diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f437f0a..c61344e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -145,3 +145,33 @@ ansible-playbook -vv -i inventory -e update_files_commit_file=/path/to/git-commi
 NOTE: This process may create multiple commits if you need to make edits to an
 existing PR.  Use the `Squash commits and merge` functionality in the github PR
 to merge.
+
+# Manage Branch Protection Rules
+
+The playbook `playbooks/update_branch_protection_rules.yml` is used to manage
+branch protection rules for the `main` branch.  The default rules are specified
+in `branchProtectionRules` in `inventory/group_vars/active_roles.yml`. The
+additional status checks for python code are specified in
+`python_status_check_contexts` in `inventory/group_vars/python_roles.yml`.  The
+additional status checks for shell code are specified in
+`shellcheck_status_check_contexts` in
+`inventory/group_vars/shellcheck_roles.yml`.
+
+These use the github graphql api https://docs.github.com/en/graphql.  The
+graphql files are in the `playbooks/graphql_files/` directory.
+
+The general strategy is to get the existing role rules.  If they are different
+than the specified rules, delete them and add the specified rules.
+
+There aren't any parameters, but if you use `-vvv` or higher verbosity,
+you can see the data being sent and received.
+
+*NOTE WELL*: This playbook does not create PRs - it modifies the role
+configuration directly - so be careful.
+
+## Run it
+
+Run it like this:
+```
+ansible-playbook -vv -i inventory playbooks/update_branch_protection_rules.yml
+```
diff --git a/inventory/group_vars/active_roles.yml b/inventory/group_vars/active_roles.yml
index 8ddecdf..a231567 100644
--- a/inventory/group_vars/active_roles.yml
+++ b/inventory/group_vars/active_roles.yml
@@ -28,3 +28,39 @@ lsr_name: linux_system_roles
 lsr_role_namespace: linux_system_roles  # for ansible-lint
 gha_checkout_action: actions/checkout@v3
 tox_lsr_url: "git+https://github.com/linux-system-roles/tox-lsr@2.13.2"
+default_status_check_contexts:
+  - ansible_lint
+  - ansible_managed_var_comment
+  - ansible_plugin_scan
+  - ansible_test
+  - Fedora-37/ansible-2.14/(citool)
+  - Fedora-37/ansible-2.9/(citool)
+  - Fedora-36/ansible-2.14/(citool)
+  - Fedora-36/ansible-2.9/(citool)
+# https://docs.github.com/en/graphql/reference/objects#branchprotectionrule
+isAdminEnforced: false
+branchProtectionRules:
+  - allowsDeletions: false
+    allowsForcePushes: false
+    blocksCreations: false
+    dismissesStaleReviews: true
+    isAdminEnforced: "{{ isAdminEnforced }}"
+    lockAllowsFetchAndMerge: false
+    lockBranch: false
+    pattern: main
+    requireLastPushApproval: true
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts: "{{ default_status_check_contexts +
+      status_check_contexts | d([]) +
+      python_status_check_contexts | d([]) +
+      shellcheck_status_check_contexts | d([]) | unique |
+      sort(case_sensitive=false) }}"
+    requiresApprovingReviews: true
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresCommitSignatures: true
+    requiresConversationResolution: false
+    requiresLinearHistory: true
+    requiresStatusChecks: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: true
+    restrictsPushes: false
+    restrictsReviewDismissals: false
diff --git a/inventory/group_vars/python_roles.yml b/inventory/group_vars/python_roles.yml
index dd6aa8c..c477c0c 100644
--- a/inventory/group_vars/python_roles.yml
+++ b/inventory/group_vars/python_roles.yml
@@ -3,3 +3,12 @@ present_python_templates:
   - .github/workflows/codeql.yml
   - .github/workflows/python-unit-test.yml
 absent_python_files: []
+# these are additional status checks for python code
+python_status_check_contexts:
+  - CodeQL
+  - python (2.7, ubuntu-20.04)
+  - python (3.6, ubuntu-20.04)
+  - python (3.8, ubuntu-latest)
+  - python (3.9, ubuntu-latest)
+  - python (3.10, ubuntu-latest)
+  - python (3.11, ubuntu-latest)
diff --git a/inventory/group_vars/shellcheck_roles.yml b/inventory/group_vars/shellcheck_roles.yml
index 41d0dbc..1a527f5 100644
--- a/inventory/group_vars/shellcheck_roles.yml
+++ b/inventory/group_vars/shellcheck_roles.yml
@@ -3,3 +3,6 @@ present_shellcheck_templates:
   - .github/workflows/shellcheck.yml
 absent_shellcheck_files:
   - .github/workflows/differential-shellcheck.yml
+# these are additional status checks for shell code
+shellcheck_status_check_contexts:
+  - shellcheck
diff --git a/inventory/host_vars/cockpit.yml b/inventory/host_vars/cockpit.yml
index 396e3cb..d95f0d5 100644
--- a/inventory/host_vars/cockpit.yml
+++ b/inventory/host_vars/cockpit.yml
@@ -2,3 +2,5 @@ github_actions:
   weekly_ci:
     schedule:
       - cron: "0 12 * * 6"
+# branch protection
+isAdminEnforced: true
diff --git a/inventory/host_vars/network.yml b/inventory/host_vars/network.yml
index e74bbe8..93a277c 100644
--- a/inventory/host_vars/network.yml
+++ b/inventory/host_vars/network.yml
@@ -44,3 +44,12 @@ yamllint:
         /tests/tests_bond_cloned_mac_initscripts.yml
         /tests/tests_bridge_cloned_mac_initscripts.yml
         /tests/tests_bridge_cloned_mac_nm.yml
