diff --git a/crates/ide-host/src/ops/vcs/commands.rs b/crates/ide-host/src/ops/vcs/commands.rs
index 29f4d58a9..d4adf0741 100644
--- a/crates/ide-host/src/ops/vcs/commands.rs
+++ b/crates/ide-host/src/ops/vcs/commands.rs
@@ -583,12 +583,15 @@ pub async fn vcs_create_branch(
     name: String,
     start: Option<String>,
     checkout: bool,
+    overwrite: Option<bool>,
 ) -> IdeResult<()> {
     host.require_trust(window)?;
     let project = host.project(window)?;
     let recorded = checkout.then_some("Git checkout");
     blocking(move || {
-        project.with_repo_recorded(repo.as_deref(), recorded, |r| r.create_branch(&name, start.as_deref(), checkout))
+        project.with_repo_recorded(repo.as_deref(), recorded, |r| {
+            r.create_branch_with_overwrite(&name, start.as_deref(), checkout, overwrite.unwrap_or(false))
+        })
     })
     .await
 }
@@ -1335,7 +1338,16 @@ pub(crate) fn register(d: &mut Dispatcher) {
         vcs_checkout(&c.host, &c.window, c.arg("repo")?, c.arg("branch")?, c.arg("create")?, c.arg("options")?).await
     });
     d.add("vcs_create_branch", |c| async move {
-        vcs_create_branch(&c.host, &c.window, c.arg("repo")?, c.arg("name")?, c.arg("start")?, c.arg("checkout")?).await
+        vcs_create_branch(
+            &c.host,
+            &c.window,
+            c.arg("repo")?,
+            c.arg("name")?,
+            c.arg("start")?,
+            c.arg("checkout")?,
+            c.arg("overwrite")?,
+        )
+        .await
     });
     d.add(
         "vcs_undo_commit",
diff --git a/crates/ide-host/tests/vcs_flow.rs b/crates/ide-host/tests/vcs_flow.rs
index 031b628da..27db76065 100644
--- a/crates/ide-host/tests/vcs_flow.rs
+++ b/crates/ide-host/tests/vcs_flow.rs
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ async fn change_commit_branch_stash_and_merge_a_conflict() {
     assert!(ops::vcs::vcs_line_hunks(&f.host, WINDOW, lib_path.clone()).await.unwrap().is_empty());
 
     // A branch changes the line its way.
-    ops::vcs::vcs_create_branch(&f.host, WINDOW, None, "feature".into(), None, true).await.unwrap();
+    ops::vcs::vcs_create_branch(&f.host, WINDOW, None, "feature".into(), None, true, None).await.unwrap();
     let theirs = "pub fn format_price(cents: u64) -> String { // feature";
     f.edit_line(lib, theirs).await;
     f.save(lib).await;
diff --git a/crates/ide-vcs/src/lib.rs b/crates/ide-vcs/src/lib.rs
index b2be6a05f..07dd0cd89 100644
--- a/crates/ide-vcs/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/ide-vcs/src/lib.rs
@@ -1087,8 +1087,19 @@ impl Repo {
     /// Creates branch `name` at `start` (default HEAD), optionally switching to it. A
     /// remote-tracking start point (`origin/x`) becomes the new branch's upstream.
     pub fn create_branch(&self, name: &str, start: Option<&str>, checkout: bool) -> IdeResult<()> {
+        self.create_branch_with_overwrite(name, start, checkout, false)
+    }
+
+    /// Creates a branch or moves its tip when overwrite is explicitly enabled.
+    pub fn create_branch_with_overwrite(
+        &self,
+        name: &str,
+        start: Option<&str>,
+        checkout: bool,
+        overwrite: bool,
+    ) -> IdeResult<()> {
         let _scope = crate::ExecutionScope::enter(self.execution_allowed.load(std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Acquire));
-        write::create_branch(self, name, start, checkout)
+        write::create_branch(self, name, start, checkout, overwrite)
     }
     /// Undo Commit: resets the current branch to the parent of `commit` (which must be
     /// HEAD and not a merge) keeping its changes staged; undoing the initial commit
diff --git a/crates/ide-vcs/src/write.rs b/crates/ide-vcs/src/write.rs
index 1e4549744..6262afe7c 100644
--- a/crates/ide-vcs/src/write.rs
+++ b/crates/ide-vcs/src/write.rs
@@ -641,7 +641,13 @@ fn stash_count(r: &Repo) -> IdeResult<usize> {
 }
 
