# Version Control for Screenwriters > How named save points, draft lines, and semantic changes replace the folder of \_FINAL\_v4 files — without Git jargon. How named save points, draft lines, and semantic changes replace the folder of \_FINAL\_v4 files — without Git jargon. ## Why do screenwriters need version control? Autosave only stores the latest state. Writing is a sequence of decisions — table reads, studio notes, alternate endings — and flattening those into one moving file loses the version where Act 2 still worked. Version control names moments so you can compare alternate versions and restore earlier work without duplicate filenames. Inkwell translates that workflow into writer-facing actions: name a save point, explore on a draft line, and Incorporate it once it works. ## What is a save point in Inkwell? A save point is a named snapshot that never changes after you create it — Table read draft, Before network notes. Unlike autosave, returning to that moment is one click, not archaeology in a folder of \_FINAL files. ## What are draft lines? Draft lines are parallel versions of the same screenplay — Inkwell's name for branches. Explore an alternate ending on a draft line without touching Main, then review the whole draft before explicitly incorporating it back. ## How does semantic change tracking work? Because Plot stores screenplays as structured data, Inkwell diffs at the scene and dialogue level — this line rewritten, that scene moved — not character-by-character noise. Comparison is readable in a table read, not a wall of redlines. ## From screenplay problem to version workflow Start with the problem in front of you, then choose the version workflow that keeps the draft and its history intact. | What happened | Inkwell workflow | Result | | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | I deleted a scene after notes and need the earlier version back. | Return to the named save point from before the notes pass.[Use save points](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/first-save-point) | Restore a known moment without guessing which autosave or \_FINAL file contains it. | | I need to compare two screenplay versions after a rewrite. | Compare the drafts by scene, dialogue, character footprint, and production impact.[Compare two drafts](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-diff) | See what changed without reading both scripts side by side or scanning raw redlines. | | I want to try an alternate ending without damaging the current draft. | Open a draft line for the whole-script alternate, or a take for one scene.[Learn draft lines](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/draft-line) | Keep both versions attached to the same screenplay and choose after the read. | | Co-writers keep overwriting pages or merging notes by copy and paste. | Work in one shared structured draft, name the read, and review semantic changes together.[Set up collaboration](https://www.inkwell.software/resources/guides/collaboration) | Presence, comments, and version history stay attached to the pages under discussion. | ## Common questions ### Is version control only for developers? The instinct is universal — writers already invent manual version control with filenames. Inkwell makes naming moments as light as hitting save, with readable changes and alternate draft lines built for screenplays. ### Can I use save points in a writers' room? Yes. Name a save point after every table read and explore alternate takes on draft lines. Collaborators see presence and comments on the same script. ### Does Inkwell replace Final Draft for versioning? Inkwell adds named history and parallel draft lines Final Draft does not offer natively. You can still round-trip FDX when production requires it. ## Put it into practice Try it free in your browser first, then open Plot when you want the work in a project you keep. [Compare two screenplay drafts](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-diff) [Open Plot free](https://app.inkwell.software/signup) ## Related reading - [Save Point](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/save-point) [A named, unchanging snapshot of your draft at a moment you choose — “Table re...](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/save-point) - [Draft Line](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/draft-line) [A parallel version of the same document — explore an alternate ending or rebu...](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/draft-line) - [Semantic Changes](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/semantic-changes) [Differences between two versions shown at story structure level — this dialog...](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/semantic-changes) - [Incorporate](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/incorporate) [Bring a winning draft line's changes onto the line you keep. Preview them on ...](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/incorporate) [Compare two screenplay drafts](https://www.inkwell.software/tools/screenplay-diff) [Start a screenplay in Plot](https://app.inkwell.software/signup) --- Canonical page: