Tag
Worktrees
4 reviewed tools: 4 free or open source.
Order: free and open source first, then hosted products with a real free tier, then paid-led; catalog order inside each group, with quiet or archived repos last. Not a score, and no tool pays for its place.
4 tools
- WorktrunkGit worktrees that spawn an agent in one switch
Free / OSS · Apache-2.0 · 9.3k GitHub stars
VerdictThe worktree CLI for running several agents at once. On Windows, call git-wt.
CatchOn Windows, `wt` is Windows Terminal's command. The installer ships `git-wt` to avoid the collision (`winget install max-sixty.worktrunk` then `git-wt config shell install`); you can also disable the Terminal app-execution alias. Project hooks require first-run approval. This is worktree plumbing, not a coding agent.
- OpenResearchMIT coding agents → research agents (Rust)
Free / OSS · OSS/MIT · 7.3k GitHub stars
VerdictMIT research-agent workspace. Coding agents → autoresearch; not Spec Kit/DSPy/Promptfoo.
CatchVs Spec Kit (spec-driven coding workflow), DSPy (prompt/program optimizers), Promptfoo (eval/red-team): OpenResearch is a research-agent harness and experiment ledger around existing coding agents — not a spec kit, not a prompt compiler, not an eval suite. You still pay (or self-host) the coding agent and any remote compute you dispatch.
- OrcaParallel coding-agent ADE with worktrees, mobile control, and design mode
Free / OSS · OSS/MIT · 97k GitHub stars
VerdictMIT parallel coding-agent ADE. Use for worktree-centered agent operation; bring the CLIs, keys, and merge discipline.
CatchVs AgentBox and Octop: Orca is an operator-facing coding-agent ADE with worktrees and design/mobile surfaces, not a generic sandbox/VM launcher or a self-hosted multi-user agent platform. BYO agent CLIs, credentials, model spend, and the operational discipline to reconcile parallel worktrees.
- ScionApache-2.0 platform for running coding agents as teams
Free / OSS · Apache-2.0 · 2k GitHub stars
VerdictThe most complete open setup for trying agent teams today — pin a preview tag and expect your config to change.
CatchIt needs a container runtime: Podman, Docker or Apple Container (Kubernetes or Cloud Run for hosted runs). There are no GitHub releases yet, only preview tags such as v0.3.0-preview.3, and the README warns that the project is evolving rapidly and APIs and configuration may change. It is from a Google Cloud repo but, in its own words, not an officially supported Google product. Every agent still runs on your own model keys and their token costs.
FAQ
- What is the top free pick among Worktrees?
- Worktrunk leads the Stack Gems list for Worktrees. Verdict: The worktree CLI for running several agents at once. On Windows, call git-wt.
- How many Worktrees does Stack Gems review?
- 4: 4 free or open source. Each review has a verdict and an honest Catch; no tool pays for its spot.
- Which Worktrees can I self-host for free?
- Worktrunk, OpenResearch, Orca and Scion.
- Which Worktrees have the most GitHub stars?
- Orca (97k), Worktrunk (9.3k), OpenResearch (7.3k), per GitHub on 2026-10-19. Stars measure attention, not fit; read the Catch.
- What is the catch with Worktrunk?
- On Windows, `wt` is Windows Terminal's command.