 /// Creates `name` at `start` (default HEAD); a remote-tracking start point is tracked.
-pub(crate) fn create_branch(r: &Repo, name: &str, start: Option<&str>, checkout: bool) -> IdeResult<()> {
+pub(crate) fn create_branch(
+    r: &Repo,
+    name: &str,
+    start: Option<&str>,
+    checkout: bool,
+    overwrite: bool,
+) -> IdeResult<()> {
     let name = name.trim();
     let valid = !name.is_empty()
         && !name.starts_with('-')
@@ -658,7 +664,12 @@ pub(crate) fn create_branch(r: &Repo, name: &str, start: Option<&str>, checkout:
         let repo = r.gix()?;
         resolve(&repo, s)?;
     }
-    let mut args = if checkout { vec!["switch", "-c", name] } else { vec!["branch", "--", name] };
+    let mut args = match (checkout, overwrite) {
+        (true, false) => vec!["switch", "-c", name],
+        (true, true) => vec!["switch", "-C", name],
+        (false, false) => vec!["branch", "--", name],
+        (false, true) => vec!["branch", "--force", "--", name],
+    };
     args.extend(start);
     run(r.root(), &args, None).map(|_| ())
 }
diff --git a/crates/ide-vcs/tests/git_workflows.rs b/crates/ide-vcs/tests/git_workflows.rs
index 4103350ec..226de37f1 100644
--- a/crates/ide-vcs/tests/git_workflows.rs
+++ b/crates/ide-vcs/tests/git_workflows.rs
@@ -950,6 +950,36 @@ fn branch_create_checkout_merge_rebase_delete() {
     assert!(!repo.branches().unwrap().iter().any(|b| b.name == "unmerged"));
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn branch_overwrite_preserves_the_ref_if_checkout_fails() {
+    let fx = Fixture::new();
+    fx.write("a.txt", "base\n");
+    let base = fx.commit_all("base");
+    fx.write("a.txt", "main\n");
+    let tip = fx.commit_all("main");
+    let repo = fx.repo();
+    repo.create_branch("topic", None, false).unwrap();
+
+    repo.create_branch_with_overwrite("topic", Some(&base), false, true).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(fx.git(&["rev-parse", "topic"]), base);
+    assert_eq!(fx.git(&["rev-parse", "HEAD"]), tip);
+
+    repo.create_branch_with_overwrite("topic", Some(&tip), false, true).unwrap();
+    fx.write("a.txt", "dirty\n");
+    assert!(repo.create_branch_with_overwrite("topic", Some(&base), true, true).is_err());
+    assert_eq!(fx.git(&["rev-parse", "topic"]), tip);
+    assert_eq!(repo.branch_info().unwrap().head.as_deref(), Some("main"));
+    assert_eq!(fx.read("a.txt"), "dirty\n");
+
+    fx.write("a.txt", "main\n");
+    repo.create_branch_with_overwrite("topic", Some(&base), true, true).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(repo.branch_info().unwrap().head.as_deref(), Some("topic"));
+    assert_eq!(fx.git(&["rev-parse", "HEAD"]), base);
+
+    repo.create_branch_with_overwrite("topic", Some(&tip), true, true).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(fx.git(&["rev-parse", "HEAD"]), tip);
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn new_branch_from_remote_branch_tracks_it() {
     let (fx, _bare) = Fixture::with_origin();
diff --git a/e2e/gitLogBranchMenu.spec.ts b/e2e/gitLogBranchMenu.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a62e64a3f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/e2e/gitLogBranchMenu.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+import { expect, ipcCalls, stubDesktop, test } from "./fixtures";
+
+test("opens a commit's branch menu and acts in its linked repository", async ({ workbench: page }) => {
+  await stubDesktop(page);
+  await page.evaluate(async () => {
+    const primary = "/dev/acme-api";
+    const linked = "/dev/acme-web";
+    const tip = "1".repeat(40);
+    const h = window.__ipc.handlers;
+    h.vcs_roots = () =>
+      [
+        { root: primary, head: "main" },
+        { root: linked, head: "release" },
+      ].map((repo) => ({ ...repo, operation: null, headCommit: tip }));
+    h.vcs_branch_info = ({ repo }) => ({
+      head: repo === linked ? "release" : "main",
+      headCommit: tip,
+      upstream: null,
+      ahead: 0,
+      behind: 0,
+      operation: null,
+    });
+    h.vcs_branches = ({ repo }) =>
+      [repo === linked ? "origin/dev" : "origin/other"].map((name) => ({
+        name,
+        commit: tip,
+        remote: true,
+        current: false,
+        upstream: null,
+        ahead: 0,
+        behind: 0,
+        lastCommitMs: 0,
+      }));
+    h.vcs_log = ({ repo }) => {
+      const summary = repo === linked ? "Linked repository commit" : "Primary repository commit";
+      return [
+        {
+          id: tip,
+          shortId: tip.slice(0, 8),
+          parents: [],
+          refs: [repo === linked ? "origin/dev" : "origin/other"],
+          author: "A",
+          email: "a@example.com",
+          timeMs: 0,
+          summary,
+          message: summary,
+        },
+      ];
+    };
+    h.vcs_log_refs = () => ({});
+    h.vcs_log_details_batch = ({ revisions }) =>
+      (revisions as string[]).map(() => ({
+        message: "Linked repository commit",
+        containingBranches: [],
+        signature: "N",
+        signer: "",
+        key: "",
+        fingerprint: "",
+      }));
+    h.vcs_commit_files = () => [];
+    h.vcs_config_get = () => null;
+    h.vcs_tags = () => [];
+    h.vcs_status = () => [];
+    h.vcs_create_branch = () => null;
+    const vcsModule = "/src/features/vcs/store.ts";
+    const { useVcs, refreshNow } = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ vcsModule);
+    useVcs.setState({ available: true, root: primary, repo: primary });
+    await refreshNow();
+    const contextModule = "/src/platform/context.ts";
+    const { setContext } = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ contextModule);
+    setContext("vcsAvailable", true);
+    const actionsModule = "/src/platform/actions.ts";
+    const { executeAction } = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ actionsModule);
+    await executeAction("vcs.showLog");
+  });
+
+  await page.getByRole("option", { name: /Linked repository commit/ }).click({ button: "right" });
+  const menu = page.getByRole("menu", { name: "Context menu" });
+  await expect(menu.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Branch 'origin/other'" })).toHaveCount(0);
+  await menu.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Branch 'origin/dev'" }).hover();
+  await expect(page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "Pull into 'release' Using Rebase" })).toBeVisible();
+  const newBranch = page.getByRole("menuitem", { name: "New Branch from 'origin/dev'…" });
+  await newBranch.click();
+  const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Create New Branch from origin/dev" });
+  await dialog.getByRole("textbox", { name: "New branch name:" }).fill("test-branch");
+  await dialog.getByRole("button", { name: "Create", exact: true }).click();
+  await expect
+    .poll(() => ipcCalls(page, "vcs_create_branch"))
+    .toMatchObject([{ repo: "/dev/acme-web", name: "test-branch", start: "origin/dev", checkout: true }]);
+});
diff --git a/e2e/newBranch.spec.ts b/e2e/newBranch.spec.ts
index f07067393..acaf0e1f6 100644
--- a/e2e/newBranch.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/newBranch.spec.ts
@@ -7,30 +7,47 @@ import { expect, ipcCalls, stubDesktop, test } from "./fixtures";
 
