---
sourceDocument: Yokohama Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/yokohama/application-development

 Release :

    - yokohama

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Yokohama Build or modify applications

ft:clusterId :

    - cadev

bundleId :

    - cadev

workflow :

    - Development, Data, and Analytics


---

# Create versions and branches in Git

# Create versions and branches in Git {#ariaid-title1}

* Release version: Yokohama
* 
* Updated January 30, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

App developers using App Engine Studio (AES) can create versions and branches in their Git
repositories.

## Create a tag to link to a particular application version {#ariaid-title2}

Create a tag in the repository to link to a particular app version in App Engine Studio (AES).

### Before you begin

* Role required: admin or sn_group_creator.app_creator
* [Link an application or application-customization to source control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/BpAz~yi7BVoU982heALpUA "Linking an application or application-customization to source control allows application developers to manage changes in App Engine Studio (AES) from a Git repository.")
{#source-control-create-tag__ul_zyd_vlt_s5}

### Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp EngineApp Engine Studio.
2. From the My Apps page, open your application.
3. Select Source controlCreate tag.  
   App Engine Studio opens the Create Branch window.
4. Enter the Tag Name.
5. Select Create Tag.  
   App Engine Studio creates the tag.
6. Select Close.
{#source-control-create-tag__steps_y4v_3p4_mqb}

### What to do next

Commit changes to the new branch.

## Switch branches {#ariaid-title3}

Application developers can switch to a different repository branch to work on another
version of the application using App Engine Studio (AES).

### Before you begin

* Role required: admin
* Git repository with one or more available branches.
{#source-control-switch-branch__ul_sdy_vp3_t5}

### Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp EngineApp Engine Studio.
2. From the My Apps page, open your application.
3. Select Source controlSwitch branch.  
   The system displays the Switch Branch window.
4. **Optional:** If there any local changes on the instance, you can save or discard them.

   | Option | Description |
   | Save local changes | Saves local changes before switching to an alternate branch. You can later merge or discard the saved changes. |
   | Discard local changes | Permanently deletes all local changes before switching to an alternate branch. |
   |-|-|

   {#source-control-switch-branch__choicetable_evb_nr3_t5}  
   Note:  
   Use caution when discarding local changes. Since all application developers share repository credentials, there is no way to discard just one set of user changes. Note you cannot later restore discarded changes.
5. Select the branch you want to switch to.
6. Select Switch Branch.  
   App Engine Studio updates the local application to match the branch version from repository.
{#source-control-switch-branch__steps_ywk_x44_mqb}

## Create a branch {#ariaid-title4}

Application developers can create a branch to work on a new version of an existing
app in App Engine Studio (AES).

### Before you begin

* Role required: admin or sn_group_creator.app_creator
* [Link an application or application-customization to source control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/BpAz~yi7BVoU982heALpUA "Linking an application or application-customization to source control allows application developers to manage changes in App Engine Studio (AES) from a Git repository.")
{#source-control-create-branch__ul_zyd_vlt_s5}

### Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp EngineApp Engine Studio.
2. From the My Apps page, open your application.
3. Select Source controlCreate branch.  
   App Engine Studio opens the Create Branch window.
4. Enter the Branch Name.
5. **Optional:** To create a branch from a tag, select the Create from Tag drop-down list and select an existing tag.
6. Select Create Branch.  
   App Engine Studio creates the branch.
7. Select Close.
{#source-control-create-branch__steps_y4v_3p4_mqb}

### What to do next

Commit changes to the new branch.

## Set the default branch {#ariaid-title5}

Set a default branch when you want to use a branch other than main for new changes or
for your main App Engine Studio (AES)
development repository.

### Before you begin

* Role required: admin
* [Link an application or application-customization to source control](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/BpAz~yi7BVoU982heALpUA "Linking an application or application-customization to source control allows application developers to manage changes in App Engine Studio (AES) from a Git repository.")
{#source-control-default-branch__ul_pxm_xp4_mqb}

### Procedure

1. Follow the steps to [Add a system property](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_AddAPropertyUsingSysPropsList&version=yokohama&pubname=yokohama-platform-administration&ft:locale=en-US).
2. Add the glide.source_control.default_branch_name property, and specify the default branch name of the Git source control repository to work from (pull requests, code commits, etc.).  
   Application developers' work is managed from and saved into the default branch if not otherwise specified. If not changed, this value defaults to sn_instances/\<instance_name\>.
{#source-control-default-branch__steps_itb_x4v_ljb}

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