diff --git a/src/wp-admin/js/customize-controls.js b/src/wp-admin/js/customize-controls.js
index a12ebe6e13..17ce623f6c 100644
--- a/src/wp-admin/js/customize-controls.js
+++ b/src/wp-admin/js/customize-controls.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/* global _wpCustomizeHeader, _wpCustomizeBackground, _wpMediaViewsL10n, MediaElementPlayer, console */
+/* global _wpCustomizeHeader, _wpCustomizeBackground, _wpMediaViewsL10n, MediaElementPlayer, console, confirm */
 (function( exports, $ ){
 	var Container, focus, normalizedTransitionendEventName, api = wp.customize;
 
@@ -355,14 +355,24 @@
 	 * @since 4.7.0
 	 * @access public
 	 *
-	 * @param {object} [changes] Mapping of setting IDs to setting params each normally including a value property, or mapping to null.
-	 *                           If not provided, then the changes will still be obtained from unsaved dirty settings.
+	 * @param {object}  [changes] - Mapping of setting IDs to setting params each normally including a value property, or mapping to null.
+	 *                             If not provided, then the changes will still be obtained from unsaved dirty settings.
+	 * @param {object}  [args] - Additional options for the save request.
+	 * @param {boolean} [args.autosave=false] - Whether changes will be stored in autosave revision if the changeset has been promoted from an auto-draft.
+	 * @param {string}  [args.title] - Title to update in the changeset. Optional.
+	 * @param {string}  [args.date] - Date to update in the changeset. Optional.
 	 * @returns {jQuery.Promise} Promise resolving with the response data.
 	 */
-	api.requestChangesetUpdate = function requestChangesetUpdate( changes ) {
-		var deferred, request, submittedChanges = {}, data;
+	api.requestChangesetUpdate = function requestChangesetUpdate( changes, args ) {
+		var deferred, request, submittedChanges = {}, data, submittedArgs;
 		deferred = new $.Deferred();
 
+		submittedArgs = _.extend( {
+			title: null,
+			date: null,
+			autosave: false
+		}, args );
+
 		if ( changes ) {
 			_.extend( submittedChanges, changes );
 		}
@@ -379,20 +389,30 @@
 		} );
 
 		// Short-circuit when there are no pending changes.
-		if ( _.isEmpty( submittedChanges ) ) {
+		if ( _.isEmpty( submittedChanges ) && null === submittedArgs.title && null === submittedArgs.date ) {
 			deferred.resolve( {} );
 			return deferred.promise();
 		}
 
+		// Allow plugins to attach additional params to the settings.
+		api.trigger( 'changeset-save', submittedChanges, submittedArgs );
+
+		// A status would cause a revision to be made, and for this wp.customize.previewer.save() should be used. Status is also disallowed for revisions regardless.
+		if ( submittedArgs.status ) {
+			return deferred.reject( { code: 'illegal_status_in_changeset_update' } ).promise();
+		}
+
+		// Dates not beung allowed for revisions are is a technical limitation of post revisions.
+		if ( submittedArgs.date && submittedArgs.autosave ) {
+			return deferred.reject( { code: 'illegal_autosave_with_date_gmt' } ).promise();
+		}
+
 		// Make sure that publishing a changeset waits for all changeset update requests to complete.
 		api.state( 'processing' ).set( api.state( 'processing' ).get() + 1 );
 		deferred.always( function() {
 			api.state( 'processing' ).set( api.state( 'processing' ).get() - 1 );
 		} );
 
-		// Allow plugins to attach additional params to the settings.
-		api.trigger( 'changeset-save', submittedChanges );
-
 		// Ensure that if any plugins add data to save requests by extending query() that they get included here.
 		data = api.previewer.query( { excludeCustomizedSaved: true } );
 		delete data.customized; // Being sent in customize_changeset_data instead.
@@ -401,6 +421,15 @@
 			customize_theme: api.settings.theme.stylesheet,
 			customize_changeset_data: JSON.stringify( submittedChanges )
 		} );
+		if ( null !== submittedArgs.title ) {
+			data.customize_changeset_title = submittedArgs.title;
+		}
+		if ( null !== submittedArgs.date ) {
+			data.customize_changeset_date = submittedArgs.date;
+		}
+		if ( false !== submittedArgs.autosave ) {
+			data.customize_changeset_autosave = 'true';
+		}
 
 		request = wp.ajax.post( 'customize_save', data );
 
@@ -1705,9 +1734,15 @@
 
 				api.state( 'processing' ).unbind( onceProcessingComplete );
 
-				request = api.requestChangesetUpdate();
+				request = api.requestChangesetUpdate( {}, { autosave: true } );
 				request.done( function() {
 					$( window ).off( 'beforeunload.customize-confirm' );
+
+					// Include autosaved param to load autosave revision without prompting user to restore it.
+					if ( ! api.state( 'saved' ).get() ) {
+						urlParser.search += '&customize_autosaved=on';
+					}
+
 					top.location.href = urlParser.href;
 					deferred.resolve();
 				} );
@@ -4024,6 +4059,9 @@
 					customize_messenger_channel: previewFrame.query.customize_messenger_channel
 				}
 			);
+			if ( ! api.state( 'saved' ).get() ) {
+				params.customize_autosaved = 'on';
+			}
 
 			urlParser.search = $.param( params );
 			previewFrame.iframe = $( '<iframe />', {
@@ -4260,6 +4298,7 @@
 					delete queryParams.customize_changeset_uuid;
 					delete queryParams.customize_theme;
 					delete queryParams.customize_messenger_channel;
+					delete queryParams.customize_autosaved;
 					if ( _.isEmpty( queryParams ) ) {
 						urlParser.search = '';
 					} else {
@@ -4884,6 +4923,9 @@
 					nonce: this.nonce.preview,
 					customize_changeset_uuid: api.settings.changeset.uuid
 				};
+				if ( ! api.state( 'saved' ).get() ) {
+					queryVars.customize_autosaved = 'on';
+				}
 
 				/*
 				 * Exclude customized data if requested especially for calls to requestChangesetUpdate.
@@ -5098,6 +5140,9 @@
 							parent.send( 'changeset-uuid', api.settings.changeset.uuid );
 						}
 
