diff --git a/.gitea.yml b/.gitea.yml
index 19eb3d4..e5398d1 100644
--- a/.gitea.yml
+++ b/.gitea.yml
@@ -28,3 +28,41 @@ main:
 CODEOWNERS
 <source>
 <<<<<<< search
+protection:
+  main:
+    required_status_checks:
+      - "ci/unit-tests"
+      - "ci/integration"
+    required_pull_request_reviews:
+      - "1 approval"
+    restrictions:
+      - "block force push"
+      - "block deletion"
+    enforce_admins: true
+
+  the-nexus:
+    required_status_checks: []
+    required_pull_request_reviews:
+      - "1 approval"
+    restrictions:
+      - "block force push"
+      - "block deletion"
+    enforce_admins: true
+
+  timmy-home:
+    required_status_checks: []
+    required_pull_request_reviews:
+      - "1 approval"
+    restrictions:
+      - "block force push"
+      - "block deletion"
+    enforce_admins: true
+
+  timmy-config:
+    required_status_checks: []
+    required_pull_request_reviews:
+      - "1 approval"
+    restrictions:
+      - "block force push"
+      - "block deletion"
+    enforce_admins: true
diff --git a/CODEOWNERS b/CODEOWNERS
index eab7074..13b58dc 100644
--- a/CODEOWNERS
+++ b/CODEOWNERS
@@ -317,3 +317,16 @@ timmy-config/ @perplexity
 
 # Owner gates
 hermes-agent/ @Timmy
+# CODEOWNERS - Mandatory Review Policy
+
+# Default reviewer for all repositories
+* @perplexity
+
+# Specialized component owners
+hermes-agent/ @Timmy
+hermes-agent/agent-core/ @Rockachopa
+hermes-agent/protocol/ @Timmy
+the-nexus/ @perplexity
+the-nexus/ai/ @Timmy
+timmy-home/ @perplexity
+timmy-config/ @perplexity