Git Worktree

Check out multiple branches at the same time in separate directories.

When to Use

• Working on a hotfix while mid-feature
• Reviewing a PR without leaving your current work
• Running tests on one branch while developing on another
• Agent parallelism — spawn sub-agents in separate worktrees

Workflow

1. Create worktree: git worktree add ../hotfix hotfix-branch
2. Work in the new directory: cd ../hotfix
3. Commit, push as normal
4. Remove when done: git worktree remove ../hotfix

Key Commands

# Create worktree for existing branch
git worktree add ../review-dir review-branch

# Create worktree with new branch
git worktree add -b hotfix ../hotfix-dir main

# Detached HEAD worktree (for a tag)
git worktree add --detach ../release-check v2.0

# List all worktrees
git worktree list

# Remove a worktree
git worktree remove ../review-dir

# Force remove (dirty worktree)
git worktree remove --force ../abandoned-dir

# Clean up stale references
git worktree prune