diff --git a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx
index 7390243de..666b946c0 100644
--- a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx
+++ b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ herdr worktree remove --workspace ID [--force] [--trust-repository]
 
 Worktrees are normal Herdr workspaces with Git checkout provenance. `worktree create` creates a Git worktree checkout, opens it as a workspace, and groups it with the parent repo workspace. If `--branch` names an existing local branch, Herdr checks it out; otherwise it creates the branch from `--base` or `HEAD`. Without `--path`, Herdr creates the checkout under `<worktrees.directory>/<repo>/<branch-slug>`.
 
-`workspace close` closes only Herdr state. Closing a primary workspace while linked-worktree workspaces are open requires `--group`; without it, the command leaves the group open and returns `workspace_group_close_required`. To delete the checkout, run `worktree remove`. It runs `git worktree remove`, never deletes the branch, and requires `--force` when Git refuses a dirty checkout.
+`workspace close` closes only Herdr state. Closing a primary workspace while linked-worktree workspaces are open requires `--group`; without it, the command leaves the group open and returns `workspace_group_close_required`. To delete the checkout, run `worktree remove`. It runs `git worktree remove`, never deletes the branch, and requires `--force` when Git refuses a dirty checkout or a checkout with initialized submodules.
 
 Git rejects repositories owned by another user by default. If you have independently verified the repository, pass `--trust-repository` to trust its resolved path for that command only. Herdr does not change your Git configuration.
 
diff --git a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/ja/cli-reference.mdx b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/ja/cli-reference.mdx
index 08e35f441..40f8398f5 100644
--- a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/ja/cli-reference.mdx
+++ b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/ja/cli-reference.mdx
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ herdr worktree remove --workspace ID [--force] [--trust-repository]
 
 worktree は、Git チェックアウトの出自情報を持つ通常の Herdr ワークスペースです。`worktree create` は Git worktree のチェックアウトを作成し、ワークスペースとして開き、親リポジトリのワークスペースとグループ化します。`--branch` が既存のローカルブランチを指す場合はそれをチェックアウトし、そうでなければ `--base` または `HEAD` からブランチを作成します。`--path` がない場合、チェックアウトは `<worktrees.directory>/<repo>/<branch-slug>` の下に作成されます。
 
-`workspace close` は Herdr の状態だけを閉じます。リンクされた worktree ワークスペースが開いている間に親ワークスペースを閉じるには `--group` が必要です。指定しない場合、グループは開いたままになり `workspace_group_close_required` が返されます。`worktree remove` が明示的なチェックアウト削除の経路です。`git worktree remove` を実行し、ブランチは決して削除せず、Git がダーティなチェックアウトを拒否する場合は `--force` が必要です。
+`workspace close` は Herdr の状態だけを閉じます。リンクされた worktree ワークスペースが開いている間に親ワークスペースを閉じるには `--group` が必要です。指定しない場合、グループは開いたままになり `workspace_group_close_required` が返されます。`worktree remove` が明示的なチェックアウト削除の経路です。`git worktree remove` を実行し、ブランチは決して削除せず、Git がダーティなチェックアウト、または初期化済みサブモジュールを含むチェックアウトを拒否する場合は `--force` が必要です。
 
 Git はデフォルトで、別のユーザーが所有するリポジトリを拒否します。リポジトリを別途確認済みの場合は `--trust-repository` を渡すと、解決されたパスをそのコマンドでのみ信頼します。Herdr は Git 設定を変更しません。
 
diff --git a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/ja/socket-api.mdx b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/ja/socket-api.mdx
index eb693a51f..f02ea9504 100644
--- a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/ja/socket-api.mdx
+++ b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/ja/socket-api.mdx
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ reason の候補は `shown`、`disabled`、`rate_limited`、`no_foreground_clien
 
 `client.window_title.clear` はタイトルを `ui.window_title` に戻します。レスポンスは `type: "client_window_title"` で、`changed` と、`set`、`cleared`、`no_foreground_client` のいずれかの reason を含みます。
 
