diff --git a/completion/_dotdrop-completion.zsh b/completion/_dotdrop-completion.zsh
index 2f694da..7062241 100644
--- a/completion/_dotdrop-completion.zsh
+++ b/completion/_dotdrop-completion.zsh
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ _dotdrop ()
 				'import'
 				'compare'
 				'update'
+				'remove'
 				'listfiles'
 				'detail'
 				'list'
@@ -59,6 +60,9 @@ _dotdrop ()
                 update)
                     _dotdrop-update
                 ;;
+                remove)
+                    _dotdrop-remove
+                ;;
                 listfiles)
                     _dotdrop-listfiles
                 ;;
@@ -97,7 +101,7 @@ _dotdrop-install ()
 		'(-D)-D' \
 		'(--showdiff)--showdiff' \
 		'(-a)-a' \
-		'(--force-action)--force-action' \
+		'(--force-actions)--force-actions' \
 		'(-c=-)-c=-' \
 		'(--cfg=-)--cfg=-' \
 		'(-p=-)-p=-' \
@@ -193,6 +197,35 @@ _dotdrop-update ()
     fi
 }
 
+_dotdrop-remove ()
+{
+    local context state state_descr line
+    typeset -A opt_args
+
+    if [[ $words[$CURRENT] == -* ]] ; then
+        _arguments -C \
+        ':command:->command' \
+		'(-V)-V' \
+		'(--verbose)--verbose' \
+		'(-b)-b' \
+		'(--no-banner)--no-banner' \
+		'(-f)-f' \
+		'(--force)--force' \
+		'(-d)-d' \
+		'(--dry)--dry' \
+		'(-k)-k' \
+		'(--key)--key' \
+		'(-c=-)-c=-' \
+		'(--cfg=-)--cfg=-' \
+		'(-p=-)-p=-' \
+		'(--profile=-)--profile=-' \
+
+    else
+        myargs=('<path>')
+        _message_next_arg
+    fi
+}
+
 _dotdrop-listfiles ()
 {
     local context state state_descr line
diff --git a/completion/_dotdrop.sh-completion.zsh b/completion/_dotdrop.sh-completion.zsh
index 3357e75..a123621 100644
--- a/completion/_dotdrop.sh-completion.zsh
+++ b/completion/_dotdrop.sh-completion.zsh
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ _dotdrop.sh ()
 				'import'
 				'compare'
 				'update'
+				'remove'
 				'listfiles'
 				'detail'
 				'list'
@@ -59,6 +60,9 @@ _dotdrop.sh ()
                 update)
                     _dotdrop.sh-update
                 ;;
+                remove)
+                    _dotdrop.sh-remove
+                ;;
                 listfiles)
                     _dotdrop.sh-listfiles
                 ;;
@@ -97,7 +101,7 @@ _dotdrop.sh-install ()
 		'(-D)-D' \
 		'(--showdiff)--showdiff' \
 		'(-a)-a' \
-		'(--force-action)--force-action' \
+		'(--force-actions)--force-actions' \
 		'(-c=-)-c=-' \
 		'(--cfg=-)--cfg=-' \
 		'(-p=-)-p=-' \
@@ -193,6 +197,35 @@ _dotdrop.sh-update ()
     fi
 }
 
+_dotdrop.sh-remove ()
+{
+    local context state state_descr line
+    typeset -A opt_args
+
+    if [[ $words[$CURRENT] == -* ]] ; then
+        _arguments -C \
+        ':command:->command' \
+		'(-V)-V' \
+		'(--verbose)--verbose' \
+		'(-b)-b' \
+		'(--no-banner)--no-banner' \
+		'(-f)-f' \
+		'(--force)--force' \
+		'(-d)-d' \
+		'(--dry)--dry' \
+		'(-k)-k' \
+		'(--key)--key' \
+		'(-c=-)-c=-' \
+		'(--cfg=-)--cfg=-' \
+		'(-p=-)-p=-' \
+		'(--profile=-)--profile=-' \
+
+    else
+        myargs=('<path>')
+        _message_next_arg
+    fi
+}
+
 _dotdrop.sh-listfiles ()
 {
     local context state state_descr line
diff --git a/completion/dotdrop-completion.bash b/completion/dotdrop-completion.bash
index 261a2be..92f2ffb 100644
--- a/completion/dotdrop-completion.bash
+++ b/completion/dotdrop-completion.bash
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ _dotdrop()
     cur="${COMP_WORDS[COMP_CWORD]}"
 
