diff --git a/.github/workflows/git-auto-commit.yml b/.github/workflows/git-auto-commit.yml
index 35132e9..f2db122 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/git-auto-commit.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/git-auto-commit.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
       contents: write
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
       with:
         ref: ${{ github.head_ref }}
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/linter.yml b/.github/workflows/linter.yml
index d994c08..9626890 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/linter.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/linter.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout Code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
       - name: Lint Code Base
         uses: github/super-linter@v7
diff --git a/.github/workflows/tests.yml b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
index 35ee1e2..5ca8219 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/tests.yml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
 
     steps:
-    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v5
 
     - name: Install testing dependencies
       run: yarn install
diff --git a/.github/workflows/update-changelog.yaml b/.github/workflows/update-changelog.yaml
index dfd7231..3fc58e5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/update-changelog.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/update-changelog.yaml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: Checkout code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v5
         with:
           ref: master
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5b07cc9..cb1ca49 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -111,10 +111,19 @@ The following is an extended example with all available options.
     # Optional. Disable dirty check and always try to create a commit and push
     skip_dirty_check: true    
 
+    # Optional. Skip internal call to `git fetch`
+    skip_fetch: true
+
+    # Optional. Skip internal call to `git checkout`
+    skip_checkout: true
+
     # Optional. Prevents the shell from expanding filenames. 
     # Details: https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/Filename-Expansion.html
     disable_globbing: true
 
+    # Optional. Create given branch name in local and remote repository.
+    create_branch: true
+
     # Optional. Creates a new tag and pushes it to remote without creating a commit. 
     # Skips dirty check and changed files. Must be used with `tagging_message`.
     create_git_tag_only: false
@@ -418,6 +427,7 @@ The steps in your workflow might look like this:
     commit_message: ${{ steps.last-commit.outputs.message }}
     commit_options: '--amend --no-edit'
     push_options: '--force'
+    skip_fetch: true
 ```
 
 See discussion in [#159](https://github.com/stefanzweifel/git-auto-commit-action/issues/159#issuecomment-845347950) for details.
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 6b64d9e..74c8192 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -60,9 +60,20 @@ inputs:
     description: Skip the check if the git repository is dirty and always try to create a commit.
     required: false
     default: false
+  skip_fetch:
+    description: Skip the call to git-fetch.
+    required: false
+    default: false
+  skip_checkout:
+    description: Skip the call to git-checkout.
+    required: false
+    default: false
   disable_globbing:
     description: Stop the shell from expanding filenames (https://www.gnu.org/software/bash/manual/html_node/Filename-Expansion.html)
     default: false
+  create_branch:
+    description: Create new branch with the name of `branch`-input in local and remote repository, if it doesn't exist yet.
+    default: false
   create_git_tag_only:
     description: Perform a clean git tag and push, without commiting anything
     required: false
@@ -70,17 +81,6 @@ inputs:
   internal_git_binary:
     description: Internal use only! Path to git binary used to check if git is available. (Don't change this!)
     default: git
-  skip_fetch:
-    description: "Deprecated: skip_fetch has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore."
-    required: false
-    default: false
-  skip_checkout:
-    description: "Deprecated: skip_checkout has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore."
-    required: false
-    default: false
-  create_branch:
-    description: "Deprecated: create_branch has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore."
-    default: false
 
 
 outputs:
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ outputs:
     description: Value is "true", if a git tag was created using the `create_git_tag_only`-input.
 
 runs:
-  using: 'node20'
+  using: 'node24'
   main: 'index.js'
 
 branding:
diff --git a/entrypoint.sh b/entrypoint.sh
index 3b114f3..1c79ed6 100755
--- a/entrypoint.sh
+++ b/entrypoint.sh
@@ -27,25 +27,13 @@ _log() {
 }
 
 _main() {
-    if "$INPUT_SKIP_FETCH"; then
-        _log "warning" "git-auto-commit: skip_fetch has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore.";
-    fi
-
-    if "$INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT"; then
-        _log "warning" "git-auto-commit: skip_checkout has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore.";
-    fi
-
-    if "$INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH"; then
-        _log "warning" "git-auto-commit: create_branch has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore.";
-    fi
-
     _check_if_git_is_available
 
     _switch_to_repository
 
     _check_if_is_git_repository
 
-    # _check_if_repository_is_in_detached_state
+    _check_if_repository_is_in_detached_state
 
     if "$INPUT_CREATE_GIT_TAG_ONLY"; then
         _log "debug" "Create git tag only";
@@ -56,6 +44,8 @@ _main() {
 
         _set_github_output "changes_detected" "true"
 
+        _switch_to_branch
+
         _add_files
 
