diff --git a/.sdlc/branches/feature/data-models.yaml b/.sdlc/branches/feature/data-models.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c69552c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.sdlc/branches/feature/data-models.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+name: feature/data-models
+feature: data-models
+base_branch: main
+created_at: 2026-02-09T13:50:55.57977286Z
diff --git a/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml b/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
index c4d47c7..daa28b6 100644
--- a/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
+++ b/.sdlc/features/data-models/manifest.yaml
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 slug: data-models
 title: Core Data Models & Persistence
 created: 2026-02-09T13:49:20.497880778Z
+branch: feature/data-models
 phase: planned
 phase_history:
     - phase: draft
diff --git a/.sdlc/state.yaml b/.sdlc/state.yaml
index aa2e971..2d12d0d 100644
--- a/.sdlc/state.yaml
+++ b/.sdlc/state.yaml
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ active_work:
         - slug: task-management-ui
           phase: specified
 blocked: []
-last_updated: 2026-02-09T13:50:50.519139126Z
-last_action: TRANSITION
+last_updated: 2026-02-09T13:50:55.596230512Z
+last_action: CREATE_BRANCH
 last_actor: cli
 history:
     - timestamp: 2026-02-09T13:49:20.498142942Z
@@ -62,3 +62,8 @@ history:
       feature: data-models
       actor: cli
       result: success
+    - timestamp: 2026-02-09T13:50:55.596228227Z
+      action: CREATE_BRANCH
+      feature: data-models
+      actor: cli
+      result: success