diff --git a/.github/workflows/push.yaml b/.github/workflows/push.yaml
index 5b7a466b0..0286e84c5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/push.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/push.yaml
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ jobs:
       gitbutler-git: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.gitbutler-git }}
       gitbutler-cli: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.gitbutler-cli }}
       gitbutler-watcher: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.gitbutler-watcher }}
+      gitbutler-branch: ${{ steps.filter.outputs.gitbutler-branch }}
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
       - uses: dorny/paths-filter@v3
@@ -55,6 +56,9 @@ jobs:
             gitbutler-watcher:
               - *rust
               - 'crates/gitbutler-watcher/**'
+            gitbutler-branch:
+              - *rust
+              - 'crates/gitbutler-branch/**'
 
   lint-node:
     needs: changes
@@ -182,6 +186,30 @@ jobs:
           features: ${{ toJson(matrix.features) }}
           action: ${{ matrix.action }}
 
+  check-gitbutler-branch:
+    needs: changes
+    if: ${{ needs.changes.outputs.gitbutler-branch == 'true' }}
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    container:
+      image: ghcr.io/gitbutlerapp/ci-base-image:latest
+    strategy:
+      matrix:
+        action:
+          - test
+          - check
+        features:
+          - ''
+          - '*'
+          - []
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: ./.github/actions/init-env-rust
+      - uses: ./.github/actions/check-crate
+        with:
+          crate: gitbutler-branch
+          features: ${{ toJson(matrix.features) }}
+          action: ${{ matrix.action }}
+
   check-gitbutler-cli:
     needs: changes
     if: ${{ needs.changes.outputs.gitbutler-cli == 'true' }}
@@ -238,6 +266,7 @@ jobs:
       - changes
       - check-gitbutler-tauri
       - check-gitbutler-core
+      - check-gitbutler-branch
       - check-gitbutler-git
       - check-gitbutler-cli
       - check-gitbutler-watcher
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index a9a9b6685..ee2029742 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2102,6 +2102,25 @@ dependencies = [
  "thiserror",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "gitbutler-branch"
+version = "0.0.0"
+dependencies = [
+ "anyhow",
+ "git2",
+ "gitbutler-core",
+ "gitbutler-git",
+ "gitbutler-testsupport",
+ "glob",
+ "itertools 0.13.0",
+ "once_cell",
+ "pretty_assertions",
+ "serial_test",
+ "tempfile",
+ "tokio",
+ "tracing",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "gitbutler-cli"
 version = "0.0.0"
@@ -2209,6 +2228,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "dirs 5.0.1",
  "futures",
  "git2",
+ "gitbutler-branch",
  "gitbutler-core",
  "gitbutler-testsupport",
  "gitbutler-watcher",
@@ -2256,6 +2276,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "backoff",
  "futures",
+ "gitbutler-branch",
  "gitbutler-core",
  "gitbutler-notify-debouncer",
  "gix",
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 001ffb302..6b12a9dae 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ members = [
     "crates/gitbutler-watcher",
     "crates/gitbutler-watcher/vendor/debouncer",
     "crates/gitbutler-testsupport",
-    "crates/gitbutler-cli",
+    "crates/gitbutler-cli", 
+    "crates/gitbutler-branch",
 ]
 resolver = "2"
 
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ gitbutler-core = { path = "crates/gitbutler-core" }
 gitbutler-watcher = { path = "crates/gitbutler-watcher" }
 gitbutler-testsupport = { path = "crates/gitbutler-testsupport" }
 gitbutler-cli ={ path = "crates/gitbutler-cli" }
+gitbutler-branch = { path = "crates/gitbutler-branch" }
 
 [profile.release]
 codegen-units = 1 # Compile crates one after another so the compiler can optimize better
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-branch/Cargo.toml b/crates/gitbutler-branch/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e7b6ad92b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+[package]
+name = "gitbutler-branch"
+version = "0.0.0"
+edition = "2021"
+authors = ["GitButler <gitbutler@gitbutler.com>"]
+publish = false
+
+[dependencies]
+tracing = "0.1.40"
+anyhow = "1.0.86"
+git2.workspace = true
+tokio.workspace = true
+gitbutler-core.workspace = true
+
+[[test]]
+name="branches"
+path = "tests/virtual_branches/mod.rs"
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+once_cell = "1.19"
+pretty_assertions = "1.4"
+gitbutler-testsupport.workspace = true
+gitbutler-git = { workspace = true, features = ["test-askpass-path"] }
+glob = "0.3.1"
+serial_test = "3.1.1"
+tempfile = "3.10"
+itertools = "0.13"
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/controller.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/src/controller.rs
similarity index 81%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/controller.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/src/controller.rs
index 1325c30b1..24dd5124b 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/controller.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/src/controller.rs
@@ -1,20 +1,22 @@
-use crate::{
+use anyhow::Result;
+use gitbutler_core::{
     git::{credentials::Helper, BranchExt},
     ops::entry::{OperationKind, SnapshotDetails},
     project_repository::Repository,
     projects::FetchResult,
     types::ReferenceName,
 };
-use anyhow::Result;
 use std::{path::Path, sync::Arc};
 
 use tokio::sync::Semaphore;
 
-use super::{
+use gitbutler_core::virtual_branches;
+
+use gitbutler_core::virtual_branches::{
     branch::{BranchId, BranchOwnershipClaims},
     target, BaseBranch, NameConflitResolution, RemoteBranchFile, VirtualBranchesHandle,
 };
-use crate::{
+use gitbutler_core::{
     git,
     projects::{self, Project},
 };
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@ impl Controller {
         self.permit(project.ignore_project_semaphore).await;
         let project_repository = open_with_verify(project)?;
         let snapshot_tree = project_repository.project().prepare_snapshot();
-        let result = super::commit(
+        let result = virtual_branches::commit(
             &project_repository,
             branch_id,
             message,
@@ -69,28 +71,32 @@ impl Controller {
         branch_name: &git::RemoteRefname,
     ) -> Result<bool> {
         let project_repository = Repository::open(project)?;
-        super::is_remote_branch_mergeable(&project_repository, branch_name).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::is_remote_branch_mergeable(&project_repository, branch_name)
+            .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn list_virtual_branches(
         &self,
         project: &Project,
-    ) -> Result<(Vec<super::VirtualBranch>, Vec<git::diff::FileDiff>)> {
+    ) -> Result<(
+        Vec<virtual_branches::VirtualBranch>,
+        Vec<git::diff::FileDiff>,
+    )> {
         self.permit(project.ignore_project_semaphore).await;
 
         let project_repository = open_with_verify(project)?;
-        super::list_virtual_branches(&project_repository).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::list_virtual_branches(&project_repository).map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn create_virtual_branch(
         &self,
         project: &Project,
-        create: &super::branch::BranchCreateRequest,
+        create: &virtual_branches::branch::BranchCreateRequest,
     ) -> Result<BranchId> {
         self.permit(project.ignore_project_semaphore).await;
 
         let project_repository = open_with_verify(project)?;
-        let branch_id = super::create_virtual_branch(&project_repository, create)?.id;
+        let branch_id = virtual_branches::create_virtual_branch(&project_repository, create)?.id;
         Ok(branch_id)
     }
 