         # Check dirty state of repo again using git-diff.
@@ -120,13 +110,40 @@ _check_if_is_git_repository() {
 _check_if_repository_is_in_detached_state() {
     if [ -z "$(git symbolic-ref HEAD)" ]
     then
-        _log "error" "Repository is in detached HEAD state. Please make sure you check out a branch. Adjust the `ref` input accordingly.";
-        exit 1;
+        _log "warning" "Repository is in a detached HEAD state. git-auto-commit will likely handle this automatically. To avoid it, check out a branch using the ref option in actions/checkout.";
     else
         _log "debug" "Repository is on a branch.";
     fi
 }
 
+_switch_to_branch() {
+    echo "INPUT_BRANCH value: $INPUT_BRANCH";
+
+    # Fetch remote to make sure that repo can be switched to the right branch.
+    if "$INPUT_SKIP_FETCH"; then
+        _log "debug" "git-fetch will not be executed.";
+    else
+        _log "debug" "git-fetch will be executed.";
+        git fetch --depth=1;
+    fi
+
+    # If `skip_checkout`-input is true, skip the entire checkout step.
+    if "$INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT"; then
+        _log "debug" "git-checkout will not be executed.";
+    else
+        _log "debug" "git-checkout will be executed.";
+        # Create new local branch if `create_branch`-input is true
+        if "$INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH"; then
+            # shellcheck disable=SC2086
+            git checkout -B $INPUT_BRANCH --;
+        else
+            # Switch to branch from current Workflow run
+            # shellcheck disable=SC2086
+            git checkout $INPUT_BRANCH --;
+        fi
+    fi
+}
+
 _add_files() {
     echo "INPUT_ADD_OPTIONS: ${INPUT_ADD_OPTIONS}";
     _log "debug" "Apply add options ${INPUT_ADD_OPTIONS}";
diff --git a/tests/git-auto-commit.bats b/tests/git-auto-commit.bats
index fbbc7aa..5e74643 100644
--- a/tests/git-auto-commit.bats
+++ b/tests/git-auto-commit.bats
@@ -36,13 +36,11 @@ setup() {
     export INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE=""
     export INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS=""
     export INPUT_SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK=false
-    export INPUT_DISABLE_GLOBBING=false
-    export INPUT_INTERNAL_GIT_BINARY=git
-
-    # Deprecated variables. Will be removed in future versions
-    export INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH=false
     export INPUT_SKIP_FETCH=false
     export INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=false
+    export INPUT_DISABLE_GLOBBING=false
+    export INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH=false
+    export INPUT_INTERNAL_GIT_BINARY=git
 
     # Set GitHub environment variables used by the GitHub Action
     temp_github_output_file=$(mktemp -t github_output_test.XXXXX)
@@ -419,6 +417,32 @@ cat_github_output() {
     assert_output --partial refs/tags/v2.0.0
 }
 
+@test "If SKIP_FETCH is true git-fetch will not be called" {
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
+    INPUT_SKIP_FETCH=true
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_success
+
+    assert_line "::debug::git-fetch will not be executed."
+}
+
+@test "If SKIP_CHECKOUT is true git-checkout will not be called" {
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
+    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_success
+
+    assert_line "::debug::git-checkout will not be executed."
+}
+
 @test "It pushes generated commit and tag to remote and actually updates the commit shas" {
     INPUT_BRANCH=""
     INPUT_TAG="v2.0.0"
@@ -451,6 +475,10 @@ cat_github_output() {
 }
 
 @test "It pushes generated commit and tag to remote branch and updates commit sha" {
+    # Create "a-new-branch"-branch and then immediately switch back to ${FAKE_DEFAULT_BRANCH}
+    git checkout -b a-new-branch
+    git checkout ${FAKE_DEFAULT_BRANCH}
+
     INPUT_BRANCH="a-new-branch"
     INPUT_TAG="v2.0.0"
     INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE="MyProduct v2.0.0"
@@ -475,7 +503,7 @@ cat_github_output() {
     assert_output --partial refs/tags/v2.0.0
 
     # Assert that branch "a-new-branch" was updated on remote
-    current_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short ${FAKE_DEFAULT_BRANCH})"
+    current_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short a-new-branch)"
     remote_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short origin/a-new-branch)"
 
     assert_equal $current_sha $remote_sha
@@ -519,6 +547,7 @@ cat_github_output() {
 @test "it does not throw an error if not changes are detected and SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK is false" {
     INPUT_FILE_PATTERN="."
