diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/common.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/common.ts
index bc6e59ba..6527ab77 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/common.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/common.ts
@@ -111,6 +111,19 @@ export async function isGitRepo(repoPath: string): Promise<boolean> {
   }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Check if a git repository has at least one commit (i.e., HEAD exists)
+ * Returns false for freshly initialized repos with no commits
+ */
+export async function hasCommits(repoPath: string): Promise<boolean> {
+  try {
+    await execAsync('git rev-parse --verify HEAD', { cwd: repoPath });
+    return true;
+  } catch {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
 /**
  * Check if an error is ENOENT (file/path not found or spawn failed)
  * These are expected in test environments with mock paths
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/checkout-branch.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/checkout-branch.ts
index ef8ddc47..dc28a19b 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/checkout-branch.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/checkout-branch.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
 import { exec } from 'child_process';
 import { promisify } from 'util';
-import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError, isGitRepo, hasCommits } from '../common.js';
 
 const execAsync = promisify(exec);
 
@@ -43,6 +43,26 @@ export function createCheckoutBranchHandler() {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Check if path is a git repository
+      if (!(await isGitRepo(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Not a git repository',
+          code: 'NOT_GIT_REPO',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if repository has at least one commit
+      if (!(await hasCommits(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Repository has no commits yet',
+          code: 'NO_COMMITS',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
       // Get current branch for reference
       const { stdout: currentBranchOutput } = await execAsync('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', {
         cwd: worktreePath,
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/commit.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/commit.ts
index 6cdc39c1..5080c905 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/commit.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/commit.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
 import { exec } from 'child_process';
 import { promisify } from 'util';
-import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError, isGitRepo } from '../common.js';
 
 const execAsync = promisify(exec);
 
@@ -25,6 +25,16 @@ export function createCommitHandler() {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Check if path is a git repository
+      if (!(await isGitRepo(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Not a git repository',
+          code: 'NOT_GIT_REPO',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
       // Check for uncommitted changes
       const { stdout: status } = await execAsync('git status --porcelain', {
         cwd: worktreePath,
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/list-branches.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/list-branches.ts
index 5fab4aff..cb0022fe 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/list-branches.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/list-branches.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
 import { exec } from 'child_process';
 import { promisify } from 'util';
-import { getErrorMessage, logWorktreeError } from '../common.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logWorktreeError, isGitRepo, hasCommits } from '../common.js';
 
 const execAsync = promisify(exec);
 
@@ -30,6 +30,26 @@ export function createListBranchesHandler() {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Check if the path is a git repository before running git commands
+      if (!(await isGitRepo(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Not a git repository',
+          code: 'NOT_GIT_REPO',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if the repository has any commits (freshly init'd repos have no HEAD)
+      if (!(await hasCommits(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Repository has no commits yet',
+          code: 'NO_COMMITS',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
       // Get current branch
       const { stdout: currentBranchOutput } = await execAsync('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', {
         cwd: worktreePath,
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/merge.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/merge.ts
index 40ac8dd4..c7baedd0 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/merge.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/merge.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
 import { exec } from 'child_process';
 import { promisify } from 'util';
 import path from 'path';
-import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError, isGitRepo, hasCommits } from '../common.js';
 
 const execAsync = promisify(exec);
 
@@ -27,6 +27,26 @@ export function createMergeHandler() {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Check if path is a git repository
+      if (!(await isGitRepo(projectPath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Not a git repository',
+          code: 'NOT_GIT_REPO',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if repository has at least one commit
+      if (!(await hasCommits(projectPath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Repository has no commits yet',
+          code: 'NO_COMMITS',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
       const branchName = `feature/${featureId}`;
       // Git worktrees are stored in project directory
       const worktreePath = path.join(projectPath, '.worktrees', featureId);
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/pull.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/pull.ts
index 4384e207..e99787af 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/pull.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/pull.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
 import { exec } from 'child_process';
 import { promisify } from 'util';
-import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError, isGitRepo, hasCommits } from '../common.js';
 
 const execAsync = promisify(exec);
 
