---
sourceDocument: Australia Build or modify applications
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/application-development

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia 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: Australia  
Updated May 27, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read  
Create tags and branches in a Git repository from ServiceNow Studio to version application releases and manage parallel development streams.

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

Create a tag in the Git repository from ServiceNow Studio to mark a specific application version for future reference.

### Before you begin

[Link an app to source control in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/DawPgaSCzbztW8HaLVSwAg "Link an application or application customization to a Git repository in ServiceNow Studio so application developers can manage changes directly from the platform.")

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.  
   The tag is created in the repository and linked to the current application version.
7. Select Close.

### What to do next

Commit changes to the new branch.

## Switch repository branches {#ariaid-title3}

Switch to a different repository branch in ServiceNow Studio to work on a separate version of the application.

### Before you begin

A Git repository with one or more available branches must exist.

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 to stash or discard local changes before switching.

   | 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. Discarded changes cannot be recovered. Note: Use caution when discarding local changes. Because all application developers share repository credentials, there is no way to discard only one set of user changes. |
   |-|-|

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

### Result

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

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

Create a branch in ServiceNow Studio to develop a new version of an existing app in isolation. The new branch is created in the remote repository and the application, including any uncommitted changes, switches 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:** To base the branch on an existing tag, select the Create from Tag drop-down list and select a tag.
7. Select Create Branch.  
   The new branch is created in the remote repository and the application switches to the new branch.
8. Select Close.

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

Set a default branch in ServiceNow Studio to direct new changes to a branch other than main.

### Before you begin

[Link an app to source control in ServiceNow Studio](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/DawPgaSCzbztW8HaLVSwAg "Link an application or application customization to a Git repository in ServiceNow Studio so application developers can manage changes directly from the platform.")

Role required: admin

### Procedure

1. Follow the steps in [Add a system property](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=t_AddAPropertyUsingSysPropsList&version=australia&pubname=australia-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.  
   All developer work is saved to the default branch unless a different branch is specified. If not set, the value defaults to `sn_instances/<instance_name>`.

### Result

The default branch is set. New changes in ServiceNow Studio are directed to the specified branch.

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