> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pipefort.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# CICD-SEC-1 (GitLab) — Default branch is not protected

> Flags a project whose default branch has no Protected Branch entry.

| Field    | Value        |
| -------- | ------------ |
| Category | `CICD-SEC-1` |
| Platform | GitLab CI    |
| Severity | **HIGH**     |
| Auto-fix | ✗            |

## What the check does

Flags a project whose default branch has no Protected Branch entry.

## Why it matters

Without protection, anyone with push access can commit directly to the default branch and rewrite its history — bypassing merge requests, review, and CI. Protect the default branch under Settings → Repository → Protected branches: disallow direct pushes and force pushes, and require changes to land via merge request.

This is a GitLab project-settings check: it reads the project configuration over
the GitLab API (CLI: `--git` at a GitLab host with `--gitlab-token`; the web
app uses its connected GitLab token) and reports under the **Repository
configuration** group. See the [rules overview](/rules/overview#gitlab-project-settings).