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."

Emacs Worktree Detection

Before any directory selection, check if already in an Emacs-managed worktree:

REPO=$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel 2>/dev/null || echo unknown)")
BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current)
METADATA="$HOME/worktrees/metadata/$REPO/$BRANCH.json"

if [[ -f "$METADATA" ]]; then
  echo "Already in Emacs-managed worktree at $(pwd)"
  echo "Skipping worktree creation."
  # Proceed directly to project setup and baseline verification
fi

If metadata exists, skip to "Run Project Setup" section - no new worktree needed.

Directory Selection Process

Follow this priority order:

1. Check Existing Directories

# 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

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:

No worktree directory found. Where should I create worktrees?

1. .worktrees/ (project-local, hidden)
2. ~/.config/gremlins/worktrees/<project-name>/ (global location)

Which would you prefer?

Safety Verification

For Project-Local Directories (.worktrees or worktrees)

MUST verify directory is ignored before creating worktree:

# Check if directory is ignored (respects local, global, and system gitignore)
git check-ignore -q .worktrees 2>/dev/null || git check-ignore -q worktrees 2>/dev/null

If NOT ignored:

Fix immediately:

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/gremlins/worktrees)

No .gitignore verification needed - outside project entirely.

Creation Steps

1. Detect Project Name

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

2. Create Worktree

# Determine full path
case $LOCATION in
  .worktrees|worktrees)
    path="$LOCATION/$BRANCH_NAME"
    ;;
  ~/.config/gremlins/worktrees/*)
    path="~/.config/gremlins/worktrees/$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:

# 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:

# 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

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

Quick Reference

Red Flags

Never:

• Create worktree without verifying it's ignored (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 directory is ignored for project-local
• Auto-detect and run project setup
• Verify clean test baseline

Integration

Called by:

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

Pairs with:

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