diff --git a/.asf.yaml b/.asf.yaml
index 4b2b7db2..906b5f3b 100644
--- a/.asf.yaml
+++ b/.asf.yaml
@@ -23,11 +23,15 @@ github:
     - build-management
     - maven-plugins
     - maven
+  protected_branches:
+    master: { }
+    maven-plugin-testing-3.x: { }
+  pull_requests:
+    del_branch_on_merge: true
   enabled_merge_buttons:
     squash: true
     merge: false
     rebase: true
-  del_branch_on_merge: true
   features:
     issues: true
 notifications: