Git Worktrees Reference

Comprehensive reference for git worktrees in AI development workflows.

What Are Worktrees?

Git worktrees allow checking out multiple branches simultaneously in separate directories, all sharing the same .git repository.

Key characteristics:

• Each worktree has its own working directory and index
• All worktrees share the same Git history and objects
• Branches checked out in worktrees are "locked" to prevent checkout elsewhere
• Worktrees persist across sessions until explicitly removed

When to Use Worktrees

Ideal for:

• Parallel development of independent features
• Isolating experimental work from stable code
• Running tests in one branch while developing in another
• AI agent collaboration requiring workspace isolation
• Reviewing PRs without stashing current work

Not ideal for:

• Very small, quick fixes (overhead not worth it)
• When disk space is severely limited
• Single-file changes that don't need isolation

Directory Organization

Recommended Structure

my-project/
├── .git/                    # Shared git directory
├── .gitignore               # Must include .worktrees/
├── .worktrees/              # All worktrees live here
│   ├── feature-auth/        # Feature worktree
│   ├── feature-api/         # Another feature worktree
│   └── hotfix-urgent/       # Hotfix worktree
└── src/                     # Main working directory

First-Time Setup

Before creating any worktree, ensure .worktrees/ is gitignored:

grep -q "^\.worktrees" .gitignore 2>/dev/null || echo ".worktrees/" >> .gitignore
git add .gitignore
git commit -m "chore: add .worktrees to gitignore"

Why gitignore? Each worktree contains a complete checkout. Without gitignoring, you'd accidentally commit nested copies of your entire codebase.

Naming Conventions

Type	Pattern	Example
Feature	feature-<name>	feature-auth
Agent	<agent-id>-<feature>	agent-42-api
Instance	inst-<id>	inst-alpha
Hotfix	hotfix-<issue>	hotfix-login

Workspace Organization

Desktop Layout

For multiple concurrent worktrees:

• One Space/Desktop per worktree - Quick switching with keyboard shortcuts
• Consistent layout: IDE on left, Claude on right
• Separate terminal tabs per worktree
• tmux sessions for persistence

Editor Windows

• Separate window per worktree
• Clear titles: [worktree-name] - project
• Color-code terminals by worktree

Environment Isolation

Port Assignment

Avoid port conflicts when running multiple instances:

# Worktree 1
PORT=3001 npm run dev

# Worktree 2
PORT=3002 npm run dev

Database Options

Approach	When to Use
SQLite per worktree	Simple apps, testing
PostgreSQL schemas	Shared DB, isolated data
Docker containers	Full isolation
In-memory DB	Unit tests

# SQLite: Different files
DATABASE_URL="file:.worktrees/auth/dev.sqlite"

# PostgreSQL: Different schemas
DATABASE_URL="postgres://localhost/app?schema=worktree_auth"

# Docker: Different containers
docker-compose -p worktree-auth up -d

Environment Files

Keep worktree-specific .env files:

# In worktree
cp ../.env.example .env
# Customize PORT, DATABASE_URL, etc.

Resource Considerations

Disk Space

Each worktree duplicates working files (not git objects):

• Small projects: ~10-50MB per worktree
• Large projects: Can be significant

# Check worktree sizes
du -sh .worktrees/*

Memory

Multiple running dev servers increase memory usage:

• Monitor with top or htop
• Stop unused dev servers
• Consider using --watch only on active worktree

File Watchers

Many tools use file watchers (webpack, nodemon, etc.):

• Each worktree may spawn watchers
• Can hit system limits on large projects
• Increase limits if needed: fs.inotify.max_user_watches

Common Pitfalls

Branch Already Checked Out

Error: fatal: 'branch-name' is already checked out at '/path'

Cause: Each branch can only exist in one worktree.

Solutions:

1. Use the existing worktree: git worktree list
2. Create a new branch for the new worktree
3. Remove the existing worktree first

Uncommitted Changes on Removal

Error: fatal: cannot remove worktree with uncommitted changes

Solutions:

1. Commit changes: git add . && git commit -m "WIP"
2. Stash changes: git stash
3. Force remove (loses changes): git worktree remove --force

Stale Worktree References

Problem: Manually deleted worktree directory leaves stale entry.

Solution: git worktree prune

Detached HEAD in Worktree

Problem: Worktree ends up in detached HEAD state.

Solution:

cd .worktrees/<name>
git checkout <branch>
# or create new branch
git checkout -b <new-branch>

Git Version Requirements

Feature	Git Version
Basic worktree	2.5+
worktree list	2.7+
worktree lock/unlock	2.10+
worktree move	2.17+
worktree remove	2.17+
worktree repair	2.30+
--orphan	2.37+

Check version: git --version

Quick Reference

Task	Command
Create (new branch)	git worktree add -b <branch> .worktrees/<name> [base]
Create (existing branch)	git worktree add .worktrees/<name> <branch>
List	git worktree list
Remove	git worktree remove .worktrees/<name>
Force remove	git worktree remove --force .worktrees/<name>
Prune stale	git worktree prune
Lock	git worktree lock .worktrees/<name>
Unlock	git worktree unlock .worktrees/<name>
Move	git worktree move .worktrees/<old> .worktrees/<new>
Repair	git worktree repair

Reference Files

For detailed information, see:

• references/commands-reference.md - Complete git worktree command reference
• references/conflict-resolution.md - Handling merge conflicts
• references/best-practices.md - Recommended patterns and tips

Related Skills

• /worktrees:new - Create a new worktree
• /worktrees:status - Check worktree health and status
• /worktrees:finish - Complete and clean up worktree
• /worktrees:peer - Independent PR-based workflow
• /worktrees:orchestrator - Multi-subagent parallel development