Public desktop app for local developer workflows

Arborist

Manage AI coding-assistant sessions across Git worktrees. Arborist is a cross-platform Tauri desktop app for developers using local Git worktrees, Claude CLI, GitHub Copilot CLI, terminals, and configured custom processes.

Download from GitHub Releases Run from source Read the docs

Screenshot of the Arborist app showing worktree tabs, child AI sessions, git status dashboard, and AI usage stats. — Arborist managing multiple worktrees with AI coding agents and git status at a glance.

One workspace, many focused sessions.

Arborist keeps multiple worktree-scoped Claude CLI, GitHub Copilot CLI, terminal, and custom-process sessions organized and restorable without replacing the tools you already use.

Worktree-scoped context

Each session runs from the selected worktree path, so prompts, shells, and tools operate in the right checkout.

Persistent PTYs

Every terminal-backed session owns a PTY in the Rust backend and continues running across sidebar tab switches.

CLI-native by design

Arborist launches external tools and preserves their chat, auth, and update flows instead of becoming another chat UI.

Key features

Built around local Git worktrees, safe process launch, and long-running assistant sessions.

Workspace-first model: one app instance binds to one primary Git clone.
Managed worktree tabs: Arborist-created worktrees live under <repo>/.arborist/.worktrees/.
AI sessions: launch Claude CLI and GitHub Copilot CLI from a worktree context.
Custom processes: run shells, editors, file browsers, and other configured commands.
Restore on launch: open worktree tabs and terminal-backed sessions are persisted and restored.
Safe command composition: worktree paths are passed as process cwd, not interpolated into shell strings.
No credential storage: authentication remains with the invoked CLIs and tools.
Cross-platform target: Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop builds.

Install and runtime requirements

Packaged builds are published on GitHub Releases. Source builds remain available for contributors and maintainers.

Download builds

Use the GitHub Releases page for installers, release notes, and downloadable artifacts for supported platforms.

Runtime requirements

git on PATH.
At least one authenticated AI CLI for AI sessions: Claude CLI or GitHub Copilot CLI.
Windows WebView2 runtime if it is not already installed.
Optional Linux wmctrl for X11 application sub-tab focusing.

Release trust and signing status

Release artifacts are not yet code-signed. We plan to add OS-level signing and notarization as soon as the project qualifies. In the meantime, published release assets include GitHub build attestations and can be verified with gh attestation verify <downloaded-file> --repo mcaden/arborist.

Contributor path

Public contribution guidance lives in CONTRIBUTING.md. Development and testing docs cover the full setup, but the shortest source-run path is:

git clone https://github.com/mcaden/arborist.git
cd arborist
nvm use
pnpm install
pnpm dev

Project workflow

Use GitHub issue templates for bugs and feature requests, follow the support policy for help, and report security vulnerabilities through the private security process.

Workflow tips

Patterns that work well once you have multiple worktrees and sessions running.

Prefix PRs with the worktree name

Use [worktree-name] Summary as your PR title convention. It makes the PR list scannable and ties each change back to the worktree that produced it. AI agents can be instructed to follow this convention automatically.

Launch your app as a custom process

Configure your app's dev server (or any long-running command) as a custom-process session type. Arborist will start it in the worktree's directory and keep it running alongside your AI and terminal sessions.

Use worktree prep commands

Set up prep commands like pnpm install and git merge main to run automatically when a worktree is created or switched to. This keeps dependencies fresh and the branch up to date without manual steps.

Curated documentation links

The website is a public landing page. Detailed engineering docs stay in the repository.

READMEProject overview and setup. Product contractScope and requirements. ArchitectureCodebase map and API. Runtime flowsBoot and session flows. ConfigurationConfig and store layout. WorktreesWorkspace rules. DevelopmentLocal workflow. TestingQuality and test seams. ReleasingArtifacts and attestations. ContributingContributor workflow. SecurityDisclosure and boundaries. SupportWhere to get help. RoadmapKnown gaps and plans. Issue templatesBug and feature forms. Code of conductCommunity expectations.

Project metadata and trust

Arborist is a public open-source project with explicit support boundaries. Code signing is planned.

License: MIT
Repository: https://github.com/mcaden/arborist
Website: https://arborist.tools
Status: Public open-source desktop app for local Git worktree and AI CLI workflows.
Distribution: Installers are distributed through GitHub Releases (not yet code-signed — signing is planned); package-manager distribution and automatic updates are not supported.