diff --git a/integrations/api_repo_get_contents_list_test.go b/integrations/api_repo_get_contents_list_test.go
index 4605ccf4d..abc4f42cf 100644
--- a/integrations/api_repo_get_contents_list_test.go
+++ b/integrations/api_repo_get_contents_list_test.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/context"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	api "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
 
@@ -71,15 +72,18 @@ func testAPIGetContentsList(t *testing.T, u *url.URL) {
 
 	// Make a new branch in repo1
 	newBranch := "test_branch"
-	repo1.CreateNewBranch(user2, repo1.DefaultBranch, newBranch)
+	err := repo_module.CreateNewBranch(user2, repo1, repo1.DefaultBranch, newBranch)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	// Get the commit ID of the default branch
-	gitRepo, _ := git.OpenRepository(repo1.RepoPath())
+	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(repo1.RepoPath())
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	defer gitRepo.Close()
 
 	commitID, _ := gitRepo.GetBranchCommitID(repo1.DefaultBranch)
 	// Make a new tag in repo1
 	newTag := "test_tag"
-	gitRepo.CreateTag(newTag, commitID)
+	err = gitRepo.CreateTag(newTag, commitID)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	/*** END SETUP ***/
 
 	// ref is default ref
diff --git a/integrations/api_repo_get_contents_test.go b/integrations/api_repo_get_contents_test.go
index 77a827ec6..184e76831 100644
--- a/integrations/api_repo_get_contents_test.go
+++ b/integrations/api_repo_get_contents_test.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/context"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	api "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
 
@@ -72,15 +73,19 @@ func testAPIGetContents(t *testing.T, u *url.URL) {
 
 	// Make a new branch in repo1
 	newBranch := "test_branch"
-	repo1.CreateNewBranch(user2, repo1.DefaultBranch, newBranch)
+	err := repo_module.CreateNewBranch(user2, repo1, repo1.DefaultBranch, newBranch)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	// Get the commit ID of the default branch
-	gitRepo, _ := git.OpenRepository(repo1.RepoPath())
+	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(repo1.RepoPath())
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	defer gitRepo.Close()
 
-	commitID, _ := gitRepo.GetBranchCommitID(repo1.DefaultBranch)
+	commitID, err := gitRepo.GetBranchCommitID(repo1.DefaultBranch)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	// Make a new tag in repo1
 	newTag := "test_tag"
-	gitRepo.CreateTag(newTag, commitID)
+	err = gitRepo.CreateTag(newTag, commitID)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	/*** END SETUP ***/
 
 	// ref is default ref
diff --git a/models/repo_branch.go b/models/repo_branch.go
index c51323183..08e8fccb5 100644
--- a/models/repo_branch.go
+++ b/models/repo_branch.go
@@ -5,158 +5,7 @@
 
