feat(copy-ignored): default to copying all gitignored files

.claude-plugin/skills/worktrunk/reference/hook.md

@@ -202,14 +202,14 @@ Many tasks work well in `post-start` — they'll likely be ready by the time the
 
 ### Copying untracked files
 
-Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files (dependencies, caches, `.env`). Use [`wt step copy-ignored`](https://worktrunk.dev/step/#wt-step-copy-ignored) to copy files listed in `.worktreeinclude`:
+Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files (dependencies, caches, `.env`). Use [`wt step copy-ignored`](https://worktrunk.dev/step/#wt-step-copy-ignored) to copy gitignored files:
 
 ```toml
 [post-create]
 copy = "wt step copy-ignored"
 ```
 
-See [`wt step copy-ignored`](https://worktrunk.dev/step/#wt-step-copy-ignored) for setup, common patterns, and language-specific notes.
+See [`wt step copy-ignored`](https://worktrunk.dev/step/#wt-step-copy-ignored) for limiting what gets copied, common patterns, and language-specific notes.
 
 ### Dev servers
 

.claude-plugin/skills/worktrunk/reference/step.md

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ wt step push
 - `squash` — Squash all branch commits into one with [LLM-generated message](https://worktrunk.dev/llm-commits/)
 - `rebase` — Rebase onto target branch
 - `push` — Fast-forward target to current branch
-- `copy-ignored` — Copy files listed in `.worktreeinclude`
+- `copy-ignored` — Copy gitignored files between worktrees
 - `for-each` — [experimental] Run a command in every worktree
 
 ## Options
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ Usage: <b><span class=c>wt step</span></b> <span class=c>[OPTIONS]</span> <span
   <b><span class=c>squash</span></b>        Squash commits since branching
   <b><span class=c>push</span></b>          Fast-forward target to current branch
   <b><span class=c>rebase</span></b>        Rebase onto target
-  <b><span class=c>copy-ignored</span></b>  Copy <b>.worktreeinclude</b> files to another worktree
+  <b><span class=c>copy-ignored</span></b>  Copy gitignored files to another worktree
   <b><span class=c>for-each</span></b>      [experimental] Run command in each worktree
 
 <b><span class=g>Options:</span></b>
@@ -95,20 +95,10 @@ Usage: <b><span class=c>wt step</span></b> <span class=c>[OPTIONS]</span> <span
 
 ## wt step copy-ignored
 
-Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files. This command copies files listed in `.worktreeinclude` to another worktree, eliminating cold starts.
+Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files. This command copies gitignored files to another worktree, eliminating cold starts.
 
 ### Setup
 
-Create a `.worktreeinclude` file in your repository root listing patterns to copy (uses gitignore syntax):
-
-```gitignore
-# .worktreeinclude
-.env
-node_modules/
-target/
-.cache/
-```
-
 Add to your project config:
 
 ```toml
@@ -117,9 +107,19 @@ Add to your project config:
 copy = "wt step copy-ignored"
 ```
 
+All gitignored files are copied by default, as if `.worktreeinclude` contained `**`. To copy only specific patterns, create a `.worktreeinclude` file using gitignore syntax:
+
+```gitignore
+# .worktreeinclude — optional, limits what gets copied
+.env
+node_modules/
+target/
+.cache/
+```
+
 ### What gets copied
 
-Files are copied only if they match **both** `.worktreeinclude` **and** are gitignored. This prevents accidentally copying tracked files.
+Only gitignored files are copied — tracked files are never touched. If `.worktreeinclude` exists, files must match **both** `.worktreeinclude` **and** be gitignored.
 
 ### Common patterns
 
@@ -158,11 +158,12 @@ Virtual environments contain absolute paths and can't be copied. Use `uv sync` i
 
 ### Command reference
 
-wt step copy-ignored - Copy <b>.worktreeinclude</b> files to another worktree
+wt step copy-ignored - Copy gitignored files to another worktree
 
-Copies files listed in <b>.worktreeinclude</b> that are also gitignored. Useful in
-post-create hooks to sync local config files (<b>.env</b>, IDE settings) to new
-worktrees. Skips symlinks and existing files.
+Copies gitignored files to another worktree. By default copies all gitignored
+files; use <b>.worktreeinclude</b> to limit what gets copied. Useful in post-create
+hooks to sync local config files (<b>.env</b>, IDE settings) to new worktrees. Skips
+symlinks and existing files.
 
