# Git Worktrees

> Work on multiple branches in parallel using git worktrees via the git-wt helper to avoid context switching or merge noise. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/git-worktrees-6` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/git-worktrees-6`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/git-worktrees-6/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/git-worktrees-6

---

This skill follows `engineering-doctrine`.

## Core Model

- One branch == one directory == one line of work
- All worktrees share a single `.git` database
- Each worktree is bound to its branch while it exists

## Preferred Tooling

Use `git wt` (https://github.com/k1LoW/git-wt) as the default interface. It wraps `git worktree` with safer defaults and faster workflows.

## Standard Setup

Optional, if you want worktrees stored in `.worktrees`:

```sh
mkdir -p .worktrees
git config wt.basedir .worktrees
```

## Quick Start

```sh
git wt                       # list worktrees
git wt <branch|worktree>     # switch/create (creates branch and worktree if needed)
git wt --nocd <branch|worktree>
git wt -d <branch|worktree>  # safe delete (worktree + branch)
git wt -D <branch|worktree>  # force delete
```

## Configuration

Use `git config` for defaults; override with flags when needed.

- `wt.basedir` / `--basedir`: base directory for worktrees (default `../{gitroot}-wt`)
- `wt.copyignored` / `--copyignored`: copy gitignored files on create
- `wt.copyuntracked` / `--copyuntracked`: copy untracked files on create
- `wt.copymodified` / `--copymodified`: copy modified tracked files on create
- `wt.nocopy` / `--nocopy`: exclude files from copying (gitignore syntax)
- `wt.copy` / `--copy`: always copy specific patterns even if ignored
- `wt.hook` / `--hook`: run commands after creating a new worktree
- `wt.nocd` / `--nocd`: prevent automatic directory switching

## Shell Integration (PowerShell)

```powershell
Invoke-Expression (git wt --init powershell | Out-String)
```

## Cleanup
always check if there are uncommitted changes in a worktree before
- removing its branch
- deleting the local worktree folder

Use `git wt -d <branch|worktree>` for clean removals.
If a worktree folder was deleted manually, run `git worktree prune`.
Ask user what to do with those uncommitted changes.

---
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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-14 -->