diff --git a/docs/usage/configuration-options.md b/docs/usage/configuration-options.md
index 41ad1ce9994144..8abfac7a137caa 100644
--- a/docs/usage/configuration-options.md
+++ b/docs/usage/configuration-options.md
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ In that case Renovate first creates a branch and associated Pull Request, and th
 If by the next run the PR is already behind the base branch it will be automatically rebased, because Renovate only automerges branches which are up-to-date and green.
 If Renovate is scheduled for hourly runs on the repository but commits are made every 15 minutes to the main branch, then an automerge like this will keep getting deferred with every rebase.
 
-Note: if you have no tests but still want Renovate to automerge, you need to add `"requiredStatusChecks": null` to your configuration.
+Note: if you have no tests but still want Renovate to automerge, you need to add `"ignoreTests": true` to your configuration.
 
 If you prefer that Renovate more silently automerge _without_ Pull Requests at all, you can configure `"automergeType": "branch"`. In this case Renovate will:
 
@@ -1103,6 +1103,14 @@ It would take the entire `"config:base"` preset - which contains a lot of sub-pr
 
 Applicable for npm and Composer only for now. Set this to `true` if running scripts causes problems.
 
+## ignoreTests
+
+Currently Renovate's default behavior is to only automerge if every status check has succeeded.
+
+Setting this option to `true` means that Renovate will ignore _all_ status checks.
+You can set this if you don't have any status checks but still want Renovate to automerge PRs.
+Beware: configuring Renovate to automerge without any tests can lead to broken builds on your base branch, please think again before enabling this!
+
 ## ignoreUnstable
 
 By default, Renovate won't update any package versions to unstable versions (e.g. `4.0.0-rc3`) unless the current version has the same `major.minor.patch` and was _already_ unstable (e.g. it was already on `4.0.0-rc2`).
@@ -2141,17 +2149,6 @@ In case there is a need to configure them manually, it can be done using this `r
 
 The field supports multiple URLs however it is datasource-dependent on whether only the first is used or multiple.
 
-## requiredStatusChecks
-
-Currently Renovate's default behavior is to only automerge if every status check has succeeded.
-
-Setting this option to `null` means that Renovate will ignore _all_ status checks.
-You can set this if you don't have any status checks but still want Renovate to automerge PRs.
-Beware: configuring Renovate to automerge without any tests can lead to broken builds on your base branch, please think again before enabling this!
-
-In future, this might be configurable to allow certain status checks to be ignored/required.
-See [issue 1853 at the Renovate repository](https://github.com/renovatebot/renovate/issues/1853) for more details.
-
 ## respectLatest
 
 Similar to `ignoreUnstable`, this option controls whether to update to versions that are greater than the version tagged as `latest` in the repository.
diff --git a/docs/usage/key-concepts/automerge.md b/docs/usage/key-concepts/automerge.md
index b33323d65bb921..7c66c0d2192520 100644
--- a/docs/usage/key-concepts/automerge.md
+++ b/docs/usage/key-concepts/automerge.md
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ If you see "Automerge: Disabled by config" it means you need to make a config ch
 ### Absence of tests
 
 By default, Renovate will not automerge until it sees passing status checks / check runs for the branch.
-If you have no tests but still want Renovate to automerge, you need to add `"requiredStatusChecks": null` to your configuration.
+If you have no tests but still want Renovate to automerge, you need to add `"ignoreTests": true` to your configuration.
 However, we strongly recommend you have tests in any project where you are regularly updating dependencies.
 
