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skel/README.md
David Tomaschik b6af18017b Updates
2026-03-25 08:25:03 -07:00

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About

This is a repository of configuration files that I like to have on all the machines that I use. For new systems, you can bootstrap by running the included clone.sh script:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Matir/skel/master/clone.sh | bash

Alternatively, you can manually clone the repository and run ./install.sh.

This started just as dotfiles, but expanded to include SSH keys, GPG keys, and an ever-growing setup script. There are various options to install just parts of it, such as on a machine where I only have a user account but no root.

This environment supports using dotfile_overlays/ or local_dotfiles/ to manage machine-specific or private configurations. You can use git-crypt on these overlay directories for things you don't want to splash all over the internet. :) I still wouldn't check in anything terribly sensitive, like private keys.

Usefulness

Mostly I post this to github so I can quickly grab the things I want, but it might also be useful to others. Feel free to raise an issue if you have any questions. I don't anticipating taking merge requests -- make your own dotfiles. ;)

Options

macOS-like Copy/Paste

To address keyboard shortcut conflicts between operating systems, this environment now supports using Alt+C for copy and Alt+V for paste, similar to macOS. This functionality is context-aware: it will automatically use Ctrl+Shift+C/V in terminals and Ctrl+C/V in all other applications.

This feature requires the following packages to be installed:

  • xbindkeys: To listen for the keyboard shortcuts.
  • xdotool: To send the appropriate keypresses.

On Debian-based systems (like Ubuntu or Kali), you can install them with:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install xbindkeys xdotool

After installation, the functionality will be enabled automatically on your next login.

On macOS, you can install the recommended packages using the included Brewfile:

brew bundle install

Packages

The packages/ directory contains lists of recommended packages. You can manually install a set (e.g., on a Debian-based system) using:

grep -v "^#" packages/cli | xargs sudo apt-get install -y
BASEDIR: Where the skel framework is installed.  Defaults to $HOME/.skel
MINIMAL: Don't do things that require git clones or installation of anything
  not included in my .skel. (e.g., skips vim-plug, TPM) (Defaults to 0)
INSTALL_KEYS: Install GnuPG and SSH keys.  SSH keys are placed in
  authorized_keys. (Defaults to 1, installs keys.)
TRUST_ALL_KEYS: Allow all keys to be used for SSH login, versus a small subset.
VERBOSE: Enable verbose output during installation. (Defaults to 0)
SAVE: Save the install options to ${BASEDIR}/.installed-prefs

TODO

  • Re-do the installation of packages.
    • Make manual installation of sets easy/possible.
    • Make missing packages not cause a full set failure.
    • Allow comments and blank lines. in packages