feat(repo): allow deleting protected branches (#39243)

This adds a Branch Deletion setting with three modes: disabled by
default, anyone with push access, or a restricted user/team/deploy-key
allowlist. The policy applies to Git pushes, API/UI deletion, and
post-merge cleanup; the default branch and the pull request target
branch remain undeletable.

Closes https://github.com/go-gitea/gitea/issues/33305

---------

Co-authored-by: Enoque Duarte <12515551+enoquefcd@users.noreply.github.com>
Co-authored-by: wxiaoguang <wxiaoguang@gmail.com>

models/git/protected_branch.go

@@ -57,6 +57,10 @@ type ProtectedBranchConfig struct {
 	EnableForcePushAllowlist      bool     `json:"enable_force_push_allowlist,omitzero"`
 	ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs     []int64  `json:"force_push_allowlist_user_ids,omitzero"`
 	ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs     []int64  `json:"force_push_allowlist_team_ids,omitzero"`
+	CanDelete                     bool     `json:"can_delete,omitzero"`
+	EnableDeletionAllowlist       bool     `json:"enable_deletion_allowlist,omitzero"`
+	DeletionAllowlistUserIDs      []int64  `json:"deletion_allowlist_user_ids,omitzero"`
+	DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs      []int64  `json:"deletion_allowlist_team_ids,omitzero"`
 	EnableStatusCheck             bool     `json:"enable_status_check,omitzero"`
 	StatusCheckContexts           []string `json:"status_check_contexts,omitzero"`
 	EnableApprovalsWhitelist      bool     `json:"enable_approvals_whitelist,omitzero"`
@@ -180,6 +184,36 @@ func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) CanUserForcePush(ctx context.Context, user
 	return in && protectBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, user, permissionInRepo)
 }
 
+// CanUserDelete returns if some user could delete this protected branch.
+// Since deletion can be used to reset a branch, it also requires regular push access.
+func (protectBranch *ProtectedBranch) CanUserDelete(ctx context.Context, user *user_model.User, permissionInRepo access_model.Permission) bool {
+	if user == nil || !permissionInRepo.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) {
+		return false
+	}
+	if !protectBranch.CanDelete || !protectBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, user, permissionInRepo) {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	if !protectBranch.EnableDeletionAllowlist {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	if slices.Contains(protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs, user.ID) {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	if len(protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs) == 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	in, err := organization.IsUserInTeams(ctx, user.ID, protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs)
+	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 {
@@ -364,6 +398,9 @@ type WhitelistOptions struct {
 	ForcePushUserIDs []int64
 	ForcePushTeamIDs []int64
 
+	DeletionUserIDs []int64
+	DeletionTeamIDs []int64
+
 	MergeUserIDs []int64
 	MergeTeamIDs []int64
 
@@ -400,6 +437,12 @@ func UpdateProtectBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, prote
 	}
 	protectBranch.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs = whitelist
 
+	whitelist, err = updateUserWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs, opts.DeletionUserIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs = whitelist
+
 	whitelist, err = updateUserWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs, opts.MergeUserIDs)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -431,6 +474,12 @@ func UpdateProtectBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, prote
 	}
 	protectBranch.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs = whitelist
 
+	whitelist, err = updateTeamWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs, opts.DeletionTeamIDs)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs = whitelist
+
 	whitelist, err = updateTeamWhitelist(ctx, repo, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs, opts.MergeTeamIDs)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
@@ -597,12 +646,13 @@ func DeleteProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, id
 
 // removeIDsFromProtectedBranch is a helper function to remove IDs from protected branch options
 func removeIDsFromProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, p *ProtectedBranch, userID, teamID int64) error {
-	lenUserIDs, lenForcePushIDs, lenApprovalIDs, lenMergeIDs := len(p.WhitelistUserIDs), len(p.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs), len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs), len(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs)
+	lenUserIDs, lenForcePushIDs, lenDeletionIDs, lenApprovalIDs, lenMergeIDs := len(p.WhitelistUserIDs), len(p.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs), len(p.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs), len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs), len(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs)
-	lenTeamIDs, lenForcePushTeamIDs, lenApprovalTeamIDs, lenMergeTeamIDs := len(p.WhitelistTeamIDs), len(p.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs), len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs), len(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs)
+	lenTeamIDs, lenForcePushTeamIDs, lenDeletionTeamIDs, lenApprovalTeamIDs, lenMergeTeamIDs := len(p.WhitelistTeamIDs), len(p.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs), len(p.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs), len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs), len(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs)
 
 	if userID > 0 {
 		p.WhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.WhitelistUserIDs, userID)
 		p.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs, userID)
+		p.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs, userID)
 		p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs, userID)
 		p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs, userID)
 	}
@@ -610,16 +660,19 @@ func removeIDsFromProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, p *ProtectedBranch, userI
 	if teamID > 0 {
 		p.WhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.WhitelistTeamIDs, teamID)
 		p.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs, teamID)
+		p.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs, teamID)
 		p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs, teamID)
 		p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs = util.SliceRemoveAll(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs, teamID)
 	}
 
 	if (lenUserIDs != len(p.WhitelistUserIDs) ||
 		lenForcePushIDs != len(p.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs) ||
+		lenDeletionIDs != len(p.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs) ||
 		lenApprovalIDs != len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs) ||
 		lenMergeIDs != len(p.MergeWhitelistUserIDs)) ||
 		(lenTeamIDs != len(p.WhitelistTeamIDs) ||
 			lenForcePushTeamIDs != len(p.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs) ||
+			lenDeletionTeamIDs != len(p.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs) ||
 			lenApprovalTeamIDs != len(p.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs) ||
 			lenMergeTeamIDs != len(p.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs)) {
 		if _, err := db.GetEngine(ctx).ID(p.ID).Cols("config").Update(p); err != nil {

models/git/protected_branch_test.go

@@ -7,7 +7,10 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"gitea.dev/models/db"
+	"gitea.dev/models/perm"
+	access_model "gitea.dev/models/perm/access"
 	repo_model "gitea.dev/models/repo"
+	"gitea.dev/models/unit"
 	"gitea.dev/models/unittest"
 	user_model "gitea.dev/models/user"
 
