[Architecture] Move .squad/ state out of working tree (git-notes or orphan branch) #792

Move .squad/ Out of the Working Tree

Problem

• .squad/ lives in the working tree → destroyed on branch switch
• Some users don't want squad state in version control at all
• State pollutes PRs and diffs

Proposed solutions (from Tamir's blog Part 7b)

Option A: Git Notes (refs/notes/squad)

• Squad state stored in git notes ref, not working tree
• Survives branch switches (ref-based, not file-based)
• Invisible in git status, git diff, PRs
• Accessed via git notes --ref=squad show HEAD

Option B: Orphan Branch (squad-state)

• Dedicated branch with no common ancestor
• State files live there, never merged into main
• Read via git show squad-state:.squad/team.md

Option C: External directory (~/.squad/projects/{repo-hash}/)

• State outside repo entirely
• No git integration needed
• Fallback for repos where user has no write access

Blog reference

https://tamirdresher.github.io — Part 7b of the Scaling AI series