# Versioning

When you create and publish a [message template](https://docs.bird.com/applications/content/message-templates), this becomes the first "version" of your template. 

At this stage, the template can no longer be directly edited, which helps to prevent accidental changes being made to message templates that are currently being used in Flows or Campaigns. 

Instead, you can create a new "version" of your message template, which you can then edit and publish.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can only have one version of a template in a "published" or live state at any given time.
{% endhint %}

## How versioning works

Here's how the process works:

1. When you create a new template, it will remain in "draft" status until you publish it.
2. Once a template has been published, you can modify it by "Cloning and editing" it. This creates a new version.
3. When you publish the second version of your template, the previous version will be deactivated. It can no longer be used.
4. You can revert to a previous version of a message template by "Cloning and editing" it, and publishing it as it is or making additional changes before publication.

### Make a new version of a message template

Starting with a template that you have published, follow these steps to create a new version.

1. Go to **Studio.**
2. From the list of projects, select an "Active" message template.
3. In the top right-hand corner, click **Clone and edit**.
4. In the pop-up, click **Clone and edit**.
5. Edit your template.
6. When you are ready, click **Publish**.
7. In the pop-up, click **Yes, publish new version** to set your changes live, and replace the previous message template version with the updated version.

Now that you have created a new version of your message template, you will see it listed under **Versions** when you view that message template.

### View the current version of a message template

1. Go to **Studio**.
2. From the list of projects, select an "Active" message template.
3. In the top right-hand corner, click **View latest template**.

### View a previous version of a message template

1. Go to **Studio**.
2. From the list of projects, select an "Active" message template.
3. Locate the version that you want to view, click the three dots on the right-hand side, and click **View version**.