 package models
 
-import (
-	"fmt"
-
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
-)
-
 // CanCreateBranch returns true if repository meets the requirements for creating new branches.
 func (repo *Repository) CanCreateBranch() bool {
 	return !repo.IsMirror
 }
-
-// GetBranch returns a branch by its name
-func (repo *Repository) GetBranch(branch string) (*git.Branch, error) {
-	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(repo.RepoPath())
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	defer gitRepo.Close()
-
-	return gitRepo.GetBranch(branch)
-}
-
-// GetBranches returns all the branches of a repository
-func (repo *Repository) GetBranches() ([]*git.Branch, error) {
-	return git.GetBranchesByPath(repo.RepoPath())
-}
-
-// CheckBranchName validates branch name with existing repository branches
-func (repo *Repository) CheckBranchName(name string) error {
-	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(repo.RepoPath())
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	defer gitRepo.Close()
-
-	branches, err := repo.GetBranches()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	for _, branch := range branches {
-		if branch.Name == name {
-			return ErrBranchAlreadyExists{branch.Name}
-		} else if (len(branch.Name) < len(name) && branch.Name+"/" == name[0:len(branch.Name)+1]) ||
-			(len(branch.Name) > len(name) && name+"/" == branch.Name[0:len(name)+1]) {
-			return ErrBranchNameConflict{branch.Name}
-		}
-	}
-
-	if _, err := gitRepo.GetTag(name); err == nil {
-		return ErrTagAlreadyExists{name}
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// CreateNewBranch creates a new repository branch
-func (repo *Repository) CreateNewBranch(doer *User, oldBranchName, branchName string) (err error) {
-	// Check if branch name can be used
-	if err := repo.CheckBranchName(branchName); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
-	if !git.IsBranchExist(repo.RepoPath(), oldBranchName) {
-		return fmt.Errorf("OldBranch: %s does not exist. Cannot create new branch from this", oldBranchName)
-	}
-
-	basePath, err := CreateTemporaryPath("branch-maker")
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err := RemoveTemporaryPath(basePath); err != nil {
-			log.Error("CreateNewBranch: RemoveTemporaryPath: %s", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	if err := git.Clone(repo.RepoPath(), basePath, git.CloneRepoOptions{
-		Bare:   true,
-		Shared: true,
-	}); err != nil {
-		log.Error("Failed to clone repository: %s (%v)", repo.FullName(), err)
-		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to clone repository: %s (%v)", repo.FullName(), err)
-	}
-
-	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(basePath)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Error("Unable to open temporary repository: %s (%v)", basePath, err)
-		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to open new temporary repository in: %s %v", basePath, err)
-	}
-	defer gitRepo.Close()
-
-	if err = gitRepo.CreateBranch(branchName, oldBranchName); err != nil {
-		log.Error("Unable to create branch: %s from %s. (%v)", branchName, oldBranchName, err)
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to create branch: %s from %s. (%v)", branchName, oldBranchName, err)
-	}
-
-	if err = git.Push(basePath, git.PushOptions{
-		Remote: "origin",
-		Branch: branchName,
-		Env:    PushingEnvironment(doer, repo),
-	}); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Push: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-// CreateNewBranchFromCommit creates a new repository branch
-func (repo *Repository) CreateNewBranchFromCommit(doer *User, commit, branchName string) (err error) {
-	// Check if branch name can be used
-	if err := repo.CheckBranchName(branchName); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	basePath, err := CreateTemporaryPath("branch-maker")
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	defer func() {
-		if err := RemoveTemporaryPath(basePath); err != nil {
-			log.Error("CreateNewBranchFromCommit: RemoveTemporaryPath: %s", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	if err := git.Clone(repo.RepoPath(), basePath, git.CloneRepoOptions{
-		Bare:   true,
-		Shared: true,
-	}); err != nil {
-		log.Error("Failed to clone repository: %s (%v)", repo.FullName(), err)
-		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to clone repository: %s (%v)", repo.FullName(), err)
-	}
-
-	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(basePath)
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Error("Unable to open temporary repository: %s (%v)", basePath, err)
-		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to open new temporary repository in: %s %v", basePath, err)
-	}
-	defer gitRepo.Close()
-
-	if err = gitRepo.CreateBranch(branchName, commit); err != nil {
-		log.Error("Unable to create branch: %s from %s. (%v)", branchName, commit, err)
-		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to create branch: %s from %s. (%v)", branchName, commit, err)
-	}
-
-	if err = git.Push(basePath, git.PushOptions{
-		Remote: "origin",
-		Branch: branchName,
-		Env:    PushingEnvironment(doer, repo),
-	}); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("Push: %v", err)
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
diff --git a/modules/convert/pull.go b/modules/convert/pull.go
index f8534f839..18b4bc8de 100644
--- a/modules/convert/pull.go
+++ b/modules/convert/pull.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	api "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
 )
 