     if [ $COMP_CWORD -eq 1 ]; then
-        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -W '-h --help -v --version install import compare update listfiles detail list' -- $cur) )
+        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -W '-h --help -v --version install import compare update remove listfiles detail list' -- $cur) )
     else
         case ${COMP_WORDS[1]} in
             install)
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ _dotdrop()
         ;;
             update)
             _dotdrop_update
+        ;;
+            remove)
+            _dotdrop_remove
         ;;
             listfiles)
             _dotdrop_listfiles
@@ -40,7 +43,7 @@ _dotdrop_install()
     cur="${COMP_WORDS[COMP_CWORD]}"
 
     if [ $COMP_CWORD -ge 2 ]; then
-        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -fW '-V --verbose -b --no-banner -t --temp -f --force -n --nodiff -d --dry -D --showdiff -a --force-action -c= --cfg= -p= --profile= ' -- $cur) )
+        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -fW '-V --verbose -b --no-banner -t --temp -f --force -n --nodiff -d --dry -D --showdiff -a --force-actions -c= --cfg= -p= --profile= ' -- $cur) )
     fi
 }
 
@@ -74,6 +77,16 @@ _dotdrop_update()
     fi
 }
 
+_dotdrop_remove()
+{
+    local cur
+    cur="${COMP_WORDS[COMP_CWORD]}"
+
+    if [ $COMP_CWORD -ge 2 ]; then
+        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -fW '-V --verbose -b --no-banner -f --force -d --dry -k --key -c= --cfg= -p= --profile= ' -- $cur) )
+    fi
+}
+
 _dotdrop_listfiles()
 {
     local cur
diff --git a/completion/dotdrop.sh-completion.bash b/completion/dotdrop.sh-completion.bash
index 98ece6c..c6e0760 100644
--- a/completion/dotdrop.sh-completion.bash
+++ b/completion/dotdrop.sh-completion.bash
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ _dotdropsh()
     cur="${COMP_WORDS[COMP_CWORD]}"
 
     if [ $COMP_CWORD -eq 1 ]; then
-        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -W '-h --help -v --version install import compare update listfiles detail list' -- $cur) )
+        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -W '-h --help -v --version install import compare update remove listfiles detail list' -- $cur) )
     else
         case ${COMP_WORDS[1]} in
             install)
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ _dotdropsh()
         ;;
             update)
             _dotdropsh_update
+        ;;
+            remove)
+            _dotdropsh_remove
         ;;
             listfiles)
             _dotdropsh_listfiles
@@ -40,7 +43,7 @@ _dotdropsh_install()
     cur="${COMP_WORDS[COMP_CWORD]}"
 
     if [ $COMP_CWORD -ge 2 ]; then
-        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -fW '-V --verbose -b --no-banner -t --temp -f --force -n --nodiff -d --dry -D --showdiff -a --force-action -c= --cfg= -p= --profile= ' -- $cur) )
+        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -fW '-V --verbose -b --no-banner -t --temp -f --force -n --nodiff -d --dry -D --showdiff -a --force-actions -c= --cfg= -p= --profile= ' -- $cur) )
     fi
 }
 
@@ -74,6 +77,16 @@ _dotdropsh_update()
     fi
 }
 
+_dotdropsh_remove()
+{
+    local cur
+    cur="${COMP_WORDS[COMP_CWORD]}"
+
+    if [ $COMP_CWORD -ge 2 ]; then
+        COMPREPLY=( $( compgen -fW '-V --verbose -b --no-banner -f --force -d --dry -k --key -c= --cfg= -p= --profile= ' -- $cur) )
+    fi
+}
+
 _dotdropsh_listfiles()
 {
     local cur
diff --git a/dotdrop/cfg_aggregator.py b/dotdrop/cfg_aggregator.py
index 142d98d..07a4407 100644
--- a/dotdrop/cfg_aggregator.py
+++ b/dotdrop/cfg_aggregator.py
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ from dotdrop.logger import Logger
 from dotdrop.utils import strip_home
 
 
+TILD = '~'
+
+
 class CfgAggregator:
 
     file_prefix = 'f'
@@ -99,9 +102,9 @@ class CfgAggregator:
 
         # patch trans_w/trans_r in dotfiles
         self._patch_keys_to_objs(self.dotfiles,
-                                 "trans_r", self.get_trans_r)
+                                 "trans_r", self._get_trans_r)
         self._patch_keys_to_objs(self.dotfiles,
-                                 "trans_w", self.get_trans_w)
+                                 "trans_w", self._get_trans_w)
 
     def _patch_keys_to_objs(self, containers, keys, get_by_key):
         """
@@ -128,6 +131,14 @@ class CfgAggregator:
                 self.log.dbg('patching {}.{} with {}'.format(c, keys, objects))
             setattr(c, keys, objects)
 
