> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bono.network/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Version Control

> Git-style document versioning with automatic saves, comparisons, and history

## Overview

Arbiter's version control system tracks every change to your documents, allowing you to:

* See complete change history
* Compare any two versions side-by-side
* Restore previous versions instantly
* Track who made changes and when

<Info>
  Version control is automatic. Every significant change creates a new version without manual action.
</Info>

## How Versioning Works

### Automatic Versioning

Arbiter automatically saves versions when:

* You make significant changes (>50 characters modified)
* The document is idle for 30 seconds after edits
* You navigate away from the document
* The session ends

Automatic versions are labeled with an **orange "Auto"** badge.

### Manual Versioning

You can create named versions at important milestones:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Save Version">
    Use the keyboard shortcut **Ctrl/Cmd + S** or click "Save Version" in the menu
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Version Note (Optional)">
    Describe what changed: "Final draft after client review"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Version Created">
    Manual versions get a **purple "Manual"** badge
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Create manual versions at key milestones: after initial draft, after each review cycle, before sending to counterparty.
</Tip>

## Viewing Version History

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Document Menu">
    Click the menu icon (three dots) in the document header
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Version History">
    Opens the version history panel
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse Versions">
    See all versions with:

    * Timestamp (when created)
    * Type (Auto or Manual)
    * Author (who made changes)
    * Word count change
    * Version note (if manual)
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Version List

Each version shows:

| Field          | Description                      |
| -------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Timestamp**  | When the version was created     |
| **Type**       | Auto (orange) or Manual (purple) |
| **Author**     | Who made the changes             |
| **Changes**    | Summary of what changed          |
| **Word Count** | Document length at this version  |

## Comparing Versions

Compare any two versions to see exactly what changed:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Version History">
    Access from document menu
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Two Versions">
    Click the checkbox next to each version you want to compare
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Compare">
    Opens the comparison view
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review Differences">
    Changes are highlighted:

    * **Green** = Additions
    * **Red** = Deletions
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Comparison Views

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Side-by-Side">
    Older version on left, newer on right. Changes highlighted in both.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Inline">
    Single view with deletions shown as strikethrough and additions highlighted.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bononetwork/iesyQdBb07VQFOI9/images/versioncompare.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=iesyQdBb07VQFOI9&q=85&s=a45a65ebeedccaf1637d669b371bf7c5" alt="Version comparison showing title changes and content changes with added and removed text highlighted" width="1137" height="856" data-path="images/versioncompare.png" />
</Frame>

<p className="text-sm text-muted-foreground mt-2">
  *The inline comparison view showing title changes, content changes by section, and a legend for added/removed text.*
</p>

## Restoring Previous Versions

To restore an earlier version:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Version History">
    Find the version you want to restore
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Restore">
    Select "Restore this version"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm">
    Acknowledge that current content will be replaced
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restored">
    Document content reverts to selected version
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  Restoring creates a new version with the restored content. You don't lose any history, and you can always restore back to the version before restoration.
</Info>

## Version Metadata

Each version captures:

* **Content** - Full document text at that point
* **Timestamp** - Exact time of version creation
* **Author** - User who made changes
* **Type** - Auto or Manual
* **Note** - User-provided description (manual only)
* **Word Count** - Document length
* **Character Count** - Detailed change metrics

## Best Practices

<Card title="Manual Versions at Milestones" icon="bookmark">
  Create manual versions at key points: initial draft, post-review, final. This makes history easier to navigate.
</Card>

<Card title="Use Descriptive Notes" icon="note-sticky">
  "Final draft after Smith review" is more useful than "updated" when looking back months later.
</Card>

<Card title="Compare Before Accepting Changes" icon="code-compare">
  Before accepting counterparty revisions, compare their version with your last to see exactly what changed.
</Card>

<Card title="Restore Strategically" icon="undo">
  Don't restore just to see old content. Use compare view first. Only restore when you actually want to revert.
</Card>

## Version Control with Collaboration

When multiple people work on a document:

* Each person's changes create versions attributed to them
* Version history shows all collaborators' contributions
* Compare any two versions regardless of author
* Restore to any version (with appropriate permissions)

<Tip>
  In shared documents, establish conventions: e.g., "Alice does review, creates manual version when done. Bob then takes over."
</Tip>

## Storage and Limits

* **Automatic versions:** Retained for 90 days
* **Manual versions:** Retained indefinitely
* **Version count:** No limit on number of versions
* **Storage:** Versions don't count against document limits

<Info>
  Automatic versions older than 90 days are cleaned up to save storage. Important versions should be marked as manual.
</Info>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can't find a version I expected">
    * Check the date range filter
    * Automatic versions may have been cleaned up (>90 days)
    * Very small changes (under 50 chars) may not create versions
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Version compare not loading">
    * Ensure stable internet connection
    * Try refreshing the page
    * Compare different versions to isolate the issue
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Restore didn't work">
    * Check if you have edit permissions
    * Verify the restore was confirmed
    * Check version history (restoration creates a new version)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Redlining" icon="file-pen" href="/guides/redlining">
    Track changes and revisions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Document Canvas" icon="palette" href="/guides/canvas">
    Full editing features
  </Card>
</CardGroup>