Git Worktrees for Claude Code

Overview

Run multiple Claude Code sessions in parallel on different branches using Git worktrees. This skill provides simple scripts and workflows to set up, manage, and clean up worktrees, enabling true parallel development without conflicts.

Why Worktrees?

• Parallel Development: Run multiple Claude Code instances simultaneously
• Zero Conflicts: Each worktree has independent file state
• Fast Context Switching: No need to stash/commit when switching tasks
• Isolated Experiments: Try different approaches without affecting main work
• Long-Running Tasks: Let Claude work in background while you continue in main

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Quick Start

1. Create a New Worktree (Super Easy!)

Just run the interactive script:

scripts/create_worktree.sh

This will:

• ✅ Prompt for feature name
• ✅ Create a new branch
• ✅ Set up the worktree
• ✅ Open in VS Code / editor
• ✅ Give you the Claude Code setup command

That's it! The script handles all complexity.

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2. View All Worktrees

scripts/list_worktrees.sh

Shows a clean, formatted list of all your worktrees with their branches and status.

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3. Clean Up Old Worktrees

scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh

Interactive removal of merged or abandoned worktrees.

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Core Workflow

Pattern 1: Parallel Feature Development

Scenario: You want Claude to build feature A while you work on feature B.

Steps:

1. Create worktree for feature A:

   scripts/create_worktree.sh
   # Enter: feature-a
   # Script creates: ../repo-feature-a/
   

2. Open Claude Code in the new worktree:

   • The script outputs the path
   • Open Claude Code and navigate to that directory
   • Run /init to orient Claude

3. Give Claude the task:

   "Build the user authentication feature with OAuth support"
   

4. Continue your work in main:

   • Your original directory is unchanged
   • No conflicts, no waiting
   • Claude works in parallel

5. When both are done, merge:

   # Review Claude's work
   cd ../repo-feature-a
   git log
   
   # If good, merge back
   git checkout main
   git merge feature-a
   
   # Clean up
   scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh
   

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Pattern 2: Long-Running Refactor

Scenario: You want Claude to refactor a large module while you continue development.

Steps:

1. Create refactor worktree:

   scripts/create_worktree.sh
   # Enter: refactor-auth-module
   

2. Start Claude in refactor worktree:

   "Refactor the authentication module to use dependency injection"
   

3. Continue your daily work in main:

   • No interruption
   • No merge conflicts
   • Check progress periodically

4. Review and integrate when ready:

   cd ../repo-refactor-auth-module
   git log --oneline
   # Review changes
   
   # Merge when satisfied
   git checkout main
   git merge refactor-auth-module
   

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Pattern 3: Multiple AI Agents (Advanced)

Scenario: You want 3 Claude instances working on different features simultaneously.

Steps:

1. Create 3 worktrees:

   scripts/create_worktree.sh  # feature-api-endpoints
   scripts/create_worktree.sh  # feature-ui-dashboard
   scripts/create_worktree.sh  # feature-email-notifications
   

2. Open 3 Claude Code sessions:

   • Session 1: ../repo-feature-api-endpoints/
   • Session 2: ../repo-feature-ui-dashboard/
   • Session 3: ../repo-feature-email-notifications/

3. Assign tasks to each Claude:

   • Claude 1: "Build REST API endpoints for user management"
   • Claude 2: "Create admin dashboard UI"
   • Claude 3: "Implement email notification system"

4. Monitor progress:

   scripts/list_worktrees.sh
   

5. Merge features as they complete:

   # Feature by feature
   git checkout main
   git merge feature-api-endpoints
   git merge feature-ui-dashboard
   git merge feature-email-notifications
   
   # Clean up
   scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh
   

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Pattern 4: Hotfix While Development Continues

Scenario: Production bug needs immediate fix while Claude is working on a feature.

Steps:

1. Claude is already working in a feature worktree

   • Let it continue, don't interrupt

2. Create hotfix worktree from main:

   scripts/create_worktree.sh
   # Enter: hotfix-login-bug
   # Choose base branch: main
   

3. Fix the bug yourself or with another Claude session:

   cd ../repo-hotfix-login-bug
   # Make fixes
   git add .
   git commit -m "Fix login redirect bug"
   

4. Merge hotfix to main:

   git checkout main
   git merge hotfix-login-bug
   git push origin main
   

5. Sync feature worktree with latest main:

   cd ../repo-feature-xyz
   scripts/sync_worktree.sh
   # Merges latest main into feature branch
   

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Essential Scripts

scripts/create_worktree.sh

Interactive worktree creation with all the right defaults.

What it does:

1. Prompts for feature name
2. Validates git repo
3. Creates branch from main (or specified base)
4. Sets up worktree in parallel directory
5. Outputs setup instructions

Usage:

scripts/create_worktree.sh

# Prompts:
# Feature name: my-feature
# Base branch (default: main):
#
# Creates: ../repo-my-feature/
# Branch: my-feature

Advanced usage:

# Create from specific branch
scripts/create_worktree.sh --base develop

# Specify location
scripts/create_worktree.sh --dir ~/worktrees/my-feature

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scripts/list_worktrees.sh

Shows all active worktrees with status.