+    def del_dotfile(self, dotfile):
+        """remove this dotfile from the config"""
+        return self.cfgyaml.del_dotfile(dotfile.key)
+
+    def del_dotfile_from_profile(self, dotfile, profile):
+        """remove this dotfile from this profile"""
+        return self.cfgyaml.del_dotfile_from_profile(dotfile.key, profile.key)
+
     def new(self, src, dst, link, profile_key):
         """
         import a new dotfile
@@ -136,10 +147,9 @@ class CfgAggregator:
         @link: LinkType
         @profile_key: to which profile
         """
-        home = os.path.expanduser('~')
-        dst = dst.replace(home, '~', 1)
+        dst = self.path_to_dotfile_dst(dst)
 
-        dotfile = self._get_dotfile_by_dst(dst)
+        dotfile = self.get_dotfile_by_dst(dst)
         if not dotfile:
             # get a new dotfile with a unique key
             key = self._get_new_dotfile_key(dst)
@@ -228,8 +238,22 @@ class CfgAggregator:
             cnt += 1
         return newkey
 
-    def _get_dotfile_by_dst(self, dst):
+    def path_to_dotfile_dst(self, path):
+        """normalize the path to match dotfile dst"""
+        path = os.path.expanduser(path)
+        path = os.path.expandvars(path)
+        path = os.path.abspath(path)
+        home = os.path.expanduser(TILD) + os.sep
+
+        # normalize the path
+        if path.startswith(home):
+            path = path[len(home):]
+            path = os.path.join(TILD, path)
+        return path
+
+    def get_dotfile_by_dst(self, dst):
         """get a dotfile by dst"""
+        dst = self.path_to_dotfile_dst(dst)
         try:
             return next(d for d in self.dotfiles if d.dst == dst)
         except StopIteration:
@@ -262,12 +286,24 @@ class CfgAggregator:
         except StopIteration:
             return None
 
+    def get_profiles_by_dotfile_key(self, key):
+        """return all profiles having this dotfile"""
+        res = []
+        for p in self.profiles:
+            keys = [d.key for d in p.dotfiles]
+            if key in keys:
+                res.append(p)
+        return res
+
     def get_dotfiles(self, profile=None):
         """return dotfiles dict for this profile key"""
         if not profile:
             return self.dotfiles
         try:
-            return next(x.dotfiles for x in self.profiles if x.key == profile)
+            pro = self.get_profile(profile)
+            if not pro:
+                return []
+            return pro.dotfiles
         except StopIteration:
             return []
 
@@ -278,7 +314,7 @@ class CfgAggregator:
         except StopIteration:
             return None
 
-    def get_action(self, key):
+    def _get_action(self, key):
         """return action by key"""
         try:
             return next(x for x in self.actions if x.key == key)
@@ -293,19 +329,19 @@ class CfgAggregator:
             key, *args = fields
             if self.debug:
                 self.log.dbg('action with parm: {} and {}'.format(key, args))
-            action = self.get_action(key).copy(args)
+            action = self._get_action(key).copy(args)
         else:
-            action = self.get_action(key)
+            action = self._get_action(key)
         return action
 
-    def get_trans_r(self, key):
+    def _get_trans_r(self, key):
         """return the trans_r with this key"""
         try:
             return next(x for x in self.trans_r if x.key == key)
         except StopIteration:
             return None
 
-    def get_trans_w(self, key):
+    def _get_trans_w(self, key):
         """return the trans_w with this key"""
         try:
             return next(x for x in self.trans_w if x.key == key)
diff --git a/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py b/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
index 4199391..e7bea99 100644
--- a/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
+++ b/dotdrop/cfg_yaml.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ handle lower level of the config file
 import os
 import yaml
 import glob
+from copy import deepcopy
 
 # local imports
 from dotdrop.settings import Settings
@@ -97,9 +98,10 @@ class CfgYaml:
 
     def _parse_main_yaml(self, dic):
         """parse the different blocks"""
-        self.ori_settings = self._get_entry(self.yaml_dict, self.key_settings)
+        self.ori_settings = self._get_entry(dic, self.key_settings)
         self.settings = Settings(None).serialize().get(self.key_settings)
         self.settings.update(self.ori_settings)
+
         # resolve settings paths
         p = self._resolve_path(self.settings[self.key_settings_dotpath])
         self.settings[self.key_settings_dotpath] = p
@@ -109,50 +111,60 @@ class CfgYaml:
             self.log.dbg('settings: {}'.format(self.settings))
 