@@ -69,7 +70,7 @@ func ToAPIPullRequest(pr *models.PullRequest) *api.PullRequest {
 		Created:   pr.Issue.CreatedUnix.AsTimePtr(),
 		Updated:   pr.Issue.UpdatedUnix.AsTimePtr(),
 	}
-	baseBranch, err = pr.BaseRepo.GetBranch(pr.BaseBranch)
+	baseBranch, err = repo_module.GetBranch(pr.BaseRepo, pr.BaseBranch)
 	if err != nil {
 		if git.IsErrBranchNotExist(err) {
 			apiPullRequest.Base = nil
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ func ToAPIPullRequest(pr *models.PullRequest) *api.PullRequest {
 		apiPullRequest.Base = apiBaseBranchInfo
 	}
 
-	headBranch, err = pr.HeadRepo.GetBranch(pr.HeadBranch)
+	headBranch, err = repo_module.GetBranch(pr.HeadRepo, pr.HeadBranch)
 	if err != nil {
 		if git.IsErrBranchNotExist(err) {
 			apiPullRequest.Head = nil
diff --git a/modules/repofiles/delete.go b/modules/repofiles/delete.go
index 43937c49e..f774b375a 100644
--- a/modules/repofiles/delete.go
+++ b/modules/repofiles/delete.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	api "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
 )
 
@@ -37,7 +38,7 @@ func DeleteRepoFile(repo *models.Repository, doer *models.User, opts *DeleteRepo
 	}
 
 	// oldBranch must exist for this operation
-	if _, err := repo.GetBranch(opts.OldBranch); err != nil {
+	if _, err := repo_module.GetBranch(repo, opts.OldBranch); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -45,7 +46,7 @@ func DeleteRepoFile(repo *models.Repository, doer *models.User, opts *DeleteRepo
 	// Check to make sure the branch does not already exist, otherwise we can't proceed.
 	// If we aren't branching to a new branch, make sure user can commit to the given branch
 	if opts.NewBranch != opts.OldBranch {
-		newBranch, err := repo.GetBranch(opts.NewBranch)
+		newBranch, err := repo_module.GetBranch(repo, opts.NewBranch)
 		if git.IsErrNotExist(err) {
 			return nil, err
 		}
diff --git a/modules/repofiles/update.go b/modules/repofiles/update.go
index 812649af3..e22a2062a 100644
--- a/modules/repofiles/update.go
+++ b/modules/repofiles/update.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/lfs"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
 	pull_service "code.gitea.io/gitea/services/pull"
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func CreateOrUpdateRepoFile(repo *models.Repository, doer *models.User, opts *Up
 	}
 
 	// oldBranch must exist for this operation
-	if _, err := repo.GetBranch(opts.OldBranch); err != nil {
+	if _, err := repo_module.GetBranch(repo, opts.OldBranch); err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ func CreateOrUpdateRepoFile(repo *models.Repository, doer *models.User, opts *Up
 	// Check to make sure the branch does not already exist, otherwise we can't proceed.
 	// If we aren't branching to a new branch, make sure user can commit to the given branch
 	if opts.NewBranch != opts.OldBranch {
-		existingBranch, err := repo.GetBranch(opts.NewBranch)
+		existingBranch, err := repo_module.GetBranch(repo, opts.NewBranch)
 		if existingBranch != nil {
 			return nil, models.ErrBranchAlreadyExists{
 				BranchName: opts.NewBranch,
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ func createCommitRepoActions(repo *models.Repository, gitRepo *git.Repository, o
 		if isNewRef && isDelRef {
 			return nil, fmt.Errorf("Old and new revisions are both %s", git.EmptySHA)
 		}
-		var commits = &repository.PushCommits{}
+		var commits = &repo_module.PushCommits{}
 		if strings.HasPrefix(opts.RefFullName, git.TagPrefix) {
 			// If is tag reference
 			tagName := opts.RefFullName[len(git.TagPrefix):]
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ func createCommitRepoActions(repo *models.Repository, gitRepo *git.Repository, o
 				}
 			}
 
