name: speckit-worktree-create description: Spawn an isolated git worktree for a new or existing feature branch compatibility: Requires spec-kit project structure with .specify/ directory metadata: author: github-spec-kit source: worktree:commands/speckit.worktree.create.md

Create Worktree

Spawn an isolated git worktree for a feature branch so you can work on multiple features in parallel without switching branches. Each worktree gets its own directory with a full working copy.

User Input

$ARGUMENTS

You MUST consider the user input before proceeding (if not empty). The user may specify a branch name (e.g., "003-user-auth") or "current" to create a worktree for the current branch.

Prerequisites

1. Verify a spec-kit project exists by checking for .specify/ directory
2. Verify git is available and the project is a git repository
3. Check that the target branch exists (local or remote)

Outline

1. Determine target branch: Identify which feature branch to create a worktree for:

   • If user specifies a branch name, use that
   • If user says "current", use the current branch
   • If no input, check for the most recently created feature branch
   • Validate the branch exists in git

2. Choose worktree location: Determine the worktree directory path:

   • Default location: .worktrees/{branch-name}/ relative to the repository root
   • If .worktrees/ directory does not exist, create it
   • Add .worktrees/ to .gitignore if not already present
   • Verify the worktree does not already exist for this branch

3. Create the worktree: Execute the git worktree command:

   • Run git worktree add .worktrees/{branch-name} {branch-name}
   • If the branch is remote-only, track it: git worktree add .worktrees/{branch-name} -b {branch-name} origin/{branch-name}
   • Verify the worktree was created successfully

4. Verify spec artifacts: Check that the worktree has access to spec artifacts:

   • Confirm specs/{branch-name}/ directory exists in the worktree
   • List available artifacts (spec.md, plan.md, tasks.md)
   • Note any missing artifacts

5. Report: Output a summary:

   # Worktree Created
   
   | Field              | Value                               |
   | ------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
   | **Branch**         | {branch-name}                       |
   | **Worktree path**  | .worktrees/{branch-name}/           |
   | **Spec artifacts** | spec.md ✅, plan.md ✅, tasks.md ❌ |
   
   ## Next Steps
   
   - `cd .worktrees/{branch-name}/` to work in the isolated worktree
   - Run `/speckit.implement` inside the worktree to build the feature
   - Run `/speckit.worktree.list` to see all active worktrees
   - When done, run `/speckit.worktree.clean` to remove the worktree
   

Rules

• Never modify the main working directory — worktrees are created in .worktrees/ only
• Always update .gitignore — ensure .worktrees/ is ignored to prevent accidental commits
• One worktree per branch — refuse to create a duplicate worktree for the same branch
• Validate branch exists — do not create worktrees for non-existent branches
• Preserve existing worktrees — never overwrite or remove an existing worktree