+						// Prevent subsequent requestChangesetUpdate() calls from including the settings that have been saved.
+						api._lastSavedRevision = Math.max( latestRevision, api._lastSavedRevision );
+
 						if ( response.setting_validities ) {
 							api._handleSettingValidities( {
 								settingValidities: response.setting_validities,
@@ -5315,10 +5360,18 @@
 			api.bind( 'change', function() {
 				if ( state( 'saved' ).get() ) {
 					state( 'saved' ).set( false );
-					populateChangesetUuidParam( true );
 				}
 			});
 
+			// Populate changeset UUID param when state becomes dirty.
+			if ( api.settings.changeset.branching ) {
+				saved.bind( function( isSaved ) {
+					if ( ! isSaved ) {
+						populateChangesetUuidParam( true );
+					}
+				});
+			}
+
 			saving.bind( function( isSaving ) {
 				body.toggleClass( 'saving', isSaving );
 			} );
@@ -5371,14 +5424,123 @@
 				history.replaceState( {}, document.title, urlParser.href );
 			};
 
-			changesetStatus.bind( function( newStatus ) {
-				populateChangesetUuidParam( '' !== newStatus && 'publish' !== newStatus );
-			} );
+			// Show changeset UUID in URL when in branching mode and there is a saved changeset.
+			if ( api.settings.changeset.branching ) {
+				changesetStatus.bind( function( newStatus ) {
+					populateChangesetUuidParam( '' !== newStatus && 'publish' !== newStatus );
+				} );
+			}
 
 			// Expose states to the API.
 			api.state = state;
 		}());
 
+		// Set up autosave prompt.
+		(function() {
+
+			/**
+			 * Obtain the URL to restore the autosave.
+			 *
+			 * @returns {string} Customizer URL.
+			 */
+			function getAutosaveRestorationUrl() {
+				var urlParser, queryParams;
+				urlParser = document.createElement( 'a' );
+				urlParser.href = location.href;
+				queryParams = api.utils.parseQueryString( urlParser.search.substr( 1 ) );
+				if ( api.settings.changeset.latestAutoDraftUuid ) {
+					queryParams.changeset_uuid = api.settings.changeset.latestAutoDraftUuid;
+				} else {
+					queryParams.customize_autosaved = 'on';
+				}
+				urlParser.search = $.param( queryParams );
+				return urlParser.href;
+			}
+
+			/**
+			 * Remove parameter from the URL.
+			 *
+			 * @param {Array} params - Parameter names to remove.
+			 * @returns {void}
+			 */
+			function stripParamsFromLocation( params ) {
+				var urlParser = document.createElement( 'a' ), queryParams, strippedParams = 0;
+				urlParser.href = location.href;
+				queryParams = api.utils.parseQueryString( urlParser.search.substr( 1 ) );
+				_.each( params, function( param ) {
+					if ( 'undefined' !== typeof queryParams[ param ] ) {
+						strippedParams += 1;
+						delete queryParams[ param ];
+					}
+				} );
+				if ( 0 === strippedParams ) {
+					return;
+				}
+
+				urlParser.search = $.param( queryParams );
+				history.replaceState( {}, document.title, urlParser.href );
+			}
+
+			/**
+			 * Add notification regarding the availability of an autosave to restore.
+			 *
+			 * @returns {void}
+			 */
+			function addAutosaveRestoreNotification() {
+				var code = 'autosave_available', onStateChange;
+
+				// Since there is an autosave revision and the user hasn't loaded with autosaved, add notification to prompt to load autosaved version.
+				api.notifications.add( code, new api.Notification( code, {
+					message: api.l10n.autosaveNotice,
+					type: 'warning',
+					dismissible: true,
+					render: function() {
+						var li = api.Notification.prototype.render.call( this ), link;
+
+						// Handle clicking on restoration link.
+						link = li.find( 'a' );
+						link.prop( 'href', getAutosaveRestorationUrl() );
+						link.on( 'click', function( event ) {
+							event.preventDefault();
+							location.replace( getAutosaveRestorationUrl() );
+						} );
+
+						// Handle dismissal of notice.
+						li.find( '.notice-dismiss' ).on( 'click', function() {
+							wp.ajax.post( 'dismiss_customize_changeset_autosave', {
+								wp_customize: 'on',
+								customize_theme: api.settings.theme.stylesheet,
+								customize_changeset_uuid: api.settings.changeset.latestAutoDraftUuid || api.settings.changeset.uuid,
+								nonce: api.settings.nonce.dismiss_autosave
+							} );
+						} );
+
+						return li;
+					}
+				} ) );
+
+				// Remove the notification once the user starts making changes.
+				onStateChange = function() {
+					api.notifications.remove( code );
+					api.state( 'saved' ).unbind( onStateChange );
+					api.state( 'saving' ).unbind( onStateChange );
+					api.state( 'changesetStatus' ).unbind( onStateChange );
+				};
+				api.state( 'saved' ).bind( onStateChange );
+				api.state( 'saving' ).bind( onStateChange );
+				api.state( 'changesetStatus' ).bind( onStateChange );
+			}
+
+			if ( api.settings.changeset.autosaved ) {
+				stripParamsFromLocation( [ 'customize_autosaved' ] ); // Remove param when restoring autosave revision.
+			} else if ( ! api.settings.changeset.branching && 'auto-draft' === api.settings.changeset.status ) {
+				stripParamsFromLocation( [ 'changeset_uuid' ] ); // Remove UUID when restoring autosave auto-draft.
+			}
+			if ( api.settings.changeset.latestAutoDraftUuid || api.settings.changeset.hasAutosaveRevision ) {
+				addAutosaveRestoreNotification();
+			}
+		})();
+
 		// Check if preview url is valid and load the preview frame.
 		if ( api.previewer.previewUrl() ) {
 			api.previewer.refresh();
@@ -5742,26 +5904,82 @@
 			channel: 'loader'
 		});
 
-		/*
-		 * If we receive a 'back' event, we're inside an iframe.
-		 * Send any clicks to the 'Return' link to the parent page.
-		 */
-		parent.bind( 'back', function() {
-			closeBtn.on( 'click.customize-controls-close', function( event ) {
-				event.preventDefault();
-				parent.send( 'close' );
-			});
-		});
+		// Handle exiting of Customizer.
+		(function() {
+			var isInsideIframe = false;
 
