diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9128643fd6..7ad9c28ca5 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -106,6 +106,11 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 * `jj log` timestamp format now accepts `.utc()` to convert a timestamp to UTC.
 
+* `jj next` and `jj prev` are added, these allow you to traverse the history
+  in a linear style. For people coming from Sapling and `git-branchles`
+  see [#2126](https://github.com/martinvonz/jj/issues/2126) for 
+  further pending improvements.
+
 ### Fixed bugs
 
 * Fix issues related to .gitignore handling of untracked directories
diff --git a/cli/src/commands/mod.rs b/cli/src/commands/mod.rs
index 7754e1e0a7..ad263a7116 100644
--- a/cli/src/commands/mod.rs
+++ b/cli/src/commands/mod.rs
@@ -108,10 +108,12 @@ enum Commands {
     Merge(NewArgs),
     Move(MoveArgs),
     New(NewArgs),
+    Next(NextArgs),
     Obslog(ObslogArgs),
     #[command(subcommand)]
     #[command(visible_alias = "op")]
     Operation(operation::OperationCommands),
+    Prev(PrevArgs),
     Rebase(RebaseArgs),
     Resolve(ResolveArgs),
     Restore(RestoreArgs),
@@ -545,6 +547,84 @@ struct NewArgs {
     insert_before: bool,
 }
 
+/// Move the current working copy commit to the next child revision in the
+/// repository.
+///
+///
+/// The command moves you to the next child in a linear fashion.
+///
+///
+/// D      D @
+/// |      |/
+/// C @ => C
+/// |/     |
+/// B      B
+///
+///
+/// If `--edit` is passed, it will move you directly to the child
+/// revision. As `next` is unable to create new commits, you're unable
+/// to advance in the repositories history without repeatedly `next --edit`ing.
+/// Use `jj new` to get a new working-copy commit.
+///
+///
+/// D    D
+/// |    |
+/// C    C
+/// |    |
+/// B => @
+/// |    |
+/// @    A
+// TODO(#2126): Handle multiple child revisions properly.
+#[derive(clap::Args, Clone, Debug)]
+#[command(verbatim_doc_comment)]
+struct NextArgs {
+    /// How many revisions to move forward. By default advances to the next
+    /// child.
+    #[arg(default_value = "1")]
+    amount: u64,
+    /// Instead of creating a new working-copy commit on top of the target
+    /// commit (like `jj new`), edit the target commit directly (like `jj
+    /// edit`).
+    #[arg(long)]
+    edit: bool,
+}
+
+/// Move the working copy commit to the parent of the current revision.
+///
+///
+/// The command moves you to the parent in a linear fashion.
+///
+///
+/// D @  D
+/// |/   |
+/// A => A @
+/// |    | /
+/// B    B
+///
+///
+/// If `--edit` is passed, it will move the working copy commit
+/// directly to the parent.
+///
+///
+/// D @  D
+/// |/   |
+/// C => @
+/// |    |
+/// B    B
+/// |    |
+/// A    A
+// TODO(#2126): Handle multiple parents, e.g merges.
+#[derive(clap::Args, Clone, Debug)]
+#[command(verbatim_doc_comment)]
+struct PrevArgs {
+    /// How many revisions to move backward. By default moves to the parent.
+    #[arg(default_value = "1")]
+    amount: u64,
+    /// Edit the parent directly, instead of moving the working-copy commit.
+    #[arg(long)]
+    edit: bool,
+}
+
 /// Move changes from one revision into another
 ///
 /// Use `--interactive` to move only part of the source revision into the
@@ -2350,6 +2430,131 @@ Please use `jj new 'all:x|y'` instead of `jj new --allow-large-revsets x y`.",
     Ok(())
 }
 
