API Previews

API previews let you try out new APIs and changes to existing API methods before they become part of the official GitHub API.

During the preview period, we may change some features based on developer feedback. If we do make changes, we'll announce them on the developer blog without advance notice.

To access an API preview, you'll need to provide a custom media type in the Accept header for your requests. Feature documentation for each preview specifies which custom media type to provide.

Open Source License Use

Support for retrieving information about open source license usage on GitHub.com.

Custom media type: drax-preview Announced: 2015-03-09 Update 1: 2015-06-24 Update 2: 2015-08-04

Protected branches

Protect branches by preventing force-pushes and branch deletions, requiring status checks and reviews, and setting push permissions for users in an organization.

Custom media type: loki-preview Announced: 2015-11-11 Update 1: 2016-06-27 Update 2: 2016-12-08 Update 3: 2017-03-22

Source import

Import source repositories to GitHub with the API version of the GitHub Importer.

Custom media type: barred-rock-preview Announced: 2016-02-19 Update: 2016-05-03

Enhanced deployments

Exercise greater control over deployments with more information and finer granularity.

Custom media type: ant-man-preview Announced: 2016-04-06

Reactions

Manage reactions for commits, issues, and comments.

Custom media type: squirrel-girl-preview Announced: 2016-05-12 Update: 2016-06-07

Pre-receive environments

Create, list, update, and delete environments for pre-receive hooks.

Custom media type: eye-scream-preview Announced: 2015-07-29

Custom media type: machine-man-preview Announced: 2016-09-14