vm run: ship tracked files only by default; add --include-untracked + --dry-run

Workspace-mode vm run and vm workspace prepare used to copy both
tracked AND untracked non-ignored files into the guest. That silently
catches local .env files, scratch notes, credentials, and any other
working-tree state a developer hasn't explicitly gitignored — a real
data-exposure footgun given the golden image ships Docker and the
usual dev tooling.

Flip the default to tracked-only. Users who actually want the fuller
set opt in with --include-untracked (documented in both commands'
help). Gitignored files are still always excluded regardless of the
flag.

Add --dry-run to both vm run and vm workspace prepare. Dry-run
inspects the repo CLI-side (no VM created, no daemon RPC needed since
the daemon is always local and the inspection is a pure git read),
prints the exact file list + mode, and exits. A byte-level preview of
what would land in the guest.

When running real (non-dry) and untracked files exist in the repo but
are being skipped under the new default, print a one-line notice
pointing to --include-untracked so users aren't surprised when the
guest is missing something they expected.

Signature changes:
- ListOverlayPaths takes an includeUntracked bool (tracked always;
  untracked gated by flag).
- InspectRepo takes the same flag and passes it through.
- VMWorkspacePrepareParams gains IncludeUntracked.
- WorkspaceService.workspaceInspectRepo seam signature widened to
  match (4 callers in tests updated).

New workspace package tests cover both modes and verify that
gitignored files never leak regardless of the flag.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

README.md

@@ -83,10 +83,14 @@ banger vm run --rm -- script.sh        # ephemeral: VM is deleted on exit
 ```
 
 - **Bare mode** gives you a clean shell.
-- **Workspace mode** (path given) copies the repo's tracked + untracked
+- **Workspace mode** (path given) copies the repo's git-tracked files
-  non-ignored files into `/root/repo` and kicks off a best-effort
+  into `/root/repo` and kicks off a best-effort `mise` tooling
-  `mise` tooling bootstrap from the repo's `.mise.toml` /
+  bootstrap from the repo's `.mise.toml` / `.tool-versions`. Log:
-  `.tool-versions`. Log: `/root/.cache/banger/vm-run-tooling-<repo>.log`.
+  `/root/.cache/banger/vm-run-tooling-<repo>.log`. Untracked files
+  (including local `.env`, scratch notes, credentials that aren't
+  gitignored) are skipped by default — pass `--include-untracked` to
+  also ship them. Pass `--dry-run` to print the exact file list and
+  exit without creating a VM.
 - **Command mode** (`-- <cmd>`) runs the command in the guest; exit
   code propagates through `banger`.
 
@@ -94,9 +98,10 @@ Disconnecting from an interactive session leaves the VM running. Use
 `vm stop` / `vm delete` to clean up — or pass `--rm` so the VM
 auto-deletes once the session / command exits.
 
-`--branch` and `--from` apply only to workspace mode. `--rm` skips
+`--branch`, `--from`, `--include-untracked`, and `--dry-run` apply
-the delete when the initial ssh wait times out, so a wedged sshd
+only to workspace mode. `--rm` skips the delete when the initial ssh
-leaves the VM alive for `banger vm logs` inspection.
+wait times out, so a wedged sshd leaves the VM alive for `banger vm
+logs` inspection.
 
 ## Hostnames: reaching `<vm>.vm`
 

docs/advanced.md

@@ -70,9 +70,12 @@ materialises a local git checkout into the guest:
 banger vm workspace prepare <vm> ./other-repo --guest-path /root/repo
 ```
 
-Default guest path is `/root/repo`; default mode is a shallow metadata
+Default guest path is `/root/repo`; default mode is a shallow
-copy plus tracked and untracked non-ignored overlay. For repositories
+metadata copy plus a tracked-files overlay. Untracked files are
-with submodules, pass `--mode full_copy`.
+skipped by default — pass `--include-untracked` to ship untracked
+non-ignored files too (the old behaviour). Pass `--dry-run` to list
+the exact file set without touching the guest. For repositories with
+submodules, pass `--mode full_copy`.
 