+fn cmd_next(ui: &mut Ui, command: &CommandHelper, args: &NextArgs) -> Result<(), CommandError> {
+    let mut workspace_command = command.workspace_helper(ui)?;
+    let edit = args.edit;
+    let amount = args.amount;
+    let current_wc_id = workspace_command
+        .get_wc_commit_id()
+        .ok_or_else(|| user_error("This command requires a working copy"))?;
+    let current_wc = workspace_command.repo().store().get_commit(current_wc_id)?;
+    let current_short = short_commit_hash(current_wc.id());
+    // If we're editing, start at the working-copy commit.
+    // Otherwise start from our direct parent.
+    let start_id = if edit {
+        current_wc_id
+    } else {
+        match current_wc.parent_ids() {
+            [parent_id] => parent_id,
+            _ => return Err(user_error("Cannot run `jj next` on a merge commit")),
+        }
+    };
+    let descendant_expression = RevsetExpression::commit(start_id.clone()).descendants_at(amount);
+    let target_expression = if edit {
+        descendant_expression
+    } else {
+        descendant_expression.minus(&RevsetExpression::commit(current_wc_id.clone()).descendants())
+    };
+    let targets: Vec<Commit> = target_expression
+        .resolve(workspace_command.repo().as_ref())?
+        .evaluate(workspace_command.repo().as_ref())?
+        .iter()
+        .commits(workspace_command.repo().store())
+        .take(2)
+        .try_collect()?;
+    let target = match targets.as_slice() {
+        [target] => target,
+        [] => {
+            // We found no descendant.
+            return Err(user_error(format!(
+                "No descendant found {amount} commit{} forward",
+                if amount > 1 { "s" } else { "" }
+            )));
+        }
+        _ => {
+            // TODO(#2126) We currently cannot deal with multiple children, which result
+            // from branches. Prompt the user for resolution.
+            return Err(user_error("Ambiguous target commit"));
+        }
+    };
+    let target_short = short_commit_hash(target.id());
+    // We're editing, just move to the target commit.
+    if edit {
+        // We're editing, the target must be rewritable.
+        workspace_command.check_rewritable(target)?;
+        let mut tx = workspace_command
+            .start_transaction(&format!("next: {current_short} -> editing {target_short}"));
+        tx.edit(target)?;
+        tx.finish(ui)?;
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    let mut tx =
+        workspace_command.start_transaction(&format!("next: {current_short} -> {target_short}"));
+    // Move the working-copy commit to the new parent.
+    tx.check_out(target)?;
+    tx.finish(ui)?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn cmd_prev(ui: &mut Ui, command: &CommandHelper, args: &PrevArgs) -> Result<(), CommandError> {
+    let mut workspace_command = command.workspace_helper(ui)?;
+    let edit = args.edit;
+    let amount = args.amount;
+    let current_wc_id = workspace_command
+        .get_wc_commit_id()
+        .ok_or_else(|| user_error("This command requires a working copy"))?;
+    let current_wc = workspace_command.repo().store().get_commit(current_wc_id)?;
+    let current_short = short_commit_hash(current_wc.id());
+    let start_id = if edit {
+        current_wc_id
+    } else {
+        match current_wc.parent_ids() {
+            [parent_id] => parent_id,
+            _ => return Err(user_error("Cannot run `jj prev` on a merge commit")),
+        }
+    };
+    let ancestor_expression = RevsetExpression::commit(start_id.clone()).ancestors_at(amount);
+    let target_revset = if edit {
+        ancestor_expression
+    } else {
+        ancestor_expression.minus(&RevsetExpression::commit(current_wc_id.clone()))
+    };
+    let targets: Vec<_> = target_revset
+        .resolve(workspace_command.repo().as_ref())?
+        .evaluate(workspace_command.repo().as_ref())?
+        .iter()
+        .commits(workspace_command.repo().store())
+        .take(2)
+        .try_collect()?;
+    let target = match targets.as_slice() {
+        [target] => target,
+        [] => {
+            return Err(user_error(format!(
+                "No ancestor found {amount} commit{} back",
+                if amount > 1 { "s" } else { "" }
+            )))
+        }
+        _ => return Err(user_error("Ambiguous target commit")),
+    };
+    // Generate a short commit hash, to make it readable in the op log.
+    let target_short = short_commit_hash(target.id());
+    // If we're editing, just move to the revision directly.
+    if edit {
+        // The target must be rewritable if we're editing.
+        workspace_command.check_rewritable(target)?;
+        let mut tx = workspace_command
+            .start_transaction(&format!("prev: {current_short} -> editing {target_short}"));
+        tx.edit(target)?;
+        tx.finish(ui)?;
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    let mut tx =
+        workspace_command.start_transaction(&format!("prev: {current_short} -> {target_short}"));
+    tx.check_out(target)?;
+    tx.finish(ui)?;
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 fn combine_messages(
     repo: &ReadonlyRepo,
     source: &Commit,
@@ -3739,6 +3944,8 @@ pub fn run_command(ui: &mut Ui, command_helper: &CommandHelper) -> Result<(), Co
         Commands::Duplicate(sub_args) => cmd_duplicate(ui, command_helper, sub_args),
         Commands::Abandon(sub_args) => cmd_abandon(ui, command_helper, sub_args),
         Commands::Edit(sub_args) => cmd_edit(ui, command_helper, sub_args),
+        Commands::Next(sub_args) => cmd_next(ui, command_helper, sub_args),
+        Commands::Prev(sub_args) => cmd_prev(ui, command_helper, sub_args),
         Commands::New(sub_args) => cmd_new(ui, command_helper, sub_args),
         Commands::Move(sub_args) => cmd_move(ui, command_helper, sub_args),
         Commands::Squash(sub_args) => cmd_squash(ui, command_helper, sub_args),
diff --git a/cli/tests/test_alias.rs b/cli/tests/test_alias.rs
index cbd2f21fd1..b824c5a808 100644
--- a/cli/tests/test_alias.rs
+++ b/cli/tests/test_alias.rs
@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ fn test_alias_calls_unknown_command() {
     insta::assert_snapshot!(stderr, @r###"
     error: unrecognized subcommand 'nonexistent'
 
