Using Git Worktrees

Overview

Git worktrees create isolated workspaces sharing the same repository, allowing work on multiple branches simultaneously without switching.

Core principle: Systematic directory selection + safety verification = reliable isolation.

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

Directory Selection Process

Follow this priority order:

1. Check Existing Directories

bash

# 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, .worktrees wins.

2. Check CLAUDE.md

bash

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

If preference specified: Use it without asking.

3. Ask User

If no directory exists and no CLAUDE.md preference:

code

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:

bash

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

If NOT in .gitignore:

Per Jesse's rule "Fix broken things immediately":

•Add appropriate line to .gitignore
•Commit the change
•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

bash

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

2. Create Worktree

bash

# 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:

bash

# 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:

bash

# 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

code

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

Quick Reference

Situation	Action
`.worktrees/` exists	Use it (verify .gitignore)
`worktrees/` exists	Use it (verify .gitignore)
Both exist	Use `.worktrees/`
Neither exists	Check CLAUDE.md → Ask user
Directory not in .gitignore	Add it immediately + commit
Tests fail during baseline	Report failures + ask
No package.json/Cargo.toml	Skip dependency install

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 > CLAUDE.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, etc.)

Example Workflow

code

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

[Check .worktrees/ - exists]
[Verify .gitignore - contains .worktrees/]
[Create worktree: git worktree add .worktrees/auth -b feature/auth]
[Run npm install]
[Run npm test - 47 passing]

Worktree ready at /Users/jesse/myproject/.worktrees/auth
Tests passing (47 tests, 0 failures)
Ready to implement auth feature

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 CLAUDE.md check

Always:

•Follow directory priority: existing > CLAUDE.md > ask
•Verify .gitignore for project-local
•Auto-detect and run project setup
•Verify clean test baseline

Integration

Called by:

•brainstorming (Phase 4) - REQUIRED when design is approved and implementation follows
•Any skill needing isolated workspace

Pairs with:

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