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1 git-worktree(1)
2 ===============
3
4 NAME
5 ----
6 git-worktree - Manage multiple working trees
7
8
9 SYNOPSIS
10 --------
11 [verse]
12 'git worktree add' [-f] [--detach] [--checkout] [--lock [--reason <string>]]
13 [-b <new-branch>] <path> [<commit-ish>]
14 'git worktree list' [-v | --porcelain [-z]]
15 'git worktree lock' [--reason <string>] <worktree>
16 'git worktree move' <worktree> <new-path>
17 'git worktree prune' [-n] [-v] [--expire <expire>]
18 'git worktree remove' [-f] <worktree>
19 'git worktree repair' [<path>...]
20 'git worktree unlock' <worktree>
21
22 DESCRIPTION
23 -----------
24
25 Manage multiple working trees attached to the same repository.
26
27 A git repository can support multiple working trees, allowing you to check
28 out more than one branch at a time. With `git worktree add` a new working
29 tree is associated with the repository, along with additional metadata
30 that differentiates that working tree from others in the same repository.
31 The working tree, along with this metadata, is called a "worktree".
32
33 This new worktree is called a "linked worktree" as opposed to the "main
34 worktree" prepared by linkgit:git-init[1] or linkgit:git-clone[1].
35 A repository has one main worktree (if it's not a bare repository) and
36 zero or more linked worktrees. When you are done with a linked worktree,
37 remove it with `git worktree remove`.
38
39 In its simplest form, `git worktree add <path>` automatically creates a
40 new branch whose name is the final component of `<path>`, which is
41 convenient if you plan to work on a new topic. For instance, `git
42 worktree add ../hotfix` creates new branch `hotfix` and checks it out at
43 path `../hotfix`. To instead work on an existing branch in a new worktree,
44 use `git worktree add <path> <branch>`. On the other hand, if you just
45 plan to make some experimental changes or do testing without disturbing
46 existing development, it is often convenient to create a 'throwaway'
47 worktree not associated with any branch. For instance,
48 `git worktree add -d <path>` creates a new worktree with a detached `HEAD`
49 at the same commit as the current branch.
50
51 If a working tree is deleted without using `git worktree remove`, then
52 its associated administrative files, which reside in the repository
53 (see "DETAILS" below), will eventually be removed automatically (see
54 `gc.worktreePruneExpire` in linkgit:git-config[1]), or you can run
55 `git worktree prune` in the main or any linked worktree to clean up any
56 stale administrative files.
57
58 If the working tree for a linked worktree is stored on a portable device
59 or network share which is not always mounted, you can prevent its
60 administrative files from being pruned by issuing the `git worktree lock`
61 command, optionally specifying `--reason` to explain why the worktree is
62 locked.
63
64 COMMANDS
65 --------
66 add <path> [<commit-ish>]::
67
68 Create a worktree at `<path>` and checkout `<commit-ish>` into it. The new worktree
69 is linked to the current repository, sharing everything except per-worktree
70 files such as `HEAD`, `index`, etc. As a convenience, `<commit-ish>` may
71 be a bare "`-`", which is synonymous with `@{-1}`.
72 +
73 If `<commit-ish>` is a branch name (call it `<branch>`) and is not found,
74 and neither `-b` nor `-B` nor `--detach` are used, but there does
75 exist a tracking branch in exactly one remote (call it `<remote>`)
76 with a matching name, treat as equivalent to:
77 +
78 ------------
79 $ git worktree add --track -b <branch> <path> <remote>/<branch>
80 ------------
81 +
82 If the branch exists in multiple remotes and one of them is named by
83 the `checkout.defaultRemote` configuration variable, we'll use that
84 one for the purposes of disambiguation, even if the `<branch>` isn't
85 unique across all remotes. Set it to
86 e.g. `checkout.defaultRemote=origin` to always checkout remote
87 branches from there if `<branch>` is ambiguous but exists on the
88 `origin` remote. See also `checkout.defaultRemote` in
89 linkgit:git-config[1].
90 +
91 If `<commit-ish>` is omitted and neither `-b` nor `-B` nor `--detach` used,
92 then, as a convenience, the new worktree is associated with a branch (call
93 it `<branch>`) named after `$(basename <path>)`. If `<branch>` doesn't
94 exist, a new branch based on `HEAD` is automatically created as if
95 `-b <branch>` was given. If `<branch>` does exist, it will be checked out
96 in the new worktree, if it's not checked out anywhere else, otherwise the
97 command will refuse to create the worktree (unless `--force` is used).
98
99 list::
100
101 List details of each worktree. The main worktree is listed first,
102 followed by each of the linked worktrees. The output details include
103 whether the worktree is bare, the revision currently checked out, the
104 branch currently checked out (or "detached HEAD" if none), "locked" if
105 the worktree is locked, "prunable" if the worktree can be pruned by the
106 `prune` command.
107
108 lock::
109
110 If a worktree is on a portable device or network share which is not always
111 mounted, lock it to prevent its administrative files from being pruned
112 automatically. This also prevents it from being moved or deleted.
113 Optionally, specify a reason for the lock with `--reason`.
114
115 move::
116
117 Move a worktree to a new location. Note that the main worktree or linked
118 worktrees containing submodules cannot be moved with this command. (The
119 `git worktree repair` command, however, can reestablish the connection
120 with linked worktrees if you move the main worktree manually.)
121
122 prune::
123
124 Prune worktree information in `$GIT_DIR/worktrees`.
125
126 remove::
127
128 Remove a worktree. Only clean worktrees (no untracked files and no
129 modification in tracked files) can be removed. Unclean worktrees or ones
130 with submodules can be removed with `--force`. The main worktree cannot be
131 removed.
132
133 repair [<path>...]::
134
135 Repair worktree administrative files, if possible, if they have become
136 corrupted or outdated due to external factors.
137 +
138 For instance, if the main worktree (or bare repository) is moved, linked
139 worktrees will be unable to locate it. Running `repair` in the main
140 worktree will reestablish the connection from linked worktrees back to the
141 main worktree.
142 +
143 Similarly, if the working tree for a linked worktree is moved without
144 using `git worktree move`, the main worktree (or bare repository) will be
145 unable to locate it. Running `repair` within the recently-moved worktree
146 will reestablish the connection. If multiple linked worktrees are moved,
147 running `repair` from any worktree with each tree's new `<path>` as an
148 argument, will reestablish the connection to all the specified paths.
149 +
150 If both the main worktree and linked worktrees have been moved manually,
151 then running `repair` in the main worktree and specifying the new `<path>`
152 of each linked worktree will reestablish all connections in both
153 directions.
154
155 unlock::
156
157 Unlock a worktree, allowing it to be pruned, moved or deleted.
158
159 OPTIONS
160 -------
161
162 -f::
163 --force::
164 By default, `add` refuses to create a new worktree when
165 `<commit-ish>` is a branch name and is already checked out by
166 another worktree, or if `<path>` is already assigned to some
167 worktree but is missing (for instance, if `<path>` was deleted
168 manually). This option overrides these safeguards. To add a missing but
169 locked worktree path, specify `--force` twice.
170 +
171 `move` refuses to move a locked worktree unless `--force` is specified
172 twice. If the destination is already assigned to some other worktree but is
173 missing (for instance, if `<new-path>` was deleted manually), then `--force`
174 allows the move to proceed; use `--force` twice if the destination is locked.
175 +
176 `remove` refuses to remove an unclean worktree unless `--force` is used.
177 To remove a locked worktree, specify `--force` twice.
178
179 -b <new-branch>::
180 -B <new-branch>::
181 With `add`, create a new branch named `<new-branch>` starting at
182 `<commit-ish>`, and check out `<new-branch>` into the new worktree.
183 If `<commit-ish>` is omitted, it defaults to `HEAD`.
184 By default, `-b` refuses to create a new branch if it already
185 exists. `-B` overrides this safeguard, resetting `<new-branch>` to
186 `<commit-ish>`.
187
188 -d::
189 --detach::
190 With `add`, detach `HEAD` in the new worktree. See "DETACHED HEAD"
191 in linkgit:git-checkout[1].
192
193 --[no-]checkout::
194 By default, `add` checks out `<commit-ish>`, however, `--no-checkout` can
195 be used to suppress checkout in order to make customizations,
196 such as configuring sparse-checkout. See "Sparse checkout"
197 in linkgit:git-read-tree[1].
