New to Linux, running Debian (if that matters), dot files are configuration files, yes? Do I need to explore each app/UI/program to figure out the possible options? Are there any universals in Linux? Across distros?
Thanks!
I wouldn't say there's a place to start. Once you start using programs that are configured through config files, learn about those config files in particular. Eventually, you might find that you prefer editing config files even for programs that have GUI settings - then you dive in more.
Regardless, once your config files become complex enough that you can't quickly rewrite them if necessary, start looking for a dotfiles manager, tracking them in git, backing them up, etc...
Nano should work for editing dot files and you can find formats for most configuration files online if you aren't familiar with them
i have a git bare repository in my home and use dotbare to manage it.
here you can find all of them https://github.com/simone-viozzi/my-dot-files
