Story
When I ask the AI to change something many times, I want every version kept with what I asked for, so I can go back to the one that worked.
Hannah, who runs a small café in Bristol, writing this week's lunch menu on her laptop.
- 01 Setting
Hannah asks for a short lunch menu, then asks to make it warmer.
- 02 Trigger
She asks to make it shorter. The AI drops the allergy line.
- 03 Without it
Only the latest version exists. The warm wording and the allergy line are gone.
- 04 With it
History lists every version with the ask that made it. She previews version 2.
- 05 Outcome
She restores it. It comes back as version 4, and version 3 is still there.
Live demo
This demo follows a script, so it plays the same every time - there is no real AI behind it. Change a setting to see the same moment play out differently.
What happens, step by step
| State | The person sees | The AI is | When | Screen reader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The first draft, labelled v1. | Writes. | 0-1 s | “Version 1 saved” |
| 2 | Each change the AI makes is a new version number. The old one is kept. | Writes. | each ask | “Version 3 saved” |
| 3 | A list, newest first: version number, the ask that made it, and "Now" on the current one. | Idle. | on tap | “Version history, 3 versions” |
| 4 | The old version shows in place, with "Previewing version 2" and Restore. Nothing has changed yet. | Idle. | on tap | - |
| 5 | The old version comes back as a new version. Every version stays in the list. | Idle. | on Restore | “Version 2 restored as version 4” |
| 6 | Only the latest version. Anything the AI removed has to be written again. | Idle. | - | - |
On each device
- phone
- History opens as a full sheet over the document. Tapping a version opens a full-width preview with Restore at the top.
- tablet
- As on desktop: the list sits beside the document.
- desktop
- History sits beside the document, so people can click through versions and see each one in place. Show changes can mark what moved between 2 versions.
When to use it
- People ask the AI to change the same thing many times - a document, code, a design.
- A later change can remove something good from an earlier one.
- An AI agent (an AI that takes actions for you) changes many files. People need a safe point to go back to.
- The output is a short chat answer - versions under the answer are enough. Use Regenerate, edit and branches instead.
- People need to judge each small change before it lands. Use Draft mode and review instead.
- People need a record of what an agent did in the world, like emails sent. Those cannot be restored. Use Activity log and undo instead.
The parts of the pattern
- AVersion listEvery version, newest first. A restore never removes anything from it.
- BWhat made itThe ask behind each version, so people find the one they want by what they asked.
- CNowMarks the version people are looking at in the document.
- DPreview"Previewing version 2" - the old version shows in place before anything changes.
- ERestoreBrings the old version back as a new version. Safe to try.
Do and Avoid
v3 Make it shorter
v2 Make it warmer
v1 Write a short lunch menu
v3 14:32
v2 14:31
v1 14:30
v4 Restored from version 2
v3 Make it shorter
Version 3 is still here.
v2 Make it warmer
Versions after this were deleted.
Writing and accessibility
- Label each version with the ask that made it: "Make it shorter". Add the time in smaller text.
- Say "Restore", not "Revert" or "Roll back".
- Say what restore does before and after: "Restores as a new version", "Version 3 is still in History".
- If checkpoints (saved copies you can go back to) keep only the AI's changes, say so: "Checkpoints save the AI's changes, not yours."
- The list is a list of buttons, each named with its number and ask: "Version 2, Make it warmer".
- Announce "Previewing version 2" when a preview opens, and "Version 2 restored as version 4" after Restore.
- Restore is a real button, reachable by keyboard, at least 44 px.
- Mark the current version with text ("Now"), not only colour.
Seen in real products
- CursorDesktop editor · Nov 2026The agent makes checkpoints of its changes by itself. People go back with "Restore Checkpoint" on an earlier request. The docs say checkpoints track only agent changes and are not version control.Cursor docs: Checkpoints ↗
- ChatGPT canvasWeb, Windows and macOS · Nov 2026Arrows in the toolbar move between versions, people can restore an earlier one, and "Show changes" marks additions and deletions.OpenAI Help: Canvas ↗
Each example comes from the product’s help pages, release notes or teardowns, with the month it was checked. Products change every month - tell us when 1 is out of date.
Check yourself
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