David F Glidden
32b0c9dfc6
The steward's 2026-08-09 to-do read "the gap is neither knowledge nor home but
the absence of an EXECUTABLE." The premise was false: classify_pointers has
existed since 19bddd5 (2026-08-08), wired to SessionStart, with controls. The
gap was that the executable was incomplete, and the incompleteness had already
produced a false positive.
Four defects, three named in the spec and one found by building it:
1. CODE SPANS. `](file.md)` inside backticks read as a pointer, so the single
DEAD pointer reported on 2026-08-09 was the link pattern written inside
MEMORY.md's own specification of this canary. An instrument that flags its
own documentation flags it every wake forever, and the real signal drowns —
the same "known canary bug" dismissal the 2026-07-28 block was written to
end, arriving by a second route. Fences and inline spans are blanked with
offsets preserved; inline spans may not cross a newline and an unterminated
fence does not match, so a stray backtick can never blank the file and HIDE
dead pointers.
2. WIKILINKS. reference-verification-ladder.md has specified this canary as
covering "every `](file.md)` and `[[wikilink]]`" since 2026-07-06. Only the
first half was ever built. 31 wikilinks now checked.
3. BREAKAGE AGE, derived from git rather than a stored prior run — a state file
would make this the one cached section in a digest whose governing property
is that it is computed. Where git cannot answer, it says so.
4. Found by running it: the first wikilink pass reported only UNWRITTEN, and
both live hits were [[trust-prior-pass-frame]], whose file EXISTS as
feedback-trust-prior-pass-frame.md. That is precisely the one-word alarm the
comment ten lines above it was written to forbid. Wikilinks now report three
outcomes and hand back the replacement slug. Both are repaired here.
The wake-up skill and the ladder now POINT AT the executable instead of
describing the check — the described-not-invoked gap is why it kept being
retyped by hand on 2026-08-08 and 2026-08-09.
Verify: python3 scripts/wake-digest.py --selftest (61 checks, exit 0)
python3 scripts/wake-digest.py | grep 'MEMORY POINTERS'
Induced red: blank_code reverted to a no-op (behaviour, not the symbol) →
exit 2, five named failures, no traceback; direction controls held.
Not changed: the wrap_inside detector, which announced "PREVIOUS SESSION DID
NOT WRAP" for a session that wrapped at 19:48 and kept working until 21:54 —
a two-valued detector over a three-case state. Named in the ledger, not fixed.
🖖 David's Dotfiles - "Engage!"
"Make it so!" - A complete macOS setup system inspired by Star Trek's efficiency and elegance.
From zero to fully configured macOS in minutes. This dotfiles repository provides a comprehensive, automated setup for developers, writers, and knowledge workers.
🚀 Quick Start
One command to rule them all:
# From GitHub
git clone https://github.com/davidglidden/dotfiles.git ~/dotfiles && ~/dotfiles/engage
# From Gitea (alternative mirror)
git clone git@git.davidglidden.eu:davidglidden/dotfiles.git ~/dotfiles && ~/dotfiles/engage
That's it! The engage script will guide you through a complete system setup.
