Optimize repository loading and enhance Git UI

Consolidate multiple Git backend calls into a single bundle to reduce
overhead when opening and auto-refreshing repositories. This significantly
improves performance by fetching status, branches, commits, and files
in one optimized operation, instead of re-running 'git rev-parse' and
'git status' multiple times.

Also, streamline commit history loading by fetching file changes inline
via 'git log --name-status -z', eliminating expensive per-commit
'git diff-tree' processes.

Additionally, introduce the ability to create new branches from a
specific commit in the history and refactor the commit comparison
feature into a dedicated dialog. The status panel now displays concise
file names.

.claude/settings.local.json

@@ -23,7 +23,12 @@
       "Bash(npx vite *)",
       "Bash(cargo tree *)",
       "Bash(jobs)",
-      "Bash(npx svelte-check *)"
+      "Bash(npx svelte-check *)",
+      "Bash(git log *)",
+      "Bash(xxd)",
+      "Bash(python3 -)",
+      "Bash(echo \"exit: $?\")",
+      "Bash(grep -n \"input,\\\\|select,\\\\|input {\\\\|select {\\\\|.repo-form input\\\\|input:focus\\\\|::placeholder\" src/app.css)"
     ]
   }
 }

src-tauri/src/git.rs

@@ -208,6 +208,41 @@ pub fn open_repository(path: String) -> Result<GitStatus, String> {
     status_for_repo(&repo)
 }
 
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize)]
+pub struct RepositoryBundle {
+    pub status: GitStatus,
+    pub branches: Vec<GitBranch>,
+    pub commits: Vec<GitCommit>,
+    pub files: Vec<GitRepositoryFile>,
+}
+
+/// Opens a repository and gathers everything the UI needs in a single call.
+///
+/// Runs on a blocking thread (so the UI/overlay stays responsive) and resolves
+/// the repo and its status only once, instead of the previous four separate
+/// commands that each re-ran `git rev-parse` and `git status`.
+#[tauri::command]
+pub async fn open_repository_bundle(
+    path: String,
+    commit_limit: Option<u32>,
+) -> Result<RepositoryBundle, String> {
+    tauri::async_runtime::spawn_blocking(move || -> Result<RepositoryBundle, String> {
+        let repo = resolve_repo(&path)?;
+        let status = status_for_repo(&repo)?;
+        let branches = branches_for_repo(&repo)?;
+        let commits = commits_for_repo(&repo, commit_limit)?;
+        let files = repository_files_with_status(&repo, &status)?;
+        Ok(RepositoryBundle {
+            status,
+            branches,
+            commits,
+            files,
+        })
+    })
+    .await
+    .map_err(|err| format!("Repository konnte nicht geladen werden: {err}"))?
+}
+
 #[tauri::command]
 pub fn get_status(path: String) -> Result<GitStatus, String> {
     let repo = resolve_repo(&path)?;
@@ -217,8 +252,12 @@ pub fn get_status(path: String) -> Result<GitStatus, String> {
 #[tauri::command]
 pub fn list_branches(path: String) -> Result<Vec<GitBranch>, String> {
     let repo = resolve_repo(&path)?;
+    branches_for_repo(&repo)
+}
+
+fn branches_for_repo(repo: &Path) -> Result<Vec<GitBranch>, String> {
     let output = run_git(
-        &repo,
+        repo,
         [
             "for-each-ref",
             "--format=%(refname)\t%(HEAD)",
@@ -282,10 +321,23 @@ pub fn checkout_branch(path: String, branch: String) -> Result<GitStatus, String
 }
 
 #[tauri::command]
-pub fn create_branch(path: String, branch: String) -> Result<GitStatus, String> {
+pub fn create_branch(
+    path: String,
+    branch: String,
+    start_point: Option<String>,
+) -> Result<GitStatus, String> {
     let repo = resolve_repo(&path)?;
     let branch = validate_new_branch_name(&repo, &branch)?;
+    match start_point {
+        Some(start) if !start.trim().is_empty() => {
+            // Resolve the requested commit first so we fail clearly if it is gone.
+            let start = verify_commit(&repo, &start)?;
+            run_git(&repo, ["checkout", "-b", branch.as_str(), start.as_str()])?;
+        }
+        _ => {
             run_git(&repo, ["checkout", "-b", branch.as_str()])?;
+        }
+    }
     status_for_repo(&repo)
 }
 
