Git Worktree Refresh

Git Worktree Refresh helps VS Code notice Git worktrees that were created outside VS Code. It exists to address microsoft/vscode#320749.

When a repository is open, the extension watches the repository's common Git directory for worktree metadata changes. When that metadata changes, it rescans known Git worktrees and asks VS Code's built-in Git extension to open any worktree repositories that are not already registered in Source Control.

Features

• Watches .git/worktrees metadata for open repositories.
• Opens newly discovered worktrees through VS Code's built-in Git API.
• Provides a manual Git Worktree Refresh: Rescan Worktrees command.
• Logs decisions and failures to the Git Worktree Refresh output channel.

Requirements

• VS Code with the built-in Git extension enabled.
• Git available on PATH.
• Local repositories must be trusted by VS Code workspace trust before VS Code can open them.

Extension Settings

This extension contributes the following settings:

• gitWorktreeRefresh.autoRefresh: Enable or disable automatic metadata watching. Defaults to true.
• gitWorktreeRefresh.debounceMs: Delay before rescanning after metadata changes. Defaults to 750.
• gitWorktreeRefresh.showNotifications: Show notifications for refresh events and failures. Defaults to false.

Local Build And Install

Install dependencies:

pnpm install

Compile:

pnpm run compile

Package a local VSIX:

pnpm dlx @vscode/vsce package

Install the generated .vsix from VS Code:

code --install-extension git-worktree-refresh-0.0.1.vsix

Reload VS Code after installing.

Manual Smoke Test

1. Open a Git repository in VS Code.

2. Confirm Source Control is enabled and the repository appears.

3. From an external terminal, create a worktree:

   git worktree add ../repo-feature-branch feature-branch
   

4. Open the Source Control Repositories list.

5. Confirm the new worktree appears without reloading the window.

6. If it does not appear, run Git Worktree Refresh: Rescan Worktrees.

7. Check View: Toggle Output -> Git Worktree Refresh for diagnostics.

Known Issues

• The extension focuses on newly discovered worktrees. Removing worktrees may still rely on VS Code's built-in Git extension to dispose stale repositories.
• The extension does not edit .code-workspace files or add workspace folders.
• If VS Code rejects a repository because of workspace trust or Git safe-directory rules, this extension logs the failure but does not bypass that protection.

License

MIT