diff --git a/Documentation/technical/pack-protocol.txt b/Documentation/technical/pack-protocol.txt
index 6ac774d5f6..7a2375a55d 100644
--- a/Documentation/technical/pack-protocol.txt
+++ b/Documentation/technical/pack-protocol.txt
@@ -22,6 +22,16 @@ protocol-common.txt. When the grammar indicate `PKT-LINE(...)`, unless
 otherwise noted the usual pkt-line LF rules apply: the sender SHOULD
 include a LF, but the receiver MUST NOT complain if it is not present.
 
+An error packet is a special pkt-line that contains an error string.
+
+----
+  error-line     =  PKT-LINE("ERR" SP explanation-text)
+----
+
+Throughout the protocol, where `PKT-LINE(...)` is expected, an error packet MAY
+be sent. Once this packet is sent by a client or a server, the data transfer
+process defined in this protocol is terminated.
+
 Transports
 ----------
 There are three transports over which the packfile protocol is
@@ -89,13 +99,6 @@ process on the server side over the Git protocol is this:
      "0039git-upload-pack /schacon/gitbook.git\0host=example.com\0" |
      nc -v example.com 9418
 
-If the server refuses the request for some reasons, it could abort
-gracefully with an error message.
-
-----
-  error-line     =  PKT-LINE("ERR" SP explanation-text)
-----
-
 
 SSH Transport
 -------------
@@ -398,12 +401,11 @@ from the client).
 Then the server will start sending its packfile data.
 
 ----
-  server-response = *ack_multi ack / nak / error-line
+  server-response = *ack_multi ack / nak
   ack_multi       = PKT-LINE("ACK" SP obj-id ack_status)
   ack_status      = "continue" / "common" / "ready"
   ack             = PKT-LINE("ACK" SP obj-id)
   nak             = PKT-LINE("NAK")
-  error-line     =  PKT-LINE("ERR" SP explanation-text)
 ----
 
 A simple clone may look like this (with no 'have' lines):
diff --git a/Documentation/technical/protocol-v2.txt b/Documentation/technical/protocol-v2.txt
index 292060a9dc..ead85ce35c 100644
--- a/Documentation/technical/protocol-v2.txt
+++ b/Documentation/technical/protocol-v2.txt
@@ -313,6 +313,16 @@ the 'wanted-refs' section in the server's response as explained below.
 	particular ref, where <ref> is the full name of a ref on the
 	server.
 
+If the 'sideband-all' feature is advertised, the following argument can be
+included in the client's request:
+
+    sideband-all
+	Instruct the server to send the whole response multiplexed, not just
+	the packfile section. All non-flush and non-delim PKT-LINE in the
+	response (not only in the packfile section) will then start with a byte
+	indicating its sideband (1, 2, or 3), and the server may send "0005\2"
+	(a PKT-LINE of sideband 2 with no payload) as a keepalive packet.
+
 The response of `fetch` is broken into a number of sections separated by
 delimiter packets (0001), with each section beginning with its section
 header.
diff --git a/builtin/archive.c b/builtin/archive.c
index d2455237ce..45d11669aa 100644
--- a/builtin/archive.c
+++ b/builtin/archive.c
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ static int run_remote_archiver(int argc, const char **argv,
 			       const char *remote, const char *exec,
 			       const char *name_hint)
 {
-	char *buf;
 	int fd[2], i, rv;
 	struct transport *transport;
 	struct remote *_remote;
+	struct packet_reader reader;
 
 	_remote = remote_get(remote);
 	if (!_remote->url[0])
@@ -53,18 +53,19 @@ static int run_remote_archiver(int argc, const char **argv,
 		packet_write_fmt(fd[1], "argument %s\n", argv[i]);
 	packet_flush(fd[1]);
 
-	buf = packet_read_line(fd[0], NULL);
-	if (!buf)
+	packet_reader_init(&reader, fd[0], NULL, 0,
+			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
+
+	if (packet_reader_read(&reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
 		die(_("git archive: expected ACK/NAK, got a flush packet"));
-	if (strcmp(buf, "ACK")) {
-		if (starts_with(buf, "NACK "))
-			die(_("git archive: NACK %s"), buf + 5);
-		if (starts_with(buf, "ERR "))
-			die(_("remote error: %s"), buf + 4);
+	if (strcmp(reader.line, "ACK")) {
+		if (starts_with(reader.line, "NACK "))
+			die(_("git archive: NACK %s"), reader.line + 5);
 		die(_("git archive: protocol error"));
 	}
 
-	if (packet_read_line(fd[0], NULL))
+	if (packet_reader_read(&reader) != PACKET_READ_FLUSH)
 		die(_("git archive: expected a flush"));
 
 	/* Now, start reading from fd[0] and spit it out to stdout */
diff --git a/builtin/fetch-pack.c b/builtin/fetch-pack.c
index f6a513495e..153a2bd282 100644
--- a/builtin/fetch-pack.c
+++ b/builtin/fetch-pack.c
@@ -218,7 +218,8 @@ int cmd_fetch_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	packet_reader_init(&reader, fd[0], NULL, 0,
 			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
-			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF);
+			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
 
 	version = discover_version(&reader);
 	switch (version) {
diff --git a/builtin/receive-pack.c b/builtin/receive-pack.c
index 33187bd8e9..d58b7750b6 100644
--- a/builtin/receive-pack.c
+++ b/builtin/receive-pack.c
@@ -1569,30 +1569,29 @@ static void queue_commands_from_cert(struct command **tail,
 	}
 }
 
-static struct command *read_head_info(struct oid_array *shallow)
+static struct command *read_head_info(struct packet_reader *reader,
+				      struct oid_array *shallow)
 {
 	struct command *commands = NULL;
 	struct command **p = &commands;
 	for (;;) {
-		char *line;
-		int len, linelen;
+		int linelen;
 
-		line = packet_read_line(0, &len);
-		if (!line)
+		if (packet_reader_read(reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
 			break;
 
-		if (len > 8 && starts_with(line, "shallow ")) {
+		if (reader->pktlen > 8 && starts_with(reader->line, "shallow ")) {
 			struct object_id oid;
-			if (get_oid_hex(line + 8, &oid))
+			if (get_oid_hex(reader->line + 8, &oid))
 				die("protocol error: expected shallow sha, got '%s'",
-				    line + 8);
+				    reader->line + 8);
 			oid_array_append(shallow, &oid);
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		linelen = strlen(line);
-		if (linelen < len) {
-			const char *feature_list = line + linelen + 1;
+		linelen = strlen(reader->line);
+		if (linelen < reader->pktlen) {
+			const char *feature_list = reader->line + linelen + 1;
 			if (parse_feature_request(feature_list, "report-status"))
 				report_status = 1;
 			if (parse_feature_request(feature_list, "side-band-64k"))
@@ -1607,28 +1606,32 @@ static struct command *read_head_info(struct oid_array *shallow)
 				use_push_options = 1;
 		}
 
-		if (!strcmp(line, "push-cert")) {
+		if (!strcmp(reader->line, "push-cert")) {
 			int true_flush = 0;
-			char certbuf[1024];
+			int saved_options = reader->options;
+			reader->options &= ~PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE;
 
 			for (;;) {
-				len = packet_read(0, NULL, NULL,
-						  certbuf, sizeof(certbuf), 0);
-				if (!len) {
+				packet_reader_read(reader);
+				if (reader->status == PACKET_READ_FLUSH) {
 					true_flush = 1;
 					break;
 				}
-				if (!strcmp(certbuf, "push-cert-end\n"))
+				if (reader->status != PACKET_READ_NORMAL) {
+					die("protocol error: got an unexpected packet");
+				}
+				if (!strcmp(reader->line, "push-cert-end\n"))
 					break; /* end of cert */
-				strbuf_addstr(&push_cert, certbuf);
+				strbuf_addstr(&push_cert, reader->line);
 			}
+			reader->options = saved_options;
 
 			if (true_flush)
 				break;
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		p = queue_command(p, line, linelen);
+		p = queue_command(p, reader->line, linelen);
 	}
 
 	if (push_cert.len)
@@ -1637,18 +1640,14 @@ static struct command *read_head_info(struct oid_array *shallow)
 	return commands;
 }
 
-static void read_push_options(struct string_list *options)
+static void read_push_options(struct packet_reader *reader,
+			      struct string_list *options)
 {
 	while (1) {
-		char *line;
-		int len;
-
-		line = packet_read_line(0, &len);
-
-		if (!line)
+		if (packet_reader_read(reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
 			break;
 
