Get Started

Create complex ZIP file in a minute. With this tool you can create a ZIP file with custom structure, useful to distribute your software instead of manually picking stuff one by one, or good for back up your data avoid to leaving your private data into ZIP file.

Why use dist.sh

Having total control over what goes into your releases is very important for the following reasons

It prevents secret or important files from being released unintentionally
Avoid releasing large files or files that are not useful for distribution with the consequence of unnecessarily increasing the size of the package
Having the ability to modify files before they are included in the release, for example by applying an encryption or a watermark
Reduce the attack surface by improving security especially by applying a meticulous and granular selections of what is to be excluded from the release
Possibility to repeat the process of creating the release indefinitely, always having the expected result

Installation

Quick installation

Download dist.sh file into your workstation
Move to /usr/local/bin/dist.sh or wherever you prefer
Set executable permission with chmod +x /usr/local/bin/dist.sh.

Usage

Create a file called .distfile like this

## File: .distfile
@mybackup.zip

+.ssh/*
+.config/*
!*.secret

Run the following command

dist.sh

With this simple instructions you create a ZIP file with all .ssh/ and .config/ directories but without all files *.secret.

Documentation

The .distfile works with instructions based on first char of line, this first char is called Control Char. All control chars are listed here:

@ - Create ZIP file, you can create multiple ZIP file at same time
> - Change root directory into ZIP file
+ - Add directory or file to ZIP file
! - Exclude specific directory or file from ZIP file
& - Execute a shell command
# - Comment line