diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
index cdd26723a..5001e1d7d 100644
--- a/AGENTS.md
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ The unified `hermes` command provides all functionality:
 |---------|-------------|
 | `hermes` | Interactive chat (default) |
 | `hermes chat -q "..."` | Single query mode |
+| `hermes -w` / `hermes --worktree` | Start in isolated git worktree (for parallel agents) |
 | `hermes setup` | Configure API keys and settings |
 | `hermes config` | View current configuration |
 | `hermes config edit` | Open config in editor |
diff --git a/cli-config.yaml.example b/cli-config.yaml.example
index f0d5a95bd..dfbaeee6b 100644
--- a/cli-config.yaml.example
+++ b/cli-config.yaml.example
@@ -50,6 +50,16 @@ model:
 #   # Data policy: "allow" (default) or "deny" to exclude providers that may store data
 #   # data_collection: "deny"
 
+# =============================================================================
+# Git Worktree Isolation
+# =============================================================================
+# When enabled, each CLI session creates an isolated git worktree so multiple
+# agents can work on the same repo concurrently without file collisions.
+# Equivalent to always passing --worktree / -w on the command line.
+#
+# worktree: true    # Always create a worktree when in a git repo
+# worktree: false   # Default — only create when -w flag is passed
+
 # =============================================================================
 # Terminal Tool Configuration
 # =============================================================================
diff --git a/cli.py b/cli.py
index ccef54ab9..6c44ef61b 100755
--- a/cli.py
+++ b/cli.py
@@ -455,12 +455,16 @@ def _setup_worktree(repo_root: str = None) -> Optional[Dict[str, str]]:
         logger.debug("Could not update .gitignore: %s", e)
 
     # Create the worktree
-    result = subprocess.run(
-        ["git", "worktree", "add", str(wt_path), "-b", branch_name, "HEAD"],
-        capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=30, cwd=repo_root,
-    )
-    if result.returncode != 0:
-        print(f"\033[31m✗ Failed to create worktree: {result.stderr.strip()}\033[0m")
+    try:
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "worktree", "add", str(wt_path), "-b", branch_name, "HEAD"],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=30, cwd=repo_root,
+        )
+        if result.returncode != 0:
+            print(f"\033[31m✗ Failed to create worktree: {result.stderr.strip()}\033[0m")
+            return None
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"\033[31m✗ Failed to create worktree: {e}\033[0m")
         return None
 
     # Copy files listed in .worktreeinclude (gitignored files the agent needs)
@@ -552,6 +556,66 @@ def _cleanup_worktree(info: Dict[str, str] = None) -> None:
     _active_worktree = None
     print(f"\033[32m✓ Worktree cleaned up: {wt_path}\033[0m")
 
+
+def _prune_stale_worktrees(repo_root: str, max_age_hours: int = 24) -> None:
+    """Remove worktrees older than max_age_hours that have no uncommitted changes.
+
+    Runs silently on startup to clean up after crashed/killed sessions.
+    """
+    import subprocess
+    import time
+
+    worktrees_dir = Path(repo_root) / ".worktrees"
+    if not worktrees_dir.exists():
+        return
+
+    now = time.time()
+    cutoff = now - (max_age_hours * 3600)
+
+    for entry in worktrees_dir.iterdir():
+        if not entry.is_dir() or not entry.name.startswith("hermes-"):
+            continue
+
+        # Check age
+        try:
+            mtime = entry.stat().st_mtime
+            if mtime > cutoff:
+                continue  # Too recent — skip
+        except Exception:
+            continue
+
+        # Check for uncommitted changes
+        try:
+            status = subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "status", "--porcelain"],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5, cwd=str(entry),
+            )
+            if status.stdout.strip():
+                continue  # Has changes — skip
+        except Exception:
+            continue  # Can't check — skip
+
+        # Safe to remove
+        try:
+            branch_result = subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "branch", "--show-current"],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5, cwd=str(entry),
+            )
+            branch = branch_result.stdout.strip()
+
+            subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "worktree", "remove", str(entry), "--force"],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=15, cwd=repo_root,
+            )
+            if branch:
+                subprocess.run(
+                    ["git", "branch", "-D", branch],
+                    capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10, cwd=repo_root,
+                )
+            logger.debug("Pruned stale worktree: %s", entry.name)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.debug("Failed to prune worktree %s: %s", entry.name, e)
+
 # ============================================================================
 # ASCII Art & Branding
 # ============================================================================
@@ -3456,17 +3520,25 @@ def main(
         asyncio.run(start_gateway())
         return
 
