{
 "schemaVersion": 1,
 "generated": "2026-10-30",
 "dataLicense": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
 "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
 "notice": "Data from Open Source Everything (https://opensourceeverything.org), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0: use it freely, credit the site, link to the page, and share changes under the same license. Listings were drafted with AI assistance and are managed by the r/TrueOpenSource moderators; check a project's own page before relying on a fact.",
 "id": "system-setup",
 "name": "Setting up a new computer automatically",
 "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/g/system-setup/",
 "category": "utilities",
 "categoryName": "Computer utilities",
 "job": "Scripts and dotfiles that set up a fresh computer your way",
 "closedApps": [],
 "coverage": "one-full",
 "alternatives": [
  {
   "id": "yadm",
   "name": "yadm",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/yadm/",
   "summary": "yadm is a tool that keeps your personal settings files (called dotfiles) organized and synced using Git, a common version-control system. It is made for programmers and technically skilled computer users.",
   "kind": "developer_tool",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "Made for developers: you use it from code or the command line.",
   "platforms": [
    "mac",
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 6462,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/yadm-dev/yadm",
   "website": "https://yadm.io",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "yadm",
   "rank": 1,
   "fit": "full",
   "note": null,
   "why": "Does the whole job · Advanced setup",
   "score": 59.4
  },
  {
   "id": "chezmoi",
   "name": "chezmoi",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/chezmoi/",
   "summary": "chezmoi keeps your personal settings files, called dotfiles, in sync across several computers and keeps sensitive details safe. It is aimed at people who use more than one computer and want their setup to match on each.",
   "kind": "developer_tool",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "Made for developers: you use it from code or the command line.",
   "platforms": [
    "windows",
    "mac",
    "linux",
    "android"
   ],
   "license": "MIT",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 22085,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/twpayne/chezmoi",
   "website": "https://www.chezmoi.io",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "chezmoi",
   "rank": 2,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "Manages dotfiles; full fresh-machine setup scripts not stated in README",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Advanced setup",
   "score": 39
  },
  {
   "id": "ansible",
   "name": "Ansible",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/ansible/",
   "summary": "Ansible is a tool that automates setting up and managing computers and servers by running written instructions on many machines at once. It is for IT staff and programmers who manage multiple systems.",
   "kind": "developer_tool",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "Made for developers: you use it from code or the command line.",
   "platforms": [],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 71158,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/ansible/ansible",
   "website": "https://www.ansible.com",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "ansible",
   "rank": 3,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "Automates setup of machines, but aimed at IT staff, not personal dotfiles.",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Advanced setup",
   "score": 34.6
  },
  {
   "id": "gnu-stow",
   "name": "GNU Stow",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/gnu-stow/",
   "summary": "GNU Stow is a tool that organizes software and config files kept in separate folders by making links to them so they appear to sit in one place on a computer. It is aimed at programmers and system administrators who manage installed software or dotfiles from the command line.",
   "kind": "developer_tool",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "Made for developers: you use it from code or the command line.",
   "platforms": [
    "mac",
    "linux"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 0,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "inactive",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/gnu-mirror-unofficial/stow",
   "website": "https://www.gnu.org/software/stow",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "gnu-stow",
   "rank": 4,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "Manages dotfile links but does not itself run setup scripts or install software.",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Advanced setup · No recent activity",
   "score": 6
  }
 ],
 "source": "https://opensourceeverything.org/g/system-setup/",
 "group": "Setting up a new computer automatically",
 "replaces": []
}