---
title: "Creating Branches"
slug: "creating-branches"
status: "update"
updated: 2026-10-13T15:32:34Z
published: 2026-10-13T15:32:34Z
canonical: "docs.unqork.io/creating-branches"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unqork.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating Branches

A branch is a working copy of a versioned application for making and testing changes. Creating a branch does not affect the live published version. When the changes are ready, publish the branch as a new version.

## Create a Branch

Create a branch from any published version or from an existing branch.

To create a branch:

1. In the module toolbar, click the checkout pill.

![Module Builder tab bar showing the checkout pill displaying the current branch name.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261013_153230_9d5449f1a7694b1f96ef950d32a9fedd.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T05%3A33%3A16Z&se=2026-11-02T06%3A33%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DcHK4YYnpAKtwGpVLq8LvRNlA5HwzFH8%2FpmYFxGQV48%3D)
2. Hover ![GitBranch](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261013_153230_6118ddc67b154889b097d9254125bf3a.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T05%3A33%3A16Z&se=2026-11-02T06%3A33%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DcHK4YYnpAKtwGpVLq8LvRNlA5HwzFH8%2FpmYFxGQV48%3D) **Versioned Actions**, then select ![Settings2](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261013_153230_64e7586e640e49ad9b25fff19ebd1026.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T05%3A33%3A16Z&se=2026-11-02T06%3A33%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DcHK4YYnpAKtwGpVLq8LvRNlA5HwzFH8%2FpmYFxGQV48%3D) **Manage Versions**.
3. Locate the source version or branch.
4. On that row, select ![EllipsisVertical](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261013_153230_5365661057aa47be9a08e82a690e8131.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T05%3A33%3A16Z&se=2026-11-02T06%3A33%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DcHK4YYnpAKtwGpVLq8LvRNlA5HwzFH8%2FpmYFxGQV48%3D) (**ellipsis**) > ![GitBranch](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261013_153230_6118ddc67b154889b097d9254125bf3a.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T05%3A33%3A16Z&se=2026-11-02T06%3A33%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=DcHK4YYnpAKtwGpVLq8LvRNlA5HwzFH8%2FpmYFxGQV48%3D) **Create Branch from [source]**.
5. In the **Branch Name** field, enter a name for the new branch.
6. Click **Create Branch**.

A confirmation message displays and the checkout pill switches to the new branch.

### Branch Name Rules

Branch names must follow these rules:

- **Maximum length**: 25 characters
- **Allowed characters**: letters, numbers, hyphens, underscores, dots, and forward slashes
- **Must begin with**: a letter or number
- **Cannot contain**: two consecutive dots (`..`)
- **Cannot end with**: the string `.lock`

## Working on a Branch

After switching to a branch, the checkout pill displays the branch name, and any edits to modules are saved to the branch without affecting published versions. Published versions and the default version are read-only, so switch to a branch before making changes.

---

**Changelog**

| Date | Change |
| --- | --- |
| 2026-09-09 | Updated for the checkout pill's Versioned Actions fly-out. |
| 2026-08-25 | Updated to Manage Versions dialog flow; added Settings2 icon; consolidated Working on a Branch; removed bullet periods; editorial pass. |
| 2026-07-17 | Added images and inline icons; editorial pass. |
| 2026-07-15 | Initial publication. |

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