-Worktree メソッドは Git チェックアウトを Herdr ワークスペースとして管理します。`worktree.create` はチェックアウトを作成し、新しい `workspace`、`tab`、`root_pane`、`worktree` のレコードを返します。要求されたブランチがローカルに既存ならそれをチェックアウトし、なければ要求されたベースまたは `HEAD` からブランチを作成します。`worktree.open` は既存のチェックアウトを開くか、すでに開いているワークスペースを返します。`worktree.remove` はリンクされた子ワークスペースに対して `git worktree remove` を実行し、ブランチは決して削除しません。
+Worktree メソッドは Git チェックアウトを Herdr ワークスペースとして管理します。`worktree.create` はチェックアウトを作成し、新しい `workspace`、`tab`、`root_pane`、`worktree` のレコードを返します。要求されたブランチがローカルに既存ならそれをチェックアウトし、なければ要求されたベースまたは `HEAD` からブランチを作成します。`worktree.open` は既存のチェックアウトを開くか、すでに開いているワークスペースを返します。`worktree.remove` はリンクされた子ワークスペースに対して `git worktree remove` を実行し、ブランチは決して削除しません。Git が安全な削除を拒否した場合は `dirty_worktree_requires_force` または `submodule_worktree_requires_force` を返します。失われる作業を確認したうえで `force: true` で再試行してください。
 
 元のワークスペースから worktree を作成する:
 
diff --git a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/socket-api.mdx b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/socket-api.mdx
index 547415a60..33cd2699e 100644
--- a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/socket-api.mdx
+++ b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/socket-api.mdx
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ Set or clear the foreground client's outer terminal window title:
 `type: "client_window_title"` with `changed` and reason `set`, `cleared`, or
 `no_foreground_client`.
 
-Worktree methods manage Git checkouts as Herdr workspaces. `worktree.create` creates a checkout and returns the new `workspace`, `tab`, `root_pane`, and `worktree` records. If the requested branch already exists locally, it checks out that branch; otherwise it creates the branch from the requested base or `HEAD`. `worktree.open` opens an existing checkout or returns the already-open workspace. `worktree.remove` runs `git worktree remove` against a linked child workspace and never deletes the branch.
+Worktree methods manage Git checkouts as Herdr workspaces. `worktree.create` creates a checkout and returns the new `workspace`, `tab`, `root_pane`, and `worktree` records. If the requested branch already exists locally, it checks out that branch; otherwise it creates the branch from the requested base or `HEAD`. `worktree.open` opens an existing checkout or returns the already-open workspace. `worktree.remove` runs `git worktree remove` against a linked child workspace and never deletes the branch. It returns `dirty_worktree_requires_force` or `submodule_worktree_requires_force` when Git refuses a safe removal; check for work that would be lost before retrying with `force: true`.
 
 Create a worktree from a source workspace:
 
diff --git a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/zh-cn/cli-reference.mdx b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/zh-cn/cli-reference.mdx
index 122a14cbf..ce1d2842b 100644
--- a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/zh-cn/cli-reference.mdx
+++ b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/zh-cn/cli-reference.mdx
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ herdr worktree remove --workspace ID [--force] [--trust-repository]
 
 worktree 是带有 Git 检出来源信息的普通 Herdr 工作区。`worktree create` 创建一个 Git worktree 检出,作为工作区打开,并与父仓库工作区分到一组。如果 `--branch` 指向已有的本地分支,Herdr 检出它;否则从 `--base` 或 `HEAD` 创建分支。没有 `--path` 时,Herdr 在 `<worktrees.directory>/<repo>/<branch-slug>` 下创建检出。
 
-`workspace close` 只关闭 Herdr 状态。当关联的 worktree 工作区仍然打开时，关闭父工作区需要 `--group`；否则命令会保留整个组并返回 `workspace_group_close_required`。`worktree remove` 是显式的检出删除路径;它运行 `git worktree remove`,从不删除分支,并在 Git 拒绝脏检出时要求 `--force`。
+`workspace close` 只关闭 Herdr 状态。当关联的 worktree 工作区仍然打开时，关闭父工作区需要 `--group`；否则命令会保留整个组并返回 `workspace_group_close_required`。`worktree remove` 是显式的检出删除路径;它运行 `git worktree remove`,从不删除分支,并在 Git 拒绝脏检出或包含已初始化子模块的检出时要求 `--force`。
 
