---
stage: Create
group: Source Code
info: "To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/technical-writing/#assignments"
---

# Merge request approvals API **(PREMIUM)**

> Changing approval configuration with the `/approvals` endpoint was [deprecated](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/11132) in GitLab 12.3.

Configuration for
[approvals on all merge requests](../user/project/merge_requests/approvals/index.md)
in the project. Must be authenticated for all endpoints.

## Project-level MR approvals

### Get Configuration

> - Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.
> - The `approvers` and `approver_groups` fields were deprecated in GitLab 12.3 and always return empty. Use the [project level approval rules](#get-project-level-rules) to access this information.

You can request information about a project's approval configuration using the
following endpoint:

```plaintext
GET /projects/:id/approvals
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|-----------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`      | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |

```json
{
  "approvers": [], // Deprecated in GitLab 12.3, always returns empty
  "approver_groups": [], // Deprecated in GitLab 12.3, always returns empty
  "approvals_before_merge": 2,
  "reset_approvals_on_push": true,
  "selective_code_owner_removals": false,
  "disable_overriding_approvers_per_merge_request": false,
  "merge_requests_author_approval": true,
  "merge_requests_disable_committers_approval": false,
  "require_password_to_approve": true
}
```

### Change configuration

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

If you are allowed to, you can change approval configuration using the following
endpoint:

```plaintext
POST /projects/:id/approvals
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute                                        | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                                                                                             |
|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                                             | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding).                                                                           |
| `approvals_before_merge` (deprecated)            | integer           | **{dotted-circle}** No | How many approvals are required before a merge request can be merged. [Deprecated](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/11132) in GitLab 12.3. |
| `disable_overriding_approvers_per_merge_request` | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Allow or prevent overriding approvers per merge request.                                                                                                |
| `merge_requests_author_approval`                 | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Allow or prevent authors from self approving merge requests; `true` means authors can self approve.                                                     |
| `merge_requests_disable_committers_approval`     | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Allow or prevent committers from self approving merge requests.                                                                                         |
| `require_password_to_approve`                    | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Require approver to enter a password to authenticate before adding the approval.                                                                        |
| `reset_approvals_on_push`                        | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Reset approvals on a new push.                                                                                                                          |
| `selective_code_owner_removals`                  | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Reset approvals from Code Owners if their files changed. Can be enabled only if `reset_approvals_on_push` is disabled.                                  |

```json
{
  "approvals_before_merge": 2,
  "reset_approvals_on_push": true,
  "selective_code_owner_removals": false,
  "disable_overriding_approvers_per_merge_request": false,
  "merge_requests_author_approval": false,
  "merge_requests_disable_committers_approval": false,
  "require_password_to_approve": true
}
```

### Get project-level rules

> - Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.
> - Pagination support [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/31011) in GitLab 15.3 [with a flag](../administration/feature_flags.md) named `approval_rules_pagination`. Enabled by default.
> - `applies_to_all_protected_branches` property was [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/335316) in GitLab 15.3.
> - Pagination support [generally available](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/366823) in GitLab 15.7. Feature flag `approval_rules_pagination` removed.
> - `usernames` property was [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/merge_requests/) in GitLab 15.8.

You can request information about a project's approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
GET /projects/:id/approval_rules
```

Use the `page` and `per_page` [pagination](rest/index.md#offset-based-pagination) parameters to restrict the list of approval rules.

Supported attributes:

| Attribute | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|-----------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`      | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |

```json
[
  {
    "id": 1,
    "name": "security",
    "rule_type": "regular",
    "eligible_approvers": [
      {
        "id": 5,
        "name": "John Doe",
        "username": "jdoe",
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
      },
      {
        "id": 50,
        "name": "Group Member 1",
        "username": "group_member_1",
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost/group_member_1"
      }
    ],
    "approvals_required": 3,
    "users": [
      {
        "id": 5,
        "name": "John Doe",
        "username": "jdoe",
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
      }
    ],
    "groups": [
      {
        "id": 5,
        "name": "group1",
        "path": "group1",
        "description": "",
        "visibility": "public",
        "lfs_enabled": false,
        "avatar_url": null,
        "web_url": "http://localhost/groups/group1",
        "request_access_enabled": false,
        "full_name": "group1",
        "full_path": "group1",
        "parent_id": null,
        "ldap_cn": null,
        "ldap_access": null
      }
    ],
    "applies_to_all_protected_branches": false,
    "protected_branches": [
      {
        "id": 1,
        "name": "master",
        "push_access_levels": [
          {
            "access_level": 30,
            "access_level_description": "Developers + Maintainers"
          }
        ],
        "merge_access_levels": [
          {
            "access_level": 30,
            "access_level_description": "Developers + Maintainers"
          }
        ],
        "unprotect_access_levels": [
          {
            "access_level": 40,
            "access_level_description": "Maintainers"
          }
        ],
        "code_owner_approval_required": "false"
      }
    ],
    "contains_hidden_groups": false
  }
]
```

### Get a single project-level rule

> - Introduced in GitLab 13.7.
> - `applies_to_all_protected_branches` property was [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/335316) in GitLab 15.3.
> - `usernames` property was [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/merge_requests/) in GitLab 1x.x.

You can request information about a single project approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
GET /projects/:id/approval_rules/:approval_rule_id
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute          | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|--------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`               | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `approval_rule_id` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID of a approval rule.                                                    |

```json
{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "security",
  "rule_type": "regular",
  "eligible_approvers": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    },
    {
      "id": 50,
      "name": "Group Member 1",
      "username": "group_member_1",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/group_member_1"
    }
  ],
  "approvals_required": 3,
  "users": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    }
  ],
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "group1",
      "path": "group1",
      "description": "",
      "visibility": "public",
      "lfs_enabled": false,
      "avatar_url": null,
      "web_url": "http://localhost/groups/group1",
      "request_access_enabled": false,
      "full_name": "group1",
      "full_path": "group1",
      "parent_id": null,
      "ldap_cn": null,
      "ldap_access": null
    }
  ],
  "applies_to_all_protected_branches": false,
  "protected_branches": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "name": "master",
      "push_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 30,
          "access_level_description": "Developers + Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "merge_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 30,
          "access_level_description": "Developers + Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "unprotect_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 40,
          "access_level_description": "Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "code_owner_approval_required": "false"
    }
  ],
  "contains_hidden_groups": false
}
```

### Create project-level rule

> - Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.
> - [Removed](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/357300) the Vulnerability-Check feature in GitLab 15.0.
> - `applies_to_all_protected_branches` property was [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/335316) in GitLab 15.3.
> - `usernames` property was [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/merge_requests/) in GitLab 1x.x.

You can create project approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
POST /projects/:id/approval_rules
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute                           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-------------------------------------|-------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding).                                                                                                                                                   |
| `approvals_required`                | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The number of required approvals for this rule.                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| `name`                              | string            | **{check-circle}** Yes | The name of the approval rule.                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| `applies_to_all_protected_branches` | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Whether the rule is applied to all protected branches. If set to `true`, the value of `protected_branch_ids` is ignored. Default is `false`. [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/335316) in GitLab 15.3. |
| `group_ids`                         | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of groups as approvers.                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| `protected_branch_ids`              | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of protected branches to scope the rule by. To identify the ID, [use the API](protected_branches.md#list-protected-branches).                                                                                           |
| `report_type`                       | string            | **{dotted-circle}** No | The report type required when the rule type is `report_approver`. The supported report types are `license_scanning` [(Deprecated in GitLab 15.9)](../update/deprecations.md#license-check-and-the-policies-tab-on-the-license-compliance-page) and `code_coverage`.                                                                                        |
| `rule_type`                         | string            | **{dotted-circle}** No | The type of rule. `any_approver` is a pre-configured default rule with `approvals_required` at `0`. Other rules are `regular`.                                                                                                  |
| `user_ids`                          | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of users as approvers.                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| `usernames`                         | string array      | **{dotted-circle}** No | The usernames for this rule.                                                                                                                                                                                                    |

