diff --git a/.autorc b/.autorc
index ec96f3f..74010ab 100644
--- a/.autorc
+++ b/.autorc
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@
     "noVersionPrefix": false,
     "plugins": [
         "git-tag",
-        "released"
+        "released",
+        "protected-branch",
+        "first-time-contributor"
     ]
 }
diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yaml b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
index 3b743cb..7b09055 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yaml
@@ -25,3 +25,4 @@ jobs:
         run: ~/auto shipit -vv
         env:
           GH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NB_PAT_RELEASE }}
+          PROTECTED_BRANCH_REVIEWER_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NB_PAT_RELEASE }}