gitbutler-stacks

name	gitbutler-stacks
description	This skill should be used when creating stacks, dependent branches, or when "stack", "stacked branches", "anchor", "--anchor", "but branch new -a", "create dependent branch", or "break feature into PRs" are mentioned with GitButler. Covers anchor-based stacking for dependent features and reviewable PR breakdown.
metadata	{"version":"1.0.0","author":"outfitter","category":"version-control","related-skills":["gitbutler-virtual-branches","gitbutler-complete-branch","gitbutler-multi-agent"]}

GitButler Stacks

Dependent branches → anchor-based stacking → reviewable chunks.

<when_to_use>

• Sequential dependencies (e.g., refactor → API → frontend)
• Large features broken into reviewable chunks
• Granular code review (approve/merge early phases independently)
• Post-hoc stack organization after exploratory coding

NOT for: independent parallel features (use virtual branches), projects using Graphite stacking

</when_to_use>

Stacked vs Virtual Branches

Type	Use Case	Dependencies
Virtual	Independent, unrelated work	None — parallel
Stacked	Sequential dependencies	Each builds on parent

Stacked branches = virtual branches split into dependent sequence. Default: Virtual branches are stacks of one.

Creating Stacks

# Base branch (no anchor)
but branch new base-feature


but branch new child-feature --anchor base-feature


but branch new grandchild-feature --anchor child-feature