The introduction of frozen branches in gt version 1.7.0 enhances collaboration in software development by allowing engineers to work on shared projects without the risk of inadvertently altering each other's work. A frozen branch remains in sync with remote updates but blocks local modifications, functioning as a read-only mode, which ensures stability and visibility. This feature is automatically applied when a branch is pulled using gt get, though users can toggle the frozen state with gt freeze or gt unfreeze commands. Frozen branches prevent accidental changes that could lead to merge conflicts, enabling teams to build on each other's work more confidently and efficiently. This update aims to streamline the development process by reducing errors and maintaining alignment among team members, thereby fostering a safer and more reliable collaborative environment.