diff --git a/modules/web/handler.go b/modules/web/handler.go
index 843b17e8d1..d113bbba45 100644
--- a/modules/web/handler.go
+++ b/modules/web/handler.go
@@ -70,7 +70,8 @@ func preCheckHandler(fn reflect.Value, argsIn []reflect.Value) {
 
 func prepareHandleArgsIn(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, fn reflect.Value, fnInfo *routing.FuncInfo) []reflect.Value {
 	defer func() {
-		if err := recover(); err != nil {
+		if recovered := recover(); recovered != nil {
+			err := fmt.Errorf("%v\n%s", recovered, log.Stack(2))
 			log.Error("unable to prepare handler arguments for %s: %v", fnInfo.String(), err)
 			panic(err)
 		}
@@ -117,7 +118,17 @@ func hasResponseBeenWritten(argsIn []reflect.Value) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func wrapHandlerProvider[T http.Handler](hp func(next http.Handler) T, funcInfo *routing.FuncInfo) func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+type middlewareProvider = func(next http.Handler) http.Handler
+
+func executeMiddlewaresHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, middlewares []middlewareProvider, endpoint http.HandlerFunc) {
+	handler := endpoint
+	for i := len(middlewares) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		handler = middlewares[i](handler).ServeHTTP
+	}
+	handler(w, r)
+}
+
+func wrapHandlerProvider[T http.Handler](hp func(next http.Handler) T, funcInfo *routing.FuncInfo) middlewareProvider {
 	return func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
 		h := hp(next) // this handle could be dynamically generated, so we can't use it for debug info
 		return http.HandlerFunc(func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
@@ -129,14 +140,14 @@ func wrapHandlerProvider[T http.Handler](hp func(next http.Handler) T, funcInfo
 
 // toHandlerProvider converts a handler to a handler provider
 // A handler provider is a function that takes a "next" http.Handler, it can be used as a middleware
-func toHandlerProvider(handler any) func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+func toHandlerProvider(handler any) middlewareProvider {
 	funcInfo := routing.GetFuncInfo(handler)
 	fn := reflect.ValueOf(handler)
 	if fn.Type().Kind() != reflect.Func {
 		panic(fmt.Sprintf("handler must be a function, but got %s", fn.Type()))
 	}
 
-	if hp, ok := handler.(func(next http.Handler) http.Handler); ok {
+	if hp, ok := handler.(middlewareProvider); ok {
 		return wrapHandlerProvider(hp, funcInfo)
 	} else if hp, ok := handler.(func(http.Handler) http.HandlerFunc); ok {
 		return wrapHandlerProvider(hp, funcInfo)
diff --git a/modules/web/router.go b/modules/web/router.go
index 5374f82a23..5ef18e9679 100644
--- a/modules/web/router.go
+++ b/modules/web/router.go
@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@ import (
 	"github.com/go-chi/chi/v5"
 )
 
+// PreMiddlewareProvider is a special middleware provider which will be executed
+// before other middlewares on the same "routing" level (AfterRouting/Group/Methods/Any, but not BeforeRouting).
+// A route can do something (e.g.: set middleware options) at the place where it is declared,
+// and the code will be executed before other middlewares which are added before the declaration.
+// Use cases: mark a route with some meta info, set some options for middlewares, etc.
+type PreMiddlewareProvider func(next http.Handler) http.Handler
+
 // Bind binding an obj to a handler's context data
 func Bind[T any](_ T) http.HandlerFunc {
 	return func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
@@ -41,7 +48,10 @@ func GetForm(dataStore reqctx.RequestDataStore) any {
 
 // Router defines a route based on chi's router
 type Router struct {
-	chiRouter      *chi.Mux
+	chiRouter *chi.Mux
+
+	afterRouting []any
+
 	curGroupPrefix string
 	curMiddlewares []any
 }
@@ -52,8 +62,9 @@ func NewRouter() *Router {
 	return &Router{chiRouter: r}
 }
 
-// Use supports two middlewares
-func (r *Router) Use(middlewares ...any) {
+// BeforeRouting adds middlewares which will be executed before the request path gets routed
+// It should only be used for framework-level global middlewares when it needs to change request method & path.
+func (r *Router) BeforeRouting(middlewares ...any) {
 	for _, m := range middlewares {
 		if !isNilOrFuncNil(m) {
 			r.chiRouter.Use(toHandlerProvider(m))
@@ -61,7 +72,13 @@ func (r *Router) Use(middlewares ...any) {
 	}
 }
 
-// Group mounts a sub-Router along a `pattern` string.
+// AfterRouting adds middlewares which will be executed after the request path gets routed
+// It can see the routed path and resolved path parameters
+func (r *Router) AfterRouting(middlewares ...any) {
+	r.afterRouting = append(r.afterRouting, middlewares...)
+}
+
+// Group mounts a sub-router along a "pattern" string.
 func (r *Router) Group(pattern string, fn func(), middlewares ...any) {
 	previousGroupPrefix := r.curGroupPrefix
 	previousMiddlewares := r.curMiddlewares
@@ -93,36 +110,54 @@ func isNilOrFuncNil(v any) bool {
 	return r.Kind() == reflect.Func && r.IsNil()
 }
 
-func wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(curMiddlewares, h []any) ([]func(http.Handler) http.Handler, http.HandlerFunc) {
-	handlerProviders := make([]func(http.Handler) http.Handler, 0, len(curMiddlewares)+len(h)+1)
-	for _, m := range curMiddlewares {
-		if !isNilOrFuncNil(m) {
-			handlerProviders = append(handlerProviders, toHandlerProvider(m))
+func wrapMiddlewareAppendPre(all []middlewareProvider, middlewares []any) []middlewareProvider {
+	for _, m := range middlewares {
+		if h, ok := m.(PreMiddlewareProvider); ok && h != nil {
+			all = append(all, toHandlerProvider(middlewareProvider(h)))
 		}
 	}
+	return all
+}
+
+func wrapMiddlewareAppendNormal(all []middlewareProvider, middlewares []any) []middlewareProvider {
+	for _, m := range middlewares {
+		if _, ok := m.(PreMiddlewareProvider); !ok && !isNilOrFuncNil(m) {
+			all = append(all, toHandlerProvider(m))
+		}
+	}
+	return all
+}
+
+func wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(useMiddlewares, curMiddlewares, h []any) (_ []middlewareProvider, _ http.HandlerFunc, hasPreMiddlewares bool) {
 	if len(h) == 0 {
 		panic("no endpoint handler provided")
 	}
-	for i, m := range h {
-		if !isNilOrFuncNil(m) {
-			handlerProviders = append(handlerProviders, toHandlerProvider(m))
-		} else if i == len(h)-1 {
-			panic("endpoint handler can't be nil")
-		}
+	if isNilOrFuncNil(h[len(h)-1]) {
+		panic("endpoint handler can't be nil")
 	}
+
+	handlerProviders := make([]middlewareProvider, 0, len(useMiddlewares)+len(curMiddlewares)+len(h)+1)
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendPre(handlerProviders, useMiddlewares)
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendPre(handlerProviders, curMiddlewares)
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendPre(handlerProviders, h)
+	hasPreMiddlewares = len(handlerProviders) > 0
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendNormal(handlerProviders, useMiddlewares)
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendNormal(handlerProviders, curMiddlewares)
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendNormal(handlerProviders, h)
+
 	middlewares := handlerProviders[:len(handlerProviders)-1]
 	handlerFunc := handlerProviders[len(handlerProviders)-1](nil).ServeHTTP
 	mockPoint := RouterMockPoint(MockAfterMiddlewares)
 	if mockPoint != nil {
 		middlewares = append(middlewares, mockPoint)
 	}
-	return middlewares, handlerFunc
+	return middlewares, handlerFunc, hasPreMiddlewares
 }
 
 // Methods adds the same handlers for multiple http "methods" (separated by ",").
 // If any method is invalid, the lower level router will panic.
 func (r *Router) Methods(methods, pattern string, h ...any) {
-	middlewares, handlerFunc := wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(r.curMiddlewares, h)
+	middlewares, handlerFunc, _ := wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(r.afterRouting, r.curMiddlewares, h)
 	fullPattern := r.getPattern(pattern)
 	if strings.Contains(methods, ",") {
 		methods := strings.SplitSeq(methods, ",")
@@ -134,15 +169,19 @@ func (r *Router) Methods(methods, pattern string, h ...any) {
 	}
 }
 
-// Mount attaches another Router along ./pattern/*
+// Mount attaches another Router along "/pattern/*"
 func (r *Router) Mount(pattern string, subRouter *Router) {
-	subRouter.Use(r.curMiddlewares...)
-	r.chiRouter.Mount(r.getPattern(pattern), subRouter.chiRouter)
+	handlerProviders := make([]middlewareProvider, 0, len(r.afterRouting)+len(r.curMiddlewares))
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendPre(handlerProviders, r.afterRouting)
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendPre(handlerProviders, r.curMiddlewares)
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendNormal(handlerProviders, r.afterRouting)
+	handlerProviders = wrapMiddlewareAppendNormal(handlerProviders, r.curMiddlewares)
+	r.chiRouter.With(handlerProviders...).Mount(r.getPattern(pattern), subRouter.chiRouter)
 }
 
 // Any delegate requests for all methods
 func (r *Router) Any(pattern string, h ...any) {
-	middlewares, handlerFunc := wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(r.curMiddlewares, h)
+	middlewares, handlerFunc, _ := wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(r.afterRouting, r.curMiddlewares, h)
 	r.chiRouter.With(middlewares...).HandleFunc(r.getPattern(pattern), handlerFunc)
 }
 
@@ -178,12 +217,16 @@ func (r *Router) Patch(pattern string, h ...any) {
 
 // ServeHTTP implements http.Handler
 func (r *Router) ServeHTTP(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+	// TODO: need to move it to the top-level common middleware, otherwise each "Mount" will cause it to be executed multiple times, which is inefficient.
 	r.normalizeRequestPath(w, req, r.chiRouter)
 }
 
 // NotFound defines a handler to respond whenever a route could not be found.
 func (r *Router) NotFound(h http.HandlerFunc) {
-	r.chiRouter.NotFound(h)
+	middlewares, handlerFunc, _ := wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(r.afterRouting, r.curMiddlewares, []any{h})
+	r.chiRouter.NotFound(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+		executeMiddlewaresHandler(w, r, middlewares, handlerFunc)
+	})
 }
 
 func (r *Router) normalizeRequestPath(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, next http.Handler) {
diff --git a/modules/web/router_path.go b/modules/web/router_path.go
index 64154c34a5..9e531346d1 100644
--- a/modules/web/router_path.go
+++ b/modules/web/router_path.go
@@ -27,11 +27,7 @@ func (g *RouterPathGroup) ServeHTTP(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request)
 	for _, m := range g.matchers {
 		if m.matchPath(chiCtx, path) {
 			chiCtx.RoutePatterns = append(chiCtx.RoutePatterns, m.pattern)
-			handler := m.handlerFunc
-			for i := len(m.middlewares) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
-				handler = m.middlewares[i](handler).ServeHTTP
-			}
-			handler(resp, req)
+			executeMiddlewaresHandler(resp, req, m.middlewares, m.handlerFunc)
 			return
 		}
 	}
@@ -67,7 +63,7 @@ type routerPathMatcher struct {
 	pattern     string
 	re          *regexp.Regexp
 	params      []routerPathParam
-	middlewares []func(http.Handler) http.Handler
+	middlewares []middlewareProvider
 	handlerFunc http.HandlerFunc
 }
 
@@ -111,7 +107,10 @@ func isValidMethod(name string) bool {
 }
 
 func newRouterPathMatcher(methods string, patternRegexp *RouterPathGroupPattern, h ...any) *routerPathMatcher {
-	middlewares, handlerFunc := wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(patternRegexp.middlewares, h)
+	middlewares, handlerFunc, hasPreMiddlewares := wrapMiddlewareAndHandler(nil, patternRegexp.middlewares, h)
+	if hasPreMiddlewares {
+		panic("pre-middlewares are not supported in router path matcher")
+	}
 	p := &routerPathMatcher{methods: make(container.Set[string]), middlewares: middlewares, handlerFunc: handlerFunc}
 	for method := range strings.SplitSeq(methods, ",") {
 		method = strings.TrimSpace(method)
diff --git a/modules/web/router_test.go b/modules/web/router_test.go
index ab5fbb502c..645e70b869 100644
--- a/modules/web/router_test.go
+++ b/modules/web/router_test.go
@@ -30,6 +30,71 @@ func chiURLParamsToMap(chiCtx *chi.Context) map[string]string {
 	return util.Iif(len(m) == 0, nil, m)
 }
 
+type testResult struct {
+	method          string
+	pathParams      map[string]string
+	handlerMarks    []string
+	chiRoutePattern *string
+}
+
+type testRecorder struct {
+	res testResult
+}
+
+func (r *testRecorder) reset() {
+	r.res = testResult{}
+}
+
+func (r *testRecorder) handle(optMark ...string) func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+	mark := util.OptionalArg(optMark, "")
+	return func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+		chiCtx := chi.RouteContext(req.Context())
+		r.res.method = req.Method
+		r.res.pathParams = chiURLParamsToMap(chiCtx)
+		r.res.chiRoutePattern = new(chiCtx.RoutePattern())
+		if mark != "" {
+			r.res.handlerMarks = append(r.res.handlerMarks, mark)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *testRecorder) provider(optMark ...string) func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+	return func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+		return http.HandlerFunc(func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+			r.handle(optMark...)(resp, req)
+			next.ServeHTTP(resp, req)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *testRecorder) stop(optMark ...string) func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+	mark := util.OptionalArg(optMark, "")
+	return func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
+		if stop := req.FormValue("stop"); stop != "" && (mark == "" || mark == stop) {
+			r.handle(stop)(resp, req)
+			resp.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
+		} else if mark != "" {
+			r.res.handlerMarks = append(r.res.handlerMarks, mark)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func (r *testRecorder) test(t *testing.T, rt *Router, methodPath string, expected testResult) {
+	r.reset()
+	methodPathFields := strings.Fields(methodPath)
+	req, err := http.NewRequest(methodPathFields[0], methodPathFields[1], nil)
+	assert.NoError(t, err)
+
+	buff := &bytes.Buffer{}
+	httpRecorder := httptest.NewRecorder()
+	httpRecorder.Body = buff
+	rt.ServeHTTP(httpRecorder, req)
+	if expected.chiRoutePattern == nil {
+		r.res.chiRoutePattern = nil
+	}
+	assert.Equal(t, expected, r.res)
+}
+
 func TestPathProcessor(t *testing.T) {
 	testProcess := func(pattern, uri string, expectedPathParams map[string]string) {
 		chiCtx := chi.NewRouteContext()
@@ -51,42 +116,10 @@ func TestPathProcessor(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestRouter(t *testing.T) {
-	buff := &bytes.Buffer{}
-	recorder := httptest.NewRecorder()
-	recorder.Body = buff
-
-	type resultStruct struct {
-		method          string
-		pathParams      map[string]string
-		handlerMarks    []string
-		chiRoutePattern *string
-	}
-
-	var res resultStruct
-	h := func(optMark ...string) func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
-		mark := util.OptionalArg(optMark, "")
-		return func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
-			chiCtx := chi.RouteContext(req.Context())
-			res.method = req.Method
-			res.pathParams = chiURLParamsToMap(chiCtx)
-			res.chiRoutePattern = new(chiCtx.RoutePattern())
-			if mark != "" {
-				res.handlerMarks = append(res.handlerMarks, mark)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	stopMark := func(optMark ...string) func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
-		mark := util.OptionalArg(optMark, "")
-		return func(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
-			if stop := req.FormValue("stop"); stop != "" && (mark == "" || mark == stop) {
-				h(stop)(resp, req)
-				resp.WriteHeader(http.StatusOK)
-			} else if mark != "" {
-				res.handlerMarks = append(res.handlerMarks, mark)
-			}
-		}
-	}
+	type resultStruct = testResult
+	resRecorder := &testRecorder{}
+	h := resRecorder.handle
+	stopMark := resRecorder.stop
 
 	r := NewRouter()
 	r.NotFound(h("not-found:/"))
@@ -123,15 +156,7 @@ func TestRouter(t *testing.T) {
 
 	testRoute := func(t *testing.T, methodPath string, expected resultStruct) {
 		t.Run(methodPath, func(t *testing.T) {
-			res = resultStruct{}
-			methodPathFields := strings.Fields(methodPath)
-			req, err := http.NewRequest(methodPathFields[0], methodPathFields[1], nil)
-			assert.NoError(t, err)
-			r.ServeHTTP(recorder, req)
-			if expected.chiRoutePattern == nil {
-				res.chiRoutePattern = nil
-			}
-			assert.Equal(t, expected, res)
+			resRecorder.test(t, r, methodPath, expected)
 		})
 	}
 