-			commits = repository.ListToPushCommits(l)
+			commits = repo_module.ListToPushCommits(l)
 		}
 		actions = append(actions, &CommitRepoActionOptions{
 			PusherName:  opts.PusherName,
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ func createCommitRepoActionOption(repo *models.Repository, gitRepo *git.Reposito
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("Old and new revisions are both %s", git.EmptySHA)
 	}
 
-	var commits = &repository.PushCommits{}
+	var commits = &repo_module.PushCommits{}
 	if strings.HasPrefix(opts.RefFullName, git.TagPrefix) {
 		// If is tag reference
 		tagName := opts.RefFullName[len(git.TagPrefix):]
@@ -621,7 +621,7 @@ func createCommitRepoActionOption(repo *models.Repository, gitRepo *git.Reposito
 		} else {
 			// Clear cache for tag commit count
 			cache.Remove(repo.GetCommitsCountCacheKey(tagName, true))
-			if err := repository.PushUpdateAddTag(repo, gitRepo, tagName); err != nil {
+			if err := repo_module.PushUpdateAddTag(repo, gitRepo, tagName); err != nil {
 				return nil, fmt.Errorf("PushUpdateAddTag: %v", err)
 			}
 		}
@@ -650,7 +650,7 @@ func createCommitRepoActionOption(repo *models.Repository, gitRepo *git.Reposito
 			}
 		}
 
-		commits = repository.ListToPushCommits(l)
+		commits = repo_module.ListToPushCommits(l)
 	}
 