@@ -586,23 +638,34 @@ pub fn merge_branch(path: String, branch: String) -> Result<GitStatus, String> {
 #[tauri::command]
 pub fn list_commits(path: String, limit: Option<u32>) -> Result<Vec<GitCommit>, String> {
     let repo = resolve_repo(&path)?;
-    if verify_commit(&repo, "HEAD").is_err() {
+    commits_for_repo(&repo, limit)
+}
+
+fn commits_for_repo(repo: &Path, limit: Option<u32>) -> Result<Vec<GitCommit>, String> {
+    if verify_commit(repo, "HEAD").is_err() {
         return Ok(Vec::new());
     }
 
     let limit = limit.unwrap_or(100).clamp(1, 500).to_string();
+    // Fetch the per-commit changed files inline via `--name-status` in a single
+    // `git log` process, instead of spawning one `git diff-tree` per commit
+    // (which was ~100 extra processes and the main cost of opening a repo).
     let output = run_git(
-        &repo,
+        repo,
         [
             "log",
             "--decorate=short",
-            "--pretty=format:%H%x1f%h%x1f%an%x1f%ae%x1f%aI%x1f%D%x1f%P%x1f%s%x1e",
+            "--name-status",
+            "-M",
+            "-z",
+            "--root",
+            "--pretty=format:%x1e%H%x1f%h%x1f%an%x1f%ae%x1f%aI%x1f%D%x1f%P%x1f%s%x1f",
             "-n",
             limit.as_str(),
         ],
     )?;
 
-    parse_commit_log(&repo, &output)
+    parse_commit_log_inline(&output)
 }
 
 #[tauri::command]
@@ -1242,6 +1305,13 @@ fn status_for_repo(repo: &Path) -> Result<GitStatus, String> {
 
 fn repository_files(repo: &Path) -> Result<Vec<GitRepositoryFile>, String> {
     let status = status_for_repo(repo)?;
+    repository_files_with_status(repo, &status)
+}
+
+fn repository_files_with_status(
+    repo: &Path,
+    status: &GitStatus,
+) -> Result<Vec<GitRepositoryFile>, String> {
     let mut files = BTreeMap::<String, GitRepositoryFile>::new();
 
     let tracked_output = run_git(repo, ["ls-files", "-z", "--cached", "--deleted"])?;
@@ -1580,6 +1650,71 @@ fn commit_search_metadata(repo: &Path, commit: &str) -> Result<GitSearchCommitMe
     })
 }
 
+/// Parses `git log --name-status -z` output where each commit's changed files
+/// are embedded inline (see `commits_for_repo`), so no per-commit git process is
+/// needed. Record layout: `\x1e` then eight `\x1f`-separated header fields, then
+/// git's newline, then the NUL-separated name-status entries.
+fn parse_commit_log_inline(output: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<GitCommit>, String> {
+    const FIELD_SEPARATOR: u8 = 0x1f;
+    const RECORD_SEPARATOR: u8 = 0x1e;
+
+    let mut commits = Vec::new();
+
+    for record in output.split(|byte| *byte == RECORD_SEPARATOR) {
+        // Skip the empty leading chunk and any stray separators left by `-z`.
+        if record
+            .iter()
+            .all(|&byte| matches!(byte, 0 | b'\n' | b'\r' | b' ' | b'\t'))
+        {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        let parts: Vec<&[u8]> = record.splitn(9, |byte| *byte == FIELD_SEPARATOR).collect();
+        if parts.len() < 8 {
+            return Err(format!(
+                "Unerwarteter Git-Log-Eintrag: {}",
+                String::from_utf8_lossy(record)
+            ));
+        }
+
+        // Field 8 (if present) holds the name-status list, preceded by the newline
+        // git inserts between the pretty-format output and the diff.
+        let mut files_bytes: &[u8] = parts.get(8).copied().unwrap_or(&[]);
+        while let Some((&first, rest)) = files_bytes.split_first() {
+            if matches!(first, b'\n' | b'\r') {
+                files_bytes = rest;
+            } else {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        let refs = String::from_utf8_lossy(parts[5])
+            .split(',')
+            .map(str::trim)
+            .filter(|item| !item.is_empty())
+            .map(ToString::to_string)
+            .collect();
+        let parents = String::from_utf8_lossy(parts[6])
+            .split_whitespace()
+            .map(ToString::to_string)
+            .collect();
+
+        commits.push(GitCommit {
+            hash: String::from_utf8_lossy(parts[0]).trim().to_string(),
+            short_hash: String::from_utf8_lossy(parts[1]).trim().to_string(),
+            author_name: String::from_utf8_lossy(parts[2]).to_string(),
+            author_email: String::from_utf8_lossy(parts[3]).to_string(),
+            date: String::from_utf8_lossy(parts[4]).trim().to_string(),
+            refs,
+            parents,
+            summary: String::from_utf8_lossy(parts[7]).to_string(),
+            files: parse_commit_files(files_bytes)?,
+        });
+    }
+
+    Ok(commits)
+}
+
 fn parse_commit_log(repo: &Path, output: &[u8]) -> Result<Vec<GitCommit>, String> {
     const FIELD_SEPARATOR: char = '\x1f';
     const RECORD_SEPARATOR: char = '\x1e';
@@ -3234,6 +3369,7 @@ mod tests {
         let status = create_branch(
             repo.path.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
             "feature/new-panel".to_string(),
+            None,
         )
         .unwrap();
 