@@ -102,12 +108,13 @@ impl Controller {
         self.permit(project.ignore_project_semaphore).await;
 
         let project_repository = open_with_verify(project)?;
-        super::create_virtual_branch_from_branch(&project_repository, branch).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::create_virtual_branch_from_branch(&project_repository, branch)
+            .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn get_base_branch_data(&self, project: &Project) -> Result<BaseBranch> {
         let project_repository = Repository::open(project)?;
-        super::get_base_branch_data(&project_repository)
+        virtual_branches::get_base_branch_data(&project_repository)
     }
 
     pub async fn list_remote_commit_files(
@@ -116,7 +123,8 @@ impl Controller {
         commit_oid: git2::Oid,
     ) -> Result<Vec<RemoteBranchFile>> {
         let project_repository = Repository::open(project)?;
-        super::list_remote_commit_files(project_repository.repo(), commit_oid).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::list_remote_commit_files(project_repository.repo(), commit_oid)
+            .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn set_base_branch(
@@ -128,12 +136,12 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::SetBaseBranch));
-        super::set_base_branch(&project_repository, target_branch)
+        virtual_branches::set_base_branch(&project_repository, target_branch)
     }
 
     pub async fn set_target_push_remote(&self, project: &Project, push_remote: &str) -> Result<()> {
         let project_repository = Repository::open(project)?;
-        super::set_target_push_remote(&project_repository, push_remote)
+        virtual_branches::set_target_push_remote(&project_repository, push_remote)
     }
 
     pub async fn integrate_upstream_commits(
@@ -147,7 +155,8 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::MergeUpstream));
-        super::integrate_upstream_commits(&project_repository, branch_id).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::integrate_upstream_commits(&project_repository, branch_id)
+            .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn update_base_branch(&self, project: &Project) -> Result<Vec<ReferenceName>> {
@@ -157,7 +166,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::UpdateWorkspaceBase));
-        super::update_base_branch(&project_repository)
+        virtual_branches::update_base_branch(&project_repository)
             .map(|unapplied_branches| {
                 unapplied_branches
                     .iter()
@@ -170,7 +179,7 @@ impl Controller {
     pub async fn update_virtual_branch(
         &self,
         project: &Project,
-        branch_update: super::branch::BranchUpdateRequest,
+        branch_update: virtual_branches::branch::BranchUpdateRequest,
     ) -> Result<()> {
         self.permit(project.ignore_project_semaphore).await;
 
@@ -180,7 +189,7 @@ impl Controller {
             .project()
             .virtual_branches()
             .get_branch(branch_update.id)?;
-        let result = super::update_branch(&project_repository, &branch_update);
+        let result = virtual_branches::update_branch(&project_repository, &branch_update);
         let _ = snapshot_tree.and_then(|snapshot_tree| {
             project_repository.project().snapshot_branch_update(
                 snapshot_tree,
@@ -200,7 +209,7 @@ impl Controller {
         self.permit(project.ignore_project_semaphore).await;
 
         let project_repository = open_with_verify(project)?;
-        super::delete_branch(&project_repository, branch_id)
+        virtual_branches::delete_branch(&project_repository, branch_id)
     }
 
     pub async fn unapply_ownership(
@@ -214,7 +223,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::DiscardHunk));
-        super::unapply_ownership(&project_repository, ownership).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::unapply_ownership(&project_repository, ownership).map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn reset_files(&self, project: &Project, files: &Vec<String>) -> Result<()> {
@@ -224,7 +233,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::DiscardFile));
-        super::reset_files(&project_repository, files).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::reset_files(&project_repository, files).map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn amend(
@@ -240,7 +249,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::AmendCommit));
-        super::amend(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid, ownership)
+        virtual_branches::amend(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid, ownership)
     }
 
     pub async fn move_commit_file(
@@ -257,7 +266,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::MoveCommitFile));
-        super::move_commit_file(
+        virtual_branches::move_commit_file(
             &project_repository,
             branch_id,
             from_commit_oid,
@@ -278,7 +287,8 @@ impl Controller {
         let project_repository = open_with_verify(project)?;
         let snapshot_tree = project_repository.project().prepare_snapshot();
         let result: Result<()> =
-            super::undo_commit(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid).map_err(Into::into);
+            virtual_branches::undo_commit(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid)
+                .map_err(Into::into);
         let _ = snapshot_tree.and_then(|snapshot_tree| {
             project_repository.project().snapshot_commit_undo(
                 snapshot_tree,
@@ -302,7 +312,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::InsertBlankCommit));
-        super::insert_blank_commit(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid, offset)
+        virtual_branches::insert_blank_commit(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid, offset)
             .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
@@ -319,7 +329,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::ReorderCommit));
-        super::reorder_commit(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid, offset)
+        virtual_branches::reorder_commit(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid, offset)
             .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
@@ -335,7 +345,8 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::UndoCommit));
-        super::reset_branch(&project_repository, branch_id, target_commit_oid).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::reset_branch(&project_repository, branch_id, target_commit_oid)
+            .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn convert_to_real_branch(
@@ -348,9 +359,12 @@ impl Controller {
 