198
199 --[no-]guess-remote::
200 With `worktree add <path>`, without `<commit-ish>`, instead
201 of creating a new branch from `HEAD`, if there exists a tracking
202 branch in exactly one remote matching the basename of `<path>`,
203 base the new branch on the remote-tracking branch, and mark
204 the remote-tracking branch as "upstream" from the new branch.
205 +
206 This can also be set up as the default behaviour by using the
207 `worktree.guessRemote` config option.
208
209 --[no-]track::
210 When creating a new branch, if `<commit-ish>` is a branch,
211 mark it as "upstream" from the new branch. This is the
212 default if `<commit-ish>` is a remote-tracking branch. See
213 `--track` in linkgit:git-branch[1] for details.
214
215 --lock::
216 Keep the worktree locked after creation. This is the
217 equivalent of `git worktree lock` after `git worktree add`,
218 but without a race condition.
219
220 -n::
221 --dry-run::
222 With `prune`, do not remove anything; just report what it would
223 remove.
224
225 --porcelain::
226 With `list`, output in an easy-to-parse format for scripts.
227 This format will remain stable across Git versions and regardless of user
228 configuration. It is recommended to combine this with `-z`.
229 See below for details.
230
231 -z::
232 Terminate each line with a NUL rather than a newline when
233 `--porcelain` is specified with `list`. This makes it possible
234 to parse the output when a worktree path contains a newline
235 character.
236
237 -q::
238 --quiet::
239 With `add`, suppress feedback messages.
240
241 -v::
242 --verbose::
243 With `prune`, report all removals.
244 +
245 With `list`, output additional information about worktrees (see below).
246
247 --expire <time>::
248 With `prune`, only expire unused worktrees older than `<time>`.
249 +
250 With `list`, annotate missing worktrees as prunable if they are older than
251 `<time>`.
252
253 --reason <string>::
254 With `lock` or with `add --lock`, an explanation why the worktree
255 is locked.
256
257 <worktree>::
258 Worktrees can be identified by path, either relative or absolute.
259 +
260 If the last path components in the worktree's path is unique among
261 worktrees, it can be used to identify a worktree. For example if you only
262 have two worktrees, at `/abc/def/ghi` and `/abc/def/ggg`, then `ghi` or
263 `def/ghi` is enough to point to the former worktree.
264
265 REFS
266 ----
267 When using multiple worktrees, some refs are shared between all worktrees,
268 but others are specific to an individual worktree. One example is `HEAD`,
269 which is different for each worktree. This section is about the sharing
270 rules and how to access refs of one worktree from another.
271
272 In general, all pseudo refs are per-worktree and all refs starting with
273 `refs/` are shared. Pseudo refs are ones like `HEAD` which are directly
274 under `$GIT_DIR` instead of inside `$GIT_DIR/refs`. There are exceptions,
275 however: refs inside `refs/bisect` and `refs/worktree` are not shared.
276
277 Refs that are per-worktree can still be accessed from another worktree via
278 two special paths, `main-worktree` and `worktrees`. The former gives
279 access to per-worktree refs of the main worktree, while the latter to all
280 linked worktrees.
281
282 For example, `main-worktree/HEAD` or `main-worktree/refs/bisect/good`
283 resolve to the same value as the main worktree's `HEAD` and
284 `refs/bisect/good` respectively. Similarly, `worktrees/foo/HEAD` or
285 `worktrees/bar/refs/bisect/bad` are the same as
286 `$GIT_COMMON_DIR/worktrees/foo/HEAD` and
287 `$GIT_COMMON_DIR/worktrees/bar/refs/bisect/bad`.
288
289 To access refs, it's best not to look inside `$GIT_DIR` directly. Instead
290 use commands such as linkgit:git-rev-parse[1] or linkgit:git-update-ref[1]
291 which will handle refs correctly.
292
293 CONFIGURATION FILE
294 ------------------
295 By default, the repository `config` file is shared across all worktrees.
296 If the config variables `core.bare` or `core.worktree` are present in the
297 common config file and `extensions.worktreeConfig` is disabled, then they
298 will be applied to the main worktree only.