@@ -3246,6 +3382,7 @@ mod tests {
         let err = create_branch(
             repo.path.to_string_lossy().to_string(),
             "feature/new-panel".to_string(),
+            None,
         )
         .unwrap_err();
         assert!(err.contains("existiert bereits"));

src-tauri/src/main.rs

@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ use git::{
     cancel_code_search, checkout_branch, commit, compare_commits, compare_file_to_head,
     compare_file_to_parent, create_branch, cred_delete, cred_load, cred_save,
     diff_file_against_working_tree, get_remote_url, get_status, list_branches, list_commits,
-    list_file_history, list_repository_files, merge_branch, open_repository, pull, push,
+    list_file_history, list_repository_files, merge_branch, open_repository,
+    open_repository_bundle, pull, push,
     read_conflict, resolve_conflict, resolve_conflict_side, restore_file_from_commit,
     restore_files, restore_to_commit, search_code_introductions, stage_files, unstage_files,
     SearchCancellationState,
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ fn main() {
             restore_file_from_commit,
             merge_branch,
             list_repository_files,
+            open_repository_bundle,
             list_file_history,
             compare_commits,
             compare_file_to_head,

src/App.svelte

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-  import { onDestroy, onMount } from "svelte";
+  import { onDestroy, onMount, tick } from "svelte";
   import { open as openDialog } from "@tauri-apps/plugin-dialog";
   import { check, type DownloadEvent, type Update } from "@tauri-apps/plugin-updater";
   import { AlertCircle, Check, FolderOpen, GitBranch, GitMerge, LoaderCircle } from "@lucide/svelte";
@@ -8,12 +8,13 @@
   import BranchPanel from "./lib/components/BranchPanel.svelte";
   import CommitPanel from "./lib/components/CommitPanel.svelte";
   import CompareDialog from "./lib/components/CompareDialog.svelte";
-  import ComparePanel from "./lib/components/ComparePanel.svelte";
+  import CompareSelectDialog from "./lib/components/CompareSelectDialog.svelte";
   import CredentialDialog from "./lib/components/CredentialDialog.svelte";
   import ExplorerPanel from "./lib/components/ExplorerPanel.svelte";
   import FileHistoryPanel from "./lib/components/FileHistoryPanel.svelte";
   import GlobalSearchDialog from "./lib/components/GlobalSearchDialog.svelte";
   import HistoryPanel from "./lib/components/HistoryPanel.svelte";
+  import NewBranchDialog from "./lib/components/NewBranchDialog.svelte";
   import RepoLoadingOverlay from "./lib/components/RepoLoadingOverlay.svelte";
   import ResolveDialog from "./lib/components/ResolveDialog.svelte";
   import StatusPanel from "./lib/components/StatusPanel.svelte";
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@
     listFileHistory,
     listRepositoryFiles,
     mergeBranch,
-    openRepository,
+    openRepositoryBundle,
     pull,
     push,
     getRemoteUrl,
@@ -96,6 +97,8 @@
   let compareFrom = "";
   let compareTo = "";
   let comparison: GitCommitComparison | null = null;
+  let newBranchCommit: GitCommit | null = null;
+  let compareSelectOpen = false;
   let compareDialogOpen = false;
   let selectedDiffPath = "";
   let diffHighlightQuery = "";
@@ -167,15 +170,18 @@
   }
 
