diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 24c92c4..d49ebb7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,32 @@
-# ⚡ Linux Server Management Toolkit
+# 🧪 Linux Server Toolkit - DEV Branch
+
+**STATUS**: 🚀 Development & Testing Branch (Separate from Production)
+
+> This is the **`dev` branch** for testing, development, and experimentation.
+> **Production branch**: `main` at https://git.mull.lol/cschantz/Linux-Server-Management-Toolkit
+>
+> Changes here are **isolated from production** and can be safely tested before merging to main.
+
+---
+
+## 📍 Quick Navigation
+
+**For Production**: Visit the `main` branch or `/root/server-toolkit/`
+**For Development**: You're on the `dev` branch → `/root/server-toolkit-beta/`
+
+### Key Differences (Dev vs Production)
+
+| Feature | Dev Branch | Production |
+|---------|-----------|-----------|
+| **Cache** | `.sysref.beta` | `.sysref` |
+| **Version** | `2.1.0-BETA` | `2.1.0` |
+| **Banner** | 🟨 Yellow (⚠️) | 🔵 Cyan |
+| **Git Branch** | `dev` | `main` |
+| **Purpose** | Testing & Development | Stable/Production |
+
+---
+
+## Full Documentation Below
 
 Comprehensive multi-panel server management suite supporting cPanel, InterWorx, Plesk, and standalone Apache with modular architecture and intelligent security features.
 
diff --git a/launcher.sh b/launcher.sh
index be42858..12b3e57 100755
--- a/launcher.sh
+++ b/launcher.sh
@@ -1,16 +1,17 @@
 #!/bin/bash
 
 #############################################################################
-# Server Management Toolkit - Main Launcher
-# Version: 2.1
+# Server Management Toolkit - BETA/DEV Version
+# Version: 2.1-beta
 #
-# Streamlined menu showing only implemented features
+# Development and testing version - SEPARATE FROM PRODUCTION
+# Uses independent cache, config, and data directories
 #############################################################################
 
 set -eo pipefail
 
 # Configuration
-SUITE_VERSION="2.1.0"
+SUITE_VERSION="2.1.0-BETA"
 BASE_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
 MODULES_DIR="$BASE_DIR/modules"
 LIB_DIR="$BASE_DIR/lib"
@@ -36,10 +37,12 @@ NC='\033[0m'
 # Banner
 show_banner() {
     clear
-    echo -e "${CYAN}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
-    echo -e "${CYAN}     ⚡ Server Management Toolkit v${SUITE_VERSION}${NC}"
-    echo -e "${CYAN}     Complete cPanel/Linux Server Administration Suite${NC}"
-    echo -e "${CYAN}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}     ⚠️  Server Management Toolkit v${SUITE_VERSION}${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}     🧪 BETA/DEV VERSION - Testing & Development${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}     Complete cPanel/Linux Server Administration Suite${NC}"
+    echo -e "${YELLOW}═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════${NC}"
+    echo -e "${MAGENTA}     ⚠️  This is a SEPARATE INSTANCE from production${NC}"
     echo ""
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/reference-db.sh b/lib/reference-db.sh
index 06adc68..233f048 100755
--- a/lib/reference-db.sh
+++ b/lib/reference-db.sh
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ if [ -z "$TOOLKIT_BASE_DIR" ]; then
     [ -f "$SCRIPT_DIR/user-manager.sh" ] && source "$SCRIPT_DIR/user-manager.sh" || { echo "ERROR: user-manager.sh not found" >&2; return 1; }
 fi
 
-# Reference database location
-export SYSREF_DB="${TOOLKIT_BASE_DIR}/.sysref"
-export SYSREF_TIMESTAMP="${TOOLKIT_BASE_DIR}/.sysref.timestamp"
+# Reference database location - BETA VERSION (separate from production)
+export SYSREF_DB="${TOOLKIT_BASE_DIR}/.sysref.beta"
+export SYSREF_TIMESTAMP="${TOOLKIT_BASE_DIR}/.sysref.beta.timestamp"
 
 #############################################################################
 # DATABASE STRUCTURE