diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index 59f5032..f2dcce3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ jobs:
             echo "use_pixi=false" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           fi
 
-  # Job 3: Test Suite - UV Workflow
+  # Job 3.1: Test Suite - UV Workflow
   # Traditional Python testing with uv for projects without pixi
   test-uv:
     needs: detect-test-strategy
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           pytest -v || if [ $? -eq 5 ]; then exit 0; else exit $?; fi
 
-  # Job 4: Test Suite - Pixi Workflow
+  # Job 3.2: Test Suite - Pixi Workflow
   # Pixi-based testing for projects using pixi.toml
   test-pixi:
     needs: detect-test-strategy
@@ -136,7 +136,28 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           pixi run -e ${{ matrix.environment }} test || if [ $? -eq 5 ]; then exit 0; else exit $?; fi
 
-  # Job 5: Build Verification
+  # Job 3.3: Test Suite - Complete
+  # Unified test status for branch protection
+  test:
+    if: always()
+    needs: [detect-test-strategy, test-uv, test-pixi]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Check test results
+        run: |
+          uv_result="${{ needs.test-uv.result }}"
+          pixi_result="${{ needs.test-pixi.result }}"
+          # One should succeed, the other should be skipped
+          if [ "$uv_result" == "success" ] || [ "$uv_result" == "skipped" ]; then
+            if [ "$pixi_result" == "success" ] || [ "$pixi_result" == "skipped" ]; then
+              echo "All tests passed!"
+              exit 0
+            fi
+          fi
+          echo "Tests failed: uv=$uv_result, pixi=$pixi_result"
+          exit 1
+
+  # Job 4: Build Verification
   # Ensures the package can be built successfully
   build:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -172,5 +193,5 @@ jobs:
         # This ensures the package is usable after installation
         run: ap --help
 
-  # Job 6: Type Check
+  # Job 5: Type Check
   # typecheck:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3738151..0888f04 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -85,5 +85,5 @@ ap init
 
 
 ---
-## *Mission*
+## *Our Mission*
 > Only by making package maintenance and documentation easy can we encourage more Python developers to publish their own packages and grow the ecosystem even further.
diff --git a/afterpython/cli/commands/build.py b/afterpython/cli/commands/build.py
index dc592ce..3e1c43d 100644
--- a/afterpython/cli/commands/build.py
+++ b/afterpython/cli/commands/build.py
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def _clean_build_directory():
     _check_initialized()
     _clean_build_directory()
 
-    if os.getenv("AP_MOLAB_BADGE", "0") == "1":
+    if os.getenv("AP_MOLAB_BADGE", "1") == "1":
         for content_type in CONTENT_TYPES:
             add_molab_badge_to_jupyter_notebooks(content_type)
 
diff --git a/afterpython/cli/commands/init_branch_rules.py b/afterpython/cli/commands/init_branch_rules.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cf8879b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/afterpython/cli/commands/init_branch_rules.py
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+import click
+
+
+@click.command()
+def init_branch_rules():
+    """Create default branch protection rules for the current repository"""
+    from afterpython.tools.branch_rules import create_default_branch_rules
+
+    create_default_branch_rules()
diff --git a/afterpython/cli/main.py b/afterpython/cli/main.py
index 3f97011..3f09209 100644
--- a/afterpython/cli/main.py
+++ b/afterpython/cli/main.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 from afterpython.cli.commands.commit import commit
 from afterpython.cli.commands.bump import bump
 from afterpython.cli.commands.release import release
+from afterpython.cli.commands.init_branch_rules import init_branch_rules
 
 
 @tui(command="tui", help="Open terminal UI")
@@ -70,3 +71,4 @@ def afterpython_group(ctx):
 afterpython_group.add_command(commit)
 afterpython_group.add_command(bump)
 afterpython_group.add_command(release)
+afterpython_group.add_command(init_branch_rules)
diff --git a/afterpython/doc/package_maintenance/ci_cd.md b/afterpython/doc/package_maintenance/ci_cd.md
index 55abffe..3e0ff39 100644
--- a/afterpython/doc/package_maintenance/ci_cd.md
+++ b/afterpython/doc/package_maintenance/ci_cd.md
@@ -22,6 +22,26 @@ Deploys your project website to GitHub Pages.
 ### `dependabot.yml` (optional)
 Automatically updates GitHub Actions versions.
 
+
+---
+## Branch Protection Rules
+To create default branch protection rules:
+1. install GitHub CLI
+    - on macOS: `brew install gh`
+    - on Linux: https://github.com/cli/cli/releases
+    - on Windows: https://cli.github.com/
+2. authenticate with GitHub CLI by running `gh auth login`
+3. run `ap init-branch-rules`, this will create **3 branch protection rules** (a ruleset named `afterpython-default`) for your `main` branch.
+    - No Force Pushes
+        - Prevents overwriting history on the main branch.
+	- No Branch Deletion
+        - Protects the main branch from being deleted.
+	- CI Status Checks (before the branch can be updated)
+        - Requires all configured CI checks to pass before any update (push or PR merge) is allowed.
+
+You can view them in **GitHub → Settings → Rules → Rulesets**
+
+
 ---
 ## Security Scanning 🚧
 
diff --git a/afterpython/doc/quickstart.md b/afterpython/doc/quickstart.md
index 665b02e..d06bb49 100644
--- a/afterpython/doc/quickstart.md
+++ b/afterpython/doc/quickstart.md
@@ -24,6 +24,11 @@ The structure of `afterpython/` is as follows:
 - `afterpython/example/`
 - `afterpython/guide/`
 
+:::{note} Default Branch Protection Rules
+Default branch protection rules can be created by running `ap init-branch-rules`. See [](package_maintenance/ci_cd.md#branch-protection-rules) for more details.
+:::
+
+
 ---
 ## Project Website
 A project website is basically a website that serves as the **homepage for your project**.
diff --git a/afterpython/doc/references/environment_variables.md b/afterpython/doc/references/environment_variables.md
index 09dc517..8e4a088 100644
--- a/afterpython/doc/references/environment_variables.md
+++ b/afterpython/doc/references/environment_variables.md
@@ -5,4 +5,4 @@
 
 ---
 ## `AP_MOLAB_BADGE`
-> Default: `0`. If set to `1`, automatically adds Molab badges to Jupyter notebooks.
+> Default: `1`. If set to `1`, automatically adds Molab badges to Jupyter notebooks.
diff --git a/afterpython/templates/ci-workflow-template.yml b/afterpython/templates/ci-workflow-template.yml
index 59f5032..f2dcce3 100644
--- a/afterpython/templates/ci-workflow-template.yml
+++ b/afterpython/templates/ci-workflow-template.yml
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ jobs:
             echo "use_pixi=false" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
           fi
 
-  # Job 3: Test Suite - UV Workflow
+  # Job 3.1: Test Suite - UV Workflow
   # Traditional Python testing with uv for projects without pixi
   test-uv:
     needs: detect-test-strategy
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           pytest -v || if [ $? -eq 5 ]; then exit 0; else exit $?; fi
 
-  # Job 4: Test Suite - Pixi Workflow
+  # Job 3.2: Test Suite - Pixi Workflow
   # Pixi-based testing for projects using pixi.toml
   test-pixi:
     needs: detect-test-strategy
@@ -136,7 +136,28 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           pixi run -e ${{ matrix.environment }} test || if [ $? -eq 5 ]; then exit 0; else exit $?; fi
 
-  # Job 5: Build Verification
+  # Job 3.3: Test Suite - Complete
+  # Unified test status for branch protection
+  test:
+    if: always()
+    needs: [detect-test-strategy, test-uv, test-pixi]
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Check test results
+        run: |
+          uv_result="${{ needs.test-uv.result }}"
+          pixi_result="${{ needs.test-pixi.result }}"
+          # One should succeed, the other should be skipped
+          if [ "$uv_result" == "success" ] || [ "$uv_result" == "skipped" ]; then
+            if [ "$pixi_result" == "success" ] || [ "$pixi_result" == "skipped" ]; then
+              echo "All tests passed!"
+              exit 0
+            fi
+          fi
+          echo "Tests failed: uv=$uv_result, pixi=$pixi_result"
+          exit 1
+
+  # Job 4: Build Verification
   # Ensures the package can be built successfully
   build:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
@@ -172,5 +193,5 @@ jobs:
         # This ensures the package is usable after installation
         run: ap --help
 
-  # Job 6: Type Check
+  # Job 5: Type Check
   # typecheck:
diff --git a/afterpython/tools/_git.py b/afterpython/tools/_git.py
index 5a70b93..0f54d6e 100644
--- a/afterpython/tools/_git.py
+++ b/afterpython/tools/_git.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def get_github_url() -> str | None:
         return None
 
 
-def setup_github_auth():
+def is_gh_authenticated():
     """Guide user through GitHub authentication."""
     if not has_gh():
         print("""
@@ -89,7 +89,6 @@ def setup_github_auth():
         """)
         return False
 
-    print("✓ GitHub authentication verified")
     return True
 
 
diff --git a/afterpython/tools/branch_rules.py b/afterpython/tools/branch_rules.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a79b478
--- /dev/null
+++ b/afterpython/tools/branch_rules.py
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+"""
+Branch protection rules for AfterPython projects.
+Uses gh CLI to create GitHub rulesets.
+"""
+
+import json
+import subprocess
+from copy import deepcopy
+
+from afterpython.tools._git import is_gh_authenticated
+
+
+DEFAULT_RULESET = {
+    "name": "afterpython-default",  # The ruleset identifier in GitHub
+    "target": "branch",  # This ruleset applies to branches (not tags)
+    "enforcement": "active",  # Rules are enforced (vs "disabled" or "evaluate")
+    "conditions": {  # Which branches this ruleset applies to
+        "ref_name": {
+            "include": ["refs/heads/main"],  # Only protect the 'main' branch
+            "exclude": [],  # No exclusions
+        }
+    },
+    "rules": [  # Array of protection rules
+        # Rule 1: No Force Pushes
+        {"type": "non_fast_forward"},  # Prevents git push --force
+        # Rule 2: No Branch Deletion
+        {"type": "deletion"},  # Prevents branch from being deleted
+        # Rule 3: CI Status Checks
+        {
+            "type": "required_status_checks",
+            "parameters": {
+                "required_status_checks": [
+                    {"context": "lint"},
+                    {"context": "test"},
+                    {"context": "build"},
+                ],
+                # The PR branch must be up to date with the base branch (main) before merging
+                "strict_required_status_checks_policy": True,
+            },
+        },
+    ],
+}
+
+
+def list_rulesets() -> list[dict] | None:
+    """
+    List existing rulesets for the current repository.
+
+    Returns:
+        List of rulesets or None if error
+    """
+    if not is_gh_authenticated():
+        return None
+
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["gh", "api", "repos/{owner}/{repo}/rulesets"],
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+    )
+
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        print(f"Error listing rulesets: {result.stderr}")
+        return None
+
+    try:
+        return json.loads(result.stdout)
+    except json.JSONDecodeError:
+        print("Error: Failed to parse rulesets JSON")
+        return None
+
+
+def create_default_branch_rules(branch: str = "main") -> bool:
+    if not is_gh_authenticated():
+        return False
+
+    # Check if ruleset already exists
+    existing_rulesets = list_rulesets()
+    if existing_rulesets:
+        print(f"Ruleset '{DEFAULT_RULESET['name']}' already exists.")
+        return False
+
+    # Build payload
+    payload = deepcopy(DEFAULT_RULESET)
+    if branch != "main":
+        payload["conditions"]["ref_name"]["include"] = [f"refs/heads/{branch}"]
+
+    # Create ruleset
+    result = subprocess.run(
+        ["gh", "api", "-X", "POST", "repos/{owner}/{repo}/rulesets", "--input", "-"],
+        input=json.dumps(payload),
+        capture_output=True,
+        text=True,
+    )
+
+    if result.returncode != 0:
+        print(f"Error creating ruleset: {result.stderr}")
+        return False
+
+    print(f"✓ Created branch ruleset '{DEFAULT_RULESET['name']}' for {branch=}")
+    return True
diff --git a/afterpython/tools/github_actions.py b/afterpython/tools/github_actions.py
index 793d807..cd14358 100644
--- a/afterpython/tools/github_actions.py
+++ b/afterpython/tools/github_actions.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def _copy_github_template(template_name: str, target_path: Path):
         )
 
     shutil.copy(template_path, target_path)
-    click.echo(f"Created {target_path}")
+    print(f"Created {target_path}")
 
 
 def create_workflow(workflow_name: str):