Switching between building environments

Transition between an external coding environment and Retool's app builder.

Once an app is protected, you can make edits from either the app builder or any external coding environment that you prefer.

Move from local development to app builder

If you created a branch for app development in a local environment, you can continue that work in the app builder using the following steps:

1. In your local environment, ensure you've pushed all your recent changes. Make note of your branch name.
2. In the app builder, click to open the Change History panel.
3. Click to open the Check out branch modal.
4. In the modal, type or select your branch name. Click Check out branch.
5. Retool pulls in your work and updates the app preview to reflect the current state of your app.

Move from app builder to local environment

If you have an existing branch in the app builder, use the following steps to check it out locally:

1. To sync your branch with the remote branch, click to open the Change History panel, and click the button.
2. Locate your branch in the Changes in progress section of the Change History panel. Hover over the branch name, and click .
3. Click Copy to copy your branch name.
4. Check the branch out in your preferred local development environment.

Sync changes

At any point, you can sync changes between your remote branch and the app builder. Click to open the Change History panel, and click the .