Streamline Your Workflow: Managing Multiple Git Branches Simultaneously

Working on multiple features or bug fixes in a Git repository can often lead to a juggling act of stashing changes, switching branches, and potentially losing track of your progress. However, Git offers a powerful solution to this common challenge: git worktree. This feature significantly enhances developer productivity by enabling concurrent work on different branches within the same repository.

The Power of Parallel Development with Git Worktree

Git worktree allows you to have multiple working directories, each linked to the same Git repository. Critically, each of these directories can have a different branch checked out. This means you can seamlessly switch between coding on one feature, debugging another, or experimenting with a new idea, all without the need to commit incomplete work or constantly switch branches within a single working directory.

Creating a New Worktree

Creating a new worktree is straightforward. The following command generates a new directory named debug and automatically checks out the branch1 branch into it:

git worktree add ../debug branch1

You can then navigate into the ../debug directory and start working on the code specific to branch1.

While working on the debug Worktree you can keep working on other branches , for example you can work on the main branch by navigating to the project’s root directory.

You will be able to run git commands from each directory independently.

Listing Your Active Worktrees

To see a list of all your worktrees associated with the repository, use the following command from any of the linked directories:

git worktree list

This will display the directory paths and the associated branches for each worktree.

Removing a Worktree

Once you’ve completed work on a feature branch and merged it, you can safely remove the associated worktree. Use the remove command:

git worktree remove ../debug

This command removes the debug directory. Note that any commits made within the worktree’s branch are automatically reflected in the main repository’s history. You don’t need to perform any special operations to preserve the changes made in the worktree.

Best Practices for Worktree Organization

To avoid potential confusion and accidental inclusion of worktree directories in your main repository, it’s recommended to create your worktrees outside of your main project’s root directory.

A suggested structure is to create a parent directory for your project. Inside this parent directory, clone your main repository (e.g., into a folder named main). Then, create your worktree directories at the same level as the main directory. This keeps your worktrees neatly organized and separate from your primary codebase.
For example:

Project_Folder/
├── main/ (Your main repository clone)
├── feature1/ (Worktree for feature1 branch)
└── hotfix/   (Worktree for a hotfix branch)

This provides a clear and efficient way to manage multiple development streams.

Conclusion

Git worktree is a powerful tool that can dramatically simplify your workflow when dealing with multiple branches. By allowing parallel development without the overhead of constant branch switching, it boosts efficiency and reduces the risk of context-switching errors.

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