REST API endpoints for branches
Use the REST API to modify branches and their protection settings.
List branches
Fine-grained access tokens for "List branches"
This endpoint works with the following fine-grained token types:
- GitHub App user access tokens
- GitHub App installation access tokens
- Fine-grained personal access tokens
The fine-grained token must have the following permission set:
- "Contents" repository permissions (read)
This endpoint can be used without authentication or the aforementioned permissions if only public resources are requested.
Parameters for "List branches"
Name, Type, Description |
---|
accept string Setting to |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
owner string RequiredThe account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive. |
repo string RequiredThe name of the repository without the |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
protected boolean Setting to |
per_page integer The number of results per page (max 100). For more information, see "Using pagination in the REST API." Default: |
page integer The page number of the results to fetch. For more information, see "Using pagination in the REST API." Default: |
HTTP response status codes for "List branches"
Status code | Description |
---|---|
200 | OK |
404 | Resource not found |
Code samples for "List branches"
If you access GitHub at GHE.com, replace api.github.com
with your enterprise's dedicated subdomain at api.SUBDOMAIN.ghe.com
.
Request example
curl -L \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
-H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \
https://api.github.com/repos/OWNER/REPO/branches
Response
Status: 200
[
{
"name": "master",
"commit": {
"sha": "c5b97d5ae6c19d5c5df71a34c7fbeeda2479ccbc",
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/c5b97d5ae6c19d5c5df71a34c7fbeeda2479ccbc"
},
"protected": true,
"protection": {
"required_status_checks": {
"enforcement_level": "non_admins",
"contexts": [
"ci-test",
"linter"
]
}
},
"protection_url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/hello-world/branches/master/protection"
}
]
Get a branch
Fine-grained access tokens for "Get a branch"
This endpoint works with the following fine-grained token types:
- GitHub App user access tokens
- GitHub App installation access tokens
- Fine-grained personal access tokens
The fine-grained token must have the following permission set:
- "Contents" repository permissions (read)
This endpoint can be used without authentication or the aforementioned permissions if only public resources are requested.
Parameters for "Get a branch"
Name, Type, Description |
---|
accept string Setting to |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
owner string RequiredThe account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive. |
repo string RequiredThe name of the repository without the |
branch string RequiredThe name of the branch. Cannot contain wildcard characters. To use wildcard characters in branch names, use the GraphQL API. |
HTTP response status codes for "Get a branch"
Status code | Description |
---|---|
200 | OK |
301 | Moved permanently |
404 | Resource not found |
Code samples for "Get a branch"
If you access GitHub at GHE.com, replace api.github.com
with your enterprise's dedicated subdomain at api.SUBDOMAIN.ghe.com
.
Request example
curl -L \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
-H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \
https://api.github.com/repos/OWNER/REPO/branches/BRANCH
Response
Status: 200
{
"name": "main",
"commit": {
"sha": "7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"node_id": "MDY6Q29tbWl0MTI5NjI2OTo3ZmQxYTYwYjAxZjkxYjMxNGY1OTk1NWE0ZTRkNGU4MGQ4ZWRmMTFk",
"commit": {
"author": {
"name": "The Octocat",
"email": "octocat@nowhere.com",
"date": "2012-03-06T23:06:50Z"
},
"committer": {
"name": "The Octocat",
"email": "octocat@nowhere.com",
"date": "2012-03-06T23:06:50Z"
},
"message": "Merge pull request #6 from Spaceghost/patch-1\n\nNew line at end of file.",
"tree": {
"sha": "b4eecafa9be2f2006ce1b709d6857b07069b4608",
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/git/trees/b4eecafa9be2f2006ce1b709d6857b07069b4608"
},
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/git/commits/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"comment_count": 77,
"verification": {
"verified": false,
"reason": "unsigned",
"signature": null,
"payload": null
}
},
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"comments_url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d/comments",
"author": {
"login": "octocat",
"id": 583231,
"node_id": "MDQ6VXNlcjU4MzIzMQ==",
"avatar_url": "https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/583231?v=4",
"gravatar_id": "",
"url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": false
},
"committer": {
"login": "octocat",
"id": 583231,
"node_id": "MDQ6VXNlcjU4MzIzMQ==",
"avatar_url": "https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/583231?v=4",
"gravatar_id": "",
"url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": false
},
"parents": [
{
"sha": "553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e",
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e"
},
{
"sha": "762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303",
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303"
}
]
},
"_links": {
"self": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/branches/main",
"html": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/tree/main"
},
"protected": false,
"protection": {
"enabled": false,
"required_status_checks": {
"enforcement_level": "off",
"contexts": [],
"checks": []
}
},
"protection_url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/branches/main/protection"
}
Rename a branch
Renames a branch in a repository.