@@ -24,6 +24,26 @@ export function createPullHandler() {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Check if path is a git repository
+      if (!(await isGitRepo(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Not a git repository',
+          code: 'NOT_GIT_REPO',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if repository has at least one commit
+      if (!(await hasCommits(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Repository has no commits yet',
+          code: 'NO_COMMITS',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
       // Get current branch name
       const { stdout: branchOutput } = await execAsync('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', {
         cwd: worktreePath,
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/push.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/push.ts
index c0337f43..64acc526 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/push.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/push.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
 import { exec } from 'child_process';
 import { promisify } from 'util';
-import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError, isGitRepo, hasCommits } from '../common.js';
 
 const execAsync = promisify(exec);
 
@@ -25,6 +25,26 @@ export function createPushHandler() {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Check if path is a git repository
+      if (!(await isGitRepo(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Not a git repository',
+          code: 'NOT_GIT_REPO',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if repository has at least one commit
+      if (!(await hasCommits(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Repository has no commits yet',
+          code: 'NO_COMMITS',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
       // Get branch name
       const { stdout: branchOutput } = await execAsync('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', {
         cwd: worktreePath,
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/switch-branch.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/switch-branch.ts
index 3df7a3f2..b6683198 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/switch-branch.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/worktree/routes/switch-branch.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 import type { Request, Response } from 'express';
 import { exec } from 'child_process';
 import { promisify } from 'util';
-import { getErrorMessage, logError } from '../common.js';
+import { getErrorMessage, logError, isGitRepo, hasCommits } from '../common.js';
 
 const execAsync = promisify(exec);
 
@@ -83,6 +83,26 @@ export function createSwitchBranchHandler() {
         return;
       }
 
+      // Check if path is a git repository
+      if (!(await isGitRepo(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Not a git repository',
+          code: 'NOT_GIT_REPO',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Check if repository has at least one commit
+      if (!(await hasCommits(worktreePath))) {
+        res.status(400).json({
+          success: false,
+          error: 'Repository has no commits yet',
+          code: 'NO_COMMITS',
+        });
+        return;
+      }
+
       // Get current branch
       const { stdout: currentBranchOutput } = await execAsync('git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD', {
         cwd: worktreePath,
diff --git a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/components/worktree-actions-dropdown.tsx b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/components/worktree-actions-dropdown.tsx
index d5710f5e..f0b93e33 100644
--- a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/components/worktree-actions-dropdown.tsx
+++ b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/components/worktree-actions-dropdown.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import {
   DropdownMenuTrigger,
   DropdownMenuLabel,
 } from '@/components/ui/dropdown-menu';
+import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipProvider, TooltipTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tooltip';
 import {
   Trash2,
   MoreHorizontal,
@@ -20,9 +21,10 @@ import {
   Globe,
   MessageSquare,
   GitMerge,
+  AlertCircle,
 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
-import type { WorktreeInfo, DevServerInfo, PRInfo } from '../types';
+import type { WorktreeInfo, DevServerInfo, PRInfo, GitRepoStatus } from '../types';
 
 interface WorktreeActionsDropdownProps {
   worktree: WorktreeInfo;
@@ -35,6 +37,7 @@ interface WorktreeActionsDropdownProps {
   isStartingDevServer: boolean;
   isDevServerRunning: boolean;
   devServerInfo?: DevServerInfo;
+  gitRepoStatus: GitRepoStatus;
   onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
   onPull: (worktree: WorktreeInfo) => void;
   onPush: (worktree: WorktreeInfo) => void;
@@ -60,6 +63,7 @@ export function WorktreeActionsDropdown({
   isStartingDevServer,
   isDevServerRunning,
   devServerInfo,
+  gitRepoStatus,
   onOpenChange,
   onPull,
   onPush,
@@ -76,6 +80,14 @@ export function WorktreeActionsDropdown({
   // Check if there's a PR associated with this worktree from stored metadata
   const hasPR = !!worktree.pr;
 