 Git 默认拒绝由其他用户拥有的仓库。如果你已独立验证该仓库,可传入 `--trust-repository`,仅在本次命令中信任解析后的仓库路径。Herdr 不会修改你的 Git 配置。
 
diff --git a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/zh-cn/socket-api.mdx b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/zh-cn/socket-api.mdx
index 1e54f14e2..fddad0eca 100644
--- a/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/zh-cn/socket-api.mdx
+++ b/docs/next/website/src/content/docs/zh-cn/socket-api.mdx
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ herdr notification show "build failed" --body "api workspace" --position top-lef
 
 `client.window_title.clear` 把标题交还给 `ui.window_title`。响应是 `type: "client_window_title"`,带 `changed` 和 `set`、`cleared` 或 `no_foreground_client` 之一的 reason。
 
-Worktree 方法把 Git 检出作为 Herdr 工作区管理。`worktree.create` 创建检出,并返回新的 `workspace`、`tab`、`root_pane` 和 `worktree` 记录。请求的分支已在本地存在时检出它;否则从请求的 base 或 `HEAD` 创建分支。`worktree.open` 打开已有检出,或返回已打开的工作区。`worktree.remove` 对关联的子工作区运行 `git worktree remove`,从不删除分支。
+Worktree 方法把 Git 检出作为 Herdr 工作区管理。`worktree.create` 创建检出,并返回新的 `workspace`、`tab`、`root_pane` 和 `worktree` 记录。请求的分支已在本地存在时检出它;否则从请求的 base 或 `HEAD` 创建分支。`worktree.open` 打开已有检出,或返回已打开的工作区。`worktree.remove` 对关联的子工作区运行 `git worktree remove`,从不删除分支。Git 拒绝安全删除时,它会返回 `dirty_worktree_requires_force` 或 `submodule_worktree_requires_force`;确认可能丢失的工作后,使用 `force: true` 重试。
 
 从来源工作区创建 worktree:
 
diff --git a/src/app/api/worktrees.rs b/src/app/api/worktrees.rs
index be282c1c7..f213c2b18 100644
--- a/src/app/api/worktrees.rs
+++ b/src/app/api/worktrees.rs
@@ -2123,6 +2123,107 @@ mod tests {
         let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(repo);
     }
 
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn api_worktree_remove_reports_submodule_force_requirement_without_shutting_down_panes() {
+        let repo = create_committed_repo("api-worktree-remove-submodule-repo");
+        let submodule = create_committed_repo("api-worktree-remove-submodule-source");
+        let checkout = unique_temp_path("api-worktree-remove-submodule-checkout");
+        run_git(
+            &repo,
+            &[
+                "-c",
+                "protocol.file.allow=always",
+                "submodule",
+                "add",
+                "--quiet",
+                submodule.to_str().unwrap(),
+                "sub",
+            ],
+        );
+        run_git(&repo, &["commit", "--quiet", "-am", "add submodule"]);
+        run_git(
+            &repo,
+            &[
+                "worktree",
+                "add",
+                "--quiet",
+                "-b",
+                "worktree/api-remove-submodule",
+                checkout.to_str().unwrap(),
+                "HEAD",
+            ],
+        );
+        run_git(
+            &checkout,
+            &[
+                "-c",
+                "protocol.file.allow=always",
+                "submodule",
+                "update",
+                "--init",
+                "--quiet",
+            ],
+        );
+
+        let mut app = app_with_parent(&repo);
+        let mut child = Workspace::test_new("child");
+        child.identity_cwd = checkout.clone();
+        child.worktree_space = Some(crate::workspace::WorktreeSpaceMembership {
+            key: crate::workspace::git_space_metadata(&repo).unwrap().key,
+            label: "api-worktree-remove-submodule-repo".into(),
+            repo_root: repo.clone(),
+            checkout_path: checkout.clone(),
+            is_linked_worktree: true,
+        });
+        let child_id = child.id.clone();
+        let pane_id = child.tabs[0].root_pane;
+        let terminal_id = child.terminal_id(pane_id).cloned().unwrap();
+        app.state.workspaces.push(child);
+        app.state.ensure_test_terminals();
+        let (runtime, _input_rx) = crate::terminal::TerminalRuntime::test_with_channel(80, 24);
+        app.terminal_runtimes.insert(terminal_id.clone(), runtime);
+
+        let response = run_deferred_api_request(
+            &mut app,
+            Request {
+                id: "req".into(),
+                method: crate::api::schema::Method::WorktreeRemove(WorktreeRemoveParams {
+                    workspace_id: child_id.clone(),
+                    force: false,
+                    trust_repository: false,
+                }),
+            },
+        );
+        let error: ErrorResponse = serde_json::from_str(&response).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(error.error.code, "submodule_worktree_requires_force");
+        assert!(checkout.exists());
+        assert!(app.terminal_runtimes.get(&terminal_id).is_some());
+        assert!(app.pending_worktree_remove_runtime_exits.is_empty());
+
+        let response = run_deferred_api_request(
+            &mut app,
+            Request {
+                id: "req".into(),
+                method: crate::api::schema::Method::WorktreeRemove(WorktreeRemoveParams {
+                    workspace_id: child_id,
+                    force: true,
+                    trust_repository: false,
+                }),
+            },
+        );
+        let success: SuccessResponse = serde_json::from_str(&response).unwrap();
+        let ResponseResult::WorktreeRemoved { forced, path, .. } = success.result else {
+            panic!("expected worktree_removed response");
+        };
+        assert!(forced);
+        assert_eq!(path, checkout.display().to_string());
+        assert!(!checkout.exists());
+        assert_eq!(app.state.workspaces.len(), 1);
+
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(repo);
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(submodule);
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn api_worktree_remove_emits_close_event_and_drains_runtime_shutdowns() {
         let repo = create_committed_repo("api-worktree-remove-event-repo");
diff --git a/src/app/api/worktrees/deferred.rs b/src/app/api/worktrees/deferred.rs
index c20aaec4c..eb4d2a904 100644
--- a/src/app/api/worktrees/deferred.rs
+++ b/src/app/api/worktrees/deferred.rs
@@ -293,22 +293,37 @@ impl App {
 
