diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..82983956
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+# CODEOWNERS - Default Reviewer Assignments
+
+# Global default reviewer
+* @perplexity
+
+# Repo-specific owners
+hermes-agent/ @Timmy @perplexity
+the-nexus/ @perplexity
+timmy-home/ @perplexity
+timmy-config/ @perplexity
+
+# File-specific owners (example)
+# /src/ai/ @Timmy
+# /src/infrastructure/ @perplexity
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/README.md b/README.md
index a9a791cf..3b90e2c6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,11 +2,36 @@
 
 The Nexus is Timmy's canonical 3D/home-world repo.
 
-It is meant to become two things at once:
-- a local-first training ground for Timmy
-- a wizardly visualization surface for the living system
+## Branch Protection Policy
 
-## Current Truth
+All repositories must enforce the following rules on the `main` branch:
+
+| Rule | Status | Description |
+|------|--------|-------------|
+| Require PR for merge | ✅ Enabled | All changes must go through PR process |
+| Required approvals | ✅ 1+ approvals | At least one reviewer must approve |
+| Dismiss stale approvals | ✅ Enabled | Re-review after new commits |
+| Require CI to pass | ⚠️ conditional | Enabled where CI exists |
+| Block force push | ✅ Enabled | Prevent direct history rewriting |
+| Block branch deletion | ✅ Enabled | Prevent accidental deletion |
+
+## Reviewer Assignments
+
+Default reviewers by repository:
+- `hermes-agent`: @Timmy (owner), @perplexity (QA)
+- `the-nexus`: @perplexity (QA)
+- `timmy-home`: @perplexity (QA)
+- `timmy-config`: @perplexity (QA)
+
+## Compliance
+
+All pull requests must:
+1. Have at least 1 approval
+2. Pass all required CI checks
+3. Not contain force-pushed changes
+4. Not be merged if abandoned for >72 hours
+
+## Current State
 
 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.