Hey friends,
You know that feeling when you’re working on a creative idea and suddenly want to test a wild new angle..but you don’t want to mess up what you’ve already got?
I feel it often.
Especially when I’m exploring ideas and “what ifs?” (hello, new ebook!).
ChatGPT’s Branch new conversation feature solves this problem.
I’ve been playing with branching inside ChatGPT for a few days now, and it’s a really interesting and quite useful feature.
It lets me break off an idea into a new chat, like version control for your thoughts all while keeping the original safe and sound. Each branched chat inherits all context from where you left off
So now you can freely explore different directions and then bring the best insights back to your main thread.
Below I’m sharing how I’m using it in real projects and how you can start using it today.
🧭 What Even Is “Branch” in ChatGPT?
Branching is a new button that lives below every message in ChatGPT (you’ll see it under the three-dot menu).
When you click “Branch in new chat,” ChatGPT takes everything up to that point and creates a new conversation that contains all previous context.
The original chat stays intact while the branched conversation becomes your “playground”.
Here’s how I think it benefits us ChatGPT users the most:
- Version control for your ideas: Branching lets you test out a different tone, structure or perspective without overwriting your main convo.
- Better brainstorming: You can explore each idea in its own lane and keep them organised—no more muddled threads.
- Easy to dive back in: Each new chat’s name starts with “Branch,” so you can quickly tell it’s a spin-off. Plus, all branched chats from a Project stay within the same Project, so context and memory are shared by default.
In short, it’s a simple yet effective way to truly explore ideas inside ChatGPT. You can branch as many times as you need and bring back the insights into the original.
⚡️ 3 Ways I’m Using Branching
✅ Digital Product Planning: Exploring Multiple Routes
While I’m planning a new digital product, I often want to test different angles—tone, structure, even slightly related topics
Instead of derailing my main conversation, I branch off to explore each route.
All of these chats share the same files and context because they live in the same Project.
Why this is useful: I can follow each rabbit hole in its own chat and then cherry‑pick the best insights for my main plan.
It keeps my main thread clean while still capturing every good idea.
✅ Newsletter Drafting: Trying New Hooks
When drafting my newsletter (like this one), I like to experiment with different hooks and subject lines.
I write my initial outline, then branch the chat to test bolder ideas.
If a branched hook resonates, I bring it back into the main draft. No need to dig through old chats or copy-paste; it’s all in the same project.
Why this is useful: I get to iterate freely without losing context or messing with my main draft.
✅ Learning & Brainstorming: Following Tangents
Sometimes I ask ChatGPT a question and it sparks a new idea—like exploring an entirely different market or feature.
Instead of derailing the main conversation, I branch at that message, explore the tangent, then return to the original chat with fresh insights.
It feels like having multiple notebooks in one place.
Why this is useful: I can follow my curiosity without losing track of where I started.
🛠 How to Get Started (3 Simple Steps)
- Look for the three-dot menu below any message. Click it and select Branch in new chat
- Name your new chat (ChatGPT automatically adds “Branch” at the beginning). This helps you identify it later
- Explore! Use the new conversation to try new ideas. When you’re ready, jump back to the original chat and integrate the insights
Pro tip: Because branched chats stay in the same project, all your files, memory, and custom instructions are shared—no need to re-upload or re-explain.
📈 Why This Matters Right Now
The new branching feature transforms ChatGPT from a single-threaded chat tool into a versatile workspace.
It gives you the freedom to explore multiple ideas without clutter or copy-paste.
With more features rolling out (like Projects and shared memory), branching becomes a useful feature.
It helps you think and take on new ideas and AI is brilliant to help explore those new ideas
🫡 Final Thoughts
Branching might feel like a small feature, but it’s still an important one (especially for power users like me).
For anyone building digital products, drafting content, or simply brainstorming, it’s a powerful way to explore different angles without losing your place.
Use it to test a new tone, write alternative headlines, or follow that “what if?” without fear.
Then bring the gems back to your main chat and keep moving.
Give it a try in your next project, and let me know how it goes.
I’d love to hear what angles you explore and what you discover.
To branching smarter and creating more,
Nahid