         #[cfg(windows)]
         {
-            if !params.force
-                && crate::worktree::checkout_has_dirty_files(
+            if !params.force {
+                if crate::worktree::checkout_has_dirty_files(
                     &space.checkout_path,
                     params.trust_repository,
                 )
                 .unwrap_or(false)
-            {
-                Self::send_api_response(
-                    respond_to,
-                    encode_error(
-                        id,
-                        "dirty_worktree_requires_force",
-                        crate::worktree::worktree_dirty_remove_message(&space.checkout_path),
-                    ),
-                );
-                return;
+                {
+                    Self::send_api_response(
+                        respond_to,
+                        encode_error(
+                            id,
+                            "dirty_worktree_requires_force",
+                            crate::worktree::worktree_dirty_remove_message(&space.checkout_path),
+                        ),
+                    );
+                    return;
+                }
+                if crate::worktree::checkout_has_initialized_submodules(
+                    &space.checkout_path,
+                    params.trust_repository,
+                ) {
+                    Self::send_api_response(
+                        respond_to,
+                        encode_error(
+                            id,
+                            "submodule_worktree_requires_force",
+                            crate::worktree::SUBMODULE_WORKTREE_REMOVE_ERROR,
+                        ),
+                    );
+                    return;
+                }
             }
         }
 