 ## Inspecting boot failures
 

internal/api/types.go

@@ -137,13 +137,14 @@ type WorkspaceExportResult struct {
 }
 
 type VMWorkspacePrepareParams struct {
-	IDOrName   string `json:"id_or_name"`
+	IDOrName         string `json:"id_or_name"`
-	SourcePath string `json:"source_path"`
+	SourcePath       string `json:"source_path"`
-	GuestPath  string `json:"guest_path,omitempty"`
+	GuestPath        string `json:"guest_path,omitempty"`
-	Branch     string `json:"branch,omitempty"`
+	Branch           string `json:"branch,omitempty"`
-	From       string `json:"from,omitempty"`
+	From             string `json:"from,omitempty"`
-	Mode       string `json:"mode,omitempty"`
+	Mode             string `json:"mode,omitempty"`
-	ReadOnly   bool   `json:"readonly,omitempty"`
+	ReadOnly         bool   `json:"readonly,omitempty"`
+	IncludeUntracked bool   `json:"include_untracked,omitempty"`
 }
 
 type VMWorkspacePrepareResult struct {

internal/cli/commands_vm.go

@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ func (d *deps) newVMRunCommand() *cobra.Command {
 		branchName        string
 		fromRef           = "HEAD"
 		removeOnExit      bool
+		includeUntracked  bool
+		dryRun            bool
 	)
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:   "run [path] [-- command args...]",
@@ -107,7 +109,17 @@ Three modes:
 				if err != nil {
 					return err
 				}
-				repoPtr = &vmRunRepo{sourcePath: resolved, branchName: branchName, fromRef: fromRef}
+				repoPtr = &vmRunRepo{sourcePath: resolved, branchName: branchName, fromRef: fromRef, includeUntracked: includeUntracked}
+			}
+			if dryRun {
+				if repoPtr == nil {
+					return errors.New("--dry-run requires a workspace path")
+				}
+				dryFromRef := ""
+				if strings.TrimSpace(repoPtr.branchName) != "" {
+					dryFromRef = repoPtr.fromRef
+				}
+				return runWorkspaceDryRun(cmd.Context(), cmd.OutOrStdout(), repoPtr.sourcePath, repoPtr.branchName, dryFromRef, repoPtr.includeUntracked)
 			}
 