+  // Check git operations availability
+  const canPerformGitOps = gitRepoStatus.isGitRepo && gitRepoStatus.hasCommits;
+  const gitOpsDisabledReason = !gitRepoStatus.isGitRepo
+    ? 'Not a git repository'
+    : !gitRepoStatus.hasCommits
+      ? 'Repository has no commits yet'
+      : null;
+
   return (
     <DropdownMenu onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
       <DropdownMenuTrigger asChild>
@@ -92,6 +104,16 @@ export function WorktreeActionsDropdown({
         </Button>
       </DropdownMenuTrigger>
       <DropdownMenuContent align="start" className="w-56">
+        {/* Warning label when git operations are not available */}
+        {!canPerformGitOps && (
+          <>
+            <DropdownMenuLabel className="text-xs flex items-center gap-2 text-amber-600 dark:text-amber-400">
+              <AlertCircle className="w-3.5 h-3.5" />
+              {gitOpsDisabledReason}
+            </DropdownMenuLabel>
+            <DropdownMenuSeparator />
+          </>
+        )}
         {isDevServerRunning ? (
           <>
             <DropdownMenuLabel className="text-xs flex items-center gap-2">
@@ -124,36 +146,92 @@ export function WorktreeActionsDropdown({
             <DropdownMenuSeparator />
           </>
         )}
-        <DropdownMenuItem onClick={() => onPull(worktree)} disabled={isPulling} className="text-xs">
-          <Download className={cn('w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2', isPulling && 'animate-pulse')} />
-          {isPulling ? 'Pulling...' : 'Pull'}
-          {behindCount > 0 && (
-            <span className="ml-auto text-[10px] bg-muted px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded">
-              {behindCount} behind
-            </span>
-          )}
-        </DropdownMenuItem>
-        <DropdownMenuItem
-          onClick={() => onPush(worktree)}
-          disabled={isPushing || aheadCount === 0}
-          className="text-xs"
-        >
-          <Upload className={cn('w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2', isPushing && 'animate-pulse')} />
-          {isPushing ? 'Pushing...' : 'Push'}
-          {aheadCount > 0 && (
-            <span className="ml-auto text-[10px] bg-primary/20 text-primary px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded">
-              {aheadCount} ahead
-            </span>
-          )}
-        </DropdownMenuItem>
+        <TooltipProvider>
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+              <div>
+                <DropdownMenuItem
+                  onClick={() => canPerformGitOps && onPull(worktree)}
+                  disabled={isPulling || !canPerformGitOps}
+                  className={cn('text-xs', !canPerformGitOps && 'opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed')}
+                >
+                  <Download className={cn('w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2', isPulling && 'animate-pulse')} />
+                  {isPulling ? 'Pulling...' : 'Pull'}
+                  {!canPerformGitOps && (
+                    <AlertCircle className="w-3 h-3 ml-auto text-muted-foreground" />
+                  )}
+                  {canPerformGitOps && behindCount > 0 && (
+                    <span className="ml-auto text-[10px] bg-muted px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded">
+                      {behindCount} behind
+                    </span>
+                  )}
+                </DropdownMenuItem>
+              </div>
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            {gitOpsDisabledReason && (
+              <TooltipContent side="left">
+                <p>{gitOpsDisabledReason}</p>
+              </TooltipContent>
+            )}
+          </Tooltip>
+        </TooltipProvider>
+        <TooltipProvider>
+          <Tooltip>
+            <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+              <div>
+                <DropdownMenuItem
+                  onClick={() => canPerformGitOps && onPush(worktree)}
+                  disabled={isPushing || aheadCount === 0 || !canPerformGitOps}
+                  className={cn('text-xs', !canPerformGitOps && 'opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed')}
+                >
+                  <Upload className={cn('w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2', isPushing && 'animate-pulse')} />
+                  {isPushing ? 'Pushing...' : 'Push'}
+                  {!canPerformGitOps && (
+                    <AlertCircle className="w-3 h-3 ml-auto text-muted-foreground" />
+                  )}
+                  {canPerformGitOps && aheadCount > 0 && (
+                    <span className="ml-auto text-[10px] bg-primary/20 text-primary px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded">
+                      {aheadCount} ahead
+                    </span>
+                  )}
+                </DropdownMenuItem>
+              </div>
+            </TooltipTrigger>
+            {gitOpsDisabledReason && (
+              <TooltipContent side="left">
+                <p>{gitOpsDisabledReason}</p>
+              </TooltipContent>
+            )}
+          </Tooltip>
+        </TooltipProvider>
         {!worktree.isMain && (
-          <DropdownMenuItem
-            onClick={() => onResolveConflicts(worktree)}
-            className="text-xs text-purple-500 focus:text-purple-600"
-          >
-            <GitMerge className="w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2" />
-            Pull & Resolve Conflicts
-          </DropdownMenuItem>
+          <TooltipProvider>
+            <Tooltip>
+              <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+                <div>
+                  <DropdownMenuItem
+                    onClick={() => canPerformGitOps && onResolveConflicts(worktree)}
+                    disabled={!canPerformGitOps}
+                    className={cn(
+                      'text-xs text-purple-500 focus:text-purple-600',
+                      !canPerformGitOps && 'opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed'
+                    )}
+                  >
+                    <GitMerge className="w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2" />
+                    Pull & Resolve Conflicts
+                    {!canPerformGitOps && (
+                      <AlertCircle className="w-3 h-3 ml-auto text-muted-foreground" />
+                    )}
+                  </DropdownMenuItem>
+                </div>
+              </TooltipTrigger>
+              {gitOpsDisabledReason && (
+                <TooltipContent side="left">
+                  <p>{gitOpsDisabledReason}</p>
+                </TooltipContent>
+              )}
+            </Tooltip>
+          </TooltipProvider>
         )}
         <DropdownMenuSeparator />
         <DropdownMenuItem onClick={() => onOpenInEditor(worktree)} className="text-xs">
@@ -162,17 +240,60 @@ export function WorktreeActionsDropdown({
         </DropdownMenuItem>
         <DropdownMenuSeparator />
         {worktree.hasChanges && (
-          <DropdownMenuItem onClick={() => onCommit(worktree)} className="text-xs">
-            <GitCommit className="w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2" />
-            Commit Changes
-          </DropdownMenuItem>
+          <TooltipProvider>
+            <Tooltip>
+              <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+                <div>
+                  <DropdownMenuItem
+                    onClick={() => gitRepoStatus.isGitRepo && onCommit(worktree)}
+                    disabled={!gitRepoStatus.isGitRepo}
+                    className={cn(
+                      'text-xs',
+                      !gitRepoStatus.isGitRepo && 'opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed'
+                    )}
+                  >
+                    <GitCommit className="w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2" />
+                    Commit Changes
+                    {!gitRepoStatus.isGitRepo && (
+                      <AlertCircle className="w-3 h-3 ml-auto text-muted-foreground" />
+                    )}
+                  </DropdownMenuItem>
+                </div>
+              </TooltipTrigger>
+              {!gitRepoStatus.isGitRepo && (
+                <TooltipContent side="left">
+                  <p>Not a git repository</p>
+                </TooltipContent>
+              )}
+            </Tooltip>
+          </TooltipProvider>
         )}
         {/* Show PR option for non-primary worktrees, or primary worktree with changes */}
         {(!worktree.isMain || worktree.hasChanges) && !hasPR && (
-          <DropdownMenuItem onClick={() => onCreatePR(worktree)} className="text-xs">
-            <GitPullRequest className="w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2" />
-            Create Pull Request
-          </DropdownMenuItem>
+          <TooltipProvider>
+            <Tooltip>
+              <TooltipTrigger asChild>
+                <div>
+                  <DropdownMenuItem
+                    onClick={() => canPerformGitOps && onCreatePR(worktree)}
+                    disabled={!canPerformGitOps}
+                    className={cn('text-xs', !canPerformGitOps && 'opacity-50 cursor-not-allowed')}
+                  >
+                    <GitPullRequest className="w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-2" />
+                    Create Pull Request
+                    {!canPerformGitOps && (
+                      <AlertCircle className="w-3 h-3 ml-auto text-muted-foreground" />
+                    )}
+                  </DropdownMenuItem>
+                </div>
+              </TooltipTrigger>
+              {gitOpsDisabledReason && (
+                <TooltipContent side="left">
+                  <p>{gitOpsDisabledReason}</p>
+                </TooltipContent>
+              )}
+            </Tooltip>
+          </TooltipProvider>
         )}
         {/* Show PR info and Address Comments button if PR exists */}
         {!worktree.isMain && hasPR && worktree.pr && (
diff --git a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/components/worktree-tab.tsx b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/components/worktree-tab.tsx
index 76c95db1..9e357231 100644
--- a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/components/worktree-tab.tsx
+++ b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/components/worktree-tab.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
 import { RefreshCw, Globe, Loader2, CircleDot, GitPullRequest } from 'lucide-react';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipProvider, TooltipTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tooltip';
-import type { WorktreeInfo, BranchInfo, DevServerInfo, PRInfo } from '../types';
+import type { WorktreeInfo, BranchInfo, DevServerInfo, PRInfo, GitRepoStatus } from '../types';
 import { BranchSwitchDropdown } from './branch-switch-dropdown';
 import { WorktreeActionsDropdown } from './worktree-actions-dropdown';
 