   async function autoRefreshTick() {
-    if (!autoRefreshEnabled || !activeRepoPath || isBusy || autoRefreshInFlight || resolveDialogOpen || compareDialogOpen || globalSearchOpen) return;
+    if (!autoRefreshEnabled || !activeRepoPath || isBusy || autoRefreshInFlight || resolveDialogOpen || compareDialogOpen || compareSelectOpen || newBranchCommit || globalSearchOpen) return;
     autoRefreshInFlight = true;
     try {
+      // Cheap fast path: only fetch status; skip the heavy reload if nothing changed.
       const nextStatus = await getStatus(activeRepoPath);
       if (statusFingerprint(nextStatus) === lastStatusFingerprint) return;
       applyStatus(nextStatus);
-      await refreshBranchList(activeRepoPath);
-      await refreshCommitHistory(activeRepoPath);
-      await refreshExplorerFiles(activeRepoPath);
+      // Something changed — reload branches, commits and files in one bundled call.
+      const bundle = await openRepositoryBundle(activeRepoPath, 100);
+      await refreshBranchList(activeRepoPath, bundle.branches);
+      await refreshCommitHistory(activeRepoPath, bundle.commits);
+      await refreshExplorerFiles(activeRepoPath, bundle.files);
       await refreshFileHistory(activeRepoPath);
     } catch { /* ignore transient errors */ } finally {
       autoRefreshInFlight = false;
@@ -321,12 +327,12 @@
 
   // ── Refresh helpers ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
-  async function refreshBranchList(path = activeRepoPath) {
-    branches = await listBranches(path);
+  async function refreshBranchList(path = activeRepoPath, prefetched?: GitBranchInfo[]) {
+    branches = prefetched ?? (await listBranches(path));
   }
 
-  async function refreshCommitHistory(path = activeRepoPath) {
-    commits = await listCommits(path, 100);
+  async function refreshCommitHistory(path = activeRepoPath, prefetched?: GitCommit[]) {
+    commits = prefetched ?? (await listCommits(path, 100));
     const hashes = new Set(commits.map((c) => c.hash));
     if (compareFrom && !hashes.has(compareFrom)) compareFrom = "";
     if (compareTo && !hashes.has(compareTo)) compareTo = "";
@@ -338,8 +344,8 @@
     }
   }
 
-  async function refreshExplorerFiles(path = activeRepoPath) {
-    repoFiles = await listRepositoryFiles(path);
+  async function refreshExplorerFiles(path = activeRepoPath, prefetched?: GitRepositoryFile[]) {
+    repoFiles = prefetched ?? (await listRepositoryFiles(path));
     const folderPaths = allExplorerFolderPaths(repoFiles);
     expandedExplorerPaths = new Set([...expandedExplorerPaths].filter((folder) => folderPaths.has(folder)));
     if (selectedExplorerPath && !explorerPathExists(repoFiles, selectedExplorerPath)) {
@@ -361,20 +367,28 @@
     repoPath = path;
 
     await runOperation("Opening repository", async () => {
-      const nextStatus = await openRepository(path);
-      applyStatus(nextStatus);
+      // Paint the loading overlay before the (potentially slow) git enumeration
+      // starts — otherwise the first paint is deferred until the bundle resolves
+      // and the overlay appears to "come late".
+      await tick();
+      await new Promise<void>((resolve) => requestAnimationFrame(() => resolve()));
+      // Single backend round-trip: resolves the repo and reads status, branches,
+      // commits and files in one pass instead of four sequential git calls.
+      const bundle = await openRepositoryBundle(path, 100);
+      applyStatus(bundle.status);
       branches = []; commits = []; repoFiles = [];
       selectedExplorerPath = ""; selectedExplorerKind = "file";
       expandedExplorerPaths = new Set(); expandedCommitHashes = new Set();
       fileHistory = []; compareFrom = ""; compareTo = "";
-      comparison = null; compareDialogOpen = false; selectedDiffPath = ""; pendingRestoreFile = null;
+      comparison = null; compareSelectOpen = false; compareDialogOpen = false; selectedDiffPath = ""; pendingRestoreFile = null;
+      newBranchCommit = null;
       if (globalSearchBusy) void cancelGlobalSearch();
       globalSearchResults = []; globalSearchOpen = false; globalSearchError = "";
       resolveDialogOpen = false; conflictTarget = ""; conflict = null;
       preparedResolutions = {};
-      await refreshBranchList(activeRepoPath);
-      await refreshCommitHistory(activeRepoPath);
-      await refreshExplorerFiles(activeRepoPath);
+      await refreshBranchList(activeRepoPath, bundle.branches);
+      await refreshCommitHistory(activeRepoPath, bundle.commits);
+      await refreshExplorerFiles(activeRepoPath, bundle.files);
     });
   }
 
@@ -429,6 +443,25 @@
     });
   }
 
+  function openNewBranchDialog(commit: GitCommit) {
+    if (!activeRepoPath || isBusy) return;
+    newBranchCommit = commit;
+  }
+
+  async function createBranchFromCommit(branchName: string) {
+    const target = newBranchCommit;
+    const name = branchName.trim();
+    if (!activeRepoPath || !target || !name) return;
+    await runOperation(`Creating ${name}`, async () => {
+      applyStatus(await createBranch(activeRepoPath, name, target.hash));
+      newBranchCommit = null;
+      await refreshBranchList(activeRepoPath);
+      await refreshCommitHistory(activeRepoPath);
+      await refreshExplorerFiles(activeRepoPath);
+      await refreshFileHistory(activeRepoPath);
+    });
+  }
+
   async function merge(branch: GitBranchInfo) {
     if (!activeRepoPath || branch.current) return;
     await runOperation(`Merging ${branch.name}`, async () => {
@@ -780,6 +813,11 @@
 
