diff --git a/routers/web/repo/issue_page_meta.go b/routers/web/repo/issue_page_meta.go
index 272343f460..93cc38bffa 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/issue_page_meta.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/issue_page_meta.go
@@ -79,27 +79,35 @@ func retrieveRepoIssueMetaData(ctx *context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository
 		return data
 	}
 
-	data.CanModifyIssueOrPull = ctx.Repo.CanWriteIssuesOrPulls(isPull) && !ctx.Repo.Repository.IsArchived
-	if !data.CanModifyIssueOrPull {
+	// it sets "Branches" template data,
+	// it is used to render the "edit PR target branches" dropdown, and the "branch selector" in the issue's sidebar.
+	PrepareBranchList(ctx)
+	if ctx.Written() {
 		return data
 	}
 
-	data.retrieveAssigneesDataForIssueWriter(ctx)
+	// it sets the "Assignees" template data, and the data is also used to "mention" users.
+	data.retrieveAssigneesData(ctx)
 	if ctx.Written() {
 		return data
 	}
 
-	data.retrieveMilestonesDataForIssueWriter(ctx)
-	if ctx.Written() {
+	// TODO: the issue/pull permissions are quite complex and unclear
+	// A reader could create an issue/PR with setting some meta (eg: assignees from issue template, reviewers, target branch)
+	// A reader(creator) could update some meta (eg: target branch), but can't change assignees anymore.
+	// For non-creator users, only writers could update some meta (eg: assignees, milestone, project)
+	// Need to clarify the logic and add some tests in the future
+	data.CanModifyIssueOrPull = ctx.Repo.CanWriteIssuesOrPulls(isPull) && !ctx.Repo.Repository.IsArchived
+	if !data.CanModifyIssueOrPull {
 		return data
 	}
 
-	data.retrieveProjectsDataForIssueWriter(ctx)
+	data.retrieveMilestonesDataForIssueWriter(ctx)
 	if ctx.Written() {
 		return data
 	}
 
-	PrepareBranchList(ctx)
+	data.retrieveProjectsDataForIssueWriter(ctx)
 	if ctx.Written() {
 		return data
 	}
@@ -131,7 +139,7 @@ func (d *IssuePageMetaData) retrieveMilestonesDataForIssueWriter(ctx *context.Co
 	}
 }
 
-func (d *IssuePageMetaData) retrieveAssigneesDataForIssueWriter(ctx *context.Context) {
+func (d *IssuePageMetaData) retrieveAssigneesData(ctx *context.Context) {
 	var err error
 	d.AssigneesData.CandidateAssignees, err = repo_model.GetRepoAssignees(ctx, d.Repository)
 	if err != nil {