-		// Prompt user with AYS dialog if leaving the Customizer with unsaved changes
-		$( window ).on( 'beforeunload.customize-confirm', function () {
-			if ( ! api.state( 'saved' )() ) {
-				setTimeout( function() {
-					overlay.removeClass( 'customize-loading' );
-				}, 1 );
-				return api.l10n.saveAlert;
+			function isCleanState() {
+				return api.state( 'saved' ).get() && 'auto-draft' !== api.state( 'changesetStatus' ).get();
 			}
-		} );
+
+			/*
+			 * If we receive a 'back' event, we're inside an iframe.
+			 * Send any clicks to the 'Return' link to the parent page.
+			 */
+			parent.bind( 'back', function() {
+				isInsideIframe = true;
+			});
+
+			// Prompt user with AYS dialog if leaving the Customizer with unsaved changes
+			$( window ).on( 'beforeunload.customize-confirm', function() {
+				if ( ! isCleanState() ) {
+					setTimeout( function() {
+						overlay.removeClass( 'customize-loading' );
+					}, 1 );
+					return api.l10n.saveAlert;
+				}
+			});
+
+			closeBtn.on( 'click.customize-controls-close', function( event ) {
+				var clearedToClose = $.Deferred();
+				event.preventDefault();
+
+				/*
+				 * The isInsideIframe condition is because Customizer is not able to use a confirm()
+				 * since customize-loader.js will also use one. So autosave restorations are disabled
+				 * when customize-loader.js is used.
+				 */
+				if ( isInsideIframe && isCleanState() ) {
+					clearedToClose.resolve();
+				} else if ( confirm( api.l10n.saveAlert ) ) {
+
+					// Mark all settings as clean to prevent another call to requestChangesetUpdate.
+					api.each( function( setting ) {
+						setting._dirty = false;
+					});
+					$( document ).off( 'visibilitychange.wp-customize-changeset-update' );
+					$( window ).off( 'beforeunload.wp-customize-changeset-update' );
+
+					closeBtn.css( 'cursor', 'progress' );
+					if ( '' === api.state( 'changesetStatus' ).get() ) {
+						clearedToClose.resolve();
+					} else {
+						wp.ajax.send( 'dismiss_customize_changeset_autosave', {
+							timeout: 500, // Don't wait too long.
+							data: {
+								wp_customize: 'on',
+								customize_theme: api.settings.theme.stylesheet,
+								customize_changeset_uuid: api.settings.changeset.uuid,
+								nonce: api.settings.nonce.dismiss_autosave
+							}
+						} ).always( function() {
+							clearedToClose.resolve();
+						} );
+					}
+				} else {
+					clearedToClose.reject();
+				}
+
+				clearedToClose.done( function() {
+					$( window ).off( 'beforeunload.customize-confirm' );
+					if ( isInsideIframe ) {
+						parent.send( 'close' );
+					} else {
+						window.location.href = closeBtn.prop( 'href' );
+					}
+				} );
+			});
+		})();
 
 		// Pass events through to the parent.
 		$.each( [ 'saved', 'change' ], function ( i, event ) {
@@ -6084,6 +6302,13 @@
 		( function() {
 			var timeoutId, updateChangesetWithReschedule, scheduleChangesetUpdate, updatePending = false;
 
+			api.state( 'saved' ).bind( function( isSaved ) {
+				if ( ! isSaved && ! api.settings.changeset.autosaved ) {
+					api.settings.changeset.autosaved = true; // Once a change is made then autosaving kicks in.
+					api.previewer.send( 'autosaving' );
+				}
+			} );
+
 			/**
 			 * Request changeset update and then re-schedule the next changeset update time.
 			 *
@@ -6093,7 +6318,7 @@
 			updateChangesetWithReschedule = function() {
 				if ( ! updatePending ) {
 					updatePending = true;
-					api.requestChangesetUpdate().always( function() {
+					api.requestChangesetUpdate( {}, { autosave: true } ).always( function() {
 						updatePending = false;
 					} );
 				}
@@ -6117,8 +6342,10 @@
 			scheduleChangesetUpdate();
 
 			// Save changeset when focus removed from window.
-			$( window ).on( 'blur.wp-customize-changeset-update', function() {
-				updateChangesetWithReschedule();
+			$( document ).on( 'visibilitychange.wp-customize-changeset-update', function() {
+				if ( document.hidden ) {
+					updateChangesetWithReschedule();
+				}
 			} );
 
 			// Save changeset before unloading window.
diff --git a/src/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php b/src/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
index c479845995..33f423aacb 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/class-wp-customize-manager.php
@@ -173,13 +173,37 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 	 */
 	protected $messenger_channel;
 
+	/**
+	 * Whether the autosave revision of the changeset should should be loaded.
+	 *
+	 * @since 4.9.0
+	 * @var bool
+	 */
+	protected $autosaved = false;
+
+	/**
+	 * Whether the changeset branching is allowed.
+	 *
+	 * @since 4.9.0
+	 * @var bool
+	 */
+	protected $branching = true;
+
 	/**
 	 * Whether settings should be previewed.
 	 *
 	 * @since 4.9.0
 	 * @var bool
 	 */
-	protected $settings_previewed;
+	protected $settings_previewed = true;
+
+	/**
+	 * Whether a starter content changeset was saved.
+	 *
+	 * @since 4.9.0
+	 * @var bool
+	 */
+	protected $saved_starter_content_changeset = false;
 
