Why worktrees enable parallel work in Git - See It in Action

Why Worktrees Enable Parallel Work in Git

📖 Scenario: You are working on a software project using Git. Sometimes you need to work on multiple features or fixes at the same time without mixing changes. Git worktrees let you do this by creating separate folders for each task, all linked to the same repository.

🎯 Goal: Learn how to create and use Git worktrees to work on different branches in parallel without switching branches in the main folder.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a new Git worktree linked to a specific branch

List existing Git worktrees

Switch to a worktree folder and check the current branch

Understand how worktrees allow parallel work on different branches

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

Developers often need to work on several features or bug fixes at once. Git worktrees let them keep separate folders for each task, avoiding confusion and mistakes.

💼 Career

Understanding Git worktrees helps you manage parallel development efficiently, a key skill for software developers and DevOps engineers.

1

Initialize a Git repository and create a branch

Run git init to create a new Git repository. Then make an initial commit using git commit --allow-empty -m "Initial commit". Then create a branch called feature1 using git branch feature1.

Git

# Run git init to start a repository
# Make an initial commit with git commit --allow-empty -m "Initial commit"
# Then create a branch named feature1
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use git init to start a repo, git commit --allow-empty -m "Initial commit" to create the initial commit, and git branch feature1 to create the branch.

2

Create a new worktree for the feature1 branch

Use git worktree add ../feature1 feature1 to create a new worktree folder named feature1 linked to the feature1 branch.

Git

# Add a new worktree folder ../feature1 for branch feature1
# Your code here

Need a hint?

The command git worktree add creates a new folder linked to a branch.

3

List all existing worktrees

Run git worktree list to see all the worktrees connected to your repository.

Git

# List all worktrees
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use git worktree list to view all worktrees.

4

Check the current branch in the new worktree

Change directory to ../feature1 and run git branch --show-current to confirm you are on the feature1 branch.

Git

# Change directory to ../feature1 and check current branch
# Your code here

Need a hint?

Use cd to enter the worktree folder and git branch --show-current to see the branch name.