## Location

The config file used by dotdrop is
[config.yaml](https://github.com/deadc0de6/dotdrop/blob/master/config.yaml).

Unless specified dotdrop will look in following places for its config file
and use the first one found

* current/working directory or the directory where [dotdrop.sh](https://github.com/deadc0de6/dotdrop/blob/master/dotdrop.sh) is located if used
* `${XDG_CONFIG_HOME}/dotdrop/`
* `~/.config/dotdrop/`
* `/etc/xdg/dotdrop/`
* `/etc/dotdrop/`

You can force dotdrop to use a different file either by using the `-c --cfg` cli switch
or by defining the `DOTDROP_CONFIG` environment variable.

## Variables

Multiple variables can be used within the config file to
parametrize following elements of the config:

* dotfiles `src` and `dst` paths (see [Dynamic dotfile paths](config-details.md#dynamic-dotfile-paths))
* external path specifications
  * `import_variables`
  * `import_actions`
  * `import_configs`
  * profiles's `import`
  * profiles's `include`

`actions` and `transformations` also support the use of variables
but those are resolved when the action/transformation is executed
(see [Dynamic actions](config-details.md#dynamic-actions),
[Dynamic transformations](config-details.md#dynamic-transformations) and [Templating](templating.md)).

Following variables are available in the config files:

* [variables defined in the config](config-details.md#entry-variables)
* [interpreted variables defined in the config](config-details.md#entry-dynvariables)
* [profile variables defined in the config](config-details.md#entry-profile-variables)
* environment variables: `{{@@ env['MY_VAR'] @@}}`
* dotdrop header: `{{@@ header() @@}}` (see [Dotdrop header](templating.md#dotdrop-header))

As well as all [template methods](templating.md#template-methods) and [template filters](templating.md#template-filters).

Note that all variables available in the config file will
then be available during [templating](templating.md).

Here are some rules on the use of variables in configs:

* [interpreted variables](config-details.md#entry-dynvariables) are executed in their own file
* [interpreted variables](config-details.md#entry-dynvariables) and
  [variables](config-details.md#entry-variables) are templated before
  [interpreted variables](config-details.md#entry-dynvariables) are executed
* config files do not have access to variables defined above in the import tree

## Symlink dotfiles

Dotdrop is able to install dotfiles in three different ways
which are controlled by the `link` config attribute of each dotfile:

* `link: nolink`: the dotfile (file or directory) is copied to its destination
* `link: link`: the dotfile (file or directory) is symlinked to its destination
* `link: link_children`: the files/directories found under the dotfile (directory) are symlinked to their destination

For more see [this how-to](howto/symlink-dotfiles.md)

## Template config entries

Some entries in the config can use the templating feature (see [templating](templating.md)):

Entry    | Related doc
-------- | -------------
dotfile src | [dynamic dotfile paths](config-details.md#dynamic-dotfile-paths)
dotfile dst | [dynamic dotfile paths](config-details.md#dynamic-dotfile-paths)
dotfile link | [dynamic dotfile link value](config-details.md#dynamic-dotfile-link-value)
variables | [variables](config-details.md#entry-variables)
dynvariables | [dynvariables](config-details.md#entry-dynvariables)
actions | [dynamic actions](config-details.md#dynamic-actions)
profile include | [profile include](config-details.md#entry-profile-include)
profile import | [profile import](config-details.md#entry-profile-import)
import_variables | [import_variables](config-details.md#entry-import_variables)
import_actions | [import_actions](config-details.md#entry-import_actions)
import_configs | [import_configs](config-details.md#entry-import_configs)

## All dotfiles for a profile

To use all defined dotfiles for a profile, simply use
the keyword `ALL`.

For example:
```yaml
dotfiles:
  f_xinitrc:
    dst: ~/.xinitrc
    src: xinitrc
  f_vimrc:
    dst: ~/.vimrc
    src: vimrc
profiles:
  host1:
    dotfiles:
    - ALL
  host2:
    dotfiles:
    - f_vimrc
```

## Ignore patterns

It is possible to ignore specific patterns when using dotdrop. For example for `compare` when temporary
files don't need to appear in the output.

* for [install](usage.md#install-dotfiles)
    * using `instignore` in the config file
* for [compare](usage.md#compare-dotfiles)
    * using `cmpignore` in the config file
    * using the command line switch `-i --ignore`
* for [update](usage.md#update-dotfiles)
    * using `upignore` in the config file
    * using the command line switch `-i --ignore`

The ignore pattern must follow Unix shell-style wildcards like for example `*/path/to/file`.
Make sure to quote those when using wildcards in the config file.

Patterns used on a specific dotfile can be specified relative to the dotfile destination (`dst`).

```yaml
config:
  cmpignore:
  - '*/README.md'
  upignore:
  - '*/README.md'
  instignore:
  - '*/README.md'
...
dotfiles:
  d_vim
    dst: ~/.vim
    src: vim
    upignore:
    - "*/undo-dir"
    - "*/plugged"
...
```

To completely ignore comparison of a specific dotfile:
```yaml
dotfiles:
  d_vim
    dst: ~/.vim
    src: vim
    cmpignore:
    - "*"
```

To ignore specific directory when updating
```yaml
dotfiles:
  d_colorpicker:
    src: config/some_directory
    dst: ~/.config/some_directory
    upignore:
      - '*sub_directory_to_ignore'
```