diff --git a/dotdrop/config.py b/dotdrop/config.py
index c5c2b76..09bd126 100644
--- a/dotdrop/config.py
+++ b/dotdrop/config.py
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ class Cfg:
     key_profiles_imp = 'import'
 
     # link values
-    lnk_parent = 'link'
-    lnk_nolink = 'nolink'
-    lnk_children = 'link_children'
+    lnk_nolink = LinkTypes.NOLINK.name.lower()
+    lnk_link = LinkTypes.LINK.name.lower()
+    lnk_children = LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN.name.lower()
 
     # settings defaults
     default_dotpath = 'dotfiles'
@@ -198,22 +198,12 @@ class Cfg:
 
     def _string_to_linktype(self, string):
         """translate string to linktype"""
-        if string == self.lnk_parent.lower():
-            return LinkTypes.PARENT
+        if string == self.lnk_link.lower():
+            return LinkTypes.LINK
         elif string == self.lnk_children.lower():
-            return LinkTypes.CHILDREN
+            return LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN
         return LinkTypes.NOLINK
 
-    def _linktype_to_string(self, link):
-        """translate linktype to string"""
-        if link == LinkTypes.PARENT:
-            return self.lnk_parent
-        elif link == LinkTypes.CHILDREN:
-            return self.lnk_children
-        elif link == LinkTypes.NOLINK:
-            return self.lnk_nolink
-        return self.lnk_nolink
-
     def _parse(self, profile=None):
         """parse config file"""
         # parse the settings
@@ -602,7 +592,7 @@ class Cfg:
             self.lnk_settings[self.key_dotfile_link] = self.default_link
         else:
             key = self.lnk_settings[self.key_dotfile_link]
-            if key != self.lnk_parent and \
+            if key != self.lnk_link and \
                     key != self.lnk_children and \
                     key != self.lnk_nolink:
                 self.log.err('bad value for {}'.format(self.key_dotfile_link))
@@ -612,7 +602,7 @@ class Cfg:
             self.lnk_settings[self.key_imp_link] = self.default_link_imp
         else:
             key = self.lnk_settings[self.key_imp_link]
-            if key != self.lnk_parent and \
+            if key != self.lnk_link and \
                     key != self.lnk_children and \
                     key != self.lnk_nolink:
                 self.log.err('bad value for {}'.format(self.key_dotfile_link))
@@ -626,7 +616,7 @@ class Cfg:
         newkey = self.key_imp_link
         if key in self.lnk_settings:
             if self.lnk_settings[key]:
-                self.lnk_settings[newkey] = self.lnk_parent
+                self.lnk_settings[newkey] = self.lnk_link
             else:
                 self.lnk_settings[newkey] = self.lnk_nolink
             del self.lnk_settings[key]
@@ -646,7 +636,7 @@ class Cfg:
                 and type(v[self.key_dotfiles_link]) is bool:
             # patch link: <bool>
             if v[self.key_dotfiles_link]:
-                new = self.lnk_parent
+                new = self.lnk_link
             else:
                 new = self.lnk_nolink
             self._modified = True
@@ -755,12 +745,12 @@ class Cfg:
             return False, self._get_long_key(path, keys)
         return False, self._get_short_key(path, keys)
 
-    def new(self, dotfile, profile, link=LinkTypes.NOLINK, debug=False):
-        """import new dotfile
-        dotfile key will change and can be empty"""
+    def new(self, src, dst, profile, link, debug=False):
+        """import new dotfile"""
         # keep it short
         home = os.path.expanduser('~')
-        dotfile.dst = dotfile.dst.replace(home, '~', 1)
+        dst = dst.replace(home, '~', 1)
+        dotfile = Dotfile('', dst, src)
 
         # adding new profile if doesn't exist
         if profile not in self.lnk_profiles:
@@ -806,8 +796,8 @@ class Cfg:
         }
 
         # set the link flag
-        if link != LinkTypes.NOLINK:
-            val = self._linktype_to_string(link)
+        if link != self._get_def_link():
+            val = link.name.lower()
             dots[dotfile.key][self.key_dotfiles_link] = val
 
