Branches API

Tier: Free, Premium, Ultimate Offering: GitLab.com, Self-managed, GitLab Dedicated

This API operates on repository branches.

See also Protected branches API.

List repository branches

Get a list of repository branches from a project, sorted by name alphabetically.

note
This endpoint can be accessed without authentication if the repository is publicly accessible.
GET /projects/:id/repository/branches

Parameters:

Attribute Type Required Description
id integer or string yes ID or URL-encoded path of the project.
search string no Return list of branches containing the search string. Use ^term to find branches that begin with term, and term$ to find branches that end with term.
regex string no Return list of branches with names matching a re2 regular expression.

Example request: 

curl --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" \
  --url "https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/5/repository/branches"

Example response: 

[
  {
    "name": "main",
    "merged": false,
    "protected": true,
    "default": true,
    "developers_can_push": false,
    "developers_can_merge": false,
    "can_push": true,
    "web_url": "https://gitlab.example.com/my-group/my-project/-/tree/main",
    "commit": {
      "id": "7b5c3cc8be40ee161ae89a06bba6229da1032a0c",
      "short_id": "7b5c3cc",
      "created_at": "2024-06-28T03:44:20-07:00",
      "parent_ids": [
        "4ad91d3c1144c406e50c7b33bae684bd6837faf8"
      ],
      "title": "add projects API",
      "message": "add projects API",
      "author_name": "John Smith",
      "author_email": "john@example.com",
      "authored_date": "2024-06-27T05:51:39-07:00",
      "committer_name": "John Smith",
      "committer_email": "john@example.com",
      "committed_date": "2024-06-28T03:44:20-07:00",
      "trailers": {},
      "extended_trailers": {},
      "web_url": "https://gitlab.example.com/my-group/my-project/-/commit/7b5c3cc8be40ee161ae89a06bba6229da1032a0c"
    }
  },
  ...
]

Get single repository branch

Get a single project repository branch.

note
This endpoint can be accessed without authentication if the repository is publicly accessible.
GET /projects/:id/repository/branches/:branch

Parameters:

Attribute Type Required Description
id integer or string yes ID or URL-encoded path of the project.
branch string yes URL-encoded name of the branch.

Example request: 

curl --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" \
  --url "https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/5/repository/branches/main"

Example response: 

{
  "name": "main",
  "merged": false,
  "protected": true,
  "default": true,
  "developers_can_push": false,
  "developers_can_merge": false,
  "can_push": true,
  "web_url": "https://gitlab.example.com/my-group/my-project/-/tree/main",
  "commit": {
    "id": "7b5c3cc8be40ee161ae89a06bba6229da1032a0c",
    "short_id": "7b5c3cc",
    "created_at": "2012-06-28T03:44:20-07:00",
    "parent_ids": [
      "4ad91d3c1144c406e50c7b33bae684bd6837faf8"
    ],
    "title": "add projects API",
    "message": "add projects API",
    "author_name": "John Smith",
    "author_email": "john@example.com",
    "authored_date": "2012-06-27T05:51:39-07:00",
    "committer_name": "John Smith",
    "committer_email": "john@example.com",
    "committed_date": "2012-06-28T03:44:20-07:00",
    "trailers": {},
    "web_url": "https://gitlab.example.com/my-group/my-project/-/commit/7b5c3cc8be40ee161ae89a06bba6229da1032a0c"
  }
}

Protect repository branch

See POST /projects/:id/protected_branches for information on protecting repository branches.

Unprotect repository branch

See DELETE /projects/:id/protected_branches/:name for information on unprotecting repository branches.

Create repository branch

Create a new branch in the repository. 

POST /projects/:id/repository/branches

Parameters:

Attribute Type Required Description
id integer yes ID or URL-encoded path of the project.
branch string yes Name of the branch.
ref string yes Branch name or commit SHA to create branch from.

Example request: 

curl --request POST --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" \
  --url "https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/5/repository/branches?branch=newbranch&ref=main"

Example response: 

{
  "commit": {
    "id": "7b5c3cc8be40ee161ae89a06bba6229da1032a0c",
    "short_id": "7b5c3cc",
    "created_at": "2012-06-28T03:44:20-07:00",
    "parent_ids": [
      "4ad91d3c1144c406e50c7b33bae684bd6837faf8"
    ],
    "title": "add projects API",
    "message": "add projects API",
    "author_name": "John Smith",
    "author_email": "john@example.com",
    "authored_date": "2012-06-27T05:51:39-07:00",
    "committer_name": "John Smith",
    "committer_email": "john@example.com",
    "committed_date": "2012-06-28T03:44:20-07:00",
    "trailers": {},
    "web_url": "https://gitlab.example.com/my-group/my-project/-/commit/7b5c3cc8be40ee161ae89a06bba6229da1032a0c"
  },
  "name": "newbranch",
  "merged": false,
  "protected": false,
  "default": false,
  "developers_can_push": false,
  "developers_can_merge": false,
  "can_push": true,
  "web_url": "https://gitlab.example.com/my-group/my-project/-/tree/newbranch"
}

Delete repository branch

Delete a branch from the repository.

note
In the case of an error, an explanation message is provided.
DELETE /projects/:id/repository/branches/:branch

Parameters:

Attribute Type Required Description
id integer/string yes ID or URL-encoded path of the project.
branch string yes Name of the branch.

Example request: 

curl --request DELETE --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" \
  --url "https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/5/repository/branches/newbranch"
note
Deleting a branch does not completely erase all related data. Some information persists to maintain project history and to support recovery processes. For more information, see Handle sensitive information.

Delete merged branches

Deletes all branches that are merged into the project’s default branch.

note
Protected branches are not deleted as part of this operation.
DELETE /projects/:id/repository/merged_branches

Parameters:

Attribute Type Required Description
id integer/string yes ID or URL-encoded path of the project.

Example request: 

curl --request DELETE --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" \
  --url "https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/5/repository/merged_branches"