diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 4b37a4de8..b48273e8d 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2275,8 +2275,13 @@ dependencies = [
  "anyhow",
  "git2",
  "gitbutler-command-context",
+ "gitbutler-fs",
+ "gitbutler-reference",
+ "gitbutler-serde",
  "gitbutler-testsupport",
  "serde",
+ "toml 0.8.15",
+ "tracing",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 14351c97c..fbd913b2a 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ resolver = "2"
 [workspace.dependencies]
 bstr = "1.10.0"
 # Add the `tracing` or `tracing-detail` features to see more of gitoxide in the logs. Useful to see which programs it invokes.
-gix = { git = "https://github.com/Byron/gitoxide", rev = "d51f330e9d364c6f7b068116b59bf5c0160e47af", default-features = false, features = [] }
+gix = { git = "https://github.com/Byron/gitoxide", rev = "d51f330e9d364c6f7b068116b59bf5c0160e47af", default-features = false, features = [
+] }
 git2 = { version = "0.18.3", features = [
     "vendored-openssl",
     "vendored-libgit2",
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ anyhow = "1.0.86"
 fslock = "0.2.1"
 parking_lot = "0.12.3"
 futures = "0.3.30"
+toml = "0.8.13"
 
 gitbutler-id = { path = "crates/gitbutler-id" }
 gitbutler-git = { path = "crates/gitbutler-git" }
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-branch/Cargo.toml b/crates/gitbutler-branch/Cargo.toml
index 76f46e935..8765246d3 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-branch/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-branch/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ gitbutler-error.workspace = true
 gitbutler-fs.workspace = true
 gitbutler-diff.workspace = true
 itertools = "0.13"
-toml = "0.8.15"
+toml.workspace = true
 serde = { workspace = true, features = ["std"] }
 bstr.workspace = true
 md5 = "0.7.0"
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-fs/Cargo.toml b/crates/gitbutler-fs/Cargo.toml
index 3ce2f763f..757f33d31 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-fs/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-fs/Cargo.toml
@@ -6,9 +6,9 @@ authors = ["GitButler <gitbutler@gitbutler.com>"]
 publish = false
 
 [dependencies]
-serde = { workspace = true, features = ["std"]}
+serde = { workspace = true, features = ["std"] }
 bstr.workspace = true
 anyhow = "1.0.86"
 gix = { workspace = true, features = ["dirwalk", "credentials", "parallel"] }
 walkdir = "2.5.0"
-toml = "0.8.15"
+toml.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/Cargo.toml b/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/Cargo.toml
index ad68bc2fc..54cdfebc8 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/Cargo.toml
@@ -7,9 +7,14 @@ publish = false
 
 [dependencies]
 serde = { workspace = true, features = ["std"] }
+tracing = "0.1.40"
 git2.workspace = true
 anyhow.workspace = true
+toml.workspace = true
 gitbutler-command-context.workspace = true
+gitbutler-serde.workspace = true
+gitbutler-fs.workspace = true
+gitbutler-reference.workspace = true
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 gitbutler-testsupport.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/src/lib.rs b/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/src/lib.rs
index 618c5b124..980c505d8 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,38 +1,123 @@
+use std::{fs, path::PathBuf};
+
 use anyhow::{bail, Context, Result};
 use gitbutler_command_context::CommandContext;
+use gitbutler_reference::ReferenceName;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-/// Operating Modes:
-/// Gitbutler currently has two main operating modes:
-/// - `in workspace mode`: When the app is on the gitbutler/integration branch.
-///     This is when normal operations can be performed.
-/// - `outside workspace mode`: When the user has left the gitbutler/integration
-///     branch to perform regular git commands.
+/// The reference the app will checkout when the workspace is open
+pub const INTEGRATION_BRANCH_REF: &str = "refs/heads/gitbutler/integration";
+/// The reference the app will checkout when in edit mode
+pub const EDIT_BRANCH_REF: &str = "refs/heads/gitbutler/edit";
 
-const INTEGRATION_BRANCH_REF: &str = "refs/heads/gitbutler/integration";
+fn edit_mode_metadata_path(ctx: &CommandContext) -> PathBuf {
+    ctx.project().gb_dir().join("edit_mode_metadata.toml")
+}
 
