignore patterns](config.md#ignore-patterns)) | -
 `create` | Create a directory hierarchy when installing dotfiles if it doesn't exist | true
 `default_actions` | List of action keys to execute for all installed dotfiles (See [actions](config-details.md#actions-entry)) | -
diff --git a/docs/usage.md b/docs/usage.md
index 298a810..fef175b 100644
--- a/docs/usage.md
+++ b/docs/usage.md
@@ -112,6 +112,9 @@ To ignore specific patterns, see [the ignore patterns](config.md#ignore-patterns
 
 To completely ignore all files not present in `dotpath` see [Ignore missing](#ignore-missing).
 
+If you want to get notified on files present in the `workdir` but not tracked
+by dotdrop see the [compare_workdir](config-format.md).
+
 For more options, see the usage with `dotdrop --help`.
 
 ## List profiles
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
index d41a16a..9fdfab1 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ entry point
 import os
 import sys
 import time
+import fnmatch
 from concurrent import futures
 
 # local imports
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ from dotdrop.comparator import Comparator
 from dotdrop.importer import Importer
 from dotdrop.utils import get_tmpdir, removepath, \
     uniq_list, patch_ignores, dependencies_met, \
-    adapt_workers, check_version
+    adapt_workers, check_version, pivot_path
 from dotdrop.linktypes import LinkTypes
 from dotdrop.exceptions import YamlException, \
     UndefinedException, UnmetDependency
@@ -379,6 +380,44 @@ def cmd_install(opts):
     return True
 
 
+def _workdir_enum(opts):
+    workdir_files = []
+    for root, _, files in os.walk(opts.workdir):
+        for file in files:
+            fpath = os.path.join(root, file)
+            workdir_files.append(fpath)
+
+    for dotfile in opts.dotfiles:
+        src = os.path.join(opts.dotpath, dotfile.src)
+        if dotfile.link == LinkTypes.NOLINK:
+            # ignore not link files
+            continue
+        if not Templategen.is_template(src):
+            # ignore not template
+            continue
+        newpath = pivot_path(dotfile.dst, opts.workdir,
+                             striphome=True, logger=None)
+        if os.path.isdir(newpath):
+            # recursive
+            pattern = '{}/*'.format(newpath)
+            files = workdir_files.copy()
+            for file in files:
+                if fnmatch.fnmatch(file, pattern):
+                    workdir_files.remove(file)
+            # only checks children
+            children = [f.path for f in os.scandir(newpath)]
+            for child in children:
+                if child in workdir_files:
+                    workdir_files.remove(child)
+        else:
+            if newpath in workdir_files:
+                workdir_files.remove(newpath)
+    for wfile in workdir_files:
+        line = '=> \"{}\" does not exist in dotdrop'
+        LOG.log(line.format(wfile))
+    return len(workdir_files)
+
+
 def cmd_compare(opts, tmp):
     """compare dotfiles and return True if all identical"""
     dotfiles = opts.dotfiles
@@ -424,6 +463,9 @@ def cmd_compare(opts, tmp):
                 same = False
             cnt += 1
 
+    if opts.compare_workdir and _workdir_enum(opts) > 0:
+        same = False
+
     LOG.log('\n{} dotfile(s) compared.'.format(cnt))
     return same
 
diff --git a/dotdrop/installer.py b/dotdrop/installer.py
index fd2a69a..db05773 100644
--- a/dotdrop/installer.py
+++ b/dotdrop/installer.py
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ class Installer:
         self.totemp = None
 
         # install the dotfile to a temp directory
-        tmpdst = self._pivot_path(dst, tmpdir)
+        tmpdst = utils.pivot_path(dst, tmpdir, logger=self.log)
         ret, err = self.install(templater, src, tmpdst,
                                 LinkTypes.NOLINK,
                                 is_template=is_template,
@@ -260,7 +260,8 @@ class Installer:
         if is_template:
             self.log.dbg('is a template')
             self.log.dbg('install to {}'.format(self.workdir))
-            tmp = self._pivot_path(dst, self.workdir, striphome=True)
+            tmp = utils.pivot_path(dst, self.workdir,
+                                   striphome=True, logger=self.log)
             ret, err = self.install(templater, src, tmp,
                                     LinkTypes.NOLINK,
                                     actionexec=actionexec,
@@ -326,7 +327,8 @@ class Installer:
                 self.log.dbg('child is a template')
                 self.log.dbg('install to {} and symlink'
                              .format(self.workdir))
-                tmp = self._pivot_path(subdst, self.workdir, striphome=True)
+                tmp = utils.pivot_path(subdst, self.workdir,
+                                       striphome=True, logger=self.log)
                 ret2, err2 = self.install(templater, subsrc, tmp,
                                           LinkTypes.NOLINK,
                                           actionexec=actionexec,
@@ -698,17 +700,6 @@ class Installer:
         self.log.log('backup {} to {}'.format(path, dst))
         os.rename(path, dst)
 
-    def _pivot_path(self, path, newdir, striphome=False):
-        """change path to be under newdir"""
-        self.log.dbg('pivot new dir: \"{}\"'.format(newdir))
-        self.log.dbg('strip home: {}'.format(striphome))
-        if striphome:
-            path = utils.strip_home(path)
-        sub = path.lstrip(os.sep)
-        new = os.path.join(newdir, sub)
-        self.log.dbg('pivot \"{}\" to \"{}\"'.format(path, new))
-        return new
-
     def _exec_pre_actions(self, actionexec):
         """execute action executor"""
         if self.action_executed:
diff --git a/dotdrop/settings.py b/dotdrop/settings.py
index 54554d2..eb36cbd 100644
--- a/dotdrop/settings.py
+++ b/dotdrop/settings.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ class Settings(DictParser):
     key_chmod_on_import = 'chmod_on_import'
     key_check_version = 'check_version'
     key_clear_workdir = 'clear_workdir'
+    key_compare_workdir = 'compare_workdir'
 