@@ -210,6 +213,8 @@ func TestProtectedBranchConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	pb := &ProtectedBranch{
 		RepoID: 1, RuleName: "config-test",
 		ProtectedBranchConfig: ProtectedBranchConfig{
+			CanDelete: true, EnableDeletionAllowlist: true,
+			DeletionAllowlistUserIDs: []int64{2, 4, user_model.ActionsUserID, user_model.DeployKeyUserID}, DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs: []int64{1, 2},
 			CanPush: true, WhitelistUserIDs: []int64{2, 4}, WhitelistTeamIDs: []int64{1, 2}, StatusCheckContexts: []string{},
 		},
 	}
@@ -222,9 +227,52 @@ func TestProtectedBranchConfig(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.Equal(t, []int64{4}, loaded.WhitelistUserIDs)
 	assert.Equal(t, []int64{2}, loaded.WhitelistTeamIDs)
 	assert.True(t, loaded.CanPush)
+	assert.True(t, loaded.CanDelete)
+	assert.True(t, loaded.EnableDeletionAllowlist)
+	assert.Equal(t, []int64{4, user_model.ActionsUserID, user_model.DeployKeyUserID}, loaded.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs)
+	assert.Equal(t, []int64{2}, loaded.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs)
 	loaded.ProtectedBranchConfig = ProtectedBranchConfig{}
 	repo := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &repo_model.Repository{ID: 1})
 	require.NoError(t, UpdateProtectBranch(ctx, repo, loaded, WhitelistOptions{}))
 	loaded = unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &ProtectedBranch{ID: pb.ID})
 	assert.Equal(t, ProtectedBranchConfig{}, loaded.ProtectedBranchConfig)
 }
+
+func TestProtectedBranchCanUserDelete(t *testing.T) {
+	require.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
+	writePermission := access_model.Permission{}
+	writePermission.SetUnitsWithDefaultAccessMode([]*repo_model.RepoUnit{{Type: unit.TypeCode}}, perm.AccessModeWrite)
+	readPermission := access_model.Permission{}
+	readPermission.SetUnitsWithDefaultAccessMode([]*repo_model.RepoUnit{{Type: unit.TypeCode}}, perm.AccessModeRead)
+
+	for _, user := range []*user_model.User{{ID: 2, Name: "user2"}, user_model.NewActionsUser(), user_model.NewDeployKeyUser()} {
+		t.Run(user.GetDisplayName(), func(t *testing.T) {
+			for _, tt := range []struct {
+				name   string
+				config ProtectedBranchConfig
+				want   bool
+			}{
+				{name: "disabled by default", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true}},
+				{name: "push disabled", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanDelete: true}},
+				{name: "unrestricted", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true}, want: true},
+				{name: "empty push allowlist", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableWhitelist: true}},
+				{name: "not in push allowlist", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableWhitelist: true, WhitelistUserIDs: []int64{1}}},
+				{name: "empty deletion allowlist", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableDeletionAllowlist: true}},
+				{name: "not in deletion allowlist", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableDeletionAllowlist: true, DeletionAllowlistUserIDs: []int64{1}}},
+				{name: "in both allowlists", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableWhitelist: true, WhitelistUserIDs: []int64{user.ID}, EnableDeletionAllowlist: true, DeletionAllowlistUserIDs: []int64{user.ID}}, want: true},
+				{name: "deletion allowlist does not grant push", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableWhitelist: true, EnableDeletionAllowlist: true, DeletionAllowlistUserIDs: []int64{user.ID}}},
+				{name: "team member", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableDeletionAllowlist: true, DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs: []int64{1}}, want: user.ID == 2},
+				{name: "push team member", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableWhitelist: true, WhitelistTeamIDs: []int64{1}}, want: user.ID == 2},
+				{name: "not in team", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableDeletionAllowlist: true, DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs: []int64{3}}},
+				{name: "user or team", config: ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true, EnableDeletionAllowlist: true, DeletionAllowlistUserIDs: []int64{user.ID}, DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs: []int64{3}}, want: true},
+			} {
+				t.Run(tt.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+					pb := &ProtectedBranch{ProtectedBranchConfig: tt.config}
+					assert.Equal(t, tt.want, pb.CanUserDelete(t.Context(), user, writePermission))
+					assert.False(t, pb.CanUserDelete(t.Context(), user, readPermission))
+					assert.False(t, pb.CanUserDelete(t.Context(), nil, writePermission))
+				})
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}

modules/structs/repo_branch.go

@@ -47,6 +47,10 @@ type BranchProtection struct {
 	ForcePushAllowlistUsernames   []string `json:"force_push_allowlist_usernames"`
 	ForcePushAllowlistTeams       []string `json:"force_push_allowlist_teams"`
 	ForcePushAllowlistDeployKeys  bool     `json:"force_push_allowlist_deploy_keys"`
+	EnableDeletion                bool     `json:"enable_deletion"`
+	EnableDeletionAllowlist       bool     `json:"enable_deletion_allowlist"`
+	DeletionAllowlistUsernames    []string `json:"deletion_allowlist_usernames"`
+	DeletionAllowlistTeams        []string `json:"deletion_allowlist_teams"`
 	EnableMergeWhitelist          bool     `json:"enable_merge_whitelist"`
 	MergeWhitelistUsernames       []string `json:"merge_whitelist_usernames"`
 	MergeWhitelistTeams           []string `json:"merge_whitelist_teams"`
@@ -91,6 +95,10 @@ type CreateBranchProtectionOption struct {
 	ForcePushAllowlistUsernames   []string `json:"force_push_allowlist_usernames"`
 	ForcePushAllowlistTeams       []string `json:"force_push_allowlist_teams"`
 	ForcePushAllowlistDeployKeys  bool     `json:"force_push_allowlist_deploy_keys"`
+	EnableDeletion                bool     `json:"enable_deletion"`
+	EnableDeletionAllowlist       bool     `json:"enable_deletion_allowlist"`
+	DeletionAllowlistUsernames    []string `json:"deletion_allowlist_usernames"`
+	DeletionAllowlistTeams        []string `json:"deletion_allowlist_teams"`
 	EnableMergeWhitelist          bool     `json:"enable_merge_whitelist"`
 	MergeWhitelistUsernames       []string `json:"merge_whitelist_usernames"`
 	MergeWhitelistTeams           []string `json:"merge_whitelist_teams"`
@@ -128,6 +136,10 @@ type EditBranchProtectionOption struct {
 	ForcePushAllowlistUsernames   []string `json:"force_push_allowlist_usernames"`
 	ForcePushAllowlistTeams       []string `json:"force_push_allowlist_teams"`
 	ForcePushAllowlistDeployKeys  *bool    `json:"force_push_allowlist_deploy_keys"`
+	EnableDeletion                *bool    `json:"enable_deletion"`
+	EnableDeletionAllowlist       *bool    `json:"enable_deletion_allowlist"`
+	DeletionAllowlistUsernames    []string `json:"deletion_allowlist_usernames"`
+	DeletionAllowlistTeams        []string `json:"deletion_allowlist_teams"`
 	EnableMergeWhitelist          *bool    `json:"enable_merge_whitelist"`
 	MergeWhitelistUsernames       []string `json:"merge_whitelist_usernames"`
 	MergeWhitelistTeams           []string `json:"merge_whitelist_teams"`

options/locale/locale_en-US.json

@@ -2299,6 +2299,7 @@
   "repo.settings.event_release_desc": "Release published, updated or deleted in a repository.",
   "repo.settings.event_push": "Push",
   "repo.settings.event_force_push": "Force Push",
+  "repo.settings.event_branch_delete": "Branch Deletion",
   "repo.settings.event_push_desc": "Git push to a repository.",
   "repo.settings.event_repository": "Repository",
   "repo.settings.event_repository_desc": "Repository created, deleted, or renamed.",
@@ -2410,6 +2411,12 @@
   "repo.settings.protect_enable_force_push_all_desc": "Anyone with push access will be allowed to force push to this branch.",
   "repo.settings.protect_enable_force_push_allowlist": "Allowlist Restricted Force Push",
   "repo.settings.protect_enable_force_push_allowlist_desc": "Only allowlisted users or teams with push access will be allowed to force push to this branch.",
+  "repo.settings.protect_disable_deletion": "Disable Branch Deletion",
+  "repo.settings.protect_disable_deletion_desc": "No branch deletion will be allowed for this branch.",
+  "repo.settings.protect_enable_deletion_all": "Enable Branch Deletion",
+  "repo.settings.protect_enable_deletion_all_desc": "Anyone with push access will be allowed to delete this branch.",
+  "repo.settings.protect_enable_deletion_allowlist": "Allowlist Restricted Branch Deletion",
+  "repo.settings.protect_enable_deletion_allowlist_desc": "Only allowlisted users or teams with push access will be allowed to delete this branch.",
   "repo.settings.protect_enable_merge": "Enable Merge",
   "repo.settings.protect_enable_merge_desc": "Anyone with write access will be allowed to merge the pull requests into this branch.",
   "repo.settings.protect_whitelist_committers": "Allowlist Restricted Push",
@@ -2420,6 +2427,8 @@
   "repo.settings.protect_force_push_allowlist_users": "Allowlisted users for force pushing:",
   "repo.settings.protect_force_push_allowlist_teams": "Allowlisted teams for force pushing:",
   "repo.settings.protect_force_push_allowlist_deploy_keys": "Allowlist deploy keys with push access to force push.",
+  "repo.settings.protect_deletion_allowlist_users": "Allowlisted users for deleting:",
+  "repo.settings.protect_deletion_allowlist_teams": "Allowlisted teams for deleting:",
   "repo.settings.protect_merge_whitelist_committers": "Enable Merge Allowlist",
   "repo.settings.protect_merge_whitelist_committers_desc": "Allow only allowlisted users or teams to merge pull requests into this branch.",
   "repo.settings.protect_merge_whitelist_users": "Allowlisted users for merging:",

routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go

@@ -711,6 +711,7 @@ func CreateBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 
 	whitelistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.PushWhitelistUsernames)
 	forcePushAllowlistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.ForcePushAllowlistUsernames)
+	deletionAllowlistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, util.Iif(form.EnablePush && form.EnableDeletion && form.EnableDeletionAllowlist, form.DeletionAllowlistUsernames, nil))
 	mergeWhitelistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.MergeWhitelistUsernames)
 	approvalsWhitelistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.ApprovalsWhitelistUsernames)
 	bypassAllowlistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, util.Iif(form.EnableBypassAllowlist, form.BypassAllowlistUsernames, nil))
@@ -718,7 +719,7 @@ func CreateBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	var whitelistTeams, forcePushAllowlistTeams, mergeWhitelistTeams, approvalsWhitelistTeams, bypassAllowlistTeams []int64
+	var whitelistTeams, forcePushAllowlistTeams, deletionAllowlistTeams, mergeWhitelistTeams, approvalsWhitelistTeams, bypassAllowlistTeams []int64
 	if repo.Owner.IsOrganization() {
 		whitelistTeams, err = organization.GetTeamIDsByNames(ctx, repo.OwnerID, form.PushWhitelistTeams, false)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -738,6 +739,17 @@ func CreateBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 			ctx.APIErrorInternal(err)
 			return
 		}
+		if form.EnablePush && form.EnableDeletion && form.EnableDeletionAllowlist {
+			deletionAllowlistTeams, err = organization.GetTeamIDsByNames(ctx, repo.OwnerID, form.DeletionAllowlistTeams, false)
+			if err != nil {
+				if organization.IsErrTeamNotExist(err) {
+					ctx.APIError(http.StatusUnprocessableEntity, err.Error())
+					return
+				}
+				ctx.APIErrorInternal(err)
+				return
+			}
+		}
 		mergeWhitelistTeams, err = organization.GetTeamIDsByNames(ctx, repo.OwnerID, form.MergeWhitelistTeams, false)
 		if err != nil {
 			if organization.IsErrTeamNotExist(err) {
@@ -782,6 +794,8 @@ func CreateBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 			EnableWhitelist:               form.EnablePush && form.EnablePushWhitelist,
 			CanForcePush:                  form.EnablePush && form.EnableForcePush,
 			EnableForcePushAllowlist:      form.EnablePush && form.EnableForcePush && form.EnableForcePushAllowlist,
+			CanDelete:                     form.EnablePush && form.EnableDeletion,
+			EnableDeletionAllowlist:       form.EnablePush && form.EnableDeletion && form.EnableDeletionAllowlist,
 			EnableMergeWhitelist:          form.EnableMergeWhitelist,
 			EnableBypassAllowlist:         form.EnableBypassAllowlist,
 			EnableStatusCheck:             form.EnableStatusCheck,
@@ -810,6 +824,8 @@ func CreateBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		TeamIDs:          whitelistTeams,
 		ForcePushUserIDs: forcePushAllowlistUsers,
 		ForcePushTeamIDs: forcePushAllowlistTeams,
+		DeletionUserIDs:  deletionAllowlistUsers,
+		DeletionTeamIDs:  deletionAllowlistTeams,
 		MergeUserIDs:     mergeWhitelistUsers,
 		MergeTeamIDs:     mergeWhitelistTeams,
 		ApprovalsUserIDs: approvalsWhitelistUsers,
@@ -929,6 +945,15 @@ func EditBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		}
 	}
 
+	if form.EnableDeletion != nil {
+		protectBranch.CanDelete = *form.EnableDeletion
+	}
+	if form.EnableDeletionAllowlist != nil {
+		protectBranch.EnableDeletionAllowlist = *form.EnableDeletionAllowlist
+	}
+	protectBranch.CanDelete = protectBranch.CanPush && protectBranch.CanDelete
+	protectBranch.EnableDeletionAllowlist = protectBranch.CanDelete && protectBranch.EnableDeletionAllowlist
+
 	if form.Priority != nil {
 		protectBranch.Priority = *form.Priority
 	}
@@ -999,6 +1024,7 @@ func EditBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 
 	whitelistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.PushWhitelistUsernames, protectBranch.WhitelistUserIDs)
 	forcePushAllowlistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.ForcePushAllowlistUsernames, protectBranch.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs)
+	deletionAllowlistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.DeletionAllowlistUsernames, protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs)
 	mergeWhitelistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.MergeWhitelistUsernames, protectBranch.MergeWhitelistUserIDs)
 	approvalsWhitelistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.ApprovalsWhitelistUsernames, protectBranch.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs)
 	bypassAllowlistUsers := loadBranchProtectionUserIDs(ctx, form.BypassAllowlistUsernames, protectBranch.BypassAllowlistUserIDs)
@@ -1015,7 +1041,7 @@ func EditBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 	whitelistUsers = legacySetDeployKeyAllowlist(whitelistUsers, pushDeployKeys)
 	forcePushAllowlistUsers = legacySetDeployKeyAllowlist(forcePushAllowlistUsers, forcePushDeployKeys)
 
-	var whitelistTeams, forcePushAllowlistTeams, mergeWhitelistTeams, approvalsWhitelistTeams, bypassAllowlistTeams []int64
+	var whitelistTeams, forcePushAllowlistTeams, deletionAllowlistTeams, mergeWhitelistTeams, approvalsWhitelistTeams, bypassAllowlistTeams []int64
 	if repo.Owner.IsOrganization() {
 		if form.PushWhitelistTeams != nil {
 			whitelistTeams, err = organization.GetTeamIDsByNames(ctx, repo.OwnerID, form.PushWhitelistTeams, false)
@@ -1043,6 +1069,19 @@ func EditBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		} else {
 			forcePushAllowlistTeams = protectBranch.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs
 		}
+		if form.DeletionAllowlistTeams != nil {
+			deletionAllowlistTeams, err = organization.GetTeamIDsByNames(ctx, repo.OwnerID, form.DeletionAllowlistTeams, false)
+			if err != nil {
+				if organization.IsErrTeamNotExist(err) {
+					ctx.APIError(http.StatusUnprocessableEntity, err.Error())
+					return
+				}
+				ctx.APIErrorInternal(err)
+				return
+			}
+		} else {
+			deletionAllowlistTeams = protectBranch.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs
+		}
 		if form.MergeWhitelistTeams != nil {
 			mergeWhitelistTeams, err = organization.GetTeamIDsByNames(ctx, repo.OwnerID, form.MergeWhitelistTeams, false)
 			if err != nil {
@@ -1088,11 +1127,18 @@ func EditBranchProtection(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		bypassAllowlistTeams = nil
 	}
 
+	if !protectBranch.EnableDeletionAllowlist {
+		deletionAllowlistUsers = nil
+		deletionAllowlistTeams = nil
+	}
+
 	err = git_model.UpdateProtectBranch(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository, protectBranch, git_model.WhitelistOptions{
 		UserIDs:          whitelistUsers,
 		TeamIDs:          whitelistTeams,
 		ForcePushUserIDs: forcePushAllowlistUsers,
 		ForcePushTeamIDs: forcePushAllowlistTeams,
+		DeletionUserIDs:  deletionAllowlistUsers,
+		DeletionTeamIDs:  deletionAllowlistTeams,
 		MergeUserIDs:     mergeWhitelistUsers,
 		MergeTeamIDs:     mergeWhitelistTeams,
 		ApprovalsUserIDs: approvalsWhitelistUsers,

routers/private/hook_pre_receive.go

@@ -130,15 +130,21 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID string, r
 	repo := ctx.Repo.Repository
 	gitRepo := ctx.Repo.GitRepo
 	objectFormat := ctx.Repo.GetObjectFormat()
+	isDeletingBranch := newCommitID == objectFormat.EmptyObjectID().String()
 
 	defaultBranch := repo.DefaultBranch
 	if ctx.opts.IsWiki && repo.DefaultWikiBranch != "" {
 		defaultBranch = repo.DefaultWikiBranch
 	}
-	if branchName == defaultBranch && newCommitID == objectFormat.EmptyObjectID().String() {
+
+	if isDeletingBranch && branchName == defaultBranch {
 		ctx.PrivateUserErrorf(http.StatusForbidden, "Branch %s is the default branch and cannot be deleted", branchName)
 		return
 	}
+	if isDeletingBranch && branchName == repo.GetPullRequestTargetBranch(ctx) {
+		ctx.PrivateUserErrorf(http.StatusForbidden, "Branch %s is protected from deletion", branchName)
+		return
+	}
 
 	protectBranch, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, repo.ID, branchName)
 	if err != nil {
@@ -156,9 +162,11 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID string, r
 	//
 	// First of all we need to enforce absolutely:
 	//
-	// 1. Detect and prevent deletion of the branch
+	// 1. Enforce branch deletion permissions
-	if newCommitID == objectFormat.EmptyObjectID().String() {
+	if isDeletingBranch {
-		ctx.PrivateUserErrorf(http.StatusForbidden, "Branch %s is protected from deletion", branchName)
+		if !protectBranch.CanUserDelete(ctx, ctx.Doer, ctx.Repo.Permission) {
+			ctx.PrivateUserErrorf(http.StatusForbidden, "Branch %s is protected from deletion", branchName)
+		}
 		return
 	}
 
@@ -199,7 +207,7 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID string, r
 	// Now there are several tests which can be overridden:
 	//
 	// 4. Check protected file patterns - this is overridable from the UI
-	changedProtectedfiles := false
+	changedProtectedFiles := false
 	protectedFilePath := ""
 
 	globs := protectBranch.GetProtectedFilePatterns()
@@ -212,7 +220,7 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID string, r
 				return
 			}
 
-			changedProtectedfiles = true
+			changedProtectedFiles = true
 			protectedFilePath = errFilePathProtected.Path
 		}
 	}
@@ -220,9 +228,9 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID string, r
 	// 5. Check if the doer is allowed to push (and force-push if the incoming push is a force-push)
 	var canPush bool
 	if isForcePush {
-		canPush = !changedProtectedfiles && protectBranch.CanUserForcePush(ctx, ctx.Doer, ctx.Repo.Permission)
+		canPush = !changedProtectedFiles && protectBranch.CanUserForcePush(ctx, ctx.Doer, ctx.Repo.Permission)
 	} else {
-		canPush = !changedProtectedfiles && protectBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, ctx.Doer, ctx.Repo.Permission)
+		canPush = !changedProtectedFiles && protectBranch.CanUserPush(ctx, ctx.Doer, ctx.Repo.Permission)
 	}
 
 	// 6. If we're not allowed to push directly
@@ -232,7 +240,7 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID string, r
 			// 6a. If we're not merging from the UI/API then there are two ways we got here:
 			//
 			// We are changing a protected file, and we're not allowed to do that
-			if changedProtectedfiles {
+			if changedProtectedFiles {
 				ctx.PrivateUserErrorf(http.StatusForbidden, "Branch %s is protected from changing file %s", branchName, protectedFilePath)
 				return
 			}
@@ -287,7 +295,7 @@ func preReceiveBranch(ctx *preReceiveContext, oldCommitID, newCommitID string, r
 		}
 
 		// Now if we're not an admin - we can't overwrite protected files so fail now
-		if changedProtectedfiles {
+		if changedProtectedFiles {
 			ctx.PrivateUserErrorf(http.StatusForbidden, "Branch %s is protected from changing file %s", branchName, protectedFilePath)
 			return
 		}

routers/private/hook_pre_receive_test.go

@@ -4,12 +4,14 @@
 package private
 
 import (
+	"net/http"
 	"testing"
 
 	"gitea.dev/models/db"
 	git_model "gitea.dev/models/git"
 	issues_model "gitea.dev/models/issues"
 	repo_model "gitea.dev/models/repo"
+	"gitea.dev/models/unit"
 	"gitea.dev/models/unittest"
 	user_model "gitea.dev/models/user"
 	"gitea.dev/modules/git"
@@ -20,18 +22,27 @@ import (
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
 
-func TestPreReceiveActionsProtectedBranch(t *testing.T) {
+func TestPreReceiveActionsBranch(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
 	for _, tc := range []struct {
-		name       string
+		name          string
-		protection git_model.ProtectedBranch
+		protection    *git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig
-		forcePush  bool
+		forcePush     bool
-		allowed    bool
+		deleteBranch  bool
+		targetBranch  bool
+		defaultBranch bool
+		allowed       bool
 	}{
-		{name: "push", protection: git_model.ProtectedBranch{CanPush: true}, allowed: true},
+		{name: "push", protection: &git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true}, allowed: true},
-		{name: "push allowlist", protection: git_model.ProtectedBranch{CanPush: true, EnableWhitelist: true}},
+		{name: "push allowlist", protection: &git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, EnableWhitelist: true}},
-		{name: "force push", protection: git_model.ProtectedBranch{CanPush: true, CanForcePush: true}, forcePush: true, allowed: true},
+		{name: "force push", protection: &git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanForcePush: true}, forcePush: true, allowed: true},
-		{name: "force push allowlist", protection: git_model.ProtectedBranch{CanPush: true, CanForcePush: true, EnableForcePushAllowlist: true}, forcePush: true},
+		{name: "force push allowlist", protection: &git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanForcePush: true, EnableForcePushAllowlist: true}, forcePush: true},
+		{name: "deletion disabled", protection: &git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true}, deleteBranch: true},
+		{name: "deletion allowed", protection: &git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true}, deleteBranch: true, allowed: true},
+		{name: "pull request target", protection: &git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true}, deleteBranch: true, targetBranch: true},
+		{name: "unprotected deletion", deleteBranch: true, allowed: true},
+		{name: "unprotected pull request target", deleteBranch: true, targetBranch: true},
+		{name: "default branch", protection: &git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true}, deleteBranch: true, defaultBranch: true},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			mockCtx, resp := contexttest.MockPrivateContext(t, "/")
@@ -45,21 +56,34 @@ func TestPreReceiveActionsProtectedBranch(t *testing.T) {
 			doer := user_model.NewActionsUserWithTaskID(53)
 			loadContextDoerPermission(ctx.PrivateContext, doer.ID, doer.ExtDoerData.EncodeToString())
 
-			protection := tc.protection
+			if tc.protection != nil {
-			protection.RepoID = ctx.Repo.Repository.ID
+				protection := git_model.ProtectedBranch{ProtectedBranchConfig: *tc.protection}
-			protection.RuleName = "probe"
+				protection.RepoID = ctx.Repo.Repository.ID
-			require.NoError(t, db.Insert(t.Context(), &protection))
+				protection.RuleName = "probe"
-			defer func() {
+				require.NoError(t, db.Insert(t.Context(), &protection))
-				require.NoError(t, git_model.DeleteProtectedBranch(t.Context(), ctx.Repo.Repository, protection.ID))
+				defer func() {
-			}()
+					require.NoError(t, git_model.DeleteProtectedBranch(t.Context(), ctx.Repo.Repository, protection.ID))
+				}()
+			}
 
 			oldCommitID, newCommitID := "205ac761f3326a7ebe416e8673760016450b5cec", "1032bbf17fbc0d9c95bb5418dabe8f8c99278700"
 			if tc.forcePush {
 				oldCommitID, newCommitID = newCommitID, oldCommitID
 			}
+			if tc.deleteBranch {
+				newCommitID = ctx.Repo.GetObjectFormat().EmptyObjectID().String()
+			}
+			if tc.targetBranch {
+				ctx.Repo.Repository.Units = append(ctx.Repo.Repository.Units, &repo_model.RepoUnit{Type: unit.TypePullRequests, Config: &repo_model.PullRequestsConfig{DefaultTargetBranch: "probe"}})
+			}
+			if tc.defaultBranch {
+				ctx.Repo.Repository.DefaultBranch = "probe"
+			}
 			preReceiveBranch(ctx, oldCommitID, newCommitID, git.RefNameFromBranch("probe"))
 			if tc.allowed {
 				assert.False(t, ctx.Written(), resp.Body.String())
+			} else if tc.deleteBranch {
+				assert.Equal(t, http.StatusForbidden, resp.Code)
 			} else {
 				assert.Contains(t, resp.Body.String(), "Not allowed to")
 			}

routers/web/repo/branch.go

@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ func Branches(ctx *context.Context) {
 
 	kw := ctx.FormString("q")
 
-	defaultBranchOptional, branches, branchesCount, err := repo_service.LoadBranches(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository, ctx.Repo.GitRepo, optional.None[bool](), kw, page, pageSize)
+	defaultBranchOptional, branches, branchesCount, err := repo_service.LoadBranches(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository, ctx.Repo.GitRepo, ctx.Doer, ctx.Repo.Permission, optional.None[bool](), kw, page, pageSize)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.ServerError("LoadBranches", err)
 		return

routers/web/repo/issue_view.go

@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import (
 	issue_service "gitea.dev/services/issue"
 	"gitea.dev/services/notifications"
 	pull_service "gitea.dev/services/pull"
+	repo_service "gitea.dev/services/repository"
 	user_service "gitea.dev/services/user"
 )
 
