From zero to your first commit
USourceControl is cloud version control for Unreal Engine 5 teams. This is a step-by-step walkthrough, with interactive demos built from our real app components, that takes you from sign-up to your first commit. Start at step 1 below.
Create your project on the web
Get set up
Sign up with your email, no card required. Your account starts free, so you can create a project and start committing right away.
Create an organization
Organizations are where your team and projects live. You'll be the owner with full control.
Add a project
Create your first project inside the organization. Give it a name and optional description.
This is what your dashboard looks like after creating a project
My Studio
1 project
MyGame
Our main project. A multiplayer action game built with UE5.
Created Apr 16, 2026
Generate a project key
Open your project and find the Quick Setuppanel on the right. Generate a project key. This is what the desktop app uses to authenticate. Copy it somewhere safe, it's only shown once.
Keep your key safe
Project keys are shown only once when created. If you lose it, you can always generate a new one and revoke the old one from project settings.
MyGame
Files
19 filesQuick Setup
Server URL
https://usourcecontrol.comProject Key
usc_k8x2...Main workstationRecent commits
Updated hero animations
New main menu layout
Connect the desktop app
Download the desktop app, paste your project key, and select your local project folder. The app validates your key and connects to your project automatically.
The login screen where you paste your project key
USourceControlv1.0.0Connect to a project
Enter your project key from the web dashboard
After connecting, select your project folder to link it
USourceControlv1.0.0Connected to
MyGame
My Studio
Use a different key
Start collaborating
The desktop app scans your project folder, tracks changes, and lets you commit and sync with your team. The left panel shows your team's commits; the right panel shows your local changes.
Commit changes
Select files, write a message, and push. Your team can pull immediately.
Pull updates
Download the latest versions from the cloud. Only changed files are transferred.
View history
Click any file to see every version. Restore previous versions with one click.
The main project view. Commits on the left, local changes on the right
USourceControlv1.0.03 files to pull
2 outdated, 1 conflict
History
Updated hero animations
New main menu layout
Fixed lighting on MainLevel
Added explosion particle FX
Enemy character animations v2
Audio: gunshot SFX update
Browse and manage project files
The web dashboard gives you a full view of every file in your project. Navigate folders, check version numbers, and track what your team has been working on.
Folder navigation
Click any folder to navigate into it. Use breadcrumbs or the back button to go up.
Version tracking
Each file shows its current version number. Every change creates a new version.
File counts
Folders show the total number of files they contain, including subfolders.
MyGame
Files
19 filesQuick Setup
Server URL
https://usourcecontrol.comProject Key
usc_k8x2...Main workstationRecent commits
Updated hero animations
New main menu layout
Fixed lighting on MainLevel
Manage your team and roles
Control who has access to your organization and projects. Assign roles to define what each team member can do.
Owner
Full control. Manages billing, deletes projects, transfers ownership.
Admin
Creates projects, invites members, manages keys. No billing access.
Member
Accesses assigned projects. Commits, syncs, browses files.
Organization Settings
General
Organization
Team
Members (4)
Admins can see all projects and manage members. Members can only see projects they are added to.
Sarah Chen
Yousarah@studio.com
Marcus Johnson
marcus@studio.com
Yuki Tanaka
yuki@studio.com
alex@studio.com
Beyond your first commit
The four steps above are the whole daily loop. These are the features you'll reach for once your team is on it.
File locking
Reserve a binary asset before you edit it. Teammates see who holds it, and the server rejects anyone else's commit to that file. Committing releases your lock automatically.
Branches
Fork from main, commit on the branch, and merge back, choosing which version wins on any file both sides touched. Useful for engine upgrades and release freezes.
Demos
Build a playable demo from your game without copying it. Pick the maps it ships and it contains exactly what they need, keeps every improvement you make to the main game, and never sends its own changes back. Unlimited on every plan, Free included.
Shared plugins
Promote a folder to a plugin and mount it into your other projects, so a shared rig or material library lives in one place. Included on every paid plan.
Package and publish
Package your project from the desktop app with your own Unreal install, then upload it to Steam, the Epic Games Store, or itch.io. Credentials stay encrypted on your machine. On every plan, Free included.
Forge builds
Install the Forge runner on a spare machine and it packages your project on commit, then publishes a downloadable build. On every plan, Free included.
Webhooks
Push commit, merge, membership, and plugin events to your own endpoints so CI and Discord react without polling.
Audit log
Every commit, upload, download, restore, and membership change with the member and timestamp behind it. Available on Studio and above.
Building a custom integration?
The REST API powers the desktop app and supports custom integrations. Authenticate with project keys and access file sync, commits, uploads, and more.