     INPUT_SKIP_DIRTY_CHECK=false
+    INPUT_SKIP_FETCH=false
 
     run git_auto_commit
 
@@ -572,6 +601,8 @@ cat_github_output() {
 
     touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
 
+    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
+
     run git_auto_commit
 
     assert_success
@@ -601,6 +632,8 @@ cat_github_output() {
 
     touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
 
+    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
+
     run git_auto_commit
 
     assert_success
@@ -631,52 +664,6 @@ cat_github_output() {
     assert_line -e "commit_hash=[0-9a-f]{40}$"
 }
 
-@test "It does not create new local branch if local branch already exists" {
-    git checkout -b not-existend-remote-branch
-    git checkout ${FAKE_DEFAULT_BRANCH}
-
-    INPUT_BRANCH="not-existend-remote-branch"
-
-    run git branch
-    assert_line --partial "not-existend-remote-branch"
-
-    run git branch -r
-    refute_line --partial "origin/not-existend-remote-branch"
-
-    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
-
-    run git_auto_commit
-
-    assert_success
-
-    assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
-    assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: not-existend-remote-branch"
-    assert_line "INPUT_FILE_PATTERN: ."
-    assert_line "INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS: "
-    assert_line "::debug::Apply commit options "
-    assert_line "INPUT_TAG: "
-    assert_line "INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE: "
-    assert_line "Neither tag nor tag message is set. No tag will be added."
-    assert_line "INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS: "
-    assert_line "::debug::Apply push options "
-    assert_line "::debug::Push commit to remote branch not-existend-remote-branch"
-
-    # Assert checked out branch is still the same.
-    run git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD
-    assert_line --partial ${FAKE_DEFAULT_BRANCH}
-    refute_line --partial "not-existend-remote-branch"
-
-    run git branch
-    assert_line --partial "not-existend-remote-branch"
-
-    run git branch -r
-    assert_line --partial "origin/not-existend-remote-branch"
-
-    run cat_github_output
-    assert_line "changes_detected=true"
-    assert_line -e "commit_hash=[0-9a-f]{40}$"
-}
-
 @test "It creates new local branch and pushes branch to remote even if the remote branch already exists" {
     # Create `existing-remote-branch` on remote with changes the local repository does not yet have
     cd $FAKE_TEMP_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
@@ -694,6 +681,7 @@ cat_github_output() {
     cd $FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
 
     INPUT_BRANCH="existing-remote-branch"
+    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
 
     run git branch
     refute_line --partial "existing-remote-branch"
@@ -739,7 +727,7 @@ cat_github_output() {
     assert_line -e "commit_hash=[0-9a-f]{40}$"
 }
 
-@test "It fails if local branch is behind remote and when remote has newer commits" {
+@test "It fails if local branch is behind remote and when remote has newer commits and skip_checkout is set to true" {
     # Create `existing-remote-branch` on remote with changes the local repository does not yet have
     cd $FAKE_TEMP_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
     git checkout -b "existing-remote-branch"
@@ -756,6 +744,7 @@ cat_github_output() {
     cd $FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
 
     INPUT_BRANCH="existing-remote-branch"
+    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
 
     run git branch
     refute_line --partial "existing-remote-branch"
@@ -787,7 +776,7 @@ cat_github_output() {
     refute [assert_equal $current_sha $remote_sha]
 }
 
-@test "It fails to push commit to remote if branch already exists and local repo is behind its remote counterpart" {
+@test "It fails to push commit to remote if branch already exists and local repo is behind its remote counterpart and SKIP_CHECKOUT is used" {
     # Create `new-branch` on remote with changes the local repository does not yet have
     cd $FAKE_TEMP_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
 
@@ -806,6 +795,7 @@ cat_github_output() {
     cd $FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
 
     INPUT_BRANCH="new-branch"
+    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
 
     # Assert that local remote does not have a "new-branch"-branch nor does
     # know about the remote branch.
@@ -824,8 +814,7 @@ cat_github_output() {
     assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: new-branch"
     assert_line --partial "::debug::Push commit to remote branch new-branch"
 
-    assert_line --partial "Updates were rejected because the remote contains work that you do"
-    assert_line --partial "This is usually caused by another repository pushing"
+    assert_line --partial "Updates were rejected because a pushed branch tip is behind its remote"
 }
 
 @test "throws fatal error if file pattern includes files that do not exist" {
@@ -1113,8 +1102,7 @@ END
     assert_line "::error::Not a git repository. Please make sure to run this action in a git repository. Adjust the `repository` input if necessary."
