> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ade-app.dev/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Lanes

> A lane is one git worktree and branch for one task — the unit of parallel work in ADE.

A **lane** is ADE's name for a git worktree: an isolated branch and working copy for one piece of work, usually under `.ade/worktrees/<lane-name>/`. It is the unit of parallel work.

Because the lane is a real worktree, agents can run in the same repository at the same time without writing over each other or over your primary checkout. There is no stashing and no branch juggling.

![The Lanes tab with a lane selected](https://mintcdn.com/ade-ac1c6011/Mghbi7-G0yTaUGxT/media/current/lanes.jpg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=Mghbi7-G0yTaUGxT\&q=85\&s=e5669a6b1bfe74167b72181ef6f9e3af)

Lanes in the sidebar. Selecting one shows its branch, PR, CI state, and checks.

## What a lane owns

* A **branch** and a working directory.
* The **chats, terminals, and CLI sessions** started in it.
* Its **diff**, file changes, test runs, and proof artifacts.
* The **pull request** created from it.

Everything in ADE is scoped to a lane, which is what makes "what is running, where, and why" answerable.

## One task, one lane

Create a lane from the project default, the primary branch, or another branch. Bring pushed commits, local commits, or a copy of uncommitted changes. You can also work directly on an existing branch.

A lane compares against its open PR's base, or the project default branch when no PR is open. For dependent work, create a branch from another branch and target it with a GitHub PR.

## Stacked pull requests

For dependent work, create a lane from another branch and open a PR targeting that branch. [Pull requests](https://ade-app.dev/docs/tools/pull-requests.md) covers GitHub stacks.

## Environment

A lane can carry setup steps that run when it is created or resumed — install dependencies, copy env files, start a service. That keeps a fresh worktree usable without manual setup.

> [card] [Lane environment](https://ade-app.dev/docs/lanes/environment.md)
>
> Setup scripts, environment files, and per-lane configuration.

## Finishing a lane

When work is merged, archive the lane to keep its worktree and history available, or delete it when you no longer need the worktree.

> [card] [Create a lane](https://ade-app.dev/docs/lanes/creating.md)
>
> The creation flow, base branch, and naming.

> [card] [Repositories and worktrees](https://ade-app.dev/docs/lanes/overview.md#repos-projects-and-worktrees)
>
> How ADE maps repositories to projects and worktrees to lanes.


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