diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b0f6224..64dc025 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -311,8 +311,17 @@ jobs:
           git commit -m "generated"
           git push
 ```
+
 *NOTE:* The user email is `{user.id}+{user.login}@users.noreply.github.com`. See users API: https://api.github.com/users/github-actions%5Bbot%5D
 
+# Recommended permissions
+
+When using the `checkout` action in your GitHub Actions workflow, it is recommended to set the following `GITHUB_TOKEN` permissions to ensure proper functionality, unless alternative auth is provided via the `token` or `ssh-key` inputs:
+
+```yaml
+permissions:
+  contents: read
+```
 
 # License
 
diff --git a/dist/index.js b/dist/index.js
index b0db713..3c21f65 100644
--- a/dist/index.js
+++ b/dist/index.js
@@ -711,7 +711,11 @@ class GitCommandManager {
     }
     init() {
         return __awaiter(this, void 0, void 0, function* () {
-            yield this.execGit(['init', this.workingDirectory]);
+            yield this.execGit([
+                'init',
+                '--initial-branch=silence_warning_about_default_branch',
+                this.workingDirectory
+            ]);
         });
     }
     isDetached() {
diff --git a/src/git-command-manager.ts b/src/git-command-manager.ts
index 8e42a38..178d0b2 100644
--- a/src/git-command-manager.ts
+++ b/src/git-command-manager.ts
@@ -328,7 +328,11 @@ class GitCommandManager {
   }
 
   async init(): Promise<void> {
-    await this.execGit(['init', this.workingDirectory])
+    await this.execGit([
+      'init',
+      '--initial-branch=silence_warning_about_default_branch',
+      this.workingDirectory
+    ])
   }
 
   async isDetached(): Promise<boolean> {