     # import keys
     key_import_actions = 'import_actions'
@@ -67,7 +68,8 @@ class Settings(DictParser):
                  template_dotfile_default=True,
                  ignore_missing_in_dotdrop=False,
                  force_chmod=False, chmod_on_import=False,
-                 check_version=False, clear_workdir=False):
+                 check_version=False, clear_workdir=False,
+                 compare_workdir=False):
         self.backup = backup
         self.banner = banner
         self.create = create
@@ -99,6 +101,7 @@ class Settings(DictParser):
         self.chmod_on_import = chmod_on_import
         self.check_version = check_version
         self.clear_workdir = clear_workdir
+        self.compare_workdir = compare_workdir
 
     def _serialize_seq(self, name, dic):
         """serialize attribute 'name' into 'dic'"""
@@ -127,6 +130,7 @@ class Settings(DictParser):
             self.key_chmod_on_import: self.chmod_on_import,
             self.key_check_version: self.check_version,
             self.key_clear_workdir: self.clear_workdir,
+            self.key_compare_workdir: self.compare_workdir,
         }
         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 67798ae..38261f6 100644
--- a/dotdrop/utils.py
+++ b/dotdrop/utils.py
@@ -478,3 +478,17 @@ def check_version():
     if version.parse(VERSION) < version.parse(latest):
         msg = 'A new version of dotdrop is available ({})'
         LOG.warn(msg.format(latest))
+
+
+def pivot_path(path, newdir, striphome=False, logger=None):
+    """change path to be under newdir"""
+    if logger:
+        logger.dbg('pivot new dir: \"{}\"'.format(newdir))
+        logger.dbg('strip home: {}'.format(striphome))
+    if striphome:
+        path = strip_home(path)
+    sub = path.lstrip(os.sep)
+    new = os.path.join(newdir, sub)
+    if logger:
+        logger.dbg('pivot \"{}\" to \"{}\"'.format(path, new))
+    return new
diff --git a/tests-ng/workdir-compare.sh b/tests-ng/workdir-compare.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..e7371de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-ng/workdir-compare.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,166 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+# Copyright (c) 2021, deadc0de6
+#
+# test workdir compare and warn on untracked files
+# 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
+################################################################
+unset DOTDROP_WORKDIR
+string="blabla"
+
+# the dotfile source
+tmp=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests' || mktemp -d`
+
+tmpf="${tmp}/dotfiles"
+tmpw="${tmp}/workdir"
+
+mkdir -p ${tmpf}
+echo "dotfiles source (dotpath): ${tmpf}"
+mkdir -p ${tmpw}
+echo "workdir: ${tmpw}"
+
+# create the config file
+cfg="${tmp}/config.yaml"
+echo "config file: ${cfg}"
+
+# the dotfile destination
+tmpd=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests' || mktemp -d`
+echo "dotfiles destination: ${tmpd}"
+
+clear_on_exit "${tmp}"
+clear_on_exit "${tmpd}"
+
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  workdir: ${tmpw}
+  compare_workdir: true
+dotfiles:
+  f_a:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/a
+    src: a
+    link: link
+  f_b:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/b
+    src: b
+    link: nolink
+  d_c:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/c
+    src: c
+    link: link_children
+profiles:
+  p1:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_a
+    - f_b
+    - d_c
+_EOF
+#cat ${cfg}
+
+# create the dotfile
+echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > ${tmpf}/a
+echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > ${tmpf}/b
+mkdir -p ${tmpf}/c
+echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > ${tmpf}/c/a
+echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > ${tmpf}/c/b
+mkdir ${tmpf}/c/x
+echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > ${tmpf}/c/x/a
+echo "{{@@ profile @@}}" > ${tmpf}/c/x/b
+
+# install
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -b
+
+# compare (no diff)
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} compare -c ${cfg} -p p1 -b -V
+
+# add file
+touch ${tmpw}/untrack
+
+# compare (one diff)
+set +e
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} compare -c ${cfg} -p p1 -b -V
+[ "$?" != "1" ] && echo "not found untracked file in workdir (1)" && exit 1
+set -e
+
+# clean
+rm ${tmpw}/untrack
+# add sub file
+touch ${tmpw}/${tmpd}/c/x/untrack
+
+# compare (two diff)
+set +e
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} compare -c ${cfg} -p p1 -b -V
+[ "$?" != "1" ] && echo "not found untracked file in workdir (2)" && exit 1
+set -e
+
+# clean
+rm ${tmpw}/${tmpd}/c/x/untrack
+# add dir
+mkdir ${tmpw}/d_untrack
+touch ${tmpw}/d_untrack/untrack
+
+# compare (three diffs)
+set +e
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} compare -c ${cfg} -p p1 -b -V
+[ "$?" != "1" ] && echo "not found untracked file in workdir (3)" && exit 1
+set -e
+
+# clean
+rm -r ${tmpw}/d_untrack
+# add sub dir
+mkdir ${tmpw}/${tmpd}/c/x/d_untrack
+touch ${tmpw}/${tmpd}/c/x/d_untrack/untrack
+
+# compare
+set +e
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} compare -c ${cfg} -p p1 -b -V
+[ "$?" != "1" ] && echo "not found untracked file in workdir (4)" && exit 1
+set -e
+
+## CLEANING
+rm -rf ${tmp} ${tmpd}
+
+echo "OK"
+exit 0