-    # ── Git worktree isolation (#652) ──
-    # Create an isolated worktree so this agent instance doesn't collide
-    # with other agents working on the same repo.
-    use_worktree = worktree or w or CLI_CONFIG.get("worktree", False)
-    wt_info = None
-    if use_worktree:
-        wt_info = _setup_worktree()
-        if wt_info:
-            _active_worktree = wt_info
-            os.environ["TERMINAL_CWD"] = wt_info["path"]
-            atexit.register(_cleanup_worktree, wt_info)
+    # Skip worktree for list commands (they exit immediately)
+    if not list_tools and not list_toolsets:
+        # ── Git worktree isolation (#652) ──
+        # Create an isolated worktree so this agent instance doesn't collide
+        # with other agents working on the same repo.
+        use_worktree = worktree or w or CLI_CONFIG.get("worktree", False)
+        wt_info = None
+        if use_worktree:
+            # Prune stale worktrees from crashed/killed sessions
+            _repo = _git_repo_root()
+            if _repo:
+                _prune_stale_worktrees(_repo)
+            wt_info = _setup_worktree()
+            if wt_info:
+                _active_worktree = wt_info
+                os.environ["TERMINAL_CWD"] = wt_info["path"]
+                atexit.register(_cleanup_worktree, wt_info)
+    else:
+        wt_info = None
     
     # Handle query shorthand
     query = query or q
diff --git a/hermes_cli/main.py b/hermes_cli/main.py
index 55c41e37b..20f33998a 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/main.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/main.py
@@ -167,6 +167,7 @@ def cmd_chat(args):
         "verbose": args.verbose,
         "query": args.query,
         "resume": getattr(args, "resume", None),
+        "worktree": getattr(args, "worktree", False),
     }
     # Filter out None values
     kwargs = {k: v for k, v in kwargs.items() if v is not None}
@@ -1217,6 +1218,7 @@ Examples:
     hermes config edit            Edit config in $EDITOR
     hermes config set model gpt-4 Set a config value
     hermes gateway                Run messaging gateway
+    hermes -w                     Start in isolated git worktree
     hermes gateway install        Install as system service
     hermes sessions list          List past sessions
     hermes update                 Update to latest version
@@ -1244,6 +1246,12 @@ For more help on a command:
         default=False,
         help="Resume the most recent CLI session"
     )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--worktree", "-w",
+        action="store_true",
+        default=False,
+        help="Run in an isolated git worktree (for parallel agents)"
+    )
     
     subparsers = parser.add_subparsers(dest="command", help="Command to run")
     
@@ -1290,6 +1298,12 @@ For more help on a command:
         default=False,
         help="Resume the most recent CLI session"
     )
+    chat_parser.add_argument(
+        "--worktree", "-w",
+        action="store_true",
+        default=False,
+        help="Run in an isolated git worktree (for parallel agents on the same repo)"
+    )
     chat_parser.set_defaults(func=cmd_chat)
 
     # =========================================================================
@@ -1850,6 +1864,8 @@ For more help on a command:
         args.provider = None
         args.toolsets = None
         args.verbose = False
+        if not hasattr(args, "worktree"):
+            args.worktree = False
         cmd_chat(args)
         return
     
@@ -1862,6 +1878,8 @@ For more help on a command:
         args.verbose = False
         args.resume = None
         args.continue_last = False
+        if not hasattr(args, "worktree"):
+            args.worktree = False
         cmd_chat(args)
         return
     
diff --git a/tests/test_worktree.py b/tests/test_worktree.py
index ab943b41e..f545baa39 100644
--- a/tests/test_worktree.py
+++ b/tests/test_worktree.py
@@ -1,20 +1,15 @@
 """Tests for git worktree isolation (CLI --worktree / -w flag).
 