 const ROOT = "/dev/acme-api";
 
-async function openNewBranchDialog(page: Page) {
+async function openNewBranchDialog(page: Page, from?: string) {
   await stubDesktop(page);
-  await page.evaluate(async (root) => {
-    const h = window.__ipc.handlers;
-    h.vcs_roots = () => [{ root, operation: null, head: "main", headCommit: "1111111" }];
-    h.vcs_branch_info = () => ({
-      head: "main",
-      headCommit: "1111111",
-      upstream: null,
-      ahead: 0,
-      behind: 0,
-      operation: null,
-    });
-    h.vcs_status = () => [];
-    h.vcs_create_branch = () => null;
-    const vcsModule = "/src/features/vcs/store.ts";
-    const { useVcs, refreshNow } = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ vcsModule);
-    useVcs.setState({ available: true, root, repo: root, branchesLoaded: false, stashesLoaded: false });
-    await refreshNow();
-    const actionsModule = "/src/platform/actions.ts";
-    const { executeAction } = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ actionsModule);
-    void executeAction("vcs.newBranch");
-  }, ROOT);
-  const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: "Create New Branch" });
+  await page.evaluate(
+    async ({ root, from }) => {
+      const h = window.__ipc.handlers;
+      h.vcs_roots = () => [{ root, operation: null, head: "main", headCommit: "1111111" }];
+      h.vcs_branch_info = () => ({
+        head: "main",
+        headCommit: "1111111",
+        upstream: null,
+        ahead: 0,
+        behind: 0,
+        operation: null,
+      });
+      h.vcs_status = () => [];
+      h.vcs_branches = () => [
+        {
+          name: "main",
+          current: true,
+          remote: false,
+          upstream: null,
+          ahead: 0,
+          behind: 0,
+          lastCommitMs: null,
+          commit: "1111111",
+        },
+      ];
+      h.vcs_create_branch = () => null;
+      const vcsModule = "/src/features/vcs/store.ts";
+      const { useVcs, refreshNow, loadBranches } = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ vcsModule);
+      useVcs.setState({ available: true, root, repo: root, branchesLoaded: false, stashesLoaded: false });
+      await refreshNow();
+      await loadBranches();
+      const actionsModule = "/src/platform/actions.ts";
+      const { executeAction } = await import(/* @vite-ignore */ actionsModule);
+      if (from) void executeAction("vcs.log.newBranch", { id: from, summary: "Selected commit", repo: root });
+      else void executeAction("vcs.newBranch");
+    },
+    { root: ROOT, from },
+  );
+  const dialog = page.getByRole("dialog", { name: from ? `Create New Branch from ${from}` : "Create New Branch" });
   const input = dialog.getByRole("textbox", { name: "New branch name:" });
   await expect(input).toBeVisible();
   return { dialog, input };
@@ -48,6 +65,29 @@ test("a typed space becomes a separator and Create stays enabled", async ({ work
   expect(call).toMatchObject({ name: "fix-login-redirect" });
 });
 
+test("overwrites a local branch only after explicitly opting in", async ({ workbench: page }) => {
+  const from = "2".repeat(40);
+  const { dialog, input } = await openNewBranchDialog(page, from);
+  await input.fill("main");
+  const create = dialog.getByRole("button", { name: "Create", exact: true });
+  await expect(create).toBeDisabled();
+  const overwrite = dialog.getByRole("checkbox", { name: "Overwrite existing branch" });
+  await expect(overwrite).toBeVisible();
+  await expect(overwrite).not.toBeChecked();
+  await overwrite.check();
+  await expect(create).toBeEnabled();
+  await input.fill("new-branch");
+  await expect(overwrite).toHaveCount(0);
+  await input.fill("main");
+  await expect(overwrite).not.toBeChecked();
+  await expect(create).toBeDisabled();
+  await overwrite.check();
+  await create.click();
+  await expect
+    .poll(() => ipcCalls(page, "vcs_create_branch"))
+    .toEqual([{ repo: ROOT, name: "main", start: from, checkout: true, overwrite: true }]);
+});
+
 test("a space typed in the middle keeps the caret after it", async ({ workbench: page }) => {
   const { input } = await openNewBranchDialog(page);
   await input.fill("ab");
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/commands/vcs.rs b/src-tauri/src/commands/vcs.rs
index 29cc34b92..cef9f7eb7 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/commands/vcs.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/commands/vcs.rs
@@ -268,8 +268,9 @@ pub async fn vcs_create_branch(
     name: String,
     start: Option<String>,
     checkout: bool,
+    overwrite: Option<bool>,
 ) -> IdeResult<()> {
-    ide_host::ops::vcs::vcs_create_branch(&state.host, window.label(), repo, name, start, checkout).await
+    ide_host::ops::vcs::vcs_create_branch(&state.host, window.label(), repo, name, start, checkout, overwrite).await
 }
 
