# What it does
A CODEOWNERS file maps file paths to the people or teams responsible for them. Combined with required code-owner review on a protected branch, every pull request automatically requests review from the right human. For agent-authored PRs, this is the routing layer between automation and accountability.
# Steps
1. Create .github/CODEOWNERS in the repo. Anyone with write access can create or edit it.
2. Assign by path, broad to specific:
* @org/core-team
/payments/ @org/payments-team
3. In the branch protection rules, require review from code owners. A PR touching payments cannot merge without the payments team.
4. Keep the teams small and real. A code owner who never reviews is a rubber stamp. Rotate the responsibility.
# Checks
- Open a test PR touching a scoped path and confirm the right team gets requested.
- Audit CODEOWNERS for departed people and dead teams regularly. Stale owners silently block or silently wave through.