   // ── Compare ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
+  function openCompareSelect() {
+    if (!hasRepository) return;
+    compareSelectOpen = true;
+  }
+
   async function compareSelectedCommits() {
     if (!canCompare) return;
     await runOperation("Comparing commits", async () => {
@@ -788,6 +826,7 @@
       selectedDiffPath = result.files[0]?.path ?? "";
       diffHighlightQuery = "";
       pendingRestoreFile = null;
+      compareSelectOpen = false;
       compareDialogOpen = true;
     });
   }
@@ -816,10 +855,6 @@
     });
   }
 
-  function openCompareDialog() {
-    if (comparison) compareDialogOpen = true;
-  }
-
   function closeCompareDialog() {
     compareDialogOpen = false;
     pendingRestoreFile = null;
@@ -947,6 +982,8 @@
 
   function handleWindowKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent) {
     if (event.key === "Escape" && compareDialogOpen) closeCompareDialog();
+    else if (event.key === "Escape" && newBranchCommit) newBranchCommit = null;
+    else if (event.key === "Escape" && compareSelectOpen) compareSelectOpen = false;
     else if (event.key === "Escape" && globalSearchOpen) closeGlobalSearchDialog();
   }
 </script>
@@ -972,6 +1009,7 @@
     onPush={pushRepo}
     onRefresh={refreshRepo}
     onSearch={() => { globalSearchOpen = true; }}
+    onCompare={openCompareSelect}
     onToggleAutoRefresh={toggleAutoRefresh}
   />
 
@@ -1063,7 +1101,7 @@
         />
       </aside>
 
-      <!-- Center: summary + status + commit + compare -->
+      <!-- Center: summary + status + commit -->
       <section class="main-panel" aria-label="Repository status">
         <div class="repo-summary">
           <div class="repo-meta">
@@ -1106,21 +1144,6 @@
             onCommitMessageChange={(msg) => { commitMessage = msg; }}
           />
         </div>
-
-        <ComparePanel
-          {commits}
-          {hasRepository}
-          {isBusy}
-          {compareFrom}
-          {compareTo}
-          {canCompare}
-          {comparison}
-          {operation}
-          onCompareFromChange={(val) => { compareFrom = val; }}
-          onCompareToChange={(val) => { compareTo = val; }}
-          onCompare={compareSelectedCommits}
-          onOpenDialog={openCompareDialog}
-        />
       </section>
 
       <!-- Right sidebar: commit graph + file history -->
@@ -1132,6 +1155,7 @@
           {expandedCommitHashes}
           onRestoreCommit={restoreCommit}
           onPreviewCommitFile={previewCommitFileFromHistory}
+          onCreateBranchFromCommit={openNewBranchDialog}
           onToggleCommitFiles={(hash) => {
             const next = new Set(expandedCommitHashes);
             if (next.has(hash)) next.delete(hash); else next.add(hash);
@@ -1185,6 +1209,32 @@
   />
 {/if}
 
+<!-- Create a branch from a specific commit in the history -->
+{#if newBranchCommit}
+  <NewBranchDialog
+    commit={newBranchCommit}
+    {isBusy}
+    onCreate={createBranchFromCommit}
+    onClose={() => { newBranchCommit = null; }}
+  />
+{/if}
+
+<!-- Compare: pick the two commits to diff -->
+{#if compareSelectOpen}
+  <CompareSelectDialog
+    {commits}
+    {compareFrom}
+    {compareTo}
+    {canCompare}
+    {isBusy}
+    {operation}
+    onCompareFromChange={(val) => { compareFrom = val; }}
+    onCompareToChange={(val) => { compareTo = val; }}
+    onCompare={compareSelectedCommits}
+    onClose={() => { compareSelectOpen = false; }}
+  />
+{/if}
+
 <!-- Compare diff dialog (rendered last so it overlays the search dialog when opened from a hit) -->
 {#if compareDialogOpen && comparison}
   <CompareDialog

src/app.css

@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@
 
   .main-panel {
     display: grid;
-    grid-template-rows: auto minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
+    grid-template-rows: auto minmax(0, 1fr);
     min-width: 0;
     min-height: 0;
     border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
@@ -664,7 +664,8 @@
 
