# Get the rules for a branch

> Every rule that holds for a branch (or a tag, with target tag) of a repository, from every ruleset that targets it, the repository's and its workspace's: each with its type, parameters and applies_to, and the ruleset_id, ruleset_name, level and enforcement it comes from.

<div class="g1t-endpoint"><span class="g1t-method" data-method="get">GET</span><code>/repos/{owner}/{name}/rules/branches/{branch}</code></div>

Active rules come first, then those of rulesets in evaluate. rulesets lists the rulesets with who may bypass each. A branch name with slashes is URL-encoded in the path.

A branch with slashes in its name is URL-encoded as one segment: `/rules/branches/release%2F1.x`. Add `?target=tag` for a tag.

- **Authentication:** Optional. Public data can be read without a token; send one to see what is private.
- **MCP tool:** [`repository`](/reference/mcp/#repository) with `action` `branch_rules`, and the same inputs
- **Scope:** An access token needs [`repo:read`](/guides/authentication/#scopes).

## Path parameters

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `owner` | string | Yes | The workspace that owns the repository. |
| `name` | string | Yes | The repository's name. |
| `branch` | string | Yes | The branch (or tag) name, such as main or release/1.x. |

## Query parameters

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `target` | string | No | branch (the default) or tag. One of `branch`, `tag`. |

## Example request

```sh
curl https://api.g1t.sh/repos/flagon-io/hello/rules/branches/main \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $G1T_TOKEN"
```

## Example response

A successful request answers `200` with:

```json
{
  "name": "main",
  "target": "branch",
  "default_branch": true,
  "rules": [
    {
      "type": "deletion",
      "parameters": {},
      "applies_to": "everyone",
      "ruleset_id": "rs_01kq3a8b9c0d1e2f3g4h5j6k7m",
      "ruleset_name": "Protect main",
      "level": "repository",
      "enforcement": "active"
    },
    {
      "type": "non_fast_forward",
      "parameters": {},
      "applies_to": "everyone",
      "ruleset_id": "rs_01kq3a8b9c0d1e2f3g4h5j6k7m",
      "ruleset_name": "Protect main",
      "level": "repository",
      "enforcement": "active"
    },
    {
      "type": "pull_request",
      "parameters": {
        "required_approvals": 1,
        "count_agent_approvals": true,
        "dismiss_stale_reviews_on_push": true,
        "require_code_owner_review": true,
        "require_last_push_approval": false,
        "allowed_merge_methods": []
      },
      "applies_to": "everyone",
      "ruleset_id": "rs_01kq3a8b9c0d1e2f3g4h5j6k7m",
      "ruleset_name": "Protect main",
      "level": "repository",
      "enforcement": "active"
    },
    {
      "type": "required_status_checks",
      "parameters": {
        "checks": [
          {
            "context": "CI",
            "integration": "actions"
          }
        ],
        "strict": true,
        "paths": [],
        "allow_bypass_on_merge": false
      },
      "applies_to": "everyone",
      "ruleset_id": "rs_01kq3a8b9c0d1e2f3g4h5j6k7m",
      "ruleset_name": "Protect main",
      "level": "repository",
      "enforcement": "active"
    },
    {
      "type": "merge_window",
      "parameters": {
        "time_zone": "-05:00",
        "windows": [
          {
            "days": [
              "mon",
              "tue",
              "wed",
              "thu"
            ],
            "start": "09:00",
            "end": "17:00"
          }
        ],
        "freezes": [
          {
            "start": "2026-12-20T00:00:00Z",
            "end": "2027-01-04T00:00:00Z",
            "reason": "Holidays"
          }
        ],
        "exceptions": []
      },
      "applies_to": "everyone",
      "ruleset_id": "rs_01kq3b2c3d4e5f6g7h8j9k0m1n",
      "ruleset_name": "Release freeze",
      "level": "workspace",
      "enforcement": "evaluate"
    }
  ],
  "rulesets": [
    {
      "id": "rs_01kq3a8b9c0d1e2f3g4h5j6k7m",
      "name": "Protect main",
      "level": "repository",
      "enforcement": "active",
      "bypass_actors": [
        {
          "kind": "role",
          "value": "admin",
          "mode": "pull_requests"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "rs_01kq3b2c3d4e5f6g7h8j9k0m1n",
      "name": "Release freeze",
      "level": "workspace",
      "enforcement": "evaluate",
      "bypass_actors": [
        {
          "kind": "team",
          "value": "flagon-io/release",
          "mode": "always"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

## Errors

A failed request answers with one of these statuses and a body like `{"error": {"code": "not_found", "message": "Repository not found."}}`. See [errors](/reference/api/#errors).

| Status | Code | When |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 401 | `unauthenticated` | A token is required, or the one sent is not valid. |
| 403 | `forbidden` | The token is valid but not allowed to do this, such as a member-only change or an agent token outside its repository. |
| 404 | `not_found` | It does not exist, or you cannot see it. |
| 422 | `invalid` | The input is not valid. `message` says which field and why. |