Why I use git worktrees

TL;DR:

• 🌳 Git worktrees let you work on multiple branches simultaneously without constantly switching.
• 🔒 They provide isolation for test environments and configurations.
• 💾 Unlike multiple clones, worktrees allow easy commit sharing between branches without pushing to remote, and are more disk-space efficient.

I recently started using git worktrees after discovering the best practices outlined in this article. Initially, I was uncertain about the true benefits of worktrees compared to simply cloning a repository into multiple folders. Frustrated by the lack of clear online explanations, I decided to write this article to share my findings.

Why Use Multiple Clones Instead of Constantly Switching Branches? 🔄

There are several advantages to maintaining multiple copies of your repository:

• 🧪 Running Long Test Suites / Long Runs:
  Imagine you have two test configurations that need to run concurrently. If you switch branches between tests, there's a risk of accidentally overwriting output files. By using separate worktrees, you ensure that each test run remains isolated and safe from unintended interference. Better safe than sorry!

• 🌐 Distinct Environment Configurations:
  It’s often necessary to test different environment settings without the hassle of constantly modifying a single configuration file. For example, you might have one worktree where caching is enabled and another where it isn’t. This separation simplifies testing and avoids the risk of mixing configurations. Moreover, you can start a debugger session in each clone to compare their behavior side by side. This wouldn’t be possible if you were just switching branches within the same folder.

• 📊 Enhanced Diffing Capabilities:
  With multiple copies available, you’re not limited to Git's diffing tools. You can leverage your preferred diff utilities, which might offer a more comprehensive or user-friendly comparison experience.

Why Use Git Worktrees instead of Multiple Clones? 🤔

Git worktrees also offer benefits over having multiple cloned repositories—advantages that are sometimes overlooked:

• 🔄 Effortless Commit Sharing:
  When you work offline (say, while commuting on a train) and make a commit on one branch, you might later want to integrate that commit into another branch. With worktrees, you can easily cherry-pick changes without having to push or fetch from a remote repository.

• 💾 Efficient Use of Disk Space:
  Since all worktrees share the same Git history, you avoid the redundancy of duplicating that history across multiple repositories. This not only saves disk space but also streamlines repository management.

Conclusion

My advice is simple:

• Embrace Git Worktrees: They offer a powerful and efficient alternative to managing multiple branches or clones.
• Follow Proven Workflows: Check out this article for exceptional workflow guidelines.
• Consider Naming Conventions: Suffix your repository with .git to clearly indicate that it is a bare repository (for example, my_repo.git).

Happy coding!