Output:

╔════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║            Active Git Worktrees                ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

📁 Main Worktree
   Path: /home/user/project
   Branch: main
   Status: clean

📁 Feature Worktrees
   Path: /home/user/project-feature-api
   Branch: feature-api
   Status: 2 uncommitted changes

   Path: /home/user/project-refactor
   Branch: refactor-auth
   Status: clean

---

scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh

Interactive cleanup of old worktrees.

Features:

• Lists all worktrees with merge status
• Identifies merged branches (safe to remove)
• Prompts for confirmation
• Safely removes worktree and branch

Usage:

scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh

# Output:
# Found 3 worktrees
#
# 1. feature-api (merged to main) - Safe to remove
# 2. feature-dashboard (not merged) - Keep
# 3. old-experiment (not merged, 30 days old) - Consider removing
#
# Which worktrees to remove? (1,3): 1

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scripts/sync_worktree.sh

Keep worktree up-to-date with main branch.

What it does:

1. Fetches latest from remote
2. Merges main into current worktree branch
3. Handles conflicts with guidance

Usage:

# From within a worktree
cd ../repo-feature-api
scripts/sync_worktree.sh

# Or specify worktree
scripts/sync_worktree.sh ../repo-feature-api

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Claude Code Integration

Important: Run /init in Each Worktree

When you open a new Claude Code session in a worktree, always run /init first:

/init

This ensures Claude:

• Understands the codebase structure
• Has proper context
• Can navigate files correctly

Recommended Claude Code Workflow

1. Create worktree (using script)
2. Open Claude Code in worktree directory
3. Run /init to orient Claude
4. Give task to Claude
5. Monitor via git log or file watching
6. Review when complete
7. Merge if satisfied
8. Cleanup worktree

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Best Practices

Naming Conventions

Good names:

• feature-user-auth ✅
• refactor-api-layer ✅
• hotfix-login-bug ✅
• experiment-new-db ✅

Bad names:

• test ❌ (too vague)
• wt1 ❌ (meaningless)
• fixes ❌ (unclear)

Recommended format:

<type>-<short-description>

Types:
- feature-*
- refactor-*
- hotfix-*
- experiment-*
- review-*

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Directory Structure

Recommended layout:

~/projects/
  └── myapp/              # Main worktree (main branch)
      ├── myapp-feature-api/      # Feature worktree
      ├── myapp-refactor-auth/    # Refactor worktree
      └── myapp-hotfix-bug/       # Hotfix worktree

The scripts default to creating worktrees as siblings to your main directory with a naming pattern: <repo>-<branch-name>.

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When to Use Worktrees

✅ Use worktrees when:

• Running multiple Claude Code sessions in parallel
• Working on independent features simultaneously
• Doing long-running refactors
• Experimenting with major changes
• Quick hotfixes during feature development
• Code reviews without interrupting work

❌ Don't use worktrees for:

• Simple branch switching (just use git checkout)
• Minor tweaks (stash instead)
• Single-task workflows
• Very short-lived branches (< 1 hour)

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Keeping Worktrees in Sync

Problem: Feature branches can get out of date with main.

Solution: Regularly sync worktrees:

# Option 1: Use the sync script
cd ../repo-feature-api
scripts/sync_worktree.sh

# Option 2: Manual sync
cd ../repo-feature-api
git fetch origin
git merge origin/main

Recommended frequency:

• Daily for long-running features
• After major merges to main
• Before creating PRs

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Managing Many Worktrees

Quick status of all worktrees:

scripts/list_worktrees.sh

Regular cleanup (weekly):

scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh

Find stale worktrees:

# Worktrees with old commits
git worktree list | while read path branch commit; do
  cd "$path"
  last_commit=$(git log -1 --format=%cr)
  echo "$branch: Last commit $last_commit"
done

---

Troubleshooting

Issue: "fatal: invalid reference"

Cause: Branch name has invalid characters

Solution: Use alphanumeric + hyphens only:

# Bad
feature/my_feature  ❌

# Good
feature-my-feature  ✅

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Issue: "cannot remove worktree, path is not a working tree"

Cause: Worktree directory was manually deleted

Solution: Prune worktree references:

git worktree prune

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Issue: Claude seems "lost" in worktree

Cause: Didn't run /init after opening worktree

Solution: Always run /init when starting Claude in a new worktree:

/init

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Issue: Merge conflicts when syncing worktree

Cause: Changes in worktree conflict with main

Solution 1: Resolve conflicts manually:

cd ../repo-feature-api
git fetch origin
git merge origin/main
# Fix conflicts in editor
git add .
git commit -m "Merge main and resolve conflicts"