+# these are added to the list of default status check contexts
+status_check_contexts:
+  - DCO
+  - markdownlint
+  - integration (c8s)
+  - integration (c9s)
+  - integration (c7)
+  - python-26
+  - woke
diff --git a/playbooks/graphql_files/create_branch_protection_rules.graphql b/playbooks/graphql_files/create_branch_protection_rules.graphql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..958efac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/playbooks/graphql_files/create_branch_protection_rules.graphql
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+mutation {
+    createBranchProtectionRule(input:{
+{% for key, value in bpr.items() %}
+        {{ key }}:{{ value | to_nice_json }},
+{% endfor %}
+        repositoryId:"{{ repo.id }}"
+    }) {
+        branchProtectionRule {
+            id
+            allowsForcePushes
+        }
+        clientMutationId
+    }
+}
diff --git a/playbooks/graphql_files/delete_branch_protection_rules.graphql b/playbooks/graphql_files/delete_branch_protection_rules.graphql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..52ca317
--- /dev/null
+++ b/playbooks/graphql_files/delete_branch_protection_rules.graphql
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+mutation {
+    deleteBranchProtectionRule(input:{
+        branchProtectionRuleId:"{{ bpr_id }}"
+    }) {
+        clientMutationId
+    }
+}
diff --git a/playbooks/graphql_files/get_branch_protection_rules.graphql b/playbooks/graphql_files/get_branch_protection_rules.graphql
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b3681f4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/playbooks/graphql_files/get_branch_protection_rules.graphql
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+query {
+    repository(owner:"{{ github_org }}", name:"{{ inventory_hostname }}") {
+        id
+        branchProtectionRules(first:50) {
+            edges {
+                node {
+                    id
+{% for param in __bpr_fields %}
+                    {{ param }}
+{% endfor %}
+{#
+                    requiredStatusChecks {
+                      context
+                      app {
+                        createdAt
+                        databaseId
+                        description
+                        logoBackgroundColor
+                        logoUrl
+                        name
+                        slug
+                        updatedAt
+                        url
+                      }
+                    }
+#}
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-lint.yml b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-lint.yml
index 27a472a..8ed0a44 100644
--- a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-lint.yml
+++ b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-lint.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+  merge_group:
   workflow_dispatch:
 permissions:
   contents: read
diff --git a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-managed-var-comment.yml b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-managed-var-comment.yml
index b90852f..3fbf949 100644
--- a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-managed-var-comment.yml
+++ b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-managed-var-comment.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+  merge_group:
   workflow_dispatch:
 permissions:
   contents: read
diff --git a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-plugin-scan.yml b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-plugin-scan.yml
index 382c5eb..00c4054 100644
--- a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-plugin-scan.yml
+++ b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-plugin-scan.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+  merge_group:
   workflow_dispatch:
 permissions:
   contents: read
diff --git a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-test.yml b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-test.yml
index b905ff7..9cd7b24 100644
--- a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-test.yml
+++ b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/ansible-test.yml
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+  merge_group:
   workflow_dispatch:
 env:
   LSR_ROLE2COLL_NAMESPACE: {{ lsr_namespace }}
diff --git a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/codeql.yml b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
index c72b306..f7e2ae9 100644
--- a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
+++ b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/codeql.yml
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
       - checks_requested
   schedule:
 {{ github_actions.codeql.schedule | to_nice_yaml(indent=2) | indent(width=4, first=true) -}}
+  workflow_dispatch:
 jobs:
   analyze:
     name: Analyze
diff --git a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/markdownlint.yml b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/markdownlint.yml
index d47b063..7f67606 100644
--- a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/markdownlint.yml
