Git Tag Name Regex for Java

What this pattern does

This page provides a comprehensive, battle-tested regular expression for matching git tag name, ported and verified for Java. A rigorously tested regex reduces debugging time and protects your application from edge-case failures. The snippet below is ready to drop into your Java project — whether you're validating in a Spring Boot controller, a Jakarta EE service, or a standalone utility class.

Java Implementation

// Git Tag Name
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Dev & Systems > Git

import java.util.regex.Pattern;

public class GitTagNameValidator {
    private static final Pattern PATTERN =
        Pattern.compile("^(?!-)(?!.*\\.\\.)(?!.*\\s)[a-zA-Z0-9vV][a-zA-Z0-9._\\-]{0,254}$");

    public static boolean validate(String input) {
        return PATTERN.matcher(input).matches();
    }

    // Example
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(validate("v1.0.0")); // 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 Java developers because critical in Java applications since the JVM regex engine uses backtracking and is susceptible to ReDoS without careful pattern design. 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

Tags are conventionally prefixed with v (v1.0.0). Annotated tags store additional metadata. Prefer annotated tags for releases. Deleting and recreating a tag breaks consumers.