         # link it to this profile in the yaml file
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
index cc66e55..16310b6 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotdrop.py
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ from dotdrop.templategen import Templategen
 from dotdrop.installer import Installer
 from dotdrop.updater import Updater
 from dotdrop.comparator import Comparator
-from dotdrop.dotfile import Dotfile
 from dotdrop.config import Cfg
 from dotdrop.utils import get_tmpdir, remove, strip_home, run
 from dotdrop.linktypes import LinkTypes
@@ -60,9 +59,10 @@ def cmd_install(o):
                 preactions.append(action)
         if o.debug:
             LOG.dbg('installing {}'.format(dotfile))
-        if hasattr(dotfile, 'link') and dotfile.link == LinkTypes.PARENT:
+        if hasattr(dotfile, 'link') and dotfile.link == LinkTypes.LINK:
             r = inst.link(t, dotfile.src, dotfile.dst, actions=preactions)
-        elif hasattr(dotfile, 'link') and dotfile.link == LinkTypes.CHILDREN:
+        elif hasattr(dotfile, 'link') and \
+                dotfile.link == LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN:
             r = inst.link_children(t, dotfile.src, dotfile.dst,
                                    actions=preactions)
         else:
@@ -236,13 +236,16 @@ def cmd_importer(o):
             strip = os.sep
         src = src.lstrip(strip)
 
-        # create a new dotfile
-        dotfile = Dotfile('', dst, src)
-
-        linktype = LinkTypes(o.import_link)
+        # set the link attribute
+        linktype = o.import_link
+        if linktype == LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN and \
+                not os.path.isdir(path):
+            LOG.err('importing \"{}\" failed!'.format(path))
+            ret = False
+            continue
 
         if o.debug:
-            LOG.dbg('new dotfile: {}'.format(dotfile))
+            LOG.dbg('new dotfile: src:{} dst:{}'.format(src, dst))
 
         # prepare hierarchy for dotfile
         srcf = os.path.join(o.dotpath, src)
@@ -259,19 +262,14 @@ def cmd_importer(o):
             cmd = ['cp', '-R', '-L', dst, srcf]
             if o.dry:
                 LOG.dry('would run: {}'.format(' '.join(cmd)))
-                if linktype == LinkTypes.PARENT:
-                    LOG.dry('would symlink {} to {}'.format(srcf, dst))
             else:
                 r, _ = run(cmd, raw=False, debug=o.debug, checkerr=True)
                 if not r:
                     LOG.err('importing \"{}\" failed!'.format(path))
                     ret = False
                     continue
-                if linktype == LinkTypes.PARENT:
-                    remove(dst)
-                    os.symlink(srcf, dst)
-        retconf, dotfile = o.conf.new(dotfile, o.profile,
-                                      link=linktype, debug=o.debug)
+        retconf, dotfile = o.conf.new(src, dst, o.profile,
+                                      linktype, debug=o.debug)
         if retconf:
             LOG.sub('\"{}\" imported'.format(path))
             cnt += 1
diff --git a/dotdrop/dotfile.py b/dotdrop/dotfile.py
index 178d363..c7e5944 100644
--- a/dotdrop/dotfile.py
+++ b/dotdrop/dotfile.py
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ class Dotfile:
         self.dst = dst
         self.src = src
         self.link = link
+        # ensure link of right type
+        if type(link) != LinkTypes:
+            raise Exception('bad value for link: {}'.format(link))
         self.actions = actions
         self.trans_r = trans_r
         self.trans_w = trans_w
diff --git a/dotdrop/linktypes.py b/dotdrop/linktypes.py
index efb1338..59da01f 100644
--- a/dotdrop/linktypes.py
+++ b/dotdrop/linktypes.py
@@ -3,5 +3,5 @@ from enum import IntEnum
 
 class LinkTypes(IntEnum):
     NOLINK = 0
-    PARENT = 1
-    CHILDREN = 2
+    LINK = 1
+    LINK_CHILDREN = 2
diff --git a/dotdrop/options.py b/dotdrop/options.py
index d5601a3..41ec196 100644
--- a/dotdrop/options.py
+++ b/dotdrop/options.py
@@ -33,9 +33,9 @@ CONFIG = 'config.yaml'
 HOMECFG = '~/.config/{}'.format(NAME)
 
 OPT_LINK = {
-    'nolink': LinkTypes.NOLINK,
-    'link': LinkTypes.PARENT,
-    'link_children': LinkTypes.CHILDREN}
+    LinkTypes.NOLINK.name.lower(): LinkTypes.NOLINK,
+    LinkTypes.LINK.name.lower(): LinkTypes.LINK,
+    LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN.name.lower(): LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN}
 
 BANNER = """     _       _      _
   __| | ___ | |_ __| |_ __ ___  _ __
@@ -186,12 +186,15 @@ class Options(AttrMonitor):
 
         # import link default value
         self.import_link = self.link_on_import
-        link = self.args['--link']
-        if link:
+        if self.args['--link']:
+            # overwrite default import link with cli switch
+            link = self.args['--link']
             if link not in OPT_LINK.keys():
                 self.log.err('bad option for --link: {}'.format(link))
                 sys.exit(USAGE)
             self.import_link = OPT_LINK[link]
+        if self.debug:
+            self.log.dbg('link_import value: {}'.format(self.import_link))
 