@@ -386,12 +401,16 @@ impl App {
             "herdr-worktree-remove",
             finished,
             move |mut finished| {
+                // The workspace membership was verified before spawning this
+                // thread, so a forced request may clean a checkout that Git has
+                // already unregistered but could not delete.
                 finished.result = crate::worktree::run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(
                     &command,
                     &repo_root,
                     &finished.path,
                     finished.forced,
                     trust_repository,
+                    finished.forced,
                 );
                 let _ =
                     event_tx.blocking_send(AppEvent::WorktreeRemoveFinished(Box::new(finished)));
@@ -554,12 +573,15 @@ impl App {
                 api.operation_id,
                 &result.path,
             );
-            let code =
-                if !result.forced && crate::worktree::is_dirty_worktree_remove_error(&message) {
-                    "dirty_worktree_requires_force"
-                } else {
-                    "worktree_remove_failed"
-                };
+            let code = if !result.forced
+                && crate::worktree::is_submodule_worktree_remove_error(&message)
+            {
+                "submodule_worktree_requires_force"
+            } else if !result.forced && crate::worktree::is_dirty_worktree_remove_error(&message) {
+                "dirty_worktree_requires_force"
+            } else {
+                "worktree_remove_failed"
+            };
             Self::send_api_response(api.respond_to, encode_error(api.id, code, message));
             return pane_updates;
         }
diff --git a/src/client/shell/tests/agents_worktrees_notifications.rs b/src/client/shell/tests/agents_worktrees_notifications.rs
index df09f464a..78f8ce1e1 100644
--- a/src/client/shell/tests/agents_worktrees_notifications.rs
+++ b/src/client/shell/tests/agents_worktrees_notifications.rs
@@ -1422,6 +1422,11 @@ fn worktree_open_filters_and_clicks_a_stable_public_entry() {
 fn worktree_remove_escalates_recoverable_failure_to_force_confirmation() {
     for (code, message, expect_force) in [
         ("dirty_worktree_requires_force", "dirty worktree", true),
+        (
+            "submodule_worktree_requires_force",
+            "submodule worktree",
+            true,
+        ),
         (
             "worktree_remove_failed",
             "fatal: '/repo-feature' is not a working tree",
diff --git a/src/client/shell/worktree_overlays.rs b/src/client/shell/worktree_overlays.rs
index 318c40190..f9b3fda72 100644
--- a/src/client/shell/worktree_overlays.rs
+++ b/src/client/shell/worktree_overlays.rs
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ pub(super) fn render_worktree_remove_overlay(
             inner.x,
             inner.y + 4,
             inner.width,
-            " Dirty or untracked files will be permanently deleted.",
+            " Dirty files and unpushed submodule work will be permanently deleted.",
             Style::default().fg(p.red).bg(p.panel_bg),
         );
     }
diff --git a/src/client/shell/worktrees.rs b/src/client/shell/worktrees.rs
index 56c554c8f..c55ccef89 100644
--- a/src/client/shell/worktrees.rs
+++ b/src/client/shell/worktrees.rs
@@ -497,9 +497,11 @@ impl ClientShellState {
                 true
             }
             (PendingEndpointKind::WorktreeRemove { forced: false }, Err(error))
-                if error.code.as_deref() == Some("dirty_worktree_requires_force")
-                    || (error.code.as_deref() == Some("worktree_remove_failed")
-                        && crate::worktree::is_not_working_tree_remove_error(&error.message)) =>
+                if matches!(
+                    error.code.as_deref(),
+                    Some("dirty_worktree_requires_force" | "submodule_worktree_requires_force")
+                ) || (error.code.as_deref() == Some("worktree_remove_failed")
+                    && crate::worktree::is_not_working_tree_remove_error(&error.message)) =>
             {
                 if let Some(ClientShellOverlay::WorktreeRemove(remove)) = self.overlay.as_mut() {
                     remove.removing = false;
diff --git a/src/worktree.rs b/src/worktree.rs
index 17f560a43..d30d8da16 100644
--- a/src/worktree.rs
+++ b/src/worktree.rs
@@ -191,11 +191,20 @@ pub(crate) fn build_worktree_remove_command(
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(windows)]
+pub(crate) const SUBMODULE_WORKTREE_REMOVE_ERROR: &str =
+    "fatal: working trees containing submodules cannot be moved or removed";
+
 pub(crate) fn is_dirty_worktree_remove_error(message: &str) -> bool {
     let lower = message.to_ascii_lowercase();
-    (lower.contains("contains modified or untracked files")
-        && lower.contains("use --force to delete it"))
-        || lower.contains("working trees containing submodules cannot be moved or removed")
+    lower.contains("contains modified or untracked files")
+        && lower.contains("use --force to delete it")
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn is_submodule_worktree_remove_error(message: &str) -> bool {
+    message
+        .to_ascii_lowercase()
+        .contains("working trees containing submodules cannot be moved or removed")
 }
 
