diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 16216cd028e0448cd58fc3763a8c86579594e63e..46fea9ae10e55db139cff5470266e37be43fd0ef 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,16 +46,16 @@ variables:
 
 The semantic-release template uses some global configuration used throughout all jobs.
 
-| Input / Variable | Description                                   | Default value     |
-| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
-| `image` / `SEMREL_IMAGE` | The Docker image used to run semantic-release | `registry.hub.docker.com/library/node:latest` |
-| `version` / `SEMREL_VERSION` | The [semantic-release](https://www.npmjs.com/package/semantic-release) version to use | `latest` |
-| `exec-version` / `SEMREL_EXEC_VERSION` | The [@semantic-release/exec](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@semantic-release/exec) version to use | `latest` |
-| :lock: `GITLAB_TOKEN` | A GitLab [project access token](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/settings/project_access_tokens.html) or [personal access token](https://docs.gitlab.com/ce/user/profile/personal_access_tokens.html) with `api`, `read_repository` and `write repository` scopes. :warning: This variable is **mandatory** and [defined by `semantic-release`](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release/blob/master/docs/usage/ci-configuration.md#push-access-to-the-remote-repository) itself. | _none_ |
-| :lock: `GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL` | A Git author email address associated with the `GITLAB_TOKEN` [bot user](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/settings/project_access_tokens.html#bot-users-for-projects). This is [defined by `semantic-release`](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#git-environment-variables) itself, and **required if** the [verify-user push rules](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/repository/push_rules.html#verify-users) enabled for the project | _none_ |
-| :lock: `GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL` | A Git committer email address associated with the `GITLAB_TOKEN` [bot user](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/settings/project_access_tokens.html#bot-users-for-projects). This is [defined by `semantic-release`](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#git-environment-variables) itself, and **required if** the [verify-user push rules](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/repository/push_rules.html#verify-users) enabled for the project | _none_ |
-| `config-dir` / `SEMREL_CONFIG_DIR` |  directory containing your [semantic-release configuration](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#configuration-file) | `.` |
-| `required-plugins-file` / `SEMREL_REQUIRED_PLUGINS_FILE` | An optional file for additional npm packages to install | `semrel-required-plugins.txt` |
+| Input / Variable                                         | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Default value                                 |
+| -------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
+| `image` / `SEMREL_IMAGE`                                 | The Docker image used to run semantic-release                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | `registry.hub.docker.com/library/node:latest` |
+| `version` / `SEMREL_VERSION`                             | The [semantic-release](https://www.npmjs.com/package/semantic-release) version to use                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | `latest`                                      |
+| `exec-version` / `SEMREL_EXEC_VERSION`                   | The [@semantic-release/exec](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@semantic-release/exec) version to use                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | `latest`                                      |
+| :lock: `GITLAB_TOKEN`                                    | A GitLab [project access token](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/settings/project_access_tokens.html) or [personal access token](https://docs.gitlab.com/ce/user/profile/personal_access_tokens.html) with `api`, `read_repository` and `write repository` scopes. :warning: This variable is **mandatory** and [defined by `semantic-release`](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release/blob/master/docs/usage/ci-configuration.md#push-access-to-the-remote-repository) itself. | _none_                                        |
+| :lock: `GIT_AUTHOR_EMAIL`                                | A Git author email address associated with the `GITLAB_TOKEN` [bot user](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/settings/project_access_tokens.html#bot-users-for-projects). This is [defined by `semantic-release`](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#git-environment-variables) itself, and **required if** the [verify-user push rules](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/repository/push_rules.html#verify-users) enabled for the project          | _none_                                        |
+| :lock: `GIT_COMMITTER_EMAIL`                             | A Git committer email address associated with the `GITLAB_TOKEN` [bot user](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/settings/project_access_tokens.html#bot-users-for-projects). This is [defined by `semantic-release`](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#git-environment-variables) itself, and **required if** the [verify-user push rules](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/project/repository/push_rules.html#verify-users) enabled for the project       | _none_                                        |
+| `config-dir` / `SEMREL_CONFIG_DIR`                       | directory containing your [semantic-release configuration](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#configuration-file)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | `.`                                           |
+| `required-plugins-file` / `SEMREL_REQUIRED_PLUGINS_FILE` | An optional file for additional npm packages to install                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | `semrel-required-plugins.txt`                 |
 
 Jobs will extract required plugin packages from discovered configuration. If your configuration needs additional packages, add them, one per line, to `SEMREL_REQUIRED_PLUGINS_FILE` file. Each line must be a valid `npm install` package argument.
 
