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Git Worktrees

Git Worktrees

Beginner to advanced9 minutes3 questions2026-08-09
The idea in one minute

Start with meaning, then move to detail.

This lesson explains Git Worktrees as part of using Hermes and understanding its behavior. You will learn what it does, when it matters, and the smallest safe test that proves it works.

If you are new

If you are new, do not memorize names. Focus on three questions: what problem does this solve, what access does it need, and how can you verify the result?

For hands-on use

For practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.

For specialists

For advanced readers, inspect Why Use Worktrees with Hermes?, Quick Start: Creating a Worktree, Running Multiple Agents in Parallel, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.

What do you need first?

Start with installation if you have not run Hermes yet.

What will you know?

A clear outcome before you read.

  • Understand Git Worktrees without assumed prior knowledge.
  • Separate the source description from what still needs testing in your environment.
  • Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Official page description

Run multiple Hermes agents safely on the same repository using git worktrees and isolated checkouts

Topic map

What does the source say, and in what order?

  1. 01
    Why Use Worktrees with Hermes?

    Start here to understand the core idea or structure.

  2. 02
    Quick Start: Creating a Worktree

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  3. 03
    Running Multiple Agents in Parallel

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  4. 04
    Cleaning Up Worktrees Safely

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  5. 05
    Best Practices

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  6. 06
    Using hermes -w (Automatic Worktree Mode)

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  7. 07
    Putting It All Together

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  8. 08
    Developing the UI surfaces across worktrees

    Finish here to verify the result and special cases.

Examples from the official page

Copy only after you understand the effect.

# From the main repo root cd /path/to/your/repo # Create a new branch and worktree in ../repo-feature git worktree add ../repo-feature feature/hermes-experiment
cd ../repo-feature # Start Hermes in the worktree hermes
cd /path/to/your/repo git worktree add ../repo-experiment-a feature/hermes-a git worktree add ../repo-experiment-b feature/hermes-b
Try it now

Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.

Match every command to your installed Hermes version, review the files and accounts it can reach, and use non-sensitive data for the first test. If this explanation differs from the source, the official source wins.

Knowledge check

Three decisions before completion.

1. What is the source of truth when “Git Worktrees” changes?
2. What is the best way to apply this lesson?
3. What should happen before a step can modify files or an external account?