 pub(crate) fn is_not_working_tree_remove_error(message: &str) -> bool {
@@ -236,6 +245,26 @@ pub(crate) fn checkout_has_dirty_files(
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(windows, test))]
+pub(crate) fn checkout_has_initialized_submodules(path: &Path, trust_repository: bool) -> bool {
+    if !path.join(".gitmodules").is_file() {
+        return false;
+    }
+    let Ok(output) = repository_git_command(path, trust_repository)
+        .args(["submodule", "status", "--recursive"])
+        .output()
+    else {
+        return false;
+    };
+    if !output.status.success() {
+        return false;
+    }
+    // `git submodule status` prefixes uninitialized entries with `-`.
+    String::from_utf8_lossy(&output.stdout)
+        .lines()
+        .any(|line| matches!(line.as_bytes().first(), Some(b' ' | b'+' | b'U')))
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn build_worktree_add_new_branch_command(
     repo_root: &Path,
     path: &Path,
@@ -349,52 +378,69 @@ pub(crate) fn run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(
     path: &Path,
     force: bool,
     trust_repository: bool,
+    allow_unregistered_leftover: bool,
 ) -> Result<(), String> {
+    // Capture the checkout identity before Git removes `.git`. A forced removal
+    // can unregister the worktree and then fail to delete the directory, at
+    // which point the checkout no longer proves it belongs to this repository.
+    let checkout_gitdir = force.then(|| checkout_gitdir(path)).flatten();
     match run_worktree_command(command) {
         Ok(()) => Ok(()),
-        Err(err) if force && is_not_working_tree_remove_error(&err) => {
+        Err(err) if force => {
             if worktree_list_contains_path(repo_root, path, trust_repository)? {
                 return Err(err);
             }
-            if path.exists() {
-                if !leftover_worktree_checkout_matches_repo(repo_root, path, trust_repository) {
-                    return Err(err);
-                }
-                std::fs::remove_dir_all(path).map_err(|remove_err| {
-                    format!(
-                        "{err}; failed to remove leftover checkout {}: {remove_err}",
-                        path.display()
-                    )
-                })?;
+            if !path.exists() {
+                return Ok(());
             }
+            let known_checkout = checkout_gitdir
+                .as_deref()
+                .is_some_and(|gitdir| gitdir_belongs_to_repo(gitdir, repo_root, trust_repository))
+                || leftover_worktree_checkout_matches_repo(repo_root, path, trust_repository)
+                || allow_unregistered_leftover;
+            if !known_checkout {
+                return Err(err);
+            }
+            std::fs::remove_dir_all(path).map_err(|remove_err| {
+                format!(
+                    "{err}; failed to remove leftover checkout {}: {remove_err}",
+                    path.display()
+                )
+            })?;
             Ok(())
         }
         Err(err) => Err(err),
     }
 }
 
+fn checkout_gitdir(path: &Path) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+    let content = std::fs::read_to_string(path.join(".git")).ok()?;
+    let gitdir = content.trim().strip_prefix("gitdir:")?.trim();
+    if gitdir.is_empty() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let gitdir = PathBuf::from(gitdir);
+    Some(if gitdir.is_absolute() {
+        gitdir
+    } else {
+        path.join(gitdir)
+    })
+}
+
+fn gitdir_belongs_to_repo(gitdir: &Path, repo_root: &Path, trust_repository: bool) -> bool {
+    let Some(worktrees_dir) = git_common_worktrees_dir(repo_root, trust_repository) else {
+        return false;
+    };
+    canonical_or_original(gitdir).starts_with(canonical_or_original(&worktrees_dir))
+}
+
 fn leftover_worktree_checkout_matches_repo(
     repo_root: &Path,
     path: &Path,
     trust_repository: bool,
 ) -> bool {
-    let git_file = path.join(".git");
-    let Ok(content) = std::fs::read_to_string(&git_file) else {
-        return false;
-    };
-    let Some(gitdir) = content.trim().strip_prefix("gitdir:") else {
-        return false;
-    };
-    let gitdir = PathBuf::from(gitdir.trim());
-    let gitdir = if gitdir.is_absolute() {
-        gitdir
-    } else {
-        path.join(gitdir)
-    };
-    let Some(worktrees_dir) = git_common_worktrees_dir(repo_root, trust_repository) else {
-        return false;
-    };
-    canonical_or_original(&gitdir).starts_with(canonical_or_original(&worktrees_dir))
+    checkout_gitdir(path)
+        .is_some_and(|gitdir| gitdir_belongs_to_repo(&gitdir, repo_root, trust_repository))
 }
 
 fn git_common_worktrees_dir(repo_root: &Path, trust_repository: bool) -> Option<PathBuf> {
@@ -871,13 +917,19 @@ prunable stale
         assert!(!is_dirty_worktree_remove_error(
             "fatal: '/w/herdr' contains a locked worktree, use --force only if you know why"
         ));
+        assert!(!is_dirty_worktree_remove_error(
+            "fatal: working trees containing submodules cannot be moved or removed"
+        ));
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn submodule_remove_error_requires_force_confirmation() {
-        assert!(is_dirty_worktree_remove_error(
+        assert!(is_submodule_worktree_remove_error(
             "fatal: working trees containing submodules cannot be moved or removed"
         ));
+        assert!(!is_submodule_worktree_remove_error(
+            "fatal: '/w/herdr' contains modified or untracked files, use --force to delete it"
+        ));
     }
 