 Verifies worktree creation, cleanup, .worktreeinclude handling,
-and .gitignore management.  (#652)
+.gitignore management, and integration with the CLI.  (#652)
 """
 
 import os
+import shutil
 import subprocess
 import pytest
 from pathlib import Path
-from unittest.mock import patch
-
-# Import worktree functions from cli.py
-# We need to be careful — cli.py has heavy imports at module level.
-# Import the functions directly.
-import importlib
-import sys
+from unittest.mock import patch, MagicMock
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -41,19 +36,6 @@ def git_repo(tmp_path):
     return repo
 
 
-@pytest.fixture
-def worktree_funcs():
-    """Import worktree functions without triggering heavy cli.py imports."""
-    # We test the functions in isolation using subprocess calls
-    # that mirror what the functions do, since importing cli.py
-    # pulls in prompt_toolkit, rich, fire, etc.
-    return {
-        "git_repo_root": _git_repo_root,
-        "setup_worktree": _setup_worktree,
-        "cleanup_worktree": _cleanup_worktree,
-    }
-
-
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Lightweight reimplementations for testing (avoid importing cli.py)
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -397,3 +379,257 @@ class TestMultipleWorktrees:
         # All should be removed
         for info in worktrees:
             assert not Path(info["path"]).exists()
+
+
+class TestWorktreeDirectorySymlink:
+    """Test .worktreeinclude with directories (symlinked)."""
+
+    def test_symlinks_directory(self, git_repo):
+        """Directories in .worktreeinclude should be symlinked."""
+        # Create a .venv directory
+        venv_dir = git_repo / ".venv" / "lib"
+        venv_dir.mkdir(parents=True)
+        (venv_dir / "marker.txt").write_text("venv marker")
+        (git_repo / ".gitignore").write_text(".venv/\n.worktrees/\n")
+        subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "add", ".gitignore"], cwd=str(git_repo), capture_output=True
+        )
+        subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "commit", "-m", "gitignore"], cwd=str(git_repo), capture_output=True
+        )
+
+        (git_repo / ".worktreeinclude").write_text(".venv/\n")
+
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(git_repo))
+        assert info is not None
+
+        wt_path = Path(info["path"])
+        src = git_repo / ".venv"
+        dst = wt_path / ".venv"
+
+        # Manually symlink (mirrors cli.py logic)
+        if not dst.exists():
+            dst.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+            os.symlink(str(src.resolve()), str(dst))
+
+        assert dst.is_symlink()
+        assert (dst / "lib" / "marker.txt").read_text() == "venv marker"
+
+
+class TestStaleWorktreePruning:
+    """Test _prune_stale_worktrees garbage collection."""
+
+    def test_prunes_old_clean_worktree(self, git_repo):
+        """Old clean worktrees should be removed on prune."""
+        import time
+
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(git_repo))
+        assert info is not None
+        assert Path(info["path"]).exists()
+
+        # Make the worktree look old (set mtime to 25h ago)
+        old_time = time.time() - (25 * 3600)
+        os.utime(info["path"], (old_time, old_time))
+
+        # Reimplementation of prune logic (matches cli.py)
+        worktrees_dir = git_repo / ".worktrees"
+        cutoff = time.time() - (24 * 3600)
+
+        for entry in worktrees_dir.iterdir():
+            if not entry.is_dir() or not entry.name.startswith("hermes-"):
+                continue
+            try:
+                mtime = entry.stat().st_mtime
+                if mtime > cutoff:
+                    continue
+            except Exception:
+                continue
+
+            status = subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "status", "--porcelain"],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5, cwd=str(entry),
+            )
+            if status.stdout.strip():
+                continue
+
+            branch_result = subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "branch", "--show-current"],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=5, cwd=str(entry),
+            )
+            branch = branch_result.stdout.strip()
+            subprocess.run(
+                ["git", "worktree", "remove", str(entry), "--force"],
+                capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=15, cwd=str(git_repo),
+            )
+            if branch:
+                subprocess.run(
+                    ["git", "branch", "-D", branch],
+                    capture_output=True, text=True, timeout=10, cwd=str(git_repo),
+                )
+
+        assert not Path(info["path"]).exists()
+
+    def test_keeps_recent_worktree(self, git_repo):
+        """Recent worktrees should NOT be pruned."""
+        import time
+
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(git_repo))
+        assert info is not None
+
+        # Don't modify mtime — it's recent
+        worktrees_dir = git_repo / ".worktrees"
+        cutoff = time.time() - (24 * 3600)
+
+        pruned = False
+        for entry in worktrees_dir.iterdir():
+            if not entry.is_dir() or not entry.name.startswith("hermes-"):
+                continue
+            mtime = entry.stat().st_mtime
+            if mtime > cutoff:
+                continue  # Too recent
+            pruned = True
+
+        assert not pruned
+        assert Path(info["path"]).exists()
+
+    def test_keeps_dirty_old_worktree(self, git_repo):
+        """Old worktrees with uncommitted changes should NOT be pruned."""
+        import time
+
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(git_repo))