 Usage: <b><span class=c>wt step copy-ignored</span></b> <span class=c>[OPTIONS]</span>
 

docs/content/hook.md

@@ -210,14 +210,14 @@ Many tasks work well in `post-start` — they'll likely be ready by the time the
 
 ### Copying untracked files
 
-Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files (dependencies, caches, `.env`). Use [`wt step copy-ignored`](@/step.md#wt-step-copy-ignored) to copy files listed in `.worktreeinclude`:
+Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files (dependencies, caches, `.env`). Use [`wt step copy-ignored`](@/step.md#wt-step-copy-ignored) to copy gitignored files:
 
 ```toml
 [post-create]
 copy = "wt step copy-ignored"
 ```
 
-See [`wt step copy-ignored`](@/step.md#wt-step-copy-ignored) for setup, common patterns, and language-specific notes.
+See [`wt step copy-ignored`](@/step.md#wt-step-copy-ignored) for limiting what gets copied, common patterns, and language-specific notes.
 
 ### Dev servers
 

docs/content/step.md

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ wt step push
 - `squash` — Squash all branch commits into one with [LLM-generated message](@/llm-commits.md)
 - `rebase` — Rebase onto target branch
 - `push` — Fast-forward target to current branch
-- `copy-ignored` — Copy files listed in `.worktreeinclude`
+- `copy-ignored` — Copy gitignored files between worktrees
 - `for-each` — [experimental] Run a command in every worktree
 
 ## Options
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ Usage: <b><span class=c>wt step</span></b> <span class=c>[OPTIONS]</span> <span
   <b><span class=c>squash</span></b>        Squash commits since branching
   <b><span class=c>push</span></b>          Fast-forward target to current branch
   <b><span class=c>rebase</span></b>        Rebase onto target
-  <b><span class=c>copy-ignored</span></b>  Copy <b>.worktreeinclude</b> files to another worktree
+  <b><span class=c>copy-ignored</span></b>  Copy gitignored files to another worktree
   <b><span class=c>for-each</span></b>      [experimental] Run command in each worktree
 
 <b><span class=g>Options:</span></b>
@@ -110,20 +110,10 @@ Usage: <b><span class=c>wt step</span></b> <span class=c>[OPTIONS]</span> <span
 
 ## wt step copy-ignored
 
-Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files. This command copies files listed in `.worktreeinclude` to another worktree, eliminating cold starts.
+Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files. This command copies gitignored files to another worktree, eliminating cold starts.
 
 ### Setup
 
-Create a `.worktreeinclude` file in your repository root listing patterns to copy (uses gitignore syntax):
-
-```gitignore
-# .worktreeinclude
-.env
-node_modules/
-target/
-.cache/
-```
-
 Add to your project config:
 
 ```toml
@@ -132,9 +122,19 @@ Add to your project config:
 copy = "wt step copy-ignored"
 ```
 
+All gitignored files are copied by default, as if `.worktreeinclude` contained `**`. To copy only specific patterns, create a `.worktreeinclude` file using gitignore syntax:
+
+```gitignore
+# .worktreeinclude — optional, limits what gets copied
+.env
+node_modules/
+target/
+.cache/
+```
+
 ### What gets copied
 
-Files are copied only if they match **both** `.worktreeinclude` **and** are gitignored. This prevents accidentally copying tracked files.
+Only gitignored files are copied — tracked files are never touched. If `.worktreeinclude` exists, files must match **both** `.worktreeinclude` **and** be gitignored.
 
 ### Common patterns
 
@@ -174,11 +174,12 @@ Virtual environments contain absolute paths and can't be copied. Use `uv sync` i
 ### Command reference
 
 {% terminal() %}
-wt step copy-ignored - Copy <b>.worktreeinclude</b> files to another worktree
+wt step copy-ignored - Copy gitignored files to another worktree
 
-Copies files listed in <b>.worktreeinclude</b> that are also gitignored. Useful in
-post-create hooks to sync local config files (<b>.env</b>, IDE settings) to new
-worktrees. Skips symlinks and existing files.
+Copies gitignored files to another worktree. By default copies all gitignored
+files; use <b>.worktreeinclude</b> to limit what gets copied. Useful in post-create
+hooks to sync local config files (<b>.env</b>, IDE settings) to new worktrees. Skips
+symlinks and existing files.
 
