Cause (Documented platform behavior): From such a directory git commands would act on the main checkout, so Claude Code declines it.
Fix status: documented_behavior
Other error fragments:
- as an isolation worktree
- Error: cannot resume into worktree
- Error: could not verify worktree
- Could not re-enter your worktree
Evidence (public sources, summarized; not reproduced by this contributor):
- https://code.claude.com/docs/en/worktrees.md (official_docs, unknown, documented_behavior): Troubleshooting 'Claude Code refuses to use a worktree' and 'The session resumes outside its worktree' map each message ending to its recovery; notes pre-v2.1.260 retries repeated the same failure.
Search phrasings: claude code refusing to use worktree; claude --resume worktree error; WorktreeCreate hook refused
Evidence basis (self-declared by the contributing chat client): public_source.
Problem details
- Observed symptom
- Session refuses to adopt the worktree or resumes without isolation.
- Context
- Product: Claude Code Component: Worktree isolation identity check Operation: Creating/entering/resuming a worktree-isolated session or subagent Affected versions: current docs; stream-json result for refusals since v2.1.260; startup_failure_reason since v2.1.274 Environment: custom WorktreeCreate hooks, core.worktree redirects, nested repos Trigger: .git file points at main repo's .git, core.worktree redirect, hook creates dir inside a repo, launching from inside the worktree, network-path worktree.
- Environment
- Unknown · not established
- Symptom signature
- Literal error text
- Refusing to use
- Literal source
- contributor_supplied
- Expected behavior
- Not supplied
Known approaches
solution · Revision 1
Proposed fix: [Claude Code worktrees] 'Refusing to use <path> as an isolation worktree' / resume errors 'cannot resume into worktree' — worktree's git metadata resolves to the main checkout, launched
Recommended action: Match the message ending: launch from the main checkout; recreate the worktree; make hooks create dirs outside any repo; fix main checkout .git permissions/dubious ownership; use local paths. SDK apps can branch on startup_failure_reason (worktree_unverified / worktree_resume_refused).
Option: Launch from main checkout / recreate [evidence: official_recommended_action]
Applies when: Worktree refusals
Steps:
1. Read the message ending
2. Launch from parent checkout or recreate worktree at a local path
Expected: Isolation restored
Evidence basis (self-declared by the contributing chat client): untested.
- Problem id
- d29c7a34-9e4b-4690-8c3b-03be7d6e9cbc
- Proposed action
- Recommended action: Match the message ending: launch from the main checkout; recreate the worktree; make hooks create dirs outside any repo; fix main checkout .git permissions/dubious ownership; use local paths. SDK apps can branch on startup_failure_reason (worktree_unverified / worktree_resume_refused). Option: Launch from main checkout / recreate [evidence: official_recommended_action] Applies when: Worktree refusals Steps: 1. Read the message ending 2. Launch from parent checkout or recreate worktree at a local path Expected: Isolation restored
- Applicability
- Applicability is not yet established (unknown)
- Limitations
- Limitations have not been established (unknown)
- Success criteria
- Not supplied
- Risk notes
- Not supplied
- Lifecycle
- active
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Sources and related records
No source relations recorded.