 ### Committer restrictions
diff --git a/lib/config/migration.ts b/lib/config/migration.ts
index ef305caef7b100..13497ff59cbd13 100644
--- a/lib/config/migration.ts
+++ b/lib/config/migration.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { dequal } from 'dequal';
 import { logger } from '../logger';
 import { clone } from '../util/clone';
 import { getGlobalConfig } from './global';
+import { applyMigrations } from './migrations';
 import { getOptions } from './options';
 import { removedPresets } from './presets/common';
 import type {
@@ -57,6 +58,7 @@ export function migrateConfig(
       'peerDependencies',
     ];
     const { migratePresets } = getGlobalConfig();
+    applyMigrations(config, migratedConfig);
     for (const [key, val] of Object.entries(config)) {
       if (removedOptions.includes(key)) {
         delete migratedConfig[key];
diff --git a/lib/config/migrations/index.ts b/lib/config/migrations/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..1f6c961c293031
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/config/migrations/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import { RenovateConfig } from '../types';
+import type { Migration } from './migration';
+import { RequiredStatusChecksMigration } from './required-status-checks-migration';
+
+export function applyMigrations(
+  originalConfig: RenovateConfig,
+  migratedConfig: RenovateConfig
+): RenovateConfig {
+  const migrations: Migration[] = [
+    new RequiredStatusChecksMigration(originalConfig, migratedConfig),
+  ];
+
+  for (const migration of migrations) {
+    migration.migrate();
+  }
+
+  return migratedConfig;
+}
diff --git a/lib/config/migrations/migration.ts b/lib/config/migrations/migration.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..616b96caeaeb17
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/config/migrations/migration.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+import type { RenovateConfig } from '../types';
+
+export abstract class Migration {
+  protected readonly originalConfig: RenovateConfig;
+
+  protected readonly migratedConfig: RenovateConfig;
+
+  constructor(originalConfig: RenovateConfig, migratedConfig: RenovateConfig) {
+    this.originalConfig = originalConfig;
+    this.migratedConfig = migratedConfig;
+  }
+
+  abstract migrate(): void;
+
+  protected delete(property: string): void {
+    delete this.migratedConfig[property];
+  }
+}
diff --git a/lib/config/migrations/required-status-checks-migration.spec.ts b/lib/config/migrations/required-status-checks-migration.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..afe9019ee573f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/config/migrations/required-status-checks-migration.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import { RequiredStatusChecksMigration } from './required-status-checks-migration';
+
+describe('config/migrations/required-status-checks-migration', () => {
+  it('should migrate requiredStatusChecks=null to ignoreTests=true', () => {
+    const originalConfig: any = {
+      requiredStatusChecks: null,
+    };
+    const migratedConfig: any = {
+      requiredStatusChecks: null,
+    };
+    const migration = new RequiredStatusChecksMigration(
+      originalConfig,
+      migratedConfig
+    );
+
+    expect(migratedConfig.requiredStatusChecks).toBeNull();
+    migration.migrate();
+    expect(migratedConfig.requiredStatusChecks).toBeUndefined();
+    expect(migratedConfig.ignoreTests).toBeTrue();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/lib/config/migrations/required-status-checks-migration.ts b/lib/config/migrations/required-status-checks-migration.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..3f6d64e28fe7cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/config/migrations/required-status-checks-migration.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+import { Migration } from './migration';
+
+export class RequiredStatusChecksMigration extends Migration {
+  public migrate(): void {
+    this.delete('requiredStatusChecks');
+
+    if (this.originalConfig.requiredStatusChecks === null) {
+      this.migratedConfig.ignoreTests = true;
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/lib/config/options/index.ts b/lib/config/options/index.ts
index 45dcbc13f993ac..6cc5c664440d05 100644
--- a/lib/config/options/index.ts
+++ b/lib/config/options/index.ts
@@ -1310,13 +1310,10 @@ const options: RenovateOptions[] = [
     default: 'automergeComment',
   },
   {
-    name: 'requiredStatusChecks',
-    description:
-      'List of status checks that must pass before automerging. Set to null to enable automerging without tests.',
-    type: 'array',
-    subType: 'string',
-    cli: false,
-    env: false,
+    name: 'ignoreTests',
+    description: 'Set to true to enable automerging without tests.',
+    type: 'boolean',
+    default: false,
   },
   {
     name: 'transitiveRemediation',
diff --git a/lib/config/presets/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap b/lib/config/presets/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
index 63987db40e2a8e..ac7b6c8d96f8bd 100644
--- a/lib/config/presets/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
+++ b/lib/config/presets/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ Object {
     "Require all status checks to pass before any automerging",
     "Pin dependency versions for <code>devDependencies</code> and retain semver ranges for others",
   ],
+  "ignoreTests": false,
   "ignoreUnstable": true,
   "labels": Array [
     "dependencies",
@@ -85,7 +86,6 @@ Object {
   ],
   "prCreation": "immediate",
   "rebaseWhen": "behind-base-branch",
-  "requiredStatusChecks": Array [],
   "respectLatest": true,
   "schedule": Array [
     "before 8am",
diff --git a/lib/config/presets/internal/default.ts b/lib/config/presets/internal/default.ts
index 633c53948bc1ae..40fbcd749d194a 100644
--- a/lib/config/presets/internal/default.ts
+++ b/lib/config/presets/internal/default.ts
@@ -316,11 +316,11 @@ export const presets: Record<string, Preset> = {
   },
   automergeRequireAllStatusChecks: {
     description: 'Require all status checks to pass before any automerging',
-    requiredStatusChecks: [],
+    ignoreTests: false,
   },
   skipStatusChecks: {
     description: 'Skip status checks and automerge right away',
-    requiredStatusChecks: null,
+    ignoreTests: true,
   },
   maintainLockFilesDisabled: {
     description:
diff --git a/lib/config/types.ts b/lib/config/types.ts
index ea13c491911235..322eea60ad1207 100644
--- a/lib/config/types.ts
+++ b/lib/config/types.ts
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ export interface RenovateSharedConfig {
   includePaths?: string[];
   ignoreDeps?: string[];
   ignorePaths?: string[];
+  ignoreTests?: boolean;
   labels?: string[];
   addLabels?: string[];
   dependencyDashboardApproval?: boolean;
@@ -55,7 +56,6 @@ export interface RenovateSharedConfig {
   recreateClosed?: boolean;
   repository?: string;
   repositoryCache?: RepositoryCacheConfig;
-  requiredStatusChecks?: string[];
   schedule?: string[];
   semanticCommits?: 'auto' | 'enabled' | 'disabled';
   semanticCommitScope?: string;
diff --git a/lib/platform/azure/index.spec.ts b/lib/platform/azure/index.spec.ts
index 90e2361480b256..88ff522dd04dc0 100644
--- a/lib/platform/azure/index.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/azure/index.spec.ts
@@ -474,17 +474,7 @@ describe('platform/azure/index', () => {
       expect(res).toBeNull();
     });
   });
-  describe('getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks)', () => {
-    it('return success if requiredStatusChecks null', async () => {
-      await initRepo('some/repo');
-      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch', null);
-      expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
-    });
-    it('return failed if unsupported requiredStatusChecks', async () => {
-      await initRepo('some/repo');
-      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch', ['foo']);
-      expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.red);
-    });
+  describe('getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests)', () => {
     it('should pass through success', async () => {
       await initRepo({ repository: 'some/repo' });
       azureApi.gitApi.mockImplementationOnce(
@@ -494,7 +484,7 @@ describe('platform/azure/index', () => {
             getStatuses: jest.fn(() => [{ state: GitStatusState.Succeeded }]),
           } as any)
       );
-      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
     });
     it('should pass through failed', async () => {
@@ -506,7 +496,7 @@ describe('platform/azure/index', () => {
             getStatuses: jest.fn(() => [{ state: GitStatusState.Error }]),
           } as any)
       );
-      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.red);
     });
     it('should pass through pending', async () => {
@@ -518,7 +508,7 @@ describe('platform/azure/index', () => {
             getStatuses: jest.fn(() => [{ state: GitStatusState.Pending }]),
           } as any)
       );
-      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.yellow);
     });
     it('should fall back to yellow if no statuses returned', async () => {
@@ -530,7 +520,7 @@ describe('platform/azure/index', () => {
             getStatuses: jest.fn(() => []),
           } as any)
       );
-      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await azure.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.yellow);
     });
   });
diff --git a/lib/platform/azure/index.ts b/lib/platform/azure/index.ts
index d91f5aa485fe2d..e91aa5e06ec510 100644
--- a/lib/platform/azure/index.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/azure/index.ts
@@ -331,19 +331,9 @@ export async function getBranchStatusCheck(
 }
 
