diff --git a/tools/update_required_branch_checks.py b/tools/update_required_branch_checks.py
index f65faea9ccf..50aac1901bf 100644
--- a/tools/update_required_branch_checks.py
+++ b/tools/update_required_branch_checks.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 from github import Github
 from typing import List
 
-YOUR_GITHUB_TOKEN = ''
+YOUR_GITHUB_TOKEN = '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'
 
 TARGET_REPO = 'youtube/cobalt'
 
@@ -28,21 +28,32 @@
 LATEST_LTS_RELEASE_NUMBER = 24
 
 
+def get_protected_branches() -> List[str]:
+  branches = ['main']
+  for i in range(MINIMUM_LTS_RELEASE_NUMBER, LATEST_LTS_RELEASE_NUMBER + 1):
+    branches.append(f'{i}.lts.1+')
+  return branches
+
+
 def parse_args():
   parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
+  parser.add_argument(
+      '-b',
+      '--branch',
+      action='append',
+      help='Branch to update. Can be repeated to update multiple branches.'
+      ' Defaults to all protected branches.')
   parser.add_argument(
       '--dry_run',
       action='store_true',
       default=False,
       help='Only print protection updates.')
-  return parser.parse_args()
+  args = parser.parse_args()
 
+  if not args.branch:
+    args.branch = get_protected_branches()
 
-def get_protected_branches() -> List[str]:
-  branches = ['main']
-  for i in range(MINIMUM_LTS_RELEASE_NUMBER, LATEST_LTS_RELEASE_NUMBER + 1):
-    branches.append(f'{i}.lts.1+')
-  return branches
+  return args
 
 
 def initialize_repo_connection():
@@ -92,9 +103,8 @@ def update_protection_for_branch(repo, branch: str, check_names: List[str]):
 
 def main():
   args = parse_args()
-  branches = get_protected_branches()
   repo = initialize_repo_connection()
-  for branch in branches:
+  for branch in args.branch:
     required_checks = get_required_checks_for_branch(repo, branch)
     if args.dry_run:
       print_checks(branch, required_checks)