Supports wildcard protected branch (#20825)

This PR introduce glob match for protected branch name. The separator is
`/` and you can use `*` matching non-separator chars and use `**` across
separator.

It also supports input an exist or non-exist branch name as matching
condition and branch name condition has high priority than glob rule.

Should fix #2529 and #15705

screenshots

<img width="1160" alt="image"
src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/81045/205651179-ebb5492a-4ade-4bb4-a13c-965e8c927063.png">

Co-authored-by: zeripath <art27@cantab.net>

39 files changed, 1217 insertions, 814 deletions

diff --git a/models/git/branches.go b/models/git/branches.go
index 5ec9fc1735..b94ea32959 100644
--- a/models/git/branches.go
+++ b/models/git/branches.go
@@ -6,428 +6,15 @@ package git
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/db"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/organization"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/perm"
-	access_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/perm/access"
 	repo_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/repo"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/unit"
 	user_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/user"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/base"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/timeutil"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
-
-	"github.com/gobwas/glob"
 )
 
-// ProtectedBranch struct
-type ProtectedBranch struct {
-	ID                            int64  `xorm:"pk autoincr"`
-	RepoID                        int64  `xorm:"UNIQUE(s)"`
-	BranchName                    string `xorm:"UNIQUE(s)"`
-	CanPush                       bool   `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	EnableWhitelist               bool
-	WhitelistUserIDs              []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
-	WhitelistTeamIDs              []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
-	EnableMergeWhitelist          bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	WhitelistDeployKeys           bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	MergeWhitelistUserIDs         []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
-	MergeWhitelistTeamIDs         []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
-	EnableStatusCheck             bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	StatusCheckContexts           []string `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
-	EnableApprovalsWhitelist      bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs     []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
-	ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs     []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
-	RequiredApprovals             int64    `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT 0"`
-	BlockOnRejectedReviews        bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	BlockOnOfficialReviewRequests bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	BlockOnOutdatedBranch         bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	DismissStaleApprovals         bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	RequireSignedCommits          bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
-	ProtectedFilePatterns         string   `xorm:"TEXT"`
-	UnprotectedFilePatterns       string   `xorm:"TEXT"`
-
-	CreatedUnix timeutil.TimeStamp `xorm:"created"`
-	UpdatedUnix timeutil.TimeStamp `xorm:"updated"`
-}
-
-func init() {
-	db.RegisterModel(new(ProtectedBranch))
-	db.RegisterModel(new(DeletedBranch))
-	db.RegisterModel(new(RenamedBranch))
-}
-
-// IsProtected returns if the branch is protected
-func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) IsProtected() bool {
-	return protectBranch.ID > 0
-}
-
-// CanUserPush returns if some user could push to this protected branch
-func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) CanUserPush(ctx context.Context, userID int64) bool {
-	if !protectBranch.CanPush {
-		return false
-	}
-
-	if !protectBranch.EnableWhitelist {
-		if user, err := user_model.GetUserByID(ctx, userID); err != nil {
-			log.Error("GetUserByID: %v", err)
-			return false
-		} else if repo, err := repo_model.GetRepositoryByID(ctx, protectBranch.RepoID); err != nil {
-			log.Error("repo_model.GetRepositoryByID: %v", err)
-			return false
-		} else if writeAccess, err := access_model.HasAccessUnit(ctx, user, repo, unit.TypeCode, perm.AccessModeWrite); err != nil {
-			log.Error("HasAccessUnit: %v", err)
-			return false
-		} else {
-			return writeAccess
-		}
-	}
-
-	if base.Int64sContains(protectBranch.WhitelistUserIDs, userID) {
-		return true
-	}
-
-	if len(protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs) == 0 {
-		return false
-	}
-
-	in, err := organization.IsUserInTeams(ctx, userID, protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Error("IsUserInTeams: %v", err)
-		return false
-	}
-	return in
-}
-
-// IsUserMergeWhitelisted checks if some user is whitelisted to merge to this branch
-func IsUserMergeWhitelisted(ctx context.Context, protectBranch *ProtectedBranch, userID int64, permissionInRepo access_model.Permission) bool {
-	if !protectBranch.EnableMergeWhitelist {
-		// Then we need to fall back on whether the user has write permission
-		return permissionInRepo.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode)
-	}
-
-	if base.Int64sContains(protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs, userID) {
-		return true
-	}
-
-	if len(protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs) == 0 {
-		return false
-	}
-
-	in, err := organization.IsUserInTeams(ctx, userID, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Error("IsUserInTeams: %v", err)
-		return false
-	}
-	return in
-}
-
-// IsUserOfficialReviewer check if user is official reviewer for the branch (counts towards required approvals)
-func IsUserOfficialReviewer(ctx context.Context, protectBranch *ProtectedBranch, user *user_model.User) (bool, error) {
-	repo, err := repo_model.GetRepositoryByID(ctx, protectBranch.RepoID)
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-
-	if !protectBranch.EnableApprovalsWhitelist {
-		// Anyone with write access is considered official reviewer
-		writeAccess, err := access_model.HasAccessUnit(ctx, user, repo, unit.TypeCode, perm.AccessModeWrite)
-		if err != nil {
-			return false, err
-		}
-		return writeAccess, nil
-	}
-
-	if base.Int64sContains(protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs, user.ID) {
-		return true, nil
-	}
-
-	inTeam, err := organization.IsUserInTeams(ctx, user.ID, protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return false, err
-	}
-
-	return inTeam, nil
-}
-
-// GetProtectedFilePatterns parses a semicolon separated list of protected file patterns and returns a glob.Glob slice
-func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) GetProtectedFilePatterns() []glob.Glob {
-	return getFilePatterns(protectBranch.ProtectedFilePatterns)
-}
-
-// GetUnprotectedFilePatterns parses a semicolon separated list of unprotected file patterns and returns a glob.Glob slice
-func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) GetUnprotectedFilePatterns() []glob.Glob {
-	return getFilePatterns(protectBranch.UnprotectedFilePatterns)
-}
-
-func getFilePatterns(filePatterns string) []glob.Glob {
-	extarr := make([]glob.Glob, 0, 10)
-	for _, expr := range strings.Split(strings.ToLower(filePatterns), ";") {
-		expr = strings.TrimSpace(expr)
-		if expr != "" {
-			if g, err := glob.Compile(expr, '.', '/'); err != nil {
-				log.Info("Invalid glob expression '%s' (skipped): %v", expr, err)
-			} else {
-				extarr = append(extarr, g)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	return extarr
-}
-
-// MergeBlockedByProtectedFiles returns true if merge is blocked by protected files change
-func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) MergeBlockedByProtectedFiles(changedProtectedFiles []string) bool {
-	glob := protectBranch.GetProtectedFilePatterns()
-	if len(glob) == 0 {
-		return false
-	}
-
-	return len(changedProtectedFiles) > 0
-}
-
-// IsProtectedFile return if path is protected
-func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) IsProtectedFile(patterns []glob.Glob, path string) bool {
-	if len(patterns) == 0 {
-		patterns = protectBranch.GetProtectedFilePatterns()
-		if len(patterns) == 0 {
-			return false
-		}
-	}
-
-	lpath := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(path))
-
-	r := false
-	for _, pat := range patterns {
-		if pat.Match(lpath) {
-			r = true
-			break
-		}
-	}
-
-	return r
-}
-
-// IsUnprotectedFile return if path is unprotected
-func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) IsUnprotectedFile(patterns []glob.Glob, path string) bool {
-	if len(patterns) == 0 {
-		patterns = protectBranch.GetUnprotectedFilePatterns()
-		if len(patterns) == 0 {
-			return false
-		}
-	}
-
-	lpath := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(path))
-
-	r := false
-	for _, pat := range patterns {
-		if pat.Match(lpath) {
-			r = true
-			break
-		}
-	}
-
-	return r
-}
-
-// GetProtectedBranchBy getting protected branch by ID/Name
-func GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, branchName string) (*ProtectedBranch, error) {
-	rel := &ProtectedBranch{RepoID: repoID, BranchName: branchName}
-	has, err := db.GetByBean(ctx, rel)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	if !has {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
-	return rel, nil
-}
-
-// WhitelistOptions represent all sorts of whitelists used for protected branches
-type WhitelistOptions struct {
-	UserIDs []int64
-	TeamIDs []int64
-
-	MergeUserIDs []int64
-	MergeTeamIDs []int64
-
-	ApprovalsUserIDs []int64
-	ApprovalsTeamIDs []int64
-}
-
-// UpdateProtectBranch saves branch protection options of repository.
-// If ID is 0, it creates a new record. Otherwise, updates existing record.
-// This function also performs check if whitelist user and team's IDs have been changed
-// to avoid unnecessary whitelist delete and regenerate.
-func UpdateProtectBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, protectBranch *ProtectedBranch, opts WhitelistOptions) (err error) {
-	if err = repo.GetOwner(ctx); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("GetOwner: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	whitelist, err := updateUserWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.WhitelistUserIDs, opts.UserIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	protectBranch.WhitelistUserIDs = whitelist
-
-	whitelist, err = updateUserWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs, opts.MergeUserIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs = whitelist
-
-	whitelist, err = updateApprovalWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs, opts.ApprovalsUserIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs = whitelist
-
-	// if the repo is in an organization
-	whitelist, err = updateTeamWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs, opts.TeamIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs = whitelist
-
-	whitelist, err = updateTeamWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs, opts.MergeTeamIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs = whitelist
-
-	whitelist, err = updateTeamWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs, opts.ApprovalsTeamIDs)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs = whitelist
-
-	// Make sure protectBranch.ID is not 0 for whitelists
-	if protectBranch.ID == 0 {
-		if _, err = db.GetEngine(ctx).Insert(protectBranch); err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("Insert: %w", err)
-		}
-		return nil
-	}
-
-	if _, err = db.GetEngine(ctx).ID(protectBranch.ID).AllCols().Update(protectBranch); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Update: %w", err)
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// GetProtectedBranches get all protected branches
-func GetProtectedBranches(ctx context.Context, repoID int64) ([]*ProtectedBranch, error) {
-	protectedBranches := make([]*ProtectedBranch, 0)
-	return protectedBranches, db.GetEngine(ctx).Find(&protectedBranches, &ProtectedBranch{RepoID: repoID})
-}
-
-// IsProtectedBranch checks if branch is protected
-func IsProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, branchName string) (bool, error) {
-	protectedBranch := &ProtectedBranch{
-		RepoID:     repoID,
-		BranchName: branchName,
-	}
-
-	has, err := db.GetEngine(ctx).Exist(protectedBranch)
-	if err != nil {
-		return true, err
-	}
-	return has, nil
-}
-
-// updateApprovalWhitelist checks whether the user whitelist changed and returns a whitelist with
-// the users from newWhitelist which have explicit read or write access to the repo.
-func updateApprovalWhitelist(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, currentWhitelist, newWhitelist []int64) (whitelist []int64, err error) {
-	hasUsersChanged := !util.SliceSortedEqual(currentWhitelist, newWhitelist)
-	if !hasUsersChanged {
-		return currentWhitelist, nil
-	}
-
-	whitelist = make([]int64, 0, len(newWhitelist))
-	for _, userID := range newWhitelist {
-		if reader, err := access_model.IsRepoReader(ctx, repo, userID); err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		} else if !reader {
-			continue
-		}
-		whitelist = append(whitelist, userID)
-	}
-
-	return whitelist, err
-}
-
-// updateUserWhitelist checks whether the user whitelist changed and returns a whitelist with
-// the users from newWhitelist which have write access to the repo.
-func updateUserWhitelist(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, currentWhitelist, newWhitelist []int64) (whitelist []int64, err error) {
-	hasUsersChanged := !util.SliceSortedEqual(currentWhitelist, newWhitelist)
-	if !hasUsersChanged {
-		return currentWhitelist, nil
-	}
-
-	whitelist = make([]int64, 0, len(newWhitelist))
-	for _, userID := range newWhitelist {
-		user, err := user_model.GetUserByID(ctx, userID)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("GetUserByID [user_id: %d, repo_id: %d]: %w", userID, repo.ID, err)
-		}
-		perm, err := access_model.GetUserRepoPermission(ctx, repo, user)
-		if err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("GetUserRepoPermission [user_id: %d, repo_id: %d]: %w", userID, repo.ID, err)
-		}
-
-		if !perm.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) {
-			continue // Drop invalid user ID
-		}
-
-		whitelist = append(whitelist, userID)
-	}
-
-	return whitelist, err
-}
-
-// updateTeamWhitelist checks whether the team whitelist changed and returns a whitelist with
-// the teams from newWhitelist which have write access to the repo.
-func updateTeamWhitelist(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, currentWhitelist, newWhitelist []int64) (whitelist []int64, err error) {
-	hasTeamsChanged := !util.SliceSortedEqual(currentWhitelist, newWhitelist)
-	if !hasTeamsChanged {
-		return currentWhitelist, nil
-	}
-
-	teams, err := organization.GetTeamsWithAccessToRepo(ctx, repo.OwnerID, repo.ID, perm.AccessModeRead)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("GetTeamsWithAccessToRepo [org_id: %d, repo_id: %d]: %w", repo.OwnerID, repo.ID, err)
-	}
-
-	whitelist = make([]int64, 0, len(teams))
-	for i := range teams {
-		if util.SliceContains(newWhitelist, teams[i].ID) {
-			whitelist = append(whitelist, teams[i].ID)
-		}
-	}
-
-	return whitelist, err
-}
-
-// DeleteProtectedBranch removes ProtectedBranch relation between the user and repository.
-func DeleteProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, repoID, id int64) (err error) {
-	protectedBranch := &ProtectedBranch{
-		RepoID: repoID,
-		ID:     id,
-	}
-
-	if affected, err := db.GetEngine(ctx).Delete(protectedBranch); err != nil {
-		return err
-	} else if affected != 1 {
-		return fmt.Errorf("delete protected branch ID(%v) failed", id)
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
 // DeletedBranch struct
 type DeletedBranch struct {
 	ID          int64              `xorm:"pk autoincr"`
@@ -439,6 +26,11 @@ type DeletedBranch struct {
 	DeletedUnix timeutil.TimeStamp `xorm:"INDEX created"`
 }
 
+func init() {
+	db.RegisterModel(new(DeletedBranch))
+	db.RegisterModel(new(RenamedBranch))
+}
+
 // AddDeletedBranch adds a deleted branch to the database
 func AddDeletedBranch(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, branchName, commit string, deletedByID int64) error {
 	deletedBranch := &DeletedBranch{
@@ -556,17 +148,25 @@ func RenameBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, from, to str
 	}
 
 	// 2. Update protected branch if needed
-	protectedBranch, err := GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, from)
+	protectedBranch, err := GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx, repo.ID, from)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
 	if protectedBranch != nil {
-		protectedBranch.BranchName = to
+		protectedBranch.RuleName = to
 		_, err = sess.ID(protectedBranch.ID).Cols("branch_name").Update(protectedBranch)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
+	} else {
+		protected, err := IsBranchProtected(ctx, repo.ID, from)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if protected {
+			return ErrBranchIsProtected
+		}
 	}
 
 	// 3. Update all not merged pull request base branch name
diff --git a/models/git/branches_test.go b/models/git/branches_test.go
index e26a16de03..b7df7f243e 100644
--- a/models/git/branches_test.go
+++ b/models/git/branches_test.go
@@ -105,8 +105,8 @@ func TestRenameBranch(t *testing.T) {
 	defer committer.Close()
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	assert.NoError(t, git_model.UpdateProtectBranch(ctx, repo1, &git_model.ProtectedBranch{
-		RepoID:     repo1.ID,
-		BranchName: "master",
+		RepoID:   repo1.ID,
+		RuleName: "master",
 	}, git_model.WhitelistOptions{}))
 	assert.NoError(t, committer.Commit())
 
