Docs don't tell users exactly where to put special files and directories

[Ra2-IFV]

Bad

If a file called .chezmoi.$FORMAT.tmpl exists then chezmoi init will use it to create an initial config file.
If a directory called .chezmoitemplates exists,
If a file called .chezmoiversion exists,

Okay

If a file called .chezmoiexternal.$FORMAT (with an optional .tmpl extension) exists in the source state (either ~/.local/share/chezmoi or directory defined inside .chezmoiroot),
If a file called .chezmoidata.$FORMAT exists in the source state,
......

The phrase source state may be replaced with source directory, just as the variable sourceDir in configuration file.

My solution example:

.chezmoi.$FORMAT.tmpl

This file should be placed in the source directory.
This file will be used by chezmoi init to create an initial config file. $FORMAT must be one of the supported config file formats, e.g. json, jsonc, toml, or yaml. Templates defined in .chezmoitemplates are not available because the template is executed before the source state is read.

[Ra2-IFV]

I would be grateful if I could be given the opportunity to open a pull request.

[halostatue]

Please do. We'll review each contribution and accept, have suggestions, or reject as appropriate.

Do note that on Windows the locations will differ.

[Ra2-IFV]

Yes of course, this is just a example, just wondering if this idea would be accepted.
If so I wish to stay in touch with developers to make a good contribution 😉

[halostatue]

In general, we want to encourage all sorts of contributions, including documentation updates. There is always room for improvement. Whether a particular change is a good one depends on a number of factors that we can't judge in advance of seeing the proposed changes.

[twpayne]

The phrase source state may be replaced with source directory, just as the variable sourceDir in configuration file.

This is not correct. The source state is computed from the source directory, but they are not the same thing. Please read the section on concepts.

[Ra2-IFV]

The phrase source state may be replaced with source directory, just as the variable sourceDir in configuration file.

This is not correct. The source state is computed from the source directory, but they are not the same thing. Please read the section on concepts.

Yes source state can be changed in .chezmoiroot file, I'm a bit confused, sorry 😕