+        assert info is not None
+
+        # Make it dirty
+        (Path(info["path"]) / "dirty.txt").write_text("uncommitted")
+        subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "add", "dirty.txt"],
+            cwd=info["path"], capture_output=True,
+        )
+
+        # Make it old
+        old_time = time.time() - (25 * 3600)
+        os.utime(info["path"], (old_time, old_time))
+
+        # Check if it would be pruned
+        status = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "status", "--porcelain"],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, cwd=info["path"],
+        )
+        has_changes = bool(status.stdout.strip())
+        assert has_changes  # Should be dirty → not pruned
+        assert Path(info["path"]).exists()
+
+
+class TestEdgeCases:
+    """Test edge cases for robustness."""
+
+    def test_no_commits_repo(self, tmp_path):
+        """Worktree creation should fail gracefully on a repo with no commits."""
+        repo = tmp_path / "empty-repo"
+        repo.mkdir()
+        subprocess.run(["git", "init"], cwd=str(repo), capture_output=True)
+
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(repo))
+        assert info is None  # Should fail gracefully
+
+    def test_not_a_git_repo(self, tmp_path):
+        """Repo detection should return None for non-git directories."""
+        bare = tmp_path / "not-git"
+        bare.mkdir()
+        root = _git_repo_root(cwd=str(bare))
+        assert root is None
+
+    def test_worktrees_dir_already_exists(self, git_repo):
+        """Should work fine if .worktrees/ already exists."""
+        (git_repo / ".worktrees").mkdir(exist_ok=True)
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(git_repo))
+        assert info is not None
+        assert Path(info["path"]).exists()
+
+
+class TestCLIFlagLogic:
+    """Test the flag/config OR logic from main()."""
+
+    def test_worktree_flag_triggers(self):
+        """--worktree flag should trigger worktree creation."""
+        worktree = True
+        w = False
+        config_worktree = False
+        use_worktree = worktree or w or config_worktree
+        assert use_worktree
+
+    def test_w_flag_triggers(self):
+        """-w flag should trigger worktree creation."""
+        worktree = False
+        w = True
+        config_worktree = False
+        use_worktree = worktree or w or config_worktree
+        assert use_worktree
+
+    def test_config_triggers(self):
+        """worktree: true in config should trigger worktree creation."""
+        worktree = False
+        w = False
+        config_worktree = True
+        use_worktree = worktree or w or config_worktree
+        assert use_worktree
+
+    def test_none_set_no_trigger(self):
+        """No flags and no config should not trigger."""
+        worktree = False
+        w = False
+        config_worktree = False
+        use_worktree = worktree or w or config_worktree
+        assert not use_worktree
+
+
+class TestTerminalCWDIntegration:
+    """Test that TERMINAL_CWD is correctly set to the worktree path."""
+
+    def test_terminal_cwd_set(self, git_repo):
+        """After worktree setup, TERMINAL_CWD should point to the worktree."""
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(git_repo))
+        assert info is not None
+
+        # This is what main() does:
+        os.environ["TERMINAL_CWD"] = info["path"]
+        assert os.environ["TERMINAL_CWD"] == info["path"]
+        assert Path(os.environ["TERMINAL_CWD"]).exists()
+
+        # Clean up env
+        del os.environ["TERMINAL_CWD"]
+
+    def test_terminal_cwd_is_valid_git_repo(self, git_repo):
+        """The TERMINAL_CWD worktree should be a valid git working tree."""
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(git_repo))
+        assert info is not None
+
+        result = subprocess.run(
+            ["git", "rev-parse", "--is-inside-work-tree"],
+            capture_output=True, text=True, cwd=info["path"],
+        )
+        assert result.stdout.strip() == "true"
+
+
+class TestSystemPromptInjection:
+    """Test that the agent gets worktree context in its system prompt."""
+
+    def test_prompt_note_format(self, git_repo):
+        """Verify the system prompt note contains all required info."""
+        info = _setup_worktree(str(git_repo))
+        assert info is not None
+
+        # This is what main() does:
+        wt_note = (
+            f"\n\n[System note: You are working in an isolated git worktree at "
+            f"{info['path']}. Your branch is `{info['branch']}`. "
+            f"Changes here do not affect the main working tree or other agents. "
+            f"Remember to commit and push your changes, and create a PR if appropriate. "
+            f"The original repo is at {info['repo_root']}.]"
+        )
+
+        assert info["path"] in wt_note
+        assert info["branch"] in wt_note
+        assert info["repo_root"] in wt_note
+        assert "isolated git worktree" in wt_note
+        assert "commit and push" in wt_note
diff --git a/website/docs/reference/cli-commands.md b/website/docs/reference/cli-commands.md
index d142bb4bf..bb40bbdeb 100644
--- a/website/docs/reference/cli-commands.md
+++ b/website/docs/reference/cli-commands.md
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ These are commands you run from your shell.
 | `hermes chat --provider <name>` | Force a provider (`nous`, `openrouter`, `zai`, `kimi-coding`, `minimax`, `minimax-cn`) |
 | `hermes chat --toolsets "web,terminal"` / `-t` | Use specific toolsets |
 | `hermes chat --verbose` | Enable verbose/debug output |
+| `hermes --worktree` / `-w` | Start in an isolated git worktree (for parallel agents) |
 
