Configuration

pdtm uses a combination of configuration files and default paths to manage tool installations.

File Locations

• Configuration File: $HOME/.config/pdtm/config.yaml
• Cache File: $HOME/.config/pdtm/cache.json (Stores tool lists to handle API downtime)
• Default Install Path: $HOME/.pdtm/go/bin

You can override the configuration file location using the -config flag.

Path Management

One of pdtm's core features is managing the system $PATH to ensure installed tools are executable.

Unix-like Systems (Linux/macOS)

pdtm attempts to detect your shell and modify the appropriate RC file:

• Bash: .bashrc
• Zsh: .zshrc
• Fish: .config/fish/config.fish

When you run pdtm -ip, it appends an export command to the detected file. You may need to run source <rcfile> or restart your terminal for changes to take effect.

Windows

On Windows, pdtm interacts with the User Environment Variables in the Registry (HKCU\Environment).

• It modifies the Path registry key directly to avoid truncation issues common with setx.
• It broadcasts a WM_SETTINGCHANGE message to notify running applications of the change, though a terminal restart is usually required.