---
title: Worktree Backend
description: Host-level execution using isolated Git worktrees without containers.
sidebar:
  order: 3
  label: Worktree Backend
---
In environments where Docker or Podman cannot run (such as certain constrained CI runners or machines without virtualization support), NIKI provides a fallback **Worktree Backend**.

```bash
niki run "Refactor helper functions" --backend worktree
```

---

## How It Works

1. NIKI creates an isolated Git worktree under `.niki/worktrees/<task-id>`.
2. Code modifications and tests run as direct host processes inside that worktree directory.
3. Once completed, NIKI converts the worktree commit into the target `niki/<id>` branch and cleans up the temporary directory.

> **Warning**
>
> **Security Notice:** The `worktree` backend executes commands directly with your user account privileges without container isolation or capability dropping. Only use this mode with trusted codebases and verified LLM endpoints.