 	return &CommitRepoActionOptions{
diff --git a/modules/repository/branch.go b/modules/repository/branch.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9867aadad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/repository/branch.go
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+// Copyright 2020 The Gitea Authors. All rights reserved.
+// Use of this source code is governed by a MIT-style
+// license that can be found in the LICENSE file.
+
+package repository
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
+)
+
+// GetBranch returns a branch by its name
+func GetBranch(repo *models.Repository, branch string) (*git.Branch, error) {
+	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(repo.RepoPath())
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	defer gitRepo.Close()
+
+	return gitRepo.GetBranch(branch)
+}
+
+// GetBranches returns all the branches of a repository
+func GetBranches(repo *models.Repository) ([]*git.Branch, error) {
+	return git.GetBranchesByPath(repo.RepoPath())
+}
+
+// checkBranchName validates branch name with existing repository branches
+func checkBranchName(repo *models.Repository, name string) error {
+	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(repo.RepoPath())
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer gitRepo.Close()
+
+	branches, err := GetBranches(repo)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	for _, branch := range branches {
+		if branch.Name == name {
+			return models.ErrBranchAlreadyExists{
+				BranchName: branch.Name,
+			}
+		} else if (len(branch.Name) < len(name) && branch.Name+"/" == name[0:len(branch.Name)+1]) ||
+			(len(branch.Name) > len(name) && name+"/" == branch.Name[0:len(name)+1]) {
+			return models.ErrBranchNameConflict{
+				BranchName: branch.Name,
+			}
+		}
+	}
+
+	if _, err := gitRepo.GetTag(name); err == nil {
+		return models.ErrTagAlreadyExists{
+			TagName: name,
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// CreateNewBranch creates a new repository branch
+func CreateNewBranch(doer *models.User, repo *models.Repository, oldBranchName, branchName string) (err error) {
+	// Check if branch name can be used
+	if err := checkBranchName(repo, branchName); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	if !git.IsBranchExist(repo.RepoPath(), oldBranchName) {
+		return fmt.Errorf("OldBranch: %s does not exist. Cannot create new branch from this", oldBranchName)
+	}
+
+	basePath, err := models.CreateTemporaryPath("branch-maker")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := models.RemoveTemporaryPath(basePath); err != nil {
+			log.Error("CreateNewBranch: RemoveTemporaryPath: %s", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if err := git.Clone(repo.RepoPath(), basePath, git.CloneRepoOptions{
+		Bare:   true,
+		Shared: true,
+	}); err != nil {
+		log.Error("Failed to clone repository: %s (%v)", repo.FullName(), err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to clone repository: %s (%v)", repo.FullName(), err)
+	}
+
+	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(basePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error("Unable to open temporary repository: %s (%v)", basePath, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to open new temporary repository in: %s %v", basePath, err)
+	}
+	defer gitRepo.Close()
+
+	if err = gitRepo.CreateBranch(branchName, oldBranchName); err != nil {
+		log.Error("Unable to create branch: %s from %s. (%v)", branchName, oldBranchName, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to create branch: %s from %s. (%v)", branchName, oldBranchName, err)
+	}
+
+	if err = git.Push(basePath, git.PushOptions{
+		Remote: "origin",
+		Branch: branchName,
+		Env:    models.PushingEnvironment(doer, repo),
+	}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("Push: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// CreateNewBranchFromCommit creates a new repository branch
+func CreateNewBranchFromCommit(doer *models.User, repo *models.Repository, commit, branchName string) (err error) {
+	// Check if branch name can be used
+	if err := checkBranchName(repo, branchName); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	basePath, err := models.CreateTemporaryPath("branch-maker")
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	defer func() {
+		if err := models.RemoveTemporaryPath(basePath); err != nil {
+			log.Error("CreateNewBranchFromCommit: RemoveTemporaryPath: %s", err)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	if err := git.Clone(repo.RepoPath(), basePath, git.CloneRepoOptions{
+		Bare:   true,
+		Shared: true,
+	}); err != nil {
+		log.Error("Failed to clone repository: %s (%v)", repo.FullName(), err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to clone repository: %s (%v)", repo.FullName(), err)
+	}
+
+	gitRepo, err := git.OpenRepository(basePath)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Error("Unable to open temporary repository: %s (%v)", basePath, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("Failed to open new temporary repository in: %s %v", basePath, err)
+	}
+	defer gitRepo.Close()
+
+	if err = gitRepo.CreateBranch(branchName, commit); err != nil {
+		log.Error("Unable to create branch: %s from %s. (%v)", branchName, commit, err)
+		return fmt.Errorf("Unable to create branch: %s from %s. (%v)", branchName, commit, err)
+	}
+
+	if err = git.Push(basePath, git.PushOptions{
+		Remote: "origin",
+		Branch: branchName,
+		Env:    models.PushingEnvironment(doer, repo),
+	}); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("Push: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go b/routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go
index afc4763b5..8f8ca1587 100644
--- a/routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go
+++ b/routers/api/v1/repo/branch.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/context"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/convert"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	api "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
 )
 
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@ func GetBranch(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 		ctx.NotFound()
 		return
 	}
-	branch, err := ctx.Repo.Repository.GetBranch(ctx.Repo.BranchName)
+	branch, err := repo_module.GetBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, ctx.Repo.BranchName)
 	if err != nil {
 		if git.IsErrBranchNotExist(err) {
 			ctx.NotFound(err)
@@ -95,7 +96,7 @@ func ListBranches(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 	//   "200":
 	//     "$ref": "#/responses/BranchList"
 
-	branches, err := ctx.Repo.Repository.GetBranches()
+	branches, err := repo_module.GetBranches(ctx.Repo.Repository)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.Error(http.StatusInternalServerError, "GetBranches", err)
 		return
diff --git a/routers/repo/branch.go b/routers/repo/branch.go
index df6e0bf21..88bbe2be5 100644
--- a/routers/repo/branch.go
+++ b/routers/repo/branch.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repofiles"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
 	"gopkg.in/src-d/go-git.v4/plumbing"
 )
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@ func deleteBranch(ctx *context.Context, branchName string) error {
 }
 