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ interface WorktreeTabProps {
   isStartingDevServer: boolean;
   aheadCount: number;
   behindCount: number;
+  gitRepoStatus: GitRepoStatus;
   onSelectWorktree: (worktree: WorktreeInfo) => void;
   onBranchDropdownOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
   onActionsDropdownOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ export function WorktreeTab({
   isStartingDevServer,
   aheadCount,
   behindCount,
+  gitRepoStatus,
   onSelectWorktree,
   onBranchDropdownOpenChange,
   onActionsDropdownOpenChange,
@@ -320,6 +322,7 @@ export function WorktreeTab({
         isStartingDevServer={isStartingDevServer}
         isDevServerRunning={isDevServerRunning}
         devServerInfo={devServerInfo}
+        gitRepoStatus={gitRepoStatus}
         onOpenChange={onActionsDropdownOpenChange}
         onPull={onPull}
         onPush={onPush}
diff --git a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/hooks/use-branches.ts b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/hooks/use-branches.ts
index 69a78ec0..15c266d5 100644
--- a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/hooks/use-branches.ts
+++ b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/hooks/use-branches.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { useState, useCallback } from 'react';
 import { getElectronAPI } from '@/lib/electron';
-import type { BranchInfo } from '../types';
+import type { BranchInfo, GitRepoStatus } from '../types';
 
