In the past, design teams struggled to experiment safely. You either duplicated the file (and lost context) or worked directly in the main system (and risked breaking things).
Now? Figma Branching changes the game.
It introduces a Git-style workflow for designers—letting you explore, test, and merge ideas without disrupting your core design system. If you’re managing shared libraries or collaborating on complex interfaces, branching isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
🔀 What Is Branching in Figma?
Branching in Figma lets you:
- Create a copy of a file or library to work on in isolation
- Make changes without affecting the main source
- Review and merge changes back into the main file when ready
It’s like version control for UI—perfect for safe experimentation and multi-designer workflows.
🎯 Use Cases for Branching
1. Design System Updates
Want to redesign a button or add a new token?
Branch the system file, test changes, review with stakeholders, and merge confidently.
2. Client-Specific Customizations
Need to tweak components for a client brand?
Branch it. You can isolate changes without disrupting the shared library.
3. Team-Based Collaboration
Multiple designers working on the same screen?
Each person can work in a branch, then merge once approved—no more overwriting each other’s work.
✅ Benefits of Using Branches
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| 🚫 No more file duplication | Avoid messy “Copy of Copy of Homepage” file sprawl |
| 🔐 Safe experimentation | Explore ideas without breaking the main design |
| ✅ Controlled merging | Use merge requests to ensure design reviews happen |
| ⏪ Rollback friendly | Revert changes easily with version history |
| 👥 Encourages collaboration | Multiple contributors without collision |
🛠 How to Use Figma Branching (Step-by-Step)
- Open your shared library or system file
- Click Branch > Create Branch
- Give your branch a name and purpose
- Make edits freely—tokens, components, pages, anything
- When done, Review > Merge
- Resolve conflicts and confirm updates to the main file
It’s like GitHub, but made for designers.
🔐 Who Can Use Branching?
Figma branching is available on:
- Organization plans and higher
- Team libraries and shared system files
If you’re on a Starter or Professional plan, you’ll need to upgrade to unlock it.
💡 Pro Tips for Teams
- Create branch naming conventions (e.g.,
tokens-update/may24,clientA-nav-refresh) - Review all changes before merging—especially in shared libraries
- Use Branch Review sessions like pull requests to keep quality high
- Pair branching with variables and Dev Mode for max workflow control
🌱 Final Thoughts: Branch Like a Pro
Branching isn’t just for developers anymore.
Figma branching gives designers the confidence to explore, improve, and evolve—without chaos.
So whether you’re managing a massive design system or just experimenting with a new layout, branching gives your team the structure to grow—without breaking what already works.
Designilo 