         # dotfiles
-        self.dotfiles = self._get_entry(self.yaml_dict, self.key_dotfiles)
+        self.ori_dotfiles = self._get_entry(dic, self.key_dotfiles)
+        self.dotfiles = deepcopy(self.ori_dotfiles)
+        keys = self.dotfiles.keys()
+        if len(keys) != len(list(set(keys))):
+            dups = [x for x in keys if x not in list(set(keys))]
+            raise Exception('duplicate dotfile keys found: {}'.format(dups))
         self.dotfiles = self._norm_dotfiles(self.dotfiles)
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('dotfiles: {}'.format(self.dotfiles))
 
         # profiles
-        self.profiles = self._get_entry(self.yaml_dict, self.key_profiles)
+        self.ori_profiles = self._get_entry(dic, self.key_profiles)
+        self.profiles = deepcopy(self.ori_profiles)
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('profiles: {}'.format(self.profiles))
 
         # actions
-        self.actions = self._get_entry(self.yaml_dict, self.key_actions,
-                                       mandatory=False)
+        self.ori_actions = self._get_entry(dic, self.key_actions,
+                                           mandatory=False)
+        self.actions = deepcopy(self.ori_actions)
         self.actions = self._norm_actions(self.actions)
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('actions: {}'.format(self.actions))
 
         # trans_r
-        if self.old_key_trans_r in self.yaml_dict:
+        key = self.key_trans_r
+        if self.old_key_trans_r in dic:
             self.log.warn('\"trans\" is deprecated, please use \"trans_read\"')
-            self.yaml_dict[self.key_trans_r] = self.yaml_dict.pop(
-                self.old_key_trans_r
-            )
-            self.dirty = True
-        self.trans_r = self._get_entry(self.yaml_dict, self.key_trans_r,
-                                       mandatory=False)
+            key = self.old_key_trans_r
+        self.ori_trans_r = self._get_entry(dic, key, mandatory=False)
+        self.trans_r = deepcopy(self.ori_trans_r)
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('trans_r: {}'.format(self.trans_r))
 
         # trans_w
-        self.trans_w = self._get_entry(self.yaml_dict, self.key_trans_w,
-                                       mandatory=False)
+        self.ori_trans_w = self._get_entry(dic, self.key_trans_w,
+                                           mandatory=False)
+        self.trans_w = deepcopy(self.ori_trans_w)
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('trans_w: {}'.format(self.trans_w))
 
         # variables
-        self.variables = self._get_entry(self.yaml_dict, self.key_variables,
-                                         mandatory=False)
+        self.ori_variables = self._get_entry(dic,
+                                             self.key_variables,
+                                             mandatory=False)
+        self.variables = deepcopy(self.ori_variables)
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('variables: {}'.format(self.variables))
 
         # dynvariables
-        self.dvariables = self._get_entry(self.yaml_dict, self.key_dvariables,
-                                          mandatory=False)
+        self.ori_dvariables = self._get_entry(dic,
+                                              self.key_dvariables,
+                                              mandatory=False)
+        self.dvariables = deepcopy(self.ori_dvariables)
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('dvariables: {}'.format(self.dvariables))
 
@@ -493,7 +505,7 @@ class CfgYaml:
         values[self.key_profiles_dotfiles] = uniq_list(current)
         if self.debug:
             dfs = values[self.key_profiles_dotfiles]
-            self.log.dbg('profile dfs after include: {}'.format(dfs))
+            self.log.dbg('{} dfs after include: {}'.format(profile, dfs))
         return values.get(self.key_profiles_dotfiles, [])
 
     def _resolve_path(self, path):
@@ -538,21 +550,21 @@ class CfgYaml:
         """merge low into high"""
         # won't work in python3.4
         # return {**low, **high}
-        new = low.copy()
+        new = deepcopy(low)
         new.update(high)
         return new
 
-    def _get_entry(self, yaml_dict, key, mandatory=True):
+    def _get_entry(self, dic, key, mandatory=True):
         """return entry from yaml dictionary"""
-        if key not in yaml_dict:
+        if key not in dic:
             if mandatory:
                 raise Exception('invalid config: no {} found'.format(key))
-            yaml_dict[key] = {}
-            return yaml_dict[key]
-        if mandatory and not yaml_dict[key]:
+            dic[key] = {}
+            return dic[key]
+        if mandatory and not dic[key]:
             # ensure is not none
-            yaml_dict[key] = {}
-        return yaml_dict[key]
+            dic[key] = {}
+        return dic[key]
 
     def _load_yaml(self, path):
         """load a yaml file to a dict"""
@@ -609,6 +621,40 @@ class CfgYaml:
         self.yaml_dict[self.key_dotfiles][key] = df_dict
         self.dirty = True
 
