diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..34992fc7a0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+# Protect the ownership rules themselves.
+/.github/CODEOWNERS @steipete
+
+# Release workflow and its supporting release-path checks.
+/.github/workflows/openclaw-npm-release.yml @openclaw/openclaw-release-managers
+/docs/reference/RELEASING.md @openclaw/openclaw-release-managers
+/scripts/openclaw-npm-publish.sh @openclaw/openclaw-release-managers
+/scripts/openclaw-npm-release-check.ts @openclaw/openclaw-release-managers
+/scripts/release-check.ts @openclaw/openclaw-release-managers