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 plus safety verification equals 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

ls -d .worktrees 2>/dev/null
ls -d worktrees 2>/dev/null

If found, use that directory. If both exist, .worktrees wins.

2) Check AGENTS.md

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

If preference is 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// (global location)

Which would you prefer?

Safety verification

For project-local directories (.worktrees or worktrees)

Verify directory is ignored before creating a worktree:

git check-ignore -q .worktrees 2>/dev/null || git check-ignore -q worktrees 2>/dev/null

If not ignored:

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 because it is outside the project.

Creation steps

1) Detect project name

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

2) Create worktree

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

git worktree add "$path" -b "$BRANCH_NAME"
cd "$path"

3) Run project setup

Run the repo’s standard setup command for the new worktree.

Discovery order:

1. AGENTS.md in the repo
2. README.md or docs
3. Tooling hints (for example: Makefile, package.json scripts, language manifests)

Use the smallest bootstrap command that makes the workspace runnable. If none is documented, skip and report it.

# Example only. Use repo-specific commands.
# <setup-command>

4) Verify clean baseline

Run tests to ensure the worktree starts clean:

# Example only. Use repo-specific command.
# <baseline-test-command>

If tests fail, report failures and ask whether to proceed or investigate.

If tests pass, report ready.

5) Report location

Worktree ready at Tests passing ( tests, 0 failures) Ready to implement

Quick reference

Common mistakes

Skipping ignore verification

• Problem: worktree contents get tracked and pollute git status.
• Fix: always run git check-ignore before creating a project-local worktree.

Assuming directory location

• Problem: creates inconsistency and violates project conventions.
• Fix: follow priority order: existing directory, then AGENTS.md, then ask.

Proceeding with failing tests

• Problem: cannot distinguish pre-existing issues from new regressions.
• Fix: report failures and get explicit permission to continue.

Hardcoding setup commands

• Problem: breaks on projects using different toolchains.
• Fix: discover commands from AGENTS.md and repo docs, then run repo-specific setup.

Example workflow

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

[Check .worktrees/ – exists] [Verify ignored – git check-ignore confirms .worktrees/ is ignored] [Create worktree: git worktree add .worktrees/auth -b feature/auth] [Run npm install] [Run npm test – 47 passing]

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

Red flags

Never:

• Create a worktree without ignore verification for project-local directories
• Skip baseline test verification
• Proceed with failing tests without asking
• Assume directory location when ambiguous
• Skip AGENTS.md checks

Always:

• Follow priority: existing directories, then AGENTS.md, then ask user
• Verify ignore rules for project-local directories
• Auto-detect and run project setup
• Verify a clean test baseline