@@ -131,8 +131,8 @@ func TestRenameBranch(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, int64(1), renamedBranch.RepoID)
 
 	unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &git_model.ProtectedBranch{
-		RepoID:     repo1.ID,
-		BranchName: "main",
+		RepoID:   repo1.ID,
+		RuleName: "main",
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/models/git/protected_branch.go b/models/git/protected_branch.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..355a7464c1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/models/git/protected_branch.go
@@ -0,0 +1,501 @@
+// Copyright 2022 The Gitea Authors. All rights reserved.
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+package git
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"errors"
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/db"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/organization"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/perm"
+	access_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/perm/access"
+	repo_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/repo"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/unit"
+	user_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/user"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/base"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/timeutil"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
+
+	"github.com/gobwas/glob"
+	"github.com/gobwas/glob/syntax"
+)
+
+var ErrBranchIsProtected = errors.New("branch is protected")
+
+// ProtectedBranch struct
+type ProtectedBranch struct {
+	ID                            int64                  `xorm:"pk autoincr"`
+	RepoID                        int64                  `xorm:"UNIQUE(s)"`
+	Repo                          *repo_model.Repository `xorm:"-"`
+	RuleName                      string                 `xorm:"'branch_name' UNIQUE(s)"` // a branch name or a glob match to branch name
+	globRule                      glob.Glob              `xorm:"-"`
+	isPlainName                   bool                   `xorm:"-"`
+	CanPush                       bool                   `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	EnableWhitelist               bool
+	WhitelistUserIDs              []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
+	WhitelistTeamIDs              []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
+	EnableMergeWhitelist          bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	WhitelistDeployKeys           bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	MergeWhitelistUserIDs         []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
+	MergeWhitelistTeamIDs         []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
+	EnableStatusCheck             bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	StatusCheckContexts           []string `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
+	EnableApprovalsWhitelist      bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs     []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
+	ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs     []int64  `xorm:"JSON TEXT"`
+	RequiredApprovals             int64    `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT 0"`
+	BlockOnRejectedReviews        bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	BlockOnOfficialReviewRequests bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	BlockOnOutdatedBranch         bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	DismissStaleApprovals         bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	RequireSignedCommits          bool     `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	ProtectedFilePatterns         string   `xorm:"TEXT"`
+	UnprotectedFilePatterns       string   `xorm:"TEXT"`
+
+	CreatedUnix timeutil.TimeStamp `xorm:"created"`
+	UpdatedUnix timeutil.TimeStamp `xorm:"updated"`
+}
+
+func init() {
+	db.RegisterModel(new(ProtectedBranch))
+}
+
+// IsRuleNameSpecial return true if it contains special character
+func IsRuleNameSpecial(ruleName string) bool {
+	for i := 0; i < len(ruleName); i++ {
+		if syntax.Special(ruleName[i]) {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) loadGlob() {
+	if protectBranch.globRule == nil {
+		var err error
+		protectBranch.globRule, err = glob.Compile(protectBranch.RuleName, '/')
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Warn("Invalid glob rule for ProtectedBranch[%d]: %s %v", protectBranch.ID, protectBranch.RuleName, err)
+			protectBranch.globRule = glob.MustCompile(glob.QuoteMeta(protectBranch.RuleName), '/')
+		}
+		protectBranch.isPlainName = !IsRuleNameSpecial(protectBranch.RuleName)
+	}
+}
+
+// Match tests if branchName matches the rule
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) Match(branchName string) bool {
+	protectBranch.loadGlob()
+	if protectBranch.isPlainName {
+		return strings.EqualFold(protectBranch.RuleName, branchName)
+	}
+
+	return protectBranch.globRule.Match(branchName)
+}
+
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) LoadRepo(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
+	if protectBranch.Repo != nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	protectBranch.Repo, err = repo_model.GetRepositoryByID(ctx, protectBranch.RepoID)
+	return err
+}
+
+// CanUserPush returns if some user could push to this protected branch
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) CanUserPush(ctx context.Context, user *user_model.User) bool {
+	if !protectBranch.CanPush {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if !protectBranch.EnableWhitelist {
+		if err := protectBranch.LoadRepo(ctx); err != nil {
+			log.Error("LoadRepo: %v", err)
+			return false
+		}
+
+		writeAccess, err := access_model.HasAccessUnit(ctx, user, protectBranch.Repo, unit.TypeCode, perm.AccessModeWrite)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Error("HasAccessUnit: %v", err)
+			return false
+		}
+		return writeAccess
+	}
+
+	if base.Int64sContains(protectBranch.WhitelistUserIDs, user.ID) {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	if len(protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	in, err := organization.IsUserInTeams(ctx, user.ID, protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error("IsUserInTeams: %v", err)
+		return false
+	}
+	return in
+}
+
+// IsUserMergeWhitelisted checks if some user is whitelisted to merge to this branch
+func IsUserMergeWhitelisted(ctx context.Context, protectBranch *ProtectedBranch, userID int64, permissionInRepo access_model.Permission) bool {
+	if !protectBranch.EnableMergeWhitelist {
+		// Then we need to fall back on whether the user has write permission
+		return permissionInRepo.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode)
+	}
+
+	if base.Int64sContains(protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs, userID) {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	if len(protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	in, err := organization.IsUserInTeams(ctx, userID, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error("IsUserInTeams: %v", err)
+		return false
+	}
+	return in
+}
+
+// IsUserOfficialReviewer check if user is official reviewer for the branch (counts towards required approvals)
+func IsUserOfficialReviewer(ctx context.Context, protectBranch *ProtectedBranch, user *user_model.User) (bool, error) {
+	repo, err := repo_model.GetRepositoryByID(ctx, protectBranch.RepoID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	if !protectBranch.EnableApprovalsWhitelist {
+		// Anyone with write access is considered official reviewer
+		writeAccess, err := access_model.HasAccessUnit(ctx, user, repo, unit.TypeCode, perm.AccessModeWrite)
+		if err != nil {
+			return false, err
+		}
+		return writeAccess, nil
+	}
+
+	if base.Int64sContains(protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs, user.ID) {
+		return true, nil
+	}
+
+	inTeam, err := organization.IsUserInTeams(ctx, user.ID, protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+
+	return inTeam, nil
+}
+
+// GetProtectedFilePatterns parses a semicolon separated list of protected file patterns and returns a glob.Glob slice
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) GetProtectedFilePatterns() []glob.Glob {
+	return getFilePatterns(protectBranch.ProtectedFilePatterns)
+}
+
+// GetUnprotectedFilePatterns parses a semicolon separated list of unprotected file patterns and returns a glob.Glob slice
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) GetUnprotectedFilePatterns() []glob.Glob {
+	return getFilePatterns(protectBranch.UnprotectedFilePatterns)
+}
+
+func getFilePatterns(filePatterns string) []glob.Glob {
+	extarr := make([]glob.Glob, 0, 10)
+	for _, expr := range strings.Split(strings.ToLower(filePatterns), ";") {
+		expr = strings.TrimSpace(expr)
+		if expr != "" {
+			if g, err := glob.Compile(expr, '.', '/'); err != nil {
+				log.Info("Invalid glob expression '%s' (skipped): %v", expr, err)
+			} else {
+				extarr = append(extarr, g)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return extarr
+}
+
+// MergeBlockedByProtectedFiles returns true if merge is blocked by protected files change
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) MergeBlockedByProtectedFiles(changedProtectedFiles []string) bool {
+	glob := protectBranch.GetProtectedFilePatterns()
+	if len(glob) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	return len(changedProtectedFiles) > 0
+}
+
+// IsProtectedFile return if path is protected
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) IsProtectedFile(patterns []glob.Glob, path string) bool {
+	if len(patterns) == 0 {
+		patterns = protectBranch.GetProtectedFilePatterns()
+		if len(patterns) == 0 {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+
+	lpath := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(path))
+
+	r := false
+	for _, pat := range patterns {
+		if pat.Match(lpath) {
+			r = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+
+	return r
+}
+
+// IsUnprotectedFile return if path is unprotected
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) IsUnprotectedFile(patterns []glob.Glob, path string) bool {
+	if len(patterns) == 0 {
+		patterns = protectBranch.GetUnprotectedFilePatterns()
+		if len(patterns) == 0 {
+			return false
+		}
+	}
+
+	lpath := strings.ToLower(strings.TrimSpace(path))
+
+	r := false
+	for _, pat := range patterns {
+		if pat.Match(lpath) {
+			r = true
+			break
+		}
+	}
+
+	return r
+}
+
+// GetProtectedBranchRuleByName getting protected branch rule by name
+func GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, ruleName string) (*ProtectedBranch, error) {
+	rel := &ProtectedBranch{RepoID: repoID, RuleName: ruleName}
+	has, err := db.GetByBean(ctx, rel)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if !has {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return rel, nil
+}
+
+// GetProtectedBranchRuleByID getting protected branch rule by rule ID
+func GetProtectedBranchRuleByID(ctx context.Context, repoID, ruleID int64) (*ProtectedBranch, error) {
+	rel := &ProtectedBranch{ID: ruleID, RepoID: repoID}
+	has, err := db.GetByBean(ctx, rel)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	if !has {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return rel, nil
+}
+
+// WhitelistOptions represent all sorts of whitelists used for protected branches
+type WhitelistOptions struct {
+	UserIDs []int64
+	TeamIDs []int64
+
+	MergeUserIDs []int64
+	MergeTeamIDs []int64
+
+	ApprovalsUserIDs []int64
+	ApprovalsTeamIDs []int64
+}
+
+// UpdateProtectBranch saves branch protection options of repository.
+// If ID is 0, it creates a new record. Otherwise, updates existing record.
+// This function also performs check if whitelist user and team's IDs have been changed
+// to avoid unnecessary whitelist delete and regenerate.
+func UpdateProtectBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, protectBranch *ProtectedBranch, opts WhitelistOptions) (err error) {
+	if err = repo.GetOwner(ctx); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("GetOwner: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	whitelist, err := updateUserWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.WhitelistUserIDs, opts.UserIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	protectBranch.WhitelistUserIDs = whitelist
+
+	whitelist, err = updateUserWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs, opts.MergeUserIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs = whitelist
+
+	whitelist, err = updateApprovalWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs, opts.ApprovalsUserIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs = whitelist
+
+	// if the repo is in an organization
+	whitelist, err = updateTeamWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs, opts.TeamIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs = whitelist
+
+	whitelist, err = updateTeamWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs, opts.MergeTeamIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs = whitelist
+
+	whitelist, err = updateTeamWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs, opts.ApprovalsTeamIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs = whitelist
+
+	// Make sure protectBranch.ID is not 0 for whitelists
+	if protectBranch.ID == 0 {
+		if _, err = db.GetEngine(ctx).Insert(protectBranch); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("Insert: %v", err)
+		}
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	if _, err = db.GetEngine(ctx).ID(protectBranch.ID).AllCols().Update(protectBranch); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("Update: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// updateApprovalWhitelist checks whether the user whitelist changed and returns a whitelist with
+// the users from newWhitelist which have explicit read or write access to the repo.
+func updateApprovalWhitelist(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, currentWhitelist, newWhitelist []int64) (whitelist []int64, err error) {
+	hasUsersChanged := !util.SliceSortedEqual(currentWhitelist, newWhitelist)
+	if !hasUsersChanged {
+		return currentWhitelist, nil
+	}
+
+	whitelist = make([]int64, 0, len(newWhitelist))
+	for _, userID := range newWhitelist {
+		if reader, err := access_model.IsRepoReader(ctx, repo, userID); err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		} else if !reader {
+			continue
+		}
+		whitelist = append(whitelist, userID)
+	}
+
+	return whitelist, err
+}
+
+// updateUserWhitelist checks whether the user whitelist changed and returns a whitelist with
+// the users from newWhitelist which have write access to the repo.
+func updateUserWhitelist(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, currentWhitelist, newWhitelist []int64) (whitelist []int64, err error) {
+	hasUsersChanged := !util.SliceSortedEqual(currentWhitelist, newWhitelist)
+	if !hasUsersChanged {
+		return currentWhitelist, nil
+	}
+
+	whitelist = make([]int64, 0, len(newWhitelist))
+	for _, userID := range newWhitelist {
+		user, err := user_model.GetUserByID(ctx, userID)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("GetUserByID [user_id: %d, repo_id: %d]: %v", userID, repo.ID, err)
+		}
+		perm, err := access_model.GetUserRepoPermission(ctx, repo, user)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("GetUserRepoPermission [user_id: %d, repo_id: %d]: %v", userID, repo.ID, err)
+		}
+
+		if !perm.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) {
+			continue // Drop invalid user ID
+		}
+
+		whitelist = append(whitelist, userID)
+	}
+
+	return whitelist, err
+}
+
+// updateTeamWhitelist checks whether the team whitelist changed and returns a whitelist with
+// the teams from newWhitelist which have write access to the repo.
+func updateTeamWhitelist(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, currentWhitelist, newWhitelist []int64) (whitelist []int64, err error) {
+	hasTeamsChanged := !util.SliceSortedEqual(currentWhitelist, newWhitelist)
+	if !hasTeamsChanged {
+		return currentWhitelist, nil
+	}
+
+	teams, err := organization.GetTeamsWithAccessToRepo(ctx, repo.OwnerID, repo.ID, perm.AccessModeRead)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("GetTeamsWithAccessToRepo [org_id: %d, repo_id: %d]: %v", repo.OwnerID, repo.ID, err)
+	}
+
+	whitelist = make([]int64, 0, len(teams))
+	for i := range teams {
+		if util.SliceContains(newWhitelist, teams[i].ID) {
+			whitelist = append(whitelist, teams[i].ID)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return whitelist, err
+}
+
+// DeleteProtectedBranch removes ProtectedBranch relation between the user and repository.
+func DeleteProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, repoID, id int64) (err error) {
+	protectedBranch := &ProtectedBranch{
+		RepoID: repoID,
+		ID:     id,
+	}
+
+	if affected, err := db.GetEngine(ctx).Delete(protectedBranch); err != nil {
+		return err
+	} else if affected != 1 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("delete protected branch ID(%v) failed", id)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// RemoveUserIDFromProtectedBranch remove all user ids from protected branch options
+func RemoveUserIDFromProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, p *ProtectedBranch, userID int64) error {
+	lenIDs, lenApprovalIDs, lenMergeIDs := len(p.WhitelistUserIDs), len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs), len(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs)
+	p.WhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.WhitelistUserIDs, userID)
+	p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs, userID)
+	p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs, userID)
+
+	if lenIDs != len(p.WhitelistUserIDs) || lenApprovalIDs != len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs) ||
+		lenMergeIDs != len(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs) {
+		if _, err := db.GetEngine(ctx).ID(p.ID).Cols(
+			"whitelist_user_i_ds",
+			"merge_whitelist_user_i_ds",
+			"approvals_whitelist_user_i_ds",
+		).Update(p); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("updateProtectedBranches: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// RemoveTeamIDFromProtectedBranch remove all team ids from protected branch options
+func RemoveTeamIDFromProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, p *ProtectedBranch, teamID int64) error {
+	lenIDs, lenApprovalIDs, lenMergeIDs := len(p.WhitelistTeamIDs), len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs), len(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs)
+	p.WhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.WhitelistTeamIDs, teamID)
+	p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs, teamID)
+	p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs, teamID)
+
+	if lenIDs != len(p.WhitelistTeamIDs) ||
+		lenApprovalIDs != len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs) ||
+		lenMergeIDs != len(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs) {
+		if _, err := db.GetEngine(ctx).ID(p.ID).Cols(
+			"whitelist_team_i_ds",
+			"merge_whitelist_team_i_ds",
+			"approvals_whitelist_team_i_ds",
+		).Update(p); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("updateProtectedBranches: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/models/git/protected_branch_list.go b/models/git/protected_branch_list.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..99c433aa00
--- /dev/null
+++ b/models/git/protected_branch_list.go
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+// Copyright 2022 The Gitea Authors. All rights reserved.
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+package git
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"sort"
+
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/db"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
+
+	"github.com/gobwas/glob"
+)
+
+type ProtectedBranchRules []*ProtectedBranch
+
+func (rules ProtectedBranchRules) GetFirstMatched(branchName string) *ProtectedBranch {
+	for _, rule := range rules {
+		if rule.Match(branchName) {
+			return rule
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (rules ProtectedBranchRules) sort() {
+	sort.Slice(rules, func(i, j int) bool {
+		rules[i].loadGlob()
+		rules[j].loadGlob()
+		if rules[i].isPlainName {
+			if !rules[j].isPlainName {
+				return true
+			}
+		} else if rules[j].isPlainName {
+			return true
+		}
+		return rules[i].CreatedUnix < rules[j].CreatedUnix
+	})
+}
+
+// FindRepoProtectedBranchRules load all repository's protected rules
+func FindRepoProtectedBranchRules(ctx context.Context, repoID int64) (ProtectedBranchRules, error) {
+	var rules ProtectedBranchRules
+	err := db.GetEngine(ctx).Where("repo_id = ?", repoID).Asc("created_unix").Find(&rules)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	rules.sort()
+	return rules, nil
+}
+
+// FindAllMatchedBranches find all matched branches
+func FindAllMatchedBranches(ctx context.Context, gitRepo *git.Repository, ruleName string) ([]string, error) {
+	// FIXME: how many should we get?
+	branches, _, err := gitRepo.GetBranchNames(0, 9999999)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	rule := glob.MustCompile(ruleName)
+	results := make([]string, 0, len(branches))
+	for _, branch := range branches {
+		if rule.Match(branch) {
+			results = append(results, branch)
+		}
+	}
+	return results, nil
+}
+
+// GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule returns the first matched rules
+func GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, branchName string) (*ProtectedBranch, error) {
+	rules, err := FindRepoProtectedBranchRules(ctx, repoID)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return rules.GetFirstMatched(branchName), nil
+}
+
+// IsBranchProtected checks if branch is protected
+func IsBranchProtected(ctx context.Context, repoID int64, branchName string) (bool, error) {
+	rule, err := GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, repoID, branchName)
+	if err != nil {
+		return false, err
+	}
+	return rule != nil, nil
+}
diff --git a/models/git/protected_branch_test.go b/models/git/protected_branch_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1962859a8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/models/git/protected_branch_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+// Copyright 2022 The Gitea Authors. All rights reserved.
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+package git
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+)
+
+func TestBranchRuleMatch(t *testing.T) {
+	kases := []struct {
+		Rule          string
+		BranchName    string
+		ExpectedMatch bool
+	}{
+		{
+			Rule:          "release/*",
+			BranchName:    "release/v1.17",
+			ExpectedMatch: true,
+		},
+		{
+			Rule:          "release/**/v1.17",
+			BranchName:    "release/test/v1.17",
+			ExpectedMatch: true,
+		},
+		{
+			Rule:          "release/**/v1.17",
+			BranchName:    "release/test/1/v1.17",
+			ExpectedMatch: true,
+		},
+		{
+			Rule:          "release/*/v1.17",
+			BranchName:    "release/test/1/v1.17",
+			ExpectedMatch: false,
+		},
+		{
+			Rule:          "release/v*",
+			BranchName:    "release/v1.16",
+			ExpectedMatch: true,
+		},
+		{
+			Rule:          "*",
+			BranchName:    "release/v1.16",
+			ExpectedMatch: false,
+		},
+		{
+			Rule:          "**",
+			BranchName:    "release/v1.16",
+			ExpectedMatch: true,
+		},
+		{
+			Rule:          "main",
+			BranchName:    "main",
+			ExpectedMatch: true,
+		},
+		{
+			Rule:          "master",
+			BranchName:    "main",
+			ExpectedMatch: false,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, kase := range kases {
+		pb := ProtectedBranch{RuleName: kase.Rule}
+		var should, infact string
+		if !kase.ExpectedMatch {
+			should = " not"
+		} else {
+			infact = " not"
+		}
+		assert.EqualValues(t, kase.ExpectedMatch, pb.Match(kase.BranchName),
+			fmt.Sprintf("%s should%s match %s but it is%s", kase.BranchName, should, kase.Rule, infact),
+		)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/models/issues/pull.go b/models/issues/pull.go
index 7af9400d17..93b227f3fd 100644
--- a/models/issues/pull.go
+++ b/models/issues/pull.go
@@ -164,9 +164,8 @@ type PullRequest struct {
 	HeadBranch          string
 	HeadCommitID        string `xorm:"-"`
 	BaseBranch          string
-	ProtectedBranch     *git_model.ProtectedBranch `xorm:"-"`
-	MergeBase           string                     `xorm:"VARCHAR(40)"`
-	AllowMaintainerEdit bool                       `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
+	MergeBase           string `xorm:"VARCHAR(40)"`
+	AllowMaintainerEdit bool   `xorm:"NOT NULL DEFAULT false"`
 