-pub fn in_open_workspace_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> Result<bool> {
-    let head_ref = ctx.repository().head().context("failed to get head")?;
-    let head_ref_name = head_ref.name().context("failed to get head name")?;
+#[doc(hidden)]
+pub fn read_edit_mode_metadata(ctx: &CommandContext) -> Result<EditModeMetadata> {
+    let edit_mode_metadata = fs::read_to_string(edit_mode_metadata_path(ctx).as_path())
+        .context("Failed to read edit mode metadata")?;
 
-    Ok(head_ref_name == INTEGRATION_BRANCH_REF)
+    toml::from_str(&edit_mode_metadata).context("Failed to parse edit mode metadata")
+}
+
+#[doc(hidden)]
+pub fn write_edit_mode_metadata(
+    ctx: &CommandContext,
+    edit_mode_metadata: &EditModeMetadata,
+) -> Result<()> {
+    let serialized_edit_mode_metadata =
+        toml::to_string(edit_mode_metadata).context("Failed to serialize edit mode metadata")?;
+    gitbutler_fs::write(
+        edit_mode_metadata_path(ctx).as_path(),
+        serialized_edit_mode_metadata,
+    )
+    .context("Failed to write edit mode metadata")?;
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+/// Holds relevant state required to switch to and from edit mode
+#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq)]
+pub struct EditModeMetadata {
+    /// The sha of the commit getting edited.
+    #[serde(with = "gitbutler_serde::oid")]
+    pub editee_commit_sha: git2::Oid,
+    /// The ref of the vbranch which owns this commit.
+    pub editee_branch: ReferenceName,
+}
+
+#[derive(PartialEq)]
+pub enum OperatingMode {
+    /// The typical app state when its on the gitbutler/integration branch
+    OpenWorkspace,
+    /// When the user has chosen to leave the gitbutler/integration branch
+    OutsideWorkspace,
+    /// When the app is off of gitbutler/integration and in edit mode
+    Edit(EditModeMetadata),
+}
+
+pub fn operating_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> OperatingMode {
+    let Ok(head_ref) = ctx.repository().head() else {
+        return OperatingMode::OutsideWorkspace;
+    };
+
+    let Some(head_ref_name) = head_ref.name() else {
+        return OperatingMode::OutsideWorkspace;
+    };
+
+    if head_ref_name == INTEGRATION_BRANCH_REF {
+        OperatingMode::OpenWorkspace
+    } else if head_ref_name == EDIT_BRANCH_REF {
+        let edit_mode_metadata = read_edit_mode_metadata(ctx);
+
+        match edit_mode_metadata {
+            Ok(edit_mode_metadata) => OperatingMode::Edit(edit_mode_metadata),
+            Err(error) => {
+                tracing::warn!(
+                    "Failed to open in edit mode, falling back to outside workspace {}",
+                    error
+                );
+                OperatingMode::OutsideWorkspace
+            }
+        }
+    } else {
+        OperatingMode::OutsideWorkspace
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn in_open_workspace_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> bool {
+    operating_mode(ctx) == OperatingMode::OpenWorkspace
 }
 
 pub fn assure_open_workspace_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> Result<()> {
-    if in_open_workspace_mode(ctx)? {
+    if in_open_workspace_mode(ctx) {
         Ok(())
     } else {
-        bail!("Unexpected state: cannot perform operation on non-integration branch")
+        bail!("Expected to be in open workspace mode")
     }
 }
 
-pub fn in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> Result<bool> {
-    in_open_workspace_mode(ctx).map(|open_mode| !open_mode)
+pub fn in_edit_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> bool {
+    matches!(operating_mode(ctx), OperatingMode::Edit(_))
+}
+
+pub fn assure_edit_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> Result<EditModeMetadata> {
+    match operating_mode(ctx) {
+        OperatingMode::Edit(edit_mode_metadata) => Ok(edit_mode_metadata),
+        _ => bail!("Expected to be in edit mode"),
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> bool {
+    operating_mode(ctx) == OperatingMode::OutsideWorkspace
 }
 
 pub fn assure_outside_workspace_mode(ctx: &CommandContext) -> Result<()> {
-    if in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx)? {
+    if in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx) {
         Ok(())
     } else {
-        bail!("Unexpected state: cannot perform operation on integration branch")
+        bail!("Expected to be in outside workspace mode")
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/tests/operating_modes.rs b/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/tests/operating_modes.rs
index 9fbe21615..cd0540d9c 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/tests/operating_modes.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-operating-modes/tests/operating_modes.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use gitbutler_command_context::CommandContext;
+use gitbutler_operating_modes::{write_edit_mode_metadata, EditModeMetadata};
 