 			layout, err := paths.Resolve()
@@ -151,6 +163,8 @@ Three modes:
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&branchName, "branch", "", "create and switch to a new guest branch")
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&fromRef, "from", "HEAD", "base ref for --branch")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&removeOnExit, "rm", false, "delete the VM after the ssh session / command exits")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&includeUntracked, "include-untracked", false, "also copy untracked non-ignored files into the guest workspace (default: tracked files only)")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&dryRun, "dry-run", false, "list the files that would be copied into the guest workspace and exit without creating a VM")
 	_ = cmd.RegisterFlagCompletionFunc("image", d.completeImageNames)
 	return cmd
 }
@@ -570,6 +584,8 @@ func (d *deps) newVMWorkspacePrepareCommand() *cobra.Command {
 	var fromRef string
 	var mode string
 	var readOnly bool
+	var includeUntracked bool
+	var dryRun bool
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
 		Use:               "prepare <id-or-name> [path]",
 		Short:             "Copy a local repo into a running VM",
@@ -582,10 +598,6 @@ func (d *deps) newVMWorkspacePrepareCommand() *cobra.Command {
   banger vm workspace prepare devbox ../repo --mode full_copy
 `),
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {
-			layout, _, err := d.ensureDaemon(cmd.Context())
-			if err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
 			sourcePath := ""
 			if len(args) > 1 {
 				sourcePath = args[1]
@@ -605,14 +617,27 @@ func (d *deps) newVMWorkspacePrepareCommand() *cobra.Command {
 			if strings.TrimSpace(branchName) != "" {
 				prepareFrom = fromRef
 			}
+			if dryRun {
+				return runWorkspaceDryRun(cmd.Context(), cmd.OutOrStdout(), resolvedPath, branchName, prepareFrom, includeUntracked)
+			}
+			layout, _, err := d.ensureDaemon(cmd.Context())
+			if err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			if !includeUntracked {
+				if err := noteUntrackedSkipped(cmd.Context(), cmd.ErrOrStderr(), resolvedPath); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+			}
 			result, err := d.vmWorkspacePrepare(cmd.Context(), layout.SocketPath, api.VMWorkspacePrepareParams{
-				IDOrName:   args[0],
+				IDOrName:         args[0],
-				SourcePath: resolvedPath,
+				SourcePath:       resolvedPath,
-				GuestPath:  guestPath,
+				GuestPath:        guestPath,
-				Branch:     branchName,
+				Branch:           branchName,
-				From:       prepareFrom,
+				From:             prepareFrom,
-				Mode:       mode,
+				Mode:             mode,
-				ReadOnly:   readOnly,
+				ReadOnly:         readOnly,
+				IncludeUntracked: includeUntracked,
 			})
 			if err != nil {
 				return err
@@ -625,6 +650,8 @@ func (d *deps) newVMWorkspacePrepareCommand() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&fromRef, "from", "HEAD", "base ref for --branch")
 	cmd.Flags().StringVar(&mode, "mode", string(model.WorkspacePrepareModeShallowOverlay), "workspace mode: shallow_overlay, full_copy, metadata_only")
 	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&readOnly, "readonly", false, "make the prepared workspace read-only")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&includeUntracked, "include-untracked", false, "also copy untracked non-ignored files into the guest workspace (default: tracked files only)")
+	cmd.Flags().BoolVar(&dryRun, "dry-run", false, "list the files that would be copied and exit without touching the guest")
 	return cmd
 }
 

internal/cli/vm_run.go

@@ -39,9 +39,10 @@ type vmRunGuestClient interface {
 // RepoName, HEAD commit, etc.) comes back from the workspace.prepare
 // RPC, which does the full git inspection daemon-side.
 type vmRunRepo struct {
-	sourcePath string
+	sourcePath       string
-	branchName string
+	branchName       string
-	fromRef    string
+	fromRef          string
+	includeUntracked bool
 }
 
 const vmRunToolingInstallTimeoutSeconds = 120
@@ -193,13 +194,19 @@ func (d *deps) runVMRun(ctx context.Context, socketPath string, cfg model.Daemon
 		if strings.TrimSpace(repo.branchName) != "" {
 			fromRef = repo.fromRef
 		}
+		if !repo.includeUntracked {
+			if err := noteUntrackedSkipped(ctx, stderr, repo.sourcePath); err != nil {
+				printVMRunWarning(stderr, fmt.Sprintf("count untracked files failed: %v", err))
+			}
+		}
 		prepared, err := d.vmWorkspacePrepare(ctx, socketPath, api.VMWorkspacePrepareParams{
-			IDOrName:   vmRef,
+			IDOrName:         vmRef,
-			SourcePath: repo.sourcePath,
+			SourcePath:       repo.sourcePath,
-			GuestPath:  vmRunGuestDir(),
+			GuestPath:        vmRunGuestDir(),
-			Branch:     repo.branchName,
+			Branch:           repo.branchName,
-			From:       fromRef,
+			From:             fromRef,
-			Mode:       string(model.WorkspacePrepareModeShallowOverlay),
+			Mode:             string(model.WorkspacePrepareModeShallowOverlay),
+			IncludeUntracked: repo.includeUntracked,
 		})
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("vm %q is running but workspace prepare failed: %w", vmRef, err)

