---
title: Repository Tools
description: "GitLab repository tools — browse files, commits, refs, compare branches, and manage repository content"
head:
- - meta
- name: keywords
content: GitLab repository, files, commits, branches, tags, releases, branch protection, MCP
---
# GitLab Repository Management Tools
File browsing, commits, branches, tags, and repository management.
## Tools Overview
| Tool | Type | Purpose |
|------|------|---------|
| `browse_files` | Query | Directory tree and file content |
| `manage_files` | Command | Create, update, upload files |
| `browse_commits` | Query | Commit history, details, diffs |
| `browse_refs` | Query | Branches, tags, protection rules |
| `manage_ref` | Command | Create/delete/protect branches and tags |
| `browse_releases` | Query | Release history and assets |
| `manage_release` | Command | Create releases with assets |
## Files
### browse_files
<!-- @autogen:tool browse_files -->
| Action | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `tree` | List files and folders in a directory |
| `content` | Read file contents |
| `download_attachment` | Download a file attachment from issues/MRs |
<!-- @autogen:end -->
::: code-group
```json [Directory listing]
{
"action": "tree",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"path": "src/services",
"recursive": false,
"per_page": 50
}
```
```json [Read file]
{
"action": "content",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"file_path": "src/config.ts",
"ref": "main"
}
```
```json [Recursive tree]
{
"action": "tree",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"path": "",
"recursive": true,
"per_page": 100
}
```
:::
### manage_files
<!-- @autogen:tool manage_files -->
| Action | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `single` | Create or update a single file |
| `batch` | Commit multiple files atomically |
| `upload` | Upload a file as markdown attachment |
<!-- @autogen:end -->
::: code-group
```json [Create/update file]
{
"action": "single",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"file_path": "src/new-feature.ts",
"content": "export function newFeature() {\n return true;\n}",
"commit_message": "feat: add new feature module",
"branch": "feature/new"
}
```
```json [Batch commit]
{
"action": "batch",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"branch": "feature/new",
"commit_message": "feat: add service module",
"files": [
{
"file_path": "src/service/index.ts",
"content": "export { Service } from './service';"
},
{
"file_path": "src/service/service.ts",
"content": "export class Service {}"
}
]
}
```
:::
## Commits
### browse_commits
<!-- @autogen:tool browse_commits -->
| Action | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `list` | Browse commit history |
| `get` | Retrieve commit details |
| `diff` | Get code changes in a commit |
<!-- @autogen:end -->
::: code-group
```json [Recent commits]
{
"action": "list",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"ref_name": "main",
"per_page": 10
}
```
```json [By author]
{
"action": "list",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"author": "alice@example.com",
"since": "2025-01-01T00:00:00Z",
"per_page": 20
}
```
```json [Commit diff]
{
"action": "diff",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"sha": "abc1234",
"per_page": 20
}
```
:::
### Commit Filters
| Parameter | Description |
|-----------|-------------|
| `ref_name` | Branch or tag to list commits from |
| `author` | Filter by author name or email |
| `since` / `until` | Date range (ISO 8601) |
| `path` | Only commits affecting this file/directory |
| `all` | Include commits from all branches |
## Branches & Tags
### browse_refs
<!-- @autogen:tool browse_refs -->
| Action | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `list_branches` | List all repository branches with optional search |
| `get_branch` | Get details of a specific branch |
| `list_tags` | List all repository tags |
| `get_tag` | Get details of a specific tag |
| `list_protected_branches` | List all protected branches with their protection rules |
| `get_protected_branch` | Get protection rules for a specific branch |
| `list_protected_tags` | List all protected tags with their protection rules |
<!-- @autogen:end -->
::: code-group
```json [List branches]
{
"action": "list_branches",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"search": "feature/"
}
```
```json [List tags]
{
"action": "list_tags",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"order_by": "version",
"sort": "desc"
}
```
```json [Protected branches]
{
"action": "list_protected_branches",
"project_id": "my-org/api"
}
```
:::
### manage_ref
<!-- @autogen:tool manage_ref -->
| Action | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `create_branch` | Create a new branch from an existing ref |
| `delete_branch` | Delete a branch from the repository |
| `protect_branch` | Add protection rules to a branch or pattern |
| `unprotect_branch` | Remove protection from a branch |
| `update_branch_protection` | Update protection rules for a branch |
| `create_tag` | Create a new tag in the repository |
| `delete_tag` | Delete a tag from the repository |
| `protect_tag` | Add protection rules to a tag pattern (Premium) |
| `unprotect_tag` | Remove protection from a tag pattern (Premium) |
<!-- @autogen:end -->
::: code-group
```json [Create branch]
{
"action": "create_branch",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"branch": "feature/new",
"ref": "main"
}
```
```json [Delete branch]
{
"action": "delete_branch",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"branch": "feature/old"
}
```
```json [Protect branch]
{
"action": "protect_branch",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"name": "main",
"push_access_level": 40,
"merge_access_level": 30
}
```
```json [Create tag]
{
"action": "create_tag",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"tag_name": "v2.0.0",
"ref": "main",
"message": "Release version 2.0.0"
}
```
:::
## Releases
### browse_releases
::: code-group
```json [List releases]
{
"action": "list",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"per_page": 10
}
```
```json [Get release]
{
"action": "get",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"tag_name": "v2.0.0"
}
```
:::
### manage_release
::: code-group
```json [Create release]
{
"action": "create",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"tag_name": "v2.0.0",
"name": "v2.0.0",
"description": "## Changes\n- Feature A\n- Bug fix B",
"milestones": ["v2.0"]
}
```
```json [Add asset]
{
"action": "create_link",
"project_id": "my-org/api",
"tag_name": "v2.0.0",
"name": "Linux Binary",
"url": "https://example.com/bin/v2.0.0/app",
"link_type": "package"
}
```
:::
## Related
- [Developer Prompts](/prompts/by-role/developer)
- [Explore Repo Prompts](/prompts/quick-start/explore-repo)
- [Release Notes Prompts](/prompts/project-management/release-notes)
- [Automate Releases Guide](/guides/automate-releases)
