REST API endpoints for branches

List branches

Fine-grained access tokens for "List branches"

This endpoint works with the following fine-grained token types:

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"

Headers
Name, Type, Description
`accept` string Setting to `application/vnd.github+json` is recommended.

Path parameters
Name, Type, Description
`owner` string Required The account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive.
`repo` string Required The name of the repository without the `.git` extension. The name is not case sensitive.

Query parameters
Name, Type, Description
`protected` boolean Setting to `true` returns only branches protected by branch protections or rulesets. When set to `false`, only unprotected branches are returned. Omitting this parameter returns all branches.
`per_page` integer The number of results per page (max 100). For more information, see "Using pagination in the REST API." Default: `30`
`page` integer The page number of the results to fetch. For more information, see "Using pagination in the REST API." Default: `1`

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

get/repos/{owner}/{repo}/branches

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:

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"

Headers
Name, Type, Description
`accept` string Setting to `application/vnd.github+json` is recommended.

Path parameters
Name, Type, Description
`owner` string Required The account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive.
`repo` string Required The name of the repository without the `.git` extension. The name is not case sensitive.
`branch` string Required The 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

get/repos/{owner}/{repo}/branches/{branch}

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,
        "verified_at": 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:

The fine-grained token must have the following permission set:

"Contents" repository permissions (write)

Parameters for "Rename a branch"

Headers
Name, Type, Description
`accept` string Setting to `application/vnd.github+json` is recommended.

Path parameters
Name, Type, Description
`owner` string Required The account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive.
`repo` string Required The name of the repository without the `.git` extension. The name is not case sensitive.
`branch` string Required The name of the branch. Cannot contain wildcard characters. To use wildcard characters in branch names, use the GraphQL API.

Body parameters
Name, Type, Description
`new_name` string Required The 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

post/repos/{owner}/{repo}/branches/{branch}/rename

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,
        "verified_at": 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:

The fine-grained token must have the following permission set:

"Contents" repository permissions (write)

Parameters for "Sync a fork branch with the upstream repository"

Headers
Name, Type, Description
`accept` string Setting to `application/vnd.github+json` is recommended.

Path parameters
Name, Type, Description
`owner` string Required The account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive.
`repo` string Required The name of the repository without the `.git` extension. The name is not case sensitive.

Body parameters
Name, Type, Description
`branch` string Required The 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

post/repos/{owner}/{repo}/merge-upstream

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:

The fine-grained token must have the following permission set:

"Contents" repository permissions (write)

Parameters for "Merge a branch"

Headers
Name, Type, Description
`accept` string Setting to `application/vnd.github+json` is recommended.

Path parameters
Name, Type, Description
`owner` string Required The account owner of the repository. The name is not case sensitive.
`repo` string Required The name of the repository without the `.git` extension. The name is not case sensitive.

Body parameters
Name, Type, Description
`base` string Required The name of the base branch that the head will be merged into.
`head` string Required The 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

post/repos/{owner}/{repo}/merges

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,
      "verified_at": 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....."
    }
  ]
}