diff --git a/Documentation/git-update-ref.txt b/Documentation/git-update-ref.txt
index 374a2ebd2b..afcf33cf60 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-update-ref.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-update-ref.txt
@@ -65,6 +65,10 @@ performs all modifications together.  Specify commands of the form:
 	create SP <ref> SP <new-oid> LF
 	delete SP <ref> [SP <old-oid>] LF
 	verify SP <ref> [SP <old-oid>] LF
+	symref-update SP <ref> SP <new-target> [SP (ref SP <old-target> | oid SP <old-oid>)] LF
+	symref-create SP <ref> SP <new-target> LF
+	symref-delete SP <ref> [SP <old-target>] LF
+	symref-verify SP <ref> [SP <old-target>] LF
 	option SP <opt> LF
 	start LF
 	prepare LF
@@ -86,6 +90,10 @@ quoting:
 	create SP <ref> NUL <new-oid> NUL
 	delete SP <ref> NUL [<old-oid>] NUL
 	verify SP <ref> NUL [<old-oid>] NUL
+	symref-update SP <ref> NUL <new-target> [NUL (ref NUL <old-target> | oid NUL <old-oid>)] NUL
+	symref-create SP <ref> NUL <new-target> NUL
+	symref-delete SP <ref> [NUL <old-target>] NUL
+	symref-verify SP <ref> [NUL <old-target>] NUL
 	option SP <opt> NUL
 	start NUL
 	prepare NUL
@@ -113,10 +121,27 @@ delete::
 	Delete <ref> after verifying it exists with <old-oid>, if
 	given.  If given, <old-oid> may not be zero.
 
+symref-update::
+	Set <ref> to <new-target> after verifying <old-target> or <old-oid>,
+	if given. Specify a zero <old-oid> to ensure that the ref does not
+	exist before the update.
+
 verify::
 	Verify <ref> against <old-oid> but do not change it.  If
 	<old-oid> is zero or missing, the ref must not exist.
 
+symref-create:
+	Create symbolic ref <ref> with <new-target> after verifying
+	it does not exist.
+
+symref-delete::
+	Delete <ref> after verifying it exists with <old-target>, if given.
+
+symref-verify::
+	Verify symbolic <ref> against <old-target> but do not change it.
+	If <old-target> is missing, the ref must not exist.  Can only be
+	used in `no-deref` mode.
+
 option::
 	Modify the behavior of the next command naming a <ref>.
 	The only valid option is `no-deref` to avoid dereferencing
diff --git a/builtin/clone.c b/builtin/clone.c
index 45d78614a4..b28f88eb43 100644
--- a/builtin/clone.c
+++ b/builtin/clone.c
@@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ static void write_remote_refs(const struct ref *local_refs)
 		if (!r->peer_ref)
 			continue;
 		if (ref_transaction_create(t, r->peer_ref->name, &r->old_oid,
-					   0, NULL, &err))
+					   NULL, 0, NULL, &err))
 			die("%s", err.buf);
 	}
 
diff --git a/builtin/fetch.c b/builtin/fetch.c
index 0c061b2ed0..693f02b958 100644
--- a/builtin/fetch.c
+++ b/builtin/fetch.c
@@ -1391,8 +1391,8 @@ static int prune_refs(struct display_state *display_state,
 	if (!dry_run) {
 		if (transaction) {
 			for (ref = stale_refs; ref; ref = ref->next) {
-				result = ref_transaction_delete(transaction, ref->name, NULL, 0,
-								"fetch: prune", &err);
+				result = ref_transaction_delete(transaction, ref->name, NULL,
+								NULL, 0, "fetch: prune", &err);
 				if (result)
 					goto cleanup;
 			}
diff --git a/builtin/receive-pack.c b/builtin/receive-pack.c
index c8d12ee0a7..f67f37febd 100644
--- a/builtin/receive-pack.c
+++ b/builtin/receive-pack.c
@@ -1576,7 +1576,8 @@ static const char *update(struct command *cmd, struct shallow_info *si)
 		if (ref_transaction_delete(transaction,
 					   namespaced_name,
 					   old_oid,
-					   0, "push", &err)) {
+					   NULL, 0,
+					   "push", &err)) {
 			rp_error("%s", err.buf);
 			ret = "failed to delete";
 		} else {
diff --git a/builtin/update-ref.c b/builtin/update-ref.c
index 6cda1c08aa..471fa5c8d1 100644
--- a/builtin/update-ref.c
+++ b/builtin/update-ref.c
@@ -76,6 +76,65 @@ static char *parse_refname(const char **next)
 	return strbuf_detach(&ref, NULL);
 }
 