-		string_list_append(options, line);
+		string_list_append(options, reader->line);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1924,6 +1923,7 @@ int cmd_receive_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	struct oid_array shallow = OID_ARRAY_INIT;
 	struct oid_array ref = OID_ARRAY_INIT;
 	struct shallow_info si;
+	struct packet_reader reader;
 
 	struct option options[] = {
 		OPT__QUIET(&quiet, N_("quiet")),
@@ -1986,12 +1986,16 @@ int cmd_receive_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 	if (advertise_refs)
 		return 0;
 
-	if ((commands = read_head_info(&shallow)) != NULL) {
+	packet_reader_init(&reader, 0, NULL, 0,
+			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
+
+	if ((commands = read_head_info(&reader, &shallow)) != NULL) {
 		const char *unpack_status = NULL;
 		struct string_list push_options = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
 
 		if (use_push_options)
-			read_push_options(&push_options);
+			read_push_options(&reader, &push_options);
 		if (!check_cert_push_options(&push_options)) {
 			struct command *cmd;
 			for (cmd = commands; cmd; cmd = cmd->next)
diff --git a/builtin/send-pack.c b/builtin/send-pack.c
index 8e3c7490f7..098ebf22d0 100644
--- a/builtin/send-pack.c
+++ b/builtin/send-pack.c
@@ -250,7 +250,8 @@ int cmd_send_pack(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 
 	packet_reader_init(&reader, fd[0], NULL, 0,
 			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
-			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF);
+			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
 
 	switch (discover_version(&reader)) {
 	case protocol_v2:
diff --git a/connect.c b/connect.c
index 24281b6082..4813f005ab 100644
--- a/connect.c
+++ b/connect.c
@@ -296,7 +296,6 @@ struct ref **get_remote_heads(struct packet_reader *reader,
 	struct ref **orig_list = list;
 	int len = 0;
 	enum get_remote_heads_state state = EXPECTING_FIRST_REF;
-	const char *arg;
 
 	*list = NULL;
 
@@ -306,8 +305,6 @@ struct ref **get_remote_heads(struct packet_reader *reader,
 			die_initial_contact(1);
 		case PACKET_READ_NORMAL:
 			len = reader->pktlen;
-			if (len > 4 && skip_prefix(reader->line, "ERR ", &arg))
-				die(_("remote error: %s"), arg);
 			break;
 		case PACKET_READ_FLUSH:
 			state = EXPECTING_DONE;
diff --git a/fetch-pack.c b/fetch-pack.c
index bf8984b8e8..08b3b356fa 100644
--- a/fetch-pack.c
+++ b/fetch-pack.c
@@ -135,38 +135,42 @@ enum ack_type {
 	ACK_ready
 };
 
-static void consume_shallow_list(struct fetch_pack_args *args, int fd)
+static void consume_shallow_list(struct fetch_pack_args *args,
+				 struct packet_reader *reader)
 {
 	if (args->stateless_rpc && args->deepen) {
 		/* If we sent a depth we will get back "duplicate"
 		 * shallow and unshallow commands every time there
 		 * is a block of have lines exchanged.
 		 */
-		char *line;
-		while ((line = packet_read_line(fd, NULL))) {
-			if (starts_with(line, "shallow "))
+		while (packet_reader_read(reader) == PACKET_READ_NORMAL) {
+			if (starts_with(reader->line, "shallow "))
 				continue;
-			if (starts_with(line, "unshallow "))
+			if (starts_with(reader->line, "unshallow "))
 				continue;
 			die(_("git fetch-pack: expected shallow list"));
 		}
+		if (reader->status != PACKET_READ_FLUSH)
+			die(_("git fetch-pack: expected a flush packet after shallow list"));
 	}
 }
 
-static enum ack_type get_ack(int fd, struct object_id *result_oid)
+static enum ack_type get_ack(struct packet_reader *reader,
+			     struct object_id *result_oid)
 {
 	int len;
-	char *line = packet_read_line(fd, &len);
 	const char *arg;
 
-	if (!line)
+	if (packet_reader_read(reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
 		die(_("git fetch-pack: expected ACK/NAK, got a flush packet"));
-	if (!strcmp(line, "NAK"))
+	len = reader->pktlen;
+
+	if (!strcmp(reader->line, "NAK"))
 		return NAK;
-	if (skip_prefix(line, "ACK ", &arg)) {
+	if (skip_prefix(reader->line, "ACK ", &arg)) {
 		if (!get_oid_hex(arg, result_oid)) {
 			arg += 40;
-			len -= arg - line;
+			len -= arg - reader->line;
 			if (len < 1)
 				return ACK;
 			if (strstr(arg, "continue"))
@@ -178,9 +182,7 @@ static enum ack_type get_ack(int fd, struct object_id *result_oid)
 			return ACK;
 		}
 	}
-	if (skip_prefix(line, "ERR ", &arg))
-		die(_("remote error: %s"), arg);
-	die(_("git fetch-pack: expected ACK/NAK, got '%s'"), line);
+	die(_("git fetch-pack: expected ACK/NAK, got '%s'"), reader->line);
 }
 
 static void send_request(struct fetch_pack_args *args,
@@ -248,10 +250,15 @@ static int find_common(struct fetch_negotiator *negotiator,
 	int got_ready = 0;
 	struct strbuf req_buf = STRBUF_INIT;
 	size_t state_len = 0;
+	struct packet_reader reader;
 
 	if (args->stateless_rpc && multi_ack == 1)
 		die(_("--stateless-rpc requires multi_ack_detailed"));
 
+	packet_reader_init(&reader, fd[0], NULL, 0,
+			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
+
 	if (!args->no_dependents) {
 		mark_tips(negotiator, args->negotiation_tips);
 		for_each_cached_alternate(negotiator, insert_one_alternate_object);
@@ -341,31 +348,30 @@ static int find_common(struct fetch_negotiator *negotiator,
 	state_len = req_buf.len;
 
 	if (args->deepen) {
-		char *line;
 		const char *arg;
 		struct object_id oid;
 
 		send_request(args, fd[1], &req_buf);
-		while ((line = packet_read_line(fd[0], NULL))) {
-			if (skip_prefix(line, "shallow ", &arg)) {
+		while (packet_reader_read(&reader) == PACKET_READ_NORMAL) {
+			if (skip_prefix(reader.line, "shallow ", &arg)) {
 				if (get_oid_hex(arg, &oid))
-					die(_("invalid shallow line: %s"), line);
+					die(_("invalid shallow line: %s"), reader.line);
 				register_shallow(the_repository, &oid);
 				continue;
 			}
-			if (skip_prefix(line, "unshallow ", &arg)) {
+			if (skip_prefix(reader.line, "unshallow ", &arg)) {
 				if (get_oid_hex(arg, &oid))
-					die(_("invalid unshallow line: %s"), line);
+					die(_("invalid unshallow line: %s"), reader.line);
 				if (!lookup_object(the_repository, oid.hash))
-					die(_("object not found: %s"), line);
+					die(_("object not found: %s"), reader.line);
 				/* make sure that it is parsed as shallow */
 				if (!parse_object(the_repository, &oid))
-					die(_("error in object: %s"), line);
+					die(_("error in object: %s"), reader.line);
 				if (unregister_shallow(&oid))
-					die(_("no shallow found: %s"), line);
+					die(_("no shallow found: %s"), reader.line);
 				continue;
 			}
-			die(_("expected shallow/unshallow, got %s"), line);
+			die(_("expected shallow/unshallow, got %s"), reader.line);
 		}
 	} else if (!args->stateless_rpc)
 		send_request(args, fd[1], &req_buf);
@@ -402,9 +408,9 @@ static int find_common(struct fetch_negotiator *negotiator,
 			if (!args->stateless_rpc && count == INITIAL_FLUSH)
 				continue;
 
-			consume_shallow_list(args, fd[0]);
+			consume_shallow_list(args, &reader);
 			do {
-				ack = get_ack(fd[0], result_oid);
+				ack = get_ack(&reader, result_oid);
 				if (ack)
 					print_verbose(args, _("got %s %d %s"), "ack",
 						      ack, oid_to_hex(result_oid));
@@ -474,9 +480,9 @@ done:
 	strbuf_release(&req_buf);
 
 	if (!got_ready || !no_done)
-		consume_shallow_list(args, fd[0]);
+		consume_shallow_list(args, &reader);
 	while (flushes || multi_ack) {
-		int ack = get_ack(fd[0], result_oid);
+		int ack = get_ack(&reader, result_oid);
 		if (ack) {
 			print_verbose(args, _("got %s (%d) %s"), "ack",
 				      ack, oid_to_hex(result_oid));
@@ -1091,7 +1097,8 @@ static int add_haves(struct fetch_negotiator *negotiator,
 static int send_fetch_request(struct fetch_negotiator *negotiator, int fd_out,
 			      const struct fetch_pack_args *args,
 			      const struct ref *wants, struct oidset *common,
-			      int *haves_to_send, int *in_vain)
+			      int *haves_to_send, int *in_vain,
+			      int sideband_all)
 {
 	int ret = 0;
 	struct strbuf req_buf = STRBUF_INIT;
@@ -1117,6 +1124,8 @@ static int send_fetch_request(struct fetch_negotiator *negotiator, int fd_out,
 		packet_buf_write(&req_buf, "include-tag");
 	if (prefer_ofs_delta)
 		packet_buf_write(&req_buf, "ofs-delta");
+	if (sideband_all)
+		packet_buf_write(&req_buf, "sideband-all");
 
 	/* Add shallow-info and deepen request */
 	if (server_supports_feature("fetch", "shallow", 0))
@@ -1334,7 +1343,13 @@ static struct ref *do_fetch_pack_v2(struct fetch_pack_args *args,
 	struct fetch_negotiator negotiator;
 	fetch_negotiator_init(&negotiator, negotiation_algorithm);
 	packet_reader_init(&reader, fd[0], NULL, 0,
-			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE);
+			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
+	if (git_env_bool("GIT_TEST_SIDEBAND_ALL", 1) &&
+	    server_supports_feature("fetch", "sideband-all", 0)) {
+		reader.use_sideband = 1;
+		reader.me = "fetch-pack";
+	}
 
 	while (state != FETCH_DONE) {
 		switch (state) {
@@ -1368,7 +1383,8 @@ static struct ref *do_fetch_pack_v2(struct fetch_pack_args *args,
 		case FETCH_SEND_REQUEST:
 			if (send_fetch_request(&negotiator, fd[1], args, ref,
 					       &common,
-					       &haves_to_send, &in_vain))
+					       &haves_to_send, &in_vain,
+					       reader.use_sideband))
 				state = FETCH_GET_PACK;
 			else
 				state = FETCH_PROCESS_ACKS;
diff --git a/pkt-line.c b/pkt-line.c
index 04d10bbd03..d4b71d3e82 100644
--- a/pkt-line.c
+++ b/pkt-line.c
@@ -129,12 +129,14 @@ static void set_packet_header(char *buf, const int size)
 	#undef hex
 }
 
-static void format_packet(struct strbuf *out, const char *fmt, va_list args)
+static void format_packet(struct strbuf *out, const char *prefix,
+			  const char *fmt, va_list args)
 {
 	size_t orig_len, n;
 
 	orig_len = out->len;
 	strbuf_addstr(out, "0000");
+	strbuf_addstr(out, prefix);
 	strbuf_vaddf(out, fmt, args);
 	n = out->len - orig_len;
 
@@ -145,13 +147,13 @@ static void format_packet(struct strbuf *out, const char *fmt, va_list args)
 	packet_trace(out->buf + orig_len + 4, n - 4, 1);
 }
 
-static int packet_write_fmt_1(int fd, int gently,
+static int packet_write_fmt_1(int fd, int gently, const char *prefix,
 			      const char *fmt, va_list args)
 {
 	static struct strbuf buf = STRBUF_INIT;
 
 	strbuf_reset(&buf);
-	format_packet(&buf, fmt, args);
+	format_packet(&buf, prefix, fmt, args);
 	if (write_in_full(fd, buf.buf, buf.len) < 0) {
 		if (!gently) {
 			check_pipe(errno);
@@ -168,7 +170,7 @@ void packet_write_fmt(int fd, const char *fmt, ...)
 	va_list args;
 
 	va_start(args, fmt);
-	packet_write_fmt_1(fd, 0, fmt, args);
+	packet_write_fmt_1(fd, 0, "", fmt, args);
 	va_end(args);
 }
 
@@ -178,7 +180,7 @@ int packet_write_fmt_gently(int fd, const char *fmt, ...)
 	va_list args;
 
 	va_start(args, fmt);
-	status = packet_write_fmt_1(fd, 1, fmt, args);
+	status = packet_write_fmt_1(fd, 1, "", fmt, args);
 	va_end(args);
 	return status;
 }
@@ -211,7 +213,7 @@ void packet_buf_write(struct strbuf *buf, const char *fmt, ...)
 	va_list args;
 
 	va_start(args, fmt);
-	format_packet(buf, fmt, args);
+	format_packet(buf, "", fmt, args);
 	va_end(args);
 }
 
@@ -346,6 +348,10 @@ enum packet_read_status packet_read_with_status(int fd, char **src_buffer,
 		return PACKET_READ_EOF;
 	}
 
+	if ((options & PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET) &&
+	    starts_with(buffer, "ERR "))
+		die(_("remote error: %s"), buffer + 4);
+
 	if ((options & PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE) &&
 	    len && buffer[len-1] == '\n')
 		len--;
@@ -433,6 +439,29 @@ ssize_t read_packetized_to_strbuf(int fd_in, struct strbuf *sb_out)
 	return sb_out->len - orig_len;
 }
 
+int recv_sideband(const char *me, int in_stream, int out)
+{
+	char buf[LARGE_PACKET_MAX + 1];
+	int len;
+	struct strbuf scratch = STRBUF_INIT;
+	enum sideband_type sideband_type;
+
+	while (1) {
+		len = packet_read(in_stream, NULL, NULL, buf, LARGE_PACKET_MAX,
+				  0);
+		if (!demultiplex_sideband(me, buf, len, 0, &scratch,
+					  &sideband_type))
+			continue;
+		switch (sideband_type) {
+		case SIDEBAND_PRIMARY:
+			write_or_die(out, buf + 1, len - 1);
+			break;
+		default: /* errors: message already written */
+			return sideband_type;
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 /* Packet Reader Functions */
 void packet_reader_init(struct packet_reader *reader, int fd,
 			char *src_buffer, size_t src_len,
@@ -446,25 +475,43 @@ void packet_reader_init(struct packet_reader *reader, int fd,
 	reader->buffer = packet_buffer;
 	reader->buffer_size = sizeof(packet_buffer);
 	reader->options = options;
+	reader->me = "git";
 }
 
 enum packet_read_status packet_reader_read(struct packet_reader *reader)
 {
+	struct strbuf scratch = STRBUF_INIT;
+
 	if (reader->line_peeked) {
 		reader->line_peeked = 0;
 		return reader->status;
 	}
 
-	reader->status = packet_read_with_status(reader->fd,
-						 &reader->src_buffer,
-						 &reader->src_len,
-						 reader->buffer,
-						 reader->buffer_size,
-						 &reader->pktlen,
-						 reader->options);
+	/*
+	 * Consume all progress packets until a primary payload packet is
+	 * received
+	 */
+	while (1) {
+		enum sideband_type sideband_type;
+		reader->status = packet_read_with_status(reader->fd,
+							 &reader->src_buffer,
+							 &reader->src_len,
+							 reader->buffer,
+							 reader->buffer_size,
+							 &reader->pktlen,
+							 reader->options);
+		if (!reader->use_sideband)
+			break;
+		if (demultiplex_sideband(reader->me, reader->buffer,
+					 reader->pktlen, 1, &scratch,
+					 &sideband_type))
+			break;
+	}
 
 	if (reader->status == PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
-		reader->line = reader->buffer;
+		/* Skip the sideband designator if sideband is used */
+		reader->line = reader->use_sideband ?
+			reader->buffer + 1 : reader->buffer;
 	else
 		reader->line = NULL;
 
@@ -482,3 +529,39 @@ enum packet_read_status packet_reader_peek(struct packet_reader *reader)
 	reader->line_peeked = 1;
 	return reader->status;
 }
+
+void packet_writer_init(struct packet_writer *writer, int dest_fd)
+{
+	writer->dest_fd = dest_fd;
+	writer->use_sideband = 0;
+}
+
+void packet_writer_write(struct packet_writer *writer, const char *fmt, ...)
+{
+	va_list args;
+
+	va_start(args, fmt);
+	packet_write_fmt_1(writer->dest_fd, 0,
+			   writer->use_sideband ? "\001" : "", fmt, args);
+	va_end(args);
+}
+
+void packet_writer_error(struct packet_writer *writer, const char *fmt, ...)
+{
+	va_list args;
+
+	va_start(args, fmt);
+	packet_write_fmt_1(writer->dest_fd, 0,
+			   writer->use_sideband ? "\003" : "ERR ", fmt, args);
+	va_end(args);
+}
+
+void packet_writer_delim(struct packet_writer *writer)
+{
+	packet_delim(writer->dest_fd);
+}
+
+void packet_writer_flush(struct packet_writer *writer)
+{
+	packet_flush(writer->dest_fd);
+}
diff --git a/pkt-line.h b/pkt-line.h
index 5b28d43472..ad9a4a2cd7 100644
--- a/pkt-line.h
+++ b/pkt-line.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 
 #include "git-compat-util.h"
 #include "strbuf.h"
+#include "sideband.h"
 
 /*
  * Write a packetized stream, where each line is preceded by
@@ -62,9 +63,13 @@ int write_packetized_from_buf(const char *src_in, size_t len, int fd_out);
  *
  * If options contains PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE, a trailing newline (if
  * present) is removed from the buffer before returning.
+ *
+ * If options contains PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET, it dies when it sees an
+ * ERR packet.
  */
-#define PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF (1u<<0)
-#define PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE (1u<<1)
+#define PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF     (1u<<0)
+#define PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE     (1u<<1)
+#define PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET (1u<<2)
 int packet_read(int fd, char **src_buffer, size_t *src_len, char
 		*buffer, unsigned size, int options);
 
@@ -116,6 +121,21 @@ char *packet_read_line_buf(char **src_buf, size_t *src_len, int *size);
  */
 ssize_t read_packetized_to_strbuf(int fd_in, struct strbuf *sb_out);
 
+/*
+ * Receive multiplexed output stream over git native protocol.
+ * in_stream is the input stream from the remote, which carries data
+ * in pkt_line format with band designator.  Demultiplex it into out
+ * and err and return error appropriately.  Band #1 carries the
+ * primary payload.  Things coming over band #2 is not necessarily
+ * error; they are usually informative message on the standard error
+ * stream, aka "verbose").  A message over band #3 is a signal that
+ * the remote died unexpectedly.  A flush() concludes the stream.
+ *
+ * Returns SIDEBAND_FLUSH upon a normal conclusion, and SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR
+ * or SIDEBAND_REMOTE_ERROR if an error occurred.
+ */
+int recv_sideband(const char *me, int in_stream, int out);
+
 struct packet_reader {
 	/* source file descriptor */
 	int fd;
@@ -142,6 +162,9 @@ struct packet_reader {
 
 	/* indicates if a line has been peeked */
 	int line_peeked;
+
+	unsigned use_sideband : 1;
+	const char *me;
 };
 
 /*
@@ -179,4 +202,19 @@ extern enum packet_read_status packet_reader_peek(struct packet_reader *reader);
 #define LARGE_PACKET_DATA_MAX (LARGE_PACKET_MAX - 4)
 extern char packet_buffer[LARGE_PACKET_MAX];
 
+struct packet_writer {
+	int dest_fd;
+	unsigned use_sideband : 1;
+};
+
+void packet_writer_init(struct packet_writer *writer, int dest_fd);
+
+/* These functions die upon failure. */
+__attribute__((format (printf, 2, 3)))
+void packet_writer_write(struct packet_writer *writer, const char *fmt, ...);
+__attribute__((format (printf, 2, 3)))
+void packet_writer_error(struct packet_writer *writer, const char *fmt, ...);
+void packet_writer_delim(struct packet_writer *writer);
+void packet_writer_flush(struct packet_writer *writer);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/remote-curl.c b/remote-curl.c
index 6ff9c66b90..2e04d53ac8 100644
--- a/remote-curl.c
+++ b/remote-curl.c
@@ -204,7 +204,8 @@ static struct ref *parse_git_refs(struct discovery *heads, int for_push)
 
 	packet_reader_init(&reader, -1, heads->buf, heads->len,
 			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
-			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF);
+			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
 
 	heads->version = discover_version(&reader);
 	switch (heads->version) {
@@ -408,28 +409,37 @@ static struct discovery *discover_refs(const char *service, int for_push)
 	if (maybe_smart &&
 	    (5 <= last->len && last->buf[4] == '#') &&
 	    !strbuf_cmp(&exp, &type)) {
-		char *line;
+		struct packet_reader reader;
+		packet_reader_init(&reader, -1, last->buf, last->len,
+				   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
+				   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
 
 		/*
 		 * smart HTTP response; validate that the service
 		 * pkt-line matches our request.
 		 */
-		line = packet_read_line_buf(&last->buf, &last->len, NULL);
-		if (!line)
+		if (packet_reader_read(&reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
 			die("invalid server response; expected service, got flush packet");
 
 		strbuf_reset(&exp);
 		strbuf_addf(&exp, "# service=%s", service);
-		if (strcmp(line, exp.buf))
-			die("invalid server response; got '%s'", line);
+		if (strcmp(reader.line, exp.buf))
+			die("invalid server response; got '%s'", reader.line);
 		strbuf_release(&exp);
 
 		/* The header can include additional metadata lines, up
 		 * until a packet flush marker.  Ignore these now, but
 		 * in the future we might start to scan them.
 		 */
-		while (packet_read_line_buf(&last->buf, &last->len, NULL))
-			;
+		for (;;) {
+			packet_reader_read(&reader);
+			if (reader.pktlen <= 0) {
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+
+		last->buf = reader.src_buffer;
+		last->len = reader.src_len;
 
 		last->proto_git = 1;
 	} else if (maybe_smart &&
@@ -1194,7 +1204,8 @@ static void proxy_state_init(struct proxy_state *p, const char *service_name,
 		p->headers = curl_slist_append(p->headers, buf.buf);
 
 	packet_reader_init(&p->reader, p->in, NULL, 0,
-			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF);
+			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
 
 	strbuf_release(&buf);
 }
diff --git a/send-pack.c b/send-pack.c
index f692686770..7b9829f165 100644
--- a/send-pack.c
+++ b/send-pack.c
@@ -135,38 +135,36 @@ static int pack_objects(int fd, struct ref *refs, struct oid_array *extra, struc
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int receive_unpack_status(int in)
+static int receive_unpack_status(struct packet_reader *reader)
 {
-	const char *line = packet_read_line(in, NULL);
-	if (!line)
+	if (packet_reader_read(reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
 		return error(_("unexpected flush packet while reading remote unpack status"));
-	if (!skip_prefix(line, "unpack ", &line))
-		return error(_("unable to parse remote unpack status: %s"), line);
-	if (strcmp(line, "ok"))
-		return error(_("remote unpack failed: %s"), line);
+	if (!skip_prefix(reader->line, "unpack ", &reader->line))
+		return error(_("unable to parse remote unpack status: %s"), reader->line);
+	if (strcmp(reader->line, "ok"))
+		return error(_("remote unpack failed: %s"), reader->line);
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int receive_status(int in, struct ref *refs)
+static int receive_status(struct packet_reader *reader, struct ref *refs)
 {
 	struct ref *hint;
 	int ret;
 
 	hint = NULL;
-	ret = receive_unpack_status(in);
+	ret = receive_unpack_status(reader);
 	while (1) {
-		char *refname;
+		const char *refname;
 		char *msg;
-		char *line = packet_read_line(in, NULL);
-		if (!line)
+		if (packet_reader_read(reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
 			break;
-		if (!starts_with(line, "ok ") && !starts_with(line, "ng ")) {
-			error("invalid ref status from remote: %s", line);
+		if (!starts_with(reader->line, "ok ") && !starts_with(reader->line, "ng ")) {
+			error("invalid ref status from remote: %s", reader->line);
 			ret = -1;
 			break;
 		}
 
-		refname = line + 3;
+		refname = reader->line + 3;
 		msg = strchr(refname, ' ');
 		if (msg)
 			*msg++ = '\0';
@@ -187,7 +185,7 @@ static int receive_status(int in, struct ref *refs)
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		if (line[0] == 'o' && line[1] == 'k')
+		if (reader->line[0] == 'o' && reader->line[1] == 'k')
 			hint->status = REF_STATUS_OK;
 		else {
 			hint->status = REF_STATUS_REMOTE_REJECT;
@@ -390,6 +388,7 @@ int send_pack(struct send_pack_args *args,
 	int ret;
 	struct async demux;
 	const char *push_cert_nonce = NULL;
+	struct packet_reader reader;
 
 	/* Does the other end support the reporting? */
 	if (server_supports("report-status"))
@@ -559,6 +558,10 @@ int send_pack(struct send_pack_args *args,
 		in = demux.out;
 	}
 
+	packet_reader_init(&reader, in, NULL, 0,
+			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
+
 	if (need_pack_data && cmds_sent) {
 		if (pack_objects(out, remote_refs, extra_have, args) < 0) {
 			for (ref = remote_refs; ref; ref = ref->next)
@@ -573,7 +576,7 @@ int send_pack(struct send_pack_args *args,
 			 * are failing, and just want the error() side effects.
 			 */
 			if (status_report)
-				receive_unpack_status(in);
+				receive_unpack_status(&reader);
 
 			if (use_sideband) {
 				close(demux.out);
@@ -590,7 +593,7 @@ int send_pack(struct send_pack_args *args,
 		packet_flush(out);
 
 	if (status_report && cmds_sent)
-		ret = receive_status(in, remote_refs);
+		ret = receive_status(&reader, remote_refs);
 	else
 		ret = 0;
 	if (args->stateless_rpc)
diff --git a/serve.c b/serve.c
index bda085f09c..317256c1a4 100644
--- a/serve.c
+++ b/serve.c
@@ -167,7 +167,8 @@ static int process_request(void)
 
 	packet_reader_init(&reader, 0, NULL, 0,
 			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
-			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF);
+			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
 
 	/*
 	 * Check to see if the client closed their end before sending another
@@ -175,7 +176,7 @@ static int process_request(void)
 	 */
 	if (packet_reader_peek(&reader) == PACKET_READ_EOF)
 		return 1;
-	reader.options = PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE;
+	reader.options &= ~PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF;
 
 	while (state != PROCESS_REQUEST_DONE) {
 		switch (packet_reader_peek(&reader)) {
diff --git a/sideband.c b/sideband.c
index 7c3d33d3f8..ef851113c4 100644
--- a/sideband.c
+++ b/sideband.c
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #include "cache.h"
 #include "color.h"
 #include "config.h"
-#include "pkt-line.h"
 #include "sideband.h"
 #include "help.h"
 
@@ -110,109 +109,104 @@ static void maybe_colorize_sideband(struct strbuf *dest, const char *src, int n)
 }
 
 
-/*
- * Receive multiplexed output stream over git native protocol.
- * in_stream is the input stream from the remote, which carries data
- * in pkt_line format with band designator.  Demultiplex it into out
- * and err and return error appropriately.  Band #1 carries the
- * primary payload.  Things coming over band #2 is not necessarily
- * error; they are usually informative message on the standard error
- * stream, aka "verbose").  A message over band #3 is a signal that
- * the remote died unexpectedly.  A flush() concludes the stream.
- */
-
 #define DISPLAY_PREFIX "remote: "
 
 #define ANSI_SUFFIX "\033[K"
 #define DUMB_SUFFIX "        "
 
-int recv_sideband(const char *me, int in_stream, int out)
+int demultiplex_sideband(const char *me, char *buf, int len,
+			 int die_on_error,
+			 struct strbuf *scratch,
+			 enum sideband_type *sideband_type)
 {
-	const char *suffix;
-	char buf[LARGE_PACKET_MAX + 1];
-	struct strbuf outbuf = STRBUF_INIT;
-	int retval = 0;
+	static const char *suffix;
+	const char *b, *brk;
+	int band;
 
-	if (isatty(2) && !is_terminal_dumb())
-		suffix = ANSI_SUFFIX;
-	else
-		suffix = DUMB_SUFFIX;
-
-	while (!retval) {
-		const char *b, *brk;
-		int band, len;
-		len = packet_read(in_stream, NULL, NULL, buf, LARGE_PACKET_MAX, 0);
-		if (len == 0)
-			break;
-		if (len < 1) {
-			strbuf_addf(&outbuf,
-				    "%s%s: protocol error: no band designator",
-				    outbuf.len ? "\n" : "", me);
-			retval = SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR;
-			break;
-		}
-		band = buf[0] & 0xff;
-		buf[len] = '\0';
-		len--;
-		switch (band) {
-		case 3:
-			strbuf_addf(&outbuf, "%s%s", outbuf.len ? "\n" : "",
-				    DISPLAY_PREFIX);
-			maybe_colorize_sideband(&outbuf, buf + 1, len);
-
-			retval = SIDEBAND_REMOTE_ERROR;
-			break;
-		case 2:
-			b = buf + 1;
-
-			/*
-			 * Append a suffix to each nonempty line to clear the
-			 * end of the screen line.
-			 *
-			 * The output is accumulated in a buffer and
-			 * each line is printed to stderr using
-			 * write(2) to ensure inter-process atomicity.
-			 */
-			while ((brk = strpbrk(b, "\n\r"))) {
-				int linelen = brk - b;
-
-				if (!outbuf.len)
-					strbuf_addstr(&outbuf, DISPLAY_PREFIX);
-				if (linelen > 0) {
-					maybe_colorize_sideband(&outbuf, b, linelen);
-					strbuf_addstr(&outbuf, suffix);
-				}
-
-				strbuf_addch(&outbuf, *brk);
-				xwrite(2, outbuf.buf, outbuf.len);
-				strbuf_reset(&outbuf);
-
-				b = brk + 1;
-			}
-
-			if (*b) {
-				strbuf_addstr(&outbuf, outbuf.len ?
-					    "" : DISPLAY_PREFIX);
-				maybe_colorize_sideband(&outbuf, b, strlen(b));
-			}
-			break;
-		case 1:
-			write_or_die(out, buf + 1, len);
-			break;
-		default:
-			strbuf_addf(&outbuf, "%s%s: protocol error: bad band #%d",
-				    outbuf.len ? "\n" : "", me, band);
-			retval = SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR;
-			break;
-		}
+	if (!suffix) {
+		if (isatty(2) && !is_terminal_dumb())
+			suffix = ANSI_SUFFIX;
+		else
+			suffix = DUMB_SUFFIX;
 	}
 
-	if (outbuf.len) {
-		strbuf_addch(&outbuf, '\n');
-		xwrite(2, outbuf.buf, outbuf.len);
+	if (len == 0) {
+		*sideband_type = SIDEBAND_FLUSH;
+		goto cleanup;
 	}
-	strbuf_release(&outbuf);
-	return retval;
+	if (len < 1) {
+		strbuf_addf(scratch,
+			    "%s%s: protocol error: no band designator",
+			    scratch->len ? "\n" : "", me);
+		*sideband_type = SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR;
+		goto cleanup;
+	}
+	band = buf[0] & 0xff;
+	buf[len] = '\0';
+	len--;
+	switch (band) {
+	case 3:
+		if (die_on_error)
+			die("remote error: %s", buf + 1);
+		strbuf_addf(scratch, "%s%s", scratch->len ? "\n" : "",
+			    DISPLAY_PREFIX);
+		maybe_colorize_sideband(scratch, buf + 1, len);
+
+		*sideband_type = SIDEBAND_REMOTE_ERROR;
+		break;
+	case 2:
+		b = buf + 1;
+
+		/*
+		 * Append a suffix to each nonempty line to clear the
+		 * end of the screen line.
+		 *
+		 * The output is accumulated in a buffer and
+		 * each line is printed to stderr using
+		 * write(2) to ensure inter-process atomicity.
+		 */
+		while ((brk = strpbrk(b, "\n\r"))) {
+			int linelen = brk - b;
+
+			if (!scratch->len)
+				strbuf_addstr(scratch, DISPLAY_PREFIX);
+			if (linelen > 0) {
+				maybe_colorize_sideband(scratch, b, linelen);
+				strbuf_addstr(scratch, suffix);
+			}
+
+			strbuf_addch(scratch, *brk);
+			xwrite(2, scratch->buf, scratch->len);
+			strbuf_reset(scratch);
+
+			b = brk + 1;
+		}
+
+		if (*b) {
+			strbuf_addstr(scratch, scratch->len ?
+				    "" : DISPLAY_PREFIX);
+			maybe_colorize_sideband(scratch, b, strlen(b));
+		}
+		return 0;
+	case 1:
+		*sideband_type = SIDEBAND_PRIMARY;
+		break;
+	default:
+		strbuf_addf(scratch, "%s%s: protocol error: bad band #%d",
+			    scratch->len ? "\n" : "", me, band);
+		*sideband_type = SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR;
+		break;
+	}
+
+cleanup:
+	if (die_on_error && *sideband_type == SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR)
+		die("%s", scratch->buf);
+	if (scratch->len) {
+		strbuf_addch(scratch, '\n');
+		xwrite(2, scratch->buf, scratch->len);
+	}
+	strbuf_release(scratch);
+	return 1;
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/sideband.h b/sideband.h
index 7a8146f161..227740a58e 100644
--- a/sideband.h
+++ b/sideband.h
@@ -1,10 +1,29 @@
 #ifndef SIDEBAND_H
 #define SIDEBAND_H
 
-#define SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR -2
-#define SIDEBAND_REMOTE_ERROR -1
+enum sideband_type {
+	SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR = -2,
+	SIDEBAND_REMOTE_ERROR = -1,
+	SIDEBAND_FLUSH = 0,
+	SIDEBAND_PRIMARY = 1
+};
+
+/*
+ * Inspects a multiplexed packet read from the remote. If this packet is a
+ * progress packet and thus should not be processed by the caller, returns 0.
+ * Otherwise, returns 1, releases scratch, and sets sideband_type.
+ *
+ * If this packet is SIDEBAND_PROTOCOL_ERROR, SIDEBAND_REMOTE_ERROR, or a
+ * progress packet, also prints a message to stderr.
+ *
+ * scratch must be a struct strbuf allocated by the caller. It is used to store
+ * progress messages split across multiple packets.
+ */
+int demultiplex_sideband(const char *me, char *buf, int len,
+			 int die_on_error,
+			 struct strbuf *scratch,
+			 enum sideband_type *sideband_type);
 
-int recv_sideband(const char *me, int in_stream, int out);
 void send_sideband(int fd, int band, const char *data, ssize_t sz, int packet_max);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/t/README b/t/README
index 11ce7675e3..25864ec883 100644
--- a/t/README
+++ b/t/README
@@ -374,6 +374,11 @@ GIT_TEST_MULTI_PACK_INDEX=<boolean>, when true, forces the multi-pack-
 index to be written after every 'git repack' command, and overrides the
 'core.multiPackIndex' setting to true.
 
+GIT_TEST_SIDEBAND_ALL=<boolean>, when true, overrides the
+'uploadpack.allowSidebandAll' setting to true, and when false, forces
+fetch-pack to not request sideband-all (even if the server advertises
+sideband-all).
+
 Naming Tests
 ------------
 
diff --git a/t/lib-httpd/apache.conf b/t/lib-httpd/apache.conf
index cc4b87507e..5d63ed90c5 100644
--- a/t/lib-httpd/apache.conf
+++ b/t/lib-httpd/apache.conf
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ PassEnv GNUPGHOME
 PassEnv ASAN_OPTIONS
 PassEnv GIT_TRACE
 PassEnv GIT_CONFIG_NOSYSTEM
+PassEnv GIT_TEST_SIDEBAND_ALL
 
 SetEnvIf Git-Protocol ".*" GIT_PROTOCOL=$0
 
diff --git a/t/t5537-fetch-shallow.sh b/t/t5537-fetch-shallow.sh
index 6faf17e17a..6caf628efa 100755
--- a/t/t5537-fetch-shallow.sh
+++ b/t/t5537-fetch-shallow.sh
@@ -243,7 +243,8 @@ test_expect_success 'shallow fetches check connectivity before writing shallow f
 	       "$(git -C "$REPO" rev-parse HEAD)" \
 	       "$(git -C "$REPO" rev-parse HEAD^)" \
 	       >"$HTTPD_ROOT_PATH/one-time-sed" &&
-	test_must_fail git -C client fetch --depth=1 "$HTTPD_URL/one_time_sed/repo" \
+	test_must_fail env GIT_TEST_SIDEBAND_ALL=0 git -C client \
+		fetch --depth=1 "$HTTPD_URL/one_time_sed/repo" \
 		master:a_branch &&
 
 	# Ensure that the one-time-sed script was used.
diff --git a/t/t5701-git-serve.sh b/t/t5701-git-serve.sh
index ae79c6bbc0..fe45bf828d 100755
--- a/t/t5701-git-serve.sh
+++ b/t/t5701-git-serve.sh
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ test_expect_success 'test capability advertisement' '
 	0000
 	EOF
 
-	git serve --advertise-capabilities >out &&
+	GIT_TEST_SIDEBAND_ALL=0 git serve --advertise-capabilities >out &&
 	test-tool pkt-line unpack <out >actual &&
 	test_cmp expect actual
 '
diff --git a/t/t5702-protocol-v2.sh b/t/t5702-protocol-v2.sh
index a738c0c4ce..7ca1aab6b5 100755
--- a/t/t5702-protocol-v2.sh
+++ b/t/t5702-protocol-v2.sh
@@ -630,8 +630,8 @@ test_expect_success 'when server does not send "ready", expect FLUSH' '
 	test_must_fail env GIT_TRACE_PACKET="$(pwd)/log" git -C http_child \
 		-c protocol.version=2 \
 		fetch "$HTTPD_URL/one_time_sed/http_parent" 2> err &&
-	grep "fetch< acknowledgments" log &&
-	! grep "fetch< ready" log &&
+	grep "fetch< .*acknowledgments" log &&
+	! grep "fetch< .*ready" log &&
 	test_i18ngrep "expected no other sections to be sent after no .ready." err
 '
 
diff --git a/t/t5703-upload-pack-ref-in-want.sh b/t/t5703-upload-pack-ref-in-want.sh
index 7053899cb5..f87b2f6df3 100755
--- a/t/t5703-upload-pack-ref-in-want.sh
+++ b/t/t5703-upload-pack-ref-in-want.sh
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ test_expect_success 'server is initially ahead - no ref in want' '
 	cp -r "$LOCAL_PRISTINE" local &&
 	inconsistency master 1234567890123456789012345678901234567890 &&
 	test_must_fail git -C local fetch 2>err &&
-	test_i18ngrep "ERR upload-pack: not our ref" err
+	test_i18ngrep "fatal: remote error: upload-pack: not our ref" err
 '
 
 test_expect_success 'server is initially ahead - ref in want' '
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ test_expect_success 'server loses a ref - ref in want' '
 	echo "s/master/raster/" >"$HTTPD_ROOT_PATH/one-time-sed" &&
 	test_must_fail git -C local fetch 2>err &&
 
-	test_i18ngrep "ERR unknown ref refs/heads/raster" err
+	test_i18ngrep "fatal: remote error: unknown ref refs/heads/raster" err
 '
 
 stop_httpd
diff --git a/transport.c b/transport.c
index 99678153c1..e078812897 100644
--- a/transport.c
+++ b/transport.c
@@ -273,7 +273,8 @@ static struct ref *handshake(struct transport *transport, int for_push,
 
 	packet_reader_init(&reader, data->fd[0], NULL, 0,
 			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
-			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF);
+			   PACKET_READ_GENTLE_ON_EOF |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
 
 	data->version = discover_version(&reader);
 	switch (data->version) {
diff --git a/upload-pack.c b/upload-pack.c
index ee89381585..d098ef5982 100644
--- a/upload-pack.c
+++ b/upload-pack.c
@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ static int allow_filter;
 static int allow_ref_in_want;
 static struct list_objects_filter_options filter_options;
 
+static int allow_sideband_all;
+
 static void reset_timeout(void)
 {
 	alarm(timeout);
@@ -356,7 +358,8 @@ static int ok_to_give_up(const struct object_array *have_obj,
 					    min_generation);
 }
 
-static int get_common_commits(struct object_array *have_obj,
+static int get_common_commits(struct packet_reader *reader,
+			      struct object_array *have_obj,
 			      struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
 	struct object_id oid;
@@ -368,12 +371,11 @@ static int get_common_commits(struct object_array *have_obj,
 	save_commit_buffer = 0;
 
 	for (;;) {
-		char *line = packet_read_line(0, NULL);
 		const char *arg;
 
 		reset_timeout();
 
-		if (!line) {
+		if (packet_reader_read(reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL) {
 			if (multi_ack == 2 && got_common
 			    && !got_other && ok_to_give_up(have_obj, want_obj)) {
 				sent_ready = 1;
@@ -392,7 +394,7 @@ static int get_common_commits(struct object_array *have_obj,
 			got_other = 0;
 			continue;
 		}
-		if (skip_prefix(line, "have ", &arg)) {
+		if (skip_prefix(reader->line, "have ", &arg)) {
 			switch (got_oid(arg, &oid, have_obj)) {
 			case -1: /* they have what we do not */
 				got_other = 1;
@@ -418,7 +420,7 @@ static int get_common_commits(struct object_array *have_obj,
 			}
 			continue;
 		}
-		if (!strcmp(line, "done")) {
+		if (!strcmp(reader->line, "done")) {
 			if (have_obj->nr > 0) {
 				if (multi_ack)
 					packet_write_fmt(1, "ACK %s\n", last_hex);
@@ -427,7 +429,7 @@ static int get_common_commits(struct object_array *have_obj,
 			packet_write_fmt(1, "NAK\n");
 			return -1;
 		}
-		die("git upload-pack: expected SHA1 list, got '%s'", line);
+		die("git upload-pack: expected SHA1 list, got '%s'", reader->line);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -615,13 +617,14 @@ error:
 	}
 }
 
-static void send_shallow(struct commit_list *result)
+static void send_shallow(struct packet_writer *writer,
+			 struct commit_list *result)
 {
 	while (result) {
 		struct object *object = &result->item->object;
 		if (!(object->flags & (CLIENT_SHALLOW|NOT_SHALLOW))) {
-			packet_write_fmt(1, "shallow %s",
-					 oid_to_hex(&object->oid));
+			packet_writer_write(writer, "shallow %s",
+					    oid_to_hex(&object->oid));
 			register_shallow(the_repository, &object->oid);
 			shallow_nr++;
 		}
@@ -629,7 +632,8 @@ static void send_shallow(struct commit_list *result)
 	}
 }
 
-static void send_unshallow(const struct object_array *shallows,
+static void send_unshallow(struct packet_writer *writer,
+			   const struct object_array *shallows,
 			   struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
 	int i;
@@ -638,8 +642,8 @@ static void send_unshallow(const struct object_array *shallows,
 		struct object *object = shallows->objects[i].item;
 		if (object->flags & NOT_SHALLOW) {
 			struct commit_list *parents;
-			packet_write_fmt(1, "unshallow %s",
-					 oid_to_hex(&object->oid));
+			packet_writer_write(writer, "unshallow %s",
+					    oid_to_hex(&object->oid));
 			object->flags &= ~CLIENT_SHALLOW;
 			/*
 			 * We want to _register_ "object" as shallow, but we
@@ -666,8 +670,7 @@ static void send_unshallow(const struct object_array *shallows,
 
 static int check_ref(const char *refname_full, const struct object_id *oid,
 		     int flag, void *cb_data);
-
-static void deepen(int depth, int deepen_relative,
+static void deepen(struct packet_writer *writer, int depth, int deepen_relative,
 		   struct object_array *shallows, struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
 	if (depth == INFINITE_DEPTH && !is_repository_shallow(the_repository)) {
@@ -692,7 +695,7 @@ static void deepen(int depth, int deepen_relative,
 		result = get_shallow_commits(&reachable_shallows,
 					     depth + 1,
 					     SHALLOW, NOT_SHALLOW);
-		send_shallow(result);
+		send_shallow(writer, result);
 		free_commit_list(result);
 		object_array_clear(&reachable_shallows);
 	} else {
@@ -700,14 +703,15 @@ static void deepen(int depth, int deepen_relative,
 
 		result = get_shallow_commits(want_obj, depth,
 					     SHALLOW, NOT_SHALLOW);
-		send_shallow(result);
+		send_shallow(writer, result);
 		free_commit_list(result);
 	}
 
-	send_unshallow(shallows, want_obj);
+	send_unshallow(writer, shallows, want_obj);
 }
 
-static void deepen_by_rev_list(int ac, const char **av,
+static void deepen_by_rev_list(struct packet_writer *writer, int ac,
+			       const char **av,
 			       struct object_array *shallows,
 			       struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
@@ -715,13 +719,14 @@ static void deepen_by_rev_list(int ac, const char **av,
 
 	close_commit_graph(the_repository);
 	result = get_shallow_commits_by_rev_list(ac, av, SHALLOW, NOT_SHALLOW);
-	send_shallow(result);
+	send_shallow(writer, result);
 	free_commit_list(result);
-	send_unshallow(shallows, want_obj);
+	send_unshallow(writer, shallows, want_obj);
 }
 
 /* Returns 1 if a shallow list is sent or 0 otherwise */
-static int send_shallow_list(int depth, int deepen_rev_list,
+static int send_shallow_list(struct packet_writer *writer,
+			     int depth, int deepen_rev_list,
 			     timestamp_t deepen_since,
 			     struct string_list *deepen_not,
 			     int deepen_relative,
@@ -733,7 +738,7 @@ static int send_shallow_list(int depth, int deepen_rev_list,
 	if (depth > 0 && deepen_rev_list)
 		die("git upload-pack: deepen and deepen-since (or deepen-not) cannot be used together");
 	if (depth > 0) {
-		deepen(depth, deepen_relative, shallows, want_obj);
+		deepen(writer, depth, deepen_relative, shallows, want_obj);
 		ret = 1;
 	} else if (deepen_rev_list) {
 		struct argv_array av = ARGV_ARRAY_INIT;
@@ -754,7 +759,7 @@ static int send_shallow_list(int depth, int deepen_rev_list,
 			struct object *o = want_obj->objects[i].item;
 			argv_array_push(&av, oid_to_hex(&o->oid));
 		}
-		deepen_by_rev_list(av.argc, av.argv, shallows, want_obj);
+		deepen_by_rev_list(writer, av.argc, av.argv, shallows, want_obj);
 		argv_array_clear(&av);
 		ret = 1;
 	} else {
@@ -839,7 +844,7 @@ static int process_deepen_not(const char *line, struct string_list *deepen_not,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static void receive_needs(struct object_array *want_obj)
+static void receive_needs(struct packet_reader *reader, struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
 	struct object_array shallows = OBJECT_ARRAY_INIT;
 	struct string_list deepen_not = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
@@ -848,39 +853,40 @@ static void receive_needs(struct object_array *want_obj)
 	timestamp_t deepen_since = 0;
 	int deepen_rev_list = 0;
 	int deepen_relative = 0;
+	struct packet_writer writer;
 
 	shallow_nr = 0;
+	packet_writer_init(&writer, 1);
 	for (;;) {
 		struct object *o;
 		const char *features;
 		struct object_id oid_buf;
-		char *line = packet_read_line(0, NULL);
 		const char *arg;
 
 		reset_timeout();
-		if (!line)
+		if (packet_reader_read(reader) != PACKET_READ_NORMAL)
 			break;
 
-		if (process_shallow(line, &shallows))
+		if (process_shallow(reader->line, &shallows))
 			continue;
-		if (process_deepen(line, &depth))
+		if (process_deepen(reader->line, &depth))
 			continue;
-		if (process_deepen_since(line, &deepen_since, &deepen_rev_list))
+		if (process_deepen_since(reader->line, &deepen_since, &deepen_rev_list))
 			continue;
-		if (process_deepen_not(line, &deepen_not, &deepen_rev_list))
+		if (process_deepen_not(reader->line, &deepen_not, &deepen_rev_list))
 			continue;
 
-		if (skip_prefix(line, "filter ", &arg)) {
+		if (skip_prefix(reader->line, "filter ", &arg)) {
 			if (!filter_capability_requested)
 				die("git upload-pack: filtering capability not negotiated");
 			parse_list_objects_filter(&filter_options, arg);
 			continue;
 		}
 
-		if (!skip_prefix(line, "want ", &arg) ||
+		if (!skip_prefix(reader->line, "want ", &arg) ||
 		    parse_oid_hex(arg, &oid_buf, &features))
 			die("git upload-pack: protocol error, "
-			    "expected to get object ID, not '%s'", line);
+			    "expected to get object ID, not '%s'", reader->line);
 
 		if (parse_feature_request(features, "deepen-relative"))
 			deepen_relative = 1;
@@ -907,9 +913,9 @@ static void receive_needs(struct object_array *want_obj)
 
 		o = parse_object(the_repository, &oid_buf);
 		if (!o) {
-			packet_write_fmt(1,
-					 "ERR upload-pack: not our ref %s",
-					 oid_to_hex(&oid_buf));
+			packet_writer_error(&writer,
+					    "upload-pack: not our ref %s",
+					    oid_to_hex(&oid_buf));
 			die("git upload-pack: not our ref %s",
 			    oid_to_hex(&oid_buf));
 		}
@@ -938,7 +944,7 @@ static void receive_needs(struct object_array *want_obj)
 	if (depth == 0 && !deepen_rev_list && shallows.nr == 0)
 		return;
 
-	if (send_shallow_list(depth, deepen_rev_list, deepen_since,
+	if (send_shallow_list(&writer, depth, deepen_rev_list, deepen_since,
 			      &deepen_not, deepen_relative, &shallows,
 			      want_obj))
 		packet_flush(1);
@@ -1056,6 +1062,8 @@ static int upload_pack_config(const char *var, const char *value, void *unused)
 		allow_filter = git_config_bool(var, value);
 	} else if (!strcmp("uploadpack.allowrefinwant", var)) {
 		allow_ref_in_want = git_config_bool(var, value);
+	} else if (!strcmp("uploadpack.allowsidebandall", var)) {
+		allow_sideband_all = git_config_bool(var, value);
 	}
 
 	if (current_config_scope() != CONFIG_SCOPE_REPO) {
@@ -1070,6 +1078,7 @@ void upload_pack(struct upload_pack_options *options)
 {
 	struct string_list symref = STRING_LIST_INIT_DUP;
 	struct object_array want_obj = OBJECT_ARRAY_INIT;
+	struct packet_reader reader;
 
 	stateless_rpc = options->stateless_rpc;
 	timeout = options->timeout;
@@ -1093,10 +1102,14 @@ void upload_pack(struct upload_pack_options *options)
 	if (options->advertise_refs)
 		return;
 
-	receive_needs(&want_obj);
+	packet_reader_init(&reader, 0, NULL, 0,
+			   PACKET_READ_CHOMP_NEWLINE |
+			   PACKET_READ_DIE_ON_ERR_PACKET);
+
+	receive_needs(&reader, &want_obj);
 	if (want_obj.nr) {
 		struct object_array have_obj = OBJECT_ARRAY_INIT;
-		get_common_commits(&have_obj, &want_obj);
+		get_common_commits(&reader, &have_obj, &want_obj);
 		create_pack_file(&have_obj, &want_obj);
 	}
 }
@@ -1113,6 +1126,8 @@ struct upload_pack_data {
 	int deepen_rev_list;
 	int deepen_relative;
 
+	struct packet_writer writer;
+
 	unsigned stateless_rpc : 1;
 
 	unsigned use_thin_pack : 1;
@@ -1136,6 +1151,7 @@ static void upload_pack_data_init(struct upload_pack_data *data)
 	data->haves = haves;
 	data->shallows = shallows;
 	data->deepen_not = deepen_not;
+	packet_writer_init(&data->writer, 1);
 }
 
 static void upload_pack_data_clear(struct upload_pack_data *data)
@@ -1147,7 +1163,8 @@ static void upload_pack_data_clear(struct upload_pack_data *data)
 	string_list_clear(&data->deepen_not, 0);
 }
 
-static int parse_want(const char *line, struct object_array *want_obj)
+static int parse_want(struct packet_writer *writer, const char *line,
+		      struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
 	const char *arg;
 	if (skip_prefix(line, "want ", &arg)) {
@@ -1160,9 +1177,9 @@ static int parse_want(const char *line, struct object_array *want_obj)
 
 		o = parse_object(the_repository, &oid);
 		if (!o) {
-			packet_write_fmt(1,
-					 "ERR upload-pack: not our ref %s",
-					 oid_to_hex(&oid));
+			packet_writer_error(writer,
+					    "upload-pack: not our ref %s",
+					    oid_to_hex(&oid));
 			die("git upload-pack: not our ref %s",
 			    oid_to_hex(&oid));
 		}
@@ -1178,7 +1195,8 @@ static int parse_want(const char *line, struct object_array *want_obj)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int parse_want_ref(const char *line, struct string_list *wanted_refs,
+static int parse_want_ref(struct packet_writer *writer, const char *line,
+			  struct string_list *wanted_refs,
 			  struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
 	const char *arg;
@@ -1188,7 +1206,7 @@ static int parse_want_ref(const char *line, struct string_list *wanted_refs,
 		struct object *o;
 
 		if (read_ref(arg, &oid)) {
-			packet_write_fmt(1, "ERR unknown ref %s", arg);
+			packet_writer_error(writer, "unknown ref %s", arg);
 			die("unknown ref %s", arg);
 		}
 
@@ -1231,10 +1249,11 @@ static void process_args(struct packet_reader *request,
 		const char *p;
 
 		/* process want */
-		if (parse_want(arg, want_obj))
+		if (parse_want(&data->writer, arg, want_obj))
 			continue;
 		if (allow_ref_in_want &&
-		    parse_want_ref(arg, &data->wanted_refs, want_obj))
+		    parse_want_ref(&data->writer, arg, &data->wanted_refs,
+				   want_obj))
 			continue;
 		/* process have line */
 		if (parse_have(arg, &data->haves))
@@ -1283,6 +1302,13 @@ static void process_args(struct packet_reader *request,
 			continue;
 		}
 
+		if ((git_env_bool("GIT_TEST_SIDEBAND_ALL", 0) ||
+		     allow_sideband_all) &&
+		    !strcmp(arg, "sideband-all")) {
+			data->writer.use_sideband = 1;
+			continue;
+		}
+
 		/* ignore unknown lines maybe? */
 		die("unexpected line: '%s'", arg);
 	}
@@ -1328,26 +1354,26 @@ static int process_haves(struct oid_array *haves, struct oid_array *common,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int send_acks(struct oid_array *acks, struct strbuf *response,
+static int send_acks(struct packet_writer *writer, struct oid_array *acks,
 		     const struct object_array *have_obj,
 		     struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
 	int i;
 
-	packet_buf_write(response, "acknowledgments\n");
+	packet_writer_write(writer, "acknowledgments\n");
 
 	/* Send Acks */
 	if (!acks->nr)
-		packet_buf_write(response, "NAK\n");
+		packet_writer_write(writer, "NAK\n");
 
 	for (i = 0; i < acks->nr; i++) {
-		packet_buf_write(response, "ACK %s\n",
-				 oid_to_hex(&acks->oid[i]));
+		packet_writer_write(writer, "ACK %s\n",
+				    oid_to_hex(&acks->oid[i]));
 	}
 
 	if (ok_to_give_up(have_obj, want_obj)) {
 		/* Send Ready */
-		packet_buf_write(response, "ready\n");
+		packet_writer_write(writer, "ready\n");
 		return 1;
 	}
 
@@ -1359,25 +1385,20 @@ static int process_haves_and_send_acks(struct upload_pack_data *data,
 				       struct object_array *want_obj)
 {
 	struct oid_array common = OID_ARRAY_INIT;
-	struct strbuf response = STRBUF_INIT;
 	int ret = 0;
 
 	process_haves(&data->haves, &common, have_obj);
 	if (data->done) {
 		ret = 1;
-	} else if (send_acks(&common, &response, have_obj, want_obj)) {
-		packet_buf_delim(&response);
+	} else if (send_acks(&data->writer, &common, have_obj, want_obj)) {
+		packet_writer_delim(&data->writer);
 		ret = 1;
 	} else {
 		/* Add Flush */
-		packet_buf_flush(&response);
+		packet_writer_flush(&data->writer);
 		ret = 0;
 	}
 
-	/* Send response */
-	write_or_die(1, response.buf, response.len);
-	strbuf_release(&response);
-
 	oid_array_clear(&data->haves);
 	oid_array_clear(&common);
 	return ret;
@@ -1390,15 +1411,15 @@ static void send_wanted_ref_info(struct upload_pack_data *data)
 	if (!data->wanted_refs.nr)
 		return;
 
-	packet_write_fmt(1, "wanted-refs\n");
+	packet_writer_write(&data->writer, "wanted-refs\n");
 
 	for_each_string_list_item(item, &data->wanted_refs) {
-		packet_write_fmt(1, "%s %s\n",
-				 oid_to_hex(item->util),
-				 item->string);
+		packet_writer_write(&data->writer, "%s %s\n",
+				    oid_to_hex(item->util),
+				    item->string);
 	}
 
-	packet_delim(1);
+	packet_writer_delim(&data->writer);
 }
 
 static void send_shallow_info(struct upload_pack_data *data,
@@ -1409,15 +1430,16 @@ static void send_shallow_info(struct upload_pack_data *data,
 	    !is_repository_shallow(the_repository))
 		return;
 
-	packet_write_fmt(1, "shallow-info\n");
+	packet_writer_write(&data->writer, "shallow-info\n");
 
-	if (!send_shallow_list(data->depth, data->deepen_rev_list,
+	if (!send_shallow_list(&data->writer, data->depth,
+			       data->deepen_rev_list,
 			       data->deepen_since, &data->deepen_not,
 			       data->deepen_relative,
 			       &data->shallows, want_obj) &&
 	    is_repository_shallow(the_repository))
-		deepen(INFINITE_DEPTH, data->deepen_relative, &data->shallows,
-		       want_obj);
+		deepen(&data->writer, INFINITE_DEPTH, data->deepen_relative,
+		       &data->shallows, want_obj);
 
 	packet_delim(1);
 }
@@ -1479,7 +1501,7 @@ int upload_pack_v2(struct repository *r, struct argv_array *keys,
 			send_wanted_ref_info(&data);
 			send_shallow_info(&data, &want_obj);
 
-			packet_write_fmt(1, "packfile\n");
+			packet_writer_write(&data.writer, "packfile\n");
 			create_pack_file(&have_obj, &want_obj);
 			state = FETCH_DONE;
 			break;
@@ -1500,6 +1522,7 @@ int upload_pack_advertise(struct repository *r,
 	if (value) {
 		int allow_filter_value;
 		int allow_ref_in_want;
+		int allow_sideband_all_value;
 
 		strbuf_addstr(value, "shallow");
 
@@ -1514,6 +1537,13 @@ int upload_pack_advertise(struct repository *r,
 					 &allow_ref_in_want) &&
 		    allow_ref_in_want)
 			strbuf_addstr(value, " ref-in-want");
+
+		if (git_env_bool("GIT_TEST_SIDEBAND_ALL", 0) ||
+		    (!repo_config_get_bool(the_repository,
+					   "uploadpack.allowsidebandall",
+					   &allow_sideband_all_value) &&
+		     allow_sideband_all_value))
+			strbuf_addstr(value, " sideband-all");
 	}
 
 	return 1;