git_but_check detects whether the GitButler but CLI is available and returns guidance on whether to prefer but mcp / but commands over git-mcp tools.

When to use

Call git_but_check before Git operations when a repository may be managed by GitButler. GitButler is a Git-based workspace model (virtual branches), so git-mcp's plain-Git writes can conflict with GitButler's branch layout.

Tool

git_but_check

Detects GitButler availability and returns guidance.

Parameter	Type	Description
response_format	"markdown" | "json"	Output format. Defaults to "markdown".

Returns:

• enabled — whether GitButler awareness is enabled (GIT_ALLOW_BUT=true).
• available — whether the but CLI is installed.
• version — the but version, when available.
• guidance — actionable guidance for the agent.

Guidance logic:

• but available → prefer but mcp / but commands for version control.
• but available but git-mcp tools must be used → run but teardown first so plain-Git writes do not conflict with GitButler virtual branches.
• but absent → use git-mcp tools normally.

Configuration

Env var	Description
GIT_ALLOW_BUT	Set true to enable GitButler awareness.
BUT_BINARY	Override the but executable path (default but).

Related

• Bundled skill: skills/gitbutler-workflow/SKILL.md in the repository — git→but mapping and workflow guidance.