 export async function getBranchStatus(
-  branchName: string,
-  requiredStatusChecks: string[]
+  branchName: string
 ): Promise<BranchStatus> {
   logger.debug(`getBranchStatus(${branchName})`);
-  if (!requiredStatusChecks) {
-    // null means disable status checks, so it always succeeds
-    return BranchStatus.green;
-  }
-  if (requiredStatusChecks.length) {
-    // This is Unsupported
-    logger.warn({ requiredStatusChecks }, `Unsupported requiredStatusChecks`);
-    return BranchStatus.red;
-  }
   const statuses = await getStatusCheck(branchName);
   logger.debug({ branch: branchName, statuses }, 'branch status check result');
   if (!statuses.length) {
diff --git a/lib/platform/bitbucket-server/index.spec.ts b/lib/platform/bitbucket-server/index.spec.ts
index 9ca7dba1e8353c..a42764fe0ed5c5 100644
--- a/lib/platform/bitbucket-server/index.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/bitbucket-server/index.spec.ts
@@ -1749,10 +1749,6 @@ Followed by some information.
               failed: 0,
             });
 
-          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch', [])).toEqual(
-            BranchStatus.green
-          );
-
           expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch')).toEqual(
             BranchStatus.green
           );
@@ -1772,7 +1768,7 @@ Followed by some information.
               failed: 0,
             });
 
-          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch', [])).toEqual(
+          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch')).toEqual(
             BranchStatus.yellow
           );
 
@@ -1786,7 +1782,7 @@ Followed by some information.
               failed: 0,
             });
 
-          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch', [])).toEqual(
+          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch')).toEqual(
             BranchStatus.yellow
           );
 
@@ -1805,7 +1801,7 @@ Followed by some information.
               failed: 1,
             });
 
-          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch', [])).toEqual(
+          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch')).toEqual(
             BranchStatus.red
           );
 
@@ -1815,7 +1811,7 @@ Followed by some information.
             )
             .replyWithError('requst-failed');
 
-          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch', [])).toEqual(
+          expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch')).toEqual(
             BranchStatus.red
           );
 
@@ -1825,9 +1821,9 @@ Followed by some information.
         it('throws repository-changed', async () => {
           git.branchExists.mockReturnValue(false);
           await initRepo();
-          await expect(
-            bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch', [])
-          ).rejects.toThrow(REPOSITORY_CHANGED);
+          await expect(bitbucket.getBranchStatus('somebranch')).rejects.toThrow(
+            REPOSITORY_CHANGED
+          );
           expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
         });
       });
diff --git a/lib/platform/bitbucket-server/index.ts b/lib/platform/bitbucket-server/index.ts
index 711be02aa8b476..2bc866b66464fd 100644
--- a/lib/platform/bitbucket-server/index.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/bitbucket-server/index.ts
@@ -396,18 +396,9 @@ async function getStatus(
 // umbrella for status checks
 // https://docs.atlassian.com/bitbucket-server/rest/6.0.0/bitbucket-build-rest.html#idp2
 export async function getBranchStatus(
-  branchName: string,
-  requiredStatusChecks?: string[] | null
+  branchName: string
 ): Promise<BranchStatus> {
-  logger.debug(
-    `getBranchStatus(${branchName}, requiredStatusChecks=${!!requiredStatusChecks})`
-  );
-
-  if (!requiredStatusChecks) {
-    // null means disable status checks, so it always succeeds
-    logger.debug('Status checks disabled = returning "success"');
-    return BranchStatus.green;
-  }
+  logger.debug(`getBranchStatus(${branchName})`);
 
   if (!git.branchExists(branchName)) {
     logger.debug('Branch does not exist - cannot fetch status');
diff --git a/lib/platform/bitbucket/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap b/lib/platform/bitbucket/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
index 6931731cdb83da..a2e14ba769ec51 100644
--- a/lib/platform/bitbucket/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
+++ b/lib/platform/bitbucket/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
@@ -557,38 +557,6 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/bitbucket/index getBranchStatus() getBranchStatus 1 1`] = `
-Array [
-  Object {
-    "headers": Object {
-      "accept": "application/json",
-      "accept-encoding": "gzip, deflate, br",
-      "authorization": "Basic YWJjOjEyMw==",
-      "host": "api.bitbucket.org",
-      "user-agent": "RenovateBot/0.0.0-semantic-release (https://github.com/renovatebot/renovate)",
-    },
-    "method": "GET",
-    "url": "https://api.bitbucket.org/2.0/repositories/some/repo",
-  },
-]
-`;
-
-exports[`platform/bitbucket/index getBranchStatus() getBranchStatus 2 1`] = `
-Array [
-  Object {
-    "headers": Object {
-      "accept": "application/json",
-      "accept-encoding": "gzip, deflate, br",
-      "authorization": "Basic YWJjOjEyMw==",
-      "host": "api.bitbucket.org",
-      "user-agent": "RenovateBot/0.0.0-semantic-release (https://github.com/renovatebot/renovate)",
-    },
-    "method": "GET",
-    "url": "https://api.bitbucket.org/2.0/repositories/some/repo",
-  },
-]
-`;
-
 exports[`platform/bitbucket/index getBranchStatus() getBranchStatus 3 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
diff --git a/lib/platform/bitbucket/index.spec.ts b/lib/platform/bitbucket/index.spec.ts
index 2d8508446e5942..4716c77ab5e5f7 100644
--- a/lib/platform/bitbucket/index.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/bitbucket/index.spec.ts
@@ -186,20 +186,6 @@ describe('platform/bitbucket/index', () => {
   });
 