299
300 In order to have worktree-specific configuration, you can turn on the
301 `worktreeConfig` extension, e.g.:
302
303 ------------
304 $ git config extensions.worktreeConfig true
305 ------------
306
307 In this mode, specific configuration stays in the path pointed by `git
308 rev-parse --git-path config.worktree`. You can add or update
309 configuration in this file with `git config --worktree`. Older Git
310 versions will refuse to access repositories with this extension.
311
312 Note that in this file, the exception for `core.bare` and `core.worktree`
313 is gone. If they exist in `$GIT_DIR/config`, you must move
314 them to the `config.worktree` of the main worktree. You may also take this
315 opportunity to review and move other configuration that you do not want to
316 share to all worktrees:
317
318 - `core.worktree` should never be shared.
319
320 - `core.bare` should not be shared if the value is `core.bare=true`.
321
322 - `core.sparseCheckout` should not be shared, unless you are sure you
323 always use sparse checkout for all worktrees.
324
325 See the documentation of `extensions.worktreeConfig` in
326 linkgit:git-config[1] for more details.
327
328 DETAILS
329 -------
330 Each linked worktree has a private sub-directory in the repository's
331 `$GIT_DIR/worktrees` directory. The private sub-directory's name is usually
332 the base name of the linked worktree's path, possibly appended with a
333 number to make it unique. For example, when `$GIT_DIR=/path/main/.git` the
334 command `git worktree add /path/other/test-next next` creates the linked
335 worktree in `/path/other/test-next` and also creates a
336 `$GIT_DIR/worktrees/test-next` directory (or `$GIT_DIR/worktrees/test-next1`
337 if `test-next` is already taken).
338
339 Within a linked worktree, `$GIT_DIR` is set to point to this private
340 directory (e.g. `/path/main/.git/worktrees/test-next` in the example) and
341 `$GIT_COMMON_DIR` is set to point back to the main worktree's `$GIT_DIR`
342 (e.g. `/path/main/.git`). These settings are made in a `.git` file located at
343 the top directory of the linked worktree.
344
345 Path resolution via `git rev-parse --git-path` uses either
346 `$GIT_DIR` or `$GIT_COMMON_DIR` depending on the path. For example, in the
347 linked worktree `git rev-parse --git-path HEAD` returns
348 `/path/main/.git/worktrees/test-next/HEAD` (not
349 `/path/other/test-next/.git/HEAD` or `/path/main/.git/HEAD`) while `git
350 rev-parse --git-path refs/heads/master` uses
351 `$GIT_COMMON_DIR` and returns `/path/main/.git/refs/heads/master`,
352 since refs are shared across all worktrees, except `refs/bisect` and
353 `refs/worktree`.
354
355 See linkgit:gitrepository-layout[5] for more information. The rule of
356 thumb is do not make any assumption about whether a path belongs to
357 `$GIT_DIR` or `$GIT_COMMON_DIR` when you need to directly access something
358 inside `$GIT_DIR`. Use `git rev-parse --git-path` to get the final path.
359
360 If you manually move a linked worktree, you need to update the `gitdir` file
361 in the entry's directory. For example, if a linked worktree is moved
362 to `/newpath/test-next` and its `.git` file points to
363 `/path/main/.git/worktrees/test-next`, then update
364 `/path/main/.git/worktrees/test-next/gitdir` to reference `/newpath/test-next`
365 instead. Better yet, run `git worktree repair` to reestablish the connection
366 automatically.
367
368 To prevent a `$GIT_DIR/worktrees` entry from being pruned (which
369 can be useful in some situations, such as when the
370 entry's worktree is stored on a portable device), use the
371 `git worktree lock` command, which adds a file named
372 `locked` to the entry's directory. The file contains the reason in
373 plain text. For example, if a linked worktree's `.git` file points
374 to `/path/main/.git/worktrees/test-next` then a file named
375 `/path/main/.git/worktrees/test-next/locked` will prevent the
376 `test-next` entry from being pruned. See
377 linkgit:gitrepository-layout[5] for details.
378
379 When `extensions.worktreeConfig` is enabled, the config file
380 `.git/worktrees/<id>/config.worktree` is read after `.git/config` is.
381
382 LIST OUTPUT FORMAT
383 ------------------
384 The `worktree list` command has two output formats. The default format shows the
385 details on a single line with columns. For example:
386
387 ------------
388 $ git worktree list
389 /path/to/bare-source (bare)
390 /path/to/linked-worktree abcd1234 [master]
391 /path/to/other-linked-worktree 1234abc (detached HEAD)
392 ------------
393
394 The command also shows annotations for each worktree, according to its state.
395 These annotations are:
396
397 * `locked`, if the worktree is locked.