+/*
+ * Wrapper around parse_refname which skips the next delimiter.
+ */
+static char *parse_next_refname(const char **next)
+{
+	if (line_termination) {
+		/* Without -z, consume SP and use next argument */
+		if (!**next || **next == line_termination)
+			return NULL;
+		if (**next != ' ')
+			die("expected SP but got: %s", *next);
+	} else {
+		/* With -z, read the next NUL-terminated line */
+		if (**next)
+			return NULL;
+	}
+	/* Skip the delimiter */
+	(*next)++;
+
+	return parse_refname(next);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Wrapper around parse_arg which skips the next delimiter.
+ */
+static char *parse_next_arg(const char **next)
+{
+	struct strbuf arg = STRBUF_INIT;
+
+	if (line_termination) {
+		/* Without -z, consume SP and use next argument */
+		if (!**next || **next == line_termination)
+			return NULL;
+		if (**next != ' ')
+			die("expected SP but got: %s", *next);
+	} else {
+		/* With -z, read the next NUL-terminated line */
+		if (**next)
+			return NULL;
+	}
+	/* Skip the delimiter */
+	(*next)++;
+
+	if (line_termination) {
+		/* Without -z, use the next argument */
+		*next = parse_arg(*next, &arg);
+	} else {
+		/* With -z, use everything up to the next NUL */
+		strbuf_addstr(&arg, *next);
+		*next += arg.len;
+	}
+
+	if (arg.len)
+		return strbuf_detach(&arg, NULL);
+
+	strbuf_release(&arg);
+	return NULL;
+}
+
 /*
  * The value being parsed is <old-oid> (as opposed to <new-oid>; the
  * difference affects which error messages are generated):
@@ -214,6 +273,61 @@ static void parse_cmd_update(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 	strbuf_release(&err);
 }
 
+static void parse_cmd_symref_update(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
+				    const char *next, const char *end)
+{
+	char *refname, *new_target, *old_arg;
+	char *old_target = NULL;
+	struct strbuf err = STRBUF_INIT;
+	struct object_id old_oid;
+	int have_old_oid = 0;
+
+	refname = parse_refname(&next);
+	if (!refname)
+		die("symref-update: missing <ref>");
+
+	new_target = parse_next_refname(&next);
+	if (!new_target)
+		die("symref-update %s: missing <new-target>", refname);
+
+	old_arg = parse_next_arg(&next);
+	if (old_arg) {
+		old_target = parse_next_arg(&next);
+		if (!old_target)
+			die("symref-update %s: expected old value", refname);
+
+		if (!strcmp(old_arg, "oid")) {
+			if (repo_get_oid(the_repository, old_target, &old_oid))
+				die("symref-update %s: invalid oid: %s", refname, old_target);
+
+			have_old_oid = 1;
+		} else if (!strcmp(old_arg, "ref")) {
+			if (check_refname_format(old_target, REFNAME_ALLOW_ONELEVEL))
+				die("symref-update %s: invalid ref: %s", refname, old_target);
+		} else {
+			die("symref-update %s: invalid arg '%s' for old value", refname, old_arg);
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (*next != line_termination)
+		die("symref-update %s: extra input: %s", refname, next);
+
+	if (ref_transaction_update(transaction, refname, NULL,
+				   have_old_oid ? &old_oid : NULL,
+				   new_target,
+				   have_old_oid ? NULL : old_target,
+				   update_flags | create_reflog_flag,
+				   msg, &err))
+		die("%s", err.buf);
+
+	update_flags = default_flags;
+	free(refname);
+	free(old_arg);
+	free(old_target);
+	free(new_target);
+	strbuf_release(&err);
+}
+
 static void parse_cmd_create(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			     const char *next, const char *end)
 {
@@ -234,7 +348,7 @@ static void parse_cmd_create(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 	if (*next != line_termination)
 		die("create %s: extra input: %s", refname, next);
 
-	if (ref_transaction_create(transaction, refname, &new_oid,
+	if (ref_transaction_create(transaction, refname, &new_oid, NULL,
 				   update_flags | create_reflog_flag,
 				   msg, &err))
 		die("%s", err.buf);
@@ -244,6 +358,35 @@ static void parse_cmd_create(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 	strbuf_release(&err);
 }
 
+
+static void parse_cmd_symref_create(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
+				    const char *next, const char *end)
+{
+	struct strbuf err = STRBUF_INIT;
+	char *refname, *new_target;
+
+	refname = parse_refname(&next);
+	if (!refname)
+		die("symref-create: missing <ref>");
+
+	new_target = parse_next_refname(&next);
+	if (!new_target)
+		die("symref-create %s: missing <new-target>", refname);
+
+	if (*next != line_termination)
+		die("symref-create %s: extra input: %s", refname, next);
+
+	if (ref_transaction_create(transaction, refname, NULL, new_target,
+				   update_flags | create_reflog_flag,
+				   msg, &err))
+		die("%s", err.buf);
+
+	update_flags = default_flags;
+	free(refname);
+	free(new_target);
+	strbuf_release(&err);
+}
+
 static void parse_cmd_delete(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			     const char *next, const char *end)
 {
@@ -270,7 +413,7 @@ static void parse_cmd_delete(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 
 	if (ref_transaction_delete(transaction, refname,
 				   have_old ? &old_oid : NULL,
-				   update_flags, msg, &err))
+				   NULL, update_flags, msg, &err))
 		die("%s", err.buf);
 
 	update_flags = default_flags;
@@ -278,6 +421,36 @@ static void parse_cmd_delete(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 	strbuf_release(&err);
 }
 