 export function useBranches() {
   const [branches, setBranches] = useState<BranchInfo[]>([]);
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@ export function useBranches() {
   const [behindCount, setBehindCount] = useState(0);
   const [isLoadingBranches, setIsLoadingBranches] = useState(false);
   const [branchFilter, setBranchFilter] = useState('');
+  const [gitRepoStatus, setGitRepoStatus] = useState<GitRepoStatus>({
+    isGitRepo: true,
+    hasCommits: true,
+  });
 
   const fetchBranches = useCallback(async (worktreePath: string) => {
     setIsLoadingBranches(true);
@@ -22,9 +26,31 @@ export function useBranches() {
         setBranches(result.result.branches);
         setAheadCount(result.result.aheadCount || 0);
         setBehindCount(result.result.behindCount || 0);
+        setGitRepoStatus({ isGitRepo: true, hasCommits: true });
+      } else if (result.code === 'NOT_GIT_REPO') {
+        // Not a git repository - clear branches silently without logging an error
+        setBranches([]);
+        setAheadCount(0);
+        setBehindCount(0);
+        setGitRepoStatus({ isGitRepo: false, hasCommits: false });
+      } else if (result.code === 'NO_COMMITS') {
+        // Git repo but no commits yet - clear branches silently without logging an error
+        setBranches([]);
+        setAheadCount(0);
+        setBehindCount(0);
+        setGitRepoStatus({ isGitRepo: true, hasCommits: false });
+      } else if (!result.success) {
+        // Other errors - log them
+        console.warn('Failed to fetch branches:', result.error);
+        setBranches([]);
+        setAheadCount(0);
+        setBehindCount(0);
       }
     } catch (error) {
       console.error('Failed to fetch branches:', error);
+      setBranches([]);
+      setAheadCount(0);
+      setBehindCount(0);
     } finally {
       setIsLoadingBranches(false);
     }
@@ -48,5 +74,6 @@ export function useBranches() {
     setBranchFilter,
     resetBranchFilter,
     fetchBranches,
+    gitRepoStatus,
   };
 }
diff --git a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/hooks/use-worktree-actions.ts b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/hooks/use-worktree-actions.ts
index 381975b1..09f39068 100644
--- a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/hooks/use-worktree-actions.ts
+++ b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/hooks/use-worktree-actions.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,15 @@ import { getElectronAPI } from '@/lib/electron';
 import { toast } from 'sonner';
 import type { WorktreeInfo } from '../types';
 
