Version control
Track changes, collaborate with others, and manage your code’s evolution using Replit’s integrated version control tools.
Version control on Replit enables you to track, manage, and collaborate on your codebase with confidence. With built-in Git integration and GitHub connectivity, you can:
- Track code changes and maintain a history of your development work
- Collaborate with team members without code conflicts or lost work
- Import, modify, and push code between Replit and GitHub
- Work with branches to experiment with new features safely
What is version control?
Version control is a system that records changes to files over time, allowing you to recall specific versions later. On Replit, version control is powered by Git—the industry-standard tool for tracking code changes—with a user-friendly visual interface that eliminates the need for command-line knowledge.
How version control works on Replit
All four version control options interact with the same underlying Git repository:
- Agent Checkpoints create commits automatically at important milestones when building with Replit Agent
- Git Pane provides visual access to the complete Git repository
- Git CLI offers command-line access to all Git functionality
- File History tracks granular changes within individual files
Choose the interface that best matches your needs, with the confidence that everything is backed by Git’s robust version control system.
| Feature | Agent Checkpoints | Git Commits | File History |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creation | Automatic at logical points | Manual or scheduled | Automatic for user edits |
| Granularity | Feature-level changes | Any change size | Character-level changes |
| Description | AI-generated summaries | User-written messages | Automatic timestamps |
| Rollback | One-click restore | Requires Git knowledge | One-click restore |
| Git capabilities | Full Git capabilities | Full Git capabilities | No Git capabilities |
| GitHub sync | Full GitHub sync capabilities | Full GitHub sync capabilities | No GitHub sync |
Getting started
Access version control in your Replit App by adding the Git tool to your workspace:
- Navigate to the Tools section in your Replit App
- Select the + sign to add new tools
- Select Git from the list of available tools
To import existing projects from GitHub, see Import from GitHub.
Version control options
Replit’s version control is powered by Git at its core. You have multiple ways to interact with and benefit from version control:
Automatic version control
Agent Checkpoints
Agent Checkpoints
Automatic snapshots created during AI-assisted development with Replit Agent.
Best for: Development with Replit Agent
Key capabilities:
- Automatic creation at logical milestones
- One-click rollback
- Feature-level snapshots
- Progress tracking
- No setup required
- Visual timeline of development progress
Agent checkpoints are stored in Git and can be accessed through the Git Pane or Git CLI. You can also visualize all your checkpoints using the History feature, which provides:
- Chronological checkpoint visualization
- Detailed checkpoint descriptions
- Direct access to checkpoint states
- One-click rollback to any checkpoint
File History
File History
Per-file version tracking with automatic saving for user edits.
Best for: Quick recovery of recent file changes
Key capabilities:
- Single file focus
- Character-level changes
- Visual comparison
- 30-day history
- Playback feature
While File History provides its own interface, the underlying changes are part of Git’s history. Learn more about File History.
Git-based interfaces
Git Pane
Git Pane
A visual interface for Git operations that makes version control accessible without command-line knowledge.
Best for: Most projects requiring GitHub integration and visual workflow
Key capabilities:
- Repository-wide tracking
- Branch management
- Visual diff viewing
- One-click GitHub sync
- Team collaboration
For detailed instructions on using the Git pane, see Using the Git pane.
Git CLI
Git CLI
Full command-line access to Git through the Shell for advanced operations.
Best for: Power users who need complete Git functionality
Key capabilities:
- Full Git command set
- Advanced branching strategies
- Custom workflows
- Script automation
- Complete repository control
For common Git commands and usage, see Using the Git pane.
Key features
- Visual Git interface: Manage repositories, commits, and branches without typing Git commands
- GitHub integration: Connect to GitHub repositories for backup and collaboration
- Import from GitHub: Turn any GitHub repository into a Replit App with a few clicks
- Branch management: Create, switch between, and merge branches directly in your workspace
- Conflict resolution: Identify and resolve merge conflicts with visual assistance
Use cases
Tracking your personal projects
Track changes to your code as you develop, allowing you to revert to previous versions if needed. The Git pane shows your changes visually, making it easy to commit meaningful updates.
Collaborating with a team
Work with multiple developers on the same codebase without overwriting each other’s changes. Create branches for new features, then merge them back when ready. Learn more about collaboration tools.
Agent checkpoints
When building applications with Replit Agent, you benefit from an additional layer of version control through checkpoints. Checkpoints automatically capture the state of your project at key moments during AI-assisted development.
How checkpoints work
Agent checkpoints function as automatic snapshots of your Replit App:
- Automatic creation: Agent creates checkpoints at logical points during development
- Implementation plans: Before making changes, Agent presents a plan for your review
- Complex task tracking: Multiple checkpoints may be created for larger tasks
- State preservation: Each checkpoint captures the complete state of your project
Benefits for AI-assisted development
Agent checkpoints provide unique advantages when building with AI:
- Safety net: Experiment confidently knowing you can easily restore previous states
- Progress tracking: See exactly how Agent built your application step by step
- Logical milestones: Checkpoints represent complete features rather than arbitrary save points
- Instant rollback: Return to any previous state with a single click
While Agent checkpoints are powerful for development with AI, consider using Git commits for long-term version tracking and collaboration, especially when working with external repositories.
Next steps
To learn more about version control on Replit, see the following resources:
- Using the Git pane: Master Replit’s visual Git interface
- Import from GitHub: Turn GitHub repositories into Replit Apps
- Collaboration tools: Work with others on shared projects
- File History: Explore file-level version history
- Replit Agent: Learn more about AI-assisted development