Who can do this?
Owners and co-authors with write access to the chapter edit the branch text. If a co-author is restricted to certain books, that applies only to those.
Sandbox branch chapters
The branch editor edits a copy of a chapter without changing the canon text.
What is it for?
A sandbox branch clones the canon state of a chapter into a separate area. You edit the text in the branch in the branch editor. It carries the title “Sandbox branch” with the name of the branch and the badge “Experimental”, so you can see that you are not writing in the canon.
The content of the branch chapter is independent of the canon text. What you change there does not flow back automatically. Only the action “Merge into canon” in the timeline replaces the chapter in the canon. You create the branch there, merge it or discard it.
The branch editor is leaner than the main editor. You save with a button, there is no chapter claiming and no version history, and the texts do not count toward the writing statistics.
How it works
-
In the timeline, create a sandbox branch or open an existing one.
What you see afterwards: The branch appears with the status “Experimental”.
-
Open a chapter of the branch with “Edit”.
What you see afterwards: The branch editor opens.
-
Edit the text and choose “Save”.
What you see afterwards: “Saved.”
-
Choose “← Timeline” to go back.
What you see afterwards: The timeline opens.
Your data
The branch text belongs to the branch and the project and is backed up with it. It stays separate from the canon text until you merge it.
Limits
A discarded or merged branch can no longer be edited. There is no version history, no chapter claiming and no counting for the writing statistics. If the branch content has changed elsewhere, the page asks you to reload.
Frequently asked questions
Does the branch editor change my canon text?
No. The branch text is a copy of its own. Only “Merge into canon” in the timeline replaces the text of the chapter.
Why can’t I edit a branch any more?
It was discarded or merged into the canon. Then the page says “This branch has been discarded or merged and can no longer be edited.”
Why does the page ask me to reload?
The branch content has been changed elsewhere in the meantime, for example in another tab. The page checks the version number and does not overwrite anything.