# Kriscard Kriscard Claude Plugins Dotfiles Best Practices

> Dotfiles Best Practices

- Skill: `tomevault-io/kriscard-kriscard-claude-plugins-dotfiles-best-practices` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/kriscard-kriscard-claude-plugins-dotfiles-best-practices`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/kriscard-kriscard-claude-plugins-dotfiles-best-practices/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector CAUTION)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/kriscard-kriscard-claude-plugins-dotfiles-best-practices

---


# Dotfiles Best Practices

Reference knowledge for modern dotfiles configuration, organization, and tooling. Serves as the knowledge base for the dotfiles-optimizer orchestrator.

## User-Specific Decisions

**Theme**: Catppuccin Macchiato across all tools (set via `$THEME_FLAVOUR=macchiato`)

**Shell structure**: Modular `zsh.d/` with numeric prefix load ordering:

```
zsh/zsh.d/
├── 00-env.zsh           # Environment variables, PATH
├── 10-options.zsh       # Shell options (setopt)
├── 20-completions.zsh   # Completion system
├── 30-plugins.zsh       # Plugin loading
├── 40-lazy.zsh          # Lazy loading functions
├── 50-keybindings.zsh   # Key bindings
├── 60-aliases.zsh       # Command aliases
├── 70-functions.zsh     # Custom functions
├── 80-integrations.zsh  # External tool integrations
└── 99-local.zsh         # Local overrides (NOT committed)
```

**Main .zshrc** sources all modules:
```zsh
export ZSH="$HOME/.dotfiles/zsh"

for config_file in "$ZSH/zsh.d"/*.zsh(N); do
  source "$config_file"
done
```

## Reference Files

| File | Contents |
|------|----------|
| [modern-cli-tools.md](references/modern-cli-tools.md) | eza, bat, fd, rg, zoxide, starship, delta, lazygit |
| [shell-performance.md](references/shell-performance.md) | Startup optimization, lazy loading pattern, profiling |
| [security-patterns.md](references/security-patterns.md) | Credentials, file permissions, history security, .gitignore |
| [git-config.md](references/git-config.md) | Multi-identity includeIf, aliases |
| [terminal-config.md](references/terminal-config.md) | Kitty, Ghostty, tmux, neovim, Catppuccin theming |

## Gotchas

- Claude tends to suggest Powerlevel10k over Starship -- this setup uses Starship for cross-shell compat and speed
- NVM lazy loading is critical -- eagerly sourcing nvm.sh adds 200-400ms to startup
- Never alias over system commands unconditionally -- check tool exists first with `command -v`
- The `99-local.zsh` pattern means local overrides are NOT committed -- don't suggest editing them as shared config
- File permissions on `.env` and git config files must be 600, not 644

## Quick Reference

**Performance**: Shell startup <500ms, lazy load version managers, cache completions

**Security**: Never commit secrets, use .env + .env.example pattern, sensitive files chmod 600

**Organization**: Modular numeric-prefix structure, separate concerns, local overrides in 99-local.zsh

**Modern Tools**: eza (ls), bat (cat), fd (find), rg (grep), z (cd) -- check existence before aliasing

**Git**: Multi-config with includeIf, separate personal/work identities, commit signing recommended

**Themes**: Consistent Catppuccin Macchiato across all tools, single `$THEME_FLAVOUR` variable

---
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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->