@@ -900,14 +901,15 @@ func (prInfo *pullRequestViewInfo) prepareMergeBox(ctx *context.Context, issue *
 				return
 			}
 			if perm.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) {
-				// Check if branch is not protected
+				if err := repo_service.CanDeleteBranchWithPermission(ctx, pull.HeadRepo, pull.HeadBranch, ctx.Doer, perm); err != nil {
-				if pull.HeadBranch != pull.HeadRepo.DefaultBranch {
+					if errors.Is(err, util.ErrPermissionDenied) {
-					if protected, err := git_model.IsBranchProtected(ctx, pull.HeadRepo.ID, pull.HeadBranch); err != nil {
+						log.Trace("CanDeleteBranch: %v", err)
-						log.Error("IsProtectedBranch: %v", err)
+					} else {
-					} else if !protected {
+						log.Error("CanDeleteBranch: %v", err)
-						canDelete = true
-						ctx.Data["DeleteBranchLink"] = issue.Link() + "/cleanup"
 					}
+				} else {
+					canDelete = true
+					ctx.Data["DeleteBranchLink"] = issue.Link() + "/cleanup"
 				}
 				canWriteToHeadRepo = true
 			}

routers/web/repo/setting/protected_branch.go

@@ -89,11 +89,13 @@ func SettingsProtectedBranch(c *context.Context) {
 
 	c.Data["PushUsers"] = pushUsers
 	c.Data["ForcePushUsers"] = pushUsers
+	c.Data["DeletionUsers"] = pushUsers
 	c.Data["MergeUsers"] = repoUsers
 	c.Data["BypassCheckUsers"] = repoUsers
 	c.Data["ApprovalUsers"] = repoUsers
 	c.Data["whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.WhitelistUserIDs), ",")
 	c.Data["force_push_allowlist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs), ",")
+	c.Data["deletion_allowlist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs), ",")
 	c.Data["merge_whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.MergeWhitelistUserIDs), ",")
 	c.Data["bypass_allowlist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.BypassAllowlistUserIDs), ",")
 	c.Data["approvals_whitelist_users"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs), ",")
@@ -110,6 +112,7 @@ func SettingsProtectedBranch(c *context.Context) {
 		c.Data["Teams"] = teams
 		c.Data["whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.WhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
 		c.Data["force_push_allowlist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs), ",")
+		c.Data["deletion_allowlist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs), ",")
 		c.Data["merge_whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
 		c.Data["bypass_allowlist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.BypassAllowlistTeamIDs), ",")
 		c.Data["approvals_whitelist_teams"] = strings.Join(base.Int64sToStrings(rule.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs), ",")
@@ -171,7 +174,7 @@ func SettingsProtectedBranchPost(ctx *context.Context) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	var whitelistUsers, whitelistTeams, forcePushAllowlistUsers, forcePushAllowlistTeams, mergeWhitelistUsers, mergeWhitelistTeams, approvalsWhitelistUsers, approvalsWhitelistTeams, bypassAllowlistUsers, bypassAllowlistTeams []int64
+	var whitelistUsers, whitelistTeams, forcePushAllowlistUsers, forcePushAllowlistTeams, deletionAllowlistUsers, deletionAllowlistTeams, mergeWhitelistUsers, mergeWhitelistTeams, approvalsWhitelistUsers, approvalsWhitelistTeams, bypassAllowlistUsers, bypassAllowlistTeams []int64
 	protectBranch.RuleName = f.RuleName
 	if f.RequiredApprovals < 0 {
 		ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.settings.protected_branch_required_approvals_min"))
@@ -215,6 +218,29 @@ func SettingsProtectedBranchPost(ctx *context.Context) {
 		protectBranch.EnableForcePushAllowlist = false
 	}
 
+	enableDeletion := f.EnableDeletion
+	if !protectBranch.CanPush {
+		// Deletion requires push access.
+		enableDeletion = ""
+	}
+	switch enableDeletion {
+	case "all":
+		protectBranch.CanDelete = true
+		protectBranch.EnableDeletionAllowlist = false
+	case "whitelist":
+		protectBranch.CanDelete = true
+		protectBranch.EnableDeletionAllowlist = true
+		if strings.TrimSpace(f.DeletionAllowlistUsers) != "" {
+			deletionAllowlistUsers, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.DeletionAllowlistUsers, ","))
+		}
+		if strings.TrimSpace(f.DeletionAllowlistTeams) != "" {
+			deletionAllowlistTeams, _ = base.StringsToInt64s(strings.Split(f.DeletionAllowlistTeams, ","))
+		}
+	default:
+		protectBranch.CanDelete = false
+		protectBranch.EnableDeletionAllowlist = false
+	}
+
 	protectBranch.EnableMergeWhitelist = f.EnableMergeWhitelist
 	if f.EnableMergeWhitelist {
 		if strings.TrimSpace(f.MergeWhitelistUsers) != "" {
@@ -288,6 +314,8 @@ func SettingsProtectedBranchPost(ctx *context.Context) {
 		TeamIDs:          whitelistTeams,
 		ForcePushUserIDs: forcePushAllowlistUsers,
 		ForcePushTeamIDs: forcePushAllowlistTeams,
+		DeletionUserIDs:  deletionAllowlistUsers,
+		DeletionTeamIDs:  deletionAllowlistTeams,
 		MergeUserIDs:     mergeWhitelistUsers,
 		MergeTeamIDs:     mergeWhitelistTeams,
 		ApprovalsUserIDs: approvalsWhitelistUsers,

services/convert/convert.go

@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ func ToBranchProtection(ctx context.Context, bp *git_model.ProtectedBranch, repo
 
 	pushWhitelistUsernames := getAllowListUserNames(readers, bp.WhitelistUserIDs)
 	forcePushAllowlistUsernames := getAllowListUserNames(readers, bp.ForcePushAllowlistUserIDs)
+	deletionAllowlistUsernames := getAllowListUserNames(readers, bp.DeletionAllowlistUserIDs)
 	mergeWhitelistUsernames := getAllowListUserNames(readers, bp.MergeWhitelistUserIDs)
 	approvalsWhitelistUsernames := getAllowListUserNames(readers, bp.ApprovalsWhitelistUserIDs)
 	bypassAllowlistUsernames := getAllowListUserNames(readers, bp.BypassAllowlistUserIDs)
@@ -167,6 +168,7 @@ func ToBranchProtection(ctx context.Context, bp *git_model.ProtectedBranch, repo
 
 	pushWhitelistTeams := getAllowListTeamNames(teamReaders, bp.WhitelistTeamIDs)
 	forcePushAllowlistTeams := getAllowListTeamNames(teamReaders, bp.ForcePushAllowlistTeamIDs)
+	deletionAllowlistTeams := getAllowListTeamNames(teamReaders, bp.DeletionAllowlistTeamIDs)
 	mergeWhitelistTeams := getAllowListTeamNames(teamReaders, bp.MergeWhitelistTeamIDs)
 	approvalsWhitelistTeams := getAllowListTeamNames(teamReaders, bp.ApprovalsWhitelistTeamIDs)
 	bypassAllowlistTeams := getAllowListTeamNames(teamReaders, bp.BypassAllowlistTeamIDs)
@@ -190,6 +192,10 @@ func ToBranchProtection(ctx context.Context, bp *git_model.ProtectedBranch, repo
 		ForcePushAllowlistUsernames:   forcePushAllowlistUsernames,
 		ForcePushAllowlistTeams:       forcePushAllowlistTeams,
 		ForcePushAllowlistDeployKeys:  bp.HasDeployKeyForcePush(),
+		EnableDeletion:                bp.CanDelete,
+		EnableDeletionAllowlist:       bp.EnableDeletionAllowlist,
+		DeletionAllowlistUsernames:    deletionAllowlistUsernames,
+		DeletionAllowlistTeams:        deletionAllowlistTeams,
 		EnableMergeWhitelist:          bp.EnableMergeWhitelist,
 		MergeWhitelistUsernames:       mergeWhitelistUsernames,
 		MergeWhitelistTeams:           mergeWhitelistTeams,

services/forms/repo_form.go

@@ -159,6 +159,9 @@ type ProtectBranchForm struct {
 	EnableForcePush               string
 	ForcePushAllowlistUsers       string
 	ForcePushAllowlistTeams       string
+	EnableDeletion                string
+	DeletionAllowlistUsers        string
+	DeletionAllowlistTeams        string
 	EnableMergeWhitelist          bool
 	MergeWhitelistUsers           string
 	MergeWhitelistTeams           string

services/repository/branch.go

@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ func CreateNewBranch(ctx context.Context, doer *user_model.User, repo *repo_mode
 type Branch struct {
 	DBBranch          *git_model.Branch
 	IsProtected       bool
+	CanDelete         bool
 	IsIncluded        bool
 	CommitsAhead      int
 	CommitsBehind     int
@@ -58,7 +59,7 @@ type Branch struct {
 }
 