 	HasMerged      bool               `xorm:"INDEX"`
 	MergedCommitID string             `xorm:"VARCHAR(40)"`
@@ -293,23 +292,6 @@ func (pr *PullRequest) LoadIssue(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 	return err
 }
 
-// LoadProtectedBranch loads the protected branch of the base branch
-func (pr *PullRequest) LoadProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch == nil {
-		if pr.BaseRepo == nil {
-			if pr.BaseRepoID == 0 {
-				return nil
-			}
-			pr.BaseRepo, err = repo_model.GetRepositoryByID(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID)
-			if err != nil {
-				return
-			}
-		}
-		pr.ProtectedBranch, err = git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, pr.BaseRepo.ID, pr.BaseBranch)
-	}
-	return err
-}
-
 // ReviewCount represents a count of Reviews
 type ReviewCount struct {
 	IssueID int64
diff --git a/models/issues/review.go b/models/issues/review.go
index ae4029e80f..d8e517ad3c 100644
--- a/models/issues/review.go
+++ b/models/issues/review.go
@@ -263,15 +263,17 @@ func IsOfficialReviewer(ctx context.Context, issue *Issue, reviewers ...*user_mo
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
-	if err = pr.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
+
+	rule, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID, pr.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch == nil {
+	if rule == nil {
 		return false, nil
 	}
 
 	for _, reviewer := range reviewers {
-		official, err := git_model.IsUserOfficialReviewer(ctx, pr.ProtectedBranch, reviewer)
+		official, err := git_model.IsUserOfficialReviewer(ctx, rule, reviewer)
 		if official || err != nil {
 			return official, err
 		}
@@ -286,18 +288,19 @@ func IsOfficialReviewerTeam(ctx context.Context, issue *Issue, team *organizatio
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
-	if err = pr.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID, pr.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch == nil {
+	if pb == nil {
 		return false, nil
 	}
 
-	if !pr.ProtectedBranch.EnableApprovalsWhitelist {
+	if !pb.EnableApprovalsWhitelist {
 		return team.UnitAccessMode(ctx, unit.TypeCode) >= perm.AccessModeWrite, nil
 	}
 
-	return base.Int64sContains(pr.ProtectedBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs, team.ID), nil
+	return base.Int64sContains(pb.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs, team.ID), nil
 }
 
 // CreateReview creates a new review based on opts
diff --git a/models/org_team.go b/models/org_team.go
index 2bbf1d8d8c..be3b63b52e 100644
--- a/models/org_team.go
+++ b/models/org_team.go
@@ -378,7 +378,6 @@ func DeleteTeam(t *organization.Team) error {
 		return err
 	}
 	defer committer.Close()
-	sess := db.GetEngine(ctx)
 
 	if err := t.LoadRepositories(ctx); err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -391,27 +390,15 @@ func DeleteTeam(t *organization.Team) error {
 	// update branch protections
 	{
 		protections := make([]*git_model.ProtectedBranch, 0, 10)
-		err := sess.In("repo_id",
+		err := db.GetEngine(ctx).In("repo_id",
 			builder.Select("id").From("repository").Where(builder.Eq{"owner_id": t.OrgID})).
 			Find(&protections)
 		if err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("findProtectedBranches: %w", err)
 		}
 		for _, p := range protections {
-			lenIDs, lenApprovalIDs, lenMergeIDs := len(p.WhitelistTeamIDs), len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs), len(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs)
-			p.WhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.WhitelistTeamIDs, t.ID)
-			p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs, t.ID)
-			p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs, t.ID)
-			if lenIDs != len(p.WhitelistTeamIDs) ||
-				lenApprovalIDs != len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs) ||
-				lenMergeIDs != len(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs) {
-				if _, err = sess.ID(p.ID).Cols(
-					"whitelist_team_i_ds",
-					"merge_whitelist_team_i_ds",
-					"approvals_whitelist_team_i_ds",
-				).Update(p); err != nil {
-					return fmt.Errorf("updateProtectedBranches: %w", err)
-				}
+			if err := git_model.RemoveTeamIDFromProtectedBranch(ctx, p, t.ID); err != nil {
+				return err
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -432,7 +419,7 @@ func DeleteTeam(t *organization.Team) error {
 	}
 
 	// Update organization number of teams.
-	if _, err := sess.Exec("UPDATE `user` SET num_teams=num_teams-1 WHERE id=?", t.OrgID); err != nil {
+	if _, err := db.Exec(ctx, "UPDATE `user` SET num_teams=num_teams-1 WHERE id=?", t.OrgID); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
diff --git a/models/user.go b/models/user.go
index 10282d0db4..746553c35b 100644
--- a/models/user.go
+++ b/models/user.go
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ import (
 	repo_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/repo"
 	user_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/user"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
 )
 
 // DeleteUser deletes models associated to an user.
@@ -141,20 +140,8 @@ func DeleteUser(ctx context.Context, u *user_model.User, purge bool) (err error)
 				break
 			}
 			for _, p := range protections {
-				lenIDs, lenApprovalIDs, lenMergeIDs := len(p.WhitelistUserIDs), len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs), len(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs)
-				p.WhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.WhitelistUserIDs, u.ID)
-				p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs, u.ID)
-				p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs, u.ID)
-				if lenIDs != len(p.WhitelistUserIDs) ||
-					lenApprovalIDs != len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs) ||
-					lenMergeIDs != len(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs) {
-					if _, err = e.ID(p.ID).Cols(
-						"whitelist_user_i_ds",
-						"merge_whitelist_user_i_ds",
-						"approvals_whitelist_user_i_ds",
-					).Update(p); err != nil {
-						return fmt.Errorf("updateProtectedBranches: %w", err)
-					}
+				if err := git_model.RemoveUserIDFromProtectedBranch(ctx, p, u.ID); err != nil {
+					return err
 				}
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/modules/context/repo.go b/modules/context/repo.go
index dba20b48a0..a5ade21e43 100644
--- a/modules/context/repo.go
+++ b/modules/context/repo.go
@@ -119,14 +119,15 @@ type CanCommitToBranchResults struct {
 //
 // and branch is not protected for push
 func (r *Repository) CanCommitToBranch(ctx context.Context, doer *user_model.User) (CanCommitToBranchResults, error) {
-	protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, r.Repository.ID, r.BranchName)
+	protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, r.Repository.ID, r.BranchName)
 	if err != nil {
 		return CanCommitToBranchResults{}, err
 	}
 	userCanPush := true
 	requireSigned := false
 	if protectedBranch != nil {
-		userCanPush = protectedBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, doer.ID)
+		protectedBranch.Repo = r.Repository
+		userCanPush = protectedBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, doer)
 		requireSigned = protectedBranch.RequireSignedCommits
 	}
 
diff --git a/modules/structs/repo_branch.go b/modules/structs/repo_branch.go
index 864cb8f50a..e9927aec27 100644
--- a/modules/structs/repo_branch.go
+++ b/modules/structs/repo_branch.go
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ type Branch struct {
 
 // BranchProtection represents a branch protection for a repository
 type BranchProtection struct {
+	// Deprecated: true
 	BranchName                    string   `json:"branch_name"`
+	RuleName                      string   `json:"rule_name"`
 	EnablePush                    bool     `json:"enable_push"`
 	EnablePushWhitelist           bool     `json:"enable_push_whitelist"`
 	PushWhitelistUsernames        []string `json:"push_whitelist_usernames"`
@@ -52,7 +54,9 @@ type BranchProtection struct {
 
 // CreateBranchProtectionOption options for creating a branch protection
 type CreateBranchProtectionOption struct {
+	// Deprecated: true
 	BranchName                    string   `json:"branch_name"`
+	RuleName                      string   `json:"rule_name"`
 	EnablePush                    bool     `json:"enable_push"`
 	EnablePushWhitelist           bool     `json:"enable_push_whitelist"`
 	PushWhitelistUsernames        []string `json:"push_whitelist_usernames"`
diff --git a/options/locale/locale_en-US.ini b/options/locale/locale_en-US.ini
index 771e76a783..39aef9d993 100644
--- a/options/locale/locale_en-US.ini
+++ b/options/locale/locale_en-US.ini
@@ -1824,6 +1824,7 @@ settings.mirror_sync_in_progress = Mirror synchronization is in progress. Check
 settings.site = Website
 settings.update_settings = Update Settings
 settings.branches.update_default_branch = Update Default Branch
+settings.branches.add_new_rule = Add New Rule
 settings.advanced_settings = Advanced Settings
 settings.wiki_desc = Enable Repository Wiki
 settings.use_internal_wiki = Use Built-In Wiki
@@ -2069,6 +2070,8 @@ settings.deploy_key_deletion_desc = Removing a deploy key will revoke its access
 settings.deploy_key_deletion_success = The deploy key has been removed.
 settings.branches = Branches
 settings.protected_branch = Branch Protection
+settings.protected_branch.save_rule = Save Rule
+settings.protected_branch.delete_rule = Delete Rule
 settings.protected_branch_can_push = Allow push?
 settings.protected_branch_can_push_yes = You can push
 settings.protected_branch_can_push_no = You cannot push
@@ -2103,15 +2106,17 @@ settings.dismiss_stale_approvals = Dismiss stale approvals
 settings.dismiss_stale_approvals_desc = When new commits that change the content of the pull request are pushed to the branch, old approvals will be dismissed.
 settings.require_signed_commits = Require Signed Commits
 settings.require_signed_commits_desc = Reject pushes to this branch if they are unsigned or unverifiable.
+settings.protect_branch_name_pattern = Protected Branch Name Pattern
 settings.protect_protected_file_patterns = Protected file patterns (separated using semicolon '\;'):
 settings.protect_protected_file_patterns_desc = Protected files that are not allowed to be changed directly even if user has rights to add, edit, or delete files in this branch. Multiple patterns can be separated using semicolon ('\;'). See <a href="https://pkg.go.dev/github.com/gobwas/glob#Compile">github.com/gobwas/glob</a> documentation for pattern syntax. Examples: <code>.drone.yml</code>, <code>/docs/**/*.txt</code>.
 settings.protect_unprotected_file_patterns = Unprotected file patterns (separated using semicolon '\;'):
 settings.protect_unprotected_file_patterns_desc = Unprotected files that are allowed to be changed directly if user has write access, bypassing push restriction. Multiple patterns can be separated using semicolon ('\;'). See <a href="https://pkg.go.dev/github.com/gobwas/glob#Compile">github.com/gobwas/glob</a> documentation for pattern syntax. Examples: <code>.drone.yml</code>, <code>/docs/**/*.txt</code>.
 settings.add_protected_branch = Enable protection
 settings.delete_protected_branch = Disable protection
-settings.update_protect_branch_success = Branch protection for branch '%s' has been updated.
-settings.remove_protected_branch_success = Branch protection for branch '%s' has been disabled.
-settings.protected_branch_deletion = Disable Branch Protection
+settings.update_protect_branch_success = Branch protection for rule '%s' has been updated.
+settings.remove_protected_branch_success = Branch protection for rule '%s' has been removed.
+settings.remove_protected_branch_failed = Removing branch protection rule '%s' failed.
+settings.protected_branch_deletion = Delete Branch Protection
 settings.protected_branch_deletion_desc = Disabling branch protection allows users with write permission to push to the branch. Continue?
 settings.block_rejected_reviews = Block merge on rejected reviews
 settings.block_rejected_reviews_desc = Merging will not be possible when changes are requested by official reviewers, even if there are enough approvals.
@@ -2124,6 +2129,7 @@ settings.default_merge_style_desc = Default merge style for pull requests:
 settings.choose_branch = Choose a branch…
 settings.no_protected_branch = There are no protected branches.
 settings.edit_protected_branch = Edit
+settings.protected_branch_required_rule_name = Required rule name
 settings.protected_branch_required_approvals_min = Required approvals cannot be negative.
 settings.tags = Tags
 settings.tags.protection = Tag Protection
diff --git a/routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go b/routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go
index a46d2a2449..eacec6a609 100644
--- a/routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go
+++ b/routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ func GetBranch(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	branchProtection, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, branchName)
+	branchProtection, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, branchName)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetBranchProtection", err)
 		return
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ func DeleteBranch(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 			ctx.NotFound(err)
 		case errors.Is(err, repo_service.ErrBranchIsDefault):
 			ctx.Error(http.StatusForbidden, "DefaultBranch", fmt.Errorf("can not delete default branch"))
-		case errors.Is(err, repo_service.ErrBranchIsProtected):
+		case errors.Is(err, git_model.ErrBranchIsProtected):
 			ctx.Error(http.StatusForbidden, "IsProtectedBranch", fmt.Errorf("branch protected"))
 		default:
 			ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "DeleteBranch", err)
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ func CreateBranch(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	branchProtection, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, branch.Name)
+	branchProtection, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, branch.Name)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetBranchProtection", err)
 		return
@@ -257,6 +257,12 @@ func ListBranches(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 	listOptions := utils.GetListOptions(ctx)
 
