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

 Release :

    - zurich

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Zurich 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: Zurich
* 
* Updated July 31, 2025
* 
* ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read

App developers using ServiceNow Studio 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 ServiceNow Studio.

### Before you begin

[Link an app to source control in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/oDv6n5wc~~FbzEDmJVi3Ng "Linking an application or application-customization to source control allows application developers to manage changes in ServiceNow Studio from a Git repository.")

Role required: admin or sn_group_creator.app_creator

### Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp EngineServiceNow Studio.
2. In the file navigator, select the application you want to open.
3. Select App details to open the app in the canvas.
4. Select Source controlCreate tag.
5. Enter the Tag name.
6. Select Create tag.
7. Select Close.

### What to do next

Commit changes to the new branch.

## Switch repository branches {#ariaid-title3}

Application developers can switch to a different repository branch to work on another version of the application using ServiceNow Studio.

### Before you begin

You must have a Git repository with one or more available branches.

Role required: admin

### Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp EngineServiceNow Studio.
2. In the file navigator, select the application you want to open.
3. Select App details to open the app in the canvas.
4. Select Source controlSwitch branch.
5. Choose whether you want to stash or discard local changes.

   | Option | Description |
   | Stash 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. If you choose to discard, you will not be able to recover those files. 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. |
   |-|-|

   {#sns-sc-switch-branches__choicetable_evb_nr3_t5}
6. Select the branch you want to switch to.
7. Select Switch Branch.

### Result

ServiceNow Studio updates the local application to match the branch version from repository.

## Create a repository branch {#ariaid-title4}

Application developers can create a branch to work on a new version of an existing app in ServiceNow Studio. Creating a branch will result in a new branch being created in the remote repository that is configured for this application. This application, including any uncommitted changes, will switch to
the new branch.

### Before you begin

Role required: admin or sn_group_creator.app_creator

### Procedure

1. Navigate to AllApp EngineServiceNow Studio.
2. In the file navigator, select the application you want to open.
3. Select App details to open the app in the canvas.
4. Select Source controlCreate branch.
5. Enter a Branch name.
6. **Optional:** Create a branch from a tab by selecting the Create from Tag drop-down list and selecting an existing tag.
7. Select Create Branch.
8. Select Close.

## Set a 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 ServiceNow Studio development repository.

### Before you begin

[Link an app to source control in ServiceNow Studio](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/oDv6n5wc~~FbzEDmJVi3Ng "Linking an application or application-customization to source control allows application developers to manage changes in ServiceNow Studio from a Git repository.")

Role required: admin

### Procedure

1. Follow the steps listed in [Add a system property](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_AddAPropertyUsingSysPropsList&version=zurich&pubname=zurich-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.  
   For example, default branch names could include pull requests, code commits, and the like. 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\>.

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