 /// Undo Commit: moves HEAD back to the commit's parent, keeping its changes staged.
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/lib.rs b/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
index bee4317f9..b3810cfc9 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ mod logging;
 mod macos;
 mod menu;
 mod plugin_web;
+#[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
+mod relaunch;
 mod remote_dev;
 mod remote_wsl;
 
@@ -248,6 +250,9 @@ pub fn run() {
             }
             // Cleanup must finish before update/restart replaces this process.
             if app.try_state::<WindowsState>().is_some_and(|w| w.restart_requested()) {
+                #[cfg(target_os = "macos")]
+                relaunch::restart(&app.env());
+                #[cfg(not(target_os = "macos"))]
                 tauri::process::restart(&app.env());
             }
         }
diff --git a/src-tauri/src/relaunch.rs b/src-tauri/src/relaunch.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d7703e0bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src-tauri/src/relaunch.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+//! Restarting the app on macOS once this process has exited.
+//!
+//! `tauri::process::restart` launches the new instance while this one is still running.
+//! After an update has replaced the app bundle, the Dock then gives the new instance a
+//! tile of its own instead of the pinned one. A detached shell waits for this process
+//! to exit and only then opens the bundle.
+
+use std::ffi::OsString;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::process::{Command, Stdio};
+
+const WAIT_THEN_OPEN: &str = r#"pid=$1; opener=$2; app=$3; shift 3; while kill -0 "$pid" 2>/dev/null; do sleep 0.1; done; exec "$opener" -n "$app" --args "$@""#;
+
+/// Restarts the app; never returns.
+pub fn restart(env: &tauri::Env) -> ! {
+    if let Some(bundle) = tauri::process::current_binary(env).ok().and_then(|bin| app_bundle(&bin)) {
+        let args = env.args_os.iter().skip(1).cloned().collect::<Vec<_>>();
+        match wait_then_open(std::process::id(), Path::new("/usr/bin/open"), &bundle, &args).spawn() {
+            Ok(_) => std::process::exit(0),
+            Err(e) => tracing::error!("failed to schedule the restart: {e}"),
+        }
+    }
+    tauri::process::restart(env)
+}
+
+/// The `.app` bundle holding `binary`, when it sits at `<bundle>/Contents/MacOS/<name>`.
+fn app_bundle(binary: &Path) -> Option<PathBuf> {
+    let macos = binary.parent()?;
+    let contents = macos.parent()?;
+    if macos.file_name()? != "MacOS" || contents.file_name()? != "Contents" {
+        return None;
+    }
+    contents.parent().map(Path::to_path_buf)
+}
+
+fn wait_then_open(pid: u32, opener: &Path, bundle: &Path, args: &[OsString]) -> Command {
+    use std::os::unix::process::CommandExt;
+    let mut command = Command::new("/bin/sh");
+    command
+        .arg("-c")
+        .arg(WAIT_THEN_OPEN)
+        .arg("openidea-restart")
+        .arg(pid.to_string())
+        .arg(opener)
+        .arg(bundle)
+        .args(args)
+        .stdin(Stdio::null())
+        .stdout(Stdio::null())
+        .stderr(Stdio::null())
+        .process_group(0);
+    command
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
+
+    #[test]
+    fn finds_the_bundle_of_its_binary() {
+        assert_eq!(
+            app_bundle(Path::new("/Applications/OpenIDEA.app/Contents/MacOS/openidea")),
+            Some(PathBuf::from("/Applications/OpenIDEA.app"))
+        );
+        assert_eq!(app_bundle(Path::new("/repo/target/debug/openidea")), None);
+        assert_eq!(app_bundle(Path::new("/x/MacOS/openidea")), None);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn opens_the_bundle_only_after_the_process_exits() {
+        let dir = tempfile::tempdir().unwrap();
+        let log = dir.path().join("opened");
+        let opener = dir.path().join("opener");
+        std::fs::write(&opener, format!("#!/bin/sh\nprintf '%s|' \"$@\" > '{}'\n", log.display())).unwrap();
+        std::fs::set_permissions(&opener, std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt::from_mode(0o755)).unwrap();
+
+        let mut running = Command::new("/bin/sleep").arg("1").spawn().unwrap();
+        let pid = running.id();
+        let reaper = std::thread::spawn(move || running.wait());
+        let args = [OsString::from("--flag"), OsString::from("a b")];
+        let started = Instant::now();
+        wait_then_open(pid, &opener, Path::new("/Apps/X.app"), &args).status().unwrap();
+
+        assert!(started.elapsed() >= Duration::from_millis(700), "opened before the process exited");
+        assert!(reaper.join().unwrap().unwrap().success());
+        assert_eq!(std::fs::read_to_string(&log).unwrap(), "-n|/Apps/X.app|--args|--flag|a b|");
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/bindings.ts b/src/bindings.ts
index 6e0904ec4..5ff5d418f 100644
--- a/src/bindings.ts
+++ b/src/bindings.ts
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ export const commands = {
 	/**  "Restore" of the tag-deleted notification. */
 	vcsRestoreTag: (repo: string | null, deleted: DeletedTag) => typedError<null, IdeError>(__TAURI_INVOKE("vcs_restore_tag", { repo, deleted })),
 	/**  New Branch: creates `name` at `start` (HEAD when absent), optionally checking it out. */
-	vcsCreateBranch: (repo: string | null, name: string, start: string | null, checkout: boolean) => typedError<null, IdeError>(__TAURI_INVOKE("vcs_create_branch", { repo, name, start, checkout })),
+	vcsCreateBranch: (repo: string | null, name: string, start: string | null, checkout: boolean, overwrite: boolean | null) => typedError<null, IdeError>(__TAURI_INVOKE("vcs_create_branch", { repo, name, start, checkout, overwrite })),
 	/**
 	 *  Undo Commit: moves HEAD back to the commit's parent, keeping its changes staged.
 	 *  Returns the undone commit's message.
diff --git a/src/editor/lsp/spelling.test.ts b/src/editor/lsp/spelling.test.ts
index 62550c5de..9017b82ad 100644
--- a/src/editor/lsp/spelling.test.ts
+++ b/src/editor/lsp/spelling.test.ts
@@ -119,6 +119,27 @@ describe("Typo inspection", () => {
     expect(spellingIntentions(view)[0]!.label).toBe("Typo: Rename to…");
   });
 
