Git worktree
A feature allowing you to have multiple working directories attached to a single Git repository, meaning you can check out multiple branches simultaneously.
What it is
A worktree lets you clone a repository once, but open several different branches in entirely separate folders on your computer. This isolates your environments so you can run a heavy local server on one branch while writing code in another without constantly stashing and switching context.
When you would use it
You use worktrees when you need to frequently jump between two drastically different branches and the cost of switching (like rebuilding dependencies or restarting servers) is too high.
Common operations
- Running a long test suite on one branch while coding on another.
- Keeping a stable production branch running in one folder while actively developing a feature branch in another.
Related terms
Where this is taught
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