Note
Although the API responds immediately, the branch rename process might take some extra time to complete in the background. You won't be able to push to the old branch name while the rename process is in progress. For more information, see "Renaming a branch".
The authenticated user must have push access to the branch. If the branch is the default branch, the authenticated user must also have admin or owner permissions.
In order to rename the default branch, fine-grained access tokens also need the administration:write
repository permission.
Fine-grained access tokens for "Rename a branch"
This endpoint works with the following fine-grained token types:
- GitHub App user access tokens
- GitHub App installation access tokens
- Fine-grained personal access tokens
The fine-grained token must have the following permission set:
- "Contents" repository permissions (write)
Parameters for "Rename a branch"
Name, Type, Description |
---|
accept string Setting to |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
owner string RequiredThe account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive. |
repo string RequiredThe name of the repository without the |
branch string RequiredThe name of the branch. Cannot contain wildcard characters. To use wildcard characters in branch names, use the GraphQL API. |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
new_name string RequiredThe new name of the branch. |
HTTP response status codes for "Rename a branch"
Status code | Description |
---|---|
201 | Created |
403 | Forbidden |
404 | Resource not found |
422 | Validation failed, or the endpoint has been spammed. |
Code samples for "Rename a branch"
If you access GitHub at GHE.com, replace api.github.com
with your enterprise's dedicated subdomain at api.SUBDOMAIN.ghe.com
.
Request example
curl -L \
-X POST \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
-H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \
https://api.github.com/repos/OWNER/REPO/branches/BRANCH/rename \
-d '{"new_name":"my_renamed_branch"}'
Response
Status: 201
{
"name": "master",
"commit": {
"sha": "7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"node_id": "MDY6Q29tbWl0N2ZkMWE2MGIwMWY5MWIzMTRmNTk5NTVhNGU0ZDRlODBkOGVkZjExZA==",
"commit": {
"author": {
"name": "The Octocat",
"date": "2012-03-06T15:06:50-08:00",
"email": "octocat@nowhere.com"
},
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/git/commits/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"message": "Merge pull request #6 from Spaceghost/patch-1\n\nNew line at end of file.",
"tree": {
"sha": "b4eecafa9be2f2006ce1b709d6857b07069b4608",
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/git/trees/b4eecafa9be2f2006ce1b709d6857b07069b4608"
},
"committer": {
"name": "The Octocat",
"date": "2012-03-06T15:06:50-08:00",
"email": "octocat@nowhere.com"
},
"verification": {
"verified": false,
"reason": "unsigned",
"signature": null,
"payload": null
},
"comment_count": 0
},
"author": {
"gravatar_id": "",
"avatar_url": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7ad39074b0584bc555d0417ae3e7d974?d=https://a248.e.akamai.net/assets.github.com%2Fimages%2Fgravatars%2Fgravatar-140.png",
"url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat",
"id": 583231,
"login": "octocat",
"node_id": "MDQ6VXNlcjE=",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": true
},
"parents": [
{
"sha": "553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e",
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e"
},
{
"sha": "762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303",
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303"
}
],
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"committer": {
"gravatar_id": "",
"avatar_url": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/7ad39074b0584bc555d0417ae3e7d974?d=https://a248.e.akamai.net/assets.github.com%2Fimages%2Fgravatars%2Fgravatar-140.png",
"url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat",
"id": 583231,
"login": "octocat",
"node_id": "MDQ6VXNlcjE=",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": true
},
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"comments_url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e/comments"
},
"_links": {
"html": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/tree/master",
"self": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/branches/master"
},
"protected": true,
"protection": {
"required_status_checks": {
"enforcement_level": "non_admins",
"contexts": [
"ci-test",
"linter"
]
}
},
"protection_url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/hello-world/branches/master/protection"
}
Sync a fork branch with the upstream repository
Sync a branch of a forked repository to keep it up-to-date with the upstream repository.