+  it("in a read-only document saves to dictionaries but changes nothing in place", async () => {
+    vi.useFakeTimers();
+    useProject.setState({ project: { root: "/p" } as never, settings: {} as never });
+    const view = new EditorView({
+      state: EditorState.create({
+        doc: "// mesage here",
+        extensions: [
+          lspDoc.of({ doc: 7, path: "/p/a.rs", language: "rust", uiMode: null, readOnly: true }),
+          spellingExtension(),
+        ],
+      }),
+    });
+    views.push(view);
+    await settle();
+    expect(spellCheck).toHaveBeenCalled();
+    view.dispatch({ selection: { anchor: 5 } });
+    expect(spellingIntentions(view).map((i) => i.label)).toEqual(["Save 'mesage' to dictionary"]);
+    await spellingIntentions(view)[0]!.run();
+    expect(settingsSet).toHaveBeenCalledWith("project", "spelling.projectWords", JSON.stringify(["mesage"]));
+  });
+
   it("checks only what the Typo options include, and re-checks when they change", async () => {
     vi.useFakeTimers();
     const options = (o: Record<string, boolean>) =>
diff --git a/src/editor/lsp/spelling.ts b/src/editor/lsp/spelling.ts
index 1a10926cc..6220ee49b 100644
--- a/src/editor/lsp/spelling.ts
+++ b/src/editor/lsp/spelling.ts
@@ -134,11 +134,15 @@ async function changeTo(view: EditorView, typo: PlacedTypo) {
   });
 }
 
