# Worktrees

Source: https://athas.dev/docs/git-worktrees

Open and manage Git worktrees as Athas workspaces

Git worktrees let one repository have multiple checked-out branches in separate folders.
Athas treats each worktree as a real workspace folder, so editor tabs, terminals, Git status,
and window state follow the checkout you open.

## When to Use Worktrees

- Keep a feature branch open while reviewing another branch
- Run a long task in one checkout without disturbing your main project
- Compare or test separate branches in separate Athas windows
- Keep branch-specific terminals, buffers, and Git status isolated

## Open a Worktree

1. Open a Git repository in Athas.
2. Open the Git sidebar.
3. Switch to the **Worktrees** tab.
4. Click a worktree to open it in the current window.

Opening a worktree uses the same folder-open flow as any other project. The selected worktree
becomes the active workspace project, and the Git sidebar starts reading status from that path.

## Open in a New Window

Right-click a worktree and choose **Open in New Window** to launch that checkout in a separate
Athas window. Use this when you want each branch to keep its own window, terminals, and editor
layout.

## Create a Worktree

Use the **+** button in the Worktrees tab to add another checkout.

- Enter the destination path for the new checkout
- Optionally create a new branch for that worktree
- After creation, Athas can open the new checkout as the active workspace

The footer worktree switcher also supports searching existing worktrees and creating one from a
new path.

## Remove and Prune

Right-click a worktree to remove it.

- **Remove** uses Git's normal safe removal path
- **Force Remove** is separate and can discard uncommitted changes in that checkout
- **Prune** appears only when Git reports prunable worktrees

Athas keeps force removal behind an explicit menu item so ordinary cleanup does not accidentally
discard local work.

## Related Pages

- [Workspaces](https://athas.dev/docs/workspaces)
- [Git Integration](https://athas.dev/docs/git-integration)
- [Branches](https://athas.dev/docs/git-branches)

## Before removing a checkout

Inspect that worktree’s Git status and running terminals before removing it. Commit or copy changes you need. Force removal can discard work; pruning stale Git records and deleting a live checkout are different operations. See [Git](https://athas.dev/docs/git-integration) for review and commits.