# Nobody Uses Git Worktrees

> Use when starting feature work that needs isolation from current workspace or before executing implementation plans

- Skill: `tomevault-io/nobody-uses-git-worktrees` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/nobody-uses-git-worktrees`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/nobody-uses-git-worktrees/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/nobody-uses-git-worktrees

---


# Using Git Worktrees

## Overview

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

**Announce at start:** "I'm using the nobody-uses-git-worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace."

## Directory Selection

Check in priority order:

1. **Existing directory** — `ls -d .worktrees worktrees 2>/dev/null`
2. **Project config** — check AGENTS.md or project docs for preference
3. **Ask user** — ".worktrees/ (hidden, project-local) or global location?"

## Safety Verification

For project-local directories, verify they're gitignored:

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

If NOT ignored: add to `.gitignore` and commit before proceeding.

## Creation Steps

```bash
# 1. Create worktree with new branch
git worktree add .worktrees/feature-name -b feature/feature-name

# 2. Enter workspace
cd .worktrees/feature-name

# 3. Run project setup (auto-detect)
[ -f package.json ] && npm install
[ -f requirements.txt ] && pip install -r requirements.txt
[ -f Cargo.toml ] && cargo build

# 4. Verify clean baseline
# Run project-appropriate test command
```

## Report

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

If tests fail: report failures, ask whether to proceed.

## Cleanup

When done, use the nobody-finishes-a-development-branch skill, then:

```bash
git worktree remove .worktrees/feature-name
```

## Red Flags

- Creating worktree without verifying it's gitignored
- Skipping baseline test verification
- Proceeding with failing tests without asking
- Hardcoding setup commands instead of auto-detecting

---
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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->