 ### Provider & Model Management
 
diff --git a/website/docs/user-guide/cli.md b/website/docs/user-guide/cli.md
index df07739c2..ec89c7b58 100644
--- a/website/docs/user-guide/cli.md
+++ b/website/docs/user-guide/cli.md
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ hermes --resume <session_id>  # Resume a specific session by ID (-r)
 
 # Verbose mode (debug output)
 hermes chat --verbose
+
+# Isolated git worktree (for running multiple agents in parallel)
+hermes -w                         # Interactive mode in worktree
+hermes -w -q "Fix issue #123"     # Single query in worktree
 ```
 
 ## Interface Layout
diff --git a/website/docs/user-guide/configuration.md b/website/docs/user-guide/configuration.md
index 33193619c..07096a189 100644
--- a/website/docs/user-guide/configuration.md
+++ b/website/docs/user-guide/configuration.md
@@ -407,6 +407,26 @@ memory:
   user_char_limit: 1375     # ~500 tokens
 ```
 
+## Git Worktree Isolation
+
+Enable isolated git worktrees for running multiple agents in parallel on the same repo:
+
+```yaml
+worktree: true    # Always create a worktree (same as hermes -w)
+# worktree: false # Default — only when -w flag is passed
+```
+
+When enabled, each CLI session creates a fresh worktree under `.worktrees/` with its own branch. Agents can edit files, commit, push, and create PRs without interfering with each other. Clean worktrees are removed on exit; dirty ones are kept for manual recovery.
+
+You can also list gitignored files to copy into worktrees via `.worktreeinclude` in your repo root:
+
+```
+# .worktreeinclude
+.env
+.venv/
+node_modules/
+```
+
 ## Context Compression
 
 ```yaml