This document offers a comprehensive comparison between Chezmoi and GNU Stow, two popular tools for managing dotfiles, which are configuration files in a user's home directory. It outlines their core philosophies and technical distinctions, primarily focusing on how they handle file deployment (Chezmoi copies/templates, Stow uses symlinks) and advanced features like templating, secrets management, and cross-platform support. The text also provides a detailed guide for migrating dotfiles from a Chezmoi setup to a Stow-compatible structure, addressing practical concerns such as file restructuring, handling machine-specific configurations, and omitting Chezmoi-specific functionalities. Finally, the document evaluates the suitability of both tools within a corporate environment, specifically at Google, considering factors like installation ease, administrative privileges, and security implications, to help users make an informed decision based on their specific needs and comfort with complexity versus simplicity.
