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gtr binary and shell function conflict with coreutils (GNU tr) #124
Description
Summary
Two related issues when using git-gtr on a system with GNU coreutils installed via Homebrew.
Issues
1. gtr binary conflicts with coreutils
brew install coreutils provides /opt/homebrew/bin/gtr (GNU tr). Installing git-gtr via Homebrew fails to link because of this conflict:
$ brew link git-gtr
Error: Could not symlink bin/gtr
Target /opt/homebrew/bin/gtr
is a symlink belonging to coreutils.
This causes brew link to fail entirely, which also prevents the zsh/bash/fish completion files from being symlinked.
2. git gtr init zsh shadows coreutils gtr
Even without the binary conflict, eval "$(git gtr init zsh)" defines a gtr() shell function that shadows the coreutils gtr command. Additionally, gtr cd <tab> doesn't complete worktree names since cd is not listed in the completion file.
Workaround
My current workaround is to skip git gtr init zsh and define a custom function with completions (which gtr cd is currently missing):
if command -v git-gtr &> /dev/null; then
function gcd {
local dir
dir="$(git gtr go "$@")" && cd "$dir"
}
function _gcd {
local -a worktrees
worktrees=("1" ${(f)"$(git gtr list --porcelain 2>/dev/null | cut -f2)"})
_describe 'worktrees' worktrees
}
compdef _gcd gcd
fiSuggested fixes
- Consider removing the
gtrshorthand binary —git gtralready works as a git subcommand, and the shorthand conflicts with coreutils. The shell init could alias it for users who want it. - Consider adding
cdto the completion file, and usinggit gtr list --porcelaininstead ofgit branchfor worktree name completions
Environment
- macOS (Apple Silicon)
- Homebrew, with
coreutilsinstalled - git-gtr 2.3.0
Activity
fix: resolve gtr/coreutils naming conflict and add cd completions
helizaga commentedon Feb 13, 2026
Thanks for the detailed report @fmal — all three issues are addressed in #125:
1. Homebrew binary conflict → fixed
The binary relationship is reversed:
bin/git-gtris now the main entry point (sources libs, containsmain()), andbin/gtris just a thin convenience wrapper. This means the Homebrew formula can dropbin.install "bin/gtr"entirely — no more conflict with coreutils. A follow-up PR to the tap repo will make that change.2. Shell function shadows coreutils →
--asflaggit gtr initnow accepts--as <name>to choose a custom function name:The default remains
gtrfor backwards compatibility, but users with coreutils can pick any valid identifier.3.
cdcompletions → addedThe init output now includes proper
cdcompletions for all three shells. Worktree names are completed usinggit gtr list --porcelain(shows only actual worktrees, not all branches). The special ID1(main repo) is also included.This should match the experience you described in your workaround, but built-in.
fix: resolve gtr/coreutils naming conflict and add cd completions (#125)
fmal commentedon Feb 13, 2026
@helizaga awesome!! ❤️ thanks so much for addressing this so quick, can't wait to update! 🚀
helizaga commentedon Feb 17, 2026
just cut a release!
fmal commentedon Feb 18, 2026
@helizaga thanks! works like a charm 💯 could you also drop
bin.install "bin/gtr"in the homebrew formula?WickyNilliams commentedon Mar 9, 2026
I just tried to install gtr and hit the same issue.
brew linkfails andgit-gtris not in PATH. I think the homebrew formula needs updating as @fmal suggests?To get it working with git i had to manually symlink:
which feels extremely hacky!
nkovacic commentedon Mar 10, 2026
Had the same issue, reverted to git clone install (without Brew).
nkovacic commentedon Apr 9, 2026
@helizaga Any update on this issue? It is still happening and making the rollout of git-gtr as the main git worktree utility more difficult on MacOS.