-/** Typo quick fixes at the caret (⌥↵), or none. */
+/**
+ * Typo quick fixes at the caret (⌥↵), or none. Dictionary saves write
+ * settings, so they are offered in read-only documents too (library sources,
+ * stubs); only the in-place correction needs a writable file.
+ */
 export function spellingIntentions(view: EditorView): ListPopupItem[] {
   const doc = docOf(view);
   const sel = view.state.selection.main;
-  if (!doc || doc.readOnly || !sel.empty || !spellingEnabled()) return [];
+  if (!doc || !sel.empty || !spellingEnabled()) return [];
   const typo = typoAt(view.state, sel.head);
   if (!typo) return [];
   const hasProject = !!useProject.getState().project;
@@ -162,15 +166,20 @@ export function spellingIntentions(view: EditorView): ListPopupItem[] {
     { kind: "separator" },
     ...intentionControls({ id: SPELLING_INSPECTION, name: "Typo" }),
   ];
+  const change: ListPopupItem[] = doc.readOnly
+    ? []
+    : [
+        {
+          id: "spelling.change",
+          label: typo.context === "code" ? "Typo: Rename to…" : "Typo: Change to…",
+          icon: "bulb-fix",
+          emphasis: true,
+          run: () => changeTo(view, typo),
+          submenu: saveSubmenu,
+        },
+      ];
   return [
-    {
-      id: "spelling.change",
-      label: typo.context === "code" ? "Typo: Rename to…" : "Typo: Change to…",
-      icon: "bulb-fix",
-      emphasis: true,
-      run: () => changeTo(view, typo),
-      submenu: saveSubmenu,
-    },
+    ...change,
     {
       id: "spelling.save",
       label: tx`Save '${typo.word}' to dictionary`,
diff --git a/src/features/vcs/GitLog.tsx b/src/features/vcs/GitLog.tsx
index 0a746dd69..06ae38ff3 100644
--- a/src/features/vcs/GitLog.tsx
+++ b/src/features/vcs/GitLog.tsx
@@ -1121,7 +1121,9 @@ export function commitMenu(c: Commit, selection: Commit[] = [c]): MenuItem[] {
       { label: "Browse Repository at Revision", run: () => browseRepositoryAt(c) },
     ];
   const many = selection.length > 1 && selection.some((x) => commitKey(x) === commitKey(c));
-  const head = (commitRepo(c) ? useVcs.getState().heads[commitRepo(c)!]?.head : useVcs.getState().branch?.head) ?? null;
+  const repo = commitRepo(c);
+  const vcs = useVcs.getState();
+  const head = (repo ? vcs.heads[repo]?.head : vcs.branch?.head) ?? null;
   const { outgoing } = useGitLog.getState();
   const pushed = (x: Commit) =>
     commitRepo(x) === undefined ? !!outgoing && !outgoing.has(x.id) : isPushed(commitKey(x));
@@ -1148,6 +1150,22 @@ export function commitMenu(c: Commit, selection: Commit[] = [c]): MenuItem[] {
     ((commitRepo(c) === undefined ? !!outgoing : useGitLog.getState().tracked.has(commitRepo(c) ?? ""))
       ? !!outgoing?.has(commitKey(c))
       : true);
+  const branches = ((c as RepoCommit).refBranches ?? []).filter((branch) => !branch.current);
+  const branchActions: MenuItem[] = branches.map((branch) => {
+    const menu = branchMenu(branch, head);
+    return {
+      label: tx`Branch '${branch.name}'`,
+      submenu: repo ? inRepo(repo, menu) : menu,
+    };
+  });
+  if (!branchActions.length)
+    branchActions.push({
+      kind: "action",
+      action: "vcs.log.rebaseOntoCommit",
+      arg: c,
+      label: tx`Rebase '${head ?? "HEAD"}' onto Selected Commit`,
+      disabled: !head,
+    });
   return [
     { kind: "action", action: "vcs.log.copyRevision", arg: c },
     {
@@ -1173,13 +1191,7 @@ export function commitMenu(c: Commit, selection: Commit[] = [c]): MenuItem[] {
     { kind: "action", action: "vcs.log.interactiveRebase", arg: c, disabled: pushedCommit },
     { kind: "action", action: "vcs.log.pushUpToHere", arg: c, disabled: !canPushHere },
     { kind: "separator" },
-    {
-      kind: "action",
-      action: "vcs.log.rebaseOntoCommit",
-      arg: c,
-      label: tx`Rebase '${head ?? "HEAD"}' onto Selected Commit`,
-      disabled: !head,
-    },
+    ...(branchActions.length > 2 ? [{ label: "Branches", submenu: branchActions }] : branchActions),
     { kind: "action", action: "vcs.log.newBranch", arg: c },
     { kind: "action", action: "vcs.log.newTag", arg: c },
     { kind: "separator" },
diff --git a/src/features/vcs/branchMenu.ts b/src/features/vcs/branchMenu.ts
index 2facfcde1..1805f6440 100644
--- a/src/features/vcs/branchMenu.ts
+++ b/src/features/vcs/branchMenu.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import { showCompareBranches } from "./CompareBranches";
 import { showDiffWithWorkingTree } from "./operations";
 import type { CommonBranch } from "./repoBranches";
 import { runRemote, saveAll } from "./ops";
-import { focusRepo, useVcs } from "./store";
+import { currentRepo, focusRepo, useVcs } from "./store";
 import { tx } from "@/platform/i18n";
 
 /** `git pull <remote> <branch>` into the current branch (`origin/feat/x` → origin, feat/x). */
@@ -173,6 +173,10 @@ export function commonBranchMenu(b: CommonBranch, roots: readonly string[], done
 
 /** `items` acting on repository `root`: it is selected (with its branches loaded) before each entry runs. */
 export function inRepo(root: string, items: MenuItem[]): MenuItem[] {
+  const runInRepo = (run: () => unknown) => () =>
+    void focusRepo(root).then(() => {
+      if (currentRepo() === root) return run();
+    });
   return items.map((item): MenuItem => {
     if (item.kind === "separator" || item.kind === "header") return item;
     if (item.kind === "action")
@@ -180,12 +184,12 @@ export function inRepo(root: string, items: MenuItem[]): MenuItem[] {
         label: item.label ?? item.action,
         icon: item.icon,
         disabled: item.disabled,
-        run: () => void focusRepo(root).then(() => executeAction(item.action, item.arg)),
+        run: runInRepo(() => executeAction(item.action, item.arg)),
       };
     const run = item.run;
     return {
       ...item,
-      run: run && (() => void focusRepo(root).then(run)),
+      run: run && runInRepo(run),
       submenu: item.submenu && inRepo(root, item.submenu),
     };
   });
diff --git a/src/features/vcs/branchOps.ts b/src/features/vcs/branchOps.ts
index d2f6c0dfa..16a5693ac 100644
--- a/src/features/vcs/branchOps.ts
+++ b/src/features/vcs/branchOps.ts
@@ -35,15 +35,18 @@ function rememberBranch(name: string | null | undefined) {
 }
 
 /** Valid-enough git ref name check (mirrors `git check-ref-format` basics). */
-export function validateBranchName(name: string): string | null {
+export function validateBranchName(
+  name: string,
+  overwrite = false,
+  branches: readonly Branch[] = useVcs.getState().branches,
+): string | null {
   const n = name.trim();
   if (!n) return "Branch name must not be empty";
   if (/[\s~^:?*[\\\p{Cc}]/u.test(n)) return "Branch name contains invalid characters";
   if (n.startsWith("-") || n.startsWith("/") || n.endsWith("/") || n.endsWith(".") || n.endsWith(".lock"))
     return "Invalid branch name";
   if (n.includes("..") || n.includes("//") || n.includes("@{") || n === "@") return "Invalid branch name";
-  const exists = useVcs.getState().branches.some((b) => !b.remote && b.name === n);
-  if (exists) return `Branch '${n}' already exists`;
+  if (!overwrite && branches.some((b) => !b.remote && b.name === n)) return tx`Branch '${n}' already exists`;
   return null;
 }
 
