Server (Linux) and personal machine (non-Linux Macbook) with the same general shell config (aliases etc.), but different applications/CLI tools installed.

No idea how it compares against the Nix paradigms, but I like the ease of use in setting up a new machine. It’ll copy all files to their intended destinations and will be able to fill in credentials from templates using e.g. rbw (third-party Bitwarden, i.e. password manager, CLI tool), meaning, once all fields have been templated, you can make it public without even worrying about leaking a personal email address (I use different ones for git vs. other accounts vs. even other stuff).

Yeah, and then you start to configure any edge case, and then you’re basically already at the point where chezmoi would be useful. Lol, I’ve been there

Chezmoi my beloved