using-git-worktrees

Using Git Worktrees

Create an isolated branch workspace with safe defaults.

Required Start

Announce: I'm using the using-git-worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace.

Directory Selection Priority

1. Existing .worktrees/
2. Existing worktrees/
3. Project guidance file (for example CLAUDE.md)
4. Ask user

Safety Check

For project-local worktree directories, verify ignore rules before creating:

git check-ignore -q .worktrees || git check-ignore -q worktrees

If not ignored, add ignore entry before proceeding.

Creation Steps

1. Detect project root and feature branch name.
2. Create worktree and branch:

git worktree add <path> -b <branch>
cd <path>

3. Run project setup using the full worktree path — the cd in step 2 does not persist across separate shell calls. Use absolute paths or cd <path> && <command> in every subsequent Bash call rather than assuming the working directory carried over.
4. Run baseline tests.

Failure Handling

If baseline tests fail, report failures and ask whether to continue.

Success Output

Report:

• Worktree path
• Branch name
• Setup command(s) run
• Baseline test status

Integration

Use with:

• writing-plans
• subagent-driven-development
• executing-plans

Cleanup is handled by finishing-a-development-branch.