Lightning-fast git branch comparison with intelligent auto-detection and modern tree view. Perfect for AI coding agents like Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, and Cursor.
Why Compare Branch?
Compare Branch is a performance-optimized VS Code extension designed for developers who need fast, focused branch comparison without the complexity of full-featured Git suites.
Perfect for:
- 👨💻 PR Reviews - Preview your pull request changes before pushing
- 🤖 AI Coding Agents - Review changes from Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Windsurf
- 🌿 Feature Branch Development - Track all changes from your base branch
- 🔍 Code Reviews - See exactly what changed in a clean tree view
- ⚡ Large Repositories - Progressive loading keeps things fast
🤖 Built for AI Coding Workflows
Compare Branch is the essential companion for AI coding agents like Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Windsurf.
Before Agent Execution:
- 👀 Preview your baseline before handing off to an AI agent
- 🎯 Verify the agent is working from the right foundation
After Agent Execution:
- ✅ Instant PR preview of all agent-generated changes
- 🔍 Review every file the agent modified before merging
- ⚡ Fast iteration - spot issues immediately
During Development:
- 🔄 Compare outputs from parallel agents on different branches
- 📊 Understand the scope of agent modifications instantly
Pro tip: Keep Compare Branch open in your sidebar while agents work. When they finish, you'll instantly see all changes organized by directory—perfect for focused code review.
Features
- Progressive loading for instant insights, even in large repositories
- Optimized git operations with smart caching
- Non-blocking activation - doesn't slow down VS Code startup
🧠 Intelligent Auto-Detection
- Automatic upstream branch detection - no manual configuration needed
- Smart branch tracking - automatically compares against your merge target
- Manual override available when you need it
🌳 Modern Tree View
- Hierarchical file display - see changes organized by directory
- Git status decorations - visual indicators for added, modified, deleted files
- Two view modes: Changed files only (default) or full file tree
🎯 Streamlined Workflow
- Quick diff viewing - one click to see side-by-side comparisons
- Drag-and-drop file operations - modern, intuitive interface
- Multi-select support - work with multiple files at once
- Context menu integration - all the actions you need
🔄 Auto-Refresh
- File system monitoring - detects changes as you work
- Git change tracking - updates when you switch branches or commit
- Debounced updates - efficient, non-intrusive refreshing
Quick Start
- Open a git repository in VS Code
- Click the Compare Branch icon in the Activity Bar (left sidebar)
- View your changes - the extension auto-detects your upstream branch
- Click any file to see a detailed diff
That's it! The extension automatically compares your current branch against its upstream (e.g., main, develop).
Commands
Access via Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P):
- Compare Branch: Change Source Branch - Select a different branch to compare against
- Compare Branch: Enable Auto-Detect Source Branch - Return to automatic upstream detection
- Compare Branch: Refresh - Manually refresh the file list
- Compare Branch: Switch to All Files Mode - Show complete file tree
- Compare Branch: Switch to Changed Files Mode - Show only changed files
AI Agent Integrations
Works seamlessly with:
- Claude Code - Terminal-based agentic coding
- GitHub Copilot - Coding agent for pull requests
- Cursor - AI-powered code editor
- Windsurf - Collaborative AI coding
- Cline (formerly Claude Dev) - VSCode AI assistant
- Aider - AI pair programming in your terminal
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does this work with AI coding agents like Claude Code or Cursor?
A: Absolutely! Compare Branch is specifically optimized for AI coding workflows. It's lightweight, provides instant PR previews, and auto-detects branches created by agents.
Q: How is this different from GitLens?
A: Compare Branch is focused specifically on branch comparison with optimized performance. If you only need branch comparison, Compare Branch is faster and simpler. Think of it this way: if GitLens is a Swiss Army knife, Compare Branch is a laser-focused scalpel.
Q: Can I use this while an agent is working?
A: Yes! Compare Branch is non-blocking and uses progressive loading. You can browse changes while agents run in the background.
Q: Does this work with large repositories?
A: Yes! Progressive loading ensures the extension remains fast even with thousands of changed files.
Support & Resources