   describe('getBranchStatus()', () => {
-    it('getBranchStatus 1', async () => {
-      await initRepoMock();
-      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('master', null)).toBe(
-        BranchStatus.green
-      );
-      expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
-    });
-    it('getBranchStatus 2', async () => {
-      await initRepoMock();
-      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('master', ['foo'])).toBe(
-        BranchStatus.red
-      );
-      expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
-    });
     it('getBranchStatus 3', async () => {
       const scope = await initRepoMock();
       scope
@@ -219,9 +205,7 @@ describe('platform/bitbucket/index', () => {
             },
           ],
         });
-      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('master', [])).toBe(
-        BranchStatus.red
-      );
+      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('master')).toBe(BranchStatus.red);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
     it('getBranchStatus 4', async () => {
@@ -246,7 +230,7 @@ describe('platform/bitbucket/index', () => {
             },
           ],
         });
-      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('branch', [])).toBe(
+      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('branch')).toBe(
         BranchStatus.green
       );
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
@@ -273,7 +257,7 @@ describe('platform/bitbucket/index', () => {
             },
           ],
         });
-      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('pending/branch', [])).toBe(
+      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('pending/branch')).toBe(
         BranchStatus.yellow
       );
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
@@ -297,9 +281,9 @@ describe('platform/bitbucket/index', () => {
         .reply(200, {
           values: [],
         });
-      expect(
-        await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('branch-with-empty-status', [])
-      ).toBe(BranchStatus.yellow);
+      expect(await bitbucket.getBranchStatus('branch-with-empty-status')).toBe(
+        BranchStatus.yellow
+      );
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
   });
diff --git a/lib/platform/bitbucket/index.ts b/lib/platform/bitbucket/index.ts
index 7f2cc28fc5f219..d9df2f0870e30f 100644
--- a/lib/platform/bitbucket/index.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/bitbucket/index.ts
@@ -328,20 +328,9 @@ async function getStatus(
 }
 // Returns the combined status for a branch.
 export async function getBranchStatus(
-  branchName: string,
-  requiredStatusChecks?: string[]
+  branchName: string
 ): Promise<BranchStatus> {
   logger.debug(`getBranchStatus(${branchName})`);
-  if (!requiredStatusChecks) {
-    // null means disable status checks, so it always succeeds
-    logger.debug('Status checks disabled = returning "success"');
-    return BranchStatus.green;
-  }
-  if (requiredStatusChecks.length) {
-    // This is Unsupported
-    logger.warn({ requiredStatusChecks }, `Unsupported requiredStatusChecks`);
-    return BranchStatus.red;
-  }
   const statuses = await getStatus(branchName);
   logger.debug({ branch: branchName, statuses }, 'branch status check result');
   if (!statuses.length) {
diff --git a/lib/platform/gitea/index.spec.ts b/lib/platform/gitea/index.spec.ts
index 1cd6325da00ce1..05b9a3de361c3d 100644
--- a/lib/platform/gitea/index.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/gitea/index.spec.ts
@@ -400,21 +400,9 @@ describe('platform/gitea/index', () => {
         })
       );
 
-      return gitea.getBranchStatus('some-branch', []);
+      return gitea.getBranchStatus('some-branch');
     };
 
-    it('should return success if requiredStatusChecks null', async () => {
-      expect(await gitea.getBranchStatus('some-branch', null)).toEqual(
-        BranchStatus.green
-      );
-    });
-
-    it('should return failed if unsupported requiredStatusChecks', async () => {
-      expect(await gitea.getBranchStatus('some-branch', ['foo'])).toEqual(
-        BranchStatus.red
-      );
-    });
-
     it('should return yellow for unknown result', async () => {
       expect(await getBranchStatus('unknown')).toEqual(BranchStatus.yellow);
     });
@@ -434,7 +422,7 @@ describe('platform/gitea/index', () => {
     it('should abort when branch status returns 404', async () => {
       helper.getCombinedCommitStatus.mockRejectedValueOnce({ statusCode: 404 });
 
-      await expect(gitea.getBranchStatus('some-branch', [])).rejects.toThrow(
+      await expect(gitea.getBranchStatus('some-branch')).rejects.toThrow(
         REPOSITORY_CHANGED
       );
     });
@@ -444,7 +432,7 @@ describe('platform/gitea/index', () => {
         new Error('getCombinedCommitStatus()')
       );
 
-      await expect(gitea.getBranchStatus('some-branch', [])).rejects.toThrow(
+      await expect(gitea.getBranchStatus('some-branch')).rejects.toThrow(
         'getCombinedCommitStatus()'
       );
     });
diff --git a/lib/platform/gitea/index.ts b/lib/platform/gitea/index.ts
index a72082431d3995..c6f34b19bd1c19 100644
--- a/lib/platform/gitea/index.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/gitea/index.ts
@@ -350,19 +350,7 @@ const platform: Platform = {
     }
   },
 
