Git Fully Qualified Ref Path Regex for PHP

What this pattern does

This page provides a well-structured, multi-part regular expression for matching git fully qualified ref path, ported and verified for PHP. A rigorously tested regex reduces debugging time and protects your application from edge-case failures. The snippet below is ready to drop into your PHP project — whether you're validating in a Laravel validator, a WordPress plugin, or a standalone PHP script.

Php Implementation

<?php
// Git Fully Qualified Ref Path
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Dev & Systems > Git

define('GIT_FULLY_QUALIFIED_REF_PATH_PATTERN', '/^refs\/(?:heads|tags|remotes|notes)\/[a-zA-Z0-9][a-zA-Z0-9._\-\/]{0,249}$/');

function validate_git_fully_qualified_ref_path(string $input): bool {
    return (bool) preg_match(GIT_FULLY_QUALIFIED_REF_PATH_PATTERN, $input);
}

// Example
var_dump(validate_git_fully_qualified_ref_path("refs/heads/main")); // bool(true)

Test Cases

When to use this pattern

This pattern is drawn from the Dev & Systems > Git category and carries a ReDoS-safe certification. That matters for PHP developers because especially relevant in PHP where PCRE backtracking limits can trigger silent failures on malicious input. RegexVault audits patterns against known backtracking attack vectors, ensuring you have the necessary context before using this regex in a high-stakes production environment.

Common Pitfalls

Technical Notes

refs/heads/ = local branches. refs/remotes/ = tracking branches. refs/tags/ = tags. refs/notes/ = git notes. HEAD is a symbolic ref, not a standard ref path.