GitDeck
A VS Code sidebar that lists your git branches. Click a branch to switch to it.
Each branch is opened as its own git worktree, so you can keep several branches checked out (and running) at the same time, without the usual worktree pain:
- No
npm install per branch. node_modules, .env* and venvs are symlinked from the main repo. If a branch changes package.json or the lockfile, its node_modules is cloned instead (copy-on-write on macOS), so installing there can't break other branches.
- No port clashes. Every worktree gets its own port offset (main = base port, then +1, +2…).
- Live status. Start/stop the React app and backend per branch and see 🟢 running / ⏳ starting / 🔴 crashed.
Usage
| Action |
How |
| Switch to a branch |
Click it (creates the worktree on first use) |
| Open in a new window |
Window icon next to the branch |
| New branch |
+ in the view title (branches from the current one) |
| Start / stop services |
▶ / ■ next to the branch |
| Open in browser / logs |
Globe / output icon next to a service |
| Remove worktree |
Right-click → Remove Worktree… |
Worktrees are created in <repo parent>/.gitdeck/<repo name>/<branch> (setting gitdeck.worktreesDir).
Config: .gitdeck.json in the repo root
Click the gear icon to generate one from the folders that have a dev/start script.
{
"shared": [".env", "client/node_modules", "server/node_modules"],
"services": [
{ "name": "server", "cwd": "server", "cmd": "npm run dev", "basePort": 5000 },
{
"name": "client", "cwd": "client", "cmd": "npm start", "basePort": 3000,
"env": { "PORT": "${port}", "REACT_APP_API_URL": "http://localhost:${port:server}" }
}
]
}
shared: optional, auto-detected when omitted (node_modules, .env*, .venv in the root and direct subfolders).env: ${port} is the service's port in this worktree, ${port:<name>} another service's. Default { "PORT": "${port}" }.- Services run detached with logs in
.gitdeck/<repo>/.logs, so they keep running when you switch windows.
Development
npm install
npm run compile # then F5 to launch an Extension Development Host
npm run package # builds gitdeck-<version>.vsix
