Using Git Worktrees

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 ring:using-git-worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace."

Directory Selection Process

Priority order: (1) Existing .worktrees/ or worktrees/ (2) CLAUDE.md preference (3) Ask user

ls -d .worktrees worktrees 2>/dev/null   # Check existing (prefer .worktrees)
grep -i "worktree.*director" CLAUDE.md    # Check project preference

If none found, ask: .worktrees/ (project-local, hidden) OR ~/.config/ring/worktrees/<project>/ (global)

Safety Verification

Project-local directories: MUST verify .gitignore before creating: grep -q "^\.worktrees/$\|^worktrees/$" .gitignore

• If NOT in .gitignore: Add it → commit → proceed (fix broken things immediately)
• Why critical: Prevents accidentally committing worktree contents

Global directory (~/.config/ring/worktrees): No verification needed - outside project.

Creation Steps

# 1. Detect project
project=$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)")

# 2. Create worktree (path = $LOCATION/$BRANCH or ~/.config/ring/worktrees/$project/$BRANCH)
git worktree add "$path" -b "$BRANCH_NAME" && cd "$path"

# 3. Auto-detect and run setup
[ -f package.json ] && npm install
[ -f Cargo.toml ] && cargo build
[ -f requirements.txt ] && pip install -r requirements.txt
[ -f pyproject.toml ] && poetry install
[ -f go.mod ] && go mod download

# 4. Verify clean baseline (npm test / cargo test / pytest / go test ./...)

If tests fail: Report failures, ask whether to proceed or investigate. If tests pass: Report: Worktree ready at <path> | Tests passing (<N> tests) | Ready to implement <feature>

Quick Reference

Situation	Action
.worktrees/ exists	Use it (verify .gitignore)
worktrees/ exists	Use it (verify .gitignore)
Both exist	Use .worktrees/
Neither exists	Check CLAUDE.md → Ask user
Directory not in .gitignore	Add it immediately + commit
Tests fail during baseline	Report failures + ask
No package.json/Cargo.toml	Skip dependency install

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Problem	Fix
Skip .gitignore verification	Worktree contents tracked, pollute git status	Always grep .gitignore first
Assuming directory location	Inconsistency, violates conventions	Follow priority: existing > CLAUDE.md > ask
Proceeding with failing tests	Can't distinguish new vs pre-existing bugs	Report failures, get permission
Hardcoding setup commands	Breaks on different tools	Auto-detect from project files

Example Workflow

Announce → Check .worktrees/ exists → Verify .gitignore → git worktree add .worktrees/auth -b feature/auth → npm install → npm test (47 passing) → Report ready

Red Flags

Never:

• Create worktree without .gitignore verification (project-local)
• Skip baseline test verification
• Proceed with failing tests without asking
• Assume directory location when ambiguous
• Skip CLAUDE.md check

Always:

• Follow directory priority: existing > CLAUDE.md > ask
• Verify .gitignore for project-local
• Auto-detect and run project setup
• Verify clean test baseline

Integration

Called by:

• brainstorming (Phase 4) - REQUIRED when design is approved and implementation follows
• Any skill needing isolated workspace

Pairs with:

• finishing-a-development-branch - REQUIRED for cleanup after work complete
• ring:executing-plans or ring:subagent-driven-development - Work happens in this worktree

Blocker Criteria

STOP and report if:

Decision Type	Blocker Condition	Required Action
.gitignore Safety	Project-local worktree directory not in .gitignore	STOP and report
Baseline Tests	Tests fail during worktree setup	STOP and report
Directory Ambiguity	Multiple conflicting worktree locations exist	STOP and report
Permission Issues	Cannot create worktree in target directory	STOP and report

Cannot Be Overridden

The following requirements CANNOT be waived:

• Project-local worktree directories MUST be in .gitignore before creation
• Baseline test verification is REQUIRED before proceeding with work
• Directory selection MUST follow priority order: existing > CLAUDE.md > ask user
• Worktree creation MUST include dependency installation and test verification

Severity Calibration

Severity	Condition	Required Action
CRITICAL	Worktree directory not in .gitignore (project-local)	MUST add to .gitignore immediately
CRITICAL	Proceeding with failing baseline tests	MUST report failures and get permission
HIGH	Skipping dependency installation step	MUST run appropriate package manager
HIGH	Assuming directory location when ambiguous	MUST follow priority order or ask user
MEDIUM	Missing CLAUDE.md check in priority order	Should check CLAUDE.md preferences
LOW	Not auto-detecting project type	Fix in next iteration

Pressure Resistance

User Says	Your Response
"Skip .gitignore check, just create the worktree"	"CANNOT skip .gitignore verification for project-local directories. Worktree contents would pollute git status."
"Tests are failing but proceed anyway"	"CANNOT proceed with failing baseline tests. I need to report failures so we can distinguish pre-existing bugs from new ones."
"Put the worktree in this custom location"	"I'll verify that location doesn't conflict with existing conventions and check .gitignore requirements first."
"Skip dependency installation, it takes too long"	"CANNOT skip dependency installation. Tests won't run correctly without dependencies, invalidating baseline verification."

Anti-Rationalization Table

Rationalization	Why It's WRONG	Required Action
".gitignore check is paranoia"	Without it, worktree contents get tracked, polluting every git status.	MUST verify .gitignore first
"I know where worktrees go in this project"	Assumption conflicts with existing directories or CLAUDE.md preferences.	MUST follow directory priority order
"Failing tests are probably unrelated"	You cannot distinguish new vs pre-existing bugs without clean baseline.	MUST report failures and ask before proceeding
"Setup is straightforward, skip auto-detection"	Different projects use different tools. Manual setup misses dependencies.	MUST auto-detect from project files
"Global directory doesn't need verification"	Global directories don't need .gitignore verification - this is correct. Only project-local needs it.	MUST distinguish global vs project-local