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Request headers are key-value pairs sent with an HTTP request so the server knows how to process it. Bruno splits the Headers tab into two groups:
  • Runtime Headers - headers Bruno adds on every request as runtime headers (for example User-Agent, Accept, Accept-Encoding).
  • Request Headers - headers you add yourself. These can be standard HTTP headers or custom names.
The headers that go on the wire match what this tab shows. Disabled runtime headers are not sent.

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Create request headers

  1. Open a request in a collection.
  2. Open the Headers tab.
  3. Under Request Headers, enter Name, Value, and an optional Description.
  4. Save and send the request.
Show Inherited Headers control on the Headers tab Use Bulk Edit in the bottom-right of the tab to edit several headers as text.

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Header precedence

Headers resolve using the same inheritance order as other collection settings. When the same header name is defined at more than one level, Bruno uses this precedence:
↑ Higher Precedence
↓ Broader Scope
Request Headers
Nearest Parent Folder Headers
Higher-level Folder Headers
Collection Headers
  • Request headers get the highest precedence.
  • Nested folders inherit from their parent folders; the nearest parent wins over higher-level folders.
  • Collection headers apply most broadly and lose to any folder or request header with the same name.

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Inherit and Runtime (default) headers

Default headers are sent with every request. You can see and disable some default headers in Bruno. Host is required by HTTP and cannot be disabled. Its checkbox is disabled. The Headers tab lists every inherited header that will be sent. Click Show Additional Headers to view them. Inherited headers listed on the Headers tab Typical default headers include:

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Disable a default header

  1. Open Runtime Headers.
  2. Clear the checkbox next to the header you do not want to send (for example User-Agent).
  3. Send the request.
The disabled header is omitted from the outgoing request. The Timeline shows the request that actually went on the wire. Host is required by HTTP and cannot be disabled. Its checkbox is disabled.
Inherited header on/off state is stored per request. Disabling User-Agent on one request does not change other requests in the collection.

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Streaming with Server-Sent Events

To work with Server-Sent Events (SSE), set:
Bruno keeps the connection open, streams chunks into the response panel live, and swaps the Send button for Cancel while the stream is active. See Server-Sent Events (SSE) for details on cancellation, collection runs, and CLI behavior.