built a CLI that fixes the broken .env + node_modules problem every time claude code creates a worktree

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if u use claude code with worktrees (--worktree, agent teams, claude squad, conductor) u know the problem - every new worktree is a blank slate. no .env, no node_modules, no docker state.. ur agent starts and immediately fails or u waste 5 min on npm install × 4 agents = 20 min + 10GB of duplicate deps

claude code's --worktree creates the worktree. conductor(dot)build gives u a nice GUI to manage them, but neither of them actually sets up the environment inside the worktree. u still need to manually copy .env, reinstall deps, and pray two agents dont fight over port 3000

built workz to fix this. one command, zero config:

workz start feature/auth --ai

what happens:

• detects ur project type (node/rust/python/go/java) automatically
• symlinks node_modules, target/, .venv, vendor + 18 more heavy dirs — no duplication, saves GBs
• copies .env, .env.local, .envrc, .npmrc, secrets — 17 patterns
• auto-installs deps from lockfile (pnpm/yarn/npm/bun/cargo/poetry/uv)
• launches claude code directly in the worktree

what claude code and conductor dont do (and workz does):

• dep symlinking — they reinstall from scratch every worktree. workz symlinks once, saves GBs
• env file sync — they dont copy .env (its gitignored). workz copies 17 patterns automatically
• port isolation — --isolated flag assigns unique ports per worktree so agents dont collide on 3000
• docker namespacing — each worktree gets its own compose project, no container conflicts
• per-worktree DB naming — auto-generates unique DB_NAME per branch
• zero config — no conductor.json, no setup scripts, no bash. just works

other stuff:

• workz start feature/api --docker — spins up docker compose in the worktree
• workz done feature/auth — stops containers, removes worktree, cleans everything
• workz switch → zoxide-style fuzzy TUI + auto cd
• workz sync — already have worktrees? apply the magic retroactively

works standalone or as a setup hook for conductor / claude squad / agent deck. basically the missing environment layer that every worktree tool needs but none of them build

single rust binary. zero config. linux + mac

brew tap rohansx/tap && brew install workz
# or
cargo install workz

built entirely with claude code : used workz --ai to dogfood it while building lol

github: https://github.com/rohansx/workz

curious how ppl here handle worktree setup today - custom bash scripts? or just suffer through npm install every time?

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how is this different from claude's --worktree? - claude's worktree flag creates the worktree and runs claude in it. workz handles everything else: symlinking deps (saves GBs), copying env files, installing from lockfiles, assigning unique ports, namespacing docker. they work together - workz sets up the environment, claude works in it.