Name: nova-branches
Rating: 92
Author: novadb

You have access to the NovaDB MCP server tools. This skill covers branch (work package) management via the dedicated CMS Branch API.

Important: Use Dedicated Branch Endpoints

Branches have their own API endpoints — do not use create_objects/update_objects/delete_objects with typeRef: 40 for branch operations. Use the dedicated tools instead:

Operation	Tool	Notes
Read	`novadb_cms_get_branch(id)`	Returns CmsObject with all branch values
Create	`novadb_cms_create_branch(values)`	Flat `{ comment, values }` body (no `objects` wrapper)
Update	`novadb_cms_update_branch(id, values)`	Flat `{ comment, values }` body
Delete	`novadb_cms_delete_branch(id)`	Permanent deletion — cannot be undone
List	`novadb_cms_get_typed_objects(branch="branchDefault", type="typeBranch")`	Browse all branches

Branch Attributes

ID	apiIdentifier	Data Type	Notes
1000	`attributeName`	String	Branch name (language-dependent: 201=en-US, 202=de-DE)
4000	`branchParent`	ObjRef	Parent work package
4001	`branchType`	ObjRef	Work package type (resolve to see name)
4002	`branchWorkflowState`	ObjRef	Current workflow state
4003	`branchDueDate`	DateTime.Date	Due date (e.g. `"2026-03-01"`)
4004	`branchAssignedTo`	String.UserName	Assigned user

Workflows

List and Inspect Branches

code

# 1. List all branches
novadb_cms_get_typed_objects(branch="branchDefault", type="typeBranch")

# 2. Get full details for a specific branch
novadb_cms_get_branch(id=<branchId>)

# 3. Resolve ObjRef values (parent, type, workflow state)
novadb_cms_get_objects(branch="branchDefault", ids="<parentId>,<typeId>,<stateId>")

Create a Branch

code

novadb_cms_create_branch(
  values=[
    { "attribute": 1000, "language": 201, "value": "My New Branch" },
    { "attribute": 1000, "language": 202, "value": "Mein neuer Branch" },
    { "attribute": 4000, "value": <parentBranchId> },
    { "attribute": 4001, "value": <branchTypeId> },
    { "attribute": 4003, "value": "2026-06-01" },
    { "attribute": 4004, "value": "john.doe" }
  ],
  comment="Created new branch"
)

To find valid branch types and workflow states:

code

# Discover branch types
novadb_cms_get_typed_objects(branch="branchDefault", type="typeBranchType")

# Discover workflow states
novadb_cms_get_typed_objects(branch="branchDefault", type="typeWorkflowState")

Update a Branch

code

# Change workflow state
novadb_cms_update_branch(
  id=<branchId>,
  values=[{ "attribute": 4002, "value": <newStateId> }],
  comment="Moved to review state"
)

# Reassign branch
novadb_cms_update_branch(
  id=<branchId>,
  values=[{ "attribute": 4004, "value": "jane.doe" }],
  comment="Reassigned to jane.doe"
)

# Update due date
novadb_cms_update_branch(
  id=<branchId>,
  values=[{ "attribute": 4003, "value": "2026-09-01" }],
  comment="Extended deadline"
)

Delete a Branch

Warning: Branch deletion is permanent and cannot be undone. Always confirm with the user before deleting.

code

novadb_cms_delete_branch(
  id=<branchId>,
  comment="Deleted obsolete branch"
)

Navigate Branch Hierarchy

Branches can have parent-child relationships via branchParent (4000).

code

# 1. Get branch and check its parent
novadb_cms_get_branch(id=<branchId>)
# Look for attribute 4000 (branchParent) in the response

# 2. Find child branches by searching for references
novadb_index_search_objects(
  branch="branchDefault",
  filter={ "objectTypeIds": [40], "filters": [{ "attrId": 4000, "value": "<parentId>", "compareOperator": 7 }] }
)

Differences from Object CRUD

Aspect	Objects	Branches
Endpoint	`/branches/{branch}/objects`	`/branches` and `/branches/{id}`
Request body	`{ comment, objects: [{ meta, values }] }`	`{ comment, values }` (flat, no meta/objects wrapper)
Batch support	Yes (array of objects)	No (one branch per request)
Delete behavior	Marks as deleted (soft delete)	Permanent deletion
Listing	`get_typed_objects(branch, type=...)`	`get_typed_objects(branch="branchDefault", type="typeBranch")`