 	if !ctx.Repo.Repository.IsEmpty && ctx.Repo.GitRepo != nil {
+		rules, err := git_model.FindRepoProtectedBranchRules(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID)
+		if err != nil {
+			ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "FindMatchedProtectedBranchRules", err)
+			return
+		}
+
 		skip, _ := listOptions.GetStartEnd()
 		branches, total, err := ctx.Repo.GitRepo.GetBranches(skip, listOptions.PageSize)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -276,11 +282,8 @@ func ListBranches(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 				ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetCommit", err)
 				return
 			}
-			branchProtection, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, branches[i].Name)
-			if err != nil {
-				ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetProtectedBranchBy", err)
-				return
-			}
+
+			branchProtection := rules.GetFirstMatched(branches[i].Name)
 			apiBranch, err := convert.ToBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, branches[i], c, branchProtection, ctx.Doer, ctx.Repo.IsAdmin())
 			if err != nil {
 				ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "convert.ToBranch", err)
@@ -328,7 +331,7 @@ func GetBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 
 	repo := ctx.Repo.Repository
 	bpName := ctx.Params(":name")
-	bp, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, bpName)
+	bp, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx, repo.ID, bpName)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetProtectedBranchByID", err)
 		return
@@ -364,7 +367,7 @@ func ListBranchProtections(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 	//     "$ref": "#/responses/BranchProtectionList"
 
 	repo := ctx.Repo.Repository
-	bps, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranches(ctx, repo.ID)
+	bps, err := git_model.FindRepoProtectedBranchRules(ctx, repo.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetProtectedBranches", err)
 		return
@@ -414,13 +417,18 @@ func CreateBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 	form := web.GetForm(ctx).(*api.CreateBranchProtectionOption)
 	repo := ctx.Repo.Repository
 
-	// Currently protection must match an actual branch
-	if !git.IsBranchExist(ctx.Req.Context(), ctx.Repo.Repository.RepoPath(), form.BranchName) {
-		ctx.NotFound()
-		return
+	ruleName := form.RuleName
+	if ruleName == "" {
+		ruleName = form.BranchName //nolint
+	}
+
+	isPlainRule := !git_model.IsRuleNameSpecial(ruleName)
+	var isBranchExist bool
+	if isPlainRule {
+		isBranchExist = git.IsBranchExist(ctx.Req.Context(), ctx.Repo.Repository.RepoPath(), ruleName)
 	}
 
-	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, form.BranchName)
+	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx, repo.ID, ruleName)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetProtectBranchOfRepoByName", err)
 		return
@@ -494,7 +502,7 @@ func CreateBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 
 	protectBranch = &git_model.ProtectedBranch{
 		RepoID:                        ctx.Repo.Repository.ID,
-		BranchName:                    form.BranchName,
+		RuleName:                      form.RuleName,
 		CanPush:                       form.EnablePush,
 		EnableWhitelist:               form.EnablePush && form.EnablePushWhitelist,
 		EnableMergeWhitelist:          form.EnableMergeWhitelist,
@@ -525,13 +533,42 @@ func CreateBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if err = pull_service.CheckPrsForBaseBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, protectBranch.BranchName); err != nil {
-		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "CheckPrsForBaseBranch", err)
-		return
+	if isBranchExist {
+		if err = pull_service.CheckPRsForBaseBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, form.RuleName); err != nil {
+			ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "CheckPRsForBaseBranch", err)
+			return
+		}
+	} else {
+		if !isPlainRule {
+			if ctx.Repo.GitRepo == nil {
+				ctx.Repo.GitRepo, err = git.OpenRepository(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.RepoPath())
+				if err != nil {
+					ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "OpenRepository", err)
+					return
+				}
+				defer func() {
+					ctx.Repo.GitRepo.Close()
+					ctx.Repo.GitRepo = nil
+				}()
+			}
+			// FIXME: since we only need to recheck files protected rules, we could improve this
+			matchedBranches, err := git_model.FindAllMatchedBranches(ctx, ctx.Repo.GitRepo, form.RuleName)
+			if err != nil {
+				ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "FindAllMatchedBranches", err)
+				return
+			}
+
+			for _, branchName := range matchedBranches {
+				if err = pull_service.CheckPRsForBaseBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, branchName); err != nil {
+					ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "CheckPRsForBaseBranch", err)
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Reload from db to get all whitelists
-	bp, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, form.BranchName)
+	bp, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, form.RuleName)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetProtectedBranchByID", err)
 		return
@@ -583,7 +620,7 @@ func EditBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 	form := web.GetForm(ctx).(*api.EditBranchProtectionOption)
 	repo := ctx.Repo.Repository
 	bpName := ctx.Params(":name")
-	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, bpName)
+	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx, repo.ID, bpName)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetProtectedBranchByID", err)
 		return
@@ -760,13 +797,49 @@ func EditBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if err = pull_service.CheckPrsForBaseBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, protectBranch.BranchName); err != nil {
-		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "CheckPrsForBaseBranch", err)
-		return
+	isPlainRule := !git_model.IsRuleNameSpecial(bpName)
+	var isBranchExist bool
+	if isPlainRule {
+		isBranchExist = git.IsBranchExist(ctx.Req.Context(), ctx.Repo.Repository.RepoPath(), bpName)
+	}
+
+	if isBranchExist {
+		if err = pull_service.CheckPRsForBaseBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, bpName); err != nil {
+			ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "CheckPrsForBaseBranch", err)
+			return
+		}
+	} else {
+		if !isPlainRule {
+			if ctx.Repo.GitRepo == nil {
+				ctx.Repo.GitRepo, err = git.OpenRepository(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.RepoPath())
+				if err != nil {
+					ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "OpenRepository", err)
+					return
+				}
+				defer func() {
+					ctx.Repo.GitRepo.Close()
+					ctx.Repo.GitRepo = nil
+				}()
+			}
+
+			// FIXME: since we only need to recheck files protected rules, we could improve this
+			matchedBranches, err := git_model.FindAllMatchedBranches(ctx, ctx.Repo.GitRepo, protectBranch.RuleName)
+			if err != nil {
+				ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "FindAllMatchedBranches", err)
+				return
+			}
+
+			for _, branchName := range matchedBranches {
+				if err = pull_service.CheckPRsForBaseBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, branchName); err != nil {
+					ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "CheckPrsForBaseBranch", err)
+					return
+				}
+			}
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Reload from db to ensure get all whitelists
-	bp, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, bpName)
+	bp, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx, repo.ID, bpName)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetProtectedBranchBy", err)
 		return
@@ -810,7 +883,7 @@ func DeleteBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 
 	repo := ctx.Repo.Repository
 	bpName := ctx.Params(":name")
-	bp, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, bpName)
+	bp, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx, repo.ID, bpName)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetProtectedBranchByID", err)
 		return
diff --git a/routers/api/v1/repo/pull.go b/routers/api/v1/repo/pull.go
index 1b1aba17d9..8fdbec4b89 100644
--- a/routers/api/v1/repo/pull.go
+++ b/routers/api/v1/repo/pull.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
 	activities_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/activities"
+	git_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/git"
 	issues_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/issues"
 	access_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/perm/access"
 	pull_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/pull"
@@ -902,7 +903,7 @@ func MergePullRequest(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 				ctx.NotFound(err)
 			case errors.Is(err, repo_service.ErrBranchIsDefault):
 				ctx.Error(http.StatusForbidden, "DefaultBranch", fmt.Errorf("can not delete default branch"))
-			case errors.Is(err, repo_service.ErrBranchIsProtected):
+			case errors.Is(err, git_model.ErrBranchIsProtected):
 				ctx.Error(http.StatusForbidden, "IsProtectedBranch", fmt.Errorf("branch protected"))
 			default:
 				ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "DeleteBranch", err)
diff --git a/routers/private/hook_pre_receive.go b/routers/private/hook_pre_receive.go
index f58ed4ee4b..8468227077 100644
--- a/routers/private/hook_pre_receive.go
+++ b/routers/private/hook_pre_receive.go
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID, refFullN
 		return
 	}
 
-	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, branchName)
+	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, repo.ID, branchName)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Error("Unable to get protected branch: %s in %-v Error: %v", branchName, repo, err)
 		ctx.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, private.Response{
@@ -166,9 +166,10 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID, refFullN
 	}
 
 	// Allow pushes to non-protected branches
-	if protectBranch == nil || !protectBranch.IsProtected() {
+	if protectBranch == nil {
 		return
 	}
+	protectBranch.Repo = repo
 
 	// This ref is a protected branch.
 	//
@@ -238,7 +239,6 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID, refFullN
 					Err: fmt.Sprintf("Unable to check file protection for commits from %s to %s: %v", oldCommitID, newCommitID, err),
 				})
 				return
-
 			}
 
 			changedProtectedfiles = true
@@ -251,7 +251,15 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID, refFullN
 	if ctx.opts.DeployKeyID != 0 {
 		canPush = !changedProtectedfiles && protectBranch.CanPush && (!protectBranch.EnableWhitelist || protectBranch.WhitelistDeployKeys)
 	} else {
-		canPush = !changedProtectedfiles && protectBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, ctx.opts.UserID)
+		user, err := user_model.GetUserByID(ctx, ctx.opts.UserID)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Error("Unable to GetUserByID for commits from %s to %s in %-v: %v", oldCommitID, newCommitID, repo, err)
+			ctx.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, private.Response{
+				Err: fmt.Sprintf("Unable to GetUserByID for commits from %s to %s: %v", oldCommitID, newCommitID, err),
+			})
+			return
+		}
+		canPush = !changedProtectedfiles && protectBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, user)
 	}
 
 	// 6. If we're not allowed to push directly
diff --git a/routers/web/repo/branch.go b/routers/web/repo/branch.go
index 8b48d3fb00..b34ccf8538 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/branch.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/branch.go
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ func DeleteBranchPost(ctx *context.Context) {
 		case errors.Is(err, repo_service.ErrBranchIsDefault):
 			log.Debug("DeleteBranch: Can't delete default branch '%s'", branchName)
 			ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.branch.default_deletion_failed", branchName))
-		case errors.Is(err, repo_service.ErrBranchIsProtected):
+		case errors.Is(err, git_model.ErrBranchIsProtected):
 			log.Debug("DeleteBranch: Can't delete protected branch '%s'", branchName)
 			ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.branch.protected_deletion_failed", branchName))
 		default:
@@ -189,9 +189,9 @@ func loadBranches(ctx *context.Context, skip, limit int) (*Branch, []*Branch, in
 		return nil, nil, 0
 	}
 
-	protectedBranches, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranches(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID)
+	rules, err := git_model.FindRepoProtectedBranchRules(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID)
 	if err != nil {
-		ctx.ServerError("GetProtectedBranches", err)
+		ctx.ServerError("FindRepoProtectedBranchRules", err)
 		return nil, nil, 0
 	}
 
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ func loadBranches(ctx *context.Context, skip, limit int) (*Branch, []*Branch, in
 			continue
 		}
 
-		branch := loadOneBranch(ctx, rawBranches[i], defaultBranch, protectedBranches, repoIDToRepo, repoIDToGitRepo)
+		branch := loadOneBranch(ctx, rawBranches[i], defaultBranch, &rules, repoIDToRepo, repoIDToGitRepo)
 		if branch == nil {
 			return nil, nil, 0
 		}
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ func loadBranches(ctx *context.Context, skip, limit int) (*Branch, []*Branch, in
 	if defaultBranch != nil {
 		// Always add the default branch
 		log.Debug("loadOneBranch: load default: '%s'", defaultBranch.Name)
-		defaultBranchBranch = loadOneBranch(ctx, defaultBranch, defaultBranch, protectedBranches, repoIDToRepo, repoIDToGitRepo)
+		defaultBranchBranch = loadOneBranch(ctx, defaultBranch, defaultBranch, &rules, repoIDToRepo, repoIDToGitRepo)
 		branches = append(branches, defaultBranchBranch)
 	}
 
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ func loadBranches(ctx *context.Context, skip, limit int) (*Branch, []*Branch, in
 	return defaultBranchBranch, branches, totalNumOfBranches
 }
 
-func loadOneBranch(ctx *context.Context, rawBranch, defaultBranch *git.Branch, protectedBranches []*git_model.ProtectedBranch,
+func loadOneBranch(ctx *context.Context, rawBranch, defaultBranch *git.Branch, protectedBranches *git_model.ProtectedBranchRules,
 	repoIDToRepo map[int64]*repo_model.Repository,
 	repoIDToGitRepo map[int64]*git.Repository,
 ) *Branch {
@@ -249,13 +249,8 @@ func loadOneBranch(ctx *context.Context, rawBranch, defaultBranch *git.Branch, p
 	}
 
 	branchName := rawBranch.Name
-	var isProtected bool
-	for _, b := range protectedBranches {
-		if b.BranchName == branchName {
-			isProtected = true
-			break
-		}
-	}
+	p := protectedBranches.GetFirstMatched(branchName)
+	isProtected := p != nil
 
 	divergence := &git.DivergeObject{
 		Ahead:  -1,
diff --git a/routers/web/repo/issue.go b/routers/web/repo/issue.go
index f037c771d4..b081092c57 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/issue.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/issue.go
@@ -1604,7 +1604,7 @@ func ViewIssue(ctx *context.Context) {
 				if perm.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) {
 					// Check if branch is not protected
 					if pull.HeadBranch != pull.HeadRepo.DefaultBranch {
-						if protected, err := git_model.IsProtectedBranch(ctx, pull.HeadRepo.ID, pull.HeadBranch); err != nil {
+						if protected, err := git_model.IsBranchProtected(ctx, pull.HeadRepo.ID, pull.HeadBranch); err != nil {
 							log.Error("IsProtectedBranch: %v", err)
 						} else if !protected {
 							canDelete = true
@@ -1680,22 +1680,25 @@ func ViewIssue(ctx *context.Context) {
 		ctx.Data["DefaultSquashMergeMessage"] = defaultSquashMergeMessage
 		ctx.Data["DefaultSquashMergeBody"] = defaultSquashMergeBody
 