 // LoadBranches loads branches from the repository limited by page & pageSize.
-func LoadBranches(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, gitRepo *git.Repository, isDeletedBranch optional.Option[bool], keyword string, page, pageSize int) (defaultBranchOptional *Branch, _ []*Branch, _ int64, _ error) {
+func LoadBranches(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, gitRepo *git.Repository, doer *user_model.User, permissionInRepo access_model.Permission, isDeletedBranch optional.Option[bool], keyword string, page, pageSize int) (defaultBranchOptional *Branch, _ []*Branch, _ int64, _ error) {
 	defaultDBBranchOptional, err := git_model.GetBranchExisting(ctx, repo.ID, repo.DefaultBranch)
 	if err != nil && !errors.Is(err, util.ErrNotExist) {
 		return nil, nil, 0, err
@@ -91,16 +92,18 @@ func LoadBranches(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, gitRepo *git
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, 0, err
 	}
+	pullRequestTargetBranch := repo.GetPullRequestTargetBranch(ctx)
 
 	repoIDToRepo := map[int64]*repo_model.Repository{}
 	repoIDToRepo[repo.ID] = repo
 
 	repoIDToGitRepo := map[int64]*git.Repository{}
 	repoIDToGitRepo[repo.ID] = gitRepo
+	canDeleteProtectedBranches := make(map[int64]bool, len(rules))
 
 	branches := make([]*Branch, 0, len(dbBranches))
 	for i := range dbBranches {
-		branch, err := loadOneBranch(ctx, repo, dbBranches[i], &rules, repoIDToRepo, repoIDToGitRepo)
+		branch, err := loadOneBranch(ctx, repo, dbBranches[i], &rules, repoIDToRepo, repoIDToGitRepo, doer, permissionInRepo, canDeleteProtectedBranches, pullRequestTargetBranch)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, nil, 0, fmt.Errorf("loadOneBranch: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -109,7 +112,7 @@ func LoadBranches(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, gitRepo *git
 
 	if defaultDBBranchOptional != nil {
 		// Always add the default branch
-		defaultBranchOptional, err = loadOneBranch(ctx, repo, defaultDBBranchOptional, &rules, repoIDToRepo, repoIDToGitRepo)
+		defaultBranchOptional, err = loadOneBranch(ctx, repo, defaultDBBranchOptional, &rules, repoIDToRepo, repoIDToGitRepo, doer, permissionInRepo, canDeleteProtectedBranches, pullRequestTargetBranch)
 		if err != nil {
 			return nil, nil, 0, fmt.Errorf("loadOneBranch: %v", err)
 		}
@@ -170,12 +173,26 @@ func DelRepoDivergenceFromCache(ctx context.Context, repoID int64) error {
 func loadOneBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, dbBranch *git_model.Branch, protectedBranches *git_model.ProtectedBranchRules,
 	repoIDToRepo map[int64]*repo_model.Repository,
 	repoIDToGitRepo map[int64]*git.Repository,
+	doer *user_model.User,
+	permissionInRepo access_model.Permission,
+	canDeleteProtectedBranches map[int64]bool,
+	pullRequestTargetBranch string,
 ) (*Branch, error) {
 	log.Trace("loadOneBranch: '%s'", dbBranch.Name)
 
 	branchName := dbBranch.Name
 	p := protectedBranches.GetFirstMatched(branchName)
 	isProtected := p != nil
+	canDelete := !dbBranch.IsDeleted && repo.DefaultBranch != branchName && pullRequestTargetBranch != branchName
+	if isProtected && canDelete {
+		p.Repo = repo
+		canUserDelete, ok := canDeleteProtectedBranches[p.ID]
+		if !ok {
+			canUserDelete = p.CanUserDelete(ctx, doer, permissionInRepo)
+			canDeleteProtectedBranches[p.ID] = canUserDelete
+		}
+		canDelete = canDelete && canUserDelete
+	}
 
 	var divergence *git.DivergeObject
 
@@ -247,6 +264,7 @@ func loadOneBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, dbBranch *g
 	return &Branch{
 		DBBranch:          dbBranch,
 		IsProtected:       isProtected,
+		CanDelete:         canDelete,
 		IsIncluded:        isIncluded,
 		CommitsAhead:      divergence.Ahead,
 		CommitsBehind:     divergence.Behind,
@@ -545,24 +563,31 @@ func UpdateBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, gitRepo *git
 var ErrBranchIsDefault = util.ErrorWrap(util.ErrPermissionDenied, "branch is default or pull request target")
 
 func CanDeleteBranch(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, branchName string, doer *user_model.User) error {
-	unitPRConfig := repo.MustGetUnit(ctx, unit.TypePullRequests).PullRequestsConfig()
-	if branchName == repo.DefaultBranch || branchName == unitPRConfig.DefaultTargetBranch {
-		return ErrBranchIsDefault
-	}
-
 	perm, err := access_model.GetDoerRepoPermission(ctx, repo, doer)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if !perm.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) {
+	return CanDeleteBranchWithPermission(ctx, repo, branchName, doer, perm)
+}
+
+// CanDeleteBranchWithPermission checks whether a branch can be deleted using an already loaded repository permission.
+func CanDeleteBranchWithPermission(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, branchName string, doer *user_model.User, permissionInRepo access_model.Permission) error {
+	if branchName == repo.DefaultBranch || branchName == repo.GetPullRequestTargetBranch(ctx) {
+		return ErrBranchIsDefault
+	}
+	if !permissionInRepo.CanWrite(unit.TypeCode) {
 		return util.NewPermissionDeniedErrorf("permission denied to access repo %d unit %s", repo.ID, unit.TypeCode.LogString())
 	}
 
-	isProtected, err := git_model.IsBranchProtected(ctx, repo.ID, branchName)
+	protectedBranch, err := git_model.GetFirstMatchProtectedBranchRule(ctx, repo.ID, branchName)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	if isProtected {
+	if protectedBranch != nil {
+		protectedBranch.Repo = repo
+		if protectedBranch.CanUserDelete(ctx, doer, permissionInRepo) {
+			return nil
+		}
 		return git_model.ErrBranchIsProtected
 	}
 	return nil

services/repository/branch_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+// Copyright 2026 The Gitea Authors. All rights reserved.
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
+
+package repository
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"gitea.dev/models/db"
+	git_model "gitea.dev/models/git"
+	repo_model "gitea.dev/models/repo"
+	"gitea.dev/models/unit"
+	"gitea.dev/models/unittest"
+	user_model "gitea.dev/models/user"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestCanDeleteBranchDefaultTargets(t *testing.T) {
+	assert.NoError(t, unittest.PrepareTestDatabase())
+
+	ctx := t.Context()
+	repo := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &repo_model.Repository{ID: 1})
+	owner := unittest.AssertExistsAndLoadBean(t, &user_model.User{ID: repo.OwnerID})
+
+	rule := &git_model.ProtectedBranch{
+		RepoID: repo.ID, RuleName: "*",
+		ProtectedBranchConfig: git_model.ProtectedBranchConfig{CanPush: true, CanDelete: true},
+	}
+	require.NoError(t, db.Insert(ctx, rule))
+	assert.NoError(t, CanDeleteBranch(ctx, repo, "branch2", owner))
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, CanDeleteBranch(ctx, repo, repo.DefaultBranch, owner), ErrBranchIsDefault)
+
+	pullRequestUnit, err := repo.GetUnit(ctx, unit.TypePullRequests)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+	pullRequestConfig := pullRequestUnit.PullRequestsConfig()
+	pullRequestConfig.DefaultTargetBranch = "branch2"
+	pullRequestUnit.Config = pullRequestConfig
+	assert.NoError(t, repo_model.UpdateRepoUnitConfig(ctx, pullRequestUnit))
+	repo.Units = nil
+
+	assert.ErrorIs(t, CanDeleteBranch(ctx, repo, "branch2", owner), ErrBranchIsDefault)
+}