Fine-grained access tokens for "Sync a fork branch with the upstream repository"
This endpoint works with the following fine-grained token types:
- GitHub App user access tokens
- GitHub App installation access tokens
- Fine-grained personal access tokens
The fine-grained token must have the following permission set:
- "Contents" repository permissions (write)
Parameters for "Sync a fork branch with the upstream repository"
Name, Type, Description |
---|
accept string Setting to |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
owner string RequiredThe account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive. |
repo string RequiredThe name of the repository without the |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
branch string RequiredThe name of the branch which should be updated to match upstream. |
HTTP response status codes for "Sync a fork branch with the upstream repository"
Status code | Description |
---|---|
200 | The branch has been successfully synced with the upstream repository |
409 | The branch could not be synced because of a merge conflict |
422 | The branch could not be synced for some other reason |
Code samples for "Sync a fork branch with the upstream repository"
If you access GitHub at GHE.com, replace api.github.com
with your enterprise's dedicated subdomain at api.SUBDOMAIN.ghe.com
.
Request example
curl -L \
-X POST \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
-H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \
https://api.github.com/repos/OWNER/REPO/merge-upstream \
-d '{"branch":"main"}'
The branch has been successfully synced with the upstream repository
Status: 200
{
"message": "Successfully fetched and fast-forwarded from upstream defunkt:main",
"merge_type": "fast-forward",
"base_branch": "defunkt:main"
}
Merge a branch
Fine-grained access tokens for "Merge a branch"
This endpoint works with the following fine-grained token types:
- GitHub App user access tokens
- GitHub App installation access tokens
- Fine-grained personal access tokens
The fine-grained token must have the following permission set:
- "Contents" repository permissions (write)
Parameters for "Merge a branch"
Name, Type, Description |
---|
accept string Setting to |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
owner string RequiredThe account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive. |
repo string RequiredThe name of the repository without the |
Name, Type, Description |
---|
base string RequiredThe name of the base branch that the head will be merged into. |
head string RequiredThe head to merge. This can be a branch name or a commit SHA1. |
commit_message string Commit message to use for the merge commit. If omitted, a default message will be used. |
HTTP response status codes for "Merge a branch"
Status code | Description |
---|---|
201 | Successful Response (The resulting merge commit) |
204 | Response when already merged |
403 | Forbidden |
404 | Not Found when the base or head does not exist |
409 | Conflict when there is a merge conflict |
422 | Validation failed, or the endpoint has been spammed. |
Code samples for "Merge a branch"
If you access GitHub at GHE.com, replace api.github.com
with your enterprise's dedicated subdomain at api.SUBDOMAIN.ghe.com
.
Request example
curl -L \
-X POST \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
-H "X-GitHub-Api-Version: 2022-11-28" \
https://api.github.com/repos/OWNER/REPO/merges \
-d '{"base":"master","head":"cool_feature","commit_message":"Shipped cool_feature!"}'
Successful Response (The resulting merge commit)
Status: 201
{
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"sha": "6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"node_id": "MDY6Q29tbWl0NmRjYjA5YjViNTc4NzVmMzM0ZjYxYWViZWQ2OTVlMmU0MTkzZGI1ZQ==",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"comments_url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e/comments",
"commit": {
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/git/commits/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"author": {
"name": "Monalisa Octocat",
"email": "mona@github.com",
"date": "2011-04-14T16:00:49Z"
},
"committer": {
"name": "Monalisa Octocat",
"email": "mona@github.com",
"date": "2011-04-14T16:00:49Z"
},
"message": "Fix all the bugs",
"tree": {
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/tree/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"sha": "6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e"
},
"comment_count": 0,
"verification": {
"verified": false,
"reason": "unsigned",
"signature": null,
"payload": null
}
},
"author": {
"login": "octocat",
"id": 1,
"node_id": "MDQ6VXNlcjE=",
"avatar_url": "https://github.com/images/error/octocat_happy.gif",
"gravatar_id": "",
"url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": false
},
"committer": {
"login": "octocat",
"id": 1,
"node_id": "MDQ6VXNlcjE=",
"avatar_url": "https://github.com/images/error/octocat_happy.gif",
"gravatar_id": "",
"url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://api.github.com/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": false
},
"parents": [
{
"url": "https://api.github.com/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"sha": "6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e"
}
],
"stats": {
"additions": 104,
"deletions": 4,
"total": 108
},
"files": [
{
"filename": "file1.txt",
"additions": 10,
"deletions": 2,
"changes": 12,
"status": "modified",
"raw_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/raw/7ca483543807a51b6079e54ac4cc392bc29ae284/file1.txt",
"blob_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/blob/7ca483543807a51b6079e54ac4cc392bc29ae284/file1.txt",
"patch": "@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@\n....."
}
]
}