+++ b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/markdownlint.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+  merge_group:
   workflow_dispatch:
 permissions:
   contents: read
diff --git a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/python-unit-test.yml b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/python-unit-test.yml
index 5731f8f..2b644c4 100644
--- a/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/python-unit-test.yml
+++ b/playbooks/templates/.github/workflows/python-unit-test.yml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ on:  # yamllint disable-line rule:truthy
   push:
     branches:
       - main
+  merge_group:
   workflow_dispatch:
 permissions:
   contents: read
diff --git a/playbooks/update_branch_protection_rules.yml b/playbooks/update_branch_protection_rules.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c4ad217
--- /dev/null
+++ b/playbooks/update_branch_protection_rules.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+# use the graphql variable names
+- name: Manage branch protection rules
+  hosts: active_roles
+  connection: local
+  gather_facts: false
+  tasks:
+    - name: Get gh config file
+      slurp:
+        path: "{{ lookup('env', 'HOME') ~ '/.config/gh/hosts.yml' }}"
+      register: gh_cfg_file
+
+    - name: Get token
+      set_fact:
+        token: "{{ cfg_dict['github.com']['oauth_token'] }}"
+      vars:
+        cfg_dict: "{{ gh_cfg_file.content | b64decode | from_yaml }}"
+
+    - name: Get Branch Protection Rules
+      uri:
+        url: https://api.github.com/graphql
+        method: POST
+        headers:
+          content-type: "application/json"
+          authorization: "Bearer {{ token }}"
+          X-Github-Next-Global-ID: "1"
+        body_format: json
+        body:
+          query: "{{ lookup('template', 'graphql_files/get_branch_protection_rules.graphql') }}"
+          # variables: "{{ lookup('template', './test_vars.yml') | from_yaml | to_nice_json }}"
+      vars:
+        __bpr_fields: "{{ (branchProtectionRules | first).keys() | list }}"
+      register: __query_result
+
+    - name: Result
+      debug:
+        msg: "{{ __query_result.json.data | to_nice_json }}"
+        verbosity: 3
+
+    - name: Convert result to canonical format
+      set_fact:
+        repo: |
+          {% set __repo = {} %}
+          {% for key, value in __query_result.json.data.repository.items() %}
+          {%   if key == "branchProtectionRules" %}
+          {%     set _ = __repo.update({key: []})%}
+          {%     for edge in value["edges"] %}
+          {%       if "node" in edge %}
+          {%         set _ = __repo[key].append(edge["node"]) %}
+          {%       endif %}
+          {%     endfor %}
+          {%   else %}
+          {%     set _ = __repo.update({key: value})%}
+          {%   endif %}
+          {% endfor %}
+          {{ __repo }}
+
+    - name: Show converted result
+      debug:
+        msg: repo {{ repo | to_nice_json }} bpr {{ branchProtectionRules | to_nice_json }}
+        verbosity: 3
+
+    - name: Update Branch Protection Rules if needed
+      vars:
+        __expected: "{{ branchProtectionRules | sort(attribute='pattern') | map('combine', {'id': ''}) }}"
+        __actual: "{{ repo.branchProtectionRules | sort(attribute='pattern') | map('combine', {'id': ''}) }}"
+      when: __expected != __actual
+      block:
+        - name: Remove existing rules
+          uri:
+            url: https://api.github.com/graphql
+            method: POST
+            headers:
+              content-type: "application/json"
+              authorization: "Bearer {{ token }}"
+              X-Github-Next-Global-ID: "1"
+            body_format: json
+            body:
+              query: "{{ lookup('template', 'graphql_files/delete_branch_protection_rules.graphql') }}"
+              # variables: "{{ lookup('template', './test_vars.yml') | from_yaml | to_nice_json }}"
+          register: __delete_result
+          vars:
+            bpr_id: "{{ item.id }}"
+          loop: "{{ repo.branchProtectionRules }}"
+
+        - name: Show delete result
+          debug:
+            msg: __delete_result {{ __delete_result.json.data | to_nice_json }}
+            verbosity: 3
+          when: __delete_result.json is defined
+
+        - name: Add expected rules
+          uri:
+            url: https://api.github.com/graphql
+            method: POST
+            headers:
+              content-type: "application/json"
+              authorization: "Bearer {{ token }}"
+              X-Github-Next-Global-ID: "1"
+            body_format: json
+            body:
+              query: "{{ lookup('template', 'graphql_files/create_branch_protection_rules.graphql') }}"
+              # variables: "{{ lookup('template', './test_vars.yml') | from_yaml | to_nice_json }}"
+          register: __create_result
+          loop: "{{ branchProtectionRules }}"
+          loop_control:
+            loop_var: bpr
+
+        - name: Show create result
+          debug:
+            msg: "{{ __create_result.json.data | to_nice_json }}"
+            verbosity: 3
+          when: __create_result.json is defined