# A branch behaves like a full copy of your app

By Steven Van · 2026-08-19

Branch previews, version history and merging now run independently of main, with support for GitHub-connected apps and mobile.

A branch in [Base44](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/tools/base44>) now [builds and serves on its own](<https://docs.base44.com/Building-your-app/working-with-branches>), so it behaves like a full copy of the app rather than a variation of main.

- The branch's preview serves its own pages and reads its own schema, and Edit mode and split-screen editing work there too.

- Version history reads the branch's own history, so restoring a version brings back that branch's state instead of overwriting it with main's schema and navigation.

- AI chat can merge a branch into main, or update a branch from main, with a card in the chat to confirm the action.

- A branch can be created before main finishes generating. It forks from the last completed version and starts building right away, though merging, deleting and importing still wait until main is idle.

- Branches now work on any app connected to GitHub, including importing a repository branch as an app branch.

- Branches can be switched, created and merged from mobile web and the iOS and Android apps.

![The branch menu listing several branches next to an app preview](<https://mintcdn.com/base44/eYkTlSr5OX-PNhnp/images/Branches-hero.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=eYkTlSr5OX-PNhnp&q=85&s=1bb140d0e46f3e392dfabc8d8b0cd77a>)

Work on several branches alongside your main app

![The branch menu open under the app name, showing Main chat and a Create your first branch panel with the Create new branch button highlighted](<https://mintcdn.com/base44/-o0DdlVp5o4iVuNu/images/create-new-branch.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=-o0DdlVp5o4iVuNu&q=85&s=69471911ab96daf19dc80f2c353f4dd5>)

Creating your first branch from the branch menu

![The Code tab open on a branch, with the branch's file tree and Merge to main at the top right](<https://mintcdn.com/base44/Fe1EUhgmdxe2q9Xg/images/code-branch.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=Fe1EUhgmdxe2q9Xg&q=85&s=ff4e8356471462b17c55feae3bdda51b>)

The Code tab on a branch, showing that branch's own files

![The branch menu open on a branch, showing Main chat above the list of branches](<https://mintcdn.com/base44/TEODQUOeOLz9wLnr/images/switching-branches.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=TEODQUOeOLz9wLnr&q=85&s=65c7341c40def5c857bf1a5927437e4b>)

Switching between main and your branches

![An update card above the chat box reading 1 new message on main, Nothing overlaps, Ready to update, with an Update branch button](<https://mintcdn.com/base44/-o0DdlVp5o4iVuNu/images/update-branch.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=-o0DdlVp5o4iVuNu&q=85&s=d822e374865edacdd62a793fc8c1452d>)

The update card that appears above the chat box when main has changed

![The app editor on a branch with the Merge to main button highlighted in the top bar](<https://mintcdn.com/base44/-o0DdlVp5o4iVuNu/images/merge-to-main-publish.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=-o0DdlVp5o4iVuNu&q=85&s=ba59d7127384c7474246adc7b64f7927>)

Click Merge to main at the top of the editor, then publish from main when you are ready

![Base44](<https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=base44.com&sz=128>)

Base44

AI app builder — describe what you want and get a fully functional web app in seconds, no coding required.

[View Base44 →](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/tools/base44>)

Sources

[Original source](<https://docs.base44.com/Building-your-app/working-with-branches>)

[Read A branch behaves like a full copy of your app on Creators Toolbox](<https://creatorstoolbox.com/blog/base44-a-branch-behaves-like-a-full-copy-of-your-app>)

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Canonical source: https://creatorstoolbox.com/blog/base44-a-branch-behaves-like-a-full-copy-of-your-app