+      tip: a similar subcommand exists: 'next'
+
     Usage: jj [OPTIONS] [COMMAND]
 
     For more information, try '--help'.
diff --git a/cli/tests/test_next_prev_commands.rs b/cli/tests/test_next_prev_commands.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..64910b59a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cli/tests/test_next_prev_commands.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,228 @@
+// Copyright 2023 The Jujutsu Authors
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+// https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+//
+
+use crate::common::TestEnvironment;
+
+pub mod common;
+
+#[test]
+fn test_next_simple() {
+    // Move from first => second.
+    // first
+    // |
+    // second
+    // |
+    // third
+    //
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    // Create a simple linear history, which we'll traverse.
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    // Move to `first`
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["new", "@--"]);
+    let stdout = test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["next"]);
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(
+        stdout,
+        @r###"
+    Working copy now at: royxmykx f039cf03 (empty) (no description set)
+    Parent commit      : kkmpptxz 3fa8931e (empty) third
+    "###
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_next_multiple() {
+    // Move from first => fourth.
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "fourth"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["new", "@---"]);
+    let stdout = test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["next", "2"]);
+    // We should now be the child of the fourth commit.
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(
+        stdout,
+        @r###"
+    Working copy now at: yqosqzyt 52a2e8c2 (empty) (no description set)
+    Parent commit      : zsuskuln 009f88bf (empty) fourth
+    "###
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_prev_simple() {
+    // Move from third => second.
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    let stdout = test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["prev"]);
+    // The working copy commit is now a child of "second".
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(
+        stdout,
+        @r###"
+    Working copy now at: mzvwutvl f7a0f876 (empty) (no description set)
+    Parent commit      : rlvkpnrz 5c52832c (empty) second
+    "###
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_prev_multiple_without_root() {
+    // Move from fourth => second.
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "fourth"]);
+    let stdout = test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["prev", "2"]);
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(
+        stdout,
+        @r###"
+    Working copy now at: royxmykx 5647d685 (empty) (no description set)
+    Parent commit      : rlvkpnrz 5c52832c (empty) second
+    "###
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_next_exceeding_history() {
+    // Try to step beyond the current repos history.
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["edit", "-r", "@--"]);
+    let stderr = test_env.jj_cmd_failure(&repo_path, &["next", "3"]);
+    // `jj next` beyond existing history fails.
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(stderr, @r###"
+    Error: No descendant found 3 commits forward
+    "###);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_next_fails_on_branching_children() {
+    // TODO(#2126): Fix this behavior
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    // Create a main branch for this test
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["branch", "set", "main"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    // Create a branching child.
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["branch", "c", "into-the-future"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["co", "into-the-future"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "42"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["co", "main"]);
+    // Make the default branch have two possible children.
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["new", "into-the-future", "@-"]);
+    // Try to advance the working copy commit.
+    let stderr = test_env.jj_cmd_failure(&repo_path, &["next"]);
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(stderr,@r###"
+    Error: Cannot run `jj next` on a merge commit
+    "###);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_prev_fails_on_multiple_parents() {
+    // TODO(#2126): Fix this behavior
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["branch", "c", "all-about"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["co", "all-about"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "soname"]);
+    // Create a merge commit, which has two parents.
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["new", "@-", "@--"]);
+    // We have more than one parent, prev fails.
+    let stderr = test_env.jj_cmd_failure(&repo_path, &["prev"]);
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(stderr,@r###"
+    Error: Cannot run `jj prev` on a merge commit
+    "###);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_prev_onto_root_fails() {
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "fourth"]);
+    // The root commit is before "first".
+    let stderr = test_env.jj_cmd_failure(&repo_path, &["prev", "6"]);
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(stderr,@r###"
+    Error: No ancestor found 6 commits back
+    "###);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_prev_editing() {
+    // Edit the third commit.
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "fourth"]);
+    let stdout = test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["prev", "--edit"]);
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(
+        stdout,
+        @r###"
+    Working copy now at: zsuskuln 009f88bf (empty) fourth
+    Parent commit      : kkmpptxz 3fa8931e (empty) third
+    "###
+    );
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn test_next_editing() {
+    // Edit the second commit.
+    let test_env = TestEnvironment::default();
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(test_env.env_root(), &["init", "repo", "--git"]);
+    let repo_path = test_env.env_root().join("repo");
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "first"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "second"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "third"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["commit", "-m", "fourth"]);
+    test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["edit", "@--"]);
+    let stdout = test_env.jj_cmd_success(&repo_path, &["next", "--edit"]);
+    insta::assert_snapshot!(
+        stdout,
+        @r###"
+    Working copy now at: zsuskuln 009f88bf (empty) fourth
+    Parent commit      : kkmpptxz 3fa8931e (empty) third
+    "###
+    );
+}