using-git-worktrees

Using Git Worktrees

Overview

Ensure work happens in an isolated workspace. Prefer your platform's native worktree tools. Fall back to manual git worktrees only when no native tool is available.

Core principle: Detect existing isolation first. Then use native tools. Then fall back to git. Never fight the harness.

Announce at start: "I'm using the using-git-worktrees skill to set up an isolated workspace."

Step 0: Detect Existing Isolation

Repository guard (MUST run first): Before any other git rev-parse call, verify the current directory is inside a git repository.

# not inside a git repository guard
if ! git rev-parse --git-dir >/dev/null 2>&1; then
  echo "Not inside a git repository. Please run this skill from within a git repo."
  exit 1
fi

If this guard fails, stop immediately. Do NOT proceed with the rest of the steps.

Before creating anything, check if you are already in an isolated workspace.

GIT_DIR=$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-dir)" 2>/dev/null && pwd -P)
GIT_COMMON=$(cd "$(git rev-parse --git-common-dir)" 2>/dev/null && pwd -P)
BRANCH=$(git branch --show-current)

Submodule guard: GIT_DIR != GIT_COMMON is also true inside git submodules. Before concluding "already in a worktree," verify you are not in a submodule:

# If this returns a path, you're in a submodule, not a worktree — treat as normal repo
git rev-parse --show-superproject-working-tree 2>/dev/null

If GIT_DIR != GIT_COMMON (and not a submodule): You are already in a linked worktree. Skip to Step 3 (Project Setup). Do NOT create another worktree.

Report with branch state:

• On a branch: "Already in isolated workspace at <path> on branch <name>."
• Detached HEAD: "Already in isolated workspace at <path> (detached HEAD, externally managed). Branch creation needed at finish time."

If GIT_DIR == GIT_COMMON (or in a submodule): You are in a normal repo checkout.

Automation bypass (MUST): If the environment variable SUPERPOWERS_ORCHESTRATOR=1 is set, OR if the invoking instructions already provide an explicit worktree path / directory preference, treat consent as already granted and do NOT prompt. Orchestrated invocations (e.g. dev-orchestrator) must never hang on an interactive prompt.