+
+static void parse_cmd_symref_delete(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
+				    const char *next, const char *end)
+{
+	struct strbuf err = STRBUF_INIT;
+	char *refname, *old_target;
+
+	if (!(update_flags & REF_NO_DEREF))
+		die("symref-delete: cannot operate with deref mode");
+
+	refname = parse_refname(&next);
+	if (!refname)
+		die("symref-delete: missing <ref>");
+
+	old_target = parse_next_refname(&next);
+
+	if (*next != line_termination)
+		die("symref-delete %s: extra input: %s", refname, next);
+
+	if (ref_transaction_delete(transaction, refname, NULL,
+				   old_target, update_flags, msg, &err))
+		die("%s", err.buf);
+
+	update_flags = default_flags;
+	free(refname);
+	free(old_target);
+	strbuf_release(&err);
+}
+
+
 static void parse_cmd_verify(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			     const char *next, const char *end)
 {
@@ -297,7 +470,7 @@ static void parse_cmd_verify(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 		die("verify %s: extra input: %s", refname, next);
 
 	if (ref_transaction_verify(transaction, refname, &old_oid,
-				   update_flags, &err))
+				   NULL, update_flags, &err))
 		die("%s", err.buf);
 
 	update_flags = default_flags;
@@ -305,6 +478,42 @@ static void parse_cmd_verify(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 	strbuf_release(&err);
 }
 
+static void parse_cmd_symref_verify(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
+				    const char *next, const char *end)
+{
+	struct strbuf err = STRBUF_INIT;
+	struct object_id old_oid;
+	char *refname, *old_target;
+
+	if (!(update_flags & REF_NO_DEREF))
+		die("symref-verify: cannot operate with deref mode");
+
+	refname = parse_refname(&next);
+	if (!refname)
+		die("symref-verify: missing <ref>");
+
+	/*
+	 * old_ref is optional, if not provided, we need to ensure that the
+	 * ref doesn't exist.
+	 */
+	old_target = parse_next_refname(&next);
+	if (!old_target)
+		oidcpy(&old_oid, null_oid());
+
+	if (*next != line_termination)
+		die("symref-verify %s: extra input: %s", refname, next);
+
+	if (ref_transaction_verify(transaction, refname,
+				   old_target ? NULL : &old_oid,
+				   old_target, update_flags, &err))
+		die("%s", err.buf);
+
+	update_flags = default_flags;
+	free(refname);
+	free(old_target);
+	strbuf_release(&err);
+}
+
 static void report_ok(const char *command)
 {
 	fprintf(stdout, "%s: ok\n", command);
@@ -380,15 +589,19 @@ static const struct parse_cmd {
 	unsigned args;
 	enum update_refs_state state;
 } command[] = {
-	{ "update",  parse_cmd_update,  3, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
-	{ "create",  parse_cmd_create,  2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
-	{ "delete",  parse_cmd_delete,  2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
-	{ "verify",  parse_cmd_verify,  2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
-	{ "option",  parse_cmd_option,  1, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
-	{ "start",   parse_cmd_start,   0, UPDATE_REFS_STARTED },
-	{ "prepare", parse_cmd_prepare, 0, UPDATE_REFS_PREPARED },
-	{ "abort",   parse_cmd_abort,   0, UPDATE_REFS_CLOSED },
-	{ "commit",  parse_cmd_commit,  0, UPDATE_REFS_CLOSED },
+	{ "update",        parse_cmd_update,        3, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "create",        parse_cmd_create,        2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "delete",        parse_cmd_delete,        2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "verify",        parse_cmd_verify,        2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "symref-update", parse_cmd_symref_update, 4, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "symref-create", parse_cmd_symref_create, 2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "symref-delete", parse_cmd_symref_delete, 2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "symref-verify", parse_cmd_symref_verify, 2, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "option",        parse_cmd_option,        1, UPDATE_REFS_OPEN },
+	{ "start",         parse_cmd_start,         0, UPDATE_REFS_STARTED },
+	{ "prepare",       parse_cmd_prepare,       0, UPDATE_REFS_PREPARED },
+	{ "abort",         parse_cmd_abort,         0, UPDATE_REFS_CLOSED },
+	{ "commit",        parse_cmd_commit,        0, UPDATE_REFS_CLOSED },
 };
 