   .top-section {
     display: grid;
-    grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) 320px;
+    grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr);
+    grid-template-rows: minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(210px, auto);
     min-height: 0;
     gap: 8px;
     padding: 8px;
@@ -1093,6 +1094,55 @@
     width: min(1180px, calc(100vw - 32px));
     height: min(840px, calc(100vh - 32px));
   }
+  .compare-select-dialog {
+    display: block;
+    width: min(720px, calc(100vw - 32px));
+    height: auto;
+    max-height: calc(100vh - 32px);
+    overflow: auto;
+  }
+  .new-branch-dialog {
+    display: block;
+    width: min(520px, calc(100vw - 32px));
+    height: auto;
+    max-height: calc(100vh - 32px);
+    overflow: auto;
+  }
+  .new-branch-form {
+    display: flex;
+    flex-direction: column;
+    gap: 14px;
+    padding: 16px;
+  }
+  .new-branch-target {
+    display: flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    gap: 8px;
+    min-width: 0;
+    padding: 8px 10px;
+    border: 1px solid var(--color-border-subtle);
+    border-radius: 8px;
+    background: var(--color-surface-raised);
+  }
+  .new-branch-summary {
+    overflow: hidden;
+    color: var(--color-ink-dim);
+    text-overflow: ellipsis;
+    white-space: nowrap;
+  }
+  .new-branch-field { display: grid; gap: 6px; }
+  .new-branch-field span {
+    color: var(--color-ink-faint);
+    font-size: 10.5px;
+    font-weight: 800;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    letter-spacing: 0.05em;
+  }
+  .new-branch-actions {
+    display: flex;
+    justify-content: flex-end;
+    gap: 8px;
+  }
 
   .dialog-header { display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; gap: 12px; padding: 14px 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--color-border-subtle); background: var(--color-surface-dim); }
   .dialog-header > div:first-child { min-width: 0; }
@@ -2182,7 +2232,6 @@
 
 @media (min-width: 1800px) {
   .workspace    { grid-template-columns: 320px minmax(0, 1fr) 680px; }
-  .top-section  { grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) 380px; }
 }
 
 @media (max-width: 1400px) {

src/lib/TitleBar.svelte

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts">
   import { onDestroy, onMount } from "svelte";
   import { getCurrentWindow } from "@tauri-apps/api/window";
-  import { Download, GitBranch, LoaderCircle, Minus, RefreshCw, Search, Upload, X } from "@lucide/svelte";
+  import { Download, GitBranch, GitCompare, LoaderCircle, Minus, RefreshCw, Search, Upload, X } from "@lucide/svelte";
 
   export let branch: string = "";
   export let ahead: number = 0;
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
   export let onPush: () => void = () => {};
   export let onRefresh: () => void = () => {};
   export let onSearch: () => void = () => {};
+  export let onCompare: () => void = () => {};
   export let onToggleAutoRefresh: () => void = () => {};
 
   const win = getCurrentWindow();
@@ -92,6 +93,17 @@
         <span class="tb-action-label">Search</span>
       </button>
 
+      <button
+        class="tb-action"
+        onclick={onCompare}
+        disabled={!hasRepository || isBusy}
+        title="Compare commits"
+        aria-label="Compare commits"
+      >
+        <GitCompare size={14} aria-hidden="true" />
+        <span class="tb-action-label">Compare</span>
+      </button>
+
       <button
         class="tb-action"
         onclick={onPull}

