Removing worktrees in Git - Step-by-Step Execution

Process Flow - Removing worktrees

List worktrees

↓

Choose worktree to remove

↓

Run git worktree remove <path>

↓

Worktree directory deleted

↓

Worktree reference removed from git

↓

Confirm removal by listing worktrees

This flow shows how to safely remove a git worktree by listing, selecting, removing, and confirming its deletion.

Execution Sample

Git

git worktree list
# shows all worktrees

git worktree remove ./feature-branch
# removes the worktree at path

git worktree list
# confirms removal

This sequence lists existing worktrees, removes one by path, then lists again to confirm it is gone.

Process Table

Step	Command	Action	Result	Notes
1	git worktree list	Show all worktrees	Lists main and feature-branch worktrees	Initial state with 2 worktrees
2	git worktree remove ./feature-branch	Remove worktree at ./feature-branch	Deletes directory and removes reference	Worktree removed successfully
3	git worktree list	Show all worktrees	Lists only main worktree	feature-branch no longer listed
4	git worktree remove ./nonexistent	Attempt to remove non-existing worktree	Error: path is not a worktree	Shows error if path invalid
5	git worktree remove ./main	Attempt to remove main worktree	Error: cannot remove main worktree	Main worktree cannot be removed

💡 Removal stops when worktree is deleted or error occurs if path invalid or main worktree targeted

Status Tracker

Variable	Start	After Step 2	After Step 3	After Step 4	After Step 5
worktrees	[main, feature-branch]	[main]	[main]	[main]	[main]
command_result	N/A	Success	N/A	Error: path is not a worktree	Error: cannot remove main worktree

Key Moments - 3 Insights

Why does 'git worktree remove' fail when trying to remove the main worktree?

The main worktree is the primary repository directory and cannot be removed with 'git worktree remove'. This is shown in step 5 of the execution_table where an error occurs.

What happens if you try to remove a path that is not a worktree?

Git returns an error saying the path is not a worktree, as shown in step 4 of the execution_table.

After removing a worktree, how can you confirm it was removed?

By running 'git worktree list' again, you see the removed worktree no longer appears, as shown in step 3.

Visual Quiz - 3 Questions

Look at the execution_table at step 2. What happens when 'git worktree remove ./feature-branch' runs?

A The worktree directory is deleted and reference removed

B An error occurs because the path is invalid

C Nothing happens, command is ignored

D The main worktree is removed

💡 Hint

Refer to the 'Result' column in step 2 of the execution_table

At which step does the command fail because the path is not a worktree?

A Step 3

B Step 5

C Step 4

D Step 2

💡 Hint

Check the 'Action' and 'Result' columns in the execution_table for errors

If you remove the feature-branch worktree, what will the 'worktrees' variable contain after step 3?

A [feature-branch]

B [main]

C [main, feature-branch]

D []

💡 Hint

Look at the variable_tracker row for 'worktrees' after step 3

Concept Snapshot

git worktree remove <path>
- Deletes the worktree directory at <path>
- Removes the worktree reference from git
- Cannot remove the main worktree
- Confirm removal with 'git worktree list'
- Errors if path is invalid or main worktree

Full Transcript

Removing a git worktree involves listing existing worktrees, choosing the one to remove, running 'git worktree remove <path>', and confirming removal by listing worktrees again. The main worktree cannot be removed this way. Errors occur if the path is not a worktree or if trying to remove the main worktree. This process safely deletes the worktree directory and cleans up git references.