templates/repo/branch/list.tmpl

@@ -192,14 +192,16 @@
 										{{svg "octicon-pencil"}}
 									</button>
 								{{end}}
-								{{if and $.IsWriter $.Repository.CanContentChange (not .IsProtected)}}
+								{{if and $.IsWriter $.Repository.CanContentChange}}
 									{{if .DBBranch.IsDeleted}}
-										<button type="button" class="btn interact-bg tw-p-2 link-action restore-branch-button" data-url="{{$.Link}}/restore?branch_id={{.DBBranch.ID}}&name={{.DBBranch.Name}}" data-tooltip-content="{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.branch.restore" (.DBBranch.Name)}}">
+										{{if not .IsProtected}}
-											<span class="tw-text-blue">
+											<button type="button" class="btn interact-bg tw-p-2 link-action restore-branch-button" data-url="{{$.Link}}/restore?branch_id={{.DBBranch.ID}}&name={{.DBBranch.Name}}" data-tooltip-content="{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.branch.restore" (.DBBranch.Name)}}">
-												{{svg "octicon-reply"}}
+												<span class="tw-text-blue">
-											</span>
+													{{svg "octicon-reply"}}
-										</button>
+												</span>
-									{{else}}
+											</button>
+										{{end}}
+									{{else if .CanDelete}}
 										<button type="button" class="btn interact-bg tw-p-2 show-modal delete-branch-button tw-text-red" data-modal="#delete-branch-modal" data-modal-form.url="{{$.Link}}/delete?name={{.DBBranch.Name}}" data-tooltip-content="{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.branch.delete" (.DBBranch.Name)}}" data-modal-name="{{.DBBranch.Name}}">
 											{{svg "octicon-trash"}}
 										</button>

templates/repo/settings/protected_branch.tmpl

@@ -106,6 +106,42 @@
 						{{end}}
 					</div>
 				</div>
+				<h5 class="ui dividing header">{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.event_branch_delete"}}</h5>
+				<div class="field">
+					<div class="ui radio checkbox">
+						<input type="radio" name="enable_deletion" value="none" class="toggle-target-disabled" data-target="#deletion_allowlist_box" {{if not .Rule.CanDelete}}checked{{end}}>
+						<label>{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_disable_deletion"}}</label>
+						<p class="help">{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_disable_deletion_desc"}}</p>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+				<div class="field">
+					<div class="ui radio checkbox">
+						<input type="radio" name="enable_deletion" value="all" class="toggle-target-disabled" data-target="#deletion_allowlist_box" {{if and (.Rule.CanDelete) (not .Rule.EnableDeletionAllowlist)}}checked{{end}}>
+						<label>{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_enable_deletion_all"}}</label>
+						<p class="help">{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_enable_deletion_all_desc"}}</p>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+				<div class="grouped fields">
+					<div class="field">
+						<div class="ui radio checkbox">
+							<input type="radio" name="enable_deletion" value="whitelist" class="toggle-target-enabled" data-target="#deletion_allowlist_box" {{if and (.Rule.CanDelete) (.Rule.EnableDeletionAllowlist)}}checked{{end}}>
+							<label>{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_enable_deletion_allowlist"}}</label>
+							<p class="help">{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_enable_deletion_allowlist_desc"}}</p>
+						</div>
+					</div>
+					<div id="deletion_allowlist_box" class="grouped fields {{if not .Rule.EnableDeletionAllowlist}}disabled{{end}}">
+						<div class="checkbox-sub-item field">
+							<label>{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_deletion_allowlist_users"}}</label>
+							{{template "repo/settings/user_dropdown" (dict "Name" "deletion_allowlist_users" "Value" .deletion_allowlist_users "Users" .DeletionUsers)}}
+						</div>
+						{{if .Owner.IsOrganization}}
+							<div class="checkbox-sub-item field">
+								<label>{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_deletion_allowlist_teams"}}</label>
+								{{template "repo/settings/team_dropdown" (dict "Name" "deletion_allowlist_teams" "Value" .deletion_allowlist_teams "Teams" .Teams)}}
+							</div>
+						{{end}}
+					</div>
+				</div>
 				<h5 class="ui dividing header">{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.event_pull_request_approvals"}}</h5>
 				<div class="field">
 					<label>{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.protect_required_approvals"}}</label>

templates/swagger/v1-openapi3.generated.json

@@ -2917,6 +2917,20 @@
             "type": "string",
             "x-go-name": "Created"
           },
+          "deletion_allowlist_teams": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "type": "array",
+            "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistTeams"
+          },
+          "deletion_allowlist_usernames": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "type": "array",
+            "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistUsernames"
+          },
           "dismiss_stale_approvals": {
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "DismissStaleApprovals"
@@ -2929,6 +2943,14 @@
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "EnableBypassAllowlist"
           },
+          "enable_deletion": {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "x-go-name": "EnableDeletion"
+          },
+          "enable_deletion_allowlist": {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "x-go-name": "EnableDeletionAllowlist"
+          },
           "enable_force_push": {
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "EnableForcePush"
@@ -3817,6 +3839,20 @@
             "type": "array",
             "x-go-name": "BypassAllowlistUsernames"
           },
+          "deletion_allowlist_teams": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "type": "array",
+            "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistTeams"
+          },
+          "deletion_allowlist_usernames": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "type": "array",
+            "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistUsernames"
+          },
           "dismiss_stale_approvals": {
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "DismissStaleApprovals"
@@ -3829,6 +3865,14 @@
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "EnableBypassAllowlist"
           },
+          "enable_deletion": {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "x-go-name": "EnableDeletion"
+          },
+          "enable_deletion_allowlist": {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "x-go-name": "EnableDeletionAllowlist"
+          },
           "enable_force_push": {
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "EnableForcePush"
@@ -5372,6 +5416,20 @@
             "type": "array",
             "x-go-name": "BypassAllowlistUsernames"
           },
+          "deletion_allowlist_teams": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "type": "array",
+            "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistTeams"
+          },
+          "deletion_allowlist_usernames": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "type": "array",
+            "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistUsernames"
+          },
           "dismiss_stale_approvals": {
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "DismissStaleApprovals"
@@ -5384,6 +5442,14 @@
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "EnableBypassAllowlist"
           },
+          "enable_deletion": {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "x-go-name": "EnableDeletion"
+          },
+          "enable_deletion_allowlist": {
+            "type": "boolean",
+            "x-go-name": "EnableDeletionAllowlist"
+          },
           "enable_force_push": {
             "type": "boolean",
             "x-go-name": "EnableForcePush"

templates/swagger/v1-swagger.generated.json

@@ -25987,6 +25987,20 @@
           "format": "date-time",
           "x-go-name": "Created"
         },
+        "deletion_allowlist_teams": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "items": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistTeams"
+        },
+        "deletion_allowlist_usernames": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "items": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistUsernames"
+        },
         "dismiss_stale_approvals": {
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "DismissStaleApprovals"
@@ -25999,6 +26013,14 @@
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "EnableBypassAllowlist"
         },
+        "enable_deletion": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "x-go-name": "EnableDeletion"
+        },
+        "enable_deletion_allowlist": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "x-go-name": "EnableDeletionAllowlist"
+        },
         "enable_force_push": {
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "EnableForcePush"
@@ -26870,6 +26892,20 @@
           },
           "x-go-name": "BypassAllowlistUsernames"
         },
+        "deletion_allowlist_teams": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "items": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistTeams"
+        },
+        "deletion_allowlist_usernames": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "items": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistUsernames"
+        },
         "dismiss_stale_approvals": {
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "DismissStaleApprovals"
@@ -26882,6 +26918,14 @@
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "EnableBypassAllowlist"
         },
+        "enable_deletion": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "x-go-name": "EnableDeletion"
+        },
+        "enable_deletion_allowlist": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "x-go-name": "EnableDeletionAllowlist"
+        },
         "enable_force_push": {
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "EnableForcePush"
@@ -28451,6 +28495,20 @@
           },
           "x-go-name": "BypassAllowlistUsernames"
         },
+        "deletion_allowlist_teams": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "items": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistTeams"
+        },
+        "deletion_allowlist_usernames": {
+          "type": "array",
+          "items": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "x-go-name": "DeletionAllowlistUsernames"
+        },
         "dismiss_stale_approvals": {
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "DismissStaleApprovals"
@@ -28463,6 +28521,14 @@
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "EnableBypassAllowlist"
         },
+        "enable_deletion": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "x-go-name": "EnableDeletion"
+        },
+        "enable_deletion_allowlist": {
+          "type": "boolean",
+          "x-go-name": "EnableDeletionAllowlist"
+        },
         "enable_force_push": {
           "type": "boolean",
           "x-go-name": "EnableForcePush"

tests/integration/api_branch_test.go

@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func testAPICreateBranchProtection(t *testing.T, branchName string, expectedPrio
 	}
 }
 
-func testAPIEditBranchProtection(t *testing.T, branchName string, body *api.BranchProtection, expectedHTTPStatus int) {
+func testAPIEditBranchProtection(t *testing.T, branchName string, body any, expectedHTTPStatus int) {
 	token := getUserToken(t, "user2", auth_model.AccessTokenScopeWriteRepository)
 	req := NewRequestWithJSON(t, "PATCH", "/api/v1/repos/user2/repo1/branch_protections/"+branchName, body).
 		AddTokenAuth(token)
@@ -406,6 +406,15 @@ func testAPIBranchProtectionBasic(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// Test branch deletion
 	testAPIDeleteBranch(t, "master", http.StatusForbidden)
+	testAPICreateBranchProtection(t, "branch2", 3, http.StatusCreated)
+	testAPIDeleteBranch(t, "branch2", http.StatusForbidden)
+	testAPIEditBranchProtection(t, "branch2", &api.EditBranchProtectionOption{
+		EnablePush: new(true), EnableDeletion: new(true), EnableDeletionAllowlist: new(true),
+		DeletionAllowlistUsernames: []string{"user2"},
+	}, http.StatusOK)
+	bp = testAPIGetBranchProtection(t, "branch2", http.StatusOK)
+	assert.True(t, bp.EnableDeletion)
+	assert.Equal(t, []string{"user2"}, bp.DeletionAllowlistUsernames)
 	testAPIDeleteBranch(t, "branch2", http.StatusNoContent)
 	testAPIDeleteBranch(t, "branch2", http.StatusNotFound)        // deleted branch, there is a record in DB with IsDelete=true
 	testAPIDeleteBranch(t, "no-such-branch", http.StatusNotFound) // non-existing branch, not exist in git or DB

tests/integration/branches_test.go

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"gitea.dev/models/db"
 	repo_model "gitea.dev/models/repo"
 	"gitea.dev/models/unittest"
+	api "gitea.dev/modules/structs"
 	"gitea.dev/modules/translation"
 	"gitea.dev/tests"
 
@@ -70,3 +71,39 @@ func TestUndoDeleteBranch(t *testing.T) {
 		)
 	})
 }
+
+func TestDeleteProtectedBranchWeb(t *testing.T) {
+	onGiteaRun(t, func(t *testing.T, _ *url.URL) {
+		session := loginUser(t, "user2")
+		const branchURL = "/user2/repo1/branches/delete?name=branch2"
+		const deleteButton = `.delete-branch-button[data-modal-name="branch2"]`
+		testAPICreateBranchProtection(t, "branch2", 1, http.StatusCreated)
+
+		resp := session.MakeRequest(t, NewRequest(t, "GET", "/user2/repo1/branches"), http.StatusOK)
+		AssertHTMLElement(t, NewHTMLParser(t, resp.Body), deleteButton, 0)
+		session.MakeRequest(t, NewRequest(t, "POST", branchURL), http.StatusBadRequest)
+		MakeRequest(t, NewRequest(t, "GET", "/api/v1/repos/user2/repo1/branches/branch2"), http.StatusOK)
+
+		testAPIEditBranchProtection(t, "branch2", &api.EditBranchProtectionOption{
+			EnablePush:                 new(true),
+			EnableDeletion:             new(true),
+			EnableDeletionAllowlist:    new(true),
+			DeletionAllowlistUsernames: []string{"user2"},
+		}, http.StatusOK)
+		resp = session.MakeRequest(t, NewRequest(t, "GET", "/user2/repo1/branches"), http.StatusOK)
+		htmlDoc := NewHTMLParser(t, resp.Body)
+		AssertHTMLElement(t, htmlDoc, deleteButton, 1)
+		button := htmlDoc.doc.Find(deleteButton)
+		assert.Equal(t, "button", button.AttrOr("type", ""))
+		link, exists := button.Attr("data-modal-form.url")
+		require.True(t, exists)
+		resp = session.MakeRequest(t, NewRequest(t, "POST", link), http.StatusOK)
+		assert.JSONEq(t, `{"redirect":""}`, resp.Body.String())
+		testAPIGetBranch(t, "branch2", false)
+
+		resp = session.MakeRequest(t, NewRequest(t, "GET", "/user2/repo1/branches"), http.StatusOK)
+		htmlDoc = NewHTMLParser(t, resp.Body)
+		AssertHTMLElement(t, htmlDoc, deleteButton, 0)
+		AssertHTMLElement(t, htmlDoc, `.restore-branch-button[data-url*="name=branch2"]`, 0)
+	})
+}

tests/integration/git_general_test.go

@@ -486,6 +486,16 @@ func doBranchProtectPRMerge(baseCtx *APITestContext, dstPath string) func(t *tes
 		t.Run("MergeProtectedToToforce", doGitMerge(dstPath, "protected"))
 		t.Run("PushToProtectedBranch", doGitPushTestRepository(dstPath, "origin", "toforce:protected"))
 		t.Run("CheckoutMasterAgain", doGitCheckoutBranch(dstPath, "master"))
+
+		t.Run("CreateBranchForProtectedDeletion", doGitCreateBranch(dstPath, "protected-delete"))
+		t.Run("PushBranchForProtectedDeletion", doGitPushTestRepository(dstPath, "origin", "protected-delete"))
+		t.Run("ProtectBranchWithoutDeletion", doProtectBranch(ctx, "protected-delete", baseCtx.Username, "", "", ""))
+		t.Run("DeleteProtectedBranchDenied", doGitPushTestRepositoryFail(dstPath, "origin", "--delete", "protected-delete"))
+		t.Run("ProtectBranchWithDeletionAllowlist", doProtectBranchExt(ctx, "protected-delete", doProtectBranchOptions{
+			UserToWhitelistPush:   baseCtx.Username,
+			UserToWhitelistDelete: baseCtx.Username,
+		}))
+		t.Run("DeleteProtectedBranchAllowed", doGitPushTestRepository(dstPath, "origin", "--delete", "protected-delete"))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -499,7 +509,7 @@ func doProtectBranch(ctx APITestContext, branch, userToWhitelistPush, userToWhit
 }
 
 type doProtectBranchOptions struct {
-	UserToWhitelistPush, UserToWhitelistForcePush, UnprotectedFilePatterns, ProtectedFilePatterns string
+	UserToWhitelistPush, UserToWhitelistForcePush, UserToWhitelistDelete, UnprotectedFilePatterns, ProtectedFilePatterns string
 
 	StatusCheckPatterns []string
 }
@@ -529,6 +539,13 @@ func doProtectBranchExt(ctx APITestContext, ruleName string, opts doProtectBranc
 			formData["enable_force_push_allowlist"] = "on"
 		}
 
+		if opts.UserToWhitelistDelete != "" {
+			user, err := user_model.GetUserByName(t.Context(), opts.UserToWhitelistDelete)
+			assert.NoError(t, err)
+			formData["deletion_allowlist_users"] = strconv.FormatInt(user.ID, 10)
+			formData["enable_deletion"] = "whitelist"
+		}
+
 		if len(opts.StatusCheckPatterns) > 0 {
 			formData["enable_status_check"] = "on"
 			formData["status_check_contexts"] = strings.Join(opts.StatusCheckPatterns, "\n")