-		if err = pull.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
+		pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pull.BaseRepoID, pull.BaseBranch)
+		if err != nil {
 			ctx.ServerError("LoadProtectedBranch", err)
 			return
 		}
 		ctx.Data["ShowMergeInstructions"] = true
-		if pull.ProtectedBranch != nil {
+		if pb != nil {
+			pb.Repo = pull.BaseRepo
 			var showMergeInstructions bool
 			if ctx.Doer != nil {
-				showMergeInstructions = pull.ProtectedBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, ctx.Doer.ID)
-			}
-			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByApprovals"] = !issues_model.HasEnoughApprovals(ctx, pull.ProtectedBranch, pull)
-			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByRejection"] = issues_model.MergeBlockedByRejectedReview(ctx, pull.ProtectedBranch, pull)
-			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByOfficialReviewRequests"] = issues_model.MergeBlockedByOfficialReviewRequests(ctx, pull.ProtectedBranch, pull)
-			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByOutdatedBranch"] = issues_model.MergeBlockedByOutdatedBranch(pull.ProtectedBranch, pull)
-			ctx.Data["GrantedApprovals"] = issues_model.GetGrantedApprovalsCount(ctx, pull.ProtectedBranch, pull)
-			ctx.Data["RequireSigned"] = pull.ProtectedBranch.RequireSignedCommits
+				showMergeInstructions = pb.CanUserPush(ctx, ctx.Doer)
+			}
+			ctx.Data["ProtectedBranch"] = pb
+			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByApprovals"] = !issues_model.HasEnoughApprovals(ctx, pb, pull)
+			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByRejection"] = issues_model.MergeBlockedByRejectedReview(ctx, pb, pull)
+			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByOfficialReviewRequests"] = issues_model.MergeBlockedByOfficialReviewRequests(ctx, pb, pull)
+			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByOutdatedBranch"] = issues_model.MergeBlockedByOutdatedBranch(pb, pull)
+			ctx.Data["GrantedApprovals"] = issues_model.GetGrantedApprovalsCount(ctx, pb, pull)
+			ctx.Data["RequireSigned"] = pb.RequireSignedCommits
 			ctx.Data["ChangedProtectedFiles"] = pull.ChangedProtectedFiles
 			ctx.Data["IsBlockedByChangedProtectedFiles"] = len(pull.ChangedProtectedFiles) != 0
 			ctx.Data["ChangedProtectedFilesNum"] = len(pull.ChangedProtectedFiles)
diff --git a/routers/web/repo/pull.go b/routers/web/repo/pull.go
index c0fab2cead..c2208120fc 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/pull.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/pull.go
@@ -440,11 +440,12 @@ func PrepareViewPullInfo(ctx *context.Context, issue *issues_model.Issue) *git.C
 
 	setMergeTarget(ctx, pull)
 
-	if err := pull.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, repo.ID, pull.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
 		ctx.ServerError("LoadProtectedBranch", err)
 		return nil
 	}
-	ctx.Data["EnableStatusCheck"] = pull.ProtectedBranch != nil && pull.ProtectedBranch.EnableStatusCheck
+	ctx.Data["EnableStatusCheck"] = pb != nil && pb.EnableStatusCheck
 
 	var baseGitRepo *git.Repository
 	if pull.BaseRepoID == ctx.Repo.Repository.ID && ctx.Repo.GitRepo != nil {
@@ -570,16 +571,16 @@ func PrepareViewPullInfo(ctx *context.Context, issue *issues_model.Issue) *git.C
 		ctx.Data["LatestCommitStatus"] = git_model.CalcCommitStatus(commitStatuses)
 	}
 
-	if pull.ProtectedBranch != nil && pull.ProtectedBranch.EnableStatusCheck {
+	if pb != nil && pb.EnableStatusCheck {
 		ctx.Data["is_context_required"] = func(context string) bool {
-			for _, c := range pull.ProtectedBranch.StatusCheckContexts {
+			for _, c := range pb.StatusCheckContexts {
 				if c == context {
 					return true
 				}
 			}
 			return false
 		}
-		ctx.Data["RequiredStatusCheckState"] = pull_service.MergeRequiredContextsCommitStatus(commitStatuses, pull.ProtectedBranch.StatusCheckContexts)
+		ctx.Data["RequiredStatusCheckState"] = pull_service.MergeRequiredContextsCommitStatus(commitStatuses, pb.StatusCheckContexts)
 	}
 
 	ctx.Data["HeadBranchMovedOn"] = headBranchSha != sha
@@ -752,16 +753,17 @@ func ViewPullFiles(ctx *context.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if err = pull.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pull.BaseRepoID, pull.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
 		ctx.ServerError("LoadProtectedBranch", err)
 		return
 	}
 
-	if pull.ProtectedBranch != nil {
-		glob := pull.ProtectedBranch.GetProtectedFilePatterns()
+	if pb != nil {
+		glob := pb.GetProtectedFilePatterns()
 		if len(glob) != 0 {
 			for _, file := range diff.Files {
-				file.IsProtected = pull.ProtectedBranch.IsProtectedFile(glob, file.Name)
+				file.IsProtected = pb.IsProtectedFile(glob, file.Name)
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -1400,7 +1402,7 @@ func deleteBranch(ctx *context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullRequest, gitRepo *g
 			ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.branch.deletion_failed", fullBranchName))
 		case errors.Is(err, repo_service.ErrBranchIsDefault):
 			ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.branch.deletion_failed", fullBranchName))
-		case errors.Is(err, repo_service.ErrBranchIsProtected):
+		case errors.Is(err, git_model.ErrBranchIsProtected):
 			ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.branch.deletion_failed", fullBranchName))
 		default:
 			log.Error("DeleteBranch: %v", err)
diff --git a/routers/web/repo/setting.go b/routers/web/repo/setting.go
index 913ed6c7cb..43a615abfe 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/setting.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/setting.go
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@ const (
 	tplGithooks        base.TplName = "repo/settings/githooks"
 	tplGithookEdit     base.TplName = "repo/settings/githook_edit"
 	tplDeployKeys      base.TplName = "repo/settings/deploy_keys"
-	tplProtectedBranch base.TplName = "repo/settings/protected_branch"
 )
 
 // SettingsCtxData is a middleware that sets all the general context data for the
diff --git a/routers/web/repo/setting_protected_branch.go b/routers/web/repo/setting_protected_branch.go
index e0467a23e6..31abde1ef6 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/setting_protected_branch.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/setting_protected_branch.go
@@ -19,47 +19,33 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/web"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/services/forms"
 	pull_service "code.gitea.io/gitea/services/pull"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/services/repository"
 )
 
-// ProtectedBranch render the page to protect the repository
-func ProtectedBranch(ctx *context.Context) {
+const (
+	tplProtectedBranch base.TplName = "repo/settings/protected_branch"
+)
+
+// ProtectedBranchRules render the page to protect the repository
+func ProtectedBranchRules(ctx *context.Context) {
 	ctx.Data["Title"] = ctx.Tr("repo.settings")
 	ctx.Data["PageIsSettingsBranches"] = true
 
-	protectedBranches, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranches(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID)
+	rules, err := git_model.FindRepoProtectedBranchRules(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.ServerError("GetProtectedBranches", err)
 		return
 	}
-	ctx.Data["ProtectedBranches"] = protectedBranches
-
-	branches := ctx.Data["Branches"].([]string)
-	leftBranches := make([]string, 0, len(branches)-len(protectedBranches))
-	for _, b := range branches {
-		var protected bool
-		for _, pb := range protectedBranches {
-			if b == pb.BranchName {
-				protected = true
-				break
-			}
-		}
-		if !protected {
-			leftBranches = append(leftBranches, b)
-		}
-	}
-
-	ctx.Data["LeftBranches"] = leftBranches
+	ctx.Data["ProtectedBranches"] = rules
 
 	ctx.HTML(http.StatusOK, tplBranches)
 }
 
-// ProtectedBranchPost response for protect for a branch of a repository
-func ProtectedBranchPost(ctx *context.Context) {
+// SetDefaultBranchPost set default branch
+func SetDefaultBranchPost(ctx *context.Context) {
 	ctx.Data["Title"] = ctx.Tr("repo.settings")
 	ctx.Data["PageIsSettingsBranches"] = true
 
@@ -101,41 +87,36 @@ func ProtectedBranchPost(ctx *context.Context) {
 
 // SettingsProtectedBranch renders the protected branch setting page
 func SettingsProtectedBranch(c *context.Context) {
-	branch := c.Params("*")
-	if !c.Repo.GitRepo.IsBranchExist(branch) {
-		c.NotFound("IsBranchExist", nil)
-		return
-	}
-
-	c.Data["Title"] = c.Tr("repo.settings.protected_branch") + " - " + branch
-	c.Data["PageIsSettingsBranches"] = true
-
-	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(c, c.Repo.Repository.ID, branch)
-	if err != nil {
-		if !git.IsErrBranchNotExist(err) {
+	ruleName := c.FormString("rule_name")
+	var rule *git_model.ProtectedBranch
+	if ruleName != "" {
+		var err error
+		rule, err = git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(c, c.Repo.Repository.ID, ruleName)
+		if err != nil {
 			c.ServerError("GetProtectBranchOfRepoByName", err)
 			return
 		}
 	}
 
-	if protectBranch == nil {
+	if rule == nil {
 		// No options found, create defaults.
-		protectBranch = &git_model.ProtectedBranch{
-			BranchName: branch,
-		}
+		rule = &git_model.ProtectedBranch{}
 	}
 
+	c.Data["PageIsSettingsBranches"] = true
+	c.Data["Title"] = c.Tr("repo.settings.protected_branch") + " - " + rule.RuleName
+
 	users, err := access_model.GetRepoReaders(c.Repo.Repository)
 	if err != nil {
 		c.ServerError("Repo.Repository.GetReaders", err)
 		return
 	}
 	c.Data["Users"] = users
-	c.Data["whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(protectBranch.WhitelistUserIDs), ",")
-	c.Data["merge_whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs), ",")
-	c.Data["approvals_whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs), ",")
+	c.Data["whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.WhitelistUserIDs), ",")
+	c.Data["merge_whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.MergeWhitelistUserIDs), ",")
+	c.Data["approvals_whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs), ",")
 	contexts, _ := git_model.FindRepoRecentCommitStatusContexts(c, c.Repo.Repository.ID, 7*24*time.Hour) // Find last week status check contexts
-	for _, ctx := range protectBranch.StatusCheckContexts {
+	for _, ctx := range rule.StatusCheckContexts {
 		var found bool
 		for i := range contexts {
 			if contexts[i] == ctx {
@@ -150,7 +131,7 @@ func SettingsProtectedBranch(c *context.Context) {
 
 	c.Data["branch_status_check_contexts"] = contexts
 	c.Data["is_context_required"] = func(context string) bool {
-		for _, c := range protectBranch.StatusCheckContexts {
+		for _, c := range rule.StatusCheckContexts {
 			if c == context {
 				return true
 			}
@@ -165,130 +146,173 @@ func SettingsProtectedBranch(c *context.Context) {
 			return
 		}
 		c.Data["Teams"] = teams
-		c.Data["whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(protectBranch.WhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
-		c.Data["merge_whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
-		c.Data["approvals_whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
+		c.Data["whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.WhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
+		c.Data["merge_whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
+		c.Data["approvals_whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
 	}
 
-	c.Data["Branch"] = protectBranch
+	c.Data["Rule"] = rule
 	c.HTML(http.StatusOK, tplProtectedBranch)
 }
 
 // SettingsProtectedBranchPost updates the protected branch settings
 func SettingsProtectedBranchPost(ctx *context.Context) {
 	f := web.GetForm(ctx).(*forms.ProtectBranchForm)
-	branch := ctx.Params("*")
-	if !ctx.Repo.GitRepo.IsBranchExist(branch) {
-		ctx.NotFound("IsBranchExist", nil)
+	var protectBranch *git_model.ProtectedBranch
+	if f.RuleName == "" {
+		ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.protected_branch_required_rule_name"))
+		ctx.Redirect(fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches/edit", ctx.Repo.RepoLink))
 		return
 	}
 
-	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, branch)
+	var err error
+	protectBranch, err = git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByName(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, f.RuleName)
 	if err != nil {
-		if !git.IsErrBranchNotExist(err) {
-			ctx.ServerError("GetProtectBranchOfRepoByName", err)
-			return
+		ctx.ServerError("GetProtectBranchOfRepoByName", err)
+		return
+	}
+	if protectBranch == nil {
+		// No options found, create defaults.
+		protectBranch = &git_model.ProtectedBranch{
+			RepoID:   ctx.Repo.Repository.ID,
+			RuleName: f.RuleName,
 		}
 	}
 
-	if f.Protected {
-		if protectBranch == nil {
-			// No options found, create defaults.
-			protectBranch = &git_model.ProtectedBranch{
-				RepoID:     ctx.Repo.Repository.ID,
-				BranchName: branch,
-			}
+	var whitelistUsers, whitelistTeams, mergeWhitelistUsers, mergeWhitelistTeams, approvalsWhitelistUsers, approvalsWhitelistTeams []int64
+	protectBranch.RuleName = f.RuleName
+	if f.RequiredApprovals < 0 {
+		ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.protected_branch_required_approvals_min"))
+		ctx.Redirect(fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches/edit?rule_name=%s", ctx.Repo.RepoLink, f.RuleName))
+		return
+	}
+
+	switch f.EnablePush {
+	case "all":
+		protectBranch.CanPush = true
+		protectBranch.EnableWhitelist = false
+		protectBranch.WhitelistDeployKeys = false
+	case "whitelist":
+		protectBranch.CanPush = true
+		protectBranch.EnableWhitelist = true
+		protectBranch.WhitelistDeployKeys = f.WhitelistDeployKeys
+		if strings.TrimSpace(f.WhitelistUsers) != "" {
+			whitelistUsers, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.WhitelistUsers, ","))
 		}
-		if f.RequiredApprovals < 0 {
-			ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.protected_branch_required_approvals_min"))
-			ctx.Redirect(fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches/%s", ctx.Repo.RepoLink, util.PathEscapeSegments(branch)))
+		if strings.TrimSpace(f.WhitelistTeams) != "" {
+			whitelistTeams, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.WhitelistTeams, ","))
 		}
+	default:
+		protectBranch.CanPush = false
+		protectBranch.EnableWhitelist = false
+		protectBranch.WhitelistDeployKeys = false
+	}
 
-		var whitelistUsers, whitelistTeams, mergeWhitelistUsers, mergeWhitelistTeams, approvalsWhitelistUsers, approvalsWhitelistTeams []int64
-		switch f.EnablePush {
-		case "all":
-			protectBranch.CanPush = true
-			protectBranch.EnableWhitelist = false
-			protectBranch.WhitelistDeployKeys = false
-		case "whitelist":
-			protectBranch.CanPush = true
-			protectBranch.EnableWhitelist = true
-			protectBranch.WhitelistDeployKeys = f.WhitelistDeployKeys
-			if strings.TrimSpace(f.WhitelistUsers) != "" {
-				whitelistUsers, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.WhitelistUsers, ","))
-			}
-			if strings.TrimSpace(f.WhitelistTeams) != "" {
-				whitelistTeams, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.WhitelistTeams, ","))
-			}
-		default:
-			protectBranch.CanPush = false
-			protectBranch.EnableWhitelist = false
-			protectBranch.WhitelistDeployKeys = false
+	protectBranch.EnableMergeWhitelist = f.EnableMergeWhitelist
+	if f.EnableMergeWhitelist {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(f.MergeWhitelistUsers) != "" {
+			mergeWhitelistUsers, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.MergeWhitelistUsers, ","))
 		}
-
-		protectBranch.EnableMergeWhitelist = f.EnableMergeWhitelist
-		if f.EnableMergeWhitelist {
-			if strings.TrimSpace(f.MergeWhitelistUsers) != "" {
-				mergeWhitelistUsers, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.MergeWhitelistUsers, ","))
-			}
-			if strings.TrimSpace(f.MergeWhitelistTeams) != "" {
-				mergeWhitelistTeams, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.MergeWhitelistTeams, ","))
-			}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(f.MergeWhitelistTeams) != "" {
+			mergeWhitelistTeams, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.MergeWhitelistTeams, ","))
 		}
+	}
 