-  async getBranchStatus(
-    branchName: string,
-    requiredStatusChecks?: string[] | null
-  ): Promise<BranchStatus> {
-    if (!requiredStatusChecks) {
-      return BranchStatus.green;
-    }
-
-    if (Array.isArray(requiredStatusChecks) && requiredStatusChecks.length) {
-      logger.warn({ requiredStatusChecks }, 'Unsupported requiredStatusChecks');
-      return BranchStatus.red;
-    }
-
+  async getBranchStatus(branchName: string): Promise<BranchStatus> {
     let ccs: helper.CombinedCommitStatus;
     try {
       ccs = await helper.getCombinedCommitStatus(config.repository, branchName);
diff --git a/lib/platform/github/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap b/lib/platform/github/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
index 7abd4022f17182..f5bfa16060db20 100644
--- a/lib/platform/github/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
+++ b/lib/platform/github/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
@@ -4347,55 +4347,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/github/index getBranchStatus() return failed if unsupported requiredStatusChecks 1`] = `
-Array [
-  Object {
-    "graphql": Object {
-      "query": Object {
-        "__vars": Object {
-          "$name": "String!",
-          "$owner": "String!",
-        },
-        "repository": Object {
-          "__args": Object {
-            "name": "$name",
-            "owner": "$owner",
-          },
-          "defaultBranchRef": Object {
-            "name": null,
-            "target": Object {
-              "oid": null,
-            },
-          },
-          "isArchived": null,
-          "isFork": null,
-          "mergeCommitAllowed": null,
-          "nameWithOwner": null,
-          "rebaseMergeAllowed": null,
-          "squashMergeAllowed": null,
-        },
-      },
-      "variables": Object {
-        "name": "repo",
-        "owner": "some",
-      },
-    },
-    "headers": Object {
-      "accept": "application/vnd.github.v3+json",
-      "accept-encoding": "gzip, deflate, br",
-      "authorization": "token 123test",
-      "content-length": "351",
-      "content-type": "application/json",
-      "host": "api.github.com",
-      "user-agent": "RenovateBot/0.0.0-semantic-release (https://github.com/renovatebot/renovate)",
-    },
-    "method": "POST",
-    "url": "https://api.github.com/graphql",
-  },
-]
-`;
-
-exports[`platform/github/index getBranchStatus() returns success if requiredStatusChecks null 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/github/index getBranchStatus() returns success if ignoreTests true 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "graphql": Object {
diff --git a/lib/platform/github/index.spec.ts b/lib/platform/github/index.spec.ts
index b028dcafdb0e89..6553c70c0dc538 100644
--- a/lib/platform/github/index.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/github/index.spec.ts
@@ -678,26 +678,13 @@ describe('platform/github/index', () => {
     });
   });
   describe('getBranchStatus()', () => {
-    it('returns success if requiredStatusChecks null', async () => {
+    it('returns success if ignoreTests true', async () => {
       const scope = httpMock.scope(githubApiHost);
       initRepoMock(scope, 'some/repo');
 
       await github.initRepo({
         repository: 'some/repo',
       } as any);
-      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch', null);
-      expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
-      expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
-    });
-    it('return failed if unsupported requiredStatusChecks', async () => {
-      const scope = httpMock.scope(githubApiHost);
-      initRepoMock(scope, 'some/repo');
-
-      await github.initRepo({
-        repository: 'some/repo',
-      } as any);
-      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch', ['foo']);
-      expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.red);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
     it('should pass through success', async () => {
@@ -714,7 +701,7 @@ describe('platform/github/index', () => {
       await github.initRepo({
         repository: 'some/repo',
       } as any);
-      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -732,7 +719,7 @@ describe('platform/github/index', () => {
       await github.initRepo({
         repository: 'some/repo',
       } as any);
-      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.red);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -749,7 +736,7 @@ describe('platform/github/index', () => {
       await github.initRepo({
         repository: 'some/repo',
       } as any);
-      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.yellow);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -783,7 +770,7 @@ describe('platform/github/index', () => {
       await github.initRepo({
         repository: 'some/repo',
       } as any);
-      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.red);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -823,7 +810,7 @@ describe('platform/github/index', () => {
       await github.initRepo({
         repository: 'some/repo',
       } as any);
-      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -856,7 +843,7 @@ describe('platform/github/index', () => {
       await github.initRepo({
         repository: 'some/repo',
       } as any);
-      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await github.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.yellow);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
diff --git a/lib/platform/github/index.ts b/lib/platform/github/index.ts
index de7953ea1400c4..bc76286e56fb65 100644
--- a/lib/platform/github/index.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/github/index.ts
@@ -799,20 +799,9 @@ async function getStatus(
 
 // Returns the combined status for a branch.
 export async function getBranchStatus(
-  branchName: string,
-  requiredStatusChecks: any[] | undefined
+  branchName: string
 ): Promise<BranchStatus> {
   logger.debug(`getBranchStatus(${branchName})`);
-  if (!requiredStatusChecks) {
-    // null means disable status checks, so it always succeeds
-    logger.debug('Status checks disabled = returning "success"');
-    return BranchStatus.green;
-  }
-  if (requiredStatusChecks.length) {
-    // This is Unsupported
-    logger.warn({ requiredStatusChecks }, `Unsupported requiredStatusChecks`);
-    return BranchStatus.red;
-  }
   let commitStatus: CombinedBranchStatus;
   try {
     commitStatus = await getStatus(branchName);
diff --git a/lib/platform/gitlab/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap b/lib/platform/gitlab/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
index cb3bc7f6992e5f..c4cb788edc58bb 100644
--- a/lib/platform/gitlab/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
+++ b/lib/platform/gitlab/__snapshots__/index.spec.ts.snap
@@ -1852,7 +1852,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) maps custom statuses to yellow 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) maps custom statuses to yellow 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -1879,7 +1879,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) returns failure if any mandatory jobs fails 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) returns failure if any mandatory jobs fails 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -1906,7 +1906,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) returns failure if any mandatory jobs fails and one job is skipped 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) returns failure if any mandatory jobs fails and one job is skipped 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -1933,7 +1933,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) returns pending if no results 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) returns pending if no results 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -1960,7 +1960,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) returns success if all are optional 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) returns success if all are optional 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -1987,7 +1987,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) returns success if all are success 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) returns success if all are success 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -2014,7 +2014,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) returns success if job is skipped 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) returns success if job is skipped 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -2041,7 +2041,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) returns success if optional jobs fail 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) returns success if optional jobs fail 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -2068,7 +2068,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) returns yellow if there are no jobs expect skipped 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) returns yellow if there are no jobs expect skipped 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
@@ -2095,7 +2095,7 @@ Array [
 ]
 `;
 
-exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks) throws repository-changed 1`] = `
+exports[`platform/gitlab/index getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests) throws repository-changed 1`] = `
 Array [
   Object {
     "headers": Object {
diff --git a/lib/platform/gitlab/index.spec.ts b/lib/platform/gitlab/index.spec.ts
index 51eb145adc641f..6e847a727781d8 100644
--- a/lib/platform/gitlab/index.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/gitlab/index.spec.ts
@@ -527,15 +527,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
   });
-  describe('getBranchStatus(branchName, requiredStatusChecks)', () => {
-    it('returns success if requiredStatusChecks null', async () => {
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', null);
-      expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
-    });
-    it('return failed if unsupported requiredStatusChecks', async () => {
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', ['foo']);
-      expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.red);
-    });
+  describe('getBranchStatus(branchName, ignoreTests)', () => {
     it('returns pending if no results', async () => {
       const scope = await initRepo();
       scope
@@ -543,7 +535,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           '/api/v4/projects/some%2Frepo/repository/commits/0d9c7726c3d628b7e28af234595cfd20febdbf8e/statuses'
         )
         .reply(200, []);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.yellow);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -554,7 +546,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           '/api/v4/projects/some%2Frepo/repository/commits/0d9c7726c3d628b7e28af234595cfd20febdbf8e/statuses'
         )
         .reply(200, [{ status: 'success' }, { status: 'success' }]);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -568,7 +560,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           { status: 'success' },
           { status: 'failed', allow_failure: true },
         ]);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -579,7 +571,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           '/api/v4/projects/some%2Frepo/repository/commits/0d9c7726c3d628b7e28af234595cfd20febdbf8e/statuses'
         )
         .reply(200, [{ status: 'failed', allow_failure: true }]);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -590,7 +582,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           '/api/v4/projects/some%2Frepo/repository/commits/0d9c7726c3d628b7e28af234595cfd20febdbf8e/statuses'
         )
         .reply(200, [{ status: 'success' }, { status: 'skipped' }]);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.green);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -601,7 +593,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           '/api/v4/projects/some%2Frepo/repository/commits/0d9c7726c3d628b7e28af234595cfd20febdbf8e/statuses'
         )
         .reply(200, [{ status: 'skipped' }]);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.yellow);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -612,7 +604,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           '/api/v4/projects/some%2Frepo/repository/commits/0d9c7726c3d628b7e28af234595cfd20febdbf8e/statuses'
         )
         .reply(200, [{ status: 'skipped' }, { status: 'failed' }]);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.red);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -627,7 +619,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           { status: 'failed', allow_failure: true },
           { status: 'failed' },
         ]);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.red);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -638,7 +630,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
           '/api/v4/projects/some%2Frepo/repository/commits/0d9c7726c3d628b7e28af234595cfd20febdbf8e/statuses'
         )
         .reply(200, [{ status: 'success' }, { status: 'foo' }]);
-      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', []);
+      const res = await gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch');
       expect(res).toEqual(BranchStatus.yellow);
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
     });
@@ -646,7 +638,7 @@ describe('platform/gitlab/index', () => {
       expect.assertions(2);
       git.branchExists.mockReturnValue(false);
       await initRepo();
-      await expect(gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch', [])).rejects.toThrow(
+      await expect(gitlab.getBranchStatus('somebranch')).rejects.toThrow(
         REPOSITORY_CHANGED
       );
       expect(httpMock.getTrace()).toMatchSnapshot();
diff --git a/lib/platform/gitlab/index.ts b/lib/platform/gitlab/index.ts
index 82cac84d0f59ed..236bc5f8595385 100644
--- a/lib/platform/gitlab/index.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/gitlab/index.ts
@@ -370,19 +370,9 @@ const gitlabToRenovateStatusMapping: Record<BranchState, BranchStatus> = {
 
 // Returns the combined status for a branch.
 export async function getBranchStatus(
-  branchName: string,
-  requiredStatusChecks?: string[] | null
+  branchName: string
 ): Promise<BranchStatus> {
   logger.debug(`getBranchStatus(${branchName})`);
-  if (!requiredStatusChecks) {
-    // null means disable status checks, so it always succeeds
-    return BranchStatus.green;
-  }
-  if (Array.isArray(requiredStatusChecks) && requiredStatusChecks.length) {
-    // This is Unsupported
-    logger.warn({ requiredStatusChecks }, `Unsupported requiredStatusChecks`);
-    return BranchStatus.red;
-  }
 
   if (!git.branchExists(branchName)) {
     throw new Error(REPOSITORY_CHANGED);
@@ -614,7 +604,7 @@ export async function getPr(iid: number): Promise<Pr> {
     pr.canMerge = false;
     pr.isConflicted = true;
   } else if (pr.state === PrState.Open) {
-    const branchStatus = await getBranchStatus(pr.sourceBranch, []);
+    const branchStatus = await getBranchStatus(pr.sourceBranch);
     if (branchStatus === BranchStatus.green) {
       pr.canMerge = true;
     }
diff --git a/lib/platform/types.ts b/lib/platform/types.ts
index 2f95f8c609fdd2..b371dc016b92e2 100644
--- a/lib/platform/types.ts
+++ b/lib/platform/types.ts
@@ -184,10 +184,7 @@ export interface Platform {
   getPr(number: number): Promise<Pr>;
   findPr(findPRConfig: FindPRConfig): Promise<Pr>;
   refreshPr?(number: number): Promise<void>;
-  getBranchStatus(
-    branchName: string,
-    requiredStatusChecks?: string[] | null
-  ): Promise<BranchStatus>;
+  getBranchStatus(branchName: string): Promise<BranchStatus>;
   getBranchPr(branchName: string): Promise<Pr | null>;
   initPlatform(config: PlatformParams): Promise<PlatformResult>;
   filterUnavailableUsers?(users: string[]): Promise<string[]>;
diff --git a/lib/workers/branch/automerge.ts b/lib/workers/branch/automerge.ts
index c44dfc78a6fb90..8ae312e8ffd7b4 100644
--- a/lib/workers/branch/automerge.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/branch/automerge.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { logger } from '../../logger';
 import { platform } from '../../platform';
 import { BranchStatus } from '../../types';
 import { mergeBranch } from '../../util/git';
+import { resolveBranchStatus } from './status-checks';
 
