diff --git a/.github/release-please.yml b/.github/release-please.yml
index 72ef01bed..f35b7ebdb 100644
--- a/.github/release-please.yml
+++ b/.github/release-please.yml
@@ -6,3 +6,7 @@ branches:
     bumpMinorPreMajor: true
     branch: 1.10.1-sp
     handleGHRelease: true
+  - bumpMinorPreMajor: true
+    handleGHRelease: true
+    releaseType: java-yoshi
+    branch: java7
diff --git a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
index 7c26125bd..c4edd6e37 100644
--- a/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
+++ b/.github/sync-repo-settings.yaml
@@ -20,6 +20,15 @@ branchProtectionRules:
     requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
     requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
     requiresStrictStatusChecks: true
+  - pattern: java7
+    isAdminEnforced: true
+    requiredStatusCheckContexts:
+      - units
+      - format
+      - cla/google
+    requiredApprovingReviewCount: 1
+    requiresCodeOwnerReviews: true
+    requiresStrictStatusChecks: true
 permissionRules:
   - team: Googlers
     permission: pull