         let project_repository = open_with_verify(project)?;
         let snapshot_tree = project_repository.project().prepare_snapshot();
-        let result =
-            super::convert_to_real_branch(&project_repository, branch_id, name_conflict_resolution)
-                .map_err(Into::into);
+        let result = virtual_branches::convert_to_real_branch(
+            &project_repository,
+            branch_id,
+            name_conflict_resolution,
+        )
+        .map_err(Into::into);
         let _ = snapshot_tree.and_then(|snapshot_tree| {
             project_repository
                 .project()
@@ -369,21 +383,24 @@ impl Controller {
         self.permit(project.ignore_project_semaphore).await;
         let helper = Helper::default();
         let project_repository = open_with_verify(project)?;
-        super::push(&project_repository, branch_id, with_force, &helper, askpass)
+        virtual_branches::push(&project_repository, branch_id, with_force, &helper, askpass)
     }
 
-    pub async fn list_remote_branches(&self, project: Project) -> Result<Vec<super::RemoteBranch>> {
+    pub async fn list_remote_branches(
+        &self,
+        project: Project,
+    ) -> Result<Vec<virtual_branches::RemoteBranch>> {
         let project_repository = Repository::open(&project)?;
-        super::list_remote_branches(&project_repository)
+        virtual_branches::list_remote_branches(&project_repository)
     }
 
     pub async fn get_remote_branch_data(
         &self,
         project: &Project,
         refname: &git::Refname,
-    ) -> Result<super::RemoteBranchData> {
+    ) -> Result<virtual_branches::RemoteBranchData> {
         let project_repository = Repository::open(project)?;
-        super::get_branch_data(&project_repository, refname)
+        virtual_branches::get_branch_data(&project_repository, refname)
     }
 
     pub async fn squash(
@@ -398,7 +415,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::SquashCommit));
-        super::squash(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::squash(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid).map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     pub async fn update_commit_message(
@@ -413,7 +430,7 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::UpdateCommitMessage));
-        super::update_commit_message(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid, message)
+        virtual_branches::update_commit_message(&project_repository, branch_id, commit_oid, message)
             .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
@@ -472,7 +489,8 @@ impl Controller {
         let _ = project_repository
             .project()
             .create_snapshot(SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::MoveCommit));
-        super::move_commit(&project_repository, target_branch_id, commit_oid).map_err(Into::into)
+        virtual_branches::move_commit(&project_repository, target_branch_id, commit_oid)
+            .map_err(Into::into)
     }
 
