# REQUEST_HEADERS
Request metadata sent with RPC calls.
## When to use
- Add auth tokens, API keys, and trace IDs
- Validate metadata behavior together with `@header()` assertions
## Minimal example
```gctf
--- REQUEST_HEADERS ---
authorization: Bearer test-token
x-request-id: req-123
```
## Rules
- Legacy `HEADERS` alias is recognized but deprecated
- One section can include multiple key-value pairs
## Related
- [ASSERTS section](./asserts)