 static void update_refs_stdin(void)
diff --git a/refs.c b/refs.c
index 0c1e45f5a9..dd0d9c360f 100644
--- a/refs.c
+++ b/refs.c
@@ -914,7 +914,7 @@ int refs_delete_ref(struct ref_store *refs, const char *msg,
 	transaction = ref_store_transaction_begin(refs, &err);
 	if (!transaction ||
 	    ref_transaction_delete(transaction, refname, old_oid,
-				   flags, msg, &err) ||
+				   NULL, flags, msg, &err) ||
 	    ref_transaction_commit(transaction, &err)) {
 		error("%s", err.buf);
 		ref_transaction_free(transaction);
@@ -1238,43 +1238,57 @@ int ref_transaction_update(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 int ref_transaction_create(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			   const char *refname,
 			   const struct object_id *new_oid,
+			   const char *new_target,
 			   unsigned int flags, const char *msg,
 			   struct strbuf *err)
 {
-	if (!new_oid || is_null_oid(new_oid)) {
-		strbuf_addf(err, "'%s' has a null OID", refname);
+	if (new_oid && new_target)
+		BUG("create called with both new_oid and new_target set");
+	if ((!new_oid || is_null_oid(new_oid)) && !new_target) {
+		strbuf_addf(err, "'%s' has neither a valid OID nor a target", refname);
 		return 1;
 	}
 	return ref_transaction_update(transaction, refname, new_oid,
-				      null_oid(), NULL, NULL, flags,
+				      null_oid(), new_target, NULL, flags,
 				      msg, err);
 }
 
 int ref_transaction_delete(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			   const char *refname,
 			   const struct object_id *old_oid,
-			   unsigned int flags, const char *msg,
+			   const char *old_target,
+			   unsigned int flags,
+			   const char *msg,
 			   struct strbuf *err)
 {
 	if (old_oid && is_null_oid(old_oid))
 		BUG("delete called with old_oid set to zeros");
+	if (old_oid && old_target)
+		BUG("delete called with both old_oid and old_target set");
+	if (old_target && !(flags & REF_NO_DEREF))
+		BUG("delete cannot operate on symrefs with deref mode");
 	return ref_transaction_update(transaction, refname,
 				      null_oid(), old_oid,
-				      NULL, NULL, flags,
+				      NULL, old_target, flags,
 				      msg, err);
 }
 
 int ref_transaction_verify(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			   const char *refname,
 			   const struct object_id *old_oid,
+			   const char *old_target,
 			   unsigned int flags,
 			   struct strbuf *err)
 {
-	if (!old_oid)
-		BUG("verify called with old_oid set to NULL");
+	if (!old_target && !old_oid)
+		BUG("verify called with old_oid and old_target set to NULL");
+	if (old_oid && old_target)
+		BUG("verify called with both old_oid and old_target set");
+	if (old_target && !(flags & REF_NO_DEREF))
+		BUG("verify cannot operate on symrefs with deref mode");
 	return ref_transaction_update(transaction, refname,
 				      NULL, old_oid,
-				      NULL, NULL,
+				      NULL, old_target,
 				      flags, NULL, err);
 }
 
@@ -2485,7 +2499,7 @@ int refs_delete_refs(struct ref_store *refs, const char *logmsg,
 
 	for_each_string_list_item(item, refnames) {
 		ret = ref_transaction_delete(transaction, item->string,
-					     NULL, flags, msg, &err);
+					     NULL, NULL, flags, msg, &err);
 		if (ret) {
 			warning(_("could not delete reference %s: %s"),
 				item->string, err.buf);
@@ -2595,7 +2609,7 @@ static int migrate_one_ref(const char *refname, const struct object_id *oid,
 		if (ret < 0)
 			goto done;
 	} else {
-		ret = ref_transaction_create(data->transaction, refname, oid,
+		ret = ref_transaction_create(data->transaction, refname, oid, NULL,
 					     REF_SKIP_CREATE_REFLOG | REF_SKIP_OID_VERIFICATION,
 					     NULL, data->errbuf);
 		if (ret < 0)
@@ -2878,3 +2892,10 @@ int repo_migrate_ref_storage_format(struct repository *repo,
 	strbuf_release(&new_gitdir);
 	return ret;
 }
+
+int ref_update_expects_existing_old_ref(struct ref_update *update)
+{
+	return (update->flags & REF_HAVE_OLD) &&
+		(!is_null_oid(&update->old_oid) || update->old_target);
+}
+
diff --git a/refs.h b/refs.h
index 756039a051..df8cbf6124 100644
--- a/refs.h
+++ b/refs.h
@@ -717,6 +717,7 @@ int ref_transaction_update(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 int ref_transaction_create(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			   const char *refname,
 			   const struct object_id *new_oid,
+			   const char *new_target,
 			   unsigned int flags, const char *msg,
 			   struct strbuf *err);
 
@@ -731,7 +732,9 @@ int ref_transaction_create(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 int ref_transaction_delete(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			   const char *refname,
 			   const struct object_id *old_oid,
-			   unsigned int flags, const char *msg,
+			   const char *old_target,
+			   unsigned int flags,
+			   const char *msg,
 			   struct strbuf *err);
 