-		protectBranch.EnableStatusCheck = f.EnableStatusCheck
-		if f.EnableStatusCheck {
-			protectBranch.StatusCheckContexts = f.StatusCheckContexts
-		} else {
-			protectBranch.StatusCheckContexts = nil
-		}
+	protectBranch.EnableStatusCheck = f.EnableStatusCheck
+	if f.EnableStatusCheck {
+		protectBranch.StatusCheckContexts = f.StatusCheckContexts
+	} else {
+		protectBranch.StatusCheckContexts = nil
+	}
 
-		protectBranch.RequiredApprovals = f.RequiredApprovals
-		protectBranch.EnableApprovalsWhitelist = f.EnableApprovalsWhitelist
-		if f.EnableApprovalsWhitelist {
-			if strings.TrimSpace(f.ApprovalsWhitelistUsers) != "" {
-				approvalsWhitelistUsers, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.ApprovalsWhitelistUsers, ","))
-			}
-			if strings.TrimSpace(f.ApprovalsWhitelistTeams) != "" {
-				approvalsWhitelistTeams, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.ApprovalsWhitelistTeams, ","))
-			}
+	protectBranch.RequiredApprovals = f.RequiredApprovals
+	protectBranch.EnableApprovalsWhitelist = f.EnableApprovalsWhitelist
+	if f.EnableApprovalsWhitelist {
+		if strings.TrimSpace(f.ApprovalsWhitelistUsers) != "" {
+			approvalsWhitelistUsers, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.ApprovalsWhitelistUsers, ","))
 		}
-		protectBranch.BlockOnRejectedReviews = f.BlockOnRejectedReviews
-		protectBranch.BlockOnOfficialReviewRequests = f.BlockOnOfficialReviewRequests
-		protectBranch.DismissStaleApprovals = f.DismissStaleApprovals
-		protectBranch.RequireSignedCommits = f.RequireSignedCommits
-		protectBranch.ProtectedFilePatterns = f.ProtectedFilePatterns
-		protectBranch.UnprotectedFilePatterns = f.UnprotectedFilePatterns
-		protectBranch.BlockOnOutdatedBranch = f.BlockOnOutdatedBranch
-
-		err = git_model.UpdateProtectBranch(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository, protectBranch, git_model.WhitelistOptions{
-			UserIDs:          whitelistUsers,
-			TeamIDs:          whitelistTeams,
-			MergeUserIDs:     mergeWhitelistUsers,
-			MergeTeamIDs:     mergeWhitelistTeams,
-			ApprovalsUserIDs: approvalsWhitelistUsers,
-			ApprovalsTeamIDs: approvalsWhitelistTeams,
-		})
-		if err != nil {
-			ctx.ServerError("UpdateProtectBranch", err)
-			return
+		if strings.TrimSpace(f.ApprovalsWhitelistTeams) != "" {
+			approvalsWhitelistTeams, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.ApprovalsWhitelistTeams, ","))
 		}
-		if err = pull_service.CheckPrsForBaseBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, protectBranch.BranchName); err != nil {
-			ctx.ServerError("CheckPrsForBaseBranch", err)
+	}
+	protectBranch.BlockOnRejectedReviews = f.BlockOnRejectedReviews
+	protectBranch.BlockOnOfficialReviewRequests = f.BlockOnOfficialReviewRequests
+	protectBranch.DismissStaleApprovals = f.DismissStaleApprovals
+	protectBranch.RequireSignedCommits = f.RequireSignedCommits
+	protectBranch.ProtectedFilePatterns = f.ProtectedFilePatterns
+	protectBranch.UnprotectedFilePatterns = f.UnprotectedFilePatterns
+	protectBranch.BlockOnOutdatedBranch = f.BlockOnOutdatedBranch
+
+	err = git_model.UpdateProtectBranch(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository, protectBranch, git_model.WhitelistOptions{
+		UserIDs:          whitelistUsers,
+		TeamIDs:          whitelistTeams,
+		MergeUserIDs:     mergeWhitelistUsers,
+		MergeTeamIDs:     mergeWhitelistTeams,
+		ApprovalsUserIDs: approvalsWhitelistUsers,
+		ApprovalsTeamIDs: approvalsWhitelistTeams,
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		ctx.ServerError("UpdateProtectBranch", err)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// FIXME: since we only need to recheck files protected rules, we could improve this
+	matchedBranches, err := git_model.FindAllMatchedBranches(ctx, ctx.Repo.GitRepo, protectBranch.RuleName)
+	if err != nil {
+		ctx.ServerError("FindAllMatchedBranches", err)
+		return
+	}
+	for _, branchName := range matchedBranches {
+		if err = pull_service.CheckPRsForBaseBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, branchName); err != nil {
+			ctx.ServerError("CheckPRsForBaseBranch", err)
 			return
 		}
-		ctx.Flash.Success(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.update_protect_branch_success", branch))
-		ctx.Redirect(fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches/%s", ctx.Repo.RepoLink, util.PathEscapeSegments(branch)))
-	} else {
-		if protectBranch != nil {
-			if err := git_model.DeleteProtectedBranch(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, protectBranch.ID); err != nil {
-				ctx.ServerError("DeleteProtectedBranch", err)
-				return
-			}
-		}
-		ctx.Flash.Success(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.remove_protected_branch_success", branch))
-		ctx.Redirect(fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches", ctx.Repo.RepoLink))
 	}
+
+	ctx.Flash.Success(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.update_protect_branch_success", protectBranch.RuleName))
+	ctx.Redirect(fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches?rule_name=%s", ctx.Repo.RepoLink, protectBranch.RuleName))
+}
+
+// DeleteProtectedBranchRulePost delete protected branch rule by id
+func DeleteProtectedBranchRulePost(ctx *context.Context) {
+	ruleID := ctx.ParamsInt64("id")
+	if ruleID <= 0 {
+		ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.remove_protected_branch_failed", fmt.Sprintf("%d", ruleID)))
+		ctx.JSON(http.StatusOK, map[string]interface{}{
+			"redirect": fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches", ctx.Repo.RepoLink),
+		})
+		return
+	}
+
+	rule, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchRuleByID(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, ruleID)
+	if err != nil {
+		ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.remove_protected_branch_failed", fmt.Sprintf("%d", ruleID)))
+		ctx.JSON(http.StatusOK, map[string]interface{}{
+			"redirect": fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches", ctx.Repo.RepoLink),
+		})
+		return
+	}
+
+	if rule == nil {
+		ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.remove_protected_branch_failed", fmt.Sprintf("%d", ruleID)))
+		ctx.JSON(http.StatusOK, map[string]interface{}{
+			"redirect": fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches", ctx.Repo.RepoLink),
+		})
+		return
+	}
+
+	if err := git_model.DeleteProtectedBranch(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.ID, ruleID); err != nil {
+		ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.remove_protected_branch_failed", rule.RuleName))
+		ctx.JSON(http.StatusOK, map[string]interface{}{
+			"redirect": fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches", ctx.Repo.RepoLink),
+		})
+		return
+	}
+
+	ctx.Flash.Success(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.remove_protected_branch_success", rule.RuleName))
+	ctx.JSON(http.StatusOK, map[string]interface{}{
+		"redirect": fmt.Sprintf("%s/settings/branches", ctx.Repo.RepoLink),
+	})
 }
 
 // RenameBranchPost responses for rename a branch
diff --git a/routers/web/web.go b/routers/web/web.go
index 997185974c..f0fedd0715 100644
--- a/routers/web/web.go
+++ b/routers/web/web.go
@@ -861,10 +861,16 @@ func RegisterRoutes(m *web.Route) {
 			})
 
 			m.Group("/branches", func() {
-				m.Combo("").Get(repo.ProtectedBranch).Post(repo.ProtectedBranchPost)
-				m.Combo("/*").Get(repo.SettingsProtectedBranch).
+				m.Post("/", repo.SetDefaultBranchPost)
+			}, repo.MustBeNotEmpty)
+
+			m.Group("/branches", func() {
+				m.Get("/", repo.ProtectedBranchRules)
+				m.Combo("/edit").Get(repo.SettingsProtectedBranch).
 					Post(web.Bind(forms.ProtectBranchForm{}), context.RepoMustNotBeArchived(), repo.SettingsProtectedBranchPost)
+				m.Post("/{id}/delete", repo.DeleteProtectedBranchRulePost)
 			}, repo.MustBeNotEmpty)
+
 			m.Post("/rename_branch", web.Bind(forms.RenameBranchForm{}), context.RepoMustNotBeArchived(), repo.RenameBranchPost)
 
 			m.Group("/tags", func() {
diff --git a/services/asymkey/sign.go b/services/asymkey/sign.go
index 227e0bbf33..01718ebe77 100644
--- a/services/asymkey/sign.go
+++ b/services/asymkey/sign.go
@@ -310,7 +310,7 @@ Loop:
 				return false, "", nil, &ErrWontSign{twofa}
 			}
 		case approved:
-			protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, pr.BaseBranch)
+			protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, repo.ID, pr.BaseBranch)
 			if err != nil {
 				return false, "", nil, err
 			}
diff --git a/services/convert/convert.go b/services/convert/convert.go
index 2ce51bf063..17f7e3d650 100644
--- a/services/convert/convert.go
+++ b/services/convert/convert.go
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ func ToBranch(repo *repo_model.Repository, b *git.Branch, c *git.Commit, bp *git
 	}
 
 	if isRepoAdmin {
-		branch.EffectiveBranchProtectionName = bp.BranchName
+		branch.EffectiveBranchProtectionName = bp.RuleName
 	}
 
 	if user != nil {
@@ -87,7 +87,8 @@ func ToBranch(repo *repo_model.Repository, b *git.Branch, c *git.Commit, bp *git
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, err
 		}
-		branch.UserCanPush = bp.CanUserPush(db.DefaultContext, user.ID)
+		bp.Repo = repo
+		branch.UserCanPush = bp.CanUserPush(db.DefaultContext, user)
 		branch.UserCanMerge = git_model.IsUserMergeWhitelisted(db.DefaultContext, bp, user.ID, permission)
 	}
 
@@ -121,8 +122,14 @@ func ToBranchProtection(bp *git_model.ProtectedBranch) *api.BranchProtection {
 		log.Error("GetTeamNamesByID (ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs): %v", err)
 	}
 
+	branchName := ""
+	if !git_model.IsRuleNameSpecial(bp.RuleName) {
+		branchName = bp.RuleName
+	}
+
 	return &api.BranchProtection{
-		BranchName:                    bp.BranchName,
+		BranchName:                    branchName,
+		RuleName:                      bp.RuleName,
 		EnablePush:                    bp.CanPush,
 		EnablePushWhitelist:           bp.EnableWhitelist,
 		PushWhitelistUsernames:        pushWhitelistUsernames,
diff --git a/services/forms/repo_form.go b/services/forms/repo_form.go
index 89a013d9af..b7687af2b5 100644
--- a/services/forms/repo_form.go
+++ b/services/forms/repo_form.go
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ func (f *RepoSettingForm) Validate(req *http.Request, errs binding.Errors) bindi
 
 // ProtectBranchForm form for changing protected branch settings
 type ProtectBranchForm struct {
-	Protected                     bool
+	RuleName                      string `binding:"Required"`
 	EnablePush                    string
 	WhitelistUsers                string
 	WhitelistTeams                string
diff --git a/services/pull/check.go b/services/pull/check.go
index 86460cd49c..db86378909 100644
--- a/services/pull/check.go
+++ b/services/pull/check.go
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import (
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/db"
+	git_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/git"
 	issues_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/issues"
 	access_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/perm/access"
 	repo_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/repo"
@@ -126,11 +127,12 @@ func CheckPullMergable(stdCtx context.Context, doer *user_model.User, perm *acce
 
 // isSignedIfRequired check if merge will be signed if required
 func isSignedIfRequired(ctx context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullRequest, doer *user_model.User) (bool, error) {
-	if err := pr.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID, pr.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
 
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch == nil || !pr.ProtectedBranch.RequireSignedCommits {
+	if pb == nil || !pb.RequireSignedCommits {
 		return true, nil
 	}
 
@@ -348,8 +350,8 @@ func testPR(id int64) {
 	checkAndUpdateStatus(ctx, pr)
 }
 
-// CheckPrsForBaseBranch check all pulls with bseBrannch
-func CheckPrsForBaseBranch(baseRepo *repo_model.Repository, baseBranchName string) error {
+// CheckPRsForBaseBranch check all pulls with baseBrannch
+func CheckPRsForBaseBranch(baseRepo *repo_model.Repository, baseBranchName string) error {
 	prs, err := issues_model.GetUnmergedPullRequestsByBaseInfo(baseRepo.ID, baseBranchName)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
diff --git a/services/pull/commit_status.go b/services/pull/commit_status.go
index e075248a36..bfdb3f7291 100644
--- a/services/pull/commit_status.go
+++ b/services/pull/commit_status.go
@@ -83,10 +83,11 @@ func IsCommitStatusContextSuccess(commitStatuses []*git_model.CommitStatus, requ
 
 // IsPullCommitStatusPass returns if all required status checks PASS
 func IsPullCommitStatusPass(ctx context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullRequest) (bool, error) {
-	if err := pr.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID, pr.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
 		return false, errors.Wrap(err, "GetLatestCommitStatus")
 	}
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch == nil || !pr.ProtectedBranch.EnableStatusCheck {
+	if pb == nil || !pb.EnableStatusCheck {
 		return true, nil
 	}
 
@@ -137,12 +138,13 @@ func GetPullRequestCommitStatusState(ctx context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullR
 		return "", errors.Wrap(err, "GetLatestCommitStatus")
 	}
 
-	if err := pr.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID, pr.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
 		return "", errors.Wrap(err, "LoadProtectedBranch")
 	}
 	var requiredContexts []string
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch != nil {
-		requiredContexts = pr.ProtectedBranch.StatusCheckContexts
+	if pb != nil {
+		requiredContexts = pb.StatusCheckContexts
 	}
 
 	return MergeRequiredContextsCommitStatus(commitStatuses, requiredContexts), nil
diff --git a/services/pull/merge.go b/services/pull/merge.go
index 7a936163f1..d0ec943cfa 100644
--- a/services/pull/merge.go
+++ b/services/pull/merge.go
@@ -760,12 +760,12 @@ func IsUserAllowedToMerge(ctx context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullRequest, p a
 		return false, nil
 	}
 
-	err := pr.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx)
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID, pr.BaseBranch)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
 
-	if (p.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) && pr.ProtectedBranch == nil) || (pr.ProtectedBranch != nil && git_model.IsUserMergeWhitelisted(ctx, pr.ProtectedBranch, user.ID, p)) {
+	if (p.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) && pb == nil) || (pb != nil && git_model.IsUserMergeWhitelisted(ctx, pb, user.ID, p)) {
 		return true, nil
 	}
 
@@ -778,10 +778,11 @@ func CheckPullBranchProtections(ctx context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullReques
 		return fmt.Errorf("LoadBaseRepo: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	if err = pr.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("LoadProtectedBranch: %w", err)
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID, pr.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("LoadProtectedBranch: %v", err)
 	}
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch == nil {
+	if pb == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
 
@@ -795,23 +796,23 @@ func CheckPullBranchProtections(ctx context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullReques
 		}
 	}
 
-	if !issues_model.HasEnoughApprovals(ctx, pr.ProtectedBranch, pr) {
+	if !issues_model.HasEnoughApprovals(ctx, pb, pr) {
 		return models.ErrDisallowedToMerge{
 			Reason: "Does not have enough approvals",
 		}
 	}
-	if issues_model.MergeBlockedByRejectedReview(ctx, pr.ProtectedBranch, pr) {
+	if issues_model.MergeBlockedByRejectedReview(ctx, pb, pr) {
 		return models.ErrDisallowedToMerge{
 			Reason: "There are requested changes",
 		}
 	}
-	if issues_model.MergeBlockedByOfficialReviewRequests(ctx, pr.ProtectedBranch, pr) {
+	if issues_model.MergeBlockedByOfficialReviewRequests(ctx, pb, pr) {
 		return models.ErrDisallowedToMerge{
 			Reason: "There are official review requests",
 		}
 	}
 
