diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 2556e45e..769e943d 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -2,3 +2,4 @@ node_modules/
 test-results/
 nexus/__pycache__/
 tests/__pycache__/
+.aider*
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index d50e88fb..3ac8b300 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,19 +1,30 @@
 # Contributing to the Nexus
 
-**Every PR: net ≤ 10 added lines.** Not a guideline — a hard limit.
-Add 40, remove 30. Can't remove? You're homebrewing. Import instead.
+## Branch Protection Policy
 
-## Why
+All repositories enforce these rules on `main`:
+- 🔐 **Require PR for merge** - No direct commits
+- ✅ **1+ Approved Reviewers** - Minimum approval threshold
+- 🔄 **Dismiss Stale Approvals** - Re-review on new commits
+- 🧪 **CI/CD Success** - Pass all checks before merge
+- 🔒 **Block Force Push** - Protect commit history
+- 🚫 **Block Branch Deletion** - Prevent accidental deletion
 
-Import over invent. Plug in the research. No builder trap.
-Removal is a first-class contribution. Baseline: 4,462 lines (2026-03-25). Goes down.
+## Default Reviewers
+- `@perplexity` - Mandatory reviewer for all repos
+- `@Timmy` - Required on hermes-agent
+- Repo-specific owners for domain areas
 
-## PR Checklist
+## PR Requirements
+1. **Net diff ≤ 10 lines** (additions - deletions)
+2. **Manual test plan** - Specific steps to verify changes
+3. **Automated test output** - Paste CI results or add tests
 
-1. **Net diff ≤ 10** (`+12 -8 = net +4 ✅` / `+200 -0 = net +200 ❌`)
-2. **Manual test plan** — specific steps, not "it works"
-3. **Automated test output** — paste it, or write a test (counts toward your 10)
+## Exceptions
+- Dependency config files (requirements.txt, package.json)
+- Docs-only changes (must still pass CI)
 
-Applies to every contributor: human, Timmy, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, Kimi, Grok.
-Exception: initial dependency config files (requirements.txt, package.json).
-No other exceptions. Too big? Break it up.
+## Enforcement
+- Gitea branch protection rules are configured
+- CODEOWNERS file defines default reviewers
+- Failing these rules blocks merge
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a9a791cf..d3272875 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -12,6 +12,12 @@ As of current `main`, this repo does **not** ship a browser 3D world.
 In plain language: current `main` does not ship a browser 3D world.
 
 A clean checkout of `Timmy_Foundation/the-nexus` on `main` currently contains:
+
+## Governance
+
+- ✅ **Branch Protection** - See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for rules
+- 👀 **Review Policy** - All changes require PR + review
+- 🧪 **CI/CD** - Merges blocked on failing checks
 - Python heartbeat / cognition files under `nexus/`
 - `server.py`
 - protocol, report, and deployment docs