feat: Enable sprout to work without .env.example files

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -8,8 +8,10 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 ## [Unreleased]
 
 ### Added
+- Support for repositories without `.env.example` files - `sprout create` now works in any git repository
 
 ### Changed
+- `sprout create` behavior when no `.env.example` files exist: shows warning instead of error and continues creating worktree
 
 ### Deprecated
 
@@ -24,11 +26,13 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 ### Added
 - Support for multiple `.env.example` files throughout the repository, enabling monorepo workflows
 - Recursive scanning of `.env` files for port allocation to ensure global uniqueness across all services
+- Support for repositories without `.env.example` files - `sprout create` now works in any git repository
 
 ### Changed
 - Port allocation now ensures uniqueness across all services in all worktrees, preventing Docker host port conflicts
 - `sprout create` now processes all `.env.example` files found in the repository while maintaining directory structure
 - Only git-tracked `.env.example` files are now processed, preventing unwanted processing of files in `.sprout/` worktrees
+- `sprout create` behavior when no `.env.example` files exist: shows warning instead of error and continues creating worktree
 
 ### Deprecated
 

README.md

@@ -28,7 +28,9 @@ pip install -e ".[dev]"
 
 ## Quick Start
 
-1. Create a `.env.example` template in your project root (and optionally in subdirectories):
+**Note**: Sprout works in any git repository. `.env.example` files are optional - if you don't have them, sprout will simply create worktrees without `.env` generation.
+
+1. (Optional) Create a `.env.example` template in your project root (and optionally in subdirectories) for automatic `.env` generation:
 ```env
 # API Configuration
 API_KEY={{ API_KEY }}
@@ -58,9 +60,13 @@ repo/
 cd $(sprout create feature-branch --path)
 ```
 
+**What happens when you run `sprout create`:**
+- If `.env.example` files exist: Sprout will generate corresponding `.env` files with populated variables and unique port assignments
+- If no `.env.example` files exist: Sprout will show a warning and create the worktree without `.env` generation
+
 This single command:
 - Creates a new git worktree for `feature-branch`
-- Generates a `.env` file from your template
+- Generates `.env` files from your templates (if `.env.example` files exist)
 - Outputs the path to the new environment
 - Changes to that directory when wrapped in `cd $(...)`
 

docs/sprout-cli/overview.md

@@ -8,9 +8,10 @@
 
 ### 1. Automated Development Environment Setup
 - Create git worktrees
-- Automatically generate `.env` files from `.env.example` templates
+- Automatically generate `.env` files from `.env.example` templates (when templates exist)
 - Automatic port number assignment (collision avoidance)
 - Interactive environment variable configuration
+- Works in any git repository, with or without `.env.example` files
 
