worktree-manager

name	worktree-manager
description	Manage Git worktrees. Use when asked to create/switch/list/merge/remove worktrees, to keep multiple branches in parallel directories, or to clean up worktrees safely during development.

Worktree Manager

Overview

Use Worktrunk (wt) as the single interface for Git worktree management: create/switch worktrees, list global status, merge back to the default branch, and remove worktrees safely. Prefer safe operations; never use destructive flags unless the user explicitly requests them.

Workflow Decision Tree

Recovery: If a wt command fails because wt is missing

Do not preflight-check wt on every invocation. Instead, attempt the requested wt command. If it fails with an error like "command not found: wt" (or equivalent), then:

1. Ask the user: "I can't run wt because it isn't installed. Should I install Worktrunk now (recommended)?"
2. If the user says yes:
   • Run the installer script: scripts/install_worktrunk.sh
     • Example: bash <SKILL_DIR>/scripts/install_worktrunk.sh
   • Verify: wt --version
   • Re-run the original wt ... command.
3. Do not install shell integration without confirmation (it edits shell rc files):
   • Ask before running: wt config shell install

Step 1: Always run guardrails before merge/remove

Before wt merge / wt remove / anything with --force / -D:

1. Confirm repo context:
   • git rev-parse --show-toplevel
   • pwd
2. Confirm working tree cleanliness (if dirty, ask what to do; do not proceed):
   • git status --porcelain
3. Confirm the current worktree and branch:
   • git branch --show-current
   • wt list (use as the global source of truth for other worktrees)

Step 2: Handle the user request via the matching workflow

A) Create or switch worktrees (most common)

Goal: "Put branch X into its own directory and switch into it."

1. If the user gave a branch/worktree name:
   • wt switch <name>
2. If the user asked to create a new branch/worktree:
   • Default (this repo): create the worktree by copying the current working state from the current worktree, so experiments are isolated but start "warm" (deps + uncommitted changes).
   • Implement with Worktrunk by creating from the current worktree as the base (use --base=@ unless the user explicitly wants a clean base).
   • Run: wt switch --create <name> --base=@
3. If the user gave no name:
   • Show options with wt list and ask which one to switch to.

Notes:

• Do not invent naming conventions; follow the repo's existing pattern (or ask).
• If wt switch does not change directories in the current shell, suggest enabling shell integration (with confirmation) via wt config shell install.
• This repo has Worktrunk hooks in .config/wt.toml (notably post-create) that may copy the base worktree's working directory into a new worktree.
• If the user explicitly wants a completely clean worktree (skip all hooks/copy behavior), pass --no-verify (e.g. wt switch --create <name> --base=@ --no-verify).

B) List and diagnose global worktree state

Goal: "What worktrees exist and which ones are dirty/out-of-date?"

1. wt list
2. If the user needs machine-readable output, use the JSON option supported by Worktrunk (if available in their version) and paste only the relevant fields.

C) Merge the current worktree branch back and clean up

Goal: "Finish this branch and get back to the default branch cleanly."

1. Run guardrails (Step 1).
2. Confirm intent (quickly): target branch is the default branch; merge strategy is Worktrunk defaults unless the user asked otherwise.
3. If any flag/target behavior is unclear, check: wt merge --help
4. Run: wt merge
5. If the user wants to keep the worktree, use the appropriate Worktrunk flag (only if requested) to prevent removal.

Rules:

• Do not run wt merge if the tree is dirty unless the user explicitly tells you to proceed and how to handle changes.

D) Remove worktrees safely

Goal: "Delete a worktree directory safely without losing uncommitted work."

1. Run guardrails (Step 1).
2. Prefer safe removal:
   • wt remove <name>
3. Only use destructive options if the user explicitly asks:
   • --force (can discard untracked files depending on tool behavior)
   • -D (force-delete an unmerged branch/worktree)
4. If flags/behavior are unclear, check: wt remove --help

Installation Notes (read only when needed)

See references/install.md for platform-specific notes. Use scripts/install_worktrunk.sh to install after the user confirms.