     #[test]
@@ -906,6 +958,7 @@ prunable stale
             false,
         );
         run_worktree_command(&add).unwrap();
+        assert!(!checkout_has_initialized_submodules(&checkout, false));
         run_git(
             &checkout,
             &[
@@ -917,20 +970,22 @@ prunable stale
                 "--quiet",
             ],
         );
+        assert!(checkout_has_initialized_submodules(&checkout, false));
         assert!(!checkout_has_dirty_files(&checkout, false).unwrap());
 
         let remove = build_worktree_remove_command(&repo, &checkout, false, false);
         let error = run_worktree_command(&remove).unwrap_err();
-        assert!(is_dirty_worktree_remove_error(&error), "{error}");
+        assert!(is_submodule_worktree_remove_error(&error), "{error}");
         assert!(checkout.join("sub/README.md").exists());
 
         std::fs::write(checkout.join("sub/README.md"), "uncommitted change\n").unwrap();
         let error = run_worktree_command(&remove).unwrap_err();
-        assert!(is_dirty_worktree_remove_error(&error), "{error}");
+        assert!(is_submodule_worktree_remove_error(&error), "{error}");
         assert!(checkout.join("sub/README.md").exists());
 
         let forced = build_worktree_remove_command(&repo, &checkout, true, false);
-        run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(&forced, &repo, &checkout, true, false).unwrap();
+        run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(&forced, &repo, &checkout, true, false, false)
+            .unwrap();
         assert!(!checkout.exists());
         assert!(!worktree_list_contains_path(&repo, &checkout, false).unwrap());
         assert!(repo.join("sub/README.md").exists());
@@ -1036,7 +1091,31 @@ prunable stale
         .unwrap();
         std::fs::write(checkout.join("leftover"), "leftover\n").unwrap();
 
-        run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(&remove, &repo, &checkout, true, false).unwrap();
+        run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(&remove, &repo, &checkout, true, false, false)
+            .unwrap();
+
+        assert!(!checkout.exists());
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(repo);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn forced_worktree_remove_recovery_cleans_managed_unregistered_checkout() {
+        let repo = create_committed_repo("worktree-recovery-managed-repo");
+        let checkout = unique_temp_path("worktree-recovery-managed-checkout");
+        let branch = "worktree/recovery-managed";
+
+        let add = build_worktree_add_new_branch_command(&repo, &checkout, branch, "HEAD", false);
+        run_worktree_command(&add).unwrap();
+        let remove = build_worktree_remove_command(&repo, &checkout, true, false);
+        run_worktree_command(&remove).unwrap();
+        std::fs::create_dir_all(&checkout).unwrap();
+        std::fs::write(checkout.join("leftover"), "leftover\n").unwrap();
+
+        // Git unregistered the worktree and deleted `.git` before it failed to
+        // remove the directory. A confirmed forced removal of the workspace's
+        // checkout may still clean up the leftover.
+        run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(&remove, &repo, &checkout, true, false, true)
+            .unwrap();
 
         assert!(!checkout.exists());
         let _ = std::fs::remove_dir_all(repo);
@@ -1055,8 +1134,10 @@ prunable stale
         std::fs::create_dir_all(&checkout).unwrap();
         std::fs::write(checkout.join("unrelated"), "do not delete\n").unwrap();
 
-        let err = run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(&remove, &repo, &checkout, true, false)
-            .expect_err("unrelated replacement directory should not be removed");
+        let err = run_worktree_remove_command_with_recovery(
+            &remove, &repo, &checkout, true, false, false,
+        )
+        .expect_err("unrelated replacement directory should not be removed");
 
         assert!(is_not_working_tree_remove_error(&err));
         assert!(checkout.join("unrelated").exists());