Solution 2: If you want to discard worktree changes and restart:

cd ../repo-feature-api
git fetch origin
git reset --hard origin/main
# Start feature over

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Issue: "Cannot lock ref" error

Cause: Branch exists in multiple worktrees

Solution: You can't have the same branch checked out in multiple worktrees. Create a new branch:

scripts/create_worktree.sh
# Use a different branch name

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Issue: Worktree takes up too much disk space

Cause: Git worktrees share the .git directory, but files are duplicated

Solution 1: Clean up old worktrees:

scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh

Solution 2: For large repos, use sparse-checkout:

git -C ../repo-feature-api sparse-checkout set src/ tests/

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Advanced Usage

Custom Slash Command

Create a /worktree command for Claude Code. See references/slash_command_template.md for the complete setup.

Usage after setup:

/worktree feature-new-api

Claude will:

1. Create the worktree
2. Provide setup instructions
3. Offer to continue the conversation in the new worktree

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Sharing Worktrees in Team

Worktrees are local only, but you can share the workflow:

1. Share branch, not worktree:

   cd ../repo-feature-api
   git push origin feature-api
   
   # Teammate creates their own worktree
   git worktree add ../repo-feature-api feature-api
   

2. Document your worktree structure in team docs

3. Use consistent naming across team

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Worktree Performance Optimization

For large repos:

1. Use sparse-checkout (only checkout files you need):

   git -C ../repo-feature-api sparse-checkout init
   git -C ../repo-feature-api sparse-checkout set src/ tests/
   

2. Use worktree prune regularly:

   git worktree prune
   

3. Limit concurrent worktrees to 3-5 for best performance

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Common Workflows Summary

Quick Reference

Task	Command
Create new worktree	scripts/create_worktree.sh
List all worktrees	scripts/list_worktrees.sh
Clean up worktrees	scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh
Sync with main	scripts/sync_worktree.sh
Manual create	git worktree add ../path branch-name
Manual list	git worktree list
Manual remove	git worktree remove ../path
Prune references	git worktree prune

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Real-World Examples

Example 1: Parallel API & UI Development

Setup:

# Create API worktree
scripts/create_worktree.sh
# Name: feature-api

# Create UI worktree
scripts/create_worktree.sh
# Name: feature-ui

Execution:

• Claude 1 in ../repo-feature-api: "Build REST API for user management"
• Claude 2 in ../repo-feature-ui: "Create React UI for user management"
• You in main: Continue other work

Merge:

git checkout main
git merge feature-api
git merge feature-ui
scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh

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Example 2: Code Review Without Context Switching

Scenario: Need to review PR while Claude works on feature

Setup:

# Claude is working in feature worktree
# You need to review PR #123

scripts/create_worktree.sh
# Name: review-pr-123
# Base: pr-branch-name

Execution:

• Review code in ../repo-review-pr-123
• Claude continues work in ../repo-feature-xyz
• No context switching needed

Cleanup:

# After review
scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh
# Select review-pr-123

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Example 3: Experimentation Without Risk

Scenario: Want to try a radical refactor without breaking current work

Setup:

scripts/create_worktree.sh
# Name: experiment-new-architecture

Execution:

• Experiment freely in ../repo-experiment-new-architecture
• Main worktree remains stable
• If experiment fails, just delete worktree

Decision:

# If experiment succeeded
git checkout main
git merge experiment-new-architecture

# If experiment failed
scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh
# Delete experiment worktree (no harm done)

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Tips for Maximum Productivity

1. Name Worktrees Descriptively

• You'll thank yourself later when you have 5 worktrees open

2. Always Run /init

• First thing when opening Claude in a new worktree

3. Merge Frequently

• Don't let worktrees diverge for weeks
• Sync with main regularly

4. Clean Up Weekly

• Run scripts/cleanup_worktrees.sh every Friday
• Keep your workspace tidy

5. Use Scripts

• Don't memorize git worktree commands
• Scripts handle edge cases and validation

6. Monitor Progress

• Use scripts/list_worktrees.sh to see what's active
• Check git logs in worktrees periodically

7. Limit Concurrent Sessions

• 3-5 worktrees max for best performance
• More than that gets hard to manage

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Resources

Scripts

• create_worktree.sh - Interactive worktree creation
• list_worktrees.sh - Show all active worktrees
• cleanup_worktrees.sh - Remove old worktrees
• sync_worktree.sh - Keep worktrees synchronized

References

• worktree_commands.md - Complete Git worktree command reference
• best_practices.md - Detailed best practices and patterns
• slash_command_template.md - Create custom /worktree command

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Summary

Git worktrees enable true parallel development with Claude Code:

✅ Run multiple Claude sessions without conflicts ✅ Switch contexts instantly without stashing ✅ Experiment safely without breaking main ✅ Simple scripts handle all complexity ✅ Clean workflows for common scenarios

Get started:

scripts/create_worktree.sh

That's it! The scripts make worktrees simple and practical.