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When working with branches in Omni, you may need to create a new branch based on an existing branch’s state while preserving the full version history. This is useful for creating parallel development tracks, experimenting with different approaches, or archiving work-in-progress changes.

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Overview

Cloning a branch with history creates a new branch that includes:
  • The complete model configuration (MODEL_JSON) from the source
  • All version patches from the source branch
  • Original timestamps for each version
  • The full version history, allowing you to view and restore any previous state
This differs from creating a new branch from scratch, which starts with a clean slate and no prior history.

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Use cases

Cloning branches with history is useful when you need to:
  • Create parallel development tracks: Start a new branch from an existing experimental branch to explore alternative implementations without losing the original work.
  • Archive work in progress: Preserve a snapshot of ongoing work, including its evolution, before making major changes.
  • Branch from a specific version: Create a new branch based on a historical model state while maintaining the context of how that state was reached.
  • Replicate development environments: Set up a new development branch with the same foundation and history as an existing one.

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Prerequisites

Connection Admin or Modeler permissions are required to clone branches with history.

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Cloning a branch with history

To clone a branch while preserving its version history:
  1. In the model IDE, open the branch you want to clone or navigate to Model > Branch and select the source branch.
  2. Click Model > Clone branch with history (or the equivalent option in your branch menu).
  3. When prompted, enter a name for the new branch.
  4. Click Create.
The new branch will be created with the complete version history from the source branch. All patches and versions will be copied with their original timestamps, allowing you to explore the historical development of the model.

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Viewing history in cloned branches

Once a branch is cloned with history, you can view and navigate through its complete version history:
  1. Open the cloned branch in the model IDE.
  2. Click the clock icon in the left navigation to open the Model history panel.
  3. You’ll see all versions from the original branch, with their original timestamps.
  4. Select any version to view the model state at that point in time.
  5. Use the Preview restore option to restore the model to any previous version if needed.
The timestamps for historical versions will predate the cloned branch’s creation time. This is expected behavior - the history is preserved from the original branch.

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Differences from standard branch creation

When you create a new branch without preserving history:
  • The branch starts from the current production model state
  • No historical versions are included
  • The model history begins when you make your first change to the new branch
When you clone a branch with history:
  • The branch includes all versions from the source branch
  • You can view and restore any historical state
  • The version timestamps reflect the original development timeline

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Next steps