+// Error codes that need special user-friendly handling
+const GIT_STATUS_ERROR_CODES = ['NOT_GIT_REPO', 'NO_COMMITS'] as const;
+
+// User-friendly messages for git status errors
+const GIT_STATUS_ERROR_MESSAGES: Record<string, string> = {
+  NOT_GIT_REPO: 'This directory is not a git repository',
+  NO_COMMITS: 'Repository has no commits yet. Create an initial commit first.',
+};
+
 interface UseWorktreeActionsOptions {
   fetchWorktrees: () => Promise<Array<{ path: string; branch: string }> | undefined>;
   fetchBranches: (worktreePath: string) => Promise<void>;
@@ -29,6 +38,15 @@ export function useWorktreeActions({ fetchWorktrees, fetchBranches }: UseWorktre
           toast.success(result.result.message);
           fetchWorktrees();
         } else {
+          // Handle git status errors with informative messages
+          const errorCode = (result as { code?: string }).code;
+          if (
+            errorCode &&
+            GIT_STATUS_ERROR_CODES.includes(errorCode as (typeof GIT_STATUS_ERROR_CODES)[number])
+          ) {
+            toast.info(GIT_STATUS_ERROR_MESSAGES[errorCode] || result.error);
+            return;
+          }
           toast.error(result.error || 'Failed to switch branch');
         }
       } catch (error) {
@@ -56,6 +74,15 @@ export function useWorktreeActions({ fetchWorktrees, fetchBranches }: UseWorktre
           toast.success(result.result.message);
           fetchWorktrees();
         } else {
+          // Handle git status errors with informative messages
+          const errorCode = (result as { code?: string }).code;
+          if (
+            errorCode &&
+            GIT_STATUS_ERROR_CODES.includes(errorCode as (typeof GIT_STATUS_ERROR_CODES)[number])
+          ) {
+            toast.info(GIT_STATUS_ERROR_MESSAGES[errorCode] || result.error);
+            return;
+          }
           toast.error(result.error || 'Failed to pull latest changes');
         }
       } catch (error) {
@@ -84,6 +111,15 @@ export function useWorktreeActions({ fetchWorktrees, fetchBranches }: UseWorktre
           fetchBranches(worktree.path);
           fetchWorktrees();
         } else {
+          // Handle git status errors with informative messages
+          const errorCode = (result as { code?: string }).code;
+          if (
+            errorCode &&
+            GIT_STATUS_ERROR_CODES.includes(errorCode as (typeof GIT_STATUS_ERROR_CODES)[number])
+          ) {
+            toast.info(GIT_STATUS_ERROR_MESSAGES[errorCode] || result.error);
+            return;
+          }
           toast.error(result.error || 'Failed to push changes');
         }
       } catch (error) {
diff --git a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/types.ts b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/types.ts
index 901ca357..c6ecefde 100644
--- a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/types.ts
+++ b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/types.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,11 @@ export interface BranchInfo {
   isRemote: boolean;
 }
 
+export interface GitRepoStatus {
+  isGitRepo: boolean;
+  hasCommits: boolean;
+}
+
 export interface DevServerInfo {
   worktreePath: string;
   port: number;
diff --git a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/worktree-panel.tsx b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/worktree-panel.tsx
index 665f3434..0f4a1765 100644
--- a/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/worktree-panel.tsx
+++ b/apps/ui/src/components/views/board-view/worktree-panel/worktree-panel.tsx
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ export function WorktreePanel({
     setBranchFilter,
     resetBranchFilter,
     fetchBranches,
+    gitRepoStatus,
   } = useBranches();
 
   const {
@@ -210,6 +211,7 @@ export function WorktreePanel({
             isStartingDevServer={isStartingDevServer}
             aheadCount={aheadCount}
             behindCount={behindCount}
+            gitRepoStatus={gitRepoStatus}
             onSelectWorktree={handleSelectWorktree}
             onBranchDropdownOpenChange={handleBranchDropdownOpenChange(mainWorktree)}
             onActionsDropdownOpenChange={handleActionsDropdownOpenChange(mainWorktree)}
@@ -264,6 +266,7 @@ export function WorktreePanel({
                   isStartingDevServer={isStartingDevServer}
                   aheadCount={aheadCount}
                   behindCount={behindCount}
+                  gitRepoStatus={gitRepoStatus}
                   onSelectWorktree={handleSelectWorktree}
                   onBranchDropdownOpenChange={handleBranchDropdownOpenChange(worktree)}
                   onActionsDropdownOpenChange={handleActionsDropdownOpenChange(worktree)}
diff --git a/apps/ui/src/types/electron.d.ts b/apps/ui/src/types/electron.d.ts
index 3c07c2d6..170c81dd 100644
--- a/apps/ui/src/types/electron.d.ts
+++ b/apps/ui/src/types/electron.d.ts
@@ -813,6 +813,7 @@ export interface WorktreeAPI {
       behindCount: number;
     };
     error?: string;
+    code?: 'NOT_GIT_REPO'; // Error code for non-git directories
   }>;
 
   // Switch to an existing branch