# Commit history (/docs/core/git/history)



# Commit history [#commit-history]

Sometimes you need to know how a page got to where it is: who changed it, when, and why. The history view shows the repo's commits without leaving Atlas.

<ThemeImage name="history" alt="The commit history view" />

## Browsing commits [#browsing-commits]

The history view lists commits newest first, with their message, author, and date. Select one to see exactly what it changed, file by file, as a diff.

## Searching [#searching]

For a busy repo, scroll through the history or search to narrow it down to the commits you care about.

## Across branches [#across-branches]

History follows the branch you have checked out. Use the [branch switcher](/docs/core/git/branches) to look at the history of another branch.

<Callout type="info">
  The history is read-only. It is for understanding past changes, not editing them. To make new changes, edit a page and commit it from the [changes view](/docs/core/git/changes).
</Callout>

## Next steps [#next-steps]

<Cards>
  <Card title="Switch branches" href="/docs/core/git/branches" />

  <Card title="Run the preview server" href="/docs/core/git/preview-server" />
</Cards>