 ### 2. Unified Management
 - Centralize all worktrees in `.sprout/` directory
@@ -42,9 +43,9 @@
 ├── .git/
 ├── .sprout/              # sprout management directory
 │   └── <branch-name>/    # each worktree
-│       ├── .env          # auto-generated environment config
+│       ├── .env          # auto-generated environment config (if .env.example exists)
 │       └── ...           # source code
-├── .env.example          # template
+├── .env.example          # template (optional)
 └── compose.yaml          # Docker Compose config
 ```
 

docs/sprout-cli/usage.md

@@ -22,9 +22,11 @@ sprout create feature-branch
 
 This command performs:
 1. Creates worktree in `.sprout/feature-branch`
-2. Generates `.env` from `.env.example` template
-3. Prompts for required environment variables
-4. Automatically assigns port numbers
+2. Generates `.env` from `.env.example` template (if template exists)
+3. Prompts for required environment variables (if `.env.example` exists)
+4. Automatically assigns port numbers (if `.env.example` exists)
+
+**Note**: If no `.env.example` files are found, sprout will show a warning but continue creating the worktree without `.env` generation.
 
 ### 2. List Development Environments
 
@@ -177,8 +179,14 @@ REDIS_PORT={{ auto_port() }}    # Might assign 3003
 - Execute from Git repository root directory
 - Ensure `.git` directory exists
 
-### ".env.example file not found" Error
-- Create `.env.example` in project root
+### Working Without .env.example Files
+As of recent versions, sprout works perfectly fine without `.env.example` files:
+- If no `.env.example` files exist, sprout will show a warning but continue
+- The worktree will be created successfully without `.env` generation
+- This is useful for projects that don't need environment variable templating
+
+If you want to add `.env` generation later:
+- Create `.env.example` in project root or subdirectories  
 - Use the template syntax described above
 
 ### "Could not find an available port" Error

src/sprout/commands/create.py

@@ -47,11 +47,9 @@ def create_worktree(branch_name: BranchName, path_only: bool = False) -> Never:
 
     if not env_examples:
         if not path_only:
-            console.print("[red]Error: No .env.example files found[/red]")
-            console.print(f"Expected at least one .env.example file in: {git_root}")
-        else:
-            typer.echo(f"Error: No .env.example files found in {git_root}", err=True)
-        raise typer.Exit(1)
+            console.print("[yellow]Warning: No .env.example files found[/yellow]")
+            console.print(f"Proceeding without .env generation in: {git_root}")
+        # Continue execution without exiting
 
     # Check if worktree already exists
     if worktree_exists(branch_name):
@@ -87,67 +85,77 @@ def create_worktree(branch_name: BranchName, path_only: bool = False) -> Never:
             typer.echo(f"Error creating worktree: {e}", err=True)
         raise typer.Exit(1) from e
 
-    # Generate .env files
-    if not path_only:
-        console.print(f"Generating .env files from {len(env_examples)} template(s)...")
-
-    # Get all currently used ports to avoid conflicts
-    all_used_ports = get_used_ports()
-    session_ports: set[int] = set()
-
-    try:
-        for env_example in env_examples:
-            # Calculate relative path from git root
-            relative_dir = env_example.parent.relative_to(git_root)
-
-            # Create target directory in worktree if needed
-            if relative_dir != Path("."):
-                target_dir = worktree_path / relative_dir
-                target_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-                env_file = target_dir / ".env"
-            else:
-                env_file = worktree_path / ".env"
-
-            # Parse template with combined used ports
-            env_content = parse_env_template(
-                env_example, silent=path_only, used_ports=all_used_ports | session_ports
-            )
-
-            # Extract ports from generated content and add to session_ports
-            port_matches = re.findall(r"=(\d{4,5})\b", env_content)
-            for port_str in port_matches:
-                port = int(port_str)
-                if 1024 <= port <= 65535:
-                    session_ports.add(port)
-
-            # Write the .env file
-            env_file.write_text(env_content)
-
-    except SproutError as e:
-        if not path_only:
-            console.print(f"[red]Error generating .env file: {e}[/red]")
-        else:
-            typer.echo(f"Error generating .env file: {e}", err=True)
-        # Clean up worktree on failure
-        run_command(["git", "worktree", "remove", str(worktree_path)], check=False)
-        raise typer.Exit(1) from e
-    except KeyboardInterrupt:
+    # Generate .env files only if .env.example files exist
+    if env_examples:
         if not path_only:
-            console.print("\n[yellow]Cancelled by user[/yellow]")
-        else:
-            typer.echo("Cancelled by user", err=True)
-        # Clean up worktree on cancellation
-        run_command(["git", "worktree", "remove", str(worktree_path)], check=False)
-        raise typer.Exit(130) from None
+            console.print(f"Generating .env files from {len(env_examples)} template(s)...")
+
+        # Get all currently used ports to avoid conflicts
+        all_used_ports = get_used_ports()
+        session_ports: set[int] = set()
+
+        try:
+            for env_example in env_examples:
+                # Calculate relative path from git root
+                relative_dir = env_example.parent.relative_to(git_root)
+
+                # Create target directory in worktree if needed
+                if relative_dir != Path("."):
+                    target_dir = worktree_path / relative_dir
+                    target_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+                    env_file = target_dir / ".env"
+                else:
+                    env_file = worktree_path / ".env"
+
+                # Parse template with combined used ports
+                env_content = parse_env_template(
+                    env_example, silent=path_only, used_ports=all_used_ports | session_ports
+                )
+
+                # Extract ports from generated content and add to session_ports
+                port_matches = re.findall(r"=(\d{4,5})\b", env_content)
+                for port_str in port_matches:
+                    port = int(port_str)
+                    if 1024 <= port <= 65535:
+                        session_ports.add(port)
