Local Git Workspace Manager

A lightweight Windows-based Git workspace manager designed for structured multi-branch development.

This tool enforces a structured project layout using a local bare repository (origin.git) and isolated workspaces (separate clones per branch or task). It also supports a shared global virtual environment to prevent dependency sprawl and streamline development sessions.

UI Overview

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Features

• Structured project layout (origin.git + workspaces)
• Workspace isolation (safe branch experimentation)
• Optional global virtual environment
• One-click editor launcher generation
• Export requirements.txt from global venv
• Import existing folders
• Adopt unmanaged Git repositories
• Optional remote fetch during adoption
• Jupyter kernel integration for global venv
• Portable mode support

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Managed Project Structure

<root>/
my_project/
origin.git/
workspaces/
main/
feature_x/

Each workspace is a full clone connected to the local origin.git.

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Recommended Workflow

1. Set Root → Choose a central projects folder.
2. Create Global Venv (optional but recommended).
3. Create Project → Initializes bare repo + first workspace.
4. Create Workspaces → Isolated clones for branches or experiments.
5. Generate Launcher → Open workspace in your editor.
6. Select and Run Launcher → Opens project in editor
7. Open terminal (cmd) in workspace and run: start_session.bat

This will:

• Activate the global virtual environment
• Display Git branch and status
• Prepare the session for work

**EXAMPLE**
================================================================
 PROJECT:   selected_project
 WORKSPACE: workspace_name
================================================================

 [VENV] Activated: global_venv (venv-name)

----------------------------------------------------------------
 GIT BRANCH:
----------------------------------------------------------------
* main

----------------------------------------------------------------
 GIT STATUS:
----------------------------------------------------------------
On branch main
Your branch is up to date with 'origin/main'.

Untracked files:
  (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)
        .vscode/
        notebook_helper.py
        start_session.bat

nothing added to commit but untracked files present (use "git add" to track)

================================================================
 Session ready!
================================================================

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Final Example

Adopting Existing Repositories

If unmanaged Git repositories are detected inside the root folder, the tool can:

• Detect them automatically
• Offer adoption into structured format
• Fetch remote branches (optional)
• Convert them into managed projects

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Global Virtual Environment

The global venv:

• Prevents system-wide dependency pollution
• Can be reused across multiple projects
• Supports Jupyter kernel installation
• Allows exporting requirements.txt per workspace

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Portable Mode

By default, configuration is stored in: %LOCALAPPDATA%\LocalGitControlPanel

To run fully portable (everything next to the script):

set PORTABLE=1 py local_git_manager.py

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Tech Stack

• Python 3.9+
• Tkinter (GUI)
• Git CLI
• Windows batch scripting

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Designed to:

• Enforce clean Git workflows
• Encourage branch isolation
• Simplify environment management
• Reduce repetitive setup friction
• Provide reproducible dev sessions

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Author

Built by [Renato Pedrosa]
Part of a growing ecosystem of Python-based developer tools.