+    def del_dotfile(self, key):
+        """remove this dotfile from config"""
+        if key not in self.yaml_dict[self.key_dotfiles]:
+            self.log.err('key not in dotfiles: {}'.format(key))
+            return False
+        if self.debug:
+            self.log.dbg('remove dotfile: {}'.format(key))
+        del self.yaml_dict[self.key_dotfiles][key]
+        if self.debug:
+            dfs = self.yaml_dict[self.key_dotfiles]
+            self.log.dbg('new dotfiles: {}'.format(dfs))
+        self.dirty = True
+        return True
+
+    def del_dotfile_from_profile(self, df_key, pro_key):
+        """remove this dotfile from that profile"""
+        if df_key not in self.dotfiles.keys():
+            self.log.err('key not in dotfiles: {}'.format(df_key))
+            return False
+        if pro_key not in self.profiles.keys():
+            self.log.err('key not in profiles: {}'.format(pro_key))
+            return False
+        profiles = self.yaml_dict[self.key_profiles][pro_key]
+        if self.debug:
+            dfs = profiles[self.key_profiles_dotfiles]
+            self.log.dbg('{} profile dotfiles: {}'.format(pro_key, dfs))
+            self.log.dbg('remove {} from profile {}'.format(df_key, pro_key))
+        profiles[self.key_profiles_dotfiles].remove(df_key)
+        if self.debug:
+            dfs = profiles[self.key_profiles_dotfiles]
+            self.log.dbg('{} profile dotfiles: {}'.format(pro_key, dfs))
+        self.dirty = True
+        return True
+
     def _fix_deprecated(self, yamldict):
         """fix deprecated entries"""
         self._fix_deprecated_link_by_default(yamldict)
@@ -671,9 +717,9 @@ class CfgYaml:
             newv = v
             if isinstance(v, dict):
                 newv = self._clear_none(v)
-            if v is None:
+            if newv is None:
                 continue
-            if not v:
+            if not newv:
                 continue
             new[k] = newv
         return new
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
index b95cc64..1721d46 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
@@ -268,7 +268,10 @@ def cmd_update(o):
     if o.debug:
         LOG.dbg('dotfile to update: {}'.format(paths))
 
-    updater = Updater(o.dotpath, o.dotfiles, o.variables,
+    updater = Updater(o.dotpath, o.variables,
+                      o.conf.get_dotfile,
+                      o.conf.get_dotfile_by_dst,
+                      o.conf.path_to_dotfile_dst,
                       dry=o.dry, safe=o.safe, debug=o.debug,
                       ignore=ignore, showpatch=showpatch)
     if not iskey:
@@ -403,6 +406,67 @@ def cmd_detail(o):
     LOG.log('')
 
 
+def cmd_remove(o):
+    """remove dotfile from dotpath and from config"""
+    paths = o.remove_path
+    iskey = o.remove_iskey
+
+    if not paths:
+        LOG.log('no dotfile to remove')
+        return False
+    if o.debug:
+        LOG.dbg('dotfile to remove: {}'.format(paths))
+
+    removed = []
+    for key in paths:
+        if o.debug:
+            LOG.dbg('removing {}'.format(key))
+        if not iskey:
+            # by path
+            dotfile = o.conf.get_dotfile_by_dst(key)
+            if not dotfile:
+                LOG.warn('{} ignored, does not exist'.format(key))
+                continue
+            k = dotfile.key
+        else:
+            # by key
+            dotfile = o.conf.get_dotfile(key)
+            k = key
+        # make sure is part of the profile
+        if dotfile.key not in [d.key for d in o.dotfiles]:
+            LOG.warn('{} ignored, not associated to this profile'.format(key))
+            continue
+        profiles = o.conf.get_profiles_by_dotfile_key(k)
+        pkeys = ','.join([p.key for p in profiles])
+        if o.dry:
+            LOG.dry('would remove {} from {}'.format(dotfile, pkeys))
+            continue
+        msg = 'Remove dotfile from all these profiles: {}'.format(pkeys)
+        if o.safe and not LOG.ask(msg):
+            return False
+        if o.debug:
+            LOG.dbg('remove dotfile: {}'.format(dotfile))
+
+        for profile in profiles:
+            if not o.conf.del_dotfile_from_profile(dotfile, profile):
+                return False
+        if not o.conf.del_dotfile(dotfile):
+            return False
+
+        # remove dotfile from dotpath
+        dtpath = os.path.join(o.dotpath, dotfile.src)
+        remove(dtpath)
+        removed.append(dotfile.key)
+
+    if o.dry:
+        LOG.dry('new config file would be:')
+        LOG.raw(o.conf.dump())
+    else:
+        o.conf.save()
+    LOG.log('\ndotfile(s) removed: {}'.format(','.join(removed)))
+    return True
+
+
 ###########################################################
 # helpers
 ###########################################################
@@ -444,8 +508,10 @@ def _select(selections, dotfiles):
 
