diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
index 8da2a452..69312dfc 100644
--- a/.github/dependabot.yml
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ updates:
     directory: /
     schedule:
       interval: daily
+    target-branch: "main"
     allow:
       - dependency-type: direct
     versioning-strategy: increase-if-necessary
diff --git a/.github/settings.yml b/.github/settings.yml
index adbef7e6..c7428712 100644
--- a/.github/settings.yml
+++ b/.github/settings.yml
@@ -15,32 +15,7 @@ branches:
     protection:
       required_status_checks: null
       enforce_admins: true
-      required_pull_request_reviews:
-        required_approving_review_count: 1
-        require_code_owner_reviews: true
-        require_last_push_approval: true
-        dismiss_stale_reviews: true
-      restrictions:
-        apps: []
-        users: []
-        teams: [ "cli-team" ]
-  - name: latest
-    protection:
-      required_status_checks: null
-      enforce_admins: true
-      required_pull_request_reviews:
-        required_approving_review_count: 1
-        require_code_owner_reviews: true
-        require_last_push_approval: true
-        dismiss_stale_reviews: true
-      restrictions:
-        apps: []
-        users: []
-        teams: [ "cli-team" ]
-  - name: release/v*
-    protection:
-      required_status_checks: null
-      enforce_admins: true
+      block_creations: true
       required_pull_request_reviews:
         required_approving_review_count: 1
         require_code_owner_reviews: true
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index c8a46942..5969dbda 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
   },
   "templateOSS": {
     "//@npmcli/template-oss": "This file is partially managed by @npmcli/template-oss. Edits may be overwritten.",
-    "version": "4.17.0",
+    "version": "4.18.0",
     "windowsCI": false,
     "macCI": false,
     "ciVersions": [