 }
 
-@test "It detects if the repository is in a detached state and exits with an error" {
-    skip
+@test "It detects if the repository is in a detached state and logs a warning" {
     touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
 
     run git_auto_commit
@@ -1129,8 +1117,8 @@ END
 
     run git_auto_commit
 
-    assert_failure;
-    assert_line "::error::Repository is in detached HEAD state. Please make sure you check out a branch. Adjust the `ref` input accordingly."
+    assert_success;
+    assert_line "::warning::Repository is in a detached HEAD state. git-auto-commit will likely handle this automatically. To avoid it, check out a branch using the ref option in actions/checkout."
 }
 
 @test "it creates a tag if create_git_tag_only is set to true and a message has been supplied" {
@@ -1187,18 +1175,272 @@ END
     assert_output ""
 }
 
-@test "it shows warning message if any deprecated options are used" {
-    INPUT_SKIP_FETCH=true
-    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
+@test "script fails to push commit to new branch that does not exist yet" {
+    INPUT_BRANCH="not-existend-branch"
+    INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH=false
+
+    run git branch
+    refute_line --partial "not-existend-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    refute_line --partial "origin/not-existend-branch"
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_failure
+
+    assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
+    assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: not-existend-branch"
+    assert_line "fatal: invalid reference: not-existend-branch"
+
+    run git branch
+    refute_line --partial "not-existend-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    refute_line --partial "origin/not-existend-branch"
+
+    run cat_github_output
+    assert_line "changes_detected=true"
+}
+
+@test "It creates new local branch and pushes the new branch to remote" {
+    INPUT_BRANCH="not-existend-branch"
     INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH=true
 
+    run git branch
+    refute_line --partial "not-existend-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    refute_line --partial "origin/not-existend-branch"
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
     run git_auto_commit
 
     assert_success
 
-    assert_line "::warning::git-auto-commit: skip_fetch has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore."
-    assert_line "::warning::git-auto-commit: skip_checkout has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore."
-    assert_line "::warning::git-auto-commit: create_branch has been removed in v6. It does not have any effect anymore."
+    assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
+    assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: not-existend-branch"
+    assert_line "INPUT_FILE_PATTERN: ."
+    assert_line "INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS: "
+    assert_line "::debug::Apply commit options "
+    assert_line "INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE: "
+    assert_line "No tagging message supplied. No tag will be added."
+    assert_line "INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS: "
+    assert_line "::debug::Apply push options "
+    assert_line "::debug::Push commit to remote branch not-existend-branch"
+
+    run git branch
+    assert_line --partial "not-existend-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    assert_line --partial "origin/not-existend-branch"
+
+    run cat_github_output
+    assert_line "changes_detected=true"
+    assert_line -e "commit_hash=[0-9a-f]{40}$"
+}
+
+@test "It does not create new local branch if local branch already exists and SKIP_CHECKOUT is true" {
+    git checkout -b not-existend-remote-branch
+    git checkout ${FAKE_DEFAULT_BRANCH}
+
+    INPUT_BRANCH="not-existend-remote-branch"
+    INPUT_SKIP_CHECKOUT=true
+
+    run git branch
+    assert_line --partial "not-existend-remote-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    refute_line --partial "origin/not-existend-remote-branch"
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_success
+
+    assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
+    assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: not-existend-remote-branch"
+    assert_line "INPUT_FILE_PATTERN: ."
+    assert_line "INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS: "
+    assert_line "::debug::Apply commit options "
+    assert_line "INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE: "
+    assert_line "No tagging message supplied. No tag will be added."
+    assert_line "INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS: "
+    assert_line "::debug::Apply push options "
+    assert_line "::debug::Push commit to remote branch not-existend-remote-branch"
+
+    # Assert checked out branch is still the same.
