Workspace Setup & Management

Use the query_workspaces and modify_workspaces tools to manage P4 client workspaces.

Querying Workspaces

Modifying Workspaces

Common Workflows

Create a stream workspace

1. query_streams → list to find available streams
2. modify_workspaces → create with specs containing the stream depot path
3. modify_files → sync to populate the workspace

Create a classic workspace

1. modify_workspaces → create with specs containing view mappings (depot-to-local paths)
2. modify_files → sync to populate the workspace

Check workspace state

1. query_workspaces → get to see the current spec
2. query_workspaces → type to check if it's stream-bound or classic
3. query_workspaces → status to see sync state (have vs head revisions)

Switch between workspaces

1. query_workspaces → list to see available workspaces
2. modify_workspaces → switch to set the active workspace

Best Practices

• Use stream workspaces when working with P4 streams — they auto-configure the view mapping from the stream spec.
• Set the workspace root to a directory that exists and is writable.
• Use query_workspaces → status to check for out-of-date files before starting work.
• Delete workspaces only when you're sure no pending changelists reference them.
• Each workspace must have a unique name on the P4 server.