 /*
@@ -745,6 +748,7 @@ int ref_transaction_delete(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 int ref_transaction_verify(struct ref_transaction *transaction,
 			   const char *refname,
 			   const struct object_id *old_oid,
+			   const char *old_target,
 			   unsigned int flags,
 			   struct strbuf *err);
 
diff --git a/refs/files-backend.c b/refs/files-backend.c
index 4519b46171..44c5c3b201 100644
--- a/refs/files-backend.c
+++ b/refs/files-backend.c
@@ -2457,8 +2457,7 @@ static int lock_ref_for_update(struct files_ref_store *refs,
 			       struct strbuf *err)
 {
 	struct strbuf referent = STRBUF_INIT;
-	int mustexist = (update->flags & REF_HAVE_OLD) &&
-		!is_null_oid(&update->old_oid);
+	int mustexist = ref_update_expects_existing_old_ref(update);
 	int ret = 0;
 	struct ref_lock *lock;
 
@@ -2537,14 +2536,16 @@ static int lock_ref_for_update(struct files_ref_store *refs,
 
 		/*
 		 * Even if the ref is a regular ref, if `old_target` is set, we
-		 * check the referent value. Ideally `old_target` should only
-		 * be set for symrefs, but we're strict about its usage.
+		 * fail with an error.
 		 */
 		if (update->old_target) {
-			if (ref_update_check_old_target(referent.buf, update, err)) {
-				ret = TRANSACTION_GENERIC_ERROR;
-				goto out;
-			}
+			strbuf_addf(err, _("cannot lock ref '%s': "
+					   "expected symref with target '%s': "
+					   "but is a regular ref"),
+				    ref_update_original_update_refname(update),
+				    update->old_target);
+			ret = TRANSACTION_GENERIC_ERROR;
+			goto out;
 		} else if  (check_old_oid(update, &lock->old_oid, err)) {
 			ret = TRANSACTION_GENERIC_ERROR;
 			goto out;
diff --git a/refs/refs-internal.h b/refs/refs-internal.h
index cbcb6f9c36..fa975d69aa 100644
--- a/refs/refs-internal.h
+++ b/refs/refs-internal.h
@@ -742,4 +742,10 @@ int ref_update_has_null_new_value(struct ref_update *update);
 int ref_update_check_old_target(const char *referent, struct ref_update *update,
 				struct strbuf *err);
 
+/*
+ * Check if the ref must exist, this means that the old_oid or
+ * old_target is non NULL.
+ */
+int ref_update_expects_existing_old_ref(struct ref_update *update);
+
 #endif /* REFS_REFS_INTERNAL_H */
diff --git a/refs/reftable-backend.c b/refs/reftable-backend.c
index 3a75d63eb5..7d872a32ac 100644
--- a/refs/reftable-backend.c
+++ b/refs/reftable-backend.c
@@ -934,7 +934,7 @@ static int reftable_be_transaction_prepare(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 					      &current_oid, &referent, &u->type);
 		if (ret < 0)
 			goto done;
-		if (ret > 0 && (!(u->flags & REF_HAVE_OLD) || is_null_oid(&u->old_oid))) {
+		if (ret > 0 && !ref_update_expects_existing_old_ref(u)) {
 			/*
 			 * The reference does not exist, and we either have no
 			 * old object ID or expect the reference to not exist.
@@ -1005,8 +1005,9 @@ static int reftable_be_transaction_prepare(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 				 */
 				new_update = ref_transaction_add_update(
 					transaction, referent.buf, new_flags,
-					&u->new_oid, &u->old_oid, u->new_target,
-					u->old_target, u->msg);
+					u->new_target ? NULL : &u->new_oid,
+					u->old_target ? NULL : &u->old_oid,
+					u->new_target, u->old_target, u->msg);
 
 				new_update->parent_update = u;
 
@@ -1038,6 +1039,16 @@ static int reftable_be_transaction_prepare(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 		 * backend returns, which keeps our tests happy.
 		 */
 		if (u->old_target) {
+			if (!(u->type & REF_ISSYMREF)) {
+				strbuf_addf(err, _("cannot lock ref '%s': "
+					   "expected symref with target '%s': "
+					   "but is a regular ref"),
+					    ref_update_original_update_refname(u),
+					    u->old_target);
+				ret = -1;
+				goto done;
+			}
+
 			if (ref_update_check_old_target(referent.buf, u, err)) {
 				ret = -1;
 				goto done;
diff --git a/t/t0600-reffiles-backend.sh b/t/t0600-reffiles-backend.sh
index 92f570313d..b2a771ff2b 100755
--- a/t/t0600-reffiles-backend.sh
+++ b/t/t0600-reffiles-backend.sh
@@ -468,4 +468,36 @@ test_expect_success POSIXPERM 'git reflog expire honors core.sharedRepository' '
 	esac
 '
 