 /// Creates a branch from the head commit
 fn create_and_checkout_branch(ctx: &CommandContext, branch_name: &str) {
@@ -16,6 +17,17 @@ fn create_and_checkout_branch(ctx: &CommandContext, branch_name: &str) {
         .unwrap();
 }
 
+fn create_edit_mode_metadata(ctx: &CommandContext) {
+    write_edit_mode_metadata(
+        ctx,
+        &EditModeMetadata {
+            editee_branch: "asdf".into(),
+            editee_commit_sha: git2::Oid::zero(),
+        },
+    )
+    .unwrap();
+}
+
 mod operating_modes {
     mod open_workspace_mode {
         use gitbutler_operating_modes::{assure_open_workspace_mode, in_open_workspace_mode};
@@ -30,10 +42,21 @@ mod operating_modes {
 
             create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/integration");
 
-            let in_open_workspace = in_open_workspace_mode(ctx).unwrap();
+            let in_open_workspace = in_open_workspace_mode(ctx);
             assert!(in_open_workspace);
         }
 
+        #[test]
+        fn in_open_workspace_mode_false_when_in_gitbutler_edit() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/edit");
+
+            let in_open_workspace = in_open_workspace_mode(ctx);
+            assert!(!in_open_workspace);
+        }
+
         #[test]
         fn in_open_workspace_mode_false_when_on_other_branches() {
             let suite = Suite::default();
@@ -41,7 +64,7 @@ mod operating_modes {
 
             create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "testeroni");
 
-            let in_open_workspace = in_open_workspace_mode(ctx).unwrap();
+            let in_open_workspace = in_open_workspace_mode(ctx);
             assert!(!in_open_workspace);
         }
 
@@ -55,6 +78,16 @@ mod operating_modes {
             assert!(assure_open_workspace_mode(ctx).is_ok());
         }
 
+        #[test]
+        fn assure_open_workspace_mode_err_when_on_gitbutler_edit() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/edit");
+
+            assert!(assure_open_workspace_mode(ctx).is_err());
+        }
+
         #[test]
         fn assure_open_workspace_mode_err_when_on_other_branch() {
             let suite = Suite::default();
@@ -70,32 +103,44 @@ mod operating_modes {
         use gitbutler_operating_modes::{assure_outside_workspace_mode, in_outside_workspace_mode};
         use gitbutler_testsupport::{Case, Suite};
 
-        use crate::create_and_checkout_branch;
+        use crate::{create_and_checkout_branch, create_edit_mode_metadata};
 
         #[test]
-        fn in_outside_workspace_mode_true_when_in_gitbutler_integration() {
+        fn in_outside_workspace_mode_true_when_in_other_branches() {
             let suite = Suite::default();
             let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
 
             create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "testeroni");
 
-            let in_outside_workspace = in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx).unwrap();
+            let in_outside_workspace = in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx);
             assert!(in_outside_workspace);
         }
 
         #[test]
-        fn in_outside_workspace_mode_false_when_on_other_branches() {
+        fn in_outside_workspace_mode_false_when_on_gitbutler_edit() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/edit");
+            create_edit_mode_metadata(ctx);
+
+            let in_outside_worskpace = in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx);
+            assert!(!in_outside_worskpace);
+        }
+
+        #[test]
+        fn in_outside_workspace_mode_false_when_on_gitbutler_integration() {
             let suite = Suite::default();
             let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
 
             create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/integration");
 
-            let in_outside_worskpace = in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx).unwrap();
+            let in_outside_worskpace = in_outside_workspace_mode(ctx);
             assert!(!in_outside_worskpace);
         }
 
         #[test]
-        fn assure_outside_workspace_mode_ok_when_on_gitbutler_integration() {
+        fn assure_outside_workspace_mode_ok_when_on_other_branches() {
             let suite = Suite::default();
             let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
 
