## Module 1: Branching Through the Lens of Manus

Before you start, take a quick look at the product materials of [Manus](https://manus.im/) with the following mental model:

- Treat the database as the agent's **external workspace** (queryable, verifiable, reusable).
- Treat branching as the workspace's **parallel exploration mechanism** (comparable, reversible, traceable).

This is the core idea we emphasize in this lab:

- Use the database as the agent's **workspace**.
- Use Branching as the workspace's **fork key**: it allows parallel attempts on the same baseline, avoids cross-contamination, and enables clear comparison and rollback.

Next, you will see how this workflow is implemented with TiDB Cloud Branching: first, create a branch manually in the console to internalize the concept; then, in a notebook, let the agent create/manage branches to complete an evolving Todo app schema storyline.