+test_expect_success SYMLINKS 'symref transaction supports symlinks' '
+	test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d TEST_SYMREF_HEAD" &&
+	git update-ref refs/heads/new @ &&
+	test_config core.prefersymlinkrefs true &&
+	cat >stdin <<-EOF &&
+	start
+	symref-create TEST_SYMREF_HEAD refs/heads/new
+	prepare
+	commit
+	EOF
+	git update-ref --no-deref --stdin <stdin &&
+	test_path_is_symlink .git/TEST_SYMREF_HEAD &&
+	test "$(test_readlink .git/TEST_SYMREF_HEAD)" = refs/heads/new
+'
+
+test_expect_success 'symref transaction supports false symlink config' '
+	test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d TEST_SYMREF_HEAD" &&
+	git update-ref refs/heads/new @ &&
+	test_config core.prefersymlinkrefs false &&
+	cat >stdin <<-EOF &&
+	start
+	symref-create TEST_SYMREF_HEAD refs/heads/new
+	prepare
+	commit
+	EOF
+	git update-ref --no-deref --stdin <stdin &&
+	test_path_is_file .git/TEST_SYMREF_HEAD &&
+	git symbolic-ref TEST_SYMREF_HEAD >actual &&
+	echo refs/heads/new >expect &&
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
 test_done
diff --git a/t/t1400-update-ref.sh b/t/t1400-update-ref.sh
index bbee2783ab..eb1691860d 100755
--- a/t/t1400-update-ref.sh
+++ b/t/t1400-update-ref.sh
@@ -892,17 +892,23 @@ test_expect_success 'stdin update/create/verify combination works' '
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'stdin verify succeeds for correct value' '
+	test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent $m >before &&
 	git rev-parse $m >expect &&
 	echo "verify $m $m" >stdin &&
 	git update-ref --stdin <stdin &&
 	git rev-parse $m >actual &&
-	test_cmp expect actual
+	test_cmp expect actual &&
+	test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent $m >after &&
+	test_cmp before after
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'stdin verify succeeds for missing reference' '
+	test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent $m >before &&
 	echo "verify refs/heads/missing $Z" >stdin &&
 	git update-ref --stdin <stdin &&
-	test_must_fail git rev-parse --verify -q refs/heads/missing
+	test_must_fail git rev-parse --verify -q refs/heads/missing &&
+	test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent $m >after &&
+	test_cmp before after
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'stdin verify treats no value as missing' '
@@ -1356,6 +1362,7 @@ test_expect_success 'fails with duplicate HEAD update' '
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'fails with duplicate ref update via symref' '
+	test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref2" &&
 	git branch target2 $A &&
 	git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref2 refs/heads/target2 &&
 	cat >stdin <<-EOF &&
@@ -1643,4 +1650,423 @@ test_expect_success PIPE 'transaction flushes status updates' '
 	test_cmp expected actual
 '
 