@@ -85,17 +85,18 @@ If no configuration is found, the template will generate one with the following
 
 As specified in the previous chapter, these variables are only used to generated a `.releaserc` when no configuration is found in the repository.
 
-| Input / Variable | Description                                            | Default value |
-| ------------------------------| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------- |
-| `changelog-enabled` / `SEMREL_CHANGELOG_ENABLED` | Add the [@semantic-release/changelog](https://github.com/semantic-release/changelog) plugin which will commit a changelog file in the repository if set to `true`. | _none_ |
-| `changelog-file` / `SEMREL_CHANGELOG_FILE` | [changelogFile @semantic-release/changelog option](https://github.com/semantic-release/changelog#options). | _none_ (use the plugin default value which is `CHANGELOG.md`). |
-| `changelog-title` / `SEMREL_CHANGELOG_TITLE` | [changelogTitle @semantic-release/changelog option](https://github.com/semantic-release/changelog#options). You might want to use markdown format (for example `# MyApp Changelog`). | _none_ |
-| `dry-run` / `SEMREL_DRY_RUN` | Activate the [dryRun semantic-release option](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release/blob/master/docs/usage/configuration.md#dryrun) if present. | _none_ |
-| `auto-release-enabled` / `SEMREL_AUTO_RELEASE_ENABLED` | When set to `true` the job start automatically. When not set (default), the job is manual. | _none_ |
-| `tag-format` / `SEMREL_TAG_FORMAT` | [tagFormat semantic-release option](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release/blob/master/docs/usage/configuration.md#tagformat). :warning: don't forget to double the `$` character so it is not interpreted by GitLab.                   | `$${version}` |
-| `hooks-dir` / `SEMREL_HOOKS_DIR` | [Hook scripts](#hook_scripts) folder. | `.` |
-| `commit-message` / `SEMREL_COMMIT_MESSAGE` | Add a custom commit message based on [semantic-release/git option](https://github.com/semantic-release/git#message). | _none_ (uses semantic-release default commit message) |
-| `release-disabled` / `SEMREL_RELEASE_DISABLED` | Disable this job. | _none_ |
+| Input / Variable                                       | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | Default value                                                                                                                         |
+| ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `changelog-enabled` / `SEMREL_CHANGELOG_ENABLED`       | Add the [@semantic-release/changelog](https://github.com/semantic-release/changelog) plugin which will commit a changelog file in the repository if set to `true`.                                                                  | _none_                                                                                                                                |
+| `changelog-file` / `SEMREL_CHANGELOG_FILE`             | [changelogFile @semantic-release/changelog option](https://github.com/semantic-release/changelog#options).                                                                                                                          | _none_ (use the plugin default value which is `CHANGELOG.md`).                                                                        |
+| `changelog-title` / `SEMREL_CHANGELOG_TITLE`           | [changelogTitle @semantic-release/changelog option](https://github.com/semantic-release/changelog#options). You might want to use markdown format (for example `# MyApp Changelog`).                                                | _none_                                                                                                                                |
+| `dry-run` / `SEMREL_DRY_RUN`                           | Activate the [dryRun semantic-release option](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release/blob/master/docs/usage/configuration.md#dryrun) if present.                                                                      | _none_                                                                                                                                |
+| `auto-release-enabled` / `SEMREL_AUTO_RELEASE_ENABLED` | When set to `true` the job start automatically. When not set (default), the job is manual.                                                                                                                                          | _none_                                                                                                                                |
+| `branches-ref` / `SEMREL_BRANCHES_REF`                 | Regular expression pattern matching branches from which releases should happen (should match your [semantic-release configuration](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#branches))              | `$PROD_REF` ([global _to be continuous_ variable](https://to-be-continuous.gitlab.io/doc/usage/#production-and-integration-branches)) |
+| `tag-format` / `SEMREL_TAG_FORMAT`                     | [tagFormat semantic-release option](https://github.com/semantic-release/semantic-release/blob/master/docs/usage/configuration.md#tagformat). :warning: don't forget to double the `$` character so it is not interpreted by GitLab. | `$${version}`                                                                                                                         |
+| `hooks-dir` / `SEMREL_HOOKS_DIR`                       | [Hook scripts](#hook_scripts) folder.                                                                                                                                                                                               | `.`                                                                                                                                   |
+| `commit-message` / `SEMREL_COMMIT_MESSAGE`             | Add a custom commit message based on [semantic-release/git option](https://github.com/semantic-release/git#message).                                                                                                                | _none_ (uses semantic-release default commit message)                                                                                 |
+| `release-disabled` / `SEMREL_RELEASE_DISABLED`         | Disable this job.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | _none_                                                                                                                                |
 