-	if issues_model.MergeBlockedByOutdatedBranch(pr.ProtectedBranch, pr) {
+	if issues_model.MergeBlockedByOutdatedBranch(pb, pr) {
 		return models.ErrDisallowedToMerge{
 			Reason: "The head branch is behind the base branch",
 		}
@@ -821,7 +822,7 @@ func CheckPullBranchProtections(ctx context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullReques
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch.MergeBlockedByProtectedFiles(pr.ChangedProtectedFiles) {
+	if pb.MergeBlockedByProtectedFiles(pr.ChangedProtectedFiles) {
 		return models.ErrDisallowedToMerge{
 			Reason: "Changed protected files",
 		}
@@ -836,6 +837,9 @@ func MergedManually(pr *issues_model.PullRequest, doer *user_model.User, baseGit
 	defer pullWorkingPool.CheckOut(fmt.Sprint(pr.ID))
 
 	if err := db.WithTx(db.DefaultContext, func(ctx context.Context) error {
+		if err := pr.LoadBaseRepo(ctx); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
 		prUnit, err := pr.BaseRepo.GetUnit(ctx, unit.TypePullRequests)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
diff --git a/services/pull/patch.go b/services/pull/patch.go
index 9ef8b86043..26a72a7371 100644
--- a/services/pull/patch.go
+++ b/services/pull/patch.go
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/db"
+	git_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/git"
 	issues_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/issues"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/unit"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/container"
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ func TestPatch(pr *issues_model.PullRequest) error {
 	}
 
 	// 3. Check for protected files changes
-	if err = checkPullFilesProtection(pr, gitRepo); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("pr.CheckPullFilesProtection(): %w", err)
+	if err = checkPullFilesProtection(ctx, pr, gitRepo); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("pr.CheckPullFilesProtection(): %v", err)
 	}
 
 	if len(pr.ChangedProtectedFiles) > 0 {
@@ -544,23 +544,23 @@ func CheckUnprotectedFiles(repo *git.Repository, oldCommitID, newCommitID string
 }
 
 // checkPullFilesProtection check if pr changed protected files and save results
-func checkPullFilesProtection(pr *issues_model.PullRequest, gitRepo *git.Repository) error {
+func checkPullFilesProtection(ctx context.Context, pr *issues_model.PullRequest, gitRepo *git.Repository) error {
 	if pr.Status == issues_model.PullRequestStatusEmpty {
 		pr.ChangedProtectedFiles = nil
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	if err := pr.LoadProtectedBranch(db.DefaultContext); err != nil {
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pr.BaseRepoID, pr.BaseBranch)
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch == nil {
+	if pb == nil {
 		pr.ChangedProtectedFiles = nil
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	var err error
-	pr.ChangedProtectedFiles, err = CheckFileProtection(gitRepo, pr.MergeBase, "tracking", pr.ProtectedBranch.GetProtectedFilePatterns(), 10, os.Environ())
+	pr.ChangedProtectedFiles, err = CheckFileProtection(gitRepo, pr.MergeBase, "tracking", pb.GetProtectedFilePatterns(), 10, os.Environ())
 	if err != nil && !models.IsErrFilePathProtected(err) {
 		return err
 	}
diff --git a/services/pull/update.go b/services/pull/update.go
index 6f976140c5..9e29f63c7c 100644
--- a/services/pull/update.go
+++ b/services/pull/update.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
+	git_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/git"
 	issues_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/issues"
 	access_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/perm/access"
 	repo_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/repo"
@@ -92,20 +93,29 @@ func IsUserAllowedToUpdate(ctx context.Context, pull *issues_model.PullRequest,
 		return false, false, err
 	}
 
+	if err := pull.LoadBaseRepo(ctx); err != nil {
+		return false, false, err
+	}
+
 	pr := &issues_model.PullRequest{
 		HeadRepoID: pull.BaseRepoID,
+		HeadRepo:   pull.BaseRepo,
 		BaseRepoID: pull.HeadRepoID,
+		BaseRepo:   pull.HeadRepo,
 		HeadBranch: pull.BaseBranch,
 		BaseBranch: pull.HeadBranch,
 	}
 
-	err = pr.LoadProtectedBranch(ctx)
+	pb, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, pull.BaseRepoID, pull.BaseBranch)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, false, err
 	}
 
 	// can't do rebase on protected branch because need force push
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch == nil {
+	if pb == nil {
+		if err := pr.LoadBaseRepo(ctx); err != nil {
+			return false, false, err
+		}
 		prUnit, err := pr.BaseRepo.GetUnit(ctx, unit.TypePullRequests)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Error("pr.BaseRepo.GetUnit(unit.TypePullRequests): %v", err)
@@ -115,8 +125,11 @@ func IsUserAllowedToUpdate(ctx context.Context, pull *issues_model.PullRequest,
 	}
 
 	// Update function need push permission
-	if pr.ProtectedBranch != nil && !pr.ProtectedBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, user.ID) {
-		return false, false, nil
+	if pb != nil {
+		pb.Repo = pull.BaseRepo
+		if !pb.CanUserPush(ctx, user) {
+			return false, false, nil
+		}
 	}
 
 	baseRepoPerm, err := access_model.GetUserRepoPermission(ctx, pull.BaseRepo, user)
diff --git a/services/repository/branch.go b/services/repository/branch.go
index 8717fee23b..291fb4a92b 100644
--- a/services/repository/branch.go
+++ b/services/repository/branch.go
@@ -149,8 +149,7 @@ func RenameBranch(repo *repo_model.Repository, doer *user_model.User, gitRepo *g
 
 // enmuerates all branch related errors
 var (
-	ErrBranchIsDefault   = errors.New("branch is default")
-	ErrBranchIsProtected = errors.New("branch is protected")
+	ErrBranchIsDefault = errors.New("branch is default")
 )
 
 // DeleteBranch delete branch
@@ -159,13 +158,12 @@ func DeleteBranch(doer *user_model.User, repo *repo_model.Repository, gitRepo *g
 		return ErrBranchIsDefault
 	}
 
-	isProtected, err := git_model.IsProtectedBranch(db.DefaultContext, repo.ID, branchName)
+	isProtected, err := git_model.IsBranchProtected(db.DefaultContext, repo.ID, branchName)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-
 	if isProtected {
-		return ErrBranchIsProtected
+		return git_model.ErrBranchIsProtected
 	}
 
 	commit, err := gitRepo.GetBranchCommit(branchName)
diff --git a/services/repository/files/patch.go b/services/repository/files/patch.go
index 33f4b6c9dc..73ee0fa815 100644
--- a/services/repository/files/patch.go
+++ b/services/repository/files/patch.go
@@ -66,13 +66,16 @@ func (opts *ApplyDiffPatchOptions) Validate(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_mode
 			return err
 		}
 	} else {
-		protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, opts.OldBranch)
+		protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, repo.ID, opts.OldBranch)
 		if err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		if protectedBranch != nil && !protectedBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, doer.ID) {
-			return models.ErrUserCannotCommit{
-				UserName: doer.LowerName,
+		if protectedBranch != nil {
+			protectedBranch.Repo = repo
+			if !protectedBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, doer) {
+				return models.ErrUserCannotCommit{
+					UserName: doer.LowerName,
+				}
 			}
 		}
 		if protectedBranch != nil && protectedBranch.RequireSignedCommits {
diff --git a/services/repository/files/update.go b/services/repository/files/update.go
index 30cfd9e2dd..58b7a5e082 100644
--- a/services/repository/files/update.go
+++ b/services/repository/files/update.go
@@ -463,17 +463,18 @@ func CreateOrUpdateRepoFile(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, do
 
 // VerifyBranchProtection verify the branch protection for modifying the given treePath on the given branch
 func VerifyBranchProtection(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, doer *user_model.User, branchName, treePath string) error {
-	protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetProtectedBranchBy(ctx, repo.ID, branchName)
+	protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, repo.ID, branchName)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 	if protectedBranch != nil {
+		protectedBranch.Repo = repo
 		isUnprotectedFile := false
 		glob := protectedBranch.GetUnprotectedFilePatterns()
 		if len(glob) != 0 {
 			isUnprotectedFile = protectedBranch.IsUnprotectedFile(glob, treePath)
 		}
-		if !protectedBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, doer.ID) && !isUnprotectedFile {
+		if !protectedBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, doer) && !isUnprotectedFile {
 			return models.ErrUserCannotCommit{
 				UserName: doer.LowerName,
 			}
diff --git a/templates/repo/issue/view_content/pull.tmpl b/templates/repo/issue/view_content/pull.tmpl
index 665f782053..1f94001db0 100644
--- a/templates/repo/issue/view_content/pull.tmpl
+++ b/templates/repo/issue/view_content/pull.tmpl
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@
 				{{if .IsBlockedByApprovals}}
 					<div class="item">
 						<i class="icon icon-octicon">{{svg "octicon-x"}}</i>
-					{{$.locale.Tr "repo.pulls.blocked_by_approvals" .GrantedApprovals .Issue.PullRequest.ProtectedBranch.RequiredApprovals}}
+					{{$.locale.Tr "repo.pulls.blocked_by_approvals" .GrantedApprovals .ProtectedBranch.RequiredApprovals}}
 					</div>
 				{{else if .IsBlockedByRejection}}
 					<div class="item">
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@
 				{{if .IsBlockedByApprovals}}
 					<div class="item text red">
 						{{svg "octicon-x"}}
-					{{$.locale.Tr "repo.pulls.blocked_by_approvals" .GrantedApprovals .Issue.PullRequest.ProtectedBranch.RequiredApprovals}}
+					{{$.locale.Tr "repo.pulls.blocked_by_approvals" .GrantedApprovals .ProtectedBranch.RequiredApprovals}}
 					</div>
 				{{else if .IsBlockedByRejection}}
 					<div class="item text red">
diff --git a/templates/repo/settings/branches.tmpl b/templates/repo/settings/branches.tmpl
index cc8fc60426..ad3b3275e8 100644
--- a/templates/repo/settings/branches.tmpl
+++ b/templates/repo/settings/branches.tmpl
@@ -43,31 +43,24 @@
 
 			<h4 class="ui top attached header">
 				{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protected_branch"}}
+				<div class="ui right">
+					<a class="ui primary tiny button" href="{{$.Repository.Link}}/settings/branches/edit">{{$.locale.Tr "repo.settings.branches.add_new_rule"}}</a>
+				</div>
 			</h4>
 
 			<div class="ui attached table segment">
 				<div class="ui grid padded">
-					<div class="eight wide column">
-						<div class="ui fluid dropdown selection" tabindex="0">
-							{{svg "octicon-triangle-down" 14 "dropdown icon"}}
-							<div class="default text">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.choose_branch"}}</div>
-							<div class="menu transition hidden" tabindex="-1" style="display: block !important;">
-								{{range .LeftBranches}}
-									<a class="item" href="{{$.Repository.Link}}/settings/branches/{{. | PathEscapeSegments}}">{{.}}</a>
-								{{end}}
-							</div>
-						</div>
-					</div>
-				</div>
-
-				<div class="ui grid padded">
 					<div class="sixteen wide column">
 						<table class="ui single line table padded">
 							<tbody>
 								{{range .ProtectedBranches}}
 									<tr>
-										<td><div class="ui basic primary label">{{.BranchName}}</div></td>
-										<td class="right aligned"><a class="rm ui button" href="{{$.Repository.Link}}/settings/branches/{{.BranchName | PathEscapeSegments}}">{{$.locale.Tr "repo.settings.edit_protected_branch"}}</a></td>
+										<td><div class="ui basic primary label">{{.RuleName}}</div></td>
+										<td class="right aligned">
+										<a class="rm ui button" href="{{$.Repository.Link}}/settings/branches/edit?rule_name={{.RuleName}}">{{$.locale.Tr "repo.settings.edit_protected_branch"}}</a>
+										<button class="ui red tiny button delete-button" data-url="{{$.Repository.Link}}/settings/branches/{{.ID}}/delete" data-id="{{.ID}}">
+										{{$.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protected_branch.delete_rule"}}</button>
+										</td>
 									</tr>
 								{{else}}
 									<tr class="center aligned"><td>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.no_protected_branch"}}</td></tr>
@@ -102,4 +95,16 @@
 		{{end}}
 	</div>
 </div>
+
+<div class="ui small basic delete modal">
+	<div class="ui header">
+		{{svg "octicon-trash" 16 "mr-2"}}
+		{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protected_branch_deletion"}}
+	</div>
+	<div class="content">
+		<p>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protected_branch_deletion_desc"}}</p>
+	</div>
+	{{template "base/delete_modal_actions" .}}
+</div>
+
 {{template "base/footer" .}}
diff --git a/templates/repo/settings/protected_branch.tmpl b/templates/repo/settings/protected_branch.tmpl
index ff93218b20..7a4405efb7 100644
--- a/templates/repo/settings/protected_branch.tmpl
+++ b/templates/repo/settings/protected_branch.tmpl
@@ -4,42 +4,43 @@
 	{{template "repo/settings/navbar" .}}
 	<div class="ui container">
 		{{template "base/alert" .}}
-		<h4 class="ui top attached header">
-			{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.branch_protection" (.Branch.BranchName|Escape) | Str2html}}
-		</h4>
-		<div class="ui attached segment branch-protection">
-			<form class="ui form" action="{{.Link}}" method="post">
-				{{.CsrfTokenHtml}}
-				<div class="inline field">
-					<div class="ui checkbox">
-						<input class="enable-protection" name="protected" type="checkbox" data-target="#protection_box" {{if .Branch.IsProtected}}checked{{end}}>
-						<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_this_branch"}}</label>
-						<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_this_branch_desc"}}</p>
-					</div>
+		<form class="ui form" action="{{.Link}}" method="post">
+			<h4 class="ui top attached header">
+				{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.branch_protection" (.Rule.RuleName|Escape) | Str2html}}
+			</h4>
+			<div class="ui attached segment branch-protection">
+				<div class="field">
+					<label for="protected_file_patterns">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_branch_name_pattern"}}</label>
+					<input name="rule_name" type="text" value="{{.Rule.RuleName}}">
+					<input name="rule_id" type="hidden" value="{{.Rule.ID}}">
 				</div>
-				<div id="protection_box" class="fields {{if not .Branch.IsProtected}}disabled{{end}}">
+
+				<div class="ui divider"></div>
+
+				{{.CsrfTokenHtml}}
+				<div id="protection_box" class="fields">
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui radio checkbox">
-							<input name="enable_push" type="radio" value="none" class="disable-whitelist" data-target="#whitelist_box" {{if not .Branch.CanPush}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input name="enable_push" type="radio" value="none" class="disable-whitelist" data-target="#whitelist_box" {{if not .Rule.CanPush}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_disable_push"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_disable_push_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui radio checkbox">
-							<input name="enable_push" type="radio" value="all" class="disable-whitelist" data-target="#whitelist_box" {{if and (.Branch.CanPush) (not .Branch.EnableWhitelist)}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input name="enable_push" type="radio" value="all" class="disable-whitelist" data-target="#whitelist_box" {{if and (.Rule.CanPush) (not .Rule.EnableWhitelist)}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_enable_push"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_enable_push_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui radio checkbox">
-							<input name="enable_push" type="radio" value="whitelist" class="enable-whitelist" data-target="#whitelist_box" {{if and (.Branch.CanPush) (.Branch.EnableWhitelist)}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input name="enable_push" type="radio" value="whitelist" class="enable-whitelist" data-target="#whitelist_box" {{if and (.Rule.CanPush) (.Rule.EnableWhitelist)}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_whitelist_committers"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_whitelist_committers_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
-					<div id="whitelist_box" class="fields {{if not .Branch.EnableWhitelist}}disabled{{end}}">
+					<div id="whitelist_box" class="fields {{if not .Rule.EnableWhitelist}}disabled{{end}}">
 						<div class="whitelist field">
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_whitelist_users"}}</label>
 							<div class="ui multiple search selection dropdown">
@@ -76,20 +77,22 @@
 						<br>
 						<div class="whitelist field">
 							<div class="ui checkbox">
-								<input type="checkbox" name="whitelist_deploy_keys" {{if .Branch.WhitelistDeployKeys}}checked{{end}}>
+								<input type="checkbox" name="whitelist_deploy_keys" {{if .Rule.WhitelistDeployKeys}}checked{{end}}>
 								<label for="whitelist_deploy_keys">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_whitelist_deploy_keys"}}</label>
 							</div>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 
+					<div class="ui divider"></div>
+
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui checkbox">
-							<input class="enable-whitelist" name="enable_merge_whitelist" type="checkbox" data-target="#merge_whitelist_box" {{if .Branch.EnableMergeWhitelist}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input class="enable-whitelist" name="enable_merge_whitelist" type="checkbox" data-target="#merge_whitelist_box" {{if .Rule.EnableMergeWhitelist}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_merge_whitelist_committers"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_merge_whitelist_committers_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
-					<div id="merge_whitelist_box" class="fields {{if not .Branch.EnableMergeWhitelist}}disabled{{end}}">
+					<div id="merge_whitelist_box" class="fields {{if not .Rule.EnableMergeWhitelist}}disabled{{end}}">
 						<div class="whitelist field">
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_merge_whitelist_users"}}</label>
 							<div class="ui multiple search selection dropdown">
@@ -127,13 +130,13 @@
 