 	/**
 	 * Unsanitized values for Customize Settings parsed from $_POST['customized'].
@@ -221,16 +245,23 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 	 * @param array $args {
 	 *     Args.
 	 *
-	 *     @type string $changeset_uuid     Changeset UUID, the post_name for the customize_changeset post containing the customized state. Defaults to new UUID.
-	 *     @type string $theme              Theme to be previewed (for theme switch). Defaults to customize_theme or theme query params.
-	 *     @type string $messenger_channel  Messenger channel. Defaults to customize_messenger_channel query param.
-	 *     @type bool   $settings_previewed If settings should be previewed. Defaults to true.
+	 *     @type null|string|false $changeset_uuid     Changeset UUID, the `post_name` for the customize_changeset post containing the customized state.
+	 *                                                 Defaults to `null` resulting in a UUID to be immediately generated. If `false` is provided, then
+	 *                                                 then the changeset UUID will be determined during `after_setup_theme`: when the
+	 *                                                 `customize_changeset_branching` filter returns false, then the default UUID will be that
+	 *                                                 of the most recent `customize_changeset` post that has a status other than 'auto-draft',
+	 *                                                 'publish', or 'trash'. Otherwise, if changeset branching is enabled, then a random UUID will be used.
+	 *     @type string            $theme              Theme to be previewed (for theme switch). Defaults to customize_theme or theme query params.
+	 *     @type string            $messenger_channel  Messenger channel. Defaults to customize_messenger_channel query param.
+	 *     @type bool              $settings_previewed If settings should be previewed. Defaults to true.
+	 *     @type bool              $branching          If changeset branching is allowed; otherwise, changesets are linear. Defaults to true.
+	 *     @type bool              $autosaved          If data from a changeset's autosaved revision should be loaded if it exists. Defaults to false.
 	 * }
 	 */
 	public function __construct( $args = array() ) {
 
 		$args = array_merge(
-			array_fill_keys( array( 'changeset_uuid', 'theme', 'messenger_channel', 'settings_previewed' ), null ),
+			array_fill_keys( array( 'changeset_uuid', 'theme', 'messenger_channel', 'settings_previewed', 'autosaved', 'branching' ), null ),
 			$args
 		);
 
@@ -251,16 +282,17 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 			$args['messenger_channel'] = sanitize_key( wp_unslash( $_REQUEST['customize_messenger_channel'] ) );
 		}
 
-		if ( ! isset( $args['settings_previewed'] ) ) {
-			$args['settings_previewed'] = true;
-		}
-
 		$this->original_stylesheet = get_stylesheet();
 		$this->theme = wp_get_theme( 0 === validate_file( $args['theme'] ) ? $args['theme'] : null );
 		$this->messenger_channel = $args['messenger_channel'];
-		$this->settings_previewed = ! empty( $args['settings_previewed'] );
 		$this->_changeset_uuid = $args['changeset_uuid'];
 
+		foreach ( array( 'settings_previewed', 'autosaved', 'branching' ) as $key ) {
+			if ( isset( $args[ $key ] ) ) {
+				$this->$key = (bool) $args[ $key ];
+			}
+		}
+
 		require_once( ABSPATH . WPINC . '/class-wp-customize-setting.php' );
 		require_once( ABSPATH . WPINC . '/class-wp-customize-panel.php' );
 		require_once( ABSPATH . WPINC . '/class-wp-customize-section.php' );
@@ -343,6 +375,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 
 		add_action( 'wp_ajax_customize_save',           array( $this, 'save' ) );
 		add_action( 'wp_ajax_customize_refresh_nonces', array( $this, 'refresh_nonces' ) );
+		add_action( 'wp_ajax_dismiss_customize_changeset_autosave', array( $this, 'handle_dismiss_changeset_autosave_request' ) );
 
 		add_action( 'customize_register',                 array( $this, 'register_controls' ) );
 		add_action( 'customize_register',                 array( $this, 'register_dynamic_settings' ), 11 ); // allow code to create settings first
@@ -474,7 +507,8 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 			return;
 		}
 
-		if ( ! wp_is_uuid( $this->_changeset_uuid ) ) {
+		// If a changeset was provided is invalid.
+		if ( isset( $this->_changeset_uuid ) && false !== $this->_changeset_uuid && ! wp_is_uuid( $this->_changeset_uuid ) ) {
 			$this->wp_die( -1, __( 'Invalid changeset UUID' ) );
 		}
 
@@ -535,6 +569,9 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 			}
 		}
 
+		// Make sure changeset UUID is established immediately after the theme is loaded.
+		add_action( 'after_setup_theme', array( $this, 'establish_loaded_changeset' ), 5 );
+
 		/*
 		 * Import theme starter content for fresh installations when landing in the customizer.
 		 * Import starter content at after_setup_theme:100 so that any
@@ -547,6 +584,72 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		$this->start_previewing_theme();
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Establish the loaded changeset.
+	 *
+	 * This method runs right at after_setup_theme and applies the 'customize_changeset_branching' filter to determine
+	 * whether concurrent changesets are allowed. Then if the Customizer is not initialized with a `changeset_uuid` param,
+	 * this method will determine which UUID should be used. If changeset branching is disabled, then the most saved
+	 * changeset will be loaded by default. Otherwise, if there are no existing saved changesets or if changeset branching is
+	 * enabled, then a new UUID will be generated.
+	 *
+	 * @since 4.9.0
+	 */
+	public function establish_loaded_changeset() {
+
+		/**
+		 * Filters whether or not changeset branching is allowed.
+		 *
+		 * By default in core, when changeset branching is not allowed, changesets will operate
+		 * linearly in that only one saved changeset will exist at a time (with a 'draft' or
+		 * 'future' status). This makes the Customizer operate in a way that is similar to going to
+		 * "edit" to one existing post: all users will be making changes to the same post, and autosave
+		 * revisions will be made for that post.
+		 *
+		 * By contrast, when changeset branching is allowed, then the model is like users going
+		 * to "add new" for a page and each user makes changes independently of each other since
+		 * they are all operating on their own separate pages, each getting their own separate
+		 * initial auto-drafts and then once initially saved, autosave revisions on top of that
+		 * user's specific post.
+		 *
+		 * Since linear changesets are deemed to be more suitable for the majority of WordPress users,
+		 * they are the default. For WordPress sites that have heavy site management in the Customizer
+		 * by multiple users then branching changesets should be enabled by means of this filter.
+		 *
+		 * @since 4.9.0
+		 *
+		 * @param bool                 $allow_branching Whether branching is allowed. If `false`, the default,
+		 *                                              then only one saved changeset exists at a time.
+		 * @param WP_Customize_Manager $wp_customize    Manager instance.
+		 */
+		$this->branching = apply_filters( 'customize_changeset_branching', $this->branching, $this );
+
+		if ( empty( $this->_changeset_uuid ) ) {
+			$changeset_uuid = null;
+
+			if ( ! $this->branching ) {
+				$unpublished_changeset_posts = $this->get_changeset_posts( array(
+					'post_status' => array_diff( get_post_stati(), array( 'auto-draft', 'publish', 'trash', 'inherit', 'private' ) ),
+					'exclude_restore_dismissed' => false,
+					'posts_per_page' => 1,
+					'order' => 'DESC',
+					'orderby' => 'date',
+				) );
+				$unpublished_changeset_post = array_shift( $unpublished_changeset_posts );
+				if ( ! empty( $unpublished_changeset_post ) && wp_is_uuid( $unpublished_changeset_post->post_name ) ) {
+					$changeset_uuid = $unpublished_changeset_post->post_name;
+				}
+			}
+
+			// If no changeset UUID has been set yet, then generate a new one.
+			if ( empty( $changeset_uuid ) ) {
+				$changeset_uuid = wp_generate_uuid4();
+			}
+
+			$this->_changeset_uuid = $changeset_uuid;
+		}
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Callback to validate a theme once it is loaded
 	 *
@@ -652,10 +755,16 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 	 * Get the changeset UUID.
 	 *
 	 * @since 4.7.0
+	 * @since 4.9.0 An exception is thrown if the changeset UUID has not been established yet.
+	 * @see WP_Customize_Manager::establish_loaded_changeset()
 	 *
+	 * @throws Exception When the UUID has not been set yet.
 	 * @return string UUID.
 	 */
 	public function changeset_uuid() {
+		if ( empty( $this->_changeset_uuid ) ) {
+			throw new Exception( 'Changeset UUID has not been set.' ); // @todo Replace this with a call to `WP_Customize_Manager::establish_loaded_changeset()` during 4.9-beta2.
+		}
 		return $this->_changeset_uuid;
 	}
 