internal/cli/workspace_preview.go

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+package cli
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+
+	"banger/internal/daemon/workspace"
+)
+
+// runWorkspaceDryRun inspects the local repo at resolvedPath and
+// prints the file list that `vm run` / `workspace prepare` would ship
+// into the guest. Runs on the CLI side (no daemon RPC needed) since
+// the daemon is always local and the workspace inspection is a pure
+// git read.
+func runWorkspaceDryRun(ctx context.Context, out io.Writer, resolvedPath, branchName, fromRef string, includeUntracked bool) error {
+	spec, err := workspace.InspectRepo(ctx, resolvedPath, branchName, fromRef, includeUntracked)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "dry-run: %d file(s) would be copied to guest\n", len(spec.OverlayPaths))
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "repo: %s\n", spec.RepoRoot)
+	if includeUntracked {
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "mode: tracked + untracked non-ignored (--include-untracked)")
+	} else {
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, "mode: tracked only (re-run with --include-untracked to also copy untracked non-ignored files)")
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintln(out, "---")
+	for _, path := range spec.OverlayPaths {
+		fmt.Fprintln(out, path)
+	}
+	if !includeUntracked {
+		if err := noteUntrackedSkipped(ctx, out, spec.RepoRoot); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// noteUntrackedSkipped prints a one-line notice to stderr-analog when
+// the repo has untracked non-ignored files that will NOT be copied
+// because --include-untracked was not passed. Silent when there are
+// no such files, or when the count can't be determined.
+func noteUntrackedSkipped(ctx context.Context, out io.Writer, repoRoot string) error {
+	count, err := workspace.CountUntrackedPaths(ctx, repoRoot)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	if count == 0 {
+		return nil
+	}
+	fmt.Fprintf(out, "---\nnote: %d untracked non-ignored file(s) were NOT copied (git-tracked files only by default — pass --include-untracked to include them)\n", count)
+	return nil
+}

internal/daemon/workspace.go

@@ -20,11 +20,11 @@ import (
 // opposed to always requiring callers to populate s.workspaceInspectRepo
 // in a constructor) lets tests selectively override one hook without
 // having to wire both.
-func (s *WorkspaceService) workspaceInspectRepoHook(ctx context.Context, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef string) (ws.RepoSpec, error) {
+func (s *WorkspaceService) workspaceInspectRepoHook(ctx context.Context, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef string, includeUntracked bool) (ws.RepoSpec, error) {
 	if s != nil && s.workspaceInspectRepo != nil {
-		return s.workspaceInspectRepo(ctx, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef)
+		return s.workspaceInspectRepo(ctx, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef, includeUntracked)
 	}
-	return ws.InspectRepo(ctx, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef)
+	return ws.InspectRepo(ctx, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef, includeUntracked)
 }
 
 func (s *WorkspaceService) workspaceImportHook(ctx context.Context, client ws.GuestClient, spec ws.RepoSpec, guestPath string, mode model.WorkspacePrepareMode) error {
@@ -160,14 +160,14 @@ func (s *WorkspaceService) PrepareVMWorkspace(ctx context.Context, params api.VM
 	unlock := s.workspaceLocks.lock(vm.ID)
 	defer unlock()
 
-	return s.prepareVMWorkspaceGuestIO(ctx, vm, strings.TrimSpace(params.SourcePath), guestPath, branchName, fromRef, mode, params.ReadOnly)
+	return s.prepareVMWorkspaceGuestIO(ctx, vm, strings.TrimSpace(params.SourcePath), guestPath, branchName, fromRef, mode, params.ReadOnly, params.IncludeUntracked)
 }
 
