What are git worktrees, and why should I use them?

The GitHub Blog recently highlighted git worktrees, a feature available since Git 2.5 (2015) that has only recently gained traction among developers. Git worktrees allow you to check out multiple branches simultaneously in separate directories, each with its own working tree. This means you can work on different features, bug fixes, or experiments in parallel without stashing or committing changes every time you switch contexts. For developers building AI workflows, this is particularly useful when managing different model configurations, data processing pipelines, or experimental branches. Instead of repeatedly stashing local changes and checking out another branch, you spawn a new worktree for each branch. Each worktree operates independently, so you can run tests or train models in one while editing code in another. The blog explains that worktrees are created with `git worktree add <path> <branch>` and can be listed and removed easily. The practical angle: for anyone juggling multiple Git branches, worktrees reduce friction and context-switching overhead. By adopting worktrees, developers can keep their main branch clean while actively developing on several parallel tracks. This is especially relevant in AI projects where iteration and experimentation are common.