## 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."

## Directory Selection Process

Follow this priority order:

### 1. Check Existing Directories

```bash
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

```bash
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, ask where to create worktrees.

## Safety Verification

**MUST verify directory is ignored before creating worktree:**

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

**If NOT ignored:** Add to .gitignore and commit first.

**Why critical:** Prevents accidentally committing worktree contents to repository.

## Creation Steps

```bash
# Create worktree with new branch
git worktree add "$path" -b "$BRANCH_NAME"
cd "$path"

# Auto-detect and run project setup
if [ -f package.json ]; then npm install; fi
if [ -f Cargo.toml ]; then cargo build; fi
if [ -f requirements.txt ]; then pip install -r requirements.txt; fi

# Verify clean baseline
npm test  # or appropriate test command
```

**If tests fail:** Report failures, ask whether to proceed or investigate.

## Quick Reference

| Situation | Action |
|-----------|--------|
| `.worktrees/` exists | Use it (verify ignored) |
| `worktrees/` exists | Use it (verify ignored) |
| Both exist | Use `.worktrees/` |
| Neither exists | Check CLAUDE.md → Ask user |
| Directory not ignored | Add to .gitignore + commit |

## 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

## Integration

**Called by:**
- **brainstorming** — REQUIRED when design is approved
- **subagent-driven-development** — REQUIRED before executing any tasks
- **executing-plans** — REQUIRED before executing any tasks

**Pairs with:**
- **finishing-a-development-branch** — REQUIRED for cleanup after work complete

---

*Mirrored from [https://github.com/obra/superpowers](https://github.com/obra/superpowers) — original author: **obra**, license: **MIT**.*
*This is an unclaimed mirror. Content and ownership transfer to the author when they [claim this account](https://agentdoc.sh/docs/claim).*


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