 Usage: <b><span class=c>wt step copy-ignored</span></b> <span class=c>[OPTIONS]</span>
 

src/cli/mod.rs

@@ -935,7 +935,7 @@ wt step push
 - `squash` — Squash all branch commits into one with [LLM-generated message](@/llm-commits.md)
 - `rebase` — Rebase onto target branch
 - `push` — Fast-forward target to current branch
-- `copy-ignored` — Copy files listed in `.worktreeinclude`
+- `copy-ignored` — Copy gitignored files between worktrees
 - `for-each` — [experimental] Run a command in every worktree
 
 ## Options
@@ -1194,14 +1194,14 @@ Many tasks work well in `post-start` — they'll likely be ready by the time the
 
 ### Copying untracked files
 
-Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files (dependencies, caches, `.env`). Use [`wt step copy-ignored`](@/step.md#wt-step-copy-ignored) to copy files listed in `.worktreeinclude`:
+Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files (dependencies, caches, `.env`). Use [`wt step copy-ignored`](@/step.md#wt-step-copy-ignored) to copy gitignored files:
 
 ```toml
 [post-create]
 copy = "wt step copy-ignored"
 ```
 
-See [`wt step copy-ignored`](@/step.md#wt-step-copy-ignored) for setup, common patterns, and language-specific notes.
+See [`wt step copy-ignored`](@/step.md#wt-step-copy-ignored) for limiting what gets copied, common patterns, and language-specific notes.
 
 ### Dev servers
 

src/cli/step.rs

@@ -76,27 +76,17 @@ pub enum StepCommand {
         target: Option<String>,
     },
 
-    /// Copy `.worktreeinclude` files to another worktree
+    /// Copy gitignored files to another worktree
     ///
-    /// Copies files listed in `.worktreeinclude` that are also gitignored.
-    /// Useful in post-create hooks to sync local config files
-    /// (`.env`, IDE settings) to new worktrees. Skips symlinks and existing
-    /// files.
+    /// Copies gitignored files to another worktree. By default copies all
+    /// gitignored files; use `.worktreeinclude` to limit what gets copied.
+    /// Useful in post-create hooks to sync local config files (`.env`, IDE
+    /// settings) to new worktrees. Skips symlinks and existing files.
     #[command(
-        after_long_help = r#"Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files. This command copies files listed in `.worktreeinclude` to another worktree, eliminating cold starts.
+        after_long_help = r#"Git worktrees share the repository but not untracked files. This command copies gitignored files to another worktree, eliminating cold starts.
 
 ## Setup
 
-Create a `.worktreeinclude` file in your repository root listing patterns to copy (uses gitignore syntax):
-
-```gitignore
-# .worktreeinclude
-.env
-node_modules/
-target/
-.cache/
-```
-
 Add to your project config:
 
 ```toml
@@ -105,9 +95,19 @@ Add to your project config:
 copy = "wt step copy-ignored"
 ```
 
+All gitignored files are copied by default, as if `.worktreeinclude` contained `**`. To copy only specific patterns, create a `.worktreeinclude` file using gitignore syntax:
+
+```gitignore
+# .worktreeinclude — optional, limits what gets copied
+.env
+node_modules/
+target/
+.cache/
+```
+
 ## What gets copied
 
-Files are copied only if they match **both** `.worktreeinclude` **and** are gitignored. This prevents accidentally copying tracked files.
+Only gitignored files are copied — tracked files are never touched. If `.worktreeinclude` exists, files must match **both** `.worktreeinclude` **and** be gitignored.
 
 ## Common patterns
 

src/commands/config.rs

@@ -981,7 +981,10 @@ pub fn handle_state_get(key: &str, refresh: bool, branch: Option<String>) -> any
                 .unwrap_or_default();
 
             if head.is_empty() {
-                anyhow::bail!("Branch '{branch_name}' not found");
+                return Err(worktrunk::git::GitError::InvalidReference {
+                    reference: branch_name,
+                }
+                .into());
             }
 
             if refresh {

src/commands/step_commands.rs

@@ -378,7 +378,7 @@ pub fn handle_rebase(target: Option<&str>) -> anyhow::Result<RebaseResult> {
         }
         // Not a rebase conflict, return original error
         return Err(worktrunk::git::GitError::Other {
-            message: format!("Failed to rebase onto '{}': {}", target_branch, e),
+            message: cformat!("Failed to rebase onto <bold>{}</>: {}", target_branch, e),
         }
         .into());
     }
@@ -409,9 +409,11 @@ pub fn handle_rebase(target: Option<&str>) -> anyhow::Result<RebaseResult> {
 
