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/CODEOWNERS b/CODEOWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..73ae6989
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+@perplexity @Timmy
+/nexus/* @Timmy
+/hermes/* @perplexity
+/timmy-home/* @Rockachopa
+/timmy-config/* @Rockachopa
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a9a791cf..79a271fc 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -99,3 +99,26 @@ The browser-facing Nexus must be rebuilt deliberately through the migration back
 ---
 
 *One 3D repo. One migration path. No more ghost worlds.*
+# Branch Protection Policy
+
+**All repositories enforce the following branch protection rules for the `main` branch:**
+
+1. **Require Pull Request before merge** - All changes must go through PR process
+2. **Require 1 approving review** - At least one reviewer must approve before merge
+3. **Dismiss stale approvals** - Approvals are automatically dismissed on new commits
+4. **Require status checks to pass** - CI/CD must pass before merge (where applicable)
+5. **Block force pushes** - Prevents rewriting of commit history
+6. **Block branch deletion** - Prevents accidental deletion of main branch
+
+**Default Reviewers:**
+- @perplexity - All repositories
+- @Timmy - nexus repository
+- @Rockachopa - timmy-home and timmy-config
+
+**CI/CD Requirements:**
+- hermes-agent: Full CI enforcement
+- the-nexus: CI disabled (runner issue #915)
+- timmy-home: No CI
+- timmy-config: No CI
+
+For CI/CD status, see the [health dashboard](/webhook_health_dashboard)
diff --git a/gitea_protect_branch.py b/gitea_protect_branch.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a6a421d7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gitea_protect_branch.py
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+import os
+import requests
+from datetime import datetime
+
+GITEA_TOKEN = os.getenv('GITEA_TOKEN')
+GITEA_API = os.getenv('GITEA_API_URL', 'https://forge.alexanderwhitestone.com/api/v1')
+
+REPOS_PROTECTION = {
+    'hermes-agent': {
+        'required_pull_request_reviews': {'required_approving_review_count': 1},
+        'required_status_checks': {'strict': True, 'contexts': ['ci/circleci']},
+        'enforce_admins': True,
+        'required_linear_history': False,
+        'allow_force_push': False,
+        'allow_deletions': False
+    },
+    'the-nexus': {
+        'required_pull_request_reviews': {'required_approving_review_count': 1},
+        'required_status_checks': {'strict': False},
+        'enforce_admins': True,
+        'required_linear_history': False,
+        'allow_force_push': False,
+        'allow_deletions': False
+    },
+    'timmy-home': {
+        'required_pull_request_reviews': {'required_approving_review_count': 1},
+        'required_status_checks': {'strict': False},
+        'enforce_admins': True,
+        'required_linear_history': False,
+        'allow_force_push': False,
+        'allow_deletions': False
+    },
+    'timmy-config': {
+        'required_pull_request_reviews': {'required_approving_review_count': 1},
+        'required_status_checks': {'strict': False},
+        'enforce_admins': True,
+        'required_linear_history': False,
+        'allow_force_push': False,
+        'allow_deletions': False
+    }
+}
+
+def protect_branch(owner, repo, protection):
+    url = f"{GITEA_API}/repos/{owner}/{repo}/branches/main/protection"
+    headers = {
+        'Authorization': f'token {GITEA_TOKEN}',
+        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
+    }
+    
+    response = requests.put(url, json=protection, headers=headers)
+    if response.status_code == 200:
+        print(f"Protected {owner}/{repo} main branch")
+    else:
+        print(f"Failed to protect {owner}/{repo}: {response.text}")
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    for repo, protection in REPOS_PROTECTION.items():
+        protect_branch("Timmy_Foundation", repo, protection)