Managing worktrees in GitHub Desktop

About worktrees

Git worktrees let you check out multiple branches of the same repository at the same time, each in its own directory on your computer. This means you can work on a feature branch, quickly review a pull request on a different branch, or make a hotfix without stashing or committing incomplete work on your current branch.

GitHub Desktop provides built-in support for creating, switching between, renaming, and deleting worktrees. When your repository has worktrees, a Worktree dropdown appears in the toolbar between the Repository and Branch dropdowns.

Each worktree is associated with a branch (or a detached HEAD commit). The main worktree is your original repository clone, and linked worktrees are additional checkouts you create.

Creating a worktree

You can create a new worktree from the Repository menu, by right-clicking the Repository dropdown in the toolbar, or (once you already have worktrees) from the Worktree dropdown.

Creating your first worktree

If your repository does not have any linked worktrees yet, the Worktree dropdown is not visible in the toolbar. To create your first worktree:

1. In the menu bar, click Repository, then click New Worktree….

   Alternatively, right-click the Repository dropdown in the toolbar and click New Worktree….

   

   

2. In the "Add worktree" dialog, type a name for your worktree in the Worktree name field.

   GitHub Desktop automatically determines the path where the worktree will be created, based on the name you enter. The full path is displayed at the bottom of the dialog.

3. Optionally, in the Branch name field, type or select a branch name.

   • If you leave this field empty, a new branch with the same name as the worktree is created.
   • If you type the name of an existing local branch, that branch is checked out in the new worktree.
   • If you type the name of a remote branch, a new local branch is created from the remote reference.

   

   

4. Click Create Worktree.

After you create your first linked worktree, the Worktree dropdown appears in the toolbar.

Creating additional worktrees

Once the Worktree dropdown is visible, you can also create worktrees from there:

1. In the repository bar, click the Worktree dropdown.

   

   

2. Click New Worktree.

3. Complete the fields in the "Add worktree" dialog as described in Creating your first worktree, then click Create Worktree.

   GitHub Desktop creates the worktree and automatically switches to it.

Switching between worktrees

You can switch between worktrees at any time. When you switch worktrees, GitHub Desktop updates the working directory to the selected worktree's path.

1. In the repository bar, click the Worktree dropdown.

2. In the worktree list, click the worktree you want to switch to.

   

   The worktree list is grouped into "Main worktree" and "Linked worktrees". Each item displays the worktree directory name and the associated branch name. You can use the filter field at the top of the list to search for a worktree by name.

Renaming a worktree

You can rename linked worktrees. You cannot rename the main worktree.

1. In the repository bar, click the Worktree dropdown.

2. Right-click the worktree you want to rename, then click