 /// Handle `wt step copy-ignored` command
 ///
-/// Copies files matching the intersection of `.worktreeinclude` and gitignored files
-/// from a source worktree to a destination worktree. Uses COW (reflink) when
-/// available for efficient copying of large directories like `target/`.
+/// Copies gitignored files from a source worktree to a destination worktree.
+/// If a `.worktreeinclude` file exists, only files matching both `.worktreeinclude`
+/// and gitignore patterns are copied. Without `.worktreeinclude`, all gitignored
+/// files are copied. Uses COW (reflink) when available for efficient copying of
+/// large directories like `target/`.
 pub fn step_copy_ignored(
     from: Option<&str>,
     to: Option<&str>,
@@ -425,18 +427,22 @@ pub fn step_copy_ignored(
     // Resolve source and destination worktree paths
     let (source_path, source_context) = match from {
         Some(branch) => {
-            let path = repo
-                .worktree_for_branch(branch)?
-                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("No worktree found for branch '{}'", branch))?;
+            let path = repo.worktree_for_branch(branch)?.ok_or_else(|| {
+                worktrunk::git::GitError::WorktreeNotFound {
+                    branch: branch.to_string(),
+                }
+            })?;
             (path, branch.to_string())
         }
         None => (repo.worktree_base()?, repo.default_branch()?.to_string()),
     };
 
     let dest_path = match to {
-        Some(branch) => repo
-            .worktree_for_branch(branch)?
-            .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("No worktree found for branch '{}'", branch))?,
+        Some(branch) => repo.worktree_for_branch(branch)?.ok_or_else(|| {
+            worktrunk::git::GitError::WorktreeNotFound {
+                branch: branch.to_string(),
+            }
+        })?,
         None => repo.worktree_root()?.to_path_buf(),
     };
 
@@ -445,34 +451,33 @@ pub fn step_copy_ignored(
         return Ok(());
     }
 
-    // Check for .worktreeinclude file
-    let include_path = source_path.join(".worktreeinclude");
-    if !include_path.exists() {
-        crate::output::print(info_message(cformat!(
-            "No <bold>.worktreeinclude</> file found"
-        )))?;
-        return Ok(());
-    }
-
     // Get ignored entries from git
     // --directory stops at directory boundaries (avoids listing thousands of files in target/)
     let ignored_entries = list_ignored_entries(&source_path, &source_context)?;
 
-    // Build include matcher from .worktreeinclude
-    let include_matcher = {
-        let mut builder = GitignoreBuilder::new(&source_path);
-        if let Some(err) = builder.add(&include_path) {
-            return Err(anyhow::anyhow!("Error parsing .worktreeinclude: {}", err));
-        }
-        builder.build().context("Failed to build include matcher")?
+    // Filter to entries that match .worktreeinclude (or all if no file exists)
+    let include_path = source_path.join(".worktreeinclude");
+    let entries_to_copy: Vec<_> = if include_path.exists() {
+        // Build include matcher from .worktreeinclude
+        let include_matcher = {
+            let mut builder = GitignoreBuilder::new(&source_path);
+            if let Some(err) = builder.add(&include_path) {
+                return Err(worktrunk::git::GitError::WorktreeIncludeParseError {
+                    error: err.to_string(),
+                }
+                .into());
+            }
+            builder.build().context("Failed to build include matcher")?
+        };
+        ignored_entries
+            .into_iter()
+            .filter(|(path, is_dir)| include_matcher.matched(path, *is_dir).is_ignore())
+            .collect()
+    } else {
+        // No .worktreeinclude file — default to copying all ignored entries
+        ignored_entries
     };
 
-    // Filter to entries that match .worktreeinclude
-    let entries_to_copy: Vec<_> = ignored_entries
-        .into_iter()
-        .filter(|(path, is_dir)| include_matcher.matched(path, *is_dir).is_ignore())
-        .collect();
-
     if entries_to_copy.is_empty() {
         crate::output::print(info_message("No matching files to copy"))?;
         return Ok(());