diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+# Everything is owned by the maintainer.
+* @MichaelAdamGroberman
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
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+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+---
+name: Bug report
+about: Something in the firmware or tooling doesn't work as documented
+title: ''
+labels: bug
+assignees: ''
+---
+
+> **Heads up:** this is a reference implementation, not a supported product.
+> Bug reports are welcome, but fixes land on a best-effort basis. If you need a
+> behavior change for your own build, forking is encouraged.
+
+## What happened
+
+A clear description of the bug.
+
+## What you expected
+
+What you thought would happen instead.
+
+## Steps to reproduce
+
+1.
+2.
+3.
+
+## Environment
+
+- Board: (e.g. M5StickC Plus)
+- PlatformIO version:
+- Host OS:
+- Transport: (USB serial / BLE / WiFi LAN / WiFi + WireGuard)
+
+## Logs / screenshots
+
+Paste any serial output or photos that help. Scrub secrets, tokens, and
+private IPs first.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
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+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
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+---
+name: Feature request
+about: Suggest an idea (but the answer is probably "fork it")
+title: ''
+labels: wontfix
+assignees: ''
+---
+
+> **Heads up:** this is a reference implementation for makers, not a roