chore: add CODEOWNERS and branch protection guidance

Author: ooples

.github/CODEOWNERS

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
-# CODEOWNERS for AiDotNet
-# Update these handles to your actual maintainers/teams.
-# Lines are of the form:  <pattern>  <owner1> <owner2>
+# CODEOWNERS enforces review from code owners on PRs touching matching paths.
+# Adjust as needed to match your GitHub users/teams.
 
-* @cheat  # TODO: replace with your org/team, e.g. @ooples/core or @ooples/ai-team
+* @ooples
 

BRANCH_PROTECTION.md

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# Branch Protection (merge-dev2-to-master)
+
+- Protect `merge-dev2-to-master` branch.
+- Require pull request before merging.
+- Require up-to-date with base before merging.
+- Require status checks to pass:
+  - CI (.NET)
+  - Build
+  - Quality Gates (if enabled)
+- Require code owner review (via `.github/CODEOWNERS`).
+- Disallow force pushes and deletions.
+
+Note: Configure these in GitHub Settings → Branches after the first clean CI run so the exact check names are visible.