UndoTree & RewindCode
UndoTree and RewindCode are two complementary VSCode extensions that reimagine the way developers work with undo and redo operations — but they target different needs and use-cases.
- UndoTree is the minimal, lightweight version: simple, fast, and focused purely on undo/redo navigation using a tree-based history.
- RewindCode is the full-fledged product: a complete code history management tool with advanced branching, selective undo, time tracking, and language-wide integration.
Together, they give developers the flexibility to choose between a no-frills workflow enhancer and a powerful productivity suite.
Motivation
The traditional undo/redo system in most editors is linear and limited. Once you go back in history and make a change, all your “future” states are gone forever — even if they contained valuable work. This can be frustrating when experimenting with different approaches, comparing ideas, or restoring specific snippets from past versions.
The motivation for these tools came from wanting a non-destructive, exploratory workflow:
- Developers should be able to jump between past and present without losing changes.
- Undo should feel more like a version control for your current session, not a destructive action.
- For quick edits, a minimal tool should be enough.
- For large projects or deeper work, a full history management system should be available.
Approach
Both projects share a core philosophy:
Undo is not destruction — it’s exploration.
The approach starts with building a tree-structured history of changes rather than a simple linear stack. This allows the editor to:
- Keep all branches of your edit history.
- Navigate freely between different points in time.
- Selectively restore changes for specific code blocks.
While UndoTree focuses on just the essentials, RewindCode extends the approach with selective undo, saved checkpoints, and more advanced navigation.
UndoTree — Minimal Version
UndoTree is designed for developers who just want a better undo/redo system without the complexity of advanced features. It is perfect for small projects, rapid prototyping, or when you just want the comfort of not losing any code accidentally.
Core Features:
- Non-linear Undo/Redo: Navigate changes in a tree structure rather than a simple stack.
- Quick Save Points: Mark a state and continue without fear of overwriting history.
- Reset Tree: Clear everything and start fresh.
- Keyboard-First Workflow: Fast keybindings for undo, redo, save, and reset.
Supported Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript (production-ready), and basic support for Python, Java, C++, C#, Go, Rust, Swift, Kotlin, Ruby, HTML/CSS, SQL, PHP, and PowerShell (testing stage).
RewindCode — Full-Fledged Product
RewindCode builds on the concepts of UndoTree but expands them into a complete session-level version control experience inside your editor. It is intended for professional workflows, larger projects, and deep debugging sessions.
Advanced Features:
- Tree-Based History: Visualize and traverse your editing history like a branching timeline.
- Selective Undo/Redo: Pick a specific snippet and restore only its past versions.
- Checkpointing: Save milestones and return to them later.
- Timecode Tracking: Know exactly when each change was made.
- Multi-Language Integration: Deeper support and optimization for multiple languages.
- Session Persistence: Optionally keep history across editor restarts.
Philosophy: RewindCode aims to blur the line between in-editor history and lightweight version control — giving you the power of Git-like navigation without leaving your coding session.
Commands & Keybindings
Both extensions share a core set of commands for speed and consistency.
| Command | Keybinding |
|---|---|
| Undo | alt+z |
| Redo | alt+y |
| Save and Advance | alt+s |
| Selective Undo/Redo (RewindCode) | alt+v |
| Reset Tree | — |
| Toggle Timecode (RewindCode) | — |
Development Philosophy
Both tools are written with TypeScript and leverage the VSCode Extension API. The codebase for UndoTree is kept intentionally minimal, making it easy to maintain and extend, while RewindCode adopts a modular architecture to allow feature growth without slowing down the core operations.
The goal is not just to improve undo/redo, but to change the way developers think about editing history — turning it from a panic button into a creative tool.
Status
- UndoTree: Stable, production-ready for JavaScript and TypeScript.
- RewindCode: In active development with extended feature set; JavaScript and TypeScript fully supported, other languages in various testing stages.
Installation
vscode - rewindcode https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=PavanDhadgeandTeam.RewindCode
ext install PavanDhadgeandTeam.RewindCodevscode - undotree https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=PavanDhadgeandTeam.undotree
ext install PavanDhadgeandTeam.RewindCodeClosing Thoughts
Whether you want the simplicity of UndoTree or the power of RewindCode, both tools aim to make your coding process more flexible, forgiving, and creative. Undo is no longer just going backwards — it’s a way to explore and refine your ideas without fear of losing your progress.