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