External and template evaluation issue

[A2va]

I use chezmoi externals to install tools like starship. In my dot_bashprofile.tmpl, I use a conditional like this:

{{ if or (findExecutable "starship" (list "bin" "/usr/bin" ".local/bin")) (lookPath "starship") }}
    # Some logic using starship
{{ end }}

The issue that I'm facing is that chezmoi evaluates the template before starship is downloaded, so the condition fail. At least I think that's the cause.

[foobl42]

According to https://www.chezmoi.io/reference/application-order/, externals are processed along with other managed files in alphabetical order of their target name. So that means to me that externals won't be available until they are processed. Since your logic happens in a file that is processed during the same apply step, you will likely have to apply again afterwards. In my experience (I'm no expert), I've found that I have to do chezmoi apply multiple times based on the context at any given time. You might have to live with multiple apply calls given your situation.

[foobl42]

You could try to somehow rename the .chezmoiexternal file strategically, say .chezmoiexternals/00-starship, in order to force chezmoi to process that file first (although I'm unsure if 00-* would occur before .bash_profile). Maybe that will work. Might be a good thing to try until you get a more definitive answer.

[foobl42]

My prior reply wouldn't work, because the filename of the .chezmoiexternal file isn't what chezmoi looks for in determining when to process that file during an apply. Rather, it would be the key name (file path) in the .chezmoiexternal file's TOML (or whatever format) config. You might be able to make that file path occur alphabetically BEFORE .bash_profile. Again worth a try.

[A2va]

Interesting idea. In my chezmoiexternal file I have:

".local/bin/starship":
  type: archive-file
  url: https://github.com/starship/starship/releases/download/...
  path: starship

Changing the key would put them in a different place with a different name, wouldn't it?

[foobl42]

Yes. So might not be the best alternative, instead of simply running apply another time.

[twpayne]

{{ if or (findExecutable "starship" (list "bin" "/usr/bin" ".local/bin")) (lookPath "starship") }}
    # Some logic using starship
{{ end }}

The issue that I'm facing is that chezmoi evaluates the template before starship is downloaded, so the condition fail.

Another option is to use the same logic that decides whether to install the starship external in your dot_bashprofile.tmpl instead of using findExecutable/lookPath. For example, if you always install starship then you can unconditionally always include # Some logic using starship. This way, the order of application doesn't matter and your dotfiles are more robust and declarative.