 #### Hook scripts
 
@@ -163,8 +164,8 @@ For an introduction on commit signing, see [GitLab documentation](https://docs.g
 
 To make semantic-release sign its commits, use the following variable.
 
-| Input / Variable | Description                                                              | Default value |
-| ---------------------| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------- |
+| Input / Variable            | Description                                                                                                                                                                                              | Default value |
+| --------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- |
 | :lock: `SEMREL_GPG_SIGNKEY` | Path to the GPG signkey exported with `gpg --armor --export-secret-key`<br/>:warning: Declare as a masked [project variable of File type](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/ci/variables/#cicd-variable-types). | _none_        |
 
 ### `semantic-release-info` job
@@ -179,7 +180,8 @@ This job (disabled by default) runs `semantic-release` with `dry-run` mode in `.
 
 This job can be enabled by defining the `SEMREL_INFO_ON` variable:
 
-* `prod` to enable on production branch only (`main` or `master` by default)
+* `prod` to enable on production branch only (`main` or `master` by default with `PROD_REF` environment variable)
+* `branches-ref` to enable on branches associated with `branches-ref` component configuration or `SEMREL_BRANCHES_REF` environment variable (`main` or `master` by default as it fallbacks on `PROD_REF` environment variable).
 * `protected` to enable on protected references
 * `all` to enable on all Git references. :warning: Beware that this job requires the `GITLAB_TOKEN` variable so you must unprotect it (this will make privilege escalation possible from developer to maintainer).
 
@@ -210,13 +212,13 @@ This variant allows delegating your secrets management to a [Vault](https://www.
 
 In order to be able to communicate with the Vault server, the variant requires the additional configuration parameters:
 
-| Input / Variable | Description                            | Default value     |
-| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- | ----------------- |
-| `TBC_VAULT_IMAGE` | The [Vault Secrets Provider](https://gitlab.com/to-be-continuous/tools/vault-secrets-provider) image to use (can be overridden) | `registry.gitlab.com/to-be-continuous/tools/vault-secrets-provider:latest` |
-| `vault-base-url` / `VAULT_BASE_URL` | The Vault server base API url          | _none_ |
-| `vault-oidc-aud` / `VAULT_OIDC_AUD` | The `aud` claim for the JWT | `$CI_SERVER_URL` |
-| :lock: `VAULT_ROLE_ID`   | The [AppRole](https://www.vaultproject.io/docs/auth/approle) RoleID | **must be defined** |
-| :lock: `VAULT_SECRET_ID` | The [AppRole](https://www.vaultproject.io/docs/auth/approle) SecretID | **must be defined** |
+| Input / Variable                    | Description                                                                                                                     | Default value                                                              |
+| ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `TBC_VAULT_IMAGE`                   | The [Vault Secrets Provider](https://gitlab.com/to-be-continuous/tools/vault-secrets-provider) image to use (can be overridden) | `registry.gitlab.com/to-be-continuous/tools/vault-secrets-provider:latest` |
+| `vault-base-url` / `VAULT_BASE_URL` | The Vault server base API url                                                                                                   | _none_                                                                     |
+| `vault-oidc-aud` / `VAULT_OIDC_AUD` | The `aud` claim for the JWT                                                                                                     | `$CI_SERVER_URL`                                                           |
+| :lock: `VAULT_ROLE_ID`              | The [AppRole](https://www.vaultproject.io/docs/auth/approle) RoleID                                                             | **must be defined**                                                        |
+| :lock: `VAULT_SECRET_ID`            | The [AppRole](https://www.vaultproject.io/docs/auth/approle) SecretID                                                           | **must be defined**                                                        |
 