 
 def apply_trans(dotpath, dotfile, debug=False):
-    """apply the read transformation to the dotfile
-    return None if fails and new source if succeed"""
+    """
+    apply the read transformation to the dotfile
+    return None if fails and new source if succeed
+    """
     src = dotfile.src
     new_src = '{}.{}'.format(src, TRANS_SUFFIX)
     for trans in dotfile.trans_r:
@@ -523,6 +589,12 @@ def main():
                 LOG.dbg('running cmd: detail')
             cmd_detail(o)
 
+        elif o.cmd_remove:
+            # remove dotfile
+            if o.debug:
+                LOG.dbg('running cmd: remove')
+            cmd_remove(o)
+
     except KeyboardInterrupt:
         LOG.err('interrupted')
         ret = False
diff --git a/dotdrop/options.py b/dotdrop/options.py
index 8e69670..6ba7d6c 100644
--- a/dotdrop/options.py
+++ b/dotdrop/options.py
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ Usage:
                                 [-o <opts>] [-C <file>...] [-i <pattern>...]
   dotdrop update    [-VbfdkP]   [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
                                 [-i <pattern>...] [<path>...]
+  dotdrop remove    [-Vbfdk]    [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [<path>...]
   dotdrop listfiles [-VbT]      [-c <path>] [-p <profile>]
   dotdrop detail    [-Vb]       [-c <path>] [-p <profile>] [<key>...]
   dotdrop list      [-Vb]       [-c <path>]
@@ -193,6 +194,7 @@ class Options(AttrMonitor):
         self.cmd_import = self.args['import']
         self.cmd_update = self.args['update']
         self.cmd_detail = self.args['detail']
+        self.cmd_remove = self.args['remove']
 
         # adapt attributes based on arguments
         self.dry = self.args['--dry']
@@ -236,6 +238,9 @@ class Options(AttrMonitor):
         self.update_showpatch = self.args['--show-patch']
         # "detail" specifics
         self.detail_keys = self.args['<key>']
+        # "remove" specifics
+        self.remove_path = self.args['<path>']
+        self.remove_iskey = self.args['--key']
 
     def _fill_attr(self):
         """create attributes from conf"""
diff --git a/dotdrop/updater.py b/dotdrop/updater.py
index 5524d5c..1ee2148 100644
--- a/dotdrop/updater.py
+++ b/dotdrop/updater.py
@@ -20,12 +20,17 @@ TILD = '~'
 
 class Updater:
 
-    def __init__(self, dotpath, dotfiles, variables, dry=False, safe=True,
+    def __init__(self, dotpath, variables,
+                 dotfile_key_getter, dotfile_dst_getter,
+                 dotfile_path_normalizer,
+                 dry=False, safe=True,
                  debug=False, ignore=[], showpatch=False):
         """constructor
         @dotpath: path where dotfiles are stored
-        @dotfiles: dotfiles for this profile
         @variables: dictionary of variables for the templates
+        @dotfile_key_getter: func to get a dotfile by key
+        @dotfile_dst_getter: func to get a dotfile by dst
+        @dotfile_path_normalizer: func to normalize dotfile dst
         @dry: simulate
         @safe: ask for overwrite if True
         @debug: enable debug
@@ -33,8 +38,10 @@ class Updater:
         @showpatch: show patch if dotfile to update is a template
         """
         self.dotpath = dotpath
-        self.dotfiles = dotfiles
         self.variables = variables
+        self.dotfile_key_getter = dotfile_key_getter
+        self.dotfile_dst_getter = dotfile_dst_getter
+        self.dotfile_path_normalizer = dotfile_path_normalizer
         self.dry = dry
         self.safe = safe
         self.debug = debug
@@ -48,8 +55,7 @@ class Updater:
         if not os.path.lexists(path):
             self.log.err('\"{}\" does not exist!'.format(path))
             return False
-        path = self._normalize(path)
-        dotfile = self._get_dotfile_by_path(path)
+        dotfile = self.dotfile_dst_getter(path)
         if not dotfile:
             return False
         if self.debug:
@@ -58,12 +64,12 @@ class Updater:
 
     def update_key(self, key):
         """update the dotfile referenced by key"""
-        dotfile = self._get_dotfile_by_key(key)
+        dotfile = self.dotfile_key_getter(key)
         if not dotfile:
             return False
         if self.debug:
             self.log.dbg('updating {} from key \"{}\"'.format(dotfile, key))
-        path = self._normalize(dotfile.dst)
+        path = self.dotfile_path_normalizer(dotfile.dst)
         return self._update(path, dotfile)
 
     def _update(self, path, dotfile):
@@ -111,45 +117,6 @@ class Updater:
             return None
         return tmp
 
-    def _normalize(self, path):
-        """normalize the path to match dotfile"""
-        path = os.path.expanduser(path)
-        path = os.path.expandvars(path)
-        path = os.path.abspath(path)
-        home = os.path.expanduser(TILD) + os.sep
-
-        # normalize the path
-        if path.startswith(home):
-            path = path[len(home):]
-            path = os.path.join(TILD, path)
-        return path
-
-    def _get_dotfile_by_key(self, key):
-        """get the dotfile matching this key"""
-        dotfiles = self.dotfiles
-        subs = [d for d in dotfiles if d.key == key]
-        if not subs:
-            self.log.err('key \"{}\" not found!'.format(key))
-            return None
-        if len(subs) > 1:
-            found = ','.join([d.src for d in dotfiles])
-            self.log.err('multiple dotfiles found: {}'.format(found))
-            return None
-        return subs[0]
-
-    def _get_dotfile_by_path(self, path):
-        """get the dotfile matching this path"""
-        dotfiles = self.dotfiles
-        subs = [d for d in dotfiles if d.dst == path]
-        if not subs:
-            self.log.err('\"{}\" is not managed!'.format(path))
-            return None
-        if len(subs) > 1:
-            found = ','.join([d.src for d in dotfiles])
-            self.log.err('multiple dotfiles found: {}'.format(found))
-            return None
-        return subs[0]
-
     def _is_template(self, path):
         if not Templategen.is_template(path):
             if self.debug:
diff --git a/tests-ng/remove.sh b/tests-ng/remove.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..01d4966
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-ng/remove.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+# Copyright (c) 2019, deadc0de6
+#
+# test remove
+# 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"
+
+echo "dotdrop path: ${ddpath}"
+echo "pythonpath: ${PYTHONPATH}"
+
+# get the helpers
+source ${cur}/helpers
+
+echo -e "\e[96m\e[1m==> RUNNING $(basename $BASH_SOURCE) <==\e[0m"
+
+################################################################
+# this is the test
+################################################################
+
+# dotdrop directory
+tmps=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests'`
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# the dotfile to be imported
+tmpd=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests'`
+
+# create the config file
+cfg="${tmps}/config.yaml"
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+dotfiles:
+  f_abc:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/abc
+    src: abc
+  f_def:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/def
+    src: def
+  f_last:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/last
+    src: last
+profiles:
+  p1:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_abc
+    - f_def
+  p2:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_def
+  last:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_last
+_EOF
+cfgbak="${tmps}/config.yaml.bak"
+cp ${cfg} ${cfgbak}
+
+# create the dotfile
+echo "abc" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/abc
+echo "abc" > ${tmpd}/abc
+
+echo "def" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/def
+echo "def" > ${tmpd}/def
+
+# remove with bad profile
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} remove -f -k -p empty -c ${cfg} f_abc -V
+[ ! -e ${tmps}/dotfiles/abc ] && echo "dotfile in dotpath deleted" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/abc ] && echo "source dotfile deleted" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmps}/dotfiles/def ] && echo "dotfile in dotpath deleted" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/def ] && echo "source dotfile deleted" && exit 1
+# ensure config not altered
+diff ${cfg} ${cfgbak}
+
+# remove by key
+echo "[+] remove f_abc by key"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} remove -p p1 -f -k -c ${cfg} f_abc -V
+cat ${cfg}
+echo "[+] remove f_def by key"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} remove -p p2 -f -k -c ${cfg} f_def -V
+cat ${cfg}
+
+# checks
+[ -e ${tmps}/dotfiles/abc ] && echo "dotfile in dotpath not deleted" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/abc ] && echo "source dotfile deleted" && exit 1
+
+[ -e ${tmps}/dotfiles/def ] && echo "dotfile in dotpath not deleted" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/def ] && echo "source dotfile deleted" && exit 1
+
+echo "[+] ========="
+
+# create the config file
+cfg="${tmps}/config.yaml"
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+dotfiles:
+  f_abc:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/abc
+    src: abc
+  f_def:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/def
+    src: def
+  f_last:
+    dst: ${tmpd}/last
+    src: last
+profiles:
+  p1:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_abc
+    - f_def
+  p2:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_def
+  last:
+    dotfiles:
+    - f_last
+_EOF
+cat ${cfg}
+
+# create the dotfile
+echo "abc" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/abc
+echo "abc" > ${tmpd}/abc
+
+echo "def" > ${tmps}/dotfiles/def
+echo "def" > ${tmpd}/def
+
+# remove by key
+echo "[+] remove f_abc by path"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} remove -p p1 -f -c ${cfg} ${tmpd}/abc -V
+cat ${cfg}
+echo "[+] remove f_def by path"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} remove -p p2 -f -c ${cfg} ${tmpd}/def -V
+cat ${cfg}
+
+# checks
+[ -e ${tmps}/dotfiles/abc ] && echo "(2) dotfile in dotpath not deleted" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/abc ] && echo "(2) source dotfile deleted" && exit 1
+
+[ -e ${tmps}/dotfiles/def ] && echo "(2) dotfile in dotpath not deleted" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${tmpd}/def ] && echo "(2) source dotfile deleted" && exit 1
+
+
+cat ${cfg}
+
+## CLEANING
+rm -rf ${tmps} ${tmpd}
+
+echo "OK"
+exit 0
diff --git a/tests/helpers.py b/tests/helpers.py
index 45ab61e..7bd57f6 100644
--- a/tests/helpers.py
+++ b/tests/helpers.py
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ def _fake_args():
     args['import'] = False
     args['update'] = False
     args['detail'] = False
+    args['remove'] = False
     return args
 