@@ -824,6 +933,53 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		return null;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Get changeset posts.
+	 *
+	 * @since 4.9.0
+	 *
+	 * @param array $args {
+	 *     Args to pass into `get_posts()` to query changesets.
+	 *
+	 *     @type int    $posts_per_page             Number of posts to return. Defaults to -1 (all posts).
+	 *     @type int    $author                     Post author. Defaults to current user.
+	 *     @type string $post_status                Status of changeset. Defaults to 'auto-draft'.
+	 *     @type bool   $exclude_restore_dismissed  Whether to exclude changeset auto-drafts that have been dismissed. Defaults to true.
+	 * }
+	 * @return WP_Post[] Auto-draft changesets.
+	 */
+	protected function get_changeset_posts( $args = array() ) {
+		$default_args = array(
+			'exclude_restore_dismissed' => true,
+			'posts_per_page' => -1,
+			'post_type' => 'customize_changeset',
+			'post_status' => 'auto-draft',
+			'order' => 'DESC',
+			'orderby' => 'date',
+			'no_found_rows' => true,
+			'cache_results' => true,
+			'update_post_meta_cache' => false,
+			'update_post_term_cache' => false,
+			'lazy_load_term_meta' => false,
+		);
+		if ( get_current_user_id() ) {
+			$default_args['author'] = get_current_user_id();
+		}
+		$args = array_merge( $default_args, $args );
+
+		if ( ! empty( $args['exclude_restore_dismissed'] ) ) {
+			unset( $args['exclude_restore_dismissed'] );
+			$args['meta_query'] = array(
+				array(
+					'key' => '_customize_restore_dismissed',
+					'compare' => 'NOT EXISTS',
+				),
+			);
+		}
+
+		return get_posts( $args );
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Get the changeset post id for the loaded changeset.
 	 *
@@ -833,7 +989,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 	 */
 	public function changeset_post_id() {
 		if ( ! isset( $this->_changeset_post_id ) ) {
-			$post_id = $this->find_changeset_post_id( $this->_changeset_uuid );
+			$post_id = $this->find_changeset_post_id( $this->changeset_uuid() );
 			if ( ! $post_id ) {
 				$post_id = false;
 			}
@@ -861,7 +1017,11 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		if ( ! $changeset_post ) {
 			return new WP_Error( 'missing_post' );
 		}
-		if ( 'customize_changeset' !== $changeset_post->post_type ) {
+		if ( 'revision' === $changeset_post->post_type ) {
+			if ( 'customize_changeset' !== get_post_type( $changeset_post->post_parent ) ) {
+				return new WP_Error( 'wrong_post_type' );
+			}
+		} elseif ( 'customize_changeset' !== $changeset_post->post_type ) {
 			return new WP_Error( 'wrong_post_type' );
 		}
 		$changeset_data = json_decode( $changeset_post->post_content, true );
@@ -878,6 +1038,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 	 * Get changeset data.
 	 *
 	 * @since 4.7.0
+	 * @since 4.9.0 This will return the changeset's data with a user's autosave revision merged on top, if one exists and $autosaved is true.
 	 *
 	 * @return array Changeset data.
 	 */
@@ -889,11 +1050,24 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		if ( ! $changeset_post_id ) {
 			$this->_changeset_data = array();
 		} else {
-			$data = $this->get_changeset_post_data( $changeset_post_id );
-			if ( ! is_wp_error( $data ) ) {
-				$this->_changeset_data = $data;
-			} else {
-				$this->_changeset_data = array();
+			if ( $this->autosaved ) {
+				$autosave_post = wp_get_post_autosave( $changeset_post_id );
+				if ( $autosave_post ) {
+					$data = $this->get_changeset_post_data( $autosave_post->ID );
+					if ( ! is_wp_error( $data ) ) {
+						$this->_changeset_data = $data;
+					}
+				}
+			}
+
+			// Load data from the changeset if it was not loaded from an autosave.
+			if ( ! isset( $this->_changeset_data ) ) {
+				$data = $this->get_changeset_post_data( $changeset_post_id );
+				if ( ! is_wp_error( $data ) ) {
+					$this->_changeset_data = $data;
+				} else {
+					$this->_changeset_data = array();
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		return $this->_changeset_data;
@@ -1374,6 +1548,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 			'data' => array_fill_keys( $this->pending_starter_content_settings_ids, array( 'starter_content' => true ) ),
 			'starter_content' => true,
 		) );
+		$this->saved_starter_content_changeset = true;
 
 		$this->pending_starter_content_settings_ids = array();
 	}
@@ -1796,7 +1971,8 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 
 		$settings = array(
 			'changeset' => array(
-				'uuid' => $this->_changeset_uuid,
+				'uuid' => $this->changeset_uuid(),
+				'autosaved' => $this->autosaved,
 			),
 			'timeouts' => array(
 				'selectiveRefresh' => 250,
@@ -2078,7 +2254,8 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		}
 
 		$changeset_post_id = $this->changeset_post_id();
-		if ( empty( $changeset_post_id ) ) {
+		$is_new_changeset = empty( $changeset_post_id );
+		if ( $is_new_changeset ) {
 			if ( ! current_user_can( get_post_type_object( 'customize_changeset' )->cap->create_posts ) ) {
 				wp_send_json_error( 'cannot_create_changeset_post' );
 			}
@@ -2144,11 +2321,17 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 			}
 		}
 
+		$autosave = ! empty( $_POST['customize_changeset_autosave'] );
+		if ( $autosave && ! defined( 'DOING_AUTOSAVE' ) ) { // Back-compat.
+			define( 'DOING_AUTOSAVE', true );
+		}
+
 		$r = $this->save_changeset_post( array(
 			'status' => $changeset_status,
 			'title' => $changeset_title,
 			'date_gmt' => $changeset_date_gmt,
 			'data' => $input_changeset_data,
+			'autosave' => $autosave,
 		) );
 		if ( is_wp_error( $r ) ) {
 			$response = array(
@@ -2163,6 +2346,20 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		} else {
 			$response = $r;
 
+			// Dismiss all other auto-draft changeset posts for this user (they serve like autosave revisions), as there should only be one.
+			if ( $is_new_changeset ) {
+				$changeset_autodraft_posts = $this->get_changeset_posts( array(
+					'post_status' => 'auto-draft',
+					'exclude_restore_dismissed' => true,
+					'posts_per_page' => -1,
+				) );
+				foreach ( $changeset_autodraft_posts as $autosave_autodraft_post ) {
+					if ( $autosave_autodraft_post->ID !== $this->changeset_post_id() ) {
+						update_post_meta( $autosave_autodraft_post->ID, '_customize_restore_dismissed', true );
+					}
+				}
+			}
+
 			// Note that if the changeset status was publish, then it will get set to trash if revisions are not supported.
 			$response['changeset_status'] = get_post_status( $this->changeset_post_id() );
 			if ( $is_publish && 'trash' === $response['changeset_status'] ) {
@@ -2212,6 +2409,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 	 *     @type string $date_gmt        Date in GMT. Optional.
 	 *     @type int    $user_id         ID for user who is saving the changeset. Optional, defaults to the current user ID.
 	 *     @type bool   $starter_content Whether the data is starter content. If false (default), then $starter_content will be cleared for any $data being saved.
+	 *     @type bool   $autosave        Whether this is a request to create an autosave revision.
 	 * }
 	 *
 	 * @return array|WP_Error Returns array on success and WP_Error with array data on error.
@@ -2226,6 +2424,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 				'date_gmt' => null,
 				'user_id' => get_current_user_id(),
 				'starter_content' => false,
+				'autosave' => false,
 			),
 			$args
 		);
@@ -2277,6 +2476,17 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 			$args['status'] = 'future';
 		}
 
