ivar vs Orca: multi-repo features and parallel agents
Orca runs many coding agents in parallel in a desktop app; ivar turns one change across repos into one feature. As of 2026-10-06.
Orca is a desktop app for running many coding agents in parallel. ivar is a CLI that mounts every repo a change touches, on one branch, into one session of the harness you already use. You can use both.
At a glance
Claims about Orca are as of 2026-10-06 and come from its worktrees documentation.
| Orca | ivar | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | desktop app | CLI |
| Unit | a worktree of one repo | a feature across N repos |
| Several repos | project groups: several repos under a parent folder in the sidebar; a folder workspace ties a task to one of those repos | one view directory with every promoted repo |
| Branches and PRs | per repo | one branch name across repos, one PR per repo via gh, on GitHub |
| Common branch across repos | not documented | yes |
| Write scope per repo | not documented | repos you haven't promoted are guarded; kernel-enforced on Linux (Limitations) |
| Coordinated PRs | not documented | ivar feature deliver opens one per repo, via gh, on GitHub |
How each handles a change across three repos
The change touches api, web and shared-types.
In Orca, you group the three repos under a parent folder. The folder workspace ties the task (an issue or a PR) to one of them. Worktrees, branches and PRs stay per repo.
In ivar, you create one feature, promote the three repos and start one session:
ivar feature create avatar-url
ivar feature promote avatar-url api
ivar feature promote avatar-url web
ivar feature promote avatar-url shared-types
ivar session start avatar-urlAll three sit in one directory on the avatar-url branch. Deliver opens one PR per repo, via gh, on GitHub.
Where Orca is the better choice
You want many agents in parallel, each in its own worktree, from a graphical app. Choose Orca when a GUI matters more to you than a single branch across repos.
Where ivar is the better choice
The change crosses repos and needs one branch name, writes guarded to the repos you promote (kernel-enforced on Linux; see Limitations), and one PR per repo (via gh, on GitHub). Choose ivar if you work in the terminal.
Using them together
Open an ivar session directory in an Orca terminal.
FAQ
Does Orca support multiple repos?
Yes, with project groups. The docs describe several repos grouped under a parent folder in the sidebar, with a folder workspace that ties a task to one of them. Worktrees, branches and PRs stay per repo. Whether Orca uses a common branch across those repos, limits writes per repo or coordinates PRs is not documented.
Can I run Orca and ivar together?
Yes. Open the session directory in an Orca terminal.
Which one should I pick for one repo?
For one repo with many parallel agents, Orca fits. ivar pays off once a change spans repos.
Back to all comparisons, or see ivar with Claude Code for a harness walkthrough.
Sources
- Orca worktrees, accessed 2026-10-06.