> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.medcrypt.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.medcrypt.com/msi/review-and-correct-device-knowledge/manage-device-versions-and-changes.md).

# Manage device versions and changes

A device in MSI has one or more versions, such as the release you submitted and the one you're developing now. Each version keeps its own knowledge, and MSI records every change to it, so you can see exactly what your documentation said at any point, compare two points, and start a new version from any of them.

## Before you begin

* Select the device. See [Find your way around MSI](/msi/get-started.md#switch-organization-workspace-or-device).
* Anyone who can see the device can view its versions and history. To create, edit or branch versions, your organization's plan must include Maturity Assessment.

## Understand what a version holds

Each version has its own:

* Architecture register, diagrams and security registers
* Knowledge base and requirements
* Attached documents
* Settings: **Lifecycle** (**R\&D**, **Premarket**, **Postmarket** or **End of Life**), **Compliance Goal** (the regulatory pathway), **Device Modification Status** and **Risk Formula**

The version selector in the page header, beside the device, sets which version you're working on. Whatever you view or create on a device page, such as a threat model or audit, is for the selected version. One version is the device's default; device-wide summaries use it.

## Open the Versions tab

1. In the sidebar, select **Device Knowledge**.
2. Select the **Versions** group, then the **Versions** tab.

The table lists each version with its **Lifecycle**, **Compliance Goal**, **Mod. Status**, **Risk formula** and the version it was **Branched from**. The default version is marked **default**.

From a version's row you can:

* **Open** it to make it the version you're viewing.
* **Edit** its label and settings, then select **Save**.
* **Set default** to make it the device's default version.
* Change its lifecycle state directly from the **Lifecycle** badge.

**Change history** at the bottom of the tab lists changes to the selected version's settings, with who made each one and when.

## Create a new version

Branch a new version when you start work on a new release. The new version starts with a copy of the source version's knowledge, then changes independently. The source version isn't affected.

1. On the **Versions** tab, select **Branch new version** to branch from the version you're viewing, or select **Branch** on any row.
2. Enter a **New version label**. It must be unique for this device.
3. Choose the **Lifecycle state**.
4. Optionally add **Notes**. They're recorded in the audit log.
5. Check the **Compliance Goal**, **Device Modification Status** and **Risk Formula**.
6. Select **Create branch**.

MSI opens the new version. While its knowledge is being built, the version selector shows **Building…**.

## Track changes over time

The **Change tracking** tab shows every recorded change to the device's knowledge across its versions, newest first. Changes come from documents being read, architecture runs, analyses and edits made by people.

1. Select the **Versions** group, then the **Change tracking** tab.
2. Choose **Graph** to see versions drawn as branches, or **Table** to see each change with its **Version**, who made it (**By**), **When** and **What changed**.
3. To jump to a named milestone, use **Go to a tag…**.
4. If the list ends before the point you need, select **Load older changes**.

New changes appear a short time after they're made. A version's history starts with its first snapshot.

## View the device at a point in time

1. On the **Change tracking** tab, select a change.
2. A banner shows **Viewing *****version***** as of *****date and time***** — read-only**. Switch between **Architecture**, **Knowledge base**, **Entities & claims**, **Documents**, **Device records** and **What changed**.
3. Select **Back to history** to return to the list, or **Back to live** to return to the current version.

To see the history of a single architecture element, open the element on the **Architecture** tab and select **View history**.

## Compare two points

1. On the **Change tracking** tab, select **Compare** on two changes.
2. Select **Compare** in the toolbar that appears.

The comparison shows a **Summary** of what was added, removed and changed, by kind of knowledge. Comparing points far apart can take a few seconds. To compare one point with the change just before it, open the point and select **Compare with parent**.

## Tag a milestone

Tag the point you submitted to FDA, or any other milestone you might need to return to.

1. Open the point on the **Change tracking** tab.
2. Select **Tag this commit**.
3. Enter a **Tag name** (for example, "Submitted to FDA 2026-10-01") and, optionally, a **Note** such as a submission number.
4. Select **Add tag**.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Tags are permanent. They can't be renamed, moved or removed. If a tag is wrong, add another one.
{% endhint %}

## Create a version from a point in history

Use this to start a new version from exactly what your documentation said at an earlier point, such as a tagged submission. MSI never reverts an existing version.

1. Open the point on the **Change tracking** tab.
2. Select **Create new version from this point**.
3. Enter a **New version label** and, optionally, **Notes**.
4. Select **Create version**.

The new version starts with that point's register, diagrams, knowledge base and documents. Every existing version stays as it is.

## Next steps

* [Review and correct device knowledge](/msi/review-and-correct-device-knowledge.md): work on the version you just created.
* [Trace an AI claim to its source](/msi/review-and-correct-device-knowledge/trace-an-ai-claim-to-its-source.md): check where each element came from.
* [Run a regulatory audit](/msi/check-estar-readiness/run-a-regulatory-audit.md): audit a specific version.