Run a separate Claude instance in a git worktree to handle long-running tasks in the background.

Install

mkdir -p .claude/skills/worktree-spawn && curl -L -o skill.zip "https://agentskills.codes/api/skills/download/3170" && unzip -o skill.zip -d .claude/skills/worktree-spawn && rm skill.zip

Installs to .claude/skills/worktree-spawn

Activation

This is the description your AI agent reads to decide when to run this skill — the better it matches your request, the more reliably it fires.

Spawn an independent Claude instance in a git worktree to work on a task in parallel. Use when the user wants to delegate a task to run independently while continuing the current conversation.
192 chars✓ has a “when” trigger
Advanced

Key capabilities

  • Create git worktrees
  • Spawn independent agent instances
  • Execute parallel tasks
  • Manage branch-based task isolation

How it works

The skill creates a new git worktree and initializes a separate agent instance, allowing the user to delegate tasks to run in parallel while maintaining the current session.

Inputs & outputs

You give it
Task description
You get back
Independent agent process in a worktree

When to use worktree-spawn

  • Delegate bug investigation
  • Run background refactoring
  • Parallelize feature development

About this skill

Worktree Spawn

Spawn an independent Claude instance in a separate git worktree to work on a task in parallel.

When to Use

  • User wants to delegate a task to run independently
  • Task can be completed without further interaction
  • User wants to continue working on something else in the current session

Workflow

  1. Determine branch name using author initials (from git config user.initials or git config user.name) and task description
  2. Choose a worktree directory name (typically ../aztec-<feature-name>)
  3. Create the worktree with a new branch
  4. Spawn Claude in the worktree with a detailed task prompt

Command Template

cd $(git rev-parse --show-toplevel) && \
git worktree add -b <author>/<branch-name> ../<worktree-dir-name> && \
cd ../<worktree-dir-name>/yarn-project && \
claude "$(cat <<'EOF'
Task: [Brief task description]

Steps:
1. [Step 1]
2. [Step 2]
...

IMPORTANT: Read CLAUDE.md first to understand the project structure and workflow.

[Any additional context or requirements]
- Working directory: yarn-project in the worktree
- Branch: <author>/<branch-name>
- PR target: next (unless specified otherwise)
EOF
)"

Example

For a task "Fix bug #123 in the sequencer":

cd $(git rev-parse --show-toplevel) && \
git worktree add -b jd/fix-bug-123 ../aztec-fix-bug && \
cd ../aztec-fix-bug/yarn-project && \
claude "$(cat <<'EOF'
Task: Fix bug #123 in the sequencer

Steps:
1. Investigate the issue in sequencer package
2. Implement fix
3. Add tests
4. Compile and run tests
5. Commit and create PR

IMPORTANT: Read CLAUDE.md first to understand the project structure and workflow.
EOF
)"

Key Points

  • Always go to git root first before creating worktree
  • Use -b flag to create a new branch
  • Navigate to yarn-project within the worktree
  • Always include "Read CLAUDE.md first" in the prompt
  • Worktree directories are typically named ../aztec-<feature-name>
  • The spawned Claude instance works independently from the current session
  • PR target is next unless specified otherwise

When not to use it

  • Tasks requiring interaction with the current session

Prerequisites

git

Limitations

  • Requires git worktree support
  • Task must be independent of current session

How it compares

It enables true parallel task execution by isolating the agent environment in a separate git worktree.

Compared to similar skills

worktree-spawn side by side with the closest alternatives in the catalog.

SkillInstallsUpdatedSafetyDifficulty
worktree-spawn (this skill)16moReviewAdvanced
tmux202moReviewIntermediate
jira116moNo flagsBeginner
triaging-issues52moReviewIntermediate

Try saying

Example prompts that trigger this skill in your AI assistant.

Search skills

Search the agent skills registry