This version of GitHub Enterprise was discontinued on 2023-07-06. No patch releases will be made, even for critical security issues. For better performance, improved security, and new features, upgrade to the latest version of GitHub Enterprise. For help with the upgrade, contact GitHub Enterprise support.
After a site administrator upgrades your Enterprise Server instance to Enterprise Server 3.9 or later, the REST API will be versioned. To learn how to find your instance's version, see "About versions of GitHub Docs". For more information, see "About API versioning."
Branches
Use the REST API to modify branches and their protection settings.
List branches
Works with GitHub Apps
Parameters for "List branches"
| Headers |
|---|
| Name, Type, Description |
accept string Setting to |
| Path parameters |
| 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 |
| Query parameters |
| Name, Type, Description |
protected boolean Setting to |
per_page integer The number of results per page (max 100). Default: |
page integer Page number of the results to fetch. Default: |
HTTP response status codes for "List branches"
| Status code | Description |
|---|---|
200 | OK |
404 | Resource not found |
Code samples for "List branches"
get/repos/{owner}/{repo}/branches
curl -L \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
http(s)://HOSTNAME/api/v3/repos/OWNER/REPO/branchesResponse
Status: 200[
{
"name": "master",
"commit": {
"sha": "c5b97d5ae6c19d5c5df71a34c7fbeeda2479ccbc",
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/c5b97d5ae6c19d5c5df71a34c7fbeeda2479ccbc"
},
"protected": true,
"protection": {
"required_status_checks": {
"enforcement_level": "non_admins",
"contexts": [
"ci-test",
"linter"
]
}
},
"protection_url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/hello-world/branches/master/protection"
}
]Get a branch
Works with GitHub Apps
Parameters for "Get a branch"
| Headers |
|---|
| Name, Type, Description |
accept string Setting to |
| Path parameters |
| 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"
get/repos/{owner}/{repo}/branches/{branch}
curl -L \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
http(s)://HOSTNAME/api/v3/repos/OWNER/REPO/branches/BRANCHResponse
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://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/git/trees/b4eecafa9be2f2006ce1b709d6857b07069b4608"
},
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/git/commits/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"comment_count": 77,
"verification": {
"verified": false,
"reason": "unsigned",
"signature": null,
"payload": null
}
},
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/7fd1a60b01f91b314f59955a4e4d4e80d8edf11d",
"comments_url": "https://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/users/octocat",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/users/octocat",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": false
},
"parents": [
{
"sha": "553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e",
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e"
},
{
"sha": "762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303",
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303"
}
]
},
"_links": {
"self": "https://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/branches/main/protection"
}Rename a branch
Works with GitHub Apps
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 permissions required to use this endpoint depends on whether you are renaming the default branch.
To rename a non-default branch:
- Users must have push access.
- GitHub Apps must have the
contents:writerepository permission.
To rename the default branch:
- Users must have admin or owner permissions.
- GitHub Apps must have the
administration:writerepository permission.
Parameters for "Rename a branch"
| Headers |
|---|
| Name, Type, Description |
accept string Setting to |
| Path parameters |
| 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. |
| Body parameters |
| 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"
post/repos/{owner}/{repo}/branches/{branch}/rename
curl -L \
-X POST \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
http(s)://HOSTNAME/api/v3/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://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/users/octocat",
"id": 583231,
"login": "octocat",
"node_id": "MDQ6VXNlcjE=",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": true
},
"parents": [
{
"sha": "553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e",
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/553c2077f0edc3d5dc5d17262f6aa498e69d6f8e"
},
{
"sha": "762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303",
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/762941318ee16e59dabbacb1b4049eec22f0d303"
}
],
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/users/octocat",
"id": 583231,
"login": "octocat",
"node_id": "MDQ6VXNlcjE=",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": true
},
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"comments_url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e/comments"
},
"_links": {
"html": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/tree/master",
"self": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/branches/master"
},
"protected": true,
"protection": {
"required_status_checks": {
"enforcement_level": "non_admins",
"contexts": [
"ci-test",
"linter"
]
}
},
"protection_url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/hello-world/branches/master/protection"
}Sync a fork branch with the upstream repository
Works with GitHub Apps
Sync a branch of a forked repository to keep it up-to-date with the upstream repository.
Parameters for "Sync a fork branch with the upstream repository"
| Headers |
|---|
| Name, Type, Description |
accept string Setting to |
| Path parameters |
| 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 |
| Body parameters |
| 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"
post/repos/{owner}/{repo}/merge-upstream
curl -L \
-X POST \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
http(s)://HOSTNAME/api/v3/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
Works with GitHub Apps
Parameters for "Merge a branch"
| Headers |
|---|
| Name, Type, Description |
accept string Setting to |
| Path parameters |
| 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 |
| Body parameters |
| 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"
post/repos/{owner}/{repo}/merges
curl -L \
-X POST \
-H "Accept: application/vnd.github+json" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-TOKEN>" \
http(s)://HOSTNAME/api/v3/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://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"sha": "6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"node_id": "MDY6Q29tbWl0NmRjYjA5YjViNTc4NzVmMzM0ZjYxYWViZWQ2OTVlMmU0MTkzZGI1ZQ==",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat/Hello-World/commit/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e",
"comments_url": "https://HOSTNAME/repos/octocat/Hello-World/commits/6dcb09b5b57875f334f61aebed695e2e4193db5e/comments",
"commit": {
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/users/octocat",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/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://HOSTNAME/users/octocat",
"html_url": "https://github.com/octocat",
"followers_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/followers",
"following_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/following{/other_user}",
"gists_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/gists{/gist_id}",
"starred_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/starred{/owner}{/repo}",
"subscriptions_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/subscriptions",
"organizations_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/orgs",
"repos_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/repos",
"events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/events{/privacy}",
"received_events_url": "https://HOSTNAME/users/octocat/received_events",
"type": "User",
"site_admin": false
},
"parents": [
{
"url": "https://HOSTNAME/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....."
}
]
}