src/lib/components/CompareSelectDialog.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  import { ArrowRight, GitCompare, LoaderCircle, X } from "@lucide/svelte";
+  import type { GitCommit } from "../types";
+
+  interface Props {
+    commits: GitCommit[];
+    compareFrom: string;
+    compareTo: string;
+    canCompare: boolean;
+    isBusy: boolean;
+    operation: string;
+    onCompareFromChange: (val: string) => void;
+    onCompareToChange: (val: string) => void;
+    onCompare: () => void;
+    onClose: () => void;
+  }
+
+  let {
+    commits = [],
+    compareFrom = "",
+    compareTo = "",
+    canCompare = false,
+    isBusy = false,
+    operation = "",
+    onCompareFromChange = () => {},
+    onCompareToChange = () => {},
+    onCompare = () => {},
+    onClose = () => {},
+  }: Props = $props();
+
+  function commitOptionLabel(item: GitCommit): string {
+    return `${item.short_hash} - ${item.summary}`;
+  }
+
+  function handleSubmit(event: SubmitEvent) {
+    event.preventDefault();
+    onCompare();
+  }
+</script>
+
+<div
+  class="dialog-backdrop"
+  role="presentation"
+  onclick={(e) => { if (e.target === e.currentTarget) onClose(); }}
+>
+  <div class="dialog compare-select-dialog" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-label="Select commits to compare" tabindex="-1">
+    <header class="dialog-header">
+      <div>
+        <span class="eyebrow">Compare</span>
+        <h2 class="mt-0.5 text-ink text-base font-bold leading-tight">Select commits</h2>
+      </div>
+      <button class="dialog-close" type="button" onclick={onClose} title="Close">
+        <X size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
+      </button>
+    </header>
+
+    {#if commits.length < 2}
+      <div class="blank-state">At least two commits are needed to compare.</div>
+    {:else}
+      <form class="compare-form" onsubmit={handleSubmit}>
+        <label class="compare-field">
+          <span>From (older)</span>
+          <select
+            value={compareFrom}
+            onchange={(e) => onCompareFromChange((e.target as HTMLSelectElement).value)}
+            disabled={isBusy}
+          >
+            <option value="" disabled>Select a commit</option>
+            {#each commits as item (item.hash)}
+              <option value={item.hash}>{commitOptionLabel(item)}</option>
+            {/each}
+          </select>
+        </label>
+
+        <ArrowRight class="compare-arrow" size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
+
+        <label class="compare-field">
+          <span>To (newer)</span>
+          <select
+            value={compareTo}
+            onchange={(e) => onCompareToChange((e.target as HTMLSelectElement).value)}
+            disabled={isBusy}
+          >
+            <option value="" disabled>Select a commit</option>
+            {#each commits as item (item.hash)}
+              <option value={item.hash}>{commitOptionLabel(item)}</option>
+            {/each}
+          </select>
+        </label>
+
+        <button class="btn-primary" type="submit" disabled={!canCompare}>
+          {#if operation === "Comparing commits"}
+            <LoaderCircle class="spin" size={16} aria-hidden="true" />
+          {:else}
+            <GitCompare size={16} aria-hidden="true" />
+          {/if}
+          Compare
+        </button>
+      </form>
+
+      {#if compareFrom && compareTo && compareFrom === compareTo}
+        <div class="blank-state">Select two different commits to compare.</div>
+      {:else}
+        <div class="blank-state">Pick two commits and run a comparison.</div>
+      {/if}
+    {/if}
+  </div>
+</div>

src/lib/components/HistoryPanel.svelte

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <script lang="ts">
-  import { ChevronDown, ChevronRight, RotateCcw } from "@lucide/svelte";
+  import { ChevronDown, ChevronRight, GitBranch, RotateCcw } from "@lucide/svelte";
   import type { FileStatusKind, GitCommit, GitCommitFile } from "../types";
 
   interface GraphSegment {
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
     onRestoreCommit: (commit: GitCommit) => void;
     onPreviewCommitFile: (commit: GitCommit, file: GitCommitFile) => void;
     onToggleCommitFiles: (hash: string) => void;
+    onCreateBranchFromCommit: (commit: GitCommit) => void;
   }
 
   let {
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@
     onRestoreCommit = () => {},
     onPreviewCommitFile = () => {},
     onToggleCommitFiles = () => {},
+    onCreateBranchFromCommit = () => {},
   }: Props = $props();
 
   function laneColor(col: number): string {
@@ -220,6 +222,10 @@
             <div class="commit-actions">
               <time datetime={item.date}>{formatCommitDate(item.date)}</time>
               <div class="commit-action-buttons">
+                <button class="btn-sm" type="button" onclick={() => onCreateBranchFromCommit(item)} disabled={isBusy} title="Create a new branch from this commit">
+                  <GitBranch size={15} aria-hidden="true" />
+                  Branch
+                </button>
                 <button class="btn-sm" type="button" onclick={() => onRestoreCommit(item)} disabled={isBusy} title="Reset current branch to this commit">
                   <RotateCcw size={15} aria-hidden="true" />
                   Restore