     async fn permit(&self, ignore: bool) {
@@ -484,7 +502,7 @@ impl Controller {
 
 fn open_with_verify(project: &Project) -> Result<Repository> {
     let project_repository = Repository::open(project)?;
-    super::integration::verify_branch(&project_repository)?;
+    virtual_branches::integration::verify_branch(&project_repository)?;
     Ok(project_repository)
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-branch/src/lib.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/src/lib.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3526e2a56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/src/lib.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+//! GitButler internal library containing functionaliry related to branches, i.e. the virtual branches implementation
+pub mod controller;
+pub use controller::Controller;
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/branch.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c56a32a96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/branch.rs
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+mod virtual_branches;
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/amend.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/amend.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/amend.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/amend.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/apply_virtual_branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/apply_virtual_branch.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/apply_virtual_branch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/apply_virtual_branch.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/convert_to_real_branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/convert_to_real_branch.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/convert_to_real_branch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/convert_to_real_branch.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/create_commit.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/create_commit.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/create_commit.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/create_commit.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/create_virtual_branch_from_branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/create_virtual_branch_from_branch.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/create_virtual_branch_from_branch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/create_virtual_branch_from_branch.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/delete_virtual_branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/delete_virtual_branch.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/delete_virtual_branch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/delete_virtual_branch.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/init.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/init.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/init.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/init.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/insert_blank_commit.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/insert_blank_commit.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/insert_blank_commit.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/insert_blank_commit.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/mod.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/mod.rs
similarity index 98%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/mod.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/mod.rs
index 561b45861..844e0a6d2 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/mod.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::{fs, path, str::FromStr};
 
+use gitbutler_branch::Controller;
 use gitbutler_core::error::Marker;
 use gitbutler_core::{
     git,
     projects::{self, Project, ProjectId},
-    virtual_branches::{branch, Controller},
+    virtual_branches::branch,
 };
 use tempfile::TempDir;
 
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/move_commit_file.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/move_commit_file.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/move_commit_file.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/move_commit_file.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/move_commit_to_vbranch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/move_commit_to_vbranch.rs
similarity index 99%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/move_commit_to_vbranch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/move_commit_to_vbranch.rs
index a2e797078..3bbfdb4ac 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/move_commit_to_vbranch.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/move_commit_to_vbranch.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 use gitbutler_core::virtual_branches::{branch, BranchId};
 
-use crate::suite::virtual_branches::Test;
+use super::Test;
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn no_diffs() {
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/oplog.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/oplog.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/oplog.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/oplog.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/references.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/references.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/references.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/references.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/reorder_commit.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/reorder_commit.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/reorder_commit.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/reorder_commit.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/reset_virtual_branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/reset_virtual_branch.rs
similarity index 99%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/reset_virtual_branch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/reset_virtual_branch.rs
index 9b91927ad..cc6f1907e 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/reset_virtual_branch.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/reset_virtual_branch.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use std::fs;
 
 use gitbutler_core::virtual_branches::branch;
 
-use crate::suite::virtual_branches::Test;
+use super::Test;
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn to_head() {
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/selected_for_changes.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/selected_for_changes.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/selected_for_changes.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/selected_for_changes.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/set_base_branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/set_base_branch.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/set_base_branch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/set_base_branch.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/squash.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/squash.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/squash.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/squash.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/unapply_ownership.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/unapply_ownership.rs
similarity index 97%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/unapply_ownership.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/unapply_ownership.rs
index 311f7651a..938a80883 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/unapply_ownership.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/unapply_ownership.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use std::fs;
 
 use gitbutler_core::virtual_branches::{branch, branch::BranchOwnershipClaims};
 
-use crate::suite::virtual_branches::Test;
+use super::Test;
 
 #[tokio::test]
 async fn should_unapply_with_commits() {
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/undo_commit.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/undo_commit.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/undo_commit.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/undo_commit.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/update_base_branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/update_base_branch.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/update_base_branch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/update_base_branch.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/update_commit_message.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/update_commit_message.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/update_commit_message.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/update_commit_message.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/upstream.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/upstream.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/upstream.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/upstream.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/verify_branch.rs b/crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/verify_branch.rs
similarity index 100%
rename from crates/gitbutler-core/tests/suite/virtual_branches/verify_branch.rs
rename to crates/gitbutler-branch/tests/virtual_branches/verify_branch.rs
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/ops/oplog.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/ops/oplog.rs
index 78546e021..bafe8ffc4 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/ops/oplog.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/ops/oplog.rs
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ impl Project {
     /// Prepares a snapshot of the current state of the working directory as well as GitButler data.
     /// Returns a tree hash of the snapshot. The snapshot is not discoverable until it is committed with [`commit_snapshot`](Self::commit_snapshot())
     /// If there are files that are untracked and larger than `SNAPSHOT_FILE_LIMIT_BYTES`, they are excluded from snapshot creation and restoring.
-    pub(crate) fn prepare_snapshot(&self) -> Result<git2::Oid> {
+    pub fn prepare_snapshot(&self) -> Result<git2::Oid> {
         let worktree_dir = self.path.as_path();
         let repo = git2::Repository::open(worktree_dir)?;
 
