Can I store sensitive data or API keys in the scratch workspace?

While these files are gitignored and won't be pushed to remote repositories, they are still stored in plain text on your local disk. We recommend against storing sensitive credentials in scratch files.

Does this skill require any special setup?

The skill includes a setup checklist that ensures the directory exists and the .gitignore configuration is active before any work begins.

How does this skill prevent files from being committed?

It automatically verifies and ensures that the .claude/.scratch/ directory is added to your project's .gitignore file, preventing Git from tracking any files within that folder.

How do I move my work from the scratch area to the main project?

Once your experiment is successful, you should manually review and refine the code, move it to its permanent location in your source directory, and then delete the temporary scratch version.

Scratch Workspace Manager

Name: Scratch Workspace Manager
Author: TheBushidoCollective

byTheBushidoCollective

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Productivity & Workflow

Manages temporary environments and experimental drafts within a gitignored directory to prevent accidental commits of work-in-progress code.

About

The Scratch Workspace skill establishes a standardized, isolated environment for experimental code, draft implementations, and planning notes within the .claude/.scratch/ directory. By automating the setup of local gitignore rules and providing a structured hierarchy for temporary files, it allows developers and Claude to explore solutions and test logic without cluttering the project's main codebase or risking accidental commits of unfinished work. This skill is essential for maintaining repository hygiene while preserving the freedom to prototype rapidly.

Key Features

Automated .gitignore configuration for safe temporary file management
39 GitHub stars
Isolation of exploratory code from the main project repository
Easy cleanup routines for removing stale temporary files
Integrated workflows for promoting scratch work to production code
Standardized directory structure for drafts, experiments, and notes

Use Cases

Drafting complex logic or performance benchmarks before implementation
Creating architectural plans and feature notes that stay out of version control
Building temporary test scripts or debugging tools for local exploration

About

Key Features

Automated .gitignore configuration for safe temporary file management
39 GitHub stars
Isolation of exploratory code from the main project repository
Easy cleanup routines for removing stale temporary files
Integrated workflows for promoting scratch work to production code
Standardized directory structure for drafts, experiments, and notes

Use Cases

Drafting complex logic or performance benchmarks before implementation
Creating architectural plans and feature notes that stay out of version control
Building temporary test scripts or debugging tools for local exploration