How to set up template version control?

Version control tracks changes to your templates over time, enabling you to see what changed, when, why, and by whom, and to revert to previous versions when new edits cause problems. The gold standard is Git (or similar systems like GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket): store your template HTML files in a repository, commit changes with descriptive messages, and maintain a complete history of every modification.

For teams without developer workflows, ESP-native versioning may suffice. Many platforms automatically save template versions and let you compare or restore previous states. This is less powerful than Git but requires no additional tooling. At minimum, implement a manual versioning system: save dated copies of templates before major changes (template-v1.2-2024-01-15.html) with a changelog document explaining what each version changed.

Version control practices should include: meaningful commit messages (\"Fixed Outlook button rendering\" not \"updates\"), branch-based development for major changes (test in a branch, merge when stable), and review processes before production deployment. Without version control, template problems become archaeological mysteries-you're guessing what changed and whether reverting is safe. With version control, you have the complete story and the ability to undo mistakes instantly.