beads/docs/WORKTREES.md

Git Worktrees Guide

Enhanced Git worktree compatibility for Beads issue tracking

Overview

Beads now provides enhanced Git worktree support with a shared database architecture. All worktrees in a repository share the same .beads database located in the main repository, enabling seamless issue tracking across multiple working directories.

Note: While comprehensively implemented and tested internally, this feature may benefit from real-world usage feedback to identify any remaining edge cases.

How It Works

Shared Database Architecture

Main Repository
├── .git/                    # Shared git directory
├── .beads/                  # Shared database (main repo)
│   ├── beads.db            # SQLite database
│   ├── issues.jsonl        # Issue data (git-tracked)
│   └── config.yaml         # Configuration
├── feature-branch/         # Worktree 1
│   └── (code files only)
└── bugfix-branch/          # Worktree 2
    └── (code files only)

Key points:

• ✅ One database - All worktrees share the same .beads directory in main repo
• ✅ Automatic discovery - Database found regardless of which worktree you're in
• ✅ Concurrent access - SQLite locking prevents corruption
• ✅ Git integration - Issues sync via JSONL in main repo

Worktree Detection & Daemon Safety

bd automatically detects when you're in a git worktree and handles daemon mode safely:

Default behavior (no sync-branch configured):

• Daemon is automatically disabled in worktrees
• Uses direct mode for safety (no warning needed)
• All commands work correctly without configuration

With sync-branch configured:

• Daemon is enabled in worktrees
• Commits go to dedicated sync branch (e.g., beads-metadata)
• Full daemon functionality available across all worktrees

Usage Patterns

Recommended: Configure Sync-Branch for Full Daemon Support

# Configure sync-branch once (in main repo or any worktree)
bd config set sync-branch beads-metadata

# Now daemon works safely in all worktrees
cd feature-worktree
bd create "Implement feature X" -t feature -p 1
bd update bd-a1b2 --status in_progress
bd ready  # Daemon auto-syncs to beads-metadata branch

Alternative: Direct Mode (No Configuration Needed)

# Without sync-branch, daemon is auto-disabled in worktrees
cd feature-worktree
bd create "Implement feature X" -t feature -p 1
bd ready  # Uses direct mode automatically
bd sync   # Manual sync when needed

Legacy: Explicit Daemon Disable

# Still works if you prefer explicit control
export BEADS_NO_DAEMON=1
# or
bd --no-daemon ready

Worktree-Aware Features

Database Discovery

bd intelligently finds the correct database:

1. Priority search: Main repository .beads directory first
2. Fallback logic: Searches worktree if main repo doesn't have database
3. Path resolution: Handles symlinks and relative paths correctly
4. Validation: Ensures .beads contains actual project files

Git Hooks Integration

Pre-commit hooks adapt to worktree context:

# In main repo: Stages JSONL normally
git add .beads/issues.jsonl

# In worktree: Safely skips staging (files outside working tree)
# Hook detects context and handles appropriately

Sync Operations

Worktree-aware sync operations:

• Repository root detection: Uses git rev-parse --show-toplevel for main repo
• Git directory handling: Distinguishes between .git (file) and .git/ (directory)
• Path resolution: Converts between worktree and main repo paths
• Concurrent safety: SQLite locking prevents corruption

Setup Examples

Basic Worktree Setup

# Create main worktree
git worktree add main-repo

# Create feature worktree
git worktree add feature-worktree

# Initialize beads in main repo
cd main-repo
bd init

# Worktrees automatically share the database
cd ../feature-worktree
bd ready  # Works immediately - sees same issues

Multi-Feature Development

# Main development
cd main-repo
bd create "Epic: User authentication" -t epic -p 1
# Returns: bd-a3f8e9

# Feature branch worktree
git worktree add auth-feature
cd auth-feature
bd create "Design login UI" -p 1
# Auto-assigned: bd-a3f8e9.1 (child of epic)

# Bugfix worktree
git worktree add auth-bugfix
cd auth-bugfix
bd create "Fix password validation" -t bug -p 0
# Auto-assigned: bd-f14c3

Troubleshooting

Issue: Daemon commits to wrong branch

Symptoms: Changes appear on unexpected branch in git history

Note: This issue should no longer occur with the new worktree safety feature. Daemon is automatically disabled in worktrees unless sync-branch is configured.

