Using Git Worktrees

Overview

Ensure work happens in an isolated workspace. Prefer your platform's native worktree tools. Fall back to manual git worktrees only when no native tool is available.

Core principle: Detect existing isolation first. Then use native tools. Then fall back to git. Never fight the harness.

Announce at start: "I'm using the compose:worktree skill to set up an isolated workspace."

Step 0: Detect Existing Isolation

Before creating anything, check if you are already in an isolated workspace.

GIT_DIR=$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-dir)" 2>/dev/null && pwd -P)
GIT_COMMON=$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir)" 2>/dev/null && pwd -P)
BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current)

Submodule guard: GIT_DIR != GIT_COMMON is also true inside git submodules. Before concluding "already in a worktree," verify you are not in a submodule:

# If this returns a path, you're in a submodule, not a worktree — treat as normal repo
git rev-parse --show-superproject-working-tree 2>/dev/null

If GIT_DIR != GIT_COMMON (and not a submodule): You are already in a linked worktree. Skip to Step 3 (Project Setup). Do NOT create another worktree.

Report with branch state:

• On a branch: "Already in isolated workspace at <path> on branch <name>."
• Detached HEAD: "Already in isolated workspace at <path> (detached HEAD, externally managed). Branch creation needed at finish time."

If GIT_DIR == GIT_COMMON (or in a submodule): You are in a normal repo checkout.

1. Check memory for a worktree-consent preference in the compose-preferences memory file, or check your instructions for a declared worktree preference. If either exists, honor it silently.

2. If no saved preference, use compose:ask:

   • header: Worktree
   • question: Set up an isolated worktree? It protects your current branch from changes.
   • options:
     • label: Yes (Recommended), description: Create an isolated worktree for this work
     • label: No, description: Work directly on the current branch
     • label: Always use worktrees, description: Use worktrees now and remember for future sessions
     • label: Never use worktrees, description: Work in place now and remember for future sessions

   If no user is available, create the worktree and proceed.

3. If "Always" or "Never": Save to the compose-preferences memory file as worktree-consent: always or worktree-consent: never.

If the user declined (chose "No" or "Never"), work in place and skip to Step 3.

Step 1: Create Isolated Workspace

You have two mechanisms. Try them in this order.

1a. Native Worktree Tools (preferred)

The user has asked for an isolated workspace (Step 0 consent). Do you already have a way to create a worktree? It might be a tool with a name like EnterWorktree, WorktreeCreate, a /worktree command, or a --worktree flag. If you do, use it and skip to Step 3.

Native tools handle directory placement, branch creation, and cleanup automatically. Using git worktree add when you have a native tool creates phantom state your harness can't see or manage.

Only proceed to Step 1b if you have no native worktree tool available.

1b. Git Worktree Fallback

Only use this if Step 1a does not apply — you have no native worktree tool available. Create a worktree manually using git.

Directory Selection

Follow this priority order. Explicit user preference always beats observed filesystem state.

1. Check your instructions for a declared worktree directory preference. If the user has already specified one, use it without asking.

2. Check for an existing project-local worktree directory:

   ls -d .worktrees 2>/dev/null     # Preferred (hidden)
   ls -d worktrees 2>/dev/null      # Alternative

   If found, use it. If both exist, .worktrees wins.

3. Check for an existing global directory:

   project=$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)")
   ls -d ~/.config/compose/worktrees/$project 2>/dev/null

   If found, use it (backward compatibility with legacy global path).

4. If there is no other guidance available, default to .worktrees/ at the project root.

Safety Verification (project-local directories only)

MUST verify directory is ignored before creating worktree:

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

If NOT ignored: Add to .gitignore, commit the change, then proceed.

Why critical: Prevents accidentally committing worktree contents to repository.

Global directories (~/.config/compose/worktrees/) need no verification.

Create the Worktree

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

# Determine path based on chosen location
# For project-local: path="$LOCATION/$BRANCH_NAME"
# For global: path="~/.config/compose/worktrees/$project/$BRANCH_NAME"

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

Sandbox fallback: If git worktree add fails with a permission error (sandbox denial), tell the user the sandbox blocked worktree creation and you're working in the current directory instead. Then run setup and baseline tests in place.

Step 3: 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

Step 4: Verify Clean Baseline

Run tests to ensure workspace starts clean:

# Use project-appropriate command
npm test / cargo test / pytest / go test ./...

If tests fail: Report failures, then use compose:ask:

• header: Baseline Tests
• question: Baseline tests have <N> failures (pre-existing, not caused by your changes).
• options:
  • label: Proceed anyway (Recommended), description: Start working — failures existed before this branch
  • label: Investigate first, description: Debug test failures before starting

If no user is available, proceed with the failing tests.

If tests pass: Report ready.

Report

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

Quick Reference

Common Mistakes

Fighting the harness

• Problem: Using git worktree add when the platform already provides isolation
• Fix: Step 0 detects existing isolation. Step 1a defers to native tools.

Skipping detection

• Problem: Creating a nested worktree inside an existing one
• Fix: Always run Step 0 before creating anything

Skipping ignore verification

• Problem: Worktree contents get tracked, pollute git status
• Fix: Always use git check-ignore before creating project-local worktree

Assuming directory location

• Problem: Creates inconsistency, violates project conventions
• Fix: Follow priority: existing > global legacy > instruction file > default

Proceeding with failing tests

• Problem: Can't distinguish new bugs from pre-existing issues
• Fix: Report failures, get explicit permission to proceed

Red Flags

Never:

• Create a worktree when Step 0 detects existing isolation
• Use git worktree add when you have a native worktree tool (e.g., EnterWorktree). This is the #1 mistake — if you have it, use it.
• Skip Step 1a by jumping straight to Step 1b's git commands
• Create worktree without verifying it's ignored (project-local)
• Skip baseline test verification
• Proceed with failing tests without asking

Always:

• Run Step 0 detection first
• Prefer native tools over git fallback
• Follow directory priority: existing > global legacy > instruction file > default
• Verify directory is ignored for project-local
• Auto-detect and run project setup
• Verify clean test baseline