@@ -154,16 +157,18 @@ export async function checkoutBranch(name: string) {
 }
 
 /** New Branch: creates a branch from HEAD (or `from`) and, by default, checks it out. */
-export async function newBranch(from?: string) {
-  const repo = currentRepo();
+export async function newBranch(from?: string, repo = currentRepo()) {
+  const state = useVcs.getState();
+  const selected = repo === state.repo;
+  const previous = selected ? state.branch?.head : repo ? state.heads[repo]?.head : null;
+  const branches =
+    selected && state.branchesLoaded
+      ? state.branches
+      : await call(commands.vcsBranches(repo)).catch(() => (selected ? state.branches : []));
   // IDEA opens the dialog with a suggestion instead of an empty field: a
   // remote's name without the prefix, the source ref as `-copy`, or the
   // current branch for a plain New Branch from HEAD.
-  const suggestion = from
-    ? from.includes("/")
-      ? shortRemoteName(from)
-      : `${from}-copy`
-    : (useVcs.getState().branch?.head ?? "");
+  const suggestion = from ? (from.includes("/") ? shortRemoteName(from) : `${from}-copy`) : (previous ?? "");
   const r = await promptText({
     title: from ? tx`Create New Branch from ${from}` : "Create New Branch",
     label: "New branch name:",
@@ -172,15 +177,15 @@ export async function newBranch(from?: string) {
     mono: true,
     okLabel: "Create",
     sanitize: cleanUpBranchNameOnTyping,
-    validate: validateBranchName,
+    validate: (name, overwrite) => validateBranchName(name, overwrite, branches),
+    overwriteBranch: (name) => branches.some((b) => !b.remote && b.name === name.trim()),
     validateInitial: true,
     checkbox: { label: "Checkout branch", initial: true },
   });
   if (!r) return;
   const checkout = r.checked;
-  const previous = useVcs.getState().branch?.head;
   if (checkout) await saveAll();
-  const create = () => call(commands.vcsCreateBranch(repo, r.value, from ?? null, checkout));
+  const create = () => call(commands.vcsCreateBranch(repo, r.value, from ?? null, checkout, r.overwrite ?? false));
   const ok = await runOp(tx`Create branch ${r.value}`, create, {
     success: checkout ? `Created and checked out ${r.value}` : `Created branch ${r.value}`,
   });
@@ -525,9 +530,13 @@ export async function newBranchInRepos(roots: readonly string[], from?: string)
   await eachRepo(
     roots,
     (root) =>
-      runOp(tx`Create branch ${name}`, () => call(commands.vcsCreateBranch(root, name, from ?? null, r.checked)), {
-        refresh: false,
-      }).then((done) => (done === undefined ? undefined : true)),
+      runOp(
+        tx`Create branch ${name}`,
+        () => call(commands.vcsCreateBranch(root, name, from ?? null, r.checked, false)),
+        {
+          refresh: false,
+        },
+      ).then((done) => (done === undefined ? undefined : true)),
     r.checked ? `Created and checked out ${name}` : `Created branch ${name}`,
     {
       undo: tx`delete branch ${name}`,
diff --git a/src/features/vcs/dialogs.tsx b/src/features/vcs/dialogs.tsx
index 82bfefd18..b2089679f 100644
--- a/src/features/vcs/dialogs.tsx
+++ b/src/features/vcs/dialogs.tsx
@@ -42,18 +42,20 @@ export interface PromptOptions {
   okLabel?: string;
   mono?: boolean;
   /** Returns an error message, or null when valid. */
-  validate?: (value: string) => string | null;
+  validate?: (value: string, overwrite: boolean) => string | null;
   /** Rewrites the field as the user types or pastes (e.g. spaces in a branch name). */
   sanitize?: (value: string) => string;
   /** Show the prefilled value's problem (e.g. the branch exists) before it is edited. */
   validateInitial?: boolean;
   /** Optional checkbox below the field. */
   checkbox?: { label: string; initial: boolean };
+  overwriteBranch?: (value: string) => boolean;
 }
 
 export interface PromptResult {
   value: string;
   checked: boolean;
+  overwrite?: boolean;
 }
 
