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What is Repo Manager?

Repo Manager is a ZSH plugin that transforms how you work with git repositories by using a worktree-first workflow. Instead of constantly switching branches, stashing changes, and dealing with checkout conflicts, Repo Manager clones repositories as bare repos with worktrees for each branch, enabling instant context switching.

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The problem it solves

Traditional git workflows force you into a single-directory, single-branch context:
  • You’re working on a feature, but need to quickly review a PR
  • You have to stash your work, checkout the PR branch, review it, then checkout back and unstash
  • With multiple tasks, you’re constantly juggling git stash, git checkout, and hoping you don’t lose work
  • Running parallel builds or tests requires manual workarounds
Repo Manager eliminates this friction entirely.

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Key benefits

Instant context switching Each branch lives in its own directory. Switch between branches by simply changing directories—no stashing, no checkout thrashing. 
repo wt go feature-auth    # cd to feature-auth worktree
repo wt go main            # cd to main worktree
Parallel workflows Run builds, tests, or servers on multiple branches simultaneously. Each worktree is an independent working directory. PR reviews without disruption Create a worktree from any GitHub PR, review the code, run tests, then remove it—all without touching your work-in-progress branches. 
repo wt pr 42              # fetch PR #42, create worktree, cd into it
# review, test, comment
repo wt rm pr-branch       # clean up
Organized repository structure All repositories are stored in a consistent, hierarchical layout under $REPO_BASE_DIR: 
$REPO_BASE_DIR/github.com/user/repo/
├── .bare/            # bare git repo
├── .git              # file pointing to .bare
├── main/             # worktree for main branch
├── feature-auth/     # worktree for feature branch
└── fix-crash/        # worktree from PR review

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How it compares to standard git workflow

# Working on feature, need to review PR
git stash
git checkout pr-branch
# review code
git checkout feature-auth
git stash pop

# Can't run parallel builds/tests
# Can't keep multiple branches ready
# Risk of stash conflicts
Repo Manager uses git’s native worktree feature under the hood, but automates the bare repository setup and worktree management that would otherwise require manual git commands.

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Directory layout

After cloning with repo get github.com/user/repo, you get: 
$REPO_BASE_DIR/github.com/user/repo/
├── .bare/            # bare git repo (stores all git data)
├── .git              # file pointing to .bare
├── main/             # worktree for default branch
├── feature-auth/     # worktree added via repo wt add
└── fix-crash/        # worktree added via repo wt pr
Each worktree directory is a fully functional git working directory, sharing the same git history from .bare/.

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Next steps

Installation

Install Repo Manager with your ZSH plugin manager

Quickstart

Clone your first repo and create worktrees

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