How to Work on Multiple Branches Simultaneously with Git Worktree

Run git worktree add ../path/to/new-dir <branch-name> to check out a second branch into its own working directory - fully separate from your current one, but sharing the same underlying repository. No stashing, no temporary commits.

That's the one command you need for the common case: fixing a bug without disturbing the feature you're mid-way through. Below: how to list and remove worktrees, and how Tower turns this into a right-click instead of a terminal command.

Creating a Worktree

To create a new worktree, you can use the git worktree add command. It takes two main arguments: the path for the new working directory and the branch you want to check out.

Let's say you want to create a hotfix. First, you might create a new branch:

$ git checkout -b hotfix

Now, you can create a new worktree for this branch. It's a good practice to create the worktree directory outside of your main project folder to avoid confusion.

$ git worktree add ../hotfix-worktree hotfix

This command creates a new directory named hotfix-worktree one level up from your current project. Inside this directory, you'll find your project files with the hotfix branch checked out, ready for you to work on.

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Managing Your Worktrees

You can see a list of all your worktrees at any time with the git worktree list command. This will show you the path to each worktree and the branch that is checked out.

$ git worktree list

Once you are done with your work in the worktree (e.g., you've committed your hotfix), you can remove it. You don't delete the directory yourself; instead, you use the git worktree remove command:

$ git worktree remove ../hotfix-worktree

No Command Line Needed

Worktrees in Tower

The Tower Git client makes using worktrees incredibly simple. You can right-click any branch in the sidebar and select "Create Worktree". Active worktrees are clearly marked with a special icon, making it easy to see which branches are checked out in a separate working directory.

Learn More

• The official Git documentation for git-worktree provides a comprehensive overview of all its capabilities.