 // prepareVMWorkspaceGuestIO performs the actual guest-side work:
 // inspect the local repo, dial SSH, stream the tar, optionally chmod
 // readonly. It is called without holding the VM mutex.
-func (s *WorkspaceService) prepareVMWorkspaceGuestIO(ctx context.Context, vm model.VMRecord, sourcePath, guestPath, branchName, fromRef string, mode model.WorkspacePrepareMode, readOnly bool) (model.WorkspacePrepareResult, error) {
+func (s *WorkspaceService) prepareVMWorkspaceGuestIO(ctx context.Context, vm model.VMRecord, sourcePath, guestPath, branchName, fromRef string, mode model.WorkspacePrepareMode, readOnly, includeUntracked bool) (model.WorkspacePrepareResult, error) {
-	spec, err := s.workspaceInspectRepoHook(ctx, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef)
+	spec, err := s.workspaceInspectRepoHook(ctx, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef, includeUntracked)
 	if err != nil {
 		return model.WorkspacePrepareResult{}, err
 	}

internal/daemon/workspace/workspace.go

@@ -67,11 +67,12 @@ var HostCommandOutputFunc = func(ctx context.Context, name string, args ...strin
 	return output, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w: %s", command, err, detail)
 }
 
-// InspectRepo resolves rawPath into an absolute repo root and captures the
+// InspectRepo resolves rawPath into an absolute repo root and captures
-// HEAD, branch, optional base-from ref, git identity, origin URL, submodules,
+// the HEAD, branch, optional base-from ref, git identity, origin URL,
-// and overlay paths (tracked + untracked non-ignored files) needed for a
+// submodules, and overlay paths needed for a prepare. Overlay paths
-// prepare.
+// cover tracked files by default; untracked non-ignored files are
-func InspectRepo(ctx context.Context, rawPath, branchName, fromRef string) (RepoSpec, error) {
+// included only when includeUntracked is true.
+func InspectRepo(ctx context.Context, rawPath, branchName, fromRef string, includeUntracked bool) (RepoSpec, error) {
 	sourcePath, err := ResolveSourcePath(rawPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return RepoSpec{}, err
@@ -119,7 +120,7 @@ func InspectRepo(ctx context.Context, rawPath, branchName, fromRef string) (Repo
 	if err != nil {
 		return RepoSpec{}, fmt.Errorf("resolve origin url for %s: %w", repoRoot, err)
 	}
-	overlayPaths, err := ListOverlayPaths(ctx, repoRoot)
+	overlayPaths, err := ListOverlayPaths(ctx, repoRoot, includeUntracked)
 	if err != nil {
 		return RepoSpec{}, err
 	}
@@ -292,17 +293,22 @@ func ListSubmodules(ctx context.Context, repoRoot string) ([]string, error) {
 	return submodules, nil
 }
 
-// ListOverlayPaths returns tracked + untracked non-ignored files in
+// ListOverlayPaths returns tracked files in repoRoot, plus (when
-// repoRoot. Missing tracked entries (deleted working-tree files) are skipped.
+// includeUntracked is true) untracked non-ignored files. Missing
-func ListOverlayPaths(ctx context.Context, repoRoot string) ([]string, error) {
+// tracked entries (deleted working-tree files) are skipped in both
+// modes.
+//
+// The default is tracked-only because "untracked + not gitignored"
+// silently catches local credentials, .env files, scratch notes, and
+// other secrets that live in the working tree but aren't meant to
+// leave the developer's machine. Callers that genuinely want the
+// fuller set (scratch repos, vendored binaries the user is iterating
+// on) opt in explicitly.
+func ListOverlayPaths(ctx context.Context, repoRoot string, includeUntracked bool) ([]string, error) {
 	trackedOutput, err := GitOutput(ctx, repoRoot, "ls-files", "-z")
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("list tracked files for %s: %w", repoRoot, err)
 	}
-	untrackedOutput, err := GitOutput(ctx, repoRoot, "ls-files", "--others", "--exclude-standard", "-z")
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("list untracked files for %s: %w", repoRoot, err)
-	}
 	paths := make([]string, 0)
 	seen := make(map[string]struct{})
 	for _, relPath := range ParseNullSeparatedOutput(trackedOutput) {
@@ -318,20 +324,44 @@ func ListOverlayPaths(ctx context.Context, repoRoot string) ([]string, error) {
 		seen[relPath] = struct{}{}
 		paths = append(paths, relPath)
 	}
-	for _, relPath := range ParseNullSeparatedOutput(untrackedOutput) {
+	if includeUntracked {
-		if relPath == "" {
+		untrackedOutput, err := GitOutput(ctx, repoRoot, "ls-files", "--others", "--exclude-standard", "-z")
-			continue
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("list untracked files for %s: %w", repoRoot, err)
 		}
-		if _, ok := seen[relPath]; ok {
+		for _, relPath := range ParseNullSeparatedOutput(untrackedOutput) {
-			continue
+			if relPath == "" {
+				continue
+			}
+			if _, ok := seen[relPath]; ok {
+				continue
+			}
+			seen[relPath] = struct{}{}
+			paths = append(paths, relPath)
 		}
-		seen[relPath] = struct{}{}
-		paths = append(paths, relPath)
 	}
 	sort.Strings(paths)
 	return paths, nil
 }
 