+		// Validate autosave param. See _wp_post_revision_fields() for why these fields are disallowed.
+		if ( $args['autosave'] ) {
+			if ( $args['date_gmt'] ) {
+				return new WP_Error( 'illegal_autosave_with_date_gmt' );
+			} elseif ( $args['status'] ) {
+				return new WP_Error( 'illegal_autosave_with_status' );
+			} elseif ( $args['user_id'] && get_current_user_id() !== $args['user_id'] ) {
+				return new WP_Error( 'illegal_autosave_with_non_current_user' );
+			}
+		}
+
 		// The request was made via wp.customize.previewer.save().
 		$update_transactionally = (bool) $args['status'];
 		$allow_revision = (bool) $args['status'];
@@ -2519,8 +2729,23 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 
 		// Note that updating a post with publish status will trigger WP_Customize_Manager::publish_changeset_values().
 		if ( $changeset_post_id ) {
-			$post_array['edit_date'] = true; // Prevent date clearing.
-			$r = wp_update_post( wp_slash( $post_array ), true );
+			if ( $args['autosave'] && 'auto-draft' !== get_post_status( $changeset_post_id ) ) {
+				// See _wp_translate_postdata() for why this is required as it will use the edit_post meta capability.
+				add_filter( 'map_meta_cap', array( $this, 'grant_edit_post_capability_for_changeset' ), 10, 4 );
+				$post_array['post_ID'] = $post_array['ID'];
+				$post_array['post_type'] = 'customize_changeset';
+				$r = wp_create_post_autosave( wp_slash( $post_array ) );
+				remove_filter( 'map_meta_cap', array( $this, 'grant_edit_post_capability_for_changeset' ), 10 );
+			} else {
+				$post_array['edit_date'] = true; // Prevent date clearing.
+				$r = wp_update_post( wp_slash( $post_array ), true );
+
+				// Delete autosave revision when the changeset is updated.
+				$autosave_draft = wp_get_post_autosave( $changeset_post_id );
+				if ( $autosave_draft ) {
+					wp_delete_post( $autosave_draft->ID, true );
+				}
+			}
 		} else {
 			$r = wp_insert_post( wp_slash( $post_array ), true );
 			if ( ! is_wp_error( $r ) ) {
@@ -2546,6 +2771,35 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		return $response;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Re-map 'edit_post' meta cap for a customize_changeset post to be the same as 'customize' maps.
+	 *
+	 * There is essentially a "meta meta" cap in play here, where 'edit_post' meta cap maps to
+	 * the 'customize' meta cap which then maps to 'edit_theme_options'. This is currently
+	 * required in core for `wp_create_post_autosave()` because it will call
+	 * `_wp_translate_postdata()` which in turn will check if a user can 'edit_post', but the
+	 * the caps for the customize_changeset post type are all mapping to the meta capability.
+	 * This should be able to be removed once #40922 is addressed in core.
+	 *
+	 * @since 4.9.0
+	 * @link https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/40922
+	 * @see WP_Customize_Manager::save_changeset_post()
+	 * @see _wp_translate_postdata()
+	 *
+	 * @param array  $caps    Returns the user's actual capabilities.
+	 * @param string $cap     Capability name.
+	 * @param int    $user_id The user ID.
+	 * @param array  $args    Adds the context to the cap. Typically the object ID.
+	 * @return array Capabilities.
+	 */
+	public function grant_edit_post_capability_for_changeset( $caps, $cap, $user_id, $args ) {
+		if ( 'edit_post' === $cap && ! empty( $args[0] ) && 'customize_changeset' === get_post_type( $args[0] ) ) {
+			$post_type_obj = get_post_type_object( 'customize_changeset' );
+			$caps = map_meta_cap( $post_type_obj->cap->$cap, $user_id );
+		}
+		return $caps;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Whether a changeset revision should be made.
 	 *
@@ -2785,6 +3039,51 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		wp_send_json_success( $this->get_nonces() );
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Delete a given auto-draft changeset or the autosave revision for a given changeset.
+	 *
+	 * @since 4.9.0
+	 */
+	public function handle_dismiss_changeset_autosave_request() {
+		if ( ! $this->is_preview() ) {
+			wp_send_json_error( 'not_preview', 400 );
+		}
+
+		if ( ! check_ajax_referer( 'dismiss_customize_changeset_autosave', 'nonce', false ) ) {
+			wp_send_json_error( 'invalid_nonce', 403 );
+		}
+
+		$changeset_post_id = $this->changeset_post_id();
+		if ( empty( $changeset_post_id ) ) {
+			wp_send_json_error( 'missing_changeset', 404 );
+		}
+
+		if ( 'auto-draft' === get_post_status( $changeset_post_id ) ) {
+			if ( ! update_post_meta( $changeset_post_id, '_customize_restore_dismissed', true ) ) {
+				wp_send_json_error( 'auto_draft_dismissal_failure', 500 );
+			} else {
+				wp_send_json_success( 'auto_draft_dismissed' );
+			}
+		} else {
+			$revision = wp_get_post_autosave( $changeset_post_id );
+
+			if ( $revision ) {
+				if ( ! current_user_can( get_post_type_object( 'customize_changeset' )->cap->delete_post, $changeset_post_id ) ) {
+					wp_send_json_error( 'cannot_delete_autosave_revision', 403 );
+				}
+
+				if ( ! wp_delete_post( $revision->ID, true ) ) {
+					wp_send_json_error( 'autosave_revision_deletion_failure', 500 );
+				} else {
+					wp_send_json_success( 'autosave_revision_deleted' );
+				}
+			} else {
+				wp_send_json_error( 'no_autosave_to_delete', 404 );
+			}
+		}
+		wp_send_json_error( 'unknown_error', 500 );
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Add a customize setting.
 	 *
@@ -3527,6 +3826,7 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 		$nonces = array(
 			'save' => wp_create_nonce( 'save-customize_' . $this->get_stylesheet() ),
 			'preview' => wp_create_nonce( 'preview-customize_' . $this->get_stylesheet() ),
+			'dismiss_autosave' => wp_create_nonce( 'dismiss_customize_changeset_autosave' ),
 		);
 
 		/**
@@ -3563,11 +3863,33 @@ final class WP_Customize_Manager {
 			}
 		}
 
+		$autosave_revision_post = null;
+		$autosave_autodraft_post = null;
+		$changeset_post_id = $this->changeset_post_id();
+		if ( ! $this->saved_starter_content_changeset && ! $this->autosaved ) {
+			if ( $changeset_post_id ) {
+				$autosave_revision_post = wp_get_post_autosave( $changeset_post_id );
+			} else {
+				$autosave_autodraft_posts = $this->get_changeset_posts( array(
+					'posts_per_page' => 1,
+					'post_status' => 'auto-draft',
+					'exclude_restore_dismissed' => true,
+				) );
+				if ( ! empty( $autosave_autodraft_posts ) ) {
+					$autosave_autodraft_post = array_shift( $autosave_autodraft_posts );
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
 		// Prepare Customizer settings to pass to JavaScript.
 		$settings = array(
 			'changeset' => array(
 				'uuid' => $this->changeset_uuid(),
-				'status' => $this->changeset_post_id() ? get_post_status( $this->changeset_post_id() ) : '',
+				'branching' => $this->branching,
+				'autosaved' => $this->autosaved,
+				'hasAutosaveRevision' => ! empty( $autosave_revision_post ),
+				'latestAutoDraftUuid' => $autosave_autodraft_post ? $autosave_autodraft_post->post_name : null,
+				'status' => $changeset_post_id ? get_post_status( $changeset_post_id ) : '',
 			),
 			'timeouts' => array(
 				'windowRefresh' => 250,
diff --git a/src/wp-includes/js/customize-preview.js b/src/wp-includes/js/customize-preview.js
index 777b45dbce..fdc37fc259 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/js/customize-preview.js
+++ b/src/wp-includes/js/customize-preview.js
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@
 			newQueryParams = api.utils.parseQueryString( urlParser.search.substr( 1 ) );
 
 			newQueryParams.customize_changeset_uuid = oldQueryParams.customize_changeset_uuid;
+			if ( api.settings.changeset.autosaved ) {
+				newQueryParams.customize_autosaved = 'on';
+			}
 			if ( oldQueryParams.customize_theme ) {
 				newQueryParams.customize_theme = oldQueryParams.customize_theme;
 			}
@@ -364,6 +367,9 @@
 
 		queryParams = api.utils.parseQueryString( element.search.substring( 1 ) );
 		queryParams.customize_changeset_uuid = api.settings.changeset.uuid;
+		if ( api.settings.changeset.autosaved ) {
+			queryParams.customize_autosaved = 'on';
+		}
 		if ( ! api.settings.theme.active ) {
 			queryParams.customize_theme = api.settings.theme.stylesheet;
 		}
@@ -439,6 +445,9 @@
 
