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

# Branch Comparison

> Compare branch trees and unique commits with merge-base or tip-to-tip views.

Branch Comparison puts the file and commit differences between two local or remote branches in one view. It works from local references and does not check out either branch.

## Start a comparison

Control-click a branch or remote branch in the sidebar and choose **Compare with…**. Commit+ opens the comparison in History, using the current branch as the initial Base when available and the selected branch as Target.

Choose another Base or Target at any time, or use **Swap** to reverse the direction. **Refresh** rereads local references without fetching from a remote.

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## Choose how files are compared

The comparison mode controls what the Files tab answers:

* **Changes since merge base** shows what Target introduced after the branches' common ancestor. Use it to review a feature branch before merging.
* **Tip-to-tip** compares the complete Base tree directly with the Target tree. Use it to answer how the two snapshots differ right now.

If Git reports no single common ancestor, Commit+ explains why merge-base mode is unavailable and lets you switch to tip-to-tip.

## Review files and patches

The Files tab lists added, modified, deleted, and renamed paths for the selected mode. Select a file to inspect its patch. Commit+ calls out binary changes, metadata-only changes, rename-only changes, and large diffs whose displayed output is limited to 2 MB.

Above the file list, the comparison shows the resolved merge base and how many commits Target is ahead of or behind Base.

## Inspect unique commits

Switch to **Commits** to see both sides at once:

* **Only in Base** contains commits not reachable from Target.
* **Only in Target** contains commits not reachable from Base.

Long histories load in pages, so the first comparison stays responsive while older unique commits remain available through **Load more commits**.

<Note>
  The view is observational. It does not merge, rebase, fetch, or move a branch. When you are ready to integrate the result, use the existing branch actions explicitly.
</Note>

For a narrower comparison of one path against a commit, branch, or tag, see [Revision Browser](/features/revision-browser).