+// CountUntrackedPaths returns the number of untracked non-ignored
+// files in repoRoot. Used by the CLI to warn the user when they are
+// about to ship a workspace that has local-but-unignored scratch
+// files which, under the default, will be skipped.
+func CountUntrackedPaths(ctx context.Context, repoRoot string) (int, error) {
+	untrackedOutput, err := GitOutput(ctx, repoRoot, "ls-files", "--others", "--exclude-standard", "-z")
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, fmt.Errorf("list untracked files for %s: %w", repoRoot, err)
+	}
+	count := 0
+	for _, relPath := range ParseNullSeparatedOutput(untrackedOutput) {
+		if relPath != "" {
+			count++
+		}
+	}
+	return count, nil
+}
+
 // ParsePrepareMode validates and canonicalises a user-supplied mode value.
 func ParsePrepareMode(raw string) (model.WorkspacePrepareMode, error) {
 	switch strings.TrimSpace(raw) {

internal/daemon/workspace/workspace_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+package workspace
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"os"
+	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"slices"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+// seedRepo creates a tiny git repo with one tracked file, one
+// gitignored file, and one untracked-non-ignored file. Returns the
+// repo root path. Skips the test if git isn't on PATH (unusual for
+// a dev machine, but polite).
+func seedRepo(t *testing.T) string {
+	t.Helper()
+	if _, err := exec.LookPath("git"); err != nil {
+		t.Skipf("git not on PATH: %v", err)
+	}
+	dir := t.TempDir()
+	run := func(args ...string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		cmd := exec.Command(args[0], args[1:]...)
+		cmd.Dir = dir
+		// Isolate from the ambient user config so commits don't need
+		// a global user.name/user.email. Also disable GPG signing.
+		cmd.Env = append(os.Environ(),
+			"GIT_AUTHOR_NAME=t", "GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL=t@t",
+			"GIT_COMMITTER_NAME=t", "GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL=t@t",
+			"GIT_CONFIG_GLOBAL=/dev/null",
+		)
+		if out, err := cmd.CombinedOutput(); err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%v: %v\n%s", args, err, out)
+		}
+	}
+	writeFile := func(relPath, content string) {
+		t.Helper()
+		if err := os.WriteFile(filepath.Join(dir, relPath), []byte(content), 0o644); err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+	run("git", "init", "-q", "-b", "main")
+	run("git", "config", "commit.gpgsign", "false")
+	writeFile(".gitignore", "ignored.log\n")
+	writeFile("README.md", "hello\n")
+	run("git", "add", ".gitignore", "README.md")
+	run("git", "commit", "-q", "-m", "init")
+	// A tracked file AFTER the first commit so ls-files picks it up.
+	// A gitignored file so --exclude-standard filters it.
+	// An untracked non-ignored file so the flag matters.
+	writeFile("src.go", "package main\n")
+	run("git", "add", "src.go")
+	run("git", "commit", "-q", "-m", "src")
+	writeFile("ignored.log", "noisy\n")
+	writeFile("SECRETS.env", "TOKEN=abc\n")
+	return dir
+}
+
+func TestListOverlayPaths_TrackedOnlyByDefault(t *testing.T) {
+	repo := seedRepo(t)
