How do I switch branches in IntelliJ's Subversion?

intellij

branch-management

svn

ide

byNikita Barsukov·Jan 10, 2025

Easily switch branches in IntelliJ by selecting Update Project under the VCS panel. In the Update/Switch dialog, simply choose your preferred branch from the Branch dropdown menu. Hit OK to confirm your selection, and IntelliJ will handle the rest.

Another quick way to switch branches is through the Subversion Working Copies tab. Just right-click your working copy, select Switch to Branch, input or choose the required branch URL, and IntelliJ will smoothly handle the transition.

For those comfortable with the terminal, you can execute the following command:

# Yoda says: May the SVN switch be with you, young padawan! 
svn switch URL_OF_YOUR_BRANCH

Just make sure your workspace is clean before shifting to avoid losing your current work.

User's Guide to Branch Management in IntelliJ

Forge your path: How to Switch Branches

Go to VCS -> Update Project (or use 🍎+T as a shortcut).
In the Update/Switch window, expand the dropdown menu next to the Branch label.
Pick your destination branch from the list.
Click OK to start your journey to the selected branch.

Welcome to IntelliJ: We Branch Differently Here!

In IntelliJ, branching happens via the Update dialog, not through a "switch to copy" option like in some IDEs. Although it may seem confusing at first, it's a simple concept once you get it.

Housekeeping: Configuring Branches and Performing Cleanup

For a tidier workspace, periodically go to your Configure Branches link in the Subversion Working Copies tab to manage your branch setups and paths.
If you find yourself constantly juggling between branches, consider enabling the update options dialog in Settings for added flexibility.

Wear the Switcher's Hat: Handling Different Branching Scenarios

While managing branches, here are some tips to keep you on the right track:

When using the Update/Switch dialog, always ensure that you've chosen the correct Branch path to avoid a detour.
For a closer look at specific directories in your working copy, utilize the Update Directory option in the Subversion menu.
Get a good lay of the land: understanding the layout of your project's Subversion repository will enhance navigation between branches.
For a quick switch between trunk and branches, you can use either the IntelliJ GUI or the svn switch command according to your comfort level.

Efficiency Boost: Optimizing Your Branch Management Workflow

Here are some ways to cut down the time you spend managing branches:

Remember, time is precious: tick the don't show this again box in dialogs to skip repeated confirmations.
Use the command menu to access frequently used operations such as merging branches or reviewing changes.
In case your project demands working with multiple branches simultaneously, consider having separate working copies and IntelliJ window instances to ease context switching.