+format_command () {
+	if test "$1" = "-z"
+	then
+		shift
+		printf "$F" "$@"
+	else
+		echo "$@"
+	fi
+}
+
+for type in "" "-z"
+do
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-verify fails without --no-deref" '
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-verify refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: symref-verify: cannot operate with deref mode" err
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-verify fails with too many arguments" '
+		format_command $type "symref-verify refs/heads/symref" "$a" "$a" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err  &&
+		if test "$type" = "-z"
+		then
+			grep "fatal: unknown command: $a" err
+		else
+			grep "fatal: symref-verify refs/heads/symref: extra input:  $a" err
+		fi
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-verify succeeds for correct value" '
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >expect &&
+		test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent refs/heads/symref >before &&
+		format_command $type "symref-verify refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual &&
+		test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent refs/heads/symref >after &&
+		test_cmp before after
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-verify fails with no value" '
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >expect &&
+		format_command $type "symref-verify refs/heads/symref" "" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-verify succeeds for dangling reference" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref2" &&
+		test_must_fail git symbolic-ref refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref2 refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		format_command $type "symref-verify refs/heads/symref2" "refs/heads/nonexistent" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-verify fails for missing reference" '
+		test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent refs/heads/symref >before &&
+		format_command $type "symref-verify refs/heads/missing" "refs/heads/unknown" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: cannot lock ref ${SQ}refs/heads/missing${SQ}: unable to resolve reference ${SQ}refs/heads/missing${SQ}" err &&
+		test_must_fail git rev-parse --verify -q refs/heads/missing &&
+		test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent refs/heads/symref >after &&
+		test_cmp before after
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-verify fails for wrong value" '
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >expect &&
+		format_command $type "symref-verify refs/heads/symref" "$b" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-verify fails for mistaken null value" '
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >expect &&
+		format_command $type "symref-verify refs/heads/symref" "$Z" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete fails without --no-deref" '
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-delete refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: symref-delete: cannot operate with deref mode" err
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete fails with no ref" '
+		format_command $type "symref-delete " >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: symref-delete: missing <ref>" err
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete fails deleting regular ref" '
+		test_when_finished "git update-ref -d refs/heads/regularref" &&
+		git update-ref refs/heads/regularref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-delete refs/heads/regularref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: cannot lock ref ${SQ}refs/heads/regularref${SQ}: expected symref with target ${SQ}$a${SQ}: but is a regular ref" err
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete fails with too many arguments" '
+		format_command $type "symref-delete refs/heads/symref" "$a" "$a" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		if test "$type" = "-z"
+		then
+			grep "fatal: unknown command: $a" err
+		else
+			grep "fatal: symref-delete refs/heads/symref: extra input:  $a" err
+		fi
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete fails with wrong old value" '
+		format_command $type "symref-delete refs/heads/symref" "$m" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: verifying symref target: ${SQ}refs/heads/symref${SQ}: is at $a but expected refs/heads/main" err &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >expect &&
+		echo $a >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete works with right old value" '
+		format_command $type "symref-delete refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git rev-parse --verify -q refs/heads/symref
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete works with empty old value" '
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref $a >stdin &&
+		format_command $type "symref-delete refs/heads/symref" "" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git rev-parse --verify -q $b
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete succeeds for dangling reference" '
+		test_must_fail git symbolic-ref refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref2 refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		format_command $type "symref-delete refs/heads/symref2" "refs/heads/nonexistent" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref2
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-delete deletes regular ref without target" '
+		git update-ref refs/heads/regularref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-delete refs/heads/regularref" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-create fails with too many arguments" '
+		format_command $type "symref-create refs/heads/symref" "$a" "$a" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		if test "$type" = "-z"
+		then
+			grep "fatal: unknown command: $a" err
+		else
+			grep "fatal: symref-create refs/heads/symref: extra input:  $a" err
+		fi
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-create fails with no target" '
+		format_command $type "symref-create refs/heads/symref" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-create fails with empty target" '
+		format_command $type "symref-create refs/heads/symref" "" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-create works" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		format_command $type "symref-create refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >expect &&
+		echo $a >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-create works with --no-deref" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		format_command $type "symref-create refs/heads/symref" "$a" &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type <stdin 2>err
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type create dangling symref ref works" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		format_command $type "symref-create refs/heads/symref" "refs/heads/unkown" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >expect &&
+		echo refs/heads/unkown >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-create does not create reflogs by default" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/symref" &&
+		format_command $type "symref-create refs/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/symref >expect &&
+		echo $a >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual &&
+		test_must_fail git reflog exists refs/symref
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-create reflogs with --create-reflog" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		format_command $type "symref-create refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --create-reflog --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >expect &&
+		echo $a >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual &&
+		git reflog exists refs/heads/symref
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update fails with too many arguments" '
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" "ref" "$a" "$a" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		if test "$type" = "-z"
+		then
+			grep "fatal: unknown command: $a" err
+		else
+			grep "fatal: symref-update refs/heads/symref: extra input:  $a" err
+		fi
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update fails with wrong old value argument" '
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" "foo" "$a" "$a" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: symref-update refs/heads/symref: invalid arg ${SQ}foo${SQ} for old value" err