 export type AutomergeResult =
   | 'automerged'
@@ -25,9 +26,9 @@ export async function tryBranchAutomerge(
   if (existingPr) {
     return 'automerge aborted - PR exists';
   }
-  const branchStatus = await platform.getBranchStatus(
+  const branchStatus = await resolveBranchStatus(
     config.branchName,
-    config.requiredStatusChecks
+    config.ignoreTests
   );
   if (branchStatus === BranchStatus.green) {
     logger.debug(`Automerging branch`);
diff --git a/lib/workers/branch/index.spec.ts b/lib/workers/branch/index.spec.ts
index a73e58ea75d567..877672413d37c5 100644
--- a/lib/workers/branch/index.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/branch/index.spec.ts
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ describe('workers/branch/index', () => {
       automerge.tryBranchAutomerge.mockResolvedValueOnce('automerged');
       await branchWorker.processBranch({
         ...config,
-        requiredStatusChecks: null,
+        ignoreTests: true,
       });
       expect(automerge.tryBranchAutomerge).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
       expect(prWorker.ensurePr).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ describe('workers/branch/index', () => {
       expect(
         await branchWorker.processBranch({
           ...config,
-          requiredStatusChecks: null,
+          ignoreTests: true,
           prCreation: 'not-pending',
         })
       ).toMatchSnapshot();
diff --git a/lib/workers/branch/index.ts b/lib/workers/branch/index.ts
index 78802336d76b38..96b33b94932d84 100644
--- a/lib/workers/branch/index.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/branch/index.ts
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ export async function processBranch(
       !dependencyDashboardCheck &&
       !config.rebaseRequested &&
       commitSha &&
-      (config.requiredStatusChecks?.length || config.prCreation !== 'immediate')
+      config.prCreation !== 'immediate'
     ) {
       logger.debug({ commitSha }, `Branch status pending`);
       return {
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ export async function processBranch(
     }
 
     // Try to automerge branch and finish if successful, but only if branch already existed before this run
-    if (branchExists || !config.requiredStatusChecks) {
+    if (branchExists || config.ignoreTests) {
       const mergeStatus = await tryBranchAutomerge(config);
       logger.debug(`mergeStatus=${mergeStatus}`);
       if (mergeStatus === 'automerged') {
diff --git a/lib/workers/branch/status-checks.spec.ts b/lib/workers/branch/status-checks.spec.ts
index 02c15babf94a8a..ad4d1c262702f6 100644
--- a/lib/workers/branch/status-checks.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/branch/status-checks.spec.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { BranchStatus } from '../../types';
 import {
   ConfidenceConfig,
   StabilityConfig,
+  resolveBranchStatus,
   setConfidence,
   setStability,
 } from './status-checks';
@@ -86,4 +87,12 @@ describe('workers/branch/status-checks', () => {
       expect(platform.setBranchStatus).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(0);
     });
   });
+
+  describe('getBranchStatus', () => {
+    it('should return green if ignoreTests=true', async () => {
+      expect(await resolveBranchStatus('somebranch', true)).toBe(
+        BranchStatus.green
+      );
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/lib/workers/branch/status-checks.ts b/lib/workers/branch/status-checks.ts
index 97ec3eb76946ce..58b7e79b223083 100644
--- a/lib/workers/branch/status-checks.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/branch/status-checks.ts
@@ -7,6 +7,25 @@ import {
   isActiveConfidenceLevel,
 } from '../../util/merge-confidence';
 
+export async function resolveBranchStatus(
+  branchName: string,
+  ignoreTests = false
+): Promise<BranchStatus> {
+  logger.debug(
+    `resolveBranchStatus(branchName=${branchName}, ignoreTests=${ignoreTests})`
+  );
+
+  if (ignoreTests) {
+    logger.debug('Ignore tests. Return green');
+    return BranchStatus.green;
+  }
+
+  const status = await platform.getBranchStatus(branchName);
+  logger.debug(`Branch status ${status}`);
+
+  return status;
+}
+
 async function setStatusCheck(
   branchName: string,
   context: string,
diff --git a/lib/workers/pr/automerge.ts b/lib/workers/pr/automerge.ts
index 30d4d5bb72e3a1..f96dd04b3dd8ae 100644
--- a/lib/workers/pr/automerge.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/pr/automerge.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { logger } from '../../logger';
 import { Pr, platform } from '../../platform';
 import { BranchStatus } from '../../types';
 import { deleteBranch, isBranchModified } from '../../util/git';
+import { resolveBranchStatus } from '../branch/status-checks';
 import { BranchConfig } from '../types';
 
 export enum PrAutomergeBlockReason {
@@ -30,7 +31,7 @@ export async function checkAutoMerge(
     automergeType,
     automergeStrategy,
     automergeComment,
-    requiredStatusChecks,
+    ignoreTests,
     rebaseRequested,
   } = config;
   // Return if PR not ready for automerge
@@ -41,7 +42,7 @@ export async function checkAutoMerge(
       prAutomergeBlockReason: PrAutomergeBlockReason.Conflicted,
     };
   }
-  if (requiredStatusChecks && pr.canMerge !== true) {
+  if (!ignoreTests && pr.canMerge !== true) {
     logger.debug(
       { canMergeReason: pr.canMergeReason },
       'PR is not ready for merge'
@@ -51,9 +52,9 @@ export async function checkAutoMerge(
       prAutomergeBlockReason: PrAutomergeBlockReason.PlatformNotReady,
     };
   }
-  const branchStatus = await platform.getBranchStatus(
-    branchName,
-    requiredStatusChecks
+  const branchStatus = await resolveBranchStatus(
+    config.branchName,
+    config.ignoreTests
   );
   if (branchStatus !== BranchStatus.green) {
     logger.debug(
diff --git a/lib/workers/pr/body/config-description.ts b/lib/workers/pr/body/config-description.ts
index 804a19fbcddfbb..17ac4d82d1202a 100644
--- a/lib/workers/pr/body/config-description.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/pr/body/config-description.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-import { platform } from '../../../platform';
 import { BranchStatus } from '../../../types';
 import { emojify } from '../../../util/emoji';
+import { resolveBranchStatus } from '../../branch/status-checks';
 import type { BranchConfig } from '../../types';
 