+	got, err := ListOverlayPaths(context.Background(), repo, false)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ListOverlayPaths: %v", err)
+	}
+	want := []string{".gitignore", "README.md", "src.go"}
+	if !slices.Equal(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("got %v, want %v (untracked SECRETS.env must be excluded; gitignored ignored.log must always be excluded)", got, want)
+	}
+}
+
+func TestListOverlayPaths_IncludeUntracked(t *testing.T) {
+	repo := seedRepo(t)
+	got, err := ListOverlayPaths(context.Background(), repo, true)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ListOverlayPaths: %v", err)
+	}
+	want := []string{".gitignore", "README.md", "SECRETS.env", "src.go"}
+	if !slices.Equal(got, want) {
+		t.Fatalf("got %v, want %v", got, want)
+	}
+	// gitignored files must stay out even when untracked is included.
+	for _, p := range got {
+		if p == "ignored.log" {
+			t.Fatalf("gitignored file leaked into overlay: %v", got)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func TestCountUntrackedPaths(t *testing.T) {
+	repo := seedRepo(t)
+	count, err := CountUntrackedPaths(context.Background(), repo)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("CountUntrackedPaths: %v", err)
+	}
+	if count != 1 {
+		t.Fatalf("count = %d, want 1 (only SECRETS.env; ignored.log is gitignored)", count)
+	}
+}

internal/daemon/workspace_service.go

@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ type WorkspaceService struct {
 	beginOperation func(name string, attrs ...any) *operationLog
 
 	// Test seams.
-	workspaceInspectRepo func(ctx context.Context, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef string) (ws.RepoSpec, error)
+	workspaceInspectRepo func(ctx context.Context, sourcePath, branchName, fromRef string, includeUntracked bool) (ws.RepoSpec, error)
 	workspaceImport      func(ctx context.Context, client ws.GuestClient, spec ws.RepoSpec, guestPath string, mode model.WorkspacePrepareMode) error
 }
 

internal/daemon/workspace_test.go

@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ func TestPrepareVMWorkspace_ReleasesVMLockDuringGuestIO(t *testing.T) {
 	// Import blocks until we say go.
 	importStarted := make(chan struct{})
 	releaseImport := make(chan struct{})
-	d.ws.workspaceInspectRepo = func(context.Context, string, string, string) (workspace.RepoSpec, error) {
+	d.ws.workspaceInspectRepo = func(context.Context, string, string, string, bool) (workspace.RepoSpec, error) {
 		return workspace.RepoSpec{RepoName: "fake", RepoRoot: "/tmp/fake"}, nil
 	}
 	d.ws.workspaceImport = func(context.Context, workspace.GuestClient, workspace.RepoSpec, string, model.WorkspacePrepareMode) error {
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ func TestPrepareVMWorkspace_SerialisesConcurrentPreparesOnSameVM(t *testing.T) {
 	upsertDaemonVM(t, ctx, d.store, vm)
 	d.vm.setVMHandlesInMemory(vm.ID, model.VMHandles{PID: firecracker.Process.Pid})
 
-	d.ws.workspaceInspectRepo = func(context.Context, string, string, string) (workspace.RepoSpec, error) {
+	d.ws.workspaceInspectRepo = func(context.Context, string, string, string, bool) (workspace.RepoSpec, error) {
 		return workspace.RepoSpec{RepoName: "fake", RepoRoot: "/tmp/fake"}, nil
 	}