```json
{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "security",
  "rule_type": "regular",
  "eligible_approvers": [
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    },
    {
      "id": 50,
      "name": "Group Member 1",
      "username": "group_member_1",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/group_member_1"
    }
  ],
  "approvals_required": 1,
  "users": [
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    }
  ],
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "group1",
      "path": "group1",
      "description": "",
      "visibility": "public",
      "lfs_enabled": false,
      "avatar_url": null,
      "web_url": "http://localhost/groups/group1",
      "request_access_enabled": false,
      "full_name": "group1",
      "full_path": "group1",
      "parent_id": null,
      "ldap_cn": null,
      "ldap_access": null
    }
  ],
  "applies_to_all_protected_branches": false,
  "protected_branches": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "name": "master",
      "push_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 30,
          "access_level_description": "Developers + Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "merge_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 30,
          "access_level_description": "Developers + Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "unprotect_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 40,
          "access_level_description": "Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "code_owner_approval_required": "false"
    }
  ],
  "contains_hidden_groups": false
}
```

You can increase the default number of 0 required approvers like this:

```shell
curl --request POST --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{"name": "Any name", "rule_type": "any_approver", "approvals_required": 2}'
```

Another example is creating an additional, user-specific rule:

```shell
curl --request POST --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{"name": "Name of your rule", "approvals_required": 3, "user_ids": [123, 456, 789]}' \
  https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/<project_id>/approval_rules
```

### Update project-level rule

> - Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.
> - [Removed](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/357300) the Vulnerability-Check feature in GitLab 15.0.
> - `applies_to_all_protected_branches` property was [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/335316) in GitLab 15.3.
> - `usernames` property was [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/merge_requests/) in GitLab 1x.x.

You can update project approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
PUT /projects/:id/approval_rules/:approval_rule_id
```

**Important:** Approvers and groups not in the `users`/`groups` parameters are **removed**

Supported attributes:

| Attribute                           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|-------------------------------------|-------------------|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding).                                                                                                                                                   |
| `approvals_required`                | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The number of required approvals for this rule.                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| `approval_rule_id`                  | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID of a approval rule.                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| `name`                              | string            | **{check-circle}** Yes | The name of the approval rule.                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| `applies_to_all_protected_branches` | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Whether the rule is applied to all protected branches. If set to `true`, the value of `protected_branch_ids` is ignored. Default is `false`. [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/335316) in GitLab 15.3. |
| `group_ids`                         | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of groups as approvers.                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| `protected_branch_ids`              | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of protected branches to scope the rule by. To identify the ID, [use the API](protected_branches.md#list-protected-branches).                                                                                           |
| `remove_hidden_groups`              | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Whether hidden groups should be removed.                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| `user_ids`                          | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of users as approvers.                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| `usernames`                         | string array      | **{dotted-circle}** No | The usernames for this rule.                                                                                                                                                                                                    |

```json
{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "security",
  "rule_type": "regular",
  "eligible_approvers": [
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    },
    {
      "id": 50,
      "name": "Group Member 1",
      "username": "group_member_1",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/group_member_1"
    }
  ],
  "approvals_required": 1,
  "users": [
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    }
  ],
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "group1",
      "path": "group1",
      "description": "",
      "visibility": "public",
      "lfs_enabled": false,
      "avatar_url": null,
      "web_url": "http://localhost/groups/group1",
      "request_access_enabled": false,
      "full_name": "group1",
      "full_path": "group1",
      "parent_id": null,
      "ldap_cn": null,
      "ldap_access": null
    }
  ],
  "applies_to_all_protected_branches": false,
  "protected_branches": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "name": "master",
      "push_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 30,
          "access_level_description": "Developers + Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "merge_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 30,
          "access_level_description": "Developers + Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "unprotect_access_levels": [
        {
          "access_level": 40,
          "access_level_description": "Maintainers"
        }
      ],
      "code_owner_approval_required": "false"
    }
  ],
  "contains_hidden_groups": false
}
```

### Delete project-level rule

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

You can delete project approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
DELETE /projects/:id/approval_rules/:approval_rule_id
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute          | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|--------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`               | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `approval_rule_id` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID of a approval rule.                                                    |

## Merge request-level MR approvals

Configuration for approvals on a specific merge request. Must be authenticated for all endpoints.

### Get Configuration

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

You can request information about a merge request's approval status using the
following endpoint:

```plaintext
GET /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approvals
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|---------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `merge_request_iid` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of the merge request.                                                 |

```json
{
  "id": 5,
  "iid": 5,
  "project_id": 1,
  "title": "Approvals API",
  "description": "Test",
  "state": "opened",
  "created_at": "2016-06-08T00:19:52.638Z",
  "updated_at": "2016-06-08T21:20:42.470Z",
  "merge_status": "cannot_be_merged",
  "approvals_required": 2,
  "approvals_left": 1,
  "approved_by": [
    {
      "user": {
        "name": "Administrator",
        "username": "root",
        "id": 1,
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/e64c7d89f26bd1972efa854d13d7dd61?s=80\u0026d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost:3000/root"
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

### Change approval configuration (deprecated)

> - Moved to GitLab Premium in GitLab 13.9.
> - Endpoint `/approvals` [deprecated](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/11132) in GitLab 12.3.

WARNING:
The `/approvals` endpoint was [deprecated](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/11132) in GitLab 12.3
and is planned for removal in 16.0. To change the approvals required for a merge request,
use the `/approval_rules` endpoint described in [Create merge request level rule](#create-merge-request-level-rule).
on this page. This change is a breaking change.

If you are allowed to, you can change `approvals_required` using the following
endpoint:

```plaintext
POST /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approvals
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute            | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|----------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                 | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `approvals_required` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | Approvals required before MR can be merged.                                   |
| `merge_request_iid`  | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of the merge request.                                                 |

```json
{
  "id": 5,
  "iid": 5,
  "project_id": 1,
  "title": "Approvals API",
  "description": "Test",
  "state": "opened",
  "created_at": "2016-06-08T00:19:52.638Z",
  "updated_at": "2016-06-08T21:20:42.470Z",
  "merge_status": "cannot_be_merged",
  "approvals_required": 2,
  "approvals_left": 2,
  "approved_by": []
}
```

### Get the approval state of merge requests

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

You can request information about a merge request's approval state by using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
GET /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approval_state
```

The `approval_rules_overwritten` are `true` if the merge request level rules
are created for the merge request. If there are none, it is `false`.

This includes additional information about the users who have already approved
(`approved_by`) and whether a rule is already approved (`approved`).

Supported attributes:

| Attribute           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|---------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `merge_request_iid` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of the merge request.                                                 |

```json
{
  "approval_rules_overwritten": true,
  "rules": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "name": "Ruby",
      "rule_type": "regular",
      "eligible_approvers": [
        {
          "id": 4,
          "name": "John Doe",
          "username": "jdoe",
          "state": "active",
          "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
          "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
        }
      ],
      "approvals_required": 2,
      "users": [
        {
          "id": 4,
          "name": "John Doe",
          "username": "jdoe",
          "state": "active",
          "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
          "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
        }
      ],
      "groups": [],
      "contains_hidden_groups": false,
      "approved_by": [
        {
          "id": 4,
          "name": "John Doe",
          "username": "jdoe",
          "state": "active",
          "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
          "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
        }
      ],
      "source_rule": null,
      "approved": true,
      "overridden": false
    }
  ]
}
```

### Get merge request level rules

> - Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.
> - Pagination support [introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/31011) in GitLab 15.3 [with a flag](../administration/feature_flags.md) named `approval_rules_pagination`. Enabled by default.
> - Pagination support [generally available](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/366823) in GitLab 15.7. Feature flag `approval_rules_pagination` removed.