398 * `prunable`, if the worktree can be pruned via `git worktree prune`.
399
400 ------------
401 $ git worktree list
402 /path/to/linked-worktree abcd1234 [master]
403 /path/to/locked-worktree acbd5678 (brancha) locked
404 /path/to/prunable-worktree 5678abc (detached HEAD) prunable
405 ------------
406
407 For these annotations, a reason might also be available and this can be
408 seen using the verbose mode. The annotation is then moved to the next line
409 indented followed by the additional information.
410
411 ------------
412 $ git worktree list --verbose
413 /path/to/linked-worktree abcd1234 [master]
414 /path/to/locked-worktree-no-reason abcd5678 (detached HEAD) locked
415 /path/to/locked-worktree-with-reason 1234abcd (brancha)
416 locked: worktree path is mounted on a portable device
417 /path/to/prunable-worktree 5678abc1 (detached HEAD)
418 prunable: gitdir file points to non-existent location
419 ------------
420
421 Note that the annotation is moved to the next line if the additional
422 information is available, otherwise it stays on the same line as the
423 worktree itself.
424
425 Porcelain Format
426 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
427 The porcelain format has a line per attribute. If `-z` is given then the lines
428 are terminated with NUL rather than a newline. Attributes are listed with a
429 label and value separated by a single space. Boolean attributes (like `bare`
430 and `detached`) are listed as a label only, and are present only
431 if the value is true. Some attributes (like `locked`) can be listed as a label
432 only or with a value depending upon whether a reason is available. The first
433 attribute of a worktree is always `worktree`, an empty line indicates the
434 end of the record. For example:
435
436 ------------
437 $ git worktree list --porcelain
438 worktree /path/to/bare-source
439 bare
440
441 worktree /path/to/linked-worktree
442 HEAD abcd1234abcd1234abcd1234abcd1234abcd1234
443 branch refs/heads/master
444
445 worktree /path/to/other-linked-worktree
446 HEAD 1234abc1234abc1234abc1234abc1234abc1234a
447 detached
448
449 worktree /path/to/linked-worktree-locked-no-reason
450 HEAD 5678abc5678abc5678abc5678abc5678abc5678c
451 branch refs/heads/locked-no-reason
452 locked
453
454 worktree /path/to/linked-worktree-locked-with-reason
455 HEAD 3456def3456def3456def3456def3456def3456b
456 branch refs/heads/locked-with-reason
457 locked reason why is locked
458
459 worktree /path/to/linked-worktree-prunable
460 HEAD 1233def1234def1234def1234def1234def1234b
461 detached
462 prunable gitdir file points to non-existent location
463
464 ------------
465
466 Unless `-z` is used any "unusual" characters in the lock reason such as newlines
467 are escaped and the entire reason is quoted as explained for the
468 configuration variable `core.quotePath` (see linkgit:git-config[1]).
469 For Example:
470
471 ------------
472 $ git worktree list --porcelain
473 ...
474 locked "reason\nwhy is locked"
475 ...
476 ------------
477
478 EXAMPLES
479 --------
480 You are in the middle of a refactoring session and your boss comes in and
481 demands that you fix something immediately. You might typically use
482 linkgit:git-stash[1] to store your changes away temporarily, however, your
483 working tree is in such a state of disarray (with new, moved, and removed
484 files, and other bits and pieces strewn around) that you don't want to risk
485 disturbing any of it. Instead, you create a temporary linked worktree to
486 make the emergency fix, remove it when done, and then resume your earlier
487 refactoring session.
488
489 ------------
490 $ git worktree add -b emergency-fix ../temp master
491 $ pushd ../temp
492 # ... hack hack hack ...
493 $ git commit -a -m 'emergency fix for boss'
494 $ popd
495 $ git worktree remove ../temp
496 ------------
497
498 BUGS
499 ----
500 Multiple checkout in general is still experimental, and the support
501 for submodules is incomplete. It is NOT recommended to make multiple
502 checkouts of a superproject.
503
504 GIT
505 ---
506 Part of the linkgit:git[1] suite