claude-parallel-task

Claude Parallel Task Plugin

A Claude Code plugin for creating parallel workspaces by duplicating your entire project directory. Perfect for Laravel Herd and other development environments where you need to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.

Problem This Solves

Ever had Claude working on a large feature in your main repo with lots of uncommitted changes, but needed to quickly fix a small bug? This plugin lets you:

• Work in parallel - Create isolated workspace while main repo is busy
• Test manually - Run and test changes in your browser (auto-serves with Laravel Herd)
• No conflicts - Complete isolation from your main workspace
• Easy cleanup - One command to remove the workspace when done

Use Case

Main repo (Claude working on big feature):

• URL: http://myapp.test
• Status: Busy with large task, many uncommitted changes

Parallel workspace (you fix urgent bug):

• URL: http://myapp-parallel-1234567890.test (auto-generated)
• Status: Clean, isolated environment for quick fix
• Can test immediately in browser

Installation

1. Add the marketplace

From within Claude Code:

/plugin marketplace add ElliotPutt/claude-parallel-task

2. Install the plugin

/plugin install parallel-task@claude-parallel-task

3. (Optional) Add to project settings

To share with your team, add to .claude/settings.json:

{
  "extraKnownMarketplaces": {
    "claude-parallel-task": {
      "source": {
        "source": "github",
        "repo": "ElliotPutt/claude-parallel-task"
      }
    }
  },
  "enabledPlugins": {
    "parallel-task@claude-parallel-task": true
  }
}

Usage

Create a parallel workspace

While Claude is busy in your main repo:

/parallel-task:parallel-task fix login redirect bug

This will:

1. Duplicate your entire directory to ../myrepo-parallel-1234567890/
2. Initialize a fresh git repo in the duplicate
3. Show you the new Herd URL (if using Laravel Herd)
4. Prompt you to open a new Claude Code session

Open new session

In a new terminal window:

cd ../myrepo-parallel-1234567890
claude

Work on your task

In the new Claude Code session:

1. Make your changes
2. Test manually (visit the Herd URL shown)
3. Commit and push
4. Create a PR

Clean up after PR merged

Back in your original repo/session:

/parallel-task:cleanup-parallel

This removes the entire parallel workspace directory.

Features

🚀 Full Duplication

• Complete directory copy using rsync
• Excludes .git and initializes fresh repo
• Complete isolation from main workspace

🌐 Laravel Herd Support

• Auto-detects Herd installation
• Shows new .test URL automatically
• No configuration needed
• Herd auto-removes URL on cleanup

🛡️ Safety Checks

• Warns if workspace has unpushed commits
• Shows workspace size before deletion
• Checks git status before cleanup
• Prevents accidental data loss

📝 State Tracking

• Tracks workspace location in .claude/current-parallel-workspace.txt
• Easy cleanup even if you forget the path
• Supports multiple parallel workspaces

How It Works

/parallel-task:parallel-task [description]

1. Gets current directory name and generates timestamp
2. Creates duplicate: ../project-parallel-1234567890/
3. Uses rsync -a --exclude='.git' to copy everything
4. Initializes fresh git repo in duplicate
5. Stores workspace path for cleanup
6. Detects and shows Herd URL if available

/parallel-task:cleanup-parallel

1. Reads tracked workspace path
2. Verifies workspace exists
3. Checks for unpushed commits (warns if found)
4. Deletes entire directory with rm -rf
5. Removes tracking file
6. Herd auto-removes .test domain

Requirements

• Claude Code CLI
• rsync (pre-installed on macOS/Linux)
• Git
• (Optional) Laravel Herd for auto .test domains

Use Cases

Urgent Bug Fix

Main repo has large feature in progress, need to fix production bug quickly.

Code Review

Want to test someone's branch while keeping your main workspace intact.

Testing Multiple Approaches

Try different solutions in parallel without branch switching.

Client Demo

Need to demo stable version while continuing development work.

Tips

• Database: Both workspaces can share the same database (configurable in .env)
• Dependencies: Each workspace has its own node_modules, vendor, etc.
• Multiple workspaces: You can create multiple parallel workspaces simultaneously
• Git remotes: Each workspace starts with a fresh git repo (add remotes as needed)

Comparison to Git Worktrees

Git worktrees are great for git-only isolation, but this plugin provides: