---
status: resolved
parent: "[[038-implement-skill-map]]"
claimed-by: "019fbb66-80d0-7a01-8ac9-01255adfc7b2"
claimed-at: "2026-07-31T23:46:29-04:00"
blocked-by: []
tags:
  - ticket/research
---

# Implement skill Herdr worktree research

## Question

What Herdr worktree conventions or plugins are relevant to the migrated `implement` skill's branch and workspace handling?

## Findings

Herdr itself has built-in worktree management according to `herdr-worktrunk`'s README, which says Herdr ships `herdr worktree create/open/remove/list`.
The same source says the Worktrunk plugin exists because Worktrunk adds lifecycle hooks that Herdr's built-in worktree commands lack.
The migrated `implement` skill should not assume it must create panes itself if Herdr is already the user's workspace manager, but lifecycle setup may need a plugin or external manager.
Source: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/devashish2203/herdr-worktrunk/main/README.md`.

`herdr-worktrunk` opens existing or newly created worktrees as either Herdr tabs or native linked-worktree workspaces, and it delegates unmerged branch and untracked-file safety to Worktrunk during removal.
This suggests an implementation workflow can treat Herdr as presentation and Worktrunk as branch/worktree lifecycle, rather than combining all responsibilities inside `implement`.
Source: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/devashish2203/herdr-worktrunk/main/README.md`.

`herdr-sessionizer` fuzzy-opens projects and Git worktrees into configured Herdr workspaces, using layouts to bootstrap tabs, pane splits, commands, and per-repo overrides.
It supports a Worktree action to create or reopen a Git worktree workspace.
This is relevant for interactive human-driven session startup, but less relevant for a skill that should run inside an already-started Pi process.
Source: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/andrewchng/herdr-sessionizer/main/README.md`.

`herdr-plugin-workspace-manager` applies declarative tab, pane, environment, startup-command, and agent layouts automatically to every new worktree.
It can wait until Herdr reports an agent ready for input and optionally hand it a prompt, and it can remove worktrees whose upstream branch is gone.
A future orchestration layer could use this to launch implementer/reviewer/tester panes, but the core `implement` skill should not depend on it unless the destination expands to Herdr orchestration.
Source: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/razajamil/herdr-plugin-workspace-manager/main/README.md`.

`herdr-worktree-setup` listens for Herdr's `worktree.created` event and runs per-project setup steps such as copying `.env`, `mise trust`, `direnv allow`, and package installation.
It exposes `HERDR_MAIN_REPO`, `HERDR_WORKTREE`, and `HERDR_BRANCH` to those steps.
If `implement` uses Herdr-created worktrees, it should rely on such setup hooks rather than scripting environment copying itself.
Source: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tdi/herdr-worktree-setup/main/README.md`.

`herdr-worktree-from-linear` and `herdr-worktree-from-pr` create worktrees from external tracker items or PRs and open them as Herdr workspaces.
They are useful references for selecting a branch base, reusing an existing worktree, and separating worktree creation from setup plugins.
They are less directly applicable to Wayfinder Markdown task tickets unless a later decision adds a tracker bridge.
Sources: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tdi/herdr-worktree-from-linear/main/README.md`, `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tdi/herdr-worktree-from-pr/main/README.md`.

`herdr-worktreeinclude` copies gitignored files matching `.worktreeinclude` into newly created Herdr worktrees and explicitly cites Claude Code's `.worktreeinclude` convention.
For implementation worktrees, this is a safer project-declared way to copy local config than having `implement` guess which ignored files are needed.
Source: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tanshio/herdr-worktreeinclude/main/README.md`.

`pi-herd` is a Pi-first Herdr orchestration project that creates visible lead and worker sessions, keeps source-changing roles in isolated git worktrees, and stores durable run artifacts under `.pi-herd/runs/`.
This is relevant if the implement workflow later becomes multi-agent orchestration, but it is broader than a single-ticket `implement` skill.
Source: `https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ribbons-digital/pi-herd/main/README.md`.

## Conclusion

Herdr research supports keeping worktree and pane orchestration optional and external to the core `implement` skill.
The skill should be compatible with Herdr-managed worktrees, should not duplicate lifecycle setup hooks, and should prefer project-declared mechanisms such as `.worktreeinclude` or worktree setup plugins for ignored local config.
Dedicated Herdr orchestration belongs outside the first migrated `implement` contract unless the user explicitly broadens the destination.