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui checkbox">
-							<input class="enable-statuscheck" name="enable_status_check" type="checkbox" data-target="#statuscheck_contexts_box" {{if eq (len .branch_status_check_contexts) 0}}disabled{{end}} {{if .Branch.EnableStatusCheck}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input class="enable-statuscheck" name="enable_status_check" type="checkbox" data-target="#statuscheck_contexts_box" {{if eq (len .branch_status_check_contexts) 0}}disabled{{end}} {{if .Rule.EnableStatusCheck}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_check_status_contexts"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_check_status_contexts_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 
-					<div id="statuscheck_contexts_box" class="fields {{if not .Branch.EnableStatusCheck}}disabled{{end}}">
+					<div id="statuscheck_contexts_box" class="fields {{if not .Rule.EnableStatusCheck}}disabled{{end}}">
 						<div class="field">
 							<table class="ui celled table six column">
 								<thead>
@@ -159,17 +162,17 @@
 
 					<div class="field">
 						<label for="required-approvals">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_required_approvals"}}</label>
-						<input name="required_approvals" id="required-approvals" type="number" value="{{.Branch.RequiredApprovals}}">
+						<input name="required_approvals" id="required-approvals" type="number" value="{{.Rule.RequiredApprovals}}">
 						<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_required_approvals_desc"}}</p>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui checkbox">
-							<input class="enable-whitelist" name="enable_approvals_whitelist" type="checkbox" data-target="#approvals_whitelist_box" {{if .Branch.EnableApprovalsWhitelist}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input class="enable-whitelist" name="enable_approvals_whitelist" type="checkbox" data-target="#approvals_whitelist_box" {{if .Rule.EnableApprovalsWhitelist}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_approvals_whitelist_enabled"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_approvals_whitelist_enabled_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
-					<div id="approvals_whitelist_box" class="fields {{if not .Branch.EnableApprovalsWhitelist}}disabled{{end}}">
+					<div id="approvals_whitelist_box" class="fields {{if not .Rule.EnableApprovalsWhitelist}}disabled{{end}}">
 						<div class="whitelist field">
 							<label>{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_approvals_whitelist_users"}}</label>
 							<div class="ui multiple search selection dropdown">
@@ -206,59 +209,59 @@
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui checkbox">
-							<input name="block_on_rejected_reviews" type="checkbox" {{if .Branch.BlockOnRejectedReviews}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input name="block_on_rejected_reviews" type="checkbox" {{if .Rule.BlockOnRejectedReviews}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label for="block_on_rejected_reviews">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.block_rejected_reviews"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.block_rejected_reviews_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui checkbox">
-							<input name="block_on_official_review_requests" type="checkbox" {{if .Branch.BlockOnOfficialReviewRequests}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input name="block_on_official_review_requests" type="checkbox" {{if .Rule.BlockOnOfficialReviewRequests}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label for="block_on_official_review_requests">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.block_on_official_review_requests"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.block_on_official_review_requests_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui checkbox">
-							<input name="dismiss_stale_approvals" type="checkbox" {{if .Branch.DismissStaleApprovals}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input name="dismiss_stale_approvals" type="checkbox" {{if .Rule.DismissStaleApprovals}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label for="dismiss_stale_approvals">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.dismiss_stale_approvals"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.dismiss_stale_approvals_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui checkbox">
-							<input name="require_signed_commits" type="checkbox" {{if .Branch.RequireSignedCommits}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input name="require_signed_commits" type="checkbox" {{if .Rule.RequireSignedCommits}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label for="require_signed_commits">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.require_signed_commits"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.require_signed_commits_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<div class="ui checkbox">
-							<input name="block_on_outdated_branch" type="checkbox" {{if .Branch.BlockOnOutdatedBranch}}checked{{end}}>
+							<input name="block_on_outdated_branch" type="checkbox" {{if .Rule.BlockOnOutdatedBranch}}checked{{end}}>
 							<label for="block_on_outdated_branch">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.block_outdated_branch"}}</label>
 							<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.block_outdated_branch_desc"}}</p>
 						</div>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<label for="protected_file_patterns">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_protected_file_patterns"}}</label>
-						<input name="protected_file_patterns" id="protected_file_patterns" type="text" value="{{.Branch.ProtectedFilePatterns}}">
+						<input name="protected_file_patterns" id="protected_file_patterns" type="text" value="{{.Rule.ProtectedFilePatterns}}">
 						<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_protected_file_patterns_desc" | Safe}}</p>
 					</div>
 					<div class="field">
 						<label for="unprotected_file_patterns">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_unprotected_file_patterns"}}</label>
-						<input name="unprotected_file_patterns" id="unprotected_file_patterns" type="text" value="{{.Branch.UnprotectedFilePatterns}}">
+						<input name="unprotected_file_patterns" id="unprotected_file_patterns" type="text" value="{{.Rule.UnprotectedFilePatterns}}">
 						<p class="help">{{.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_unprotected_file_patterns_desc" | Safe}}</p>
 					</div>
-
 				</div>
 
 				<div class="ui divider"></div>
 
 				<div class="field">
-					<button class="ui green button">{{$.locale.Tr "repo.settings.update_settings"}}</button>
+					<button class="ui green button">{{$.locale.Tr "repo.settings.protected_branch.save_rule"}}</button>
+					<button class="ui gray button">{{$.locale.Tr "cancel"}}</button>
 				</div>
-			</form>
-		</div>
+			</div>
+		</form>
 	</div>
 </div>
 {{template "base/footer" .}}
diff --git a/templates/swagger/v1_json.tmpl b/templates/swagger/v1_json.tmpl
index c223282596..76d02d825f 100644
--- a/templates/swagger/v1_json.tmpl
+++ b/templates/swagger/v1_json.tmpl
@@ -14233,6 +14233,7 @@
           "x-go-name": "BlockOnRejectedReviews"
         },
         "branch_name": {
+          "description": "Deprecated: true",
           "type": "string",
           "x-go-name": "BranchName"
         },
@@ -14310,6 +14311,10 @@
           "format": "int64",
           "x-go-name": "RequiredApprovals"
         },
+        "rule_name": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "x-go-name": "RuleName"
+        },
         "status_check_contexts": {
           "type": "array",
           "items": {
@@ -14772,6 +14777,7 @@
           "x-go-name": "BlockOnRejectedReviews"
         },
         "branch_name": {
+          "description": "Deprecated: true",
           "type": "string",
           "x-go-name": "BranchName"
         },
@@ -14844,6 +14850,10 @@
           "format": "int64",
           "x-go-name": "RequiredApprovals"
         },
+        "rule_name": {
+          "type": "string",
+          "x-go-name": "RuleName"
+        },
         "status_check_contexts": {
           "type": "array",
           "items": {
diff --git a/tests/integration/api_branch_test.go b/tests/integration/api_branch_test.go
index c176a144ca..278edfbf9c 100644
--- a/tests/integration/api_branch_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/api_branch_test.go
@@ -38,21 +38,21 @@ func testAPIGetBranchProtection(t *testing.T, branchName string, expectedHTTPSta
 	if resp.Code == http.StatusOK {
 		var branchProtection api.BranchProtection
 		DecodeJSON(t, resp, &branchProtection)
-		assert.EqualValues(t, branchName, branchProtection.BranchName)
+		assert.EqualValues(t, branchName, branchProtection.RuleName)
 	}
 }
 
 func testAPICreateBranchProtection(t *testing.T, branchName string, expectedHTTPStatus int) {
 	token := getUserToken(t, "user2")
 	req := NewRequestWithJSON(t, "POST", "/api/v1/repos/user2/repo1/branch_protections?token="+token, &api.BranchProtection{
-		BranchName: branchName,
+		RuleName: branchName,
 	})
 	resp := MakeRequest(t, req, expectedHTTPStatus)
 
 	if resp.Code == http.StatusCreated {
 		var branchProtection api.BranchProtection
 		DecodeJSON(t, resp, &branchProtection)
-		assert.EqualValues(t, branchName, branchProtection.BranchName)
+		assert.EqualValues(t, branchName, branchProtection.RuleName)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ func testAPIEditBranchProtection(t *testing.T, branchName string, body *api.Bran
 	if resp.Code == http.StatusOK {
 		var branchProtection api.BranchProtection
 		DecodeJSON(t, resp, &branchProtection)
-		assert.EqualValues(t, branchName, branchProtection.BranchName)
+		assert.EqualValues(t, branchName, branchProtection.RuleName)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -169,8 +169,8 @@ func testAPICreateBranch(t testing.TB, session *TestSession, user, repo, oldBran
 func TestAPIBranchProtection(t *testing.T) {
 	defer tests.PrepareTestEnv(t)()
 
-	// Branch protection only on branch that exist
-	testAPICreateBranchProtection(t, "master/doesnotexist", http.StatusNotFound)
+	// Branch protection  on branch that not exist
+	testAPICreateBranchProtection(t, "master/doesnotexist", http.StatusCreated)
 	// Get branch protection on branch that exist but not branch protection
 	testAPIGetBranchProtection(t, "master", http.StatusNotFound)
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/editor_test.go b/tests/integration/editor_test.go
index 4355dd0a4d..791506d8f7 100644
--- a/tests/integration/editor_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/editor_test.go
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import (
 	"path"
 	"testing"
 
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/json"
+
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
@@ -43,15 +45,16 @@ func TestCreateFileOnProtectedBranch(t *testing.T) {
 
 		csrf := GetCSRF(t, session, "/user2/repo1/settings/branches")
 		// Change master branch to protected
-		req := NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", "/user2/repo1/settings/branches/master", map[string]string{
-			"_csrf":     csrf,
-			"protected": "on",
+		req := NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", "/user2/repo1/settings/branches/edit", map[string]string{
+			"_csrf":       csrf,
+			"rule_name":   "master",
+			"enable_push": "true",
 		})
 		session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusSeeOther)
 		// Check if master branch has been locked successfully
 		flashCookie := session.GetCookie("macaron_flash")
 		assert.NotNil(t, flashCookie)
-		assert.EqualValues(t, "success%3DBranch%2Bprotection%2Bfor%2Bbranch%2B%2527master%2527%2Bhas%2Bbeen%2Bupdated.", flashCookie.Value)
+		assert.EqualValues(t, "success%3DBranch%2Bprotection%2Bfor%2Brule%2B%2527master%2527%2Bhas%2Bbeen%2Bupdated.", flashCookie.Value)
 
 		// Request editor page
 		req = NewRequest(t, "GET", "/user2/repo1/_new/master/")
@@ -76,16 +79,22 @@ func TestCreateFileOnProtectedBranch(t *testing.T) {
 
 		// remove the protected branch
 		csrf = GetCSRF(t, session, "/user2/repo1/settings/branches")
+
 		// Change master branch to protected
-		req = NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", "/user2/repo1/settings/branches/master", map[string]string{
-			"_csrf":     csrf,
-			"protected": "off",
+		req = NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", "/user2/repo1/settings/branches/1/delete", map[string]string{
+			"_csrf": csrf,
 		})
-		session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusSeeOther)
+
+		resp = session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusOK)
+
+		res := make(map[string]string)
+		assert.NoError(t, json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&res))
+		assert.EqualValues(t, "/user2/repo1/settings/branches", res["redirect"])
+
 		// Check if master branch has been locked successfully
 		flashCookie = session.GetCookie("macaron_flash")
 		assert.NotNil(t, flashCookie)
-		assert.EqualValues(t, "success%3DBranch%2Bprotection%2Bfor%2Bbranch%2B%2527master%2527%2Bhas%2Bbeen%2Bdisabled.", flashCookie.Value)
+		assert.EqualValues(t, "error%3DRemoving%2Bbranch%2Bprotection%2Brule%2B%25271%2527%2Bfailed.", flashCookie.Value)
 	})
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/git_test.go b/tests/integration/git_test.go
index 8d29a161d5..f7e1e04b1e 100644
--- a/tests/integration/git_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/git_test.go
@@ -414,9 +414,9 @@ func doProtectBranch(ctx APITestContext, branch, userToWhitelist, unprotectedFil
 
 		if userToWhitelist == "" {
 			// Change branch to protected
-			req := NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", fmt.Sprintf("/%s/%s/settings/branches/%s", url.PathEscape(ctx.Username), url.PathEscape(ctx.Reponame), url.PathEscape(branch)), map[string]string{
+			req := NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", fmt.Sprintf("/%s/%s/settings/branches/edit", url.PathEscape(ctx.Username), url.PathEscape(ctx.Reponame)), map[string]string{
 				"_csrf":                     csrf,
-				"protected":                 "on",
+				"rule_name":                 branch,
 				"unprotected_file_patterns": unprotectedFilePatterns,
 			})
 			ctx.Session.MakeRequest(t, req, http.StatusSeeOther)
@@ -424,9 +424,9 @@ func doProtectBranch(ctx APITestContext, branch, userToWhitelist, unprotectedFil
 			user, err := user_model.GetUserByName(db.DefaultContext, userToWhitelist)
 			assert.NoError(t, err)
 			// Change branch to protected
-			req := NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", fmt.Sprintf("/%s/%s/settings/branches/%s", url.PathEscape(ctx.Username), url.PathEscape(ctx.Reponame), url.PathEscape(branch)), map[string]string{
+			req := NewRequestWithValues(t, "POST", fmt.Sprintf("/%s/%s/settings/branches/edit", url.PathEscape(ctx.Username), url.PathEscape(ctx.Reponame)), map[string]string{
 				"_csrf":                     csrf,
-				"protected":                 "on",
+				"rule_name":                 branch,
 				"enable_push":               "whitelist",
 				"enable_whitelist":          "on",
 				"whitelist_users":           strconv.FormatInt(user.ID, 10),
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ func doProtectBranch(ctx APITestContext, branch, userToWhitelist, unprotectedFil
 		// Check if master branch has been locked successfully
 		flashCookie := ctx.Session.GetCookie("macaron_flash")
 		assert.NotNil(t, flashCookie)
-		assert.EqualValues(t, "success%3DBranch%2Bprotection%2Bfor%2Bbranch%2B%2527"+url.QueryEscape(branch)+"%2527%2Bhas%2Bbeen%2Bupdated.", flashCookie.Value)
+		assert.EqualValues(t, "success%3DBranch%2Bprotection%2Bfor%2Brule%2B%2527"+url.QueryEscape(branch)+"%2527%2Bhas%2Bbeen%2Bupdated.", flashCookie.Value)
 	}
 }