Organizing official information and specifications of the GitHub async merge API

This article is a technical explanation and implementation example generated using AI. The code and procedures presented are based on primary sources, but have not been verified on actual devices by the author. Behavior may vary depending on the environment and version. Based on official information, we will safely and practically analyze the specifications and background of the "GitHub async merge API generally available" announced through official channels. Looking ahead to the transition from synchronous endpoints to asynchronous ones, we will review the components and provided features.

Purpose and Background

In automation involving large repositories or complex merge processing, synchronous REST endpoints and GraphQL mutations presented issues where requests were blocked for extended periods. The GitHub async merge API has reached general availability (GA) and provides a mechanism to asynchronously process merging individual or stacked pull requests, adding them to a merge queue, or performing direct merges. This article organizes the official guidance regarding the components of this API and the migration from traditional synchronous methods.

Prerequisites and Notes

• All content in this article is based on primary sources (GitHub Changelog).

• Because this has not been verified on actual devices, this article does not make definitive statements about specific API output results or execution success.

• Please refer to the official API documentation when using it in an actual environment.

• This includes features such as allowing authorized users to optionally bypass rules.

flowchart TD
    A[クライアント] -->|PUT: マージリクエスト送信| B[GitHub Async Merge API]
    B -->|リクエストID返却| A
    A -->|GET: ステータス確認| B
    B -->|処理状況を返却| A

API Components and Request Flow

According to primary sources, the basic flow of asynchronous processing using the async merge API consists of two steps: sending a PUT request and polling via a GET request.

1. Sending a Merge Request

   • Send a merge request from the client using the PUT method.

   • The API accepts the request asynchronously and returns a request ID.

2. Checking Status (Polling)

   • Using the returned request ID, periodically check the status with the GET method.

   • This allows you to efficiently build automation for busy repositories without waiting for complex merge operations to complete.

Supported Merge Operations and Features

The GitHub async merge API supports a wide variety of merge-related operations.

• Merging individual or stacked pull requests: This is the only merge API capable of handling pull requests with multiple dependencies (stacked pull requests).

• Adding to the merge queue: Supports registering pull requests into the merge queue.

• Direct merging: Merges pull requests directly.

• Bypassing rules based on permissions: Allows optionally bypassing rules to execute a merge, provided the necessary permissions are held.

Migration from traditional synchronous endpoints (Current Guidance)

Official announcements recommend using this async merge API as the preferred path for programmatically merging pull requests, replacing traditional synchronous REST endpoints and GraphQL mutations.

• Traditional mechanism: Synchronous REST endpoints and GraphQL mutations.

• Current guidance: The asynchronous-capable async merge API is the recommended path.

• Notable advantage: Emphasis is placed on the fact that it is the only merge API supporting stacked pull requests. Reviewing the official async merge API documentation is recommended for detailed request parameters and specific examples.

Usage precautions and limitations

• Behaviors such as rule bypassing may be restricted depending on the execution environment and account permissions.

• Because it uses asynchronous processing, implementing client-side polling and designing timeout handling are required.

• For exact parameter specifications and schema changes, always refer to the latest official documentation.

Conclusion

This article summarizes the primary information regarding the general availability of the GitHub async merge API. The items and constraints to verify before execution are as follows.

• Points to verify before execution:

  • Checking the latest request parameters and response specifications in the official async merge API documentation

  • Implementation design for PUT submission and GET polling in automation scripts

  • Compliance with repository permission settings and merge rules

• Constraints:

  • This article is an explanation of primary information, and operational verification on actual hardware has not been performed by the author.

  • When migrating from a synchronous API, implementing polling processing associated with asynchronous execution is required.

References

• GitHub async merge API generally available