 			// Include customized state query params in URL.
 			queryParams.customize_changeset_uuid = api.settings.changeset.uuid;
+			if ( api.settings.changeset.autosaved ) {
+				queryParams.customize_autosaved = 'on';
+			}
 			if ( ! api.settings.theme.active ) {
 				queryParams.customize_theme = api.settings.theme.stylesheet;
 			}
@@ -516,6 +525,9 @@
 		$( form ).removeClass( 'customize-unpreviewable' );
 
 		stateParams.customize_changeset_uuid = api.settings.changeset.uuid;
+		if ( api.settings.changeset.autosaved ) {
+			stateParams.customize_autosaved = 'on';
+		}
 		if ( ! api.settings.theme.active ) {
 			stateParams.customize_theme = api.settings.theme.stylesheet;
 		}
@@ -555,7 +567,7 @@
 		var previousPathName = location.pathname,
 			previousQueryString = location.search.substr( 1 ),
 			previousQueryParams = null,
-			stateQueryParams = [ 'customize_theme', 'customize_changeset_uuid', 'customize_messenger_channel' ];
+			stateQueryParams = [ 'customize_theme', 'customize_changeset_uuid', 'customize_messenger_channel', 'customize_autosaved' ];
 
 		return function keepAliveCurrentUrl() {
 			var urlParser, currentQueryParams;
@@ -754,7 +766,6 @@
 		});
 
 		api.preview.bind( 'saved', function( response ) {
-
 			if ( response.next_changeset_uuid ) {
 				api.settings.changeset.uuid = response.next_changeset_uuid;
 
@@ -779,6 +790,25 @@
 			api.trigger( 'saved', response );
 		} );
 
+		// Update the URLs to reflect the fact we've started autosaving.
+		api.preview.bind( 'autosaving', function() {
+			if ( api.settings.changeset.autosaved ) {
+				return;
+			}
+
+			api.settings.changeset.autosaved = true; // Start deferring to any autosave once changeset is updated.
+
+			$( document.body ).find( 'a[href], area' ).each( function() {
+				api.prepareLinkPreview( this );
+			} );
+			$( document.body ).find( 'form' ).each( function() {
+				api.prepareFormPreview( this );
+			} );
+			if ( history.replaceState ) {
+				history.replaceState( currentHistoryState, '', location.href );
+			}
+		} );
+
 		/*
 		 * Clear dirty flag for settings when saved to changeset so that they
 		 * won't be needlessly included in selective refresh or ajax requests.
diff --git a/src/wp-includes/script-loader.php b/src/wp-includes/script-loader.php
index fa1ada70fb..3ffb7ebe7c 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/script-loader.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/script-loader.php
@@ -561,6 +561,8 @@ function wp_default_scripts( &$scripts ) {
 		'expandSidebar'      => _x( 'Show Controls', 'label for hide controls button without length constraints' ),
 		'untitledBlogName'   => __( '(Untitled)' ),
 		'serverSaveError'    => __( 'Failed connecting to the server. Please try saving again.' ),
+		/* translators: placeholder is URL to the Customizer to load the autosaved version */
+		'autosaveNotice'     => __( 'There is a more recent autosave of your changes than the one you are previewing. <a href="%s">Restore the autosave</a>' ),
 		'videoHeaderNotice'   => __( 'This theme doesn\'t support video headers on this page. Navigate to the front page or another page that supports video headers.' ),
 		// Used for overriding the file types allowed in plupload.
 		'allowedFiles'       => __( 'Allowed Files' ),
diff --git a/src/wp-includes/theme.php b/src/wp-includes/theme.php
index ad5b12248e..89eab5f790 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/theme.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/theme.php
@@ -2787,15 +2787,17 @@ function _wp_customize_include() {
 	 * called before wp_magic_quotes() gets called. Besides this fact, none of
 	 * the values should contain any characters needing slashes anyway.
 	 */
-	$keys = array( 'changeset_uuid', 'customize_changeset_uuid', 'customize_theme', 'theme', 'customize_messenger_channel' );
+	$keys = array( 'changeset_uuid', 'customize_changeset_uuid', 'customize_theme', 'theme', 'customize_messenger_channel', 'customize_autosaved' );
 	$input_vars = array_merge(
 		wp_array_slice_assoc( $_GET, $keys ),
 		wp_array_slice_assoc( $_POST, $keys )
 	);
 
 	$theme = null;
-	$changeset_uuid = null;
+	$changeset_uuid = false; // Value false indicates UUID should be determined after_setup_theme to either re-use existing saved changeset or else generate a new UUID if none exists.
 	$messenger_channel = null;
+	$autosaved = null;
+	$branching = false; // Set initially fo false since defaults to true for back-compat; can be overridden via the customize_changeset_branching filter.
 
 	if ( $is_customize_admin_page && isset( $input_vars['changeset_uuid'] ) ) {
 		$changeset_uuid = sanitize_key( $input_vars['changeset_uuid'] );
@@ -2809,6 +2811,11 @@ function _wp_customize_include() {
 	} elseif ( isset( $input_vars['customize_theme'] ) ) {
 		$theme = $input_vars['customize_theme'];
 	}
+
+	if ( ! empty( $input_vars['customize_autosaved'] ) ) {
+		$autosaved = true;
+	}
+
 	if ( isset( $input_vars['customize_messenger_channel'] ) ) {
 		$messenger_channel = sanitize_key( $input_vars['customize_messenger_channel'] );
 	}
@@ -2830,7 +2837,7 @@ function _wp_customize_include() {
 	$settings_previewed = ! $is_customize_save_action;
 
 	require_once ABSPATH . WPINC . '/class-wp-customize-manager.php';
-	$GLOBALS['wp_customize'] = new WP_Customize_Manager( compact( 'changeset_uuid', 'theme', 'messenger_channel', 'settings_previewed' ) );
+	$GLOBALS['wp_customize'] = new WP_Customize_Manager( compact( 'changeset_uuid', 'theme', 'messenger_channel', 'settings_previewed', 'autosaved', 'branching' ) );
 }
 
 /**