✨ What This System Provides
📦 Software Management
- 120+ CLI tools via Homebrew (development, media, security)
- 40+ Applications via casks (productivity, creativity, utilities)
- 20+ Mac App Store apps via
mas(native macOS apps)
🔧 Configuration Management
- Shell setup: Zsh with Antidote, Powerlevel10k, history sync
- Development tools: Git hooks, SSH templates, NPM config
- Application configs: LaunchBar, Hazel, Bartender, Karabiner
- Obsidian vault: Complete knowledge management system
🖥️ macOS System Configuration
- System preferences: Dock, Finder, keyboard, security
- Security hardening: Firewall, privacy, authentication
- Keyboard shortcuts: Mission Control, app shortcuts
- Developer settings: Safari dev tools, Terminal enhancements
🛡️ Backup & Security Strategy
- Encrypted backups for sensitive files (SSH keys, credentials)
- History management with daily snapshots and retention
- Git hooks for security and code quality
- Application data backup and restore scripts
📁 Repository Structure
dotfiles/
├── engage # 🖖 Master installation script
├── Brewfile # Package management (brew/cask/mas)
├── README.md # This file
├── .gitconfig # Git configuration
├── .npmrc # NPM defaults
├── .zshrc # Shell configuration
├── .vimrc # Vim configuration
├── bin/ # Custom scripts
│ ├── backup-dotfiles # Quick dotfiles backup
│ └── check-app-configs # Configuration status checker
├── git/ # Git configuration
│ └── hooks/ # Global git hooks
├── macos/ # macOS system configuration
│ ├── setup-macos.sh # Master macOS setup
│ ├── defaults.sh # System preferences
│ ├── security.sh # Security hardening
│ └── keyboard-shortcuts.sh # Custom shortcuts
├── macos-apps/ # macOS app configurations
│ └── backup-app-configs.sh # App settings backup
├── obsidian/ # Obsidian knowledge vault
│ ├── setup-obsidian.sh # Vault configuration
│ └── community-plugins.json # Essential plugins
├── scripts/ # Installation scripts
│ └── symlinks.sh # Dotfile linking
├── shell/ # Shell enhancements
│ └── history-sync.zsh # History management
└── ssh/ # SSH configuration
├── config.example # SSH config template
└── README.md # SSH setup guide
🎯 Core Philosophy
This system balances automation with choice:
- Smart defaults that work out of the box
- Interactive modes for customization
- Modular design - use what you need
- Security first - encrypted backups, secure defaults
- Documentation - clear guides and examples
Inspired by the best dotfiles repositories but designed for real-world complexity.
📱 Essential Applications Included
Development
- iTerm2 + Kitty - Terminal emulators
- BBEdit - Text editor with deep macOS integration
- GitHub Desktop - Git GUI
- Docker - Containerization
Productivity
- Obsidian - Knowledge management powerhouse
- 1Password - Password management
- LaunchBar - Application launcher
- Hazel - Automated file organization
- Drafts - Quick capture and text processing
Utilities
- Karabiner-Elements - Keyboard customization
- Bartender - Menu bar organization
- Keka - Archive utility
- Oversight - Privacy monitoring
- Signal - Secure messaging
Creative & Media
- VLC - Media player
- HandBrake - Video transcoding
- Transmit - File transfer
- Calibre - E-book management
🛠️ Advanced Usage
Manual Installation Steps
If you prefer granular control:
# 1. Install packages only
brew bundle install --file=~/dotfiles/Brewfile
# 2. Set up dotfiles
~/dotfiles/scripts/symlinks.sh
# 3. Configure macOS
~/dotfiles/macos/setup-macos.sh
# 4. Set up applications
~/dotfiles/macos-apps/backup-app-configs.sh
Customization
Modify the Brewfile to add/remove applications:
# Add new CLI tool
brew "your-tool"
# Add new application
cask "your-app"
# Add Mac App Store app
mas "App Name", id: 123456789
Customize macOS defaults in macos/defaults.sh:
# Change dock position
defaults write com.apple.dock orientation -string "left"
# Adjust key repeat speed
defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 1
Backup Strategy
Before making changes:
# Backup current dotfiles
~/dotfiles/bin/backup-dotfiles
# Backup macOS settings
~/dotfiles/macos/backup-defaults.sh
# Backup sensitive files (encrypted)
~/dotfiles/backup-scripts/backup-sensitive.sh
🔐 Security Features
- SSH keys encrypted with GPG
- Firewall enabled with stealth mode
- Privacy settings optimized
- Git hooks prevent secrets in commits
- Secure defaults for Safari and system
- Application permissions documented
🧠 Obsidian Knowledge System
Includes a sophisticated personal knowledge management setup:
- 13 essential plugins for advanced functionality
- Template system with Templater integration
- Daily/weekly/monthly review cycles
- Christopher Alexander pattern language philosophy
- Multilingual support (EN/ES/FR/CA)
🤝 Contributing
This is a personal dotfiles repository, but ideas and improvements are welcome:
- Fork the repository
- Create a feature branch
- Test thoroughly on a fresh macOS installation
- Submit a pull request with clear description
📜 License
MIT License - Use, modify, and share freely.
🙏 Acknowledgments
Inspired by:
- Mathias Bynens' dotfiles
- ptb/mac-setup
- Homebrew Bundle
- The Star Trek universe for the best command ever: "Engage!"
Live long and prosper! 🖖
Made with ❤️ for the macOS community