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update creates with zero old value" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" "oid" "$Z" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update creates with no old value" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update creates dangling" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		test_must_fail git rev-parse refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "refs/heads/nonexistent" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo refs/heads/nonexistent >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update fails with wrong old value" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$m" "ref" "$b" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: verifying symref target: ${SQ}refs/heads/symref${SQ}: is at $a but expected $b" err &&
+		test_must_fail git rev-parse --verify -q $c
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update updates dangling ref" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		test_must_fail git rev-parse refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update updates dangling ref with old value" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		test_must_fail git rev-parse refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" "ref" "refs/heads/nonexistent" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update fails update dangling ref with wrong old value" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		test_must_fail git rev-parse refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref refs/heads/nonexistent &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" "ref" "refs/heads/wrongref" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo refs/heads/nonexistent >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update works with right old value" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$m" "ref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo $m >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update works with no old value" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$m" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo $m >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update fails with empty old ref-target" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$m" "ref" "" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type --no-deref <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update creates (with deref)" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref --no-recurse refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual &&
+		test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		grep "$Z $(git rev-parse $a)" actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update regular ref to symref with correct old-oid" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d --no-recurse refs/heads/regularref" &&
+		git update-ref --no-deref refs/heads/regularref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/regularref" "$a" "oid" "$(git rev-parse $a)" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref --stdin $type <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref --no-recurse refs/heads/regularref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual &&
+		test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent refs/heads/regularref >actual &&
+		grep "$(git rev-parse $a) $(git rev-parse $a)" actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update regular ref to symref fails with wrong old-oid" '
+		test_when_finished "git update-ref -d refs/heads/regularref" &&
+		git update-ref --no-deref refs/heads/regularref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/regularref" "$a" "oid" "$(git rev-parse refs/heads/target2)" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: cannot lock ref ${SQ}refs/heads/regularref${SQ}: is at $(git rev-parse $a) but expected $(git rev-parse refs/heads/target2)" err &&
+		echo $(git rev-parse $a) >expect &&
+		git rev-parse refs/heads/regularref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update regular ref to symref fails with invalid old-oid" '
+		test_when_finished "git update-ref -d refs/heads/regularref" &&
+		git update-ref --no-deref refs/heads/regularref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/regularref" "$a" "oid" "not-a-ref-oid" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: symref-update refs/heads/regularref: invalid oid: not-a-ref-oid" err &&
+		echo $(git rev-parse $a) >expect &&
+		git rev-parse refs/heads/regularref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update existing symref with zero old-oid" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d --no-recurse refs/heads/symref" &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref refs/heads/target2 &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" "oid" "$Z" >stdin &&
+		test_must_fail git update-ref --stdin $type <stdin 2>err &&
+		grep "fatal: cannot lock ref ${SQ}refs/heads/symref${SQ}: reference already exists" err &&
+		echo refs/heads/target2 >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update regular ref to symref (with deref)" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d refs/heads/symref" &&
+		test_when_finished "git update-ref -d --no-deref refs/heads/symref2" &&
+		git update-ref refs/heads/symref2 $a &&
+		git symbolic-ref --no-recurse refs/heads/symref refs/heads/symref2 &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/symref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref $type --stdin <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref --no-recurse refs/heads/symref2 >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual &&
+		echo refs/heads/symref2 >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref --no-recurse refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual &&
+		test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent refs/heads/symref >actual &&
+		grep "$(git rev-parse $a) $(git rev-parse $a)" actual
+	'
+
+	test_expect_success "stdin $type symref-update regular ref to symref" '
+		test_when_finished "git symbolic-ref -d --no-recurse refs/heads/regularref" &&
+		git update-ref --no-deref refs/heads/regularref $a &&
+		format_command $type "symref-update refs/heads/regularref" "$a" >stdin &&
+		git update-ref $type --stdin <stdin &&
+		echo $a >expect &&
+		git symbolic-ref --no-recurse refs/heads/regularref >actual &&
+		test_cmp expect actual &&
+		test-tool ref-store main for-each-reflog-ent refs/heads/regularref >actual &&
+		grep "$(git rev-parse $a) $(git rev-parse $a)" actual
+	'
+
+done
+
 test_done
diff --git a/t/t1416-ref-transaction-hooks.sh b/t/t1416-ref-transaction-hooks.sh
index 067fd57290..5a812ca3c0 100755
--- a/t/t1416-ref-transaction-hooks.sh
+++ b/t/t1416-ref-transaction-hooks.sh
@@ -157,4 +157,58 @@ test_expect_success 'hook captures git-symbolic-ref updates' '
 	test_cmp expect actual
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'hook gets all queued symref updates' '
+	test_when_finished "rm actual" &&
+
+	git update-ref refs/heads/branch $POST_OID &&
+	git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symref refs/heads/main &&
+	git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symrefd refs/heads/main &&
+	git symbolic-ref refs/heads/symrefu refs/heads/main &&
+
+	test_hook reference-transaction <<-\EOF &&
+	echo "$*" >>actual
+	while read -r line
+	do
+		printf "%s\n" "$line"
+	done >>actual
+	EOF
+
+	# In the files backend, "delete" also triggers an additional transaction
+	# update on the packed-refs backend, which constitutes additional reflog
+	# entries.
+	if test_have_prereq REFFILES
+	then
+		cat >expect <<-EOF
+		aborted
+		$ZERO_OID $ZERO_OID refs/heads/symrefd
+		EOF
+	else
+		>expect
+	fi &&
+
+	cat >>expect <<-EOF &&
+	prepared
+	ref:refs/heads/main $ZERO_OID refs/heads/symref
+	ref:refs/heads/main $ZERO_OID refs/heads/symrefd
+	$ZERO_OID ref:refs/heads/main refs/heads/symrefc
+	ref:refs/heads/main ref:refs/heads/branch refs/heads/symrefu
+	committed
+	ref:refs/heads/main $ZERO_OID refs/heads/symref
+	ref:refs/heads/main $ZERO_OID refs/heads/symrefd
+	$ZERO_OID ref:refs/heads/main refs/heads/symrefc
+	ref:refs/heads/main ref:refs/heads/branch refs/heads/symrefu
+	EOF
+
+	git update-ref --no-deref --stdin <<-EOF &&
+	start
+	symref-verify refs/heads/symref refs/heads/main
+	symref-delete refs/heads/symrefd refs/heads/main
+	symref-create refs/heads/symrefc refs/heads/main
+	symref-update refs/heads/symrefu refs/heads/branch ref refs/heads/main
+	prepare
+	commit
+	EOF
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
 test_done
diff --git a/t/t5605-clone-local.sh b/t/t5605-clone-local.sh
index a3055869bc..339d8c786f 100755
--- a/t/t5605-clone-local.sh
+++ b/t/t5605-clone-local.sh
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ test_expect_success REFFILES 'local clone from repo with corrupt refs fails grac
 	echo a >corrupt/.git/refs/heads/topic &&
 
 	test_must_fail git clone corrupt working 2>err &&
-	grep "has a null OID" err
+	grep "has neither a valid OID nor a target" err
 '
 
 test_done