Easy Worktree Switcher
I wanted the worktree flow from Zed inside VS Code: one small status bar item, one quick picker, and no ceremony when I need a second checkout for a fix, review, or experiment.
This extension adds that flow to VS Code. It lists the worktrees attached to the current repository, opens another worktree in a new window, creates fresh detached worktrees from either the current branch or your default branch, and removes linked worktrees you are no longer using.
Why I Built This
Git worktrees are the cleanest way I know to jump between tasks without stashing half-finished code. VS Code already handles folders well, but the missing piece for me was a quick, editor-native switcher that stays close to the branch picker.
Easy Worktree Switcher is intentionally small:
- no custom Git model
- no side panel to manage
- no branch checkout magic after creation
- just worktrees, quick picks, and new windows
Features
- Status bar picker that shows the current worktree name.
Git: Worktree command for the full create/switch/delete flow.- Create a worktree from the current branch/HEAD.
- Create a worktree from the repository default branch.
- Open any linked worktree in a new VS Code window.
- Delete linked worktrees without touching the currently open workspace.
- Configurable base directory for new worktrees.
- Optional
.env and .env.local copying into newly created worktrees.
New worktrees are created with git worktree add --detach, then you can use VS Code's branch picker in that worktree to create or check out the branch you want.
Usage
Click the Git Worktree status bar item, or run Git: Worktree from the Command Palette.
The picker shows:
New Worktree from "<current branch>".New Worktree from "<default branch>".- Every linked worktree for the current repository.
Selecting an existing worktree opens it in a new VS Code window. If VS Code already has that folder open, VS Code decides whether to focus/reuse the existing window using its normal window behavior.
Settings
{
"easyWorktreeSwitcher.worktreeDirectory": "../worktrees",
"easyWorktreeSwitcher.statusBarPriority": 1000000,
"easyWorktreeSwitcher.showStatusBarItem": true,
"easyWorktreeSwitcher.copyEnvFiles": true
}
With the default ../worktrees, a repository at ~/code/my-app creates worktrees here:
~/code/worktrees/my-app/
If the configured directory resolves inside the repository, no repository name is appended.
When easyWorktreeSwitcher.copyEnvFiles is enabled, .env and .env.local from the repository root are copied into each new worktree after Git creates it.
Commands
| Command |
What it does |
Git: Worktree |
Opens the combined picker. |
Git: Switch Worktree |
Opens another linked worktree. |
Git: Create Worktree |
Prompts for source and folder name. |
Git: Create Worktree from Current Branch |
Creates from HEAD. |
Git: Create Worktree from Default Branch |
Creates from origin/HEAD, init.defaultBranch, or main. |
Git: Open Worktree in New Window |
Opens a chosen worktree in a new window. |
Git: Delete Worktree |
Removes a linked worktree after confirmation. |
Git: Refresh Worktree Picker |
Refreshes the status bar worktree label. |
Requirements
- VS Code 1.90 or newer.
- Git available on your
PATH.
- A workspace folder inside a Git repository.
