Using Git Worktrees

Overview

Use git worktrees to create isolated workspaces sharing the same repository, enabling work on multiple branches simultaneously without switching.

Core principle: Apply systematic directory selection + safety verification to ensure reliable isolation.

Announce at start: "I'm using the devmanagegit-worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace."

Primary Sources

Git Documentation:

• git worktree --help - Complete git worktree reference
• git worktree list - Show all worktrees
• git worktree remove - Cleanup worktrees

Integration:

• .claude/agents/git-operations/ - Delegates worktree setup to this skill
• finishing-a-development-branch skill - REQUIRED for cleanup after work complete

Directory Selection Process

Follow this priority order:

1. Check Existing Directories

# Check in priority order
ls -d .worktrees 2>/dev/null     # Preferred (hidden)
ls -d worktrees 2>/dev/null      # Alternative

If found: Use that directory. If both exist, prefer .worktrees.

2. Check AGENTS.md

grep -i "worktree.*director" AGENTS.md 2>/dev/null

If preference specified: Use it without asking.

3. Ask User

If no directory exists and no AGENTS.md preference:

No worktree directory found. Where should I create worktrees?

1. .worktrees/ (project-local, hidden)
2. ~/.config/superpowers/worktrees/<project-name>/ (global location)

Which would you prefer?

Safety Verification

For Project-Local Directories (.worktrees or worktrees)

MUST verify .gitignore before creating worktree:

# Check if directory pattern in .gitignore
grep -q "^\.worktrees/$" .gitignore || grep -q "^worktrees/$" .gitignore

If NOT in .gitignore:

Per "Fix broken things immediately" principle:

1. Add appropriate line to .gitignore
2. Commit the change
3. Proceed with worktree creation

Why critical: Prevents accidentally committing worktree contents to repository.

For Global Directory (~/.config/superpowers/worktrees)

No .gitignore verification needed - outside project entirely.

Creation Steps

1. Detect Project Name

project=$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)")

2. Create Worktree

# Determine full path
case $LOCATION in
  .worktrees|worktrees)
    path="$LOCATION/$BRANCH_NAME"
    ;;
  ~/.config/superpowers/worktrees/*)
    path="~/.config/superpowers/worktrees/$project/$BRANCH_NAME"
    ;;
esac

# Create worktree with new branch
git worktree add "$path" -b "$BRANCH_NAME"
cd "$path"

3. Run Project Setup

Auto-detect and run appropriate setup:

# Node.js
if [ -f package.json ]; then npm install; fi

# Rust
if [ -f Cargo.toml ]; then cargo build; fi

# Python
if [ -f requirements.txt ]; then pip install -r requirements.txt; fi
if [ -f pyproject.toml ]; then poetry install; fi

# Go
if [ -f go.mod ]; then go mod download; fi

4. Verify Clean Baseline

Run tests to ensure worktree starts clean:

# Examples - use project-appropriate command
npm test
cargo test
pytest
go test ./...

If tests fail: Report failures, ask whether to proceed or investigate.

If tests pass: Report ready.

5. Report Location

Worktree ready at <full-path>
Tests passing (<N> tests, 0 failures)
Ready to implement <feature-name>

Complete Workflow Example

# 1. Announce
echo "I'm using the dev_manage_git-worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace."

# 2. Check existing directories
if [ -d .worktrees ]; then
  DIR=".worktrees"
elif [ -d worktrees ]; then
  DIR="worktrees"
else
  # Check AGENTS.md for preference
  PREF=$(grep -i "worktree.*directory" AGENTS.md 2>/dev/null)
  # If no preference, ask user
  # ... (use AskUserQuestion tool)
fi

# 3. Verify .gitignore (project-local only)
if [[ $DIR == ".worktrees" ]] || [[ $DIR == "worktrees" ]]; then
  if ! grep -q "^$DIR/$" .gitignore; then
    echo "$DIR/" >> .gitignore
    git add .gitignore
    git commit -m "Add $DIR/ to .gitignore"
  fi
fi

# 4. Create worktree
git worktree add "$DIR/feature-auth" -b "feature/auth"
cd "$DIR/feature-auth"

# 5. Run setup
if [ -f package.json ]; then
  npm install
fi

# 6. Verify baseline
npm test

# 7. Report
echo "Worktree ready at $(pwd)"
echo "Tests passing (47 tests, 0 failures)"
echo "Ready to implement auth feature"

Quick Reference

Common Mistakes

❌ Skipping .gitignore Verification

Problem: Worktree contents get tracked, pollute git status

Fix: Always grep .gitignore before creating project-local worktree

❌ Assuming Directory Location

Problem: Creates inconsistency, violates project conventions

Fix: Follow priority: existing > AGENTS.md > ask

❌ Proceeding with Failing Tests

Problem: Can't distinguish new bugs from pre-existing issues

Fix: Report failures, get explicit permission to proceed

❌ Hardcoding Setup Commands

Problem: Breaks on projects using different tools

Fix: Auto-detect from project files (package.json, Cargo.toml, etc.)

Integration Points

Called By

• git-operations subagent - Delegates all worktree setup
• brainstorming skill (Phase 4) - REQUIRED when implementation follows design approval
• Any workflow needing isolated workspace

Pairs With

• finishing-a-development-branch skill - REQUIRED for cleanup after work complete
• executing-plans or subagent-driven-development - Work happens in this worktree

Worktree Cleanup

After completing work, invoke finishing-a-development-branch skill or perform manual cleanup:

# 1. Return to main worktree
cd /path/to/main/worktree

# 2. Remove branch worktree
git worktree remove .worktrees/feature-auth

# 3. Delete branch if merged
git branch -d feature/auth

# 4. Verify cleanup
git worktree list

Red Flags

Never:

• Create worktree without .gitignore verification (project-local)
• Skip baseline test verification
• Proceed with failing tests without asking
• Assume directory location when ambiguous
• Skip AGENTS.md check

Always:

• Follow directory priority: existing > AGENTS.md > ask
• Verify .gitignore for project-local
• Auto-detect and run project setup
• Verify clean test baseline
• Announce skill usage at start

Cross-References

Agents (delegate when needed):

• git-operations -- Delegate for complex git workflows

Commands (user triggers):

• /agents-start-gitworktree -- Create isolated worktree for feature work
• /agents-close-gitworktree -- Close worktree after completing work