diff --git a/source/cydo/worktree.d b/source/cydo/worktree.d
index 4574c9d..5b9b2b2 100644
--- a/source/cydo/worktree.d
+++ b/source/cydo/worktree.d
@@ -17,6 +17,14 @@ private enum ArchiveRefState
 
 private ArchiveRefState getArchiveRefState(string projectPath, int tid)
 {
+    // a non-git projectPath (e.g. an "unrestricted" workspace rooted at a plain
+    // directory like $HOME) can't hold an archive ref at all; rev-parse would
+    // bail with "not a git repository" (exit 128), so resolve to Missing before
+    // the strict status check below treats non-0/1 exits as genuine git failures
+    auto insideWorkTree = execute(["git", "-C", projectPath, "rev-parse", "--is-inside-work-tree"]);
+    if (insideWorkTree.status != 0)
+        return ArchiveRefState.Missing;
+
     auto refName = format!"refs/cydo/worktree-archive/%d"(tid);
     auto cmd = ["git", "-C", projectPath, "rev-parse", "--verify", "--quiet", refName];
     auto result = execute(cmd);