 #### Usage
 
@@ -228,9 +230,9 @@ Then you may retrieve any of your secret(s) from Vault using the following synta
 
 With:
 
-| Parameter                        | Description                            |
-| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
-| `secret_path` (_path parameter_) | this is your secret location in the Vault server |
+| Parameter                        | Description                                                           |
+| -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| `secret_path` (_path parameter_) | this is your secret location in the Vault server                      |
 | `field` (_query parameter_)      | parameter to access a single basic field from the secret JSON payload |
 
 #### Example
diff --git a/kicker.json b/kicker.json
index 0828c8619b452f0a2b5668d700e7c1ab8168ddcb..b5f358326ab6cc5388ca8f765fd8f28ca120ba40 100644
--- a/kicker.json
+++ b/kicker.json
@@ -83,6 +83,12 @@
           "description": "When set the job start automatically. When not set (default), the job is manual.",
           "type": "boolean"
         },
+        {
+          "name": "SEMREL_BRANCHES_REF",
+          "description": "Regular expression pattern matching branches from which releases should happen (should match your [semantic-release configuration](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#branches))",
+          "default": "$PROD_REF",
+          "advanced": true
+        },
         {
           "name": "SEMREL_HOOKS_DIR",
           "description": "Hook scripts folder.",
@@ -111,7 +117,7 @@
           "name": "SEMREL_INFO_ON",
           "description": "Define on which branch(es) the job shall be run",
           "type": "enum",
-          "values": ["", "prod", "protected", "all"],
+          "values": ["", "prod", "branches-ref", "protected", "all"],
           "mandatory": true
         }
       ]
diff --git a/templates/gitlab-ci-semrel.yml b/templates/gitlab-ci-semrel.yml
index 250daeff426d5a0985cfa3547df3880d37dd7398..2e235cc802b2553168def1adea42c83687e646ab 100644
--- a/templates/gitlab-ci-semrel.yml
+++ b/templates/gitlab-ci-semrel.yml
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ spec:
     version:
       description: The [semantic-release](https://www.npmjs.com/package/semantic-release) version to use
       default: latest
+    branches-ref:
+      description: Regular expression pattern matching branches from which releases should happen (should match your [semantic-release configuration](https://semantic-release.gitbook.io/semantic-release/usage/configuration#branches))
+      default: $PROD_REF
     exec-version:
       description: The [@semantic-release/exec](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@semantic-release/exec) version to use
       default: latest
@@ -67,6 +70,7 @@ spec:
       options:
       - ''
       - prod
+      - branches-ref
       - protected
       - all
       default: ''
@@ -128,6 +132,7 @@ variables:
 
   # default production ref name (pattern)
   PROD_REF: /^(master|main)$/
+  SEMREL_BRANCHES_REF: $[[ inputs.branches-ref ]]
 
 stages:
   - build
@@ -704,6 +709,7 @@ semantic-release-info:
     - if: $CI_COMMIT_TAG
       when: never
     - if: '$SEMREL_INFO_ON == "prod" && $CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME =~ $PROD_REF'
+    - if: '$SEMREL_INFO_ON == "branches-ref" && $CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME =~ $SEMREL_BRANCHES_REF'
     - if: '$SEMREL_INFO_ON == "protected" && $CI_COMMIT_REF_PROTECTED == "true"'
     - if: '$SEMREL_INFO_ON == "all"'
 
@@ -720,9 +726,11 @@ semantic-release:
       when: never
     - if: $CI_COMMIT_TAG
       when: never
-    # on production branch(es): auto if SEMREL_AUTO_RELEASE_ENABLED
-    - if: '$SEMREL_AUTO_RELEASE_ENABLED == "true" && $CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME =~ $PROD_REF'
-    # on production branch(es): manual by default
-    - if: '$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME =~ $PROD_REF'
-      when: manual
+    # exclude if branch doesn't match $SEMREL_BRANCHES_REF
+    - if: '$CI_COMMIT_REF_NAME !~ $SEMREL_BRANCHES_REF'
+      when: never
+    # if $SEMREL_AUTO_RELEASE_ENABLED: auto
+    - if: '$SEMREL_AUTO_RELEASE_ENABLED == "true"'
+    # else manual
+    - when: manual
       allow_failure: true