git-worktree-remove

Git Worktree Remove

Safely remove a single git worktree with branch cleanup, merge verification, and database branch teardown.

Core principle: Safety checks first, then clean removal of worktree + branch + DB resources.

Part of: Worktree Lifecycle Suite | /git-worktree | /git-worktree-status | /git-worktree-clean

Process

1. Validate Target: Identify worktree to remove
2. Safety Check: Protect main/develop branches
3. Check Merge Status: Warn if branch has unmerged changes
4. Check Uncommitted Changes: Warn if worktree has dirty state
5. Remove Worktree: git worktree remove
6. Delete Local Branch: git branch -d (or -D with confirmation)
7. Delete Remote Branch: git push origin --delete (with confirmation)
8. Database Cleanup Reminder: Suggest DB branch deletion if applicable
9. Prune References: git worktree prune

Safety Checks

Protected Branches

# Never remove worktrees for these branches (configurable)
PROTECTED_BRANCHES="main master develop staging production"

if echo "$PROTECTED_BRANCHES" | grep -qw "$BRANCH"; then
  echo "BLOCKED: Cannot remove worktree for protected branch '$BRANCH'"
  echo "Protected branches: $PROTECTED_BRANCHES"
  exit 1
fi

Uncommitted Changes

cd "$WORKTREE_PATH"
if [ -n "$(git status --porcelain)" ]; then
  echo "WARNING: Worktree has uncommitted changes:"
  git status --short
  echo ""
  echo "Options:"
  echo "  1. Commit changes first"
  echo "  2. Force remove (--force)"
  echo "  3. Cancel"
  # Wait for user decision
fi

Merge Status

# Check if branch is merged into main
MAIN_BRANCH=$(git symbolic-ref refs/remotes/origin/HEAD | sed 's@^refs/remotes/origin/@@')

if git merge-base --is-ancestor "$BRANCH" "$MAIN_BRANCH" 2>/dev/null; then
  echo "Branch '$BRANCH' is merged into $MAIN_BRANCH. Safe to delete."
  MERGED=true
else
  echo "WARNING: Branch '$BRANCH' is NOT merged into $MAIN_BRANCH."
  echo "You may lose work if you delete this branch."
  MERGED=false
fi