         # "listfiles" specifics
         self.listfiles_templateonly = self.args['--template']
diff --git a/tests-ng/deprecated-link.sh b/tests-ng/deprecated-link.sh
index 749d340..ad5c9c3 100755
--- a/tests-ng/deprecated-link.sh
+++ b/tests-ng/deprecated-link.sh
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} compare -c ${cfg} -p p1
 cat ${cfg}
 
 # fail if find some of these entries
+echo "========> test for bad entries"
 set +e
 grep 'link_children: true' ${cfg} >/dev/null && exit 1
 grep 'link_children: false' ${cfg} >/dev/null && exit 1
@@ -123,12 +124,13 @@ grep 'link_by_default: false' ${cfg} >/dev/null && exit 1
 set -e
 
 # test values have been correctly updated
+echo "========> test for updated entries"
 dotfiles=`cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 | grep -v '^ '`
-echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_link ' | grep ', link: parent)'
+echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_link ' | grep ', link: link)'
 echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_nolink ' | grep ', link: nolink)'
 echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_nolink1 ' | grep ', link: nolink)'
-echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_children ' | grep ', link: children)'
-echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_children2 ' | grep ', link: children)'
+echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_children ' | grep ', link: link_children)'
+echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_children2 ' | grep ', link: link_children)'
 echo "${dotfiles}" | grep '^f_children3 ' | grep ', link: nolink)'
 
 ## CLEANING
diff --git a/tests-ng/import-link-children.sh b/tests-ng/import-link-children.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..fe58c48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-ng/import-link-children.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+# Copyright (c) 2017, deadc0de6
+#
+# test importing link_children
+# 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
+################################################################
+
+# the dotfile source
+tmps=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests'`
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# the dotfile destination
+tmpd=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests'`
+
+# dotpath
+dotpath="${tmps}/dotfiles"
+mkdir -p ${dotpath}
+
+# create the dotfile to import
+dt="${tmpd}/directory"
+mkdir -p ${dt}
+# subdir
+dtsub1="${dt}/sub1"
+mkdir -p ${dtsub1}
+dtsub2="${dt}/sub2"
+mkdir -p ${dtsub2}
+dtsub3="${dtsub1}/subsub1"
+mkdir -p ${dtsub3}
+# files
+f1="${dt}/file"
+subf1="${dtsub1}/file"
+subf2="${dtsub2}/file"
+subf3="${dtsub3}/file"
+touch ${f1} ${subf1} ${subf2} ${subf3}
+
+# create the config file
+cfg="${tmps}/config.yaml"
+
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V --link=link_children ${dt}
+
+# check is set to link_children
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "d_`basename ${dt}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: link_children'
+
+# checks file exists in dotpath
+[ ! -e ${dotpath}/${dt} ] && echo "dotfile not imported" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dotpath}/${dtsub1} ] && echo "sub1 not found in dotpath" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dotpath}/${dtsub2} ] && echo "sub2 not found in dotpath" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dotpath}/${dtsub3} ] && echo "sub3 not found in dotpath" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dotpath}/${f1} ] && echo "f1 not found in dotpath" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dotpath}/${subf1} ] && echo "subf1 not found in dotpath" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dotpath}/${subf2} ] && echo "subf2 not found in dotpath" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dotpath}/${subf3} ] && echo "subf3 not found in dotpath" && exit 1
+
+# checks file exists in fs
+[ ! -e ${dt} ] && echo "dotfile not imported" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dtsub1} ] && echo "sub1 not found in fs" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dtsub2} ] && echo "sub2 not found in fs" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${dtsub3} ] && echo "sub3 not found in fs" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${f1} ] && echo "f1 not found in fs" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${subf1} ] && echo "subf1 not found in fs" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${subf2} ] && echo "subf2 not found in fs" && exit 1
+[ ! -e ${subf3} ] && echo "subf3 not found in fs" && exit 1
+
+# install
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+
+# checks file have correct type in fs
+file ${f1}
+[ ! -h ${f1} ] && echo "f1 is not a symlink" && exit 1
+[ -h ${subf1} ] && echo "subf1 is not a regular file" && exit 1
+[ -h ${subf2} ] && echo "subf2 is not a regular file" && exit 1
+[ -h ${subf3} ] && echo "subf3 is not a regular file" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${dtsub1} ] && echo "dtsub1 is not a symlink" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${dtsub2} ] && echo "dtsub2 is not a symlink" && exit 1
+[ -h ${dtsub3} ] && echo "dtsub3 is not a regular directory" && exit 1
+
+echo "DOTPATH"
+tree ${tmps}/dotfiles
+echo "FILESYSTEM"
+tree ${dt}
+
+## CLEANING
+rm -rf ${tmps} ${tmpd}
+
+echo "OK"
+exit 0
diff --git a/tests-ng/link-value-tests.sh b/tests-ng/link-value-tests.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..94669b0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests-ng/link-value-tests.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,479 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+# author: deadc0de6 (https://github.com/deadc0de6)
+# Copyright (c) 2019, deadc0de6
+#
+# test the behavior when playing with link_dotfile_default
+# and link_on_import on import
+# 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
+################################################################
+
+# the dotfile source
+tmps=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests'`
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# the dotfile destination
+tmpd=`mktemp -d --suffix='-dotdrop-tests'`
+
+# create the config file
+cfg="${tmps}/config.yaml"
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with all default"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: nolink'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df} ] && echo "is symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with link_on_import=nolink and link_dotfile_default=nolink"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_on_import: nolink
+  link_dotfile_default: nolink
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: nolink'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df} ] && echo "is symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with link_on_import=nolink and link_dotfile_default=nolink and --link=nolink"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_on_import: nolink
+  link_dotfile_default: nolink
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V --link=nolink
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: nolink'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df} ] && echo "is symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with link_on_import=nolink and link_dotfile_default=nolink and --link=link"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_on_import: nolink
+  link_dotfile_default: nolink
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V --link=link
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: link'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${df} ] && echo "not symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with link_on_import=link and link_dotfile_default=nolink"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_on_import: link
+  link_dotfile_default: nolink
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: link'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${df} ] && echo "not symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with link_on_import=link and link_dotfile_default=nolink and --link=nolink"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_on_import: link
+  link_dotfile_default: nolink
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V --link=nolink
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: nolink'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df} ] && echo "is symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with link_on_import=nolink and link_dotfile_default=link"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_on_import: nolink
+  link_dotfile_default: link
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V --link=nolink
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: nolink'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df} ] && echo "is symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with link_on_import=link and link_dotfile_default=nolink and --link=nolink"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_on_import: link
+  link_dotfile_default: nolink
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V --link=nolink
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: nolink'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df} ] && echo "is symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with all default and --link=link"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} --link=link -p p1 ${df} -V
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "f_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: link'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${df} ] && echo "not a symlink" && exit 1
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with all default and --link=link_children"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+set +e
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} --link=link_children -p p1 ${df} -V
+[ "$?" = "0" ] && echo "link_children with file should fail" && exit 1
+set -e
+
+# ----------------------------------------------------------
+echo -e "\n======> import with all default and --link=link_children"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+mkdir -p ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert/file
+mkdir -p ${tmpd}/qwert/directory
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert/directory/file
+
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} --link=link_children -p p1 ${df} -V
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "d_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: link_children'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df} ] && echo "is a symlink" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${df}/file ] && echo "file is not a symlink" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${df}/directory ] && echo "directory is not a symlink" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df}/directory/file ] && echo "directory/file is a symlink" && exit 1
+
+echo -e "\n======> import with link_on_import=link_children and link_dotfile_default=nolink"
+# create the source
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+mkdir -p ${tmpd}/qwert
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert/file
+mkdir -p ${tmpd}/qwert/directory
+echo "test" > ${tmpd}/qwert/directory/file
+
+# clean
+rm -rf ${tmps}/dotfiles
+mkdir -p ${tmps}/dotfiles
+# config file
+cat > ${cfg} << _EOF
+config:
+  backup: true
+  create: true
+  dotpath: dotfiles
+  link_on_import: link_children
+  link_dotfile_default: nolink
+dotfiles:
+profiles:
+_EOF
+
+# import
+df="${tmpd}/qwert"
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} import -c ${cfg} -p p1 ${df} -V
+
+# checks
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+line=$(cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} listfiles -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V | grep "d_`basename ${df}`")
+echo ${line} | grep 'link: link_children'
+
+# try to install
+rm -rf ${tmpd}/qwert
+cd ${ddpath} | ${bin} install -f -c ${cfg} -p p1 -V
+[ ! -e ${df} ] && echo "does not exist" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df} ] && echo "is a symlink" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${df}/file ] && echo "file is not a symlink" && exit 1
+[ ! -h ${df}/directory ] && echo "directory is not a symlink" && exit 1
+[ -h ${df}/directory/file ] && echo "directory/file is a symlink" && exit 1
+
+## CLEANING
+rm -rf ${tmps} ${tmpd}
+
+echo "OK"
+exit 0
diff --git a/tests/test_config.py b/tests/test_config.py
index bfa27bf..c49b903 100644
--- a/tests/test_config.py
+++ b/tests/test_config.py
@@ -50,15 +50,19 @@ class TestConfig(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(conf.dump() != '')
 
     def test_def_link(self):
-        self._test_link_import('nolink', LinkTypes.PARENT, 'link')
+        self._test_link_import('nolink', LinkTypes.LINK, 'link')
         self._test_link_import('nolink', LinkTypes.NOLINK, 'nolink')
-        self._test_link_import('nolink', LinkTypes.CHILDREN, 'link_children')
-        self._test_link_import('link', LinkTypes.PARENT, 'link')
+        self._test_link_import('nolink',
+                               LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN,
+                               'link_children')
+        self._test_link_import('link', LinkTypes.LINK, 'link')
         self._test_link_import('link', LinkTypes.NOLINK, 'nolink')
-        self._test_link_import('link', LinkTypes.CHILDREN, 'link_children')
-        self._test_link_import('link_children', LinkTypes.PARENT, 'link')
+        self._test_link_import('link',
+                               LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN,
+                               'link_children')
+        self._test_link_import('link_children', LinkTypes.LINK, 'link')
         self._test_link_import('link_children', LinkTypes.NOLINK, 'nolink')
-        self._test_link_import('link_children', LinkTypes.CHILDREN,
+        self._test_link_import('link_children', LinkTypes.LINK_CHILDREN,
                                'link_children')
         self._test_link_import_fail('whatever')
 
diff --git a/tests/test_import.py b/tests/test_import.py
index 7116120..25ef41f 100644
--- a/tests/test_import.py
+++ b/tests/test_import.py
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ class TestImport(unittest.TestCase):
         o.import_path = dfiles
         cmd_importer(o)
         # import symlink
-        o.import_link = LinkTypes.PARENT
+        o.import_link = LinkTypes.LINK
         sfiles = [dotfile6, dotfile7]
         o.import_path = sfiles
         cmd_importer(o)
@@ -191,12 +191,6 @@ class TestImport(unittest.TestCase):
                           sub4)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(s4))
 
-        # test symlink on filesystem
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(dotfile6))
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.realpath(dotfile6) == indt6)
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.islink(dotfile7))
-        self.assertTrue(os.path.realpath(dotfile7) == indt7)
-
         cmd_list_profiles(o)
         cmd_list_files(o)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_install.py b/tests/test_install.py
index 424b59d..cf3e8aa 100644
--- a/tests/test_install.py
+++ b/tests/test_install.py
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ from dotdrop.installer import Installer
 from dotdrop.action import Action
 from dotdrop.dotdrop import cmd_install
 from dotdrop.options import BACKUP_SUFFIX
-from dotdrop.linktypes import LinkTypes
 from dotdrop.utils import header
+from dotdrop.linktypes import LinkTypes
 
 
 class TestInstall(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -57,12 +57,7 @@ exec bspwm
                 f.write('  {}:\n'.format(d.key))
                 f.write('    dst: {}\n'.format(d.dst))
                 f.write('    src: {}\n'.format(d.src))
-                if d.link == LinkTypes.CHILDREN:
-                    f.write('    link_children: {}\n'
-                            .format(str(d.link == LinkTypes.CHILDREN).lower()))
-                else:
-                    f.write('    link: {}\n'
-                            .format(str(d.link == LinkTypes.PARENT).lower()))
+                f.write('    link: {}\n'.format(d.link.name.lower()))
                 if len(d.actions) > 0:
                     f.write('    actions:\n')
                     for action in d.actions:
@@ -122,7 +117,8 @@ exec bspwm
         f5, c5 = create_random_file(tmp)
         dst5 = os.path.join(dst, get_string(6))
         self.addCleanup(clean, dst5)
-        d5 = Dotfile(get_string(6), dst5, os.path.basename(f5), link=True)
+        d5 = Dotfile(get_string(6), dst5,
+                     os.path.basename(f5), link=LinkTypes.LINK)
 
         # create the dotfile directories in dotdrop
         dir1 = create_dir(os.path.join(tmp, get_string(6)))
@@ -148,7 +144,8 @@ exec bspwm
         sub4, _ = create_random_file(dir2)
         self.assertTrue(os.path.exists(sub4))
         # make up the dotfile
-        d7 = Dotfile(get_string(6), dst7, os.path.basename(dir2), link=True)
+        d7 = Dotfile(get_string(6), dst7,
+                     os.path.basename(dir2), link=LinkTypes.LINK)
 
         # to test actions
         value = get_string(12)