+
+                # Write the .env file
+                env_file.write_text(env_content)
+
+        except SproutError as e:
+            if not path_only:
+                console.print(f"[red]Error generating .env file: {e}[/red]")
+            else:
+                typer.echo(f"Error generating .env file: {e}", err=True)
+            # Clean up worktree on failure
+            run_command(["git", "worktree", "remove", str(worktree_path)], check=False)
+            raise typer.Exit(1) from e
+        except KeyboardInterrupt:
+            if not path_only:
+                console.print("\n[yellow]Cancelled by user[/yellow]")
+            else:
+                typer.echo("Cancelled by user", err=True)
+            # Clean up worktree on cancellation
+            run_command(["git", "worktree", "remove", str(worktree_path)], check=False)
+            raise typer.Exit(130) from None
 
     # Success message or path output
     if path_only:
         # Output only the path for shell command substitution
         print(str(worktree_path))
     else:
         console.print(f"\n[green]✅ Workspace '{branch_name}' created successfully![/green]\n")
+        if env_examples:
+            console.print(f"Generated .env files from {len(env_examples)} template(s)")
+        else:
+            console.print("No .env files generated (no .env.example templates found)")
         console.print("Navigate to your new environment with:")
-        console.print(f"  [cyan]cd {worktree_path.relative_to(Path.cwd())}[/cyan]")
+        try:
+            relative_path = worktree_path.relative_to(Path.cwd())
+            console.print(f"  [cyan]cd {relative_path}[/cyan]")
+        except ValueError:
+            # If worktree_path is not relative to current directory, show absolute path
+            console.print(f"  [cyan]cd {worktree_path}[/cyan]")
 
     # Exit successfully
     raise typer.Exit(0)

tests/test_commands.py

@@ -126,20 +126,37 @@ def test_create_with_path_flag_error(self, mocker):
         # stdout should be empty
         assert result.stdout == ""
 
-    def test_create_no_env_example(self, mocker):
-        """Test error when .env.example doesn't exist."""
+    def test_create_no_env_example(self, mocker, tmp_path):
+        """Test success when .env.example doesn't exist."""
         mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.is_git_repository", return_value=True)
-        mock_git_root = Path("/project")
+        mock_git_root = tmp_path / "project"
+        mock_git_root.mkdir()
         mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.get_git_root", return_value=mock_git_root)
+        mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.worktree_exists", return_value=False)
+        sprout_dir = tmp_path / ".sprout"
+        sprout_dir.mkdir()
+        mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.ensure_sprout_dir", return_value=sprout_dir)
+        mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.branch_exists", return_value=False)
 
-        # Mock git ls-files to return empty list
+        # Mock git ls-files to return empty list (no .env.example files)
         mock_run = mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.run_command")
         mock_run.return_value = Mock(stdout="", returncode=0)
 
-        result = runner.invoke(app, ["create", "feature-branch"])
+        # Change to project directory to make relative path calculation work
+        import os
 
-        assert result.exit_code == 1
-        assert "No .env.example files found" in result.stdout
+        old_cwd = os.getcwd()
+        os.chdir(str(mock_git_root))
+
+        try:
+            result = runner.invoke(app, ["create", "feature-branch"])
+
+            assert result.exit_code == 0
+            assert "Warning: No .env.example files found" in result.stdout
+            assert "Workspace 'feature-branch' created successfully!" in result.stdout
+            assert "No .env files generated (no .env.example templates found)" in result.stdout
+        finally:
+            os.chdir(old_cwd)
 
     def test_create_worktree_exists(self, mocker):
         """Test error when worktree already exists."""
@@ -161,6 +178,28 @@ def test_create_worktree_exists(self, mocker):
         assert result.exit_code == 1
         assert "Worktree for branch 'feature-branch' already exists" in result.stdout
 
+    def test_create_without_env_example_path_mode(self, mocker, tmp_path):
+        """Test path mode with no .env.example files."""
+        mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.is_git_repository", return_value=True)
+        mock_git_root = tmp_path / "project"
+        mock_git_root.mkdir()
+        mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.get_git_root", return_value=mock_git_root)
+        mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.worktree_exists", return_value=False)
+        sprout_dir = tmp_path / ".sprout"
+        sprout_dir.mkdir()
+        mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.ensure_sprout_dir", return_value=sprout_dir)
+        mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.branch_exists", return_value=False)
+
+        # Mock git ls-files to return empty list (no .env.example files)
+        mock_run = mocker.patch("sprout.commands.create.run_command")
+        mock_run.return_value = Mock(stdout="", returncode=0)
+
+        result = runner.invoke(app, ["create", "feature-branch", "--path"])
+
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        # In path mode, only the path should be printed to stdout
+        assert result.stdout.strip() == str(sprout_dir / "feature-branch")
+
 
 class TestLsCommand:
     """Test sprout ls command."""

tests/test_integration.py

@@ -223,11 +223,12 @@ def test_error_cases(self, git_repo, monkeypatch, tmp_path):
         result = runner.invoke(app, ["path", "nonexistent"])
         assert result.exit_code == 1
 
-        # Remove .env.example and try to create
+        # Remove .env.example and try to create (should succeed now)
         (git_repo / ".env.example").unlink()
         result = runner.invoke(app, ["create", "another-branch"])
-        assert result.exit_code == 1
-        assert "No .env.example files found" in result.stdout
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        assert "Warning: No .env.example files found" in result.stdout
+        assert "Workspace 'another-branch' created successfully!" in result.stdout
 
         # Test outside git repo using a separate temp directory
         import tempfile