using-git-worktrees

Git worktrees isolate feature work by creating separate working directories that share a single repository, allowing you to run multiple branches simultaneously without changing contexts. This approach provides a safe, parallel development environment for experimentation.

Git worktree directory selection ensures safety by reusing existing worktree folders, consulting project preferences, or asking for a location. It then verifies the chosen path is ignored by git to prevent accidental commits of worktree contents into the main workspace.

Yes, you can automatically install project dependencies when creating a git worktree. The setup process detects the project name, creates the worktree on a new branch, and auto-runs setup steps for common toolchains like Node.js, Rust, Python, and Go to establish a clean baseline.

The best way to prevent accidental commits is by verifying that your local worktree directory is ignored by git. If the selected directory is not ignored, the setup process updates .gitignore and records the changes to ensure isolation.

Yes, git worktree setup validates a clean baseline before development proceeds. After creating the worktree and installing dependencies, it runs project tests to confirm everything is working correctly and ready for new feature work.

You need git worktrees when multiple branches or experiments run in parallel and require isolation from your main workspace. Worktrees allow simultaneous work on different branches without switching contexts, providing a safe environment for feature development.