 
@@ -172,8 +173,13 @@ def get_dotfile_from_yaml(dic, path):
     # path is not the file in dotpath but on the FS
     dotfiles = dic['dotfiles']
     # src = get_path_strip_version(path)
-    dotfile = [d for d in dotfiles.values() if d['dst'] == path][0]
-    return dotfile
+    home = os.path.expanduser('~')
+    if path.startswith(home):
+        path = path.replace(home, '~')
+    dotfile = [d for d in dotfiles.values() if d['dst'] == path]
+    if dotfile:
+        return dotfile[0]
+    return None
 
 
 def yaml_dashed_list(items, indent=0):
@@ -261,6 +267,11 @@ def file_in_yaml(yaml_file, path, link=False):
     in_dst = path in (os.path.expanduser(x['dst']) for x in dotfiles)
 
     if link:
-        has_link = 'link' in get_dotfile_from_yaml(yaml_conf, path)
+        df = get_dotfile_from_yaml(yaml_conf, path)
+        has_link = False
+        if df:
+            has_link = 'link' in df
+        else:
+            return False
         return in_src and in_dst and has_link
     return in_src and in_dst
diff --git a/tests/test_import.py b/tests/test_import.py
index bbbfb75..98efdea 100644
--- a/tests/test_import.py
+++ b/tests/test_import.py
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ class TestImport(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(any(a.endswith('ing') for a in actions))
 
         # testing transformations
-        transformations = y['trans_read'].keys()
+        transformations = y['trans'].keys()
         self.assertTrue(all(t.endswith('ed') for t in transformations))
         self.assertFalse(any(t.endswith('ing') for t in transformations))
         transformations = y['trans_write'].keys()
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ class TestImport(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(any(action.endswith('ed') for action in actions))
 
         # testing transformations
-        transformations = y['trans_read'].keys()
+        transformations = y['trans'].keys()
         self.assertTrue(all(t.endswith('ing') for t in transformations))
         self.assertFalse(any(t.endswith('ed') for t in transformations))
         transformations = y['trans_write'].keys()
diff --git a/tests/test_install.py b/tests/test_install.py
index 988ae3a..af68d97 100644
--- a/tests/test_install.py
+++ b/tests/test_install.py
@@ -486,7 +486,6 @@ exec bspwm
             # ensure dst is link
             self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(dst))
             # ensure dst not directly linked to src
-            # TODO: maybe check that its actually linked to template folder
             self.assertNotEqual(os.path.realpath(dst), src)