# Staging Branch

The Staging Branch in s&box is a separate version of s&box where new updates and features are tested before being released to the main build. It's essentially the experimental build, allowing us to identify bugs and performance issues with help from developers and players who opt in.

By using this branch, you can provide feedback and report bugs directly to the developers. It's a great way to get involved in the development process and help shape future updates.

It's also a good idea to test your projects on the staging branch before an update goes live. This gives you a chance to catch and fix any issues ahead of time, so your project is ready when the update rolls out to everyone.

## How to Opt In

1. Open Steam
2. Right-click **s&box** in your library
3. Select **Properties**
4. Go to the **Betas** tab
5. From the dropdown, select the **staging** branch
6. Steam will download the update automatically

Repeat these steps for both the game and the editor if you want the staging version of each.

## Reporting Feedback & Bugs

For any feedback and bugs you might find along the way, report them on the [sbox-public issue tracker](https://github.com/Facepunch/sbox-public). This ensures we collect the important information to help us fix it.

To take part in more discussion, join [discord.gg/sbox](https://discord.gg/sbox) and stay updated on staging changes.

## Things to Keep in Mind

- Staging may be less stable than the main branch
- Your projects should still work, but expect occasional breaking changes
- Back up your work before switching if you're mid-project
- You can switch back to the main branch at any time using the same steps above