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ impl Project {
     ///
     /// Returns `Some(snapshot_commit_id)` if it was created or `None` if nothing changed between the previous oplog
     /// commit and the current one (after comparing trees).
-    pub(crate) fn commit_snapshot(
+    pub fn commit_snapshot(
         &self,
         snapshot_tree_id: git2::Oid,
         details: SnapshotDetails,
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/ops/snapshot.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/ops/snapshot.rs
index c8c04210e..ced31aa88 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/ops/snapshot.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/ops/snapshot.rs
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use super::entry::Trailer;
 
 /// Snapshot functionality
 impl Project {
-    pub(crate) fn snapshot_branch_unapplied(
+    pub fn snapshot_branch_unapplied(
         &self,
         snapshot_tree: git2::Oid,
         result: Result<&git2::Branch, &anyhow::Error>,
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ impl Project {
         self.commit_snapshot(snapshot_tree, details)?;
         Ok(())
     }
-    pub(crate) fn snapshot_commit_undo(
+    pub fn snapshot_commit_undo(
         &self,
         snapshot_tree: git2::Oid,
         result: Result<&(), &anyhow::Error>,
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ impl Project {
         self.commit_snapshot(snapshot_tree, details)?;
         Ok(())
     }
-    pub(crate) fn snapshot_commit_creation(
+    pub fn snapshot_commit_creation(
         &self,
         snapshot_tree: git2::Oid,
         error: Option<&anyhow::Error>,
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ impl Project {
         self.commit_snapshot(snapshot_tree, details)?;
         Ok(())
     }
-    pub(crate) fn snapshot_branch_creation(&self, branch_name: String) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    pub fn snapshot_branch_creation(&self, branch_name: String) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         let details =
             SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::CreateBranch).with_trailers(vec![Trailer {
                 key: "name".to_string(),
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ impl Project {
         self.create_snapshot(details)?;
         Ok(())
     }
-    pub(crate) fn snapshot_branch_deletion(&self, branch_name: String) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+    pub fn snapshot_branch_deletion(&self, branch_name: String) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         let details =
             SnapshotDetails::new(OperationKind::DeleteBranch).with_trailers(vec![Trailer {
                 key: "name".to_string(),
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ impl Project {
         self.create_snapshot(details)?;
         Ok(())
     }
-    pub(crate) fn snapshot_branch_update(
+    pub fn snapshot_branch_update(
         &self,
         snapshot_tree: git2::Oid,
         old_branch: &Branch,
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/mod.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/mod.rs
index 81e5e43fc..354cb7dde 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/src/virtual_branches/mod.rs
@@ -11,9 +11,6 @@ pub use integration::GITBUTLER_INTEGRATION_REFERENCE;
 mod base;
 pub use base::*;
 
-pub mod controller;
-pub use controller::Controller;
-
 mod r#virtual;
 pub use r#virtual::*;
 
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/core.rs b/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/core.rs
index 22e13a0fb..0b7bdb58b 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/core.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-core/tests/core.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 mod suite {
     mod projects;
-    mod virtual_branches;
 }
 
 mod git;
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-tauri/Cargo.toml b/crates/gitbutler-tauri/Cargo.toml
index 9426162dd..665d7941d 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-tauri/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-tauri/Cargo.toml
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ tracing-appender = "0.2.3"
 tracing-subscriber = "0.3.17"
 gitbutler-core.workspace = true
 gitbutler-watcher.workspace = true
+gitbutler-branch.workspace = true
 open = "5"
 
