diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index 9ee9a8a09..37639908e 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -2,21 +2,25 @@ bumpMinorPreMajor: true
 handleGHRelease: true
 releaseType: java-yoshi
 branches:
-    - branch: 1.39.2-sp
-      releaseType: java-lts
-    - branch: 1.40.x
-      releaseType: java-backport
-    - branch: 1.41.x
-      releaseType: java-backport
-    - branch: 1.42.x
-      releaseType: java-backport
-    - branch: 1.43.x
-      releaseType: java-backport
-    - branch: 1.44.x
-      releaseType: java-backport
-    - branch: 1.46.x
-      releaseType: java-backport
-    - branch: 1.47.x
-      releaseType: java-backport
-    - branch: protobuf-4.x-rc
-      manifest: true
+  - branch: 1.39.2-sp
+    releaseType: java-lts
+  - branch: 1.40.x
+    releaseType: java-backport
+  - branch: 1.41.x
+    releaseType: java-backport
+  - branch: 1.42.x
+    releaseType: java-backport
+  - branch: 1.43.x
+    releaseType: java-backport
+  - branch: 1.44.x
+    releaseType: java-backport
+  - branch: 1.46.x
+    releaseType: java-backport
+  - branch: 1.47.x
+    releaseType: java-backport
+  - branch: protobuf-4.x-rc
+    manifest: true
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-backport
+    branch: 2.1.x
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index 847471c38..618f9a4b2 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -125,6 +125,19 @@ branchProtectionRules:
       - dependencies (11)
       - clirr
       - cla/google
+  - pattern: 2.1.x
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: false
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - units (8)
+      - units (11)
+      - windows
+      - dependencies (8)
+      - dependencies (11)
+      - clirr
+      - cla/google
 permissionRules:
   - team: yoshi-admins
     permission: admin