 export async function getPrConfigDescription(
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ export async function getPrConfigDescription(
   prBody += '\n\n';
   prBody += emojify(':vertical_traffic_light: **Automerge**: ');
   if (config.automerge) {
-    const branchStatus = await platform.getBranchStatus(
+    const branchStatus = await resolveBranchStatus(
       config.branchName,
-      config.requiredStatusChecks
+      config.ignoreTests
     );
     // istanbul ignore if
     if (branchStatus === BranchStatus.red) {
diff --git a/lib/workers/pr/index.ts b/lib/workers/pr/index.ts
index f6f317cfdde3d3..eef8e1b684a18e 100644
--- a/lib/workers/pr/index.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/pr/index.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import { sampleSize } from '../../util';
 import { stripEmojis } from '../../util/emoji';
 import { deleteBranch, getBranchLastCommitTime } from '../../util/git';
 import * as template from '../../util/template';
+import { resolveBranchStatus } from '../branch/status-checks';
 import { Limit, incLimitedValue, isLimitReached } from '../global/limits';
 import type { BranchConfig, PrBlockedBy } from '../types';
 import { getPrBody } from './body';
@@ -164,17 +165,10 @@ export async function ensurePr(
     config.forcePr = true;
   }
 
-  let branchStatus: BranchStatus;
-  async function getBranchStatus(): Promise<BranchStatus> {
-    if (!branchStatus) {
-      branchStatus = await platform.getBranchStatus(
-        branchName,
-        config.requiredStatusChecks
-      );
-      logger.debug({ branchStatus, branchName }, 'getBranchStatus() result');
-    }
-    return branchStatus;
-  }
+  const branchStatus = await resolveBranchStatus(
+    config.branchName,
+    config.ignoreTests
+  );
 
   // Only create a PR if a branch automerge has failed
   if (
@@ -183,11 +177,11 @@ export async function ensurePr(
     !config.forcePr
   ) {
     logger.debug(
-      `Branch is configured for branch automerge, branch status) is: ${await getBranchStatus()}`
+      `Branch is configured for branch automerge, branch status) is: ${branchStatus}`
     );
     if (
       config.stabilityStatus !== BranchStatus.yellow &&
-      (await getBranchStatus()) === BranchStatus.yellow
+      branchStatus === BranchStatus.yellow
     ) {
       logger.debug('Checking how long this branch has been pending');
       const lastCommitTime = await getBranchLastCommitTime(branchName);
@@ -201,7 +195,7 @@ export async function ensurePr(
         config.forcePr = true;
       }
     }
-    if (config.forcePr || (await getBranchStatus()) === BranchStatus.red) {
+    if (config.forcePr || branchStatus === BranchStatus.red) {
       logger.debug(`Branch tests failed, so will create PR`);
     } else {
       // Branch should be automerged, so we don't want to create a PR
@@ -210,10 +204,8 @@ export async function ensurePr(
   }
   if (config.prCreation === 'status-success') {
     logger.debug('Checking branch combined status');
-    if ((await getBranchStatus()) !== BranchStatus.green) {
-      logger.debug(
-        `Branch status is "${await getBranchStatus()}" - not creating PR`
-      );
+    if (branchStatus !== BranchStatus.green) {
+      logger.debug(`Branch status is "${branchStatus}" - not creating PR`);
       return { prBlockedBy: 'AwaitingTests' };
     }
     logger.debug('Branch status success');
@@ -229,10 +221,8 @@ export async function ensurePr(
     !config.forcePr
   ) {
     logger.debug('Checking branch combined status');
-    if ((await getBranchStatus()) === BranchStatus.yellow) {
-      logger.debug(
-        `Branch status is "${await getBranchStatus()}" - checking timeout`
-      );
+    if (branchStatus === BranchStatus.yellow) {
+      logger.debug(`Branch status is "${branchStatus}" - checking timeout`);
       const lastCommitTime = await getBranchLastCommitTime(branchName);
       const currentTime = new Date();
       const millisecondsPerHour = 1000 * 60 * 60;
@@ -337,7 +327,7 @@ export async function ensurePr(
         !existingPr.hasAssignees &&
         !existingPr.hasReviewers &&
         config.automerge &&
-        (await getBranchStatus()) === BranchStatus.red
+        branchStatus === BranchStatus.red
       ) {
         logger.debug(`Setting assignees and reviewers as status checks failed`);
         await addAssigneesReviewers(config, existingPr);
@@ -482,7 +472,7 @@ export async function ensurePr(
     if (
       config.automerge &&
       !config.assignAutomerge &&
-      (await getBranchStatus()) !== BranchStatus.red
+      branchStatus !== BranchStatus.red
     ) {
       logger.debug(
         `Skipping assignees and reviewers as automerge=${config.automerge}`
diff --git a/lib/workers/repository/process/write.spec.ts b/lib/workers/repository/process/write.spec.ts
index 5b57436fd477b8..e818bc2aaf3f45 100644
--- a/lib/workers/repository/process/write.spec.ts
+++ b/lib/workers/repository/process/write.spec.ts
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ describe('workers/repository/process/write', () => {
       const branches: BranchConfig[] = [
         {},
         {},
-        { automergeType: 'pr-comment', requiredStatusChecks: null },
+        { automergeType: 'pr-comment', ignoreTests: true },
         {},
         {},
       ] as never;