Git Worktree Setup

VerifiedCaution

Set up a new git worktree for parallel development: creates the worktree, copies .env files, installs dependencies, and generates the Prisma client.

Sby Skills Guide Bot
DevelopmentIntermediate
108/29/2026
Claude Code
#git-worktree#parallel-development#environment-setup#prisma#autogpt

Recommended for

Our review

Sets up a dedicated git worktree for a branch or PR by creating the worktree, copying environment variables, installing dependencies, and generating the Prisma client.

Strengths

  • Automates the full environment bootstrap for a new worktree.
  • Keeps the main working tree clean for parallel tasks.
  • Handles .env fallback and repo-specific dependency installation.
  • Includes cleanup command and optional startup helpers.

Limitations

  • Tailored to the AutoGPT repository layout (autogpt_platform paths).
  • Requires poetry, pnpm, and the correct port availability.
  • The CoPilot testing note only applies to Claude Code; SDK mode cannot run there.
When to use it

Use when you need an isolated environment to work on a branch or PR without affecting your current checkout.

When not to use it

Do not use if you're outside the AutoGPT monorepo or need a fully containerized setup instead of a worktree.

Security analysis

Caution
Quality score82/100

The skill performs legitimate development environment setup but involves powerful shell operations such as process termination and dependency installation, warranting caution.

Findings
  • Uses shell commands to install dependencies (poetry install, pnpm install), which execute package scripts and could introduce supply chain risk.
  • Uses `kill -9` on ports 8001-8008 without confirmation, which could terminate unrelated processes.
  • Copies .env files, which may contain secrets, to a new worktree within the same repository.

Examples

Create worktree named AutoGPT7
Set up a new worktree called AutoGPT7 from the dev branch
Default worktree setup
I need to work on this branch in isolation — set up a worktree for it.
Remove worktree
Remove the AutoGPT7 worktree and clean up.

name: worktree description: Set up a new git worktree for parallel development. Creates the worktree, copies .env files, installs dependencies, and generates Prisma client. TRIGGER when user asks to set up a worktree, work on a branch in isolation, or needs a separate environment for a branch or PR. user-invocable: true args: "[name] — optional worktree name (e.g., 'AutoGPT7'). If omitted, uses next available AutoGPT<N>." metadata: author: autogpt-team version: "3.0.0"

Worktree Setup

Create the worktree

Derive paths from the git toplevel. If a name is provided as argument, use it. Otherwise, check git worktree list and pick the next AutoGPT<N>.

ROOT=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)
PARENT=$(dirname "$ROOT")

# From an existing branch
git worktree add "$PARENT/<NAME>" <branch-name>

# From a new branch off dev
git worktree add -b <new-branch> "$PARENT/<NAME>" dev

Copy environment files

Copy .env from the root worktree. Falls back to .env.default if .env doesn't exist.

ROOT=$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)
TARGET="$(dirname "$ROOT")/<NAME>"

for envpath in autogpt_platform/backend autogpt_platform/frontend autogpt_platform; do
  if [ -f "$ROOT/$envpath/.env" ]; then
    cp "$ROOT/$envpath/.env" "$TARGET/$envpath/.env"
  elif [ -f "$ROOT/$envpath/.env.default" ]; then
    cp "$ROOT/$envpath/.env.default" "$TARGET/$envpath/.env"
  fi
done

Install dependencies

TARGET="$(dirname "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)")/<NAME>"
cd "$TARGET/autogpt_platform/autogpt_libs" && poetry install
cd "$TARGET/autogpt_platform/backend" && poetry install && poetry run prisma generate
cd "$TARGET/autogpt_platform/frontend" && pnpm install

Replace <NAME> with the actual worktree name (e.g., AutoGPT7).

Running the app (optional)

Backend uses ports: 8001, 8002, 8003, 8005, 8006, 8007, 8008. Free them first if needed:

TARGET="$(dirname "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)")/<NAME>"
for port in 8001 8002 8003 8005 8006 8007 8008; do
  lsof -ti :$port | xargs kill -9 2>/dev/null || true
done
cd "$TARGET/autogpt_platform/backend" && poetry run app

CoPilot testing

SDK mode spawns a Claude subprocess — won't work inside Claude Code. Set CHAT_USE_CLAUDE_AGENT_SDK=false in backend/.env to use baseline mode.

Cleanup

# Replace <NAME> with the actual worktree name (e.g., AutoGPT7)
git worktree remove "$(dirname "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)")/<NAME>"

Alternative: Branchlet (optional)

If branchlet is installed:

branchlet create -n <name> -s <source-branch> -b <new-branch>
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