+    run git rev-parse --abbrev-ref HEAD
+    assert_line --partial ${FAKE_DEFAULT_BRANCH}
+    refute_line --partial "not-existend-remote-branch"
+
+    run git branch
+    assert_line --partial "not-existend-remote-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    assert_line --partial "origin/not-existend-remote-branch"
+
+    run cat_github_output
+    assert_line "changes_detected=true"
+    assert_line -e "commit_hash=[0-9a-f]{40}$"
+}
+
+@test "it creates new local branch and pushes branch to remote even if the remote branch already exists" {
+
+    # Create `existing-remote-branch` on remote with changes the local repository does not yet have
+    cd $FAKE_TEMP_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
+    git checkout -b "existing-remote-branch"
+    touch new-branch-file.txt
+    git add new-branch-file.txt
+    git commit -m "Add additional file"
+    git push origin existing-remote-branch
+
+    run git branch
+    assert_line --partial "existing-remote-branch"
+
+    # ---------
+    # Switch to our regular local repository and run `git-auto-commit`
+    cd $FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
+
+    INPUT_BRANCH="existing-remote-branch"
+    INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH=true
+
+    run git branch
+    refute_line --partial "existing-remote-branch"
+
+    run git fetch --all
+    run git pull origin existing-remote-branch
+    run git branch -r
+    assert_line --partial "origin/existing-remote-branch"
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_success
+
+    assert_line "INPUT_REPOSITORY value: ${INPUT_REPOSITORY}"
+    assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: existing-remote-branch"
+    assert_line "INPUT_FILE_PATTERN: ."
+    assert_line "INPUT_COMMIT_OPTIONS: "
+    assert_line "::debug::Apply commit options "
+    assert_line "INPUT_TAGGING_MESSAGE: "
+    assert_line "No tagging message supplied. No tag will be added."
+    assert_line "INPUT_PUSH_OPTIONS: "
+    assert_line "::debug::Apply push options "
+    assert_line "::debug::Push commit to remote branch existing-remote-branch"
+
+    run git branch
+    assert_line --partial "existing-remote-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    assert_line --partial "origin/existing-remote-branch"
+
+    # Assert that branch "existing-remote-branch" was updated on remote
+    current_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short existing-remote-branch)"
+    remote_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short origin/existing-remote-branch)"
+
+    assert_equal $current_sha $remote_sha
+
+    run cat_github_output
+    assert_line "changes_detected=true"
+    assert_line -e "commit_hash=[0-9a-f]{40}$"
+}
+
+@test "script fails if new local branch is checked out and push fails as remote has newer commits than local" {
+    # Create `existing-remote-branch` on remote with changes the local repository does not yet have
+    cd $FAKE_TEMP_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
+    git checkout -b "existing-remote-branch"
+    touch new-branch-file.txt
+    git add new-branch-file.txt
+    git commit -m "Add additional file"
+    git push origin existing-remote-branch
+
+    run git branch
+    assert_line --partial "existing-remote-branch"
+
+    # ---------
+    # Switch to our regular local repository and run `git-auto-commit`
+    cd $FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
+
+    INPUT_BRANCH="existing-remote-branch"
+    INPUT_CREATE_BRANCH=true
+
+    run git branch
+    refute_line --partial "existing-remote-branch"
+
+    run git fetch --all
+    run git branch -r
+    assert_line --partial "origin/existing-remote-branch"
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_failure
+
+    assert_line "hint: Updates were rejected because the tip of your current branch is behind"
+
+    # Assert that branch exists locally and on remote
+    run git branch
+    assert_line --partial "existing-remote-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    assert_line --partial "origin/existing-remote-branch"
+
+    # Assert that branch "existing-remote-branch" was not updated on remote
+    current_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short existing-remote-branch)"
+    remote_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short origin/existing-remote-branch)"
+
+    refute [assert_equal $current_sha $remote_sha]
+}
+
+@test "It pushes commit to remote if branch already exists and local repo is behind its remote counterpart" {
+    # Create `new-branch` on remote with changes the local repository does not yet have
+    cd $FAKE_TEMP_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
+
+    git checkout -b "new-branch"
+    touch new-branch-file.txt
+    git add new-branch-file.txt
+
+    git commit --quiet -m "Add additional file"
+    git push origin new-branch
+
+    run git branch -r
+    assert_line --partial "origin/new-branch"
+
+    # ---------
+    # Switch to our regular local repository and run `git-auto-commit`
+    cd $FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY
+
+    INPUT_BRANCH="new-branch"
+
+    # Assert that local remote does not know have "new-branch" locally nor does
+    # know about the remote branch.
+    run git branch
+    refute_line --partial "new-branch"
+
+    run git branch -r
+    refute_line --partial "origin/new-branch"
+
+    touch "${FAKE_LOCAL_REPOSITORY}"/new-file-{1,2,3}.txt
+
+    run git_auto_commit
+
+    assert_success
+
+    assert_line "INPUT_BRANCH value: new-branch"
+    assert_line --partial "::debug::Push commit to remote branch new-branch"
+
+    # Assert that branch "new-branch" was updated on remote
+    current_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short new-branch)"
+    remote_sha="$(git rev-parse --verify --short origin/new-branch)"
+
+    assert_equal $current_sha $remote_sha
 }
 
 @test "Set a tag message only" {