You can request information about a merge request's approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
GET /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approval_rules
```

Use the `page` and `per_page` [pagination](rest/index.md#offset-based-pagination) parameters to restrict the list of approval rules.

Supported attributes:

| Attribute           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|---------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `merge_request_iid` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of the merge request.                                                 |

```json
[
  {
    "id": 1,
    "name": "security",
    "rule_type": "regular",
    "eligible_approvers": [
      {
        "id": 5,
        "name": "John Doe",
        "username": "jdoe",
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
      },
      {
        "id": 50,
        "name": "Group Member 1",
        "username": "group_member_1",
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost/group_member_1"
      }
    ],
    "approvals_required": 3,
    "source_rule": null,
    "users": [
      {
        "id": 5,
        "name": "John Doe",
        "username": "jdoe",
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
      }
    ],
    "groups": [
      {
        "id": 5,
        "name": "group1",
        "path": "group1",
        "description": "",
        "visibility": "public",
        "lfs_enabled": false,
        "avatar_url": null,
        "web_url": "http://localhost/groups/group1",
        "request_access_enabled": false,
        "full_name": "group1",
        "full_path": "group1",
        "parent_id": null,
        "ldap_cn": null,
        "ldap_access": null
      }
    ],
    "contains_hidden_groups": false,
    "overridden": false
  }
]
```

### Get a single merge request level rule

> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/merge_requests/82767) in GitLab 14.10.

You can request information about a single merge request approval rule using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
GET /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approval_rules/:approval_rule_id
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|---------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `approval_rule_id`  | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID of an approval rule.                                                   |
| `merge_request_iid` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of a merge request.                                                   |

```json
{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "security",
  "rule_type": "regular",
  "eligible_approvers": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    },
    {
      "id": 50,
      "name": "Group Member 1",
      "username": "group_member_1",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/group_member_1"
    }
  ],
  "approvals_required": 3,
  "source_rule": null,
  "users": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    }
  ],
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "group1",
      "path": "group1",
      "description": "",
      "visibility": "public",
      "lfs_enabled": false,
      "avatar_url": null,
      "web_url": "http://localhost/groups/group1",
      "request_access_enabled": false,
      "full_name": "group1",
      "full_path": "group1",
      "parent_id": null,
      "ldap_cn": null,
      "ldap_access": null
    }
  ],
  "contains_hidden_groups": false,
  "overridden": false
}
```

### Create merge request level rule

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

You can create merge request approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
POST /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approval_rules
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute                  | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                  |
|----------------------------|-------------------|------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                       | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding) |
| `approvals_required`       | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The number of required approvals for this rule.                              |
| `merge_request_iid`        | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of the merge request.                                                |
| `name`                     | string            | **{check-circle}** Yes | The name of the approval rule.                                               |
| `approval_project_rule_id` | integer           | **{dotted-circle}** No | The ID of a project-level approval rule.                                     |
| `group_ids`                | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of groups as approvers.                                              |
| `user_ids`                 | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of users as approvers.                                               |
| `usernames`                | string array      | **{dotted-circle}** No | The usernames for this rule.                                                 |

**Important:** When `approval_project_rule_id` is set, the `name`, `users` and
`groups` of project-level rule are copied. The `approvals_required` specified
is used.

```json
{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "security",
  "rule_type": "regular",
  "eligible_approvers": [
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    },
    {
      "id": 50,
      "name": "Group Member 1",
      "username": "group_member_1",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/group_member_1"
    }
  ],
  "approvals_required": 1,
  "source_rule": null,
  "users": [
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    }
  ],
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "group1",
      "path": "group1",
      "description": "",
      "visibility": "public",
      "lfs_enabled": false,
      "avatar_url": null,
      "web_url": "http://localhost/groups/group1",
      "request_access_enabled": false,
      "full_name": "group1",
      "full_path": "group1",
      "parent_id": null,
      "ldap_cn": null,
      "ldap_access": null
    }
  ],
  "contains_hidden_groups": false,
  "overridden": false
}
```

### Update merge request level rule

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

You can update merge request approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
PUT /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approval_rules/:approval_rule_id
```