 export function promptText(opts: PromptOptions): Promise<PromptResult | null> {
@@ -75,11 +77,13 @@ function PromptDialog(props: PromptOptions & { onDone: (r: PromptResult | null)
   const { ref, clean } = useSanitizedField(sanitize);
   const [value, setValue] = useState(initial);
   const [checked, setChecked] = useState(checkbox?.initial ?? false);
+  const [overwrite, setOverwrite] = useState(false);
   const [touched, setTouched] = useState(!!props.validateInitial && initial !== "");
-  const error = validate ? validate(value) : value.trim() ? null : "Value must not be empty";
+  const canOverwrite = props.overwriteBranch?.(value) ?? false;
+  const error = validate ? validate(value, canOverwrite && overwrite) : value.trim() ? null : "Value must not be empty";
   const submit = () => {
     setTouched(true);
-    if (!error) onDone({ value: value.trim(), checked });
+    if (!error) onDone({ value: value.trim(), checked, ...(canOverwrite ? { overwrite } : {}) });
   };
   return (
     <Dialog
@@ -114,11 +118,14 @@ function PromptDialog(props: PromptOptions & { onDone: (r: PromptResult | null)
           invalid={touched && !!error}
           onChange={(e) => {
             setTouched(true);
-            setValue(clean(e));
+            const next = clean(e);
+            if (next.trim() !== value.trim()) setOverwrite(false);
+            setValue(next);
           }}
         />
         {touched && error && value && <div className={styles.error}>{error}</div>}
         {checkbox && <Checkbox checked={checked} onChange={setChecked} label={checkbox.label} />}
+        {canOverwrite && <Checkbox checked={overwrite} onChange={setOverwrite} label="Overwrite existing branch" />}
       </form>
     </Dialog>
   );
diff --git a/src/features/vcs/historyActions.tsx b/src/features/vcs/historyActions.tsx
index 4becc6a35..96091d9ad 100644
--- a/src/features/vcs/historyActions.tsx
+++ b/src/features/vcs/historyActions.tsx
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ export function registerHistoryActions(): () => void {
       category: "Git Log",
       icon: "branch",
       when: VCS,
-      run: withCommit((c) => newBranch(c.id)),
+      run: withCommit((c) => newBranch(c.id, commitRepo(c) ?? currentRepo())),
     },
     {
       id: "vcs.log.newTag",
diff --git a/src/features/vcs/logStore.ts b/src/features/vcs/logStore.ts
index de7015e2e..071d26363 100644
--- a/src/features/vcs/logStore.ts
+++ b/src/features/vcs/logStore.ts
@@ -973,13 +973,23 @@ function loadPage(replace: boolean, id: string, before = false): Promise<void> {
               } else page = await fetchPage(null);
             } else page = await fetchPage(null);
           }
+          const repoBranches = repo ? (refs[repo] ?? []) : [];
+          const remoteNames = repo ? repoBranches.filter((b) => b.remote).map((b) => b.name) : undefined;
+          const branchesByTip = new Map<string, Branch[]>();
+          for (const branch of repoBranches) {
+            if (!branch.commit) continue;
+            const atTip = branchesByTip.get(branch.commit);
+            if (atTip) atTip.push(branch);
+            else branchesByTip.set(branch.commit, [branch]);
+          }
           return page.map((c) => ({
             ...c,
             repo,
             user,
             userName,
             readOnly: tab?.readOnly === true,
-            remoteNames: repo ? refs[repo]?.filter((b) => b.remote).map((b) => b.name) : undefined,
+            remoteNames,
+            refBranches: branchesByTip.get(c.id)?.filter((branch) => c.refs.includes(branch.name)),
           }));
         }),
       );
diff --git a/src/features/vcs/multiRoot.ts b/src/features/vcs/multiRoot.ts
index 6ce6faae3..1753c5d58 100644
--- a/src/features/vcs/multiRoot.ts
+++ b/src/features/vcs/multiRoot.ts
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ export type RepoCommit = Commit & {
   user?: string | null;
   userName?: string | null;
   remoteNames?: string[];
+  refBranches?: Branch[];
   readOnly?: boolean;
 };
 export const commitRepo = (c: Commit | undefined): string | null | undefined => (c as RepoCommit | undefined)?.repo;
diff --git a/src/platform/locales/text/en.json b/src/platform/locales/text/en.json
index 1bce8ccc2..4d3ee08db 100644
--- a/src/platform/locales/text/en.json
+++ b/src/platform/locales/text/en.json
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 {
+  "Overwrite existing branch": "Overwrite existing branch",
+  "Branch '{n}' already exists": "Branch '{n}' already exists",
   "Cannot copy reference": "Cannot copy reference",
   "Decompiled assembly (read-only).": "Decompiled assembly (read-only).",
   "Connect through:": "Connect through:",
@@ -62,5 +64,6 @@
   "Regenerate Response": "Regenerate Response",
   "Branch Conversation from Here": "Branch Conversation from Here",
   "Couldn't regenerate the response": "Couldn't regenerate the response",
-  "Reasoning": "Reasoning"
+  "Reasoning": "Reasoning",
+  "Branch '{name}'": "Branch '{name}'"
 }
diff --git a/src/platform/locales/text/zh.json b/src/platform/locales/text/zh.json
index 185ec7972..935bb2d21 100644
--- a/src/platform/locales/text/zh.json
+++ b/src/platform/locales/text/zh.json
@@ -448,6 +448,8 @@
   "Checkout Tag or Revision": "签出标签或修订",
   "Checkout Tag or Revision…": "签出标签或修订…",
   "Checkout branch": "签出分支",
+  "Overwrite existing branch": "覆盖现有分支",
+  "Branch '{n}' already exists": "分支 '{n}' 已存在",
   "Checks out the selected pull request, a number given as argument, or asks for one.": "签出所选拉取请求或参数指定编号的拉取请求，否则询问编号。",
   "Cherry-Pick": "拣选",
   "Children": "子项",
@@ -4267,6 +4269,7 @@
   "Branch {name}": "分支 {name}",
   "Tag {name}": "标签 {name}",
   "Branch {branch} of {repository}": "{repository} 的分支 {branch}",
+  "Branch '{name}'": "分支 '{name}'",
   "Branches of {root}": "{root} 的分支",
   "Include {name} in commit": "在提交中包含 {name}",
   "Compare {current} with {branch}": "比较 {current} 与 {branch}",