@@ -105,7 +150,18 @@ mod operating_modes {
         }
 
         #[test]
-        fn assure_outside_workspace_mode_err_when_on_other_branch() {
+        fn assure_outside_workspace_mode_err_when_on_gitbutler_edit() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/edit");
+            create_edit_mode_metadata(ctx);
+
+            assert!(assure_outside_workspace_mode(ctx).is_err());
+        }
+
+        #[test]
+        fn assure_outside_workspace_mode_err_when_on_gitbutler_integration() {
             let suite = Suite::default();
             let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
 
@@ -114,4 +170,78 @@ mod operating_modes {
             assert!(assure_outside_workspace_mode(ctx).is_err());
         }
     }
+
+    mod edit_mode {
+        use gitbutler_operating_modes::{assure_edit_mode, in_edit_mode};
+        use gitbutler_testsupport::{Case, Suite};
+
+        use crate::{create_and_checkout_branch, create_edit_mode_metadata};
+
+        #[test]
+        fn in_edit_mode_true_when_in_edit_mode() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/edit");
+            create_edit_mode_metadata(ctx);
+
+            let in_edit_mode = in_edit_mode(ctx);
+            assert!(in_edit_mode);
+        }
+
+        #[test]
+        fn in_edit_mode_false_when_in_edit_mode_with_no_metadata() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/edit");
+
+            let in_edit_mode = in_edit_mode(ctx);
+            assert!(!in_edit_mode);
+        }
+
+        #[test]
+        fn in_edit_mode_false_when_on_other_branches() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "testeroni");
+            create_edit_mode_metadata(ctx);
+
+            let in_edit_mode = in_edit_mode(ctx);
+            assert!(!in_edit_mode);
+        }
+
+        #[test]
+        fn assert_edit_mode_ok_when_in_edit_mode() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/edit");
+            create_edit_mode_metadata(ctx);
+
+            assert!(assure_edit_mode(ctx).is_ok());
+        }
+
+        #[test]
+        fn assert_edit_mode_err_when_in_edit_mode_with_no_metadata() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "gitbutler/edit");
+
+            assert!(assure_edit_mode(ctx).is_err());
+        }
+
+        #[test]
+        fn assert_edit_mode_err_when_on_other_branches() {
+            let suite = Suite::default();
+            let Case { ctx, .. } = &suite.new_case();
+
+            create_and_checkout_branch(ctx, "testeroni");
+            create_edit_mode_metadata(ctx);
+
+            assert!(assure_edit_mode(ctx).is_err());
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-oplog/Cargo.toml b/crates/gitbutler-oplog/Cargo.toml
index e865c9055..c613f42a4 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-oplog/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-oplog/Cargo.toml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ itertools = "0.13"
 strum = { version = "0.26", features = ["derive"] }
 tracing = "0.1.40"
 gix = { workspace = true, features = ["dirwalk", "credentials", "parallel"] }
-toml = "0.8.15"
+toml.workspace = true
 gitbutler-project.workspace = true
 gitbutler-branch.workspace = true
 gitbutler-serde.workspace = true
diff --git a/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs b/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
index 1a9ce25b6..e6cfd6d9e 100644
--- a/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
+++ b/crates/gitbutler-watcher/src/handler.rs
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ impl Handler {
     fn calculate_virtual_branches(&self, project_id: ProjectId) -> Result<()> {
         let ctx = self.open_command_context(project_id)?;
         // Skip if we're not on the open workspace mode
-        if !in_open_workspace_mode(&ctx)? {
+        if !in_open_workspace_mode(&ctx) {
             return Ok(());
         }
 
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ impl Handler {
     fn recalculate_everything(&self, paths: Vec<PathBuf>, project_id: ProjectId) -> Result<()> {
         let ctx = self.open_command_context(project_id)?;
         // Skip if we're not on the open workspace mode
-        if !in_open_workspace_mode(&ctx)? {
+        if !in_open_workspace_mode(&ctx) {
             return Ok(());
         }
 
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ impl Handler {
 
                     // If the user has left gitbutler/integration, we want to delete the reference.
                     // TODO: why do we want to do this?
-                    if in_outside_workspace_mode(&ctx)? {
+                    if in_outside_workspace_mode(&ctx) {
                         let mut integration_reference = ctx.repository().find_reference(
                             &Refname::from(LocalRefname::new("gitbutler/integration", None))
                                 .to_string(),