Getting Started

First Run

Start ToolTamer:

tt

On first run, you'll be asked for a Git repository URL for your configuration. You have two options:

• Provide a URL — ToolTamer clones it into ~/.config/toolTamer/.
• Press Enter — ToolTamer creates a default structure locally in ~/.config/toolTamer/.

If you create a fresh config, ToolTamer will offer to seed it with common config files (like .zshrc, .bashrc, etc.) based on what exists in your home directory.

The Main Menu

After the optional Git pull, you'll see:

-----> ToolTamer V1.0 - main menu
1. Update System - full system update, local files, installation, local install script
2. Files only - update only files
3. Snapshot System
4. Admin
5. Quit

Update System

Applies your ToolTamer configuration to the current machine:

1. Installs packages listed in to_install.brew / to_install.apt / to_install.pacman
2. Removes packages that are installed but not in your config (dependencies are preserved)
3. Syncs configuration files from ToolTamer to your home directory
4. Runs local_install.sh scripts (if present)

Files Only

Same as above, but skips package management — only syncs configuration files.

Snapshot System

The reverse direction: captures your current system state into ToolTamer:

• Records all installed packages into the to_install.* file
• Copies current versions of configured files into ToolTamer

This is useful when you've set up a new machine manually and want to capture that state.

Typical Workflow

1. Set up your first machine:

   • Install ToolTamer
   • Run tt, let it create a default config
   • Customize your package list and add config files
   • Use "Snapshot System" to capture your setup

2. Push your config:

   • Open Admin → Git view (lazygit) to commit and push

3. Set up another machine:

   • Install ToolTamer
   • Run tt, provide your Git repo URL
   • Use "Update System" to apply the config

4. Ongoing sync:

   • Make changes on any machine
   • Snapshot → commit → push
   • Pull → Update System on other machines