1. If the current branch is not shown in the status bar, at the bottom of your codespace, right-click the status bar and select **Source control**.
1. Click the branch name in the status bar.

   ![Screenshot of the branch name displayed in the status bar of {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %}.](/assets/images/help/codespaces/branch-in-status-bar.png)

1. In the dropdown, either click the branch you want to switch to, or enter the name for a new branch and click **Create new branch**.

   ![Screenshot of the dropdown for creating a new branch in {% data variables.product.prodname_vscode_shortname %}.](/assets/images/help/codespaces/create-new-branch.png)