Solution (if still occurring):

# Option 1: Configure sync-branch (recommended)
bd config set sync-branch beads-metadata

# Option 2: Explicitly disable daemon
export BEADS_NO_DAEMON=1
# Or use --no-daemon flag for individual commands
bd --no-daemon sync

Issue: Database not found in worktree

Symptoms: bd: database not found error

Solutions:

# Ensure main repo has .beads directory
cd main-repo
ls -la .beads/

# Re-run bd init if needed
bd init

# Check worktree can access main repo
cd ../worktree-name
bd info  # Should show database path in main repo

Issue: Multiple databases detected

Symptoms: Warning about multiple .beads directories

Solution:

# bd shows warning with database locations
# Typically, the closest database (in main repo) is correct
# Remove extra .beads directories if they're not needed

Issue: Git hooks fail in worktrees

Symptoms: Pre-commit hook errors about staging files outside working tree

Solution: This is now automatically handled. The hook detects worktree context and adapts its behavior. No manual intervention needed.

Advanced Configuration

Environment Variables

# Disable daemon globally for worktree usage
export BEADS_NO_DAEMON=1

# Disable auto-start (still warns if manually started)
export BEADS_AUTO_START_DAEMON=false

# Force specific database location
export BEADS_DB=/path/to/specific/.beads/beads.db

Configuration Options

# Configure sync behavior
bd config set sync.branch beads-metadata  # Use separate sync branch
bd config set sync.auto_commit true       # Auto-commit changes
bd config set sync.auto_push true         # Auto-push changes

Performance Considerations

Database Sharing Benefits

• Reduced overhead: One database instead of per-worktree copies
• Instant sync: Changes visible across all worktrees immediately
• Memory efficient: Single SQLite instance vs multiple
• Git efficient: One JSONL file to track vs multiple

Concurrent Access

• SQLite locking: Prevents corruption during simultaneous access
• Git operations: Safe concurrent commits from different worktrees
• Sync coordination: JSONL-based sync prevents conflicts

Migration from Limited Support

Before (Limited Worktree Support)

• ❌ Daemon mode broken in worktrees
• ❌ Manual workarounds required
• ❌ Complex setup procedures
• ❌ Limited documentation

After (Enhanced Worktree Support)

• ✅ Shared database architecture
• ✅ Automatic worktree detection
• ✅ Clear user guidance and warnings
• ✅ Comprehensive documentation
• ✅ Git hooks work correctly
• ✅ All bd commands function properly

Note: Based on comprehensive internal testing. Real-world usage may reveal additional refinements needed.

Examples in the Wild

Monorepo Development

# Monorepo with multiple service worktrees
git worktree add services/auth
git worktree add services/api
git worktree add services/web

# Each service team works in their worktree
cd services/auth
export BEADS_NO_DAEMON=1
bd create "Add OAuth support" -t feature -p 1

cd ../api
bd create "Implement auth endpoints" -p 1
# Issues automatically linked and visible across worktrees

Feature Branch Workflow

# Create feature worktree
git worktree add feature/user-profiles
cd feature/user-profiles

# Work on feature with full issue tracking
bd create "Design user profile schema" -t task -p 1
bd create "Implement profile API" -t task -p 1
bd create "Add profile UI components" -t task -p 2

# Issues tracked in shared database
# Code changes isolated to worktree
# Clean merge back to main when ready

See Also

• GIT_INTEGRATION.md - General git integration guide
• AGENTS.md - Agent usage instructions
• README.md - Main project documentation
• MULTI_REPO_MIGRATION.md - Multi-workspace patterns