Cross-Platform Dotfiles (Windows 10/11 & Kali Linux)

razban96's repository for managing and deploying custom configuration files across Windows 10/11 and Linux environments.

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Repository Structure

Folder / File	Description	Target Location (Windows)	Target Location (Linux)
bash/	Bash shell configuration files (.bashrc, .bash_profile, etc.)	%USERPROFILE%	~
git/	Global Git configuration (.gitconfig, .gitignore_global)	%USERPROFILE%	~
vscode/	VS Code settings, keybindings, snippets, and extensions.txt	%APPDATA%\Code\User	~/.config/Code/User
backup.ps1	Backs up local Windows configurations into this repository	N/A	N/A
install.ps1	Creates symlinks and installs VS Code extensions on Windows 11	N/A	N/A
install.sh	Creates symlinks and installs VS Code extensions on Linux	N/A	N/A

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Initialization & Safety Logic

The installation scripts handle both fresh system setups and existing environments automatically:

1. No Existing Configs: If a configuration file does not exist in your users home directory, the script links the file directly from this repository.
2. Existing Configs: If a configuration file already exists as a standard file (not a symlink), the script creates a european-like-timestamped backup directory (e.g., ~/dotfiles_backup_DD.MM.YYYY_HH.mm.ss) and moves your existing files there before creating the new symbolic links.

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Installation Guide

Step 1: Clone the Repository

Open your terminal or command prompt and run:

git clone [https://github.com/razban96/dotfiles.git](https://github.com/razban96/dotfiles.git) ~/dotfiles
cd ~/dotfiles

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Step 2: Run OS-Specific Installation Script

Option A: Windows 10/11 (PowerShell)

1. Enable Symbolic Links: Enable Developer Mode in Windows Settings (Settings > System > Advanced > For developers > Developer Mode) OR run PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Execution Policy: If PowerShell restricts running local scripts, adjust the policy for your current session:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope Process

3. Execute Installation:

.\install.ps1

Option B: Kali Linux / Debian Linux (Bash)

1. Grant Permissions: Make the shell script executable:

chmod +x install.sh

2. Execute Installation:

./install.sh

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Maintenance & Backup Workflow

To update this repository with new local settings from your Windows machine (such as new VS Code extensions, snippets, or git aliases) and push them to GitHub:

1. Run Backup Script:

.\backup.ps1

2. Commit and Push:

git status
git add .
git commit -m "Update configurations"
git push origin main

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Troubleshooting & Notes

• Symlink Privilege Error (Windows): If you receive a permission error while creating symlinks, verify that Windows Developer Mode is enabled or re-run PowerShell as Administrator.
• VS Code CLI: Ensure VS Code is added to your system PATH so code --install-extension functions properly during script execution.
• Git Bash Usage: On Windows, install.ps1 automatically symlinks .bashrc into your %USERPROFILE%, making your custom aliases and prompt immediately active inside Git Bash.

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Quick Reference Summary

Task	Platform	Primary Command	Repository Link / Location
Clone Repo	All	git clone https://github.com/razban96/dotfiles.git ~/dotfiles	razban96/dotfiles
Install Configs	Windows 10/11	.\install.ps1	Executed inside ~/dotfiles
Install Configs	Linux	chmod +x install.sh && ./install.sh	Executed inside ~/dotfiles
Backup Configs	Windows 10/11	.\backup.ps1	Executed inside ~/dotfiles
Push Updates	All	git add . && git commit -m "..." && git push	Pushes local changes to GitHub