@@ -273,3 +298,39 @@ func TestRouteNormalizePath(t *testing.T) {
 	testPath("/v2/", paths{EscapedPath: "/v2", RawPath: "/v2", Path: "/v2"})
 	testPath("/v2/%2f", paths{EscapedPath: "/v2/%2f", RawPath: "/v2/%2f", Path: "/v2//"})
 }
+
+func TestPreMiddlewareProvider(t *testing.T) {
+	resRecorder := &testRecorder{}
+	h := resRecorder.handle
+	p := resRecorder.provider
+
+	root := NewRouter()
+	root.BeforeRouting(h("before-root"))
+	root.AfterRouting(h("root"))
+	root.Get("/a/1", h("mid"), PreMiddlewareProvider(p("pre-root")), h("end1"))
+
+	sub := NewRouter()
+	sub.BeforeRouting(h("before-sub"))
+	sub.AfterRouting(h("sub"))
+	sub.Get("/2", h("mid"), PreMiddlewareProvider(p("pre-sub")), h("end2"))
+	sub.NotFound(h("not-found"))
+
+	root.Mount("/a", sub)
+
+	resRecorder.test(t, root, "GET /a/1", testResult{
+		method:       "GET",
+		handlerMarks: []string{"before-root", "pre-root", "root", "mid", "end1"},
+	})
+	resRecorder.test(t, root, "GET /a/2", testResult{
+		method:       "GET",
+		handlerMarks: []string{"before-root", "root", "before-sub", "pre-sub", "sub", "mid", "end2"},
+	})
+	resRecorder.test(t, root, "GET /no-such", testResult{
+		method:       "GET",
+		handlerMarks: []string{"before-root"},
+	})
+	resRecorder.test(t, root, "GET /a/no-such", testResult{
+		method:       "GET",
+		handlerMarks: []string{"before-root", "root", "before-sub", "sub", "not-found"},
+	})
+}
diff --git a/modules/web/routing/context.go b/modules/web/routing/context.go
index d3eb98f83d..838abea158 100644
--- a/modules/web/routing/context.go
+++ b/modules/web/routing/context.go
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ func MarkLongPolling(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request) {
 }
 
 // UpdatePanicError updates a context's error info, a panic may be recovered by other middlewares, but we still need to know that.
-func UpdatePanicError(ctx context.Context, err any) {
+func UpdatePanicError(ctx context.Context, err error) {
 	record, ok := ctx.Value(contextKey).(*requestRecord)
 	if !ok {
 		return
diff --git a/modules/web/routing/logger_manager.go b/modules/web/routing/logger_manager.go
index aa25ec3a27..2f767c3d66 100644
--- a/modules/web/routing/logger_manager.go
+++ b/modules/web/routing/logger_manager.go
@@ -5,11 +5,13 @@ package routing
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
 	"sync"
 	"time"
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/graceful"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/process"
 )
 
@@ -99,7 +101,7 @@ func (manager *requestRecordsManager) handler(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
 			localPanicErr := recover()
 			if localPanicErr != nil {
 				record.lock.Lock()
-				record.panicError = localPanicErr
+				record.panicError = fmt.Errorf("%v\n%s", localPanicErr, log.Stack(2))
 				record.lock.Unlock()
 			}
 
diff --git a/modules/web/routing/requestrecord.go b/modules/web/routing/requestrecord.go
index cc61fc4d34..888c3e5c2f 100644
--- a/modules/web/routing/requestrecord.go
+++ b/modules/web/routing/requestrecord.go
@@ -24,5 +24,5 @@ type requestRecord struct {
 	// mutable fields
 	isLongPolling bool
 	funcInfo      *FuncInfo
-	panicError    any
+	panicError    error
 }
diff --git a/routers/api/actions/artifacts.go b/routers/api/actions/artifacts.go
index 6bef6c03c0..d7e7203a85 100644
--- a/routers/api/actions/artifacts.go
+++ b/routers/api/actions/artifacts.go
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ func init() {
 
 func ArtifactsRoutes(prefix string) *web.Router {
 	m := web.NewRouter()
-	m.Use(ArtifactContexter())
+	m.AfterRouting(ArtifactContexter())
 
 	r := artifactRoutes{
 		prefix: prefix,
diff --git a/routers/api/packages/api.go b/routers/api/packages/api.go
index 71fee23c92..7f81242db4 100644
--- a/routers/api/packages/api.go
+++ b/routers/api/packages/api.go
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ func verifyAuth(r *web.Router, authMethods []auth.Method) {
 	}
 	authGroup := auth.NewGroup(authMethods...)
 
-	r.Use(func(ctx *context.Context) {
+	r.AfterRouting(func(ctx *context.Context) {
 		var err error
 		ctx.Doer, err = authGroup.Verify(ctx.Req, ctx.Resp, ctx, ctx.Session)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ func verifyAuth(r *web.Router, authMethods []auth.Method) {
 func CommonRoutes() *web.Router {
 	r := web.NewRouter()
 
-	r.Use(context.PackageContexter())
+	r.AfterRouting(context.PackageContexter())
 
 	verifyAuth(r, []auth.Method{
 		&auth.OAuth2{},
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ func CommonRoutes() *web.Router {
 func ContainerRoutes() *web.Router {
 	r := web.NewRouter()
 
-	r.Use(context.PackageContexter())
+	r.AfterRouting(context.PackageContexter())
 
 	verifyAuth(r, []auth.Method{
 		&auth.Basic{},
diff --git a/routers/api/v1/api.go b/routers/api/v1/api.go
index 767e5533fd..e95e597932 100644
--- a/routers/api/v1/api.go
+++ b/routers/api/v1/api.go
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ import (
 	repo_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/repo"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/unit"
 	user_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/user"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/graceful"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	api "code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
@@ -756,13 +755,9 @@ func buildAuthGroup() *auth.Group {
 		&auth.Basic{}, // FIXME: this should be removed once we don't allow basic auth in API
 	)
 	if setting.Service.EnableReverseProxyAuthAPI {
-		group.Add(&auth.ReverseProxy{})
+		group.Add(&auth.ReverseProxy{}) // TODO: does it still make sense to support reverse proxy auth in API?
 	}
-
-	if setting.IsWindows && auth_model.IsSSPIEnabled(graceful.GetManager().ShutdownContext()) {
-		group.Add(&auth.SSPI{}) // it MUST be the last, see the comment of SSPI
-	}
-
+	// others: API doesn't support SSPI auth because the caller should use token
 	return group
 }
 
@@ -872,9 +867,9 @@ func checkDeprecatedAuthMethods(ctx *context.APIContext) {
 func Routes() *web.Router {
 	m := web.NewRouter()
 
-	m.Use(securityHeaders())
+	m.BeforeRouting(securityHeaders())
 	if setting.CORSConfig.Enabled {
-		m.Use(cors.Handler(cors.Options{
+		m.BeforeRouting(cors.Handler(cors.Options{
 			AllowedOrigins:   setting.CORSConfig.AllowDomain,
 			AllowedMethods:   setting.CORSConfig.Methods,
 			AllowCredentials: setting.CORSConfig.AllowCredentials,
@@ -882,14 +877,14 @@ func Routes() *web.Router {
 			MaxAge:           int(setting.CORSConfig.MaxAge.Seconds()),
 		}))
 	}
-	m.Use(context.APIContexter())
 
-	m.Use(checkDeprecatedAuthMethods)
+	m.AfterRouting(context.APIContexter())
+	m.AfterRouting(checkDeprecatedAuthMethods)
 
 	// Get user from session if logged in.
-	m.Use(apiAuth(buildAuthGroup()))
+	m.AfterRouting(apiAuth(buildAuthGroup()))
 
-	m.Use(verifyAuthWithOptions(&common.VerifyOptions{
+	m.AfterRouting(verifyAuthWithOptions(&common.VerifyOptions{
 		SignInRequired: setting.Service.RequireSignInViewStrict,
 	}))
 
diff --git a/routers/common/errpage.go b/routers/common/errpage.go
index 2406cf443f..07760bcd18 100644
--- a/routers/common/errpage.go
+++ b/routers/common/errpage.go
@@ -53,18 +53,18 @@ func renderServerErrorPage(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, respCode in
 	_, _ = io.Copy(w, outBuf)
 }
 
-// RenderPanicErrorPage renders a 500 page, and it never panics
-func RenderPanicErrorPage(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, err any) {
-	combinedErr := fmt.Sprintf("%v\n%s", err, log.Stack(2))
-	log.Error("PANIC: %s", combinedErr)
+// renderPanicErrorPage renders a 500 page with the recovered panic value, it handles the stack trace, and it never panics
+func renderPanicErrorPage(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, recovered any) {
+	combinedErr := fmt.Errorf("%v\n%s", recovered, log.Stack(2))
+	log.Error("PANIC: %v", combinedErr)
 
 	defer func() {
 		if err := recover(); err != nil {
-			log.Error("Panic occurs again when rendering error page: %v. Stack:\n%s", err, log.Stack(2))
+			log.Error("Panic occurs again when rendering error page: %v. Stack:\n%s", combinedErr, log.Stack(2))
 		}
 	}()
 
-	routing.UpdatePanicError(req.Context(), err)
+	routing.UpdatePanicError(req.Context(), combinedErr)
 
 	plainMsg := "Internal Server Error"
 	ctxData := middleware.GetContextData(req.Context())
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func RenderPanicErrorPage(w http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, err any) {
 	// Otherwise, the 500-page may cause new panics, eg: cache.GetContextWithData, it makes the developer&users couldn't find the original panic.
 	user, _ := ctxData[middleware.ContextDataKeySignedUser].(*user_model.User)
 	if !setting.IsProd || (user != nil && user.IsAdmin) {
-		plainMsg = "PANIC: " + combinedErr
+		plainMsg = "PANIC: " + combinedErr.Error()
 		ctxData["ErrorMsg"] = plainMsg
 	}
 	renderServerErrorPage(w, req, http.StatusInternalServerError, tplStatus500, ctxData, plainMsg)
diff --git a/routers/common/errpage_test.go b/routers/common/errpage_test.go
index c50d45c296..b81803c015 100644
--- a/routers/common/errpage_test.go
+++ b/routers/common/errpage_test.go
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ func TestRenderPanicErrorPage(t *testing.T) {
 		w := httptest.NewRecorder()
 		req := &http.Request{URL: &url.URL{}, Header: http.Header{"Accept": []string{"text/html"}}}
 		req = req.WithContext(reqctx.NewRequestContextForTest(t.Context()))
-		RenderPanicErrorPage(w, req, errors.New("fake panic error (for test only)"))
+		renderPanicErrorPage(w, req, errors.New("fake panic error (for test only)"))
 		respContent := w.Body.String()
 		assert.Contains(t, respContent, `class="page-content status-page-500"`)
 		assert.Contains(t, respContent, `</html>`)
diff --git a/routers/common/middleware.go b/routers/common/middleware.go
index 6bf430d361..9daffb04f1 100644
--- a/routers/common/middleware.go
+++ b/routers/common/middleware.go
@@ -5,13 +5,13 @@ package common
 
 import (
 	"fmt"
-	"log"
 	"net/http"
 	"strings"
 
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/cache"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/gtprof"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/httplib"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/reqctx"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/web/routing"
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ func RequestContextHandler() func(h http.Handler) http.Handler {
 			}()
 
 			defer func() {
-				if err := recover(); err != nil {
-					RenderPanicErrorPage(respWriter, req, err) // it should never panic
+				if recovered := recover(); recovered != nil {
+					renderPanicErrorPage(respWriter, req, recovered) // it should never panic, and it handles the stack trace internally
 				}
 			}()
 
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ func MustInitSessioner() func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
 		Domain:         setting.SessionConfig.Domain,
 	})
 	if err != nil {
-		log.Fatalf("common.Sessioner failed: %v", err)
+		log.Fatal("common.Sessioner failed: %v", err)
 	}
 	return middleware
 }
diff --git a/routers/init.go b/routers/init.go
index 8874236a60..2ed7a57e5c 100644
--- a/routers/init.go
+++ b/routers/init.go
@@ -180,8 +180,9 @@ func InitWebInstalled(ctx context.Context) {
 // NormalRoutes represents non install routes
 func NormalRoutes() *web.Router {
 	r := web.NewRouter()
-	r.Use(common.ProtocolMiddlewares()...)
-	r.Use(common.MaintenanceModeHandler())
+	r.BeforeRouting(common.ProtocolMiddlewares()...)
+
+	r.AfterRouting(common.MaintenanceModeHandler())
 
 	r.Mount("/", web_routers.Routes())
 	r.Mount("/api/v1", apiv1.Routes())
diff --git a/routers/install/routes.go b/routers/install/routes.go
index 0914c921c0..6fd511cbd1 100644
--- a/routers/install/routes.go
+++ b/routers/install/routes.go
@@ -20,11 +20,12 @@ import (
 // Routes registers the installation routes
 func Routes() *web.Router {
 	base := web.NewRouter()
-	base.Use(common.ProtocolMiddlewares()...)
+	base.BeforeRouting(common.ProtocolMiddlewares()...)
+
 	base.Methods("GET, HEAD", "/assets/*", public.FileHandlerFunc())
 
 	r := web.NewRouter()
-	r.Use(common.MustInitSessioner(), installContexter())
+	r.AfterRouting(common.MustInitSessioner(), installContexter())
 
 	r.Get("/", Install) // it must be on the root, because the "install.js" use the window.location to replace the "localhost" AppURL
 	r.Post("/", web.Bind(forms.InstallForm{}), SubmitInstall)
diff --git a/routers/private/internal.go b/routers/private/internal.go
index 2d5436468b..d4918455f1 100644
--- a/routers/private/internal.go
+++ b/routers/private/internal.go
@@ -54,11 +54,11 @@ func bind[T any](_ T) any {
 // These APIs will be invoked by internal commands for example `gitea serv` and etc.
 func Routes() *web.Router {
 	r := web.NewRouter()
-	r.Use(context.PrivateContexter())
-	r.Use(authInternal)
+	r.AfterRouting(context.PrivateContexter())
+	r.AfterRouting(authInternal)
 	// Log the real ip address of the request from SSH is really helpful for diagnosing sometimes.
 	// Since internal API will be sent only from Gitea sub commands and it's under control (checked by InternalToken), we can trust the headers.
-	r.Use(chi_middleware.RealIP)
+	r.AfterRouting(chi_middleware.RealIP)
 
 	r.Get("/dummy", misc.DummyOK)
 	r.Post("/ssh/authorized_keys", AuthorizedPublicKeyByContent)
diff --git a/routers/web/githttp.go b/routers/web/githttp.go
index 43d318c1a1..c738b68c8d 100644
--- a/routers/web/githttp.go
+++ b/routers/web/githttp.go
@@ -6,12 +6,9 @@ package web
 import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/web"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/routers/web/repo"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/services/context"
 )
 
-func addOwnerRepoGitHTTPRouters(m *web.Router) {
-	// Some users want to use "web-based git client" to access Gitea's repositories,
-	// so the CORS handler and OPTIONS method are used.
+func addOwnerRepoGitHTTPRouters(m *web.Router, middlewares ...any) {
 	m.Group("/{username}/{reponame}", func() {
 		m.Methods("POST,OPTIONS", "/git-upload-pack", repo.ServiceUploadPack)
 		m.Methods("POST,OPTIONS", "/git-receive-pack", repo.ServiceReceivePack)
@@ -25,5 +22,5 @@ func addOwnerRepoGitHTTPRouters(m *web.Router) {
 		m.Methods("GET,OPTIONS", "/objects/{head:[0-9a-f]{2}}/{hash:[0-9a-f]{38,62}}", repo.GetLooseObject)
 		m.Methods("GET,OPTIONS", "/objects/pack/pack-{file:[0-9a-f]{40,64}}.pack", repo.GetPackFile)
 		m.Methods("GET,OPTIONS", "/objects/pack/pack-{file:[0-9a-f]{40,64}}.idx", repo.GetIdxFile)
-	}, repo.HTTPGitEnabledHandler, repo.CorsHandler(), optSignInFromAnyOrigin, context.UserAssignmentWeb())
+	}, middlewares...)
 }
diff --git a/routers/web/web.go b/routers/web/web.go
index 182c6c595b..95a54b5244 100644
--- a/routers/web/web.go
+++ b/routers/web/web.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/metrics"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/public"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/reqctx"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/storage"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
@@ -90,32 +91,64 @@ func optionsCorsHandler() func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
 	}
 }
 
-// The OAuth2 plugin is expected to be executed first, as it must ignore the user id stored
-// in the session (if there is a user id stored in session other plugins might return the user
-// object for that id).
-//
-// The Session plugin is expected to be executed second, in order to skip authentication
-// for users that have already signed in.
-func buildAuthGroup() *auth_service.Group {
-	group := auth_service.NewGroup()
-	group.Add(&auth_service.OAuth2{}) // FIXME: this should be removed and only applied in download and oauth related routers
-	group.Add(&auth_service.Basic{})  // FIXME: this should be removed and only applied in download and git/lfs routers
-
-	if setting.Service.EnableReverseProxyAuth {
-		group.Add(&auth_service.ReverseProxy{}) // reverse-proxy should before Session, otherwise the header will be ignored if user has login
-	}
-	group.Add(&auth_service.Session{})
-
-	if setting.IsWindows && auth_model.IsSSPIEnabled(graceful.GetManager().ShutdownContext()) {
-		group.Add(&auth_service.SSPI{}) // it MUST be the last, see the comment of SSPI
-	}
-
-	return group
+type AuthMiddleware struct {
+	AllowOAuth2       web.PreMiddlewareProvider
+	AllowBasic        web.PreMiddlewareProvider
+	MiddlewareHandler func(*context.Context)
 }
 
-func webAuth(authMethod auth_service.Method) func(*context.Context) {
-	return func(ctx *context.Context) {
-		ar, err := common.AuthShared(ctx.Base, ctx.Session, authMethod)
+func newWebAuthMiddleware() *AuthMiddleware {
+	type keyAllowOAuth2 struct{}
+	type keyAllowBasic struct{}
+	webAuth := &AuthMiddleware{}
+
+	middlewareSetContextValue := func(key, val any) web.PreMiddlewareProvider {
+		return func(next http.Handler) http.Handler {
+			return http.HandlerFunc(func(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
+				dataStore := reqctx.GetRequestDataStore(r.Context())
+				dataStore.SetContextValue(key, val)
+				next.ServeHTTP(w, r)
+			})
+		}
+	}
+
+	webAuth.AllowBasic = middlewareSetContextValue(keyAllowBasic{}, true)
+	webAuth.AllowOAuth2 = middlewareSetContextValue(keyAllowOAuth2{}, true)
+
+	enableSSPI := setting.IsWindows && auth_model.IsSSPIEnabled(graceful.GetManager().ShutdownContext())
+	webAuth.MiddlewareHandler = func(ctx *context.Context) {
+		allowBasic := ctx.GetContextValue(keyAllowBasic{}) == true
+		allowOAuth2 := ctx.GetContextValue(keyAllowOAuth2{}) == true
+
+		group := auth_service.NewGroup()
+
+		// Most auth methods should ignore the user id stored in the session.
+		// If the auth succeeds, it must use the user id from the auth method to make sure the new login succeeds.
+		if allowOAuth2 {
+			group.Add(&auth_service.OAuth2{})
+		}
+		if allowBasic {
+			group.Add(&auth_service.Basic{})
+		}
+
+		// Sessionless means the route's auth can be done without web ui, then it doesn't need to create a session
+		// For example: accessing git via http, access rss feeds, downloading attachments, etc
+		isSessionless := allowOAuth2 || allowBasic
+
+		if setting.Service.EnableReverseProxyAuth {
+			// reverse-proxy should before Session, otherwise the header will be ignored if user has login
+			group.Add(&auth_service.ReverseProxy{CreateSession: !isSessionless})
+		}
+
+		// The Session plugin will skip authentication for users that have already signed in.
+		group.Add(&auth_service.Session{})
+
+		if enableSSPI {
+			// it MUST be the last, see the comment of SSPI
+			group.Add(&auth_service.SSPI{CreateSession: !isSessionless})
+		}
+
+		ar, err := common.AuthShared(ctx.Base, ctx.Session, group)
 		if err != nil {
 			log.Error("Failed to verify user: %v", err)
 			ctx.HTTPError(http.StatusUnauthorized, "Failed to authenticate user")
@@ -129,6 +162,7 @@ func webAuth(authMethod auth_service.Method) func(*context.Context) {
 			_ = ctx.Session.Delete("uid")
 		}
 	}
+	return webAuth
 }
 
 // verifyAuthWithOptions checks authentication according to options
@@ -223,6 +257,9 @@ const RouterMockPointBeforeWebRoutes = "before-web-routes"
 func Routes() *web.Router {
 	routes := web.NewRouter()
 
+	// GetHead allows a HEAD request redirect to GET if HEAD method is not defined for that route
+	routes.BeforeRouting(chi_middleware.GetHead)
+
 	routes.Head("/", misc.DummyOK) // for health check - doesn't need to be passed through gzip handler
 	routes.Methods("GET, HEAD, OPTIONS", "/assets/*", optionsCorsHandler(), public.FileHandlerFunc())
 	routes.Methods("GET, HEAD", "/avatars/*", avatarStorageHandler(setting.Avatar.Storage, "avatars", storage.Avatars))
@@ -260,10 +297,8 @@ func Routes() *web.Router {
 	mid = append(mid, common.MustInitSessioner(), context.Contexter())
 
 	// Get user from session if logged in.
-	mid = append(mid, webAuth(buildAuthGroup()))
-
-	// GetHead allows a HEAD request redirect to GET if HEAD method is not defined for that route
-	mid = append(mid, chi_middleware.GetHead)
+	webAuth := newWebAuthMiddleware()
+	mid = append(mid, webAuth.MiddlewareHandler)
 
 	if setting.API.EnableSwagger {
 		// Note: The route is here but no in API routes because it renders a web page
@@ -272,10 +307,12 @@ func Routes() *web.Router {
 
 	mid = append(mid, goGet)
 	mid = append(mid, common.PageGlobalData)
+	mid = append(mid, common.BlockExpensive(), common.QoS(), web.RouterMockPoint(RouterMockPointBeforeWebRoutes))
 
 	webRoutes := web.NewRouter()
-	webRoutes.Use(mid...)
-	webRoutes.Group("", func() { registerWebRoutes(webRoutes) }, common.BlockExpensive(), common.QoS(), web.RouterMockPoint(RouterMockPointBeforeWebRoutes))
+	webRoutes.AfterRouting(mid...)
+	registerWebRoutes(webRoutes, webAuth)
+
 	routes.Mount("", webRoutes)
 	return routes
 }
@@ -288,7 +325,7 @@ func Routes() *web.Router {
 var optSignInFromAnyOrigin = verifyAuthWithOptions(&common.VerifyOptions{DisableCrossOriginProtection: true})
 
 // registerWebRoutes register routes
-func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
+func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router, webAuth *AuthMiddleware) {
 	// required to be signed in or signed out
 	reqSignIn := verifyAuthWithOptions(&common.VerifyOptions{SignInRequired: true})
 	reqSignOut := verifyAuthWithOptions(&common.VerifyOptions{SignOutRequired: true})
@@ -565,7 +602,7 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 			m.Methods("POST, OPTIONS", "/access_token", web.Bind(forms.AccessTokenForm{}), auth.AccessTokenOAuth)
 			m.Methods("GET, OPTIONS", "/keys", auth.OIDCKeys)
 			m.Methods("POST, OPTIONS", "/introspect", web.Bind(forms.IntrospectTokenForm{}), auth.IntrospectOAuth)
-		}, optionsCorsHandler(), optSignInFromAnyOrigin)
+		}, optionsCorsHandler(), webAuth.AllowOAuth2, optSignInFromAnyOrigin)
 	}, oauth2Enabled)
 
 	m.Group("/user/settings", func() {
@@ -816,8 +853,9 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 	// ***** END: Admin *****
 
 	m.Group("", func() {
-		m.Get("/{username}", user.UsernameSubRoute)
-		m.Methods("GET, OPTIONS", "/attachments/{uuid}", optionsCorsHandler(), repo.GetAttachment)
+		// it handles "username.rss" in the handler, so allow basic auth as other rss/atom routes
+		m.Get("/{username}", webAuth.AllowBasic, user.UsernameSubRoute)
+		m.Methods("GET, OPTIONS", "/attachments/{uuid}", optionsCorsHandler(), webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, repo.GetAttachment)
 	}, optSignIn)
 
 	m.Post("/{username}", reqSignIn, context.UserAssignmentWeb(), user.ActionUserFollow)
@@ -1188,7 +1226,7 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 	// end "/{username}/{reponame}/settings"
 
 	// user/org home, including rss feeds like "/{username}/{reponame}.rss"
-	m.Get("/{username}/{reponame}", optSignIn, context.RepoAssignment, context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeBranch), repo.SetEditorconfigIfExists, repo.Home)
+	m.Get("/{username}/{reponame}", optSignIn, webAuth.AllowBasic, context.RepoAssignment, context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeBranch), repo.SetEditorconfigIfExists, repo.Home)
 
 	m.Post("/{username}/{reponame}/markup", optSignIn, context.RepoAssignment, reqUnitsWithMarkdown, web.Bind(structs.MarkupOption{}), misc.Markup)
 
@@ -1389,8 +1427,8 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 	m.Group("/{username}/{reponame}", func() { // repo tags
 		m.Group("/tags", func() {
 			m.Get("", context.RepoRefByDefaultBranch() /* for the "commits" tab */, repo.TagsList)
-			m.Get(".rss", feedEnabled, repo.TagsListFeedRSS)
-			m.Get(".atom", feedEnabled, repo.TagsListFeedAtom)
+			m.Get(".rss", webAuth.AllowBasic, feedEnabled, repo.TagsListFeedRSS)
+			m.Get(".atom", webAuth.AllowBasic, feedEnabled, repo.TagsListFeedAtom)
 			m.Get("/list", repo.GetTagList)
 		}, ctxDataSet("EnableFeed", setting.Other.EnableFeed))
 		m.Post("/tags/delete", reqSignIn, reqRepoCodeWriter, context.RepoMustNotBeArchived(), repo.DeleteTag)
@@ -1400,13 +1438,13 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 	m.Group("/{username}/{reponame}", func() { // repo releases
 		m.Group("/releases", func() {
 			m.Get("", repo.Releases)
-			m.Get(".rss", feedEnabled, repo.ReleasesFeedRSS)
-			m.Get(".atom", feedEnabled, repo.ReleasesFeedAtom)
+			m.Get(".rss", webAuth.AllowBasic, feedEnabled, repo.ReleasesFeedRSS)
+			m.Get(".atom", webAuth.AllowBasic, feedEnabled, repo.ReleasesFeedAtom)
 			m.Get("/tag/*", repo.SingleRelease)
 			m.Get("/latest", repo.LatestRelease)
 		}, ctxDataSet("EnableFeed", setting.Other.EnableFeed))
-		m.Get("/releases/attachments/{uuid}", repo.GetAttachment)
-		m.Get("/releases/download/{vTag}/{fileName}", repo.RedirectDownload)
+		m.Get("/releases/attachments/{uuid}", webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, repo.GetAttachment)
+		m.Get("/releases/download/{vTag}/{fileName}", webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, repo.RedirectDownload)
 		m.Group("/releases", func() {
 			m.Get("/new", repo.NewRelease)
 			m.Post("/new", web.Bind(forms.NewReleaseForm{}), repo.NewReleasePost)
@@ -1423,7 +1461,7 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 	// end "/{username}/{reponame}": repo releases
 
 	m.Group("/{username}/{reponame}", func() { // to maintain compatibility with old attachments
-		m.Get("/attachments/{uuid}", repo.GetAttachment)
+		m.Get("/attachments/{uuid}", webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, repo.GetAttachment)
 	}, optSignIn, context.RepoAssignment)
 	// end "/{username}/{reponame}": compatibility with old attachments
 
@@ -1492,7 +1530,7 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 			m.Post("/rerun", reqRepoActionsWriter, actions.Rerun)
 		})
 		m.Group("/workflows/{workflow_name}", func() {
-			m.Get("/badge.svg", actions.GetWorkflowBadge)
+			m.Get("/badge.svg", webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, actions.GetWorkflowBadge)
 		})
 	}, optSignIn, context.RepoAssignment, repo.MustBeNotEmpty, reqRepoActionsReader, actions.MustEnableActions)
 	// end "/{username}/{reponame}/actions"
@@ -1578,7 +1616,7 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 		m.Group("/archive", func() {
 			m.Get("/*", repo.Download)
 			m.Post("/*", repo.InitiateDownload)
-		}, repo.MustBeNotEmpty, dlSourceEnabled)
+		}, webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, repo.MustBeNotEmpty, dlSourceEnabled)
 
 		m.Group("/branches", func() {
 			m.Get("/list", repo.GetBranchesList)
@@ -1591,7 +1629,7 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 			m.Get("/tag/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeTag), repo.SingleDownloadOrLFS)
 			m.Get("/commit/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeCommit), repo.SingleDownloadOrLFS)
 			m.Get("/*", context.RepoRefByType(""), repo.SingleDownloadOrLFS) // "/*" route is deprecated, and kept for backward compatibility
-		}, repo.MustBeNotEmpty)
+		}, webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, repo.MustBeNotEmpty)
 
 		m.Group("/raw", func() {
 			m.Get("/blob/{sha}", repo.DownloadByID)
@@ -1599,7 +1637,7 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 			m.Get("/tag/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeTag), repo.SingleDownload)
 			m.Get("/commit/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeCommit), repo.SingleDownload)
 			m.Get("/*", context.RepoRefByType(""), repo.SingleDownload) // "/*" route is deprecated, and kept for backward compatibility
-		}, repo.MustBeNotEmpty)
+		}, webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, repo.MustBeNotEmpty)
 
 		m.Group("/render", func() {
 			m.Get("/branch/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeBranch), repo.RenderFile)
@@ -1632,8 +1670,8 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 			m.Get("/cherry-pick/{sha:([a-f0-9]{7,64})$}", repo.SetEditorconfigIfExists, context.RepoRefByDefaultBranch(), repo.CherryPick)
 		}, repo.MustBeNotEmpty)
 
-		m.Get("/rss/branch/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeBranch), feedEnabled, feed.RenderBranchFeedRSS)
-		m.Get("/atom/branch/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeBranch), feedEnabled, feed.RenderBranchFeedAtom)
+		m.Get("/rss/branch/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeBranch), webAuth.AllowBasic, feedEnabled, feed.RenderBranchFeedRSS)
+		m.Get("/atom/branch/*", context.RepoRefByType(git.RefTypeBranch), webAuth.AllowBasic, feedEnabled, feed.RenderBranchFeedAtom)
 
 		m.Group("/src", func() {
 			m.Get("", func(ctx *context.Context) { ctx.Redirect(ctx.Repo.RepoLink) }) // there is no "{owner}/{repo}/src" page, so redirect to "{owner}/{repo}" to avoid 404
@@ -1660,9 +1698,14 @@ func registerWebRoutes(m *web.Router) {
 		m.Post("/action/{action:accept_transfer|reject_transfer}", reqSignIn, repo.ActionTransfer)
 	}, optSignIn, context.RepoAssignment)
 
-	common.AddOwnerRepoGitLFSRoutes(m, lfsServerEnabled, repo.CorsHandler(), optSignInFromAnyOrigin) // "/{username}/{reponame}/{lfs-paths}": git-lfs support, see also addOwnerRepoGitHTTPRouters
+	// git lfs uses its own jwt key, and it handles the token & auth by itself, it conflicts with the general "OAuth2" auth method
+	// pattern: "/{username}/{reponame}/{lfs-paths}": git-lfs support, see also addOwnerRepoGitHTTPRouters
+	common.AddOwnerRepoGitLFSRoutes(m, lfsServerEnabled, webAuth.AllowBasic, repo.CorsHandler(), optSignInFromAnyOrigin)
 
-	addOwnerRepoGitHTTPRouters(m) // "/{username}/{reponame}/{git-paths}": git http support
+	// Some users want to use "web-based git client" to access Gitea's repositories,
+	// so the CORS handler and OPTIONS method are used.
+	// pattern: "/{username}/{reponame}/{git-paths}": git http support
+	addOwnerRepoGitHTTPRouters(m, repo.HTTPGitEnabledHandler, webAuth.AllowBasic, webAuth.AllowOAuth2, repo.CorsHandler(), optSignInFromAnyOrigin, context.UserAssignmentWeb())
 
 	m.Group("/notifications", func() {
 		m.Get("", user.Notifications)
diff --git a/services/auth/auth.go b/services/auth/auth.go
index 90e2115bc5..ebe8277f77 100644
--- a/services/auth/auth.go
+++ b/services/auth/auth.go
@@ -8,38 +8,16 @@ import (
 	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"net/http"
-	"regexp"
-	"strings"
-	"sync"
 
 	user_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/user"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/auth/webauthn"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/log"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/optional"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/session"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/web/middleware"
 	user_service "code.gitea.io/gitea/services/user"
 )
 
-type globalVarsStruct struct {
-	gitRawOrAttachPathRe *regexp.Regexp
-	lfsPathRe            *regexp.Regexp
-	archivePathRe        *regexp.Regexp
-	feedPathRe           *regexp.Regexp
-	feedRefPathRe        *regexp.Regexp
-}
-
-var globalVars = sync.OnceValue(func() *globalVarsStruct {
-	return &globalVarsStruct{
-		gitRawOrAttachPathRe: regexp.MustCompile(`^/[-.\w]+/[-.\w]+/(?:(?:git-(?:(?:upload)|(?:receive))-pack$)|(?:info/refs$)|(?:HEAD$)|(?:objects/)|(?:raw/)|(?:releases/download/)|(?:attachments/))`),
-		lfsPathRe:            regexp.MustCompile(`^/[-.\w]+/[-.\w]+/info/lfs/`),
-		archivePathRe:        regexp.MustCompile(`^/[-.\w]+/[-.\w]+/archive/`),
-		feedPathRe:           regexp.MustCompile(`^/[-.\w]+(/[-.\w]+)?\.(rss|atom)$`), // "/owner.rss" or "/owner/repo.atom"
-		feedRefPathRe:        regexp.MustCompile(`^/[-.\w]+/[-.\w]+/(rss|atom)/`),     // "/owner/repo/rss/branch/..."
-	}
-})
-
 type ErrUserAuthMessage string
 
 func (e ErrUserAuthMessage) Error() string {
@@ -60,66 +38,6 @@ func Init() {
 	webauthn.Init()
 }
 
-type authPathDetector struct {
-	req  *http.Request
-	vars *globalVarsStruct
-}
-
-func newAuthPathDetector(req *http.Request) *authPathDetector {
-	return &authPathDetector{req: req, vars: globalVars()}
-}
-
-// isAPIPath returns true if the specified URL is an API path
-func (a *authPathDetector) isAPIPath() bool {
-	return strings.HasPrefix(a.req.URL.Path, "/api/")
-}
-
-// isAttachmentDownload check if request is a file download (GET) with URL to an attachment
-func (a *authPathDetector) isAttachmentDownload() bool {
-	return strings.HasPrefix(a.req.URL.Path, "/attachments/") && a.req.Method == http.MethodGet
-}
-
-func (a *authPathDetector) isFeedRequest(req *http.Request) bool {
-	if !setting.Other.EnableFeed {
-		return false
-	}
-	if req.Method != http.MethodGet {
-		return false
-	}
-	return a.vars.feedPathRe.MatchString(req.URL.Path) || a.vars.feedRefPathRe.MatchString(req.URL.Path)
-}
-
-// isContainerPath checks if the request targets the container endpoint
-func (a *authPathDetector) isContainerPath() bool {
-	return strings.HasPrefix(a.req.URL.Path, "/v2/")
-}
-
-func (a *authPathDetector) isGitRawOrAttachPath() bool {
-	return a.vars.gitRawOrAttachPathRe.MatchString(a.req.URL.Path)
-}
-
-func (a *authPathDetector) isGitRawOrAttachOrLFSPath() bool {
-	if a.isGitRawOrAttachPath() {
-		return true
-	}
-	if setting.LFS.StartServer {
-		return a.vars.lfsPathRe.MatchString(a.req.URL.Path)
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
-func (a *authPathDetector) isArchivePath() bool {
-	return a.vars.archivePathRe.MatchString(a.req.URL.Path)
-}
-
-func (a *authPathDetector) isAuthenticatedTokenRequest() bool {
-	switch a.req.URL.Path {
-	case "/login/oauth/userinfo", "/login/oauth/introspect":
-		return true
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
 // handleSignIn clears existing session variables and stores new ones for the specified user object
 func handleSignIn(resp http.ResponseWriter, req *http.Request, sess SessionStore, user *user_model.User) {
 	// We need to regenerate the session...
diff --git a/services/auth/auth_test.go b/services/auth/auth_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index c45f312c90..0000000000
--- a/services/auth/auth_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,155 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright 2014 The Gogs Authors. All rights reserved.
-// Copyright 2019 The Gitea Authors. All rights reserved.
-// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
-
-package auth
-
-import (
-	"net/http"
-	"testing"
-
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
-	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/test"
-
-	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
-)
-
-func Test_isGitRawOrLFSPath(t *testing.T) {
-	tests := []struct {
-		path string
-
-		want bool
-	}{
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/git-upload-pack",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/git-receive-pack",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/info/refs",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/HEAD",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/objects/info/alternates",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/objects/info/http-alternates",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/objects/info/packs",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/objects/info/blahahsdhsdkla",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/objects/01/23456789abcdef0123456789abcdef01234567",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/objects/pack/pack-123456789012345678921234567893124567894.pack",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/objects/pack/pack-0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef0123456.idx",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/raw/branch/foo/fanaso",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/stars",
-			false,
-		},
-		{
-			"/notowner",
-			false,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo",
-			false,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/commit/123456789012345678921234567893124567894",
-			false,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/releases/download/tag/repo.tar.gz",
-			true,
-		},
-		{
-			"/owner/repo/attachments/6d92a9ee-5d8b-4993-97c9-6181bdaa8955",
-			true,
-		},
-	}
-
-	defer test.MockVariableValue(&setting.LFS.StartServer)()
-	for _, tt := range tests {
-		t.Run(tt.path, func(t *testing.T) {
-			req, _ := http.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, "http://localhost"+tt.path, nil)
-			setting.LFS.StartServer = false
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, newAuthPathDetector(req).isGitRawOrAttachOrLFSPath())
-
-			setting.LFS.StartServer = true
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, newAuthPathDetector(req).isGitRawOrAttachOrLFSPath())
-		})
-	}
-
-	lfsTests := []string{
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/",
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/objects/batch",
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/objects/oid/filename",
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/objects/oid",
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/objects",
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/verify",
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/locks",
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/locks/verify",
-		"/owner/repo/info/lfs/locks/123/unlock",
-	}
-	for _, tt := range lfsTests {
-		t.Run(tt, func(t *testing.T) {
-			req, _ := http.NewRequest(http.MethodPost, tt, nil)
-			setting.LFS.StartServer = false
-			got := newAuthPathDetector(req).isGitRawOrAttachOrLFSPath()
-			assert.Equalf(t, setting.LFS.StartServer, got, "isGitOrLFSPath(%q) = %v, want %v, %v", tt, got, setting.LFS.StartServer, globalVars().gitRawOrAttachPathRe.MatchString(tt))
-
-			setting.LFS.StartServer = true
-			got = newAuthPathDetector(req).isGitRawOrAttachOrLFSPath()
-			assert.Equalf(t, setting.LFS.StartServer, got, "isGitOrLFSPath(%q) = %v, want %v", tt, got, setting.LFS.StartServer)
-		})
-	}
-}
-
-func Test_isFeedRequest(t *testing.T) {
-	tests := []struct {
-		want bool
-		path string
-	}{
-		{true, "/user.rss"},
-		{true, "/user/repo.atom"},
-		{false, "/user/repo"},
-		{false, "/use/repo/file.rss"},
-
-		{true, "/org/repo/rss/branch/xxx"},
-		{true, "/org/repo/atom/tag/xxx"},
-		{false, "/org/repo/branch/main/rss/any"},
-		{false, "/org/atom/any"},
-	}
-	for _, tt := range tests {
-		t.Run(tt.path, func(t *testing.T) {
-			req, _ := http.NewRequest(http.MethodGet, "http://localhost"+tt.path, nil)
-			assert.Equal(t, tt.want, newAuthPathDetector(req).isFeedRequest(req))
-		})
-	}
-}
diff --git a/services/auth/basic.go b/services/auth/basic.go
index 3161d7f33d..dda6451c36 100644
--- a/services/auth/basic.go
+++ b/services/auth/basic.go
@@ -41,13 +41,6 @@ func (b *Basic) Name() string {
 }
 