 [dependencies.tauri]
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/main.rs b/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/main.rs
index 25ffc5695..b6f03a50e 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/main.rs
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ fn main() {
                     let git_credentials_controller = git::credentials::Helper::default();
                     app_handle.manage(git_credentials_controller.clone());
 
-                    app_handle.manage(gitbutler_core::virtual_branches::controller::Controller::default());
+                    app_handle.manage(gitbutler_branch::controller::Controller::default());
 
                     let remotes_controller = gitbutler_core::remotes::controller::Controller::new(
                         projects_controller.clone(),
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/virtual_branches.rs b/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/virtual_branches.rs
index be2b53d69..5c770c544 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/virtual_branches.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/virtual_branches.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 pub mod commands {
     use crate::error::Error;
     use anyhow::{anyhow, Context};
+    use gitbutler_branch::Controller;
     use gitbutler_core::{
         assets,
         error::Code,
@@ -9,7 +10,6 @@ pub mod commands {
         types::ReferenceName,
         virtual_branches::{
             branch::{self, BranchId, BranchOwnershipClaims},
-            controller::Controller,
             BaseBranch, NameConflitResolution, RemoteBranch, RemoteBranchData, RemoteBranchFile,
             VirtualBranches,
         },
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/watcher.rs b/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/watcher.rs
index 2a27405d5..85adfc419 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/watcher.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-tauri/src/watcher.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use std::sync::Arc;
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
 use futures::executor::block_on;
 use gitbutler_core::projects::{self, Project, ProjectId};
-use gitbutler_core::{assets, users, virtual_branches};
+use gitbutler_core::{assets, users};
 use tauri::{AppHandle, Manager};
 use tracing::instrument;
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ pub struct Watchers {
 fn handler_from_app(app: &AppHandle) -> anyhow::Result<gitbutler_watcher::Handler> {
     let projects = app.state::<projects::Controller>().inner().clone();
     let users = app.state::<users::Controller>().inner().clone();
-    let vbranches = app.state::<virtual_branches::Controller>().inner().clone();
+    let vbranches = app.state::<gitbutler_branch::Controller>().inner().clone();
     let assets_proxy = app.state::<assets::Proxy>().inner().clone();
 
     Ok(gitbutler_watcher::Handler::new(
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-watcher/Cargo.toml b/crates/gitbutler-watcher/Cargo.toml
index 785840d22..14a152175 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-watcher/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-watcher/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ doctest = false
 
 [dependencies]
 gitbutler-core.workspace = true
+gitbutler-branch.workspace = true
 thiserror.workspace = true
 anyhow = "1.0.86"
 futures = "0.3.30"
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs b/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
index a08d742e9..2317bd80c 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ use gitbutler_core::ops::entry::{OperationKind, SnapshotDetails};
 use gitbutler_core::projects::ProjectId;
 use gitbutler_core::synchronize::sync_with_gitbutler;
 use gitbutler_core::virtual_branches::VirtualBranches;
-use gitbutler_core::{assets, git, project_repository, projects, users, virtual_branches};
+use gitbutler_core::{assets, git, project_repository, projects, users};
 use tracing::instrument;
 
 use super::{events, Change};
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ pub struct Handler {
     // need extra protection.
     projects: projects::Controller,
     users: users::Controller,
-    vbranch_controller: virtual_branches::Controller,
+    vbranch_controller: gitbutler_branch::Controller,
     assets_proxy: assets::Proxy,
 
     /// A function to send events - decoupled from app-handle for testing purposes.
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ impl Handler {
     pub fn new(
         projects: projects::Controller,
         users: users::Controller,
-        vbranch_controller: virtual_branches::Controller,
+        vbranch_controller: gitbutler_branch::Controller,
         assets_proxy: assets::Proxy,
         send_event: impl Fn(Change) -> Result<()> + Send + Sync + 'static,
     ) -> Self {