 func loadBranches(ctx *context.Context) []*Branch {
-	rawBranches, err := ctx.Repo.Repository.GetBranches()
+	rawBranches, err := repo_module.GetBranches(ctx.Repo.Repository)
 	if err != nil {
 		ctx.ServerError("GetBranches", err)
 		return nil
@@ -324,9 +325,9 @@ func CreateBranch(ctx *context.Context, form auth.NewBranchForm) {
 
 	var err error
 	if ctx.Repo.IsViewBranch {
-		err = ctx.Repo.Repository.CreateNewBranch(ctx.User, ctx.Repo.BranchName, form.NewBranchName)
+		err = repo_module.CreateNewBranch(ctx.User, ctx.Repo.Repository, ctx.Repo.BranchName, form.NewBranchName)
 	} else {
-		err = ctx.Repo.Repository.CreateNewBranchFromCommit(ctx.User, ctx.Repo.BranchName, form.NewBranchName)
+		err = repo_module.CreateNewBranchFromCommit(ctx.User, ctx.Repo.Repository, ctx.Repo.BranchName, form.NewBranchName)
 	}
 	if err != nil {
 		if models.IsErrTagAlreadyExists(err) {
diff --git a/routers/repo/editor.go b/routers/repo/editor.go
index fec572852..82c74ba75 100644
--- a/routers/repo/editor.go
+++ b/routers/repo/editor.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repofiles"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/upload"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/util"
@@ -534,7 +535,7 @@ func UploadFilePost(ctx *context.Context, form auth.UploadRepoFileForm) {
 	}
 
 	if oldBranchName != branchName {
-		if _, err := ctx.Repo.Repository.GetBranch(branchName); err == nil {
+		if _, err := repo_module.GetBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, branchName); err == nil {
 			ctx.Data["Err_NewBranchName"] = true
 			ctx.RenderWithErr(ctx.Tr("repo.editor.branch_already_exists", branchName), tplUploadFile, &form)
 			return
@@ -679,7 +680,7 @@ func GetUniquePatchBranchName(ctx *context.Context) string {
 	prefix := ctx.User.LowerName + "-patch-"
 	for i := 1; i <= 1000; i++ {
 		branchName := fmt.Sprintf("%s%d", prefix, i)
-		if _, err := ctx.Repo.Repository.GetBranch(branchName); err != nil {
+		if _, err := repo_module.GetBranch(ctx.Repo.Repository, branchName); err != nil {
 			if git.IsErrBranchNotExist(err) {
 				return branchName
 			}
diff --git a/services/mirror/mirror.go b/services/mirror/mirror.go
index 0c7f3ae3c..e87036491 100644
--- a/services/mirror/mirror.go
+++ b/services/mirror/mirror.go
@@ -11,14 +11,13 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/graceful"
-
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/cache"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/git"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/graceful"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/notification"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
+	repo_module "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/repository"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/sync"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/timeutil"
@@ -211,7 +210,7 @@ func runSync(m *models.Mirror) ([]*mirrorSyncResult, bool) {
 		log.Error("OpenRepository: %v", err)
 		return nil, false
 	}
-	if err = repository.SyncReleasesWithTags(m.Repo, gitRepo); err != nil {
+	if err = repo_module.SyncReleasesWithTags(m.Repo, gitRepo); err != nil {
 		gitRepo.Close()
 		log.Error("Failed to synchronize tags to releases for repository: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -253,7 +252,7 @@ func runSync(m *models.Mirror) ([]*mirrorSyncResult, bool) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	branches, err := m.Repo.GetBranches()
+	branches, err := repo_module.GetBranches(m.Repo)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Error("GetBranches: %v", err)
 		return nil, false
@@ -403,7 +402,7 @@ func syncMirror(repoID string) {
 			continue
 		}
 
-		theCommits := repository.ListToPushCommits(commits)
+		theCommits := repo_module.ListToPushCommits(commits)
 		if len(theCommits.Commits) > setting.UI.FeedMaxCommitNum {
 			theCommits.Commits = theCommits.Commits[:setting.UI.FeedMaxCommitNum]
 		}