Guide

REFLO tracks (branches) guide — keep the original, explore another direction

REFLO Team2026. 7. 22. 오전 10:4114 min read

From creating a track through reading multiple branches on the timeline, bringing a result you like into the current flow, or cleaning up one you don’t.

“I want to try a completely different style from this comp, but I want the original left alone” — every designer hits that moment. Instead of duplicating the file as _compB, a REFLO track lets you keep the original work flow and experiment freely on a separate branch.

This is a hands-on guide for using tracks for the first time. Why tracks exist, and when to use them, is covered in the branch introduction.

> Terms — conceptually it’s a “branch,” but the app screen uses track. This guide uses track to match the screen. Some hints may still say “branch” or “work flow”; they mean the same thing.

What this guide covers

On the History screen (shortcut ⌘2), you create a track, read multiple branches on the timeline, and follow the flow when the experiment works (bring it in) and when it doesn’t (clean up).

Before you start

Creating a track is supported on the Pro plan. Trying it on Free shows a plan prompt.
You need the REFLO Mac app, a protected folder, and a save record to split from. (If you’re new, start with the timeline guide.)
On Free, you can’t start a track from a version locked after about 14 days.

Creating a track

On the History timeline, select the version (dot) you want to split from.
In the version info panel, click Create new track.
Enter a track name. Something you’ll recognize later is best — for example Neon style experiment, Client option B.
After you save, you’ll see “Created a new track from the selected save record,” and the new track immediately becomes the current work branch (active track).

One important point — creating a track does not copy the file. You don’t get a duplicate like _compB on disk. The history of the same file splits into a branch. The folder stays clean; branches are managed only on the timeline.

Right after you create it — waiting to start

The track you just created doesn’t have new save records yet, so the timeline shows it as Waiting to start. When you see “Ready to work in another direction,” open the baseline save record in an app and start working. From then on, each save (⌘S) accumulates on the new track.

How to read tracks on the timeline

Once you have two or more tracks, the timeline shows multiple branches. Reading it is simple.

A solid line is the current flow; a faded line is another track. The same legend appears on screen.
The original default branch (the flow you’ve used from the start) is labeled Main flow.
Tracks that split below the main axis appear as lanes. If there are many lanes, Expand tracks / Collapse tracks can tidy them.
Opening the track list shows each track’s status — Current (active), Waiting to start, N save records — and a click moves you to that track.
When branches get complex, turn on Highlight selected track only so the track you’re viewing stands out and the others go translucent.
If several tracks split from the same save record, a shared branch point marker appears.

Working on a track — where saves accumulate

REFLO always has one active track, and later auto-saves and manual backups accumulate on the active track. The active track changes in these cases:

When you create a new track — the track you just made becomes active immediately.
When you move to another track in the track list
When you open a version from another track in an external app (Photoshop, and so on) — the app switches automatically so later saves continue on that track.

Only clicking a dot on another track on the timeline is selection and preview; it does not change the active track. You’re free to look around.

> Switching tracks does not revert the file contents. Track switching only decides which branch the next save attaches to. It does not change the file you have open to that track’s appearance. To put the file back to a moment, use Restore. To keep working from that moment, Open with external app on that version.

If you like it — bring it into the current flow

When an experiment succeeds, bring the track’s result into the original flow.

Use Thumbnail compare to put the track version next to the current file. (Details: compare guide.)
To bring it in whole, click Continue from this save record. That entire version comes into the current flow as a new save record, and the timeline shows Injected.
For image files, Region composite can bring in only part of the area from the track result.

> There is no Git-style “merge branches” button that automatically combines every change from both sides at once. Design files are hard for a machine to judge, so REFLO has you compare by eye and pick the moment you like.

If you don’t like it — clean up

A failed experiment costs you nothing. The original flow was never touched.

Leave it — the simplest option. The track stays on the timeline but doesn’t affect the original flow. You can revisit “that experiment” later.
Rename — click the track nameplate on the timeline to change the track name. Writing the status, like On hold — neon experiment, is a good approach.
Delete track — you can delete a track. As the confirmation explains, what is deleted is the track name and metadata; save records that were on the track can move to the main flow. The records don’t vanish as a whole, so you can clean up with confidence.

You cannot delete Main flow (the original main branch).

What changes by plan (summary)

Confirm details on the pricing page and in the app.

| Item | Free | Pro | |---|---|---| | Create a track | Not supported | Supported | | Rename or delete a track | — | Supported | | Compare and bring in a track version | — | Supported (compare modes: see the compare guide) |

FAQ

Does creating a track copy the file?

No. There is still one file on disk; only history splits into a branch. Not filling the folder with _copy files is the point of tracks.

If I switch tracks, does the file go back to that track’s look?

No. Switching tracks only decides which branch the next save attaches to. To change the file to a moment, Restore that version or Open with external app and keep working.

Can I merge two tracks at once?

There is no Git-style automatic merge. You compare → Continue from this save record (whole) or Region composite (part) to bring the result you like into the current flow.

If I delete a track, do the save records on it disappear too?

The track name and metadata are deleted, and save records usually move to the main flow. They don’t disappear completely.

Do tracks show up in the Photoshop plugin?

The plugin panel’s save records show which branch a version belongs to. Creating a track, moving, and similar actions happen on the Mac app History screen.

I have too many experiment tracks

In the track list, clean up while looking at status (waiting to start, save-record count). Rename unused tracks with On hold or delete them. Collapse tracks and Highlight selected track only also help tidy the view.