src/lib/components/NewBranchDialog.svelte

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+<script lang="ts">
+  import { GitBranch, LoaderCircle, X } from "@lucide/svelte";
+  import type { GitCommit } from "../types";
+
+  interface Props {
+    commit: GitCommit;
+    isBusy: boolean;
+    onCreate: (name: string) => void;
+    onClose: () => void;
+  }
+
+  let {
+    commit,
+    isBusy = false,
+    onCreate = () => {},
+    onClose = () => {},
+  }: Props = $props();
+
+  let name = $state("");
+
+  function submit(event: SubmitEvent) {
+    event.preventDefault();
+    const value = name.trim();
+    if (!value) return;
+    onCreate(value);
+  }
+</script>
+
+<div
+  class="dialog-backdrop"
+  role="presentation"
+  onclick={(e) => { if (e.target === e.currentTarget) onClose(); }}
+>
+  <div class="dialog new-branch-dialog" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" aria-label="Create branch from commit" tabindex="-1">
+    <header class="dialog-header">
+      <div>
+        <span class="eyebrow">New branch</span>
+        <h2 class="mt-0.5 text-ink text-base font-bold leading-tight">From commit</h2>
+      </div>
+      <button class="dialog-close" type="button" onclick={onClose} title="Close">
+        <X size={18} aria-hidden="true" />
+      </button>
+    </header>
+
+    <form class="new-branch-form" onsubmit={submit}>
+      <div class="new-branch-target">
+        <span class="hash">{commit.short_hash}</span>
+        <span class="new-branch-summary" title={commit.summary}>{commit.summary}</span>
+      </div>
+
+      <label class="new-branch-field">
+        <span>Branch name</span>
+        <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_autofocus -->
+        <input
+          bind:value={name}
+          autocomplete="off"
+          spellcheck="false"
+          placeholder="feature/my-branch"
+          disabled={isBusy}
+          autofocus
+        />
+      </label>
+
+      <div class="new-branch-actions">
+        <button class="btn-secondary" type="button" onclick={onClose} disabled={isBusy}>
+          Cancel
+        </button>
+        <button class="btn-primary" type="submit" disabled={isBusy || name.trim().length === 0}>
+          {#if isBusy}
+            <LoaderCircle class="spin" size={16} aria-hidden="true" />
+          {:else}
+            <GitBranch size={16} aria-hidden="true" />
+          {/if}
+          Create branch
+        </button>
+      </div>
+    </form>
+  </div>
+</div>

src/lib/components/StatusPanel.svelte

@@ -38,6 +38,14 @@
     return file.old_path ? `${file.old_path} -> ${file.path}` : file.path;
   }
 
+  function baseName(path: string): string {
+    return path.split(/[\\/]/).filter(Boolean).pop() ?? path;
+  }
+
+  function fileName(file: GitFileStatus): string {
+    return file.old_path ? `${baseName(file.old_path)} -> ${baseName(file.path)}` : baseName(file.path);
+  }
+
   let hasUnstaged = $derived(changedFiles.some((f) => f.unstaged !== null));
   let hasStaged = $derived(changedFiles.some((f) => f.staged !== null));
 </script>
@@ -90,7 +98,7 @@
       {#each changedFiles as file (`${file.old_path ?? ""}:${file.path}`)}
         <article class="file-row">
           <div class="file-title">
-            <strong title={displayPath(file)}>{displayPath(file)}</strong>
+            <strong title={displayPath(file)}>{fileName(file)}</strong>
           </div>
 
           <div class="change-lanes">

src/lib/git.ts

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import type {
   GitRepositoryFile,
   GitSearchHit,
   GitStatus,
+  RepositoryBundle,
   StoredCredential,
 } from "./types";
 
@@ -15,6 +16,10 @@ export function openRepository(path: string): Promise<GitStatus> {
   return invoke<GitStatus>("open_repository", { path });
 }
 
+export function openRepositoryBundle(path: string, commitLimit = 100): Promise<RepositoryBundle> {
+  return invoke<RepositoryBundle>("open_repository_bundle", { path, commitLimit });
+}
+
 export function getStatus(path: string): Promise<GitStatus> {
   return invoke<GitStatus>("get_status", { path });
 }
@@ -27,8 +32,12 @@ export function checkoutBranch(path: string, branch: string): Promise<GitStatus>
   return invoke<GitStatus>("checkout_branch", { path, branch });
 }
 
-export function createBranch(path: string, branch: string): Promise<GitStatus> {
-  return invoke<GitStatus>("create_branch", { path, branch });
+export function createBranch(
+  path: string,
+  branch: string,
+  startPoint?: string,
+): Promise<GitStatus> {
+  return invoke<GitStatus>("create_branch", { path, branch, startPoint: startPoint ?? null });
 }
 
 export function stageFiles(path: string, files: string[]): Promise<GitStatus> {

src/lib/types.ts

@@ -54,6 +54,13 @@ export interface GitRepositoryFile {
   status: FileStatusKind | null;
 }
 
+export interface RepositoryBundle {
+  status: GitStatus;
+  branches: GitBranch[];
+  commits: GitCommit[];
+  files: GitRepositoryFile[];
+}
+
 export interface GitDiffFile {
   path: string;
   old_path: string | null;