 func (b *Basic) parseAuthBasic(req *http.Request) (ret struct{ authToken, uname, passwd string }) {
-	// Basic authentication should only fire on API, Feed, Download, Archives or on Git or LFSPaths
-	// Not all feed (rss/atom) clients feature the ability to add cookies or headers, so we need to allow basic auth for feeds
-	detector := newAuthPathDetector(req)
-	if !detector.isAPIPath() && !detector.isFeedRequest(req) && !detector.isContainerPath() && !detector.isAttachmentDownload() && !detector.isArchivePath() && !detector.isGitRawOrAttachOrLFSPath() {
-		return ret
-	}
-
 	authHeader := req.Header.Get("Authorization")
 	if authHeader == "" {
 		return ret
diff --git a/services/auth/oauth2.go b/services/auth/oauth2.go
index 86903b0ce1..877237e96e 100644
--- a/services/auth/oauth2.go
+++ b/services/auth/oauth2.go
@@ -152,13 +152,6 @@ func (o *OAuth2) userFromToken(ctx context.Context, tokenSHA string, store DataS
 // If verification is successful returns an existing user object.
 // Returns nil if verification fails.
 func (o *OAuth2) Verify(req *http.Request, w http.ResponseWriter, store DataStore, sess SessionStore) (*user_model.User, error) {
-	// These paths are not API paths, but we still want to check for tokens because they maybe in the API returned URLs
-	detector := newAuthPathDetector(req)
-	if !detector.isAPIPath() && !detector.isAttachmentDownload() && !detector.isAuthenticatedTokenRequest() &&
-		!detector.isGitRawOrAttachPath() && !detector.isArchivePath() {
-		return nil, nil //nolint:nilnil // the auth method is not applicable
-	}
-
 	token, ok := parseToken(req)
 	if !ok {
 		return nil, nil //nolint:nilnil // the auth method is not applicable
diff --git a/services/auth/reverseproxy.go b/services/auth/reverseproxy.go
index 064b263a67..e9b08d75f2 100644
--- a/services/auth/reverseproxy.go
+++ b/services/auth/reverseproxy.go
@@ -29,7 +29,9 @@ const ReverseProxyMethodName = "reverse_proxy"
 // On successful authentication the proxy is expected to populate the username in the
 // "setting.ReverseProxyAuthUser" header. Optionally it can also populate the email of the
 // user in the "setting.ReverseProxyAuthEmail" header.
-type ReverseProxy struct{}
+type ReverseProxy struct {
+	CreateSession bool
+}
 
 // getUserName extracts the username from the "setting.ReverseProxyAuthUser" header
 func (r *ReverseProxy) getUserName(req *http.Request) string {
@@ -115,9 +117,7 @@ func (r *ReverseProxy) Verify(req *http.Request, w http.ResponseWriter, store Da
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Make sure requests to API paths, attachment downloads, git and LFS do not create a new session
-	detector := newAuthPathDetector(req)
-	if !detector.isAPIPath() && !detector.isAttachmentDownload() && !detector.isGitRawOrAttachOrLFSPath() {
+	if r.CreateSession {
 		if sess != nil && (sess.Get("uid") == nil || sess.Get("uid").(int64) != user.ID) {
 			handleSignIn(w, req, sess, user)
 		}
diff --git a/services/auth/sspi.go b/services/auth/sspi.go
index 6450753935..c21978f55a 100644
--- a/services/auth/sspi.go
+++ b/services/auth/sspi.go
@@ -46,7 +46,9 @@ var (
 // The SSPI plugin is expected to be executed last, as it returns 401 status code if negotiation
 // fails (or if negotiation should continue), which would prevent other authentication methods
 // to execute at all.
-type SSPI struct{}
+type SSPI struct {
+	CreateSession bool
+}
 
 // Name represents the name of auth method
 func (s *SSPI) Name() string {
@@ -118,9 +120,7 @@ func (s *SSPI) Verify(req *http.Request, w http.ResponseWriter, store DataStore,
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Make sure requests to API paths and PWA resources do not create a new session
-	detector := newAuthPathDetector(req)
-	if !detector.isAPIPath() && !detector.isAttachmentDownload() {
+	if s.CreateSession {
 		handleSignIn(w, req, sess, user)
 	}
 
@@ -147,18 +147,9 @@ func (s *SSPI) getConfig(ctx context.Context) (*sspi.Source, error) {
 }
 
 func (s *SSPI) shouldAuthenticate(req *http.Request) (shouldAuth bool) {
-	shouldAuth = false
-	path := strings.TrimSuffix(req.URL.Path, "/")
-	if path == "/user/login" {
-		if req.FormValue("user_name") != "" && req.FormValue("password") != "" {
-			shouldAuth = false
-		} else if req.FormValue("auth_with_sspi") == "1" {
-			shouldAuth = true
-		}
-	} else {
-		detector := newAuthPathDetector(req)
-		shouldAuth = detector.isAPIPath() || detector.isAttachmentDownload()
-	}
+	// SSPI is only applicable for login requests with "auth_with_sspi" form value set to "1"
+	// See the template code with "auth_with_sspi"
+	shouldAuth = req.URL.Path == "/user/login" && req.FormValue("auth_with_sspi") == "1"
 	return shouldAuth
 }
 
diff --git a/tests/integration/migrate_test.go b/tests/integration/migrate_test.go
index 5521c786d9..8c8f053ede 100644
--- a/tests/integration/migrate_test.go
+++ b/tests/integration/migrate_test.go
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/models/unittest"
 	user_model "code.gitea.io/gitea/models/user"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/gitrepo"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/httplib"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/services/migrations"
@@ -126,7 +127,7 @@ func Test_MigrateFromGiteaToGitea(t *testing.T) {
 	session := loginUser(t, owner.Name)
 	token := getTokenForLoggedInUser(t, session, auth_model.AccessTokenScopeAll)
 
-	resp, err := http.Get("https://gitea.com/gitea")
+	resp, err := httplib.NewRequest("https://gitea.com/gitea/test_repo.git", "GET").SetReadWriteTimeout(5 * time.Second).Response()
 	if err != nil || resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
 		if resp != nil {
 			resp.Body.Close()