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+---
+stage: Release
+group: Release
+info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
+description: Require approvals prior to deploying to a Protected Environment
+---
+
+# Deployment approvals **(PREMIUM)**
+
+> [Introduced](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/343864) in GitLab 14.7 with a flag named `deployment_approvals`. Disabled by default.
+
+WARNING:
+This feature is in an alpha stage and subject to change without prior notice.
+
+It may be useful to require additional approvals before deploying to certain protected environments (for example, production). This pre-deployment approval requirement is useful to accommodate testing, security, or compliance processes that must happen before each deployment.
+
+When a protected environment requires one or more approvals, all deployments to that environment become blocked and wait for the required approvals before running.
+
+NOTE:
+See the [epic](https://gitlab.com/groups/gitlab-org/-/epics/6832) for planned features.
+
+## Requirements
+
+- Basic knowledge of [GitLab Environments and Deployments](index.md).
+- Basic knowledge of [Protected Environments](protected_environments.md).
+
+## Configure deployment approvals for a project
+
+To configure deployment approvals for a project:
+
+1. [Create a deployment job](#create-a-deployment-job).
+1. [Require approvals for a protected environment](#require-approvals-for-a-protected-environment).
+
+### Create a deployment job
+
+Create a deployment job in the `.gitlab-ci.yaml` file of the desired project. The job does **not** need to be manual (`when: manual`).
+
+Example:
+
+   ```yaml
+   stages:
+     - deploy
+
+   production:
+     stage: deploy
+     script:
+       - 'echo "Deploying to ${CI_ENVIRONMENT_NAME}"'
+     environment:
+       name: ${CI_JOB_NAME}
+   ```
+
+### Require approvals for a protected environment 
+
+NOTE:
+At this time, only API-based configuration is available. UI-based configuration is planned for the near future. See [issue](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/344675). 
+
+Use the [Protected Environments API](../../api/protected_environments.md#protect-repository-environments) to create an environment with `required_approval_count` > 0. After this is set, all jobs deploying to this environment automatically go into a blocked state and wait for approvals before running.
+
+Example:
+
+```shell
+curl --header 'Content-Type: application/json' --request POST \
+     --data '{"name": "production", "deploy_access_levels": [{"group_id": 9899826}], "required_approval_count": 1}' \
+     --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" \
+     "https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/22034114/protected_environments"
+```
+
+To protect, update, or unprotect an environment, you must have at least the
+[Maintainer role](../../user/permissions.md).
+
+## Approve or reject a deployment
+
+NOTE:
+This functionality is currently only available through the API. UI is planned for the near future. See [issue](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/issues/342180/).
+
+A blocked deployment is enqueued as soon as it receives the required number of approvals. A single rejection causes the deployment to fail. The creator of a deployment cannot approve it, even if they have permission to deploy.
+
+Using the [Deployments API](../../api/deployments.md#approve-or-reject-a-blocked-deployment), users who are allowed to deploy to the protected environment can approve or reject a blocked deployment. 
+
+Example:
+
+```shell
+curl --data "status=approved" \
+     --header "PRIVATE-TOKEN: <your_access_token>" "https://gitlab.example.com/api/v4/projects/1/deployments/1/approval"
+```
+
+### How to see blocked deployments
+
+#### Using the UI
+
+1. On the top bar, select **Menu > Projects** and find your project.
+1. On the left sidebar, select **Deployments > Environments**.
+1. Select the environment being deployed to.
+1. Look for the `blocked` label.
+
+#### Using the API
+
+Use the [Deployments API](../../api/deployments.md) to see deployments. The `status` field indicates if a deployment is blocked. 
+
+## Related features
+
+For details about other GitLab features aimed at protecting deployments, see [safe deployments](deployment_safety.md).
+
+<!-- ## Troubleshooting
+
+Include any troubleshooting steps that you can foresee. If you know beforehand what issues
+one might have when setting this up, or when something is changed, or on upgrading, it's
+important to describe those, too. Think of things that may go wrong and include them here.
+This is important to minimize requests for support, and to avoid doc comments with
+questions that you know someone might ask.
+
+Each scenario can be a third-level heading, e.g. `### Getting error message X`.
+If you have none to add when creating a doc, leave this section in place
+but commented out to help encourage others to add to it in the future. -->