**Important:** Approvers and groups not in the `users`/`groups` parameters are **removed**

**Important:** Updating a `report_approver` or `code_owner` rule is not allowed.
These are system generated rules.

Supported attributes:

| Attribute              | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|------------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                   | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `approvals_required`   | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The number of required approvals for this rule.                               |
| `approval_rule_id`     | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID of an approval rule.                                                   |
| `merge_request_iid`    | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of a merge request.                                                   |
| `name`                 | string            | **{check-circle}** Yes | The name of the approval rule.                                                |
| `group_ids`            | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of groups as approvers.                                               |
| `remove_hidden_groups` | boolean           | **{dotted-circle}** No | Whether hidden groups should be removed.                                      |
| `user_ids`             | Array             | **{dotted-circle}** No | The IDs of users as approvers.                                                |
| `usernames`            | string array      | **{dotted-circle}** No | The usernames for this rule.                                                  |

```json
{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "security",
  "rule_type": "regular",
  "eligible_approvers": [
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    },
    {
      "id": 50,
      "name": "Group Member 1",
      "username": "group_member_1",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/group_member_1"
    }
  ],
  "approvals_required": 1,
  "source_rule": null,
  "users": [
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "username": "jdoe",
      "state": "active",
      "avatar_url": "https://www.gravatar.com/avatar/0?s=80&d=identicon",
      "web_url": "http://localhost/jdoe"
    }
  ],
  "groups": [
    {
      "id": 5,
      "name": "group1",
      "path": "group1",
      "description": "",
      "visibility": "public",
      "lfs_enabled": false,
      "avatar_url": null,
      "web_url": "http://localhost/groups/group1",
      "request_access_enabled": false,
      "full_name": "group1",
      "full_path": "group1",
      "parent_id": null,
      "ldap_cn": null,
      "ldap_access": null
    }
  ],
  "contains_hidden_groups": false,
  "overridden": false
}
```

### Delete merge request level rule

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

You can delete merge request approval rules using the following endpoint:

```plaintext
DELETE /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approval_rules/:approval_rule_id
```

**Important:** Deleting a `report_approver` or `code_owner` rule is not allowed.
These are system generated rules.

Supported attributes:

| Attribute           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|---------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `approval_rule_id`  | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID of an approval rule.                                                   |
| `merge_request_iid` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of the merge request.                                                 |

## Approve merge request

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

If you are allowed to, you can approve a merge request using the following
endpoint:

```plaintext
POST /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/approve
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|---------------------|-------------------|------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding).                                                                                                                          |
| `approval_password` | string            | **{dotted-circle}** No | Current user's password. Required if [**Require user password to approve**](../user/project/merge_requests/approvals/settings.md#require-user-password-to-approve) is enabled in the project settings. |
| `merge_request_iid` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of the merge request.                                                                                                                                                                          |
| `sha`               | string            | **{dotted-circle}** No | The `HEAD` of the merge request.                                                                                                                                                                       |

The `sha` parameter works in the same way as
when [accepting a merge request](merge_requests.md#merge-a-merge-request): if it is passed, then it must
match the current HEAD of the merge request for the approval to be added. If it
does not match, the response code is `409`.

```json
{
  "id": 5,
  "iid": 5,
  "project_id": 1,
  "title": "Approvals API",
  "description": "Test",
  "state": "opened",
  "created_at": "2016-06-08T00:19:52.638Z",
  "updated_at": "2016-06-09T21:32:14.105Z",
  "merge_status": "can_be_merged",
  "approvals_required": 2,
  "approvals_left": 0,
  "approved_by": [
    {
      "user": {
        "name": "Administrator",
        "username": "root",
        "id": 1,
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/e64c7d89f26bd1972efa854d13d7dd61?s=80\u0026d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost:3000/root"
      }
    },
    {
      "user": {
        "name": "Nico Cartwright",
        "username": "ryley",
        "id": 2,
        "state": "active",
        "avatar_url": "http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/cf7ad14b34162a76d593e3affca2adca?s=80\u0026d=identicon",
        "web_url": "http://localhost:3000/ryley"
      }
    }
  ]
}
```

## Unapprove merge request

> Moved to GitLab Premium in 13.9.

If you did approve a merge request, you can unapprove it using the following
endpoint:

```plaintext
POST /projects/:id/merge_requests/:merge_request_iid/unapprove
```

Supported attributes:

| Attribute           | Type              | Required               | Description                                                                   |
|---------------------|-------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `id`                | integer or string | **{check-circle}** Yes | The ID or [URL-encoded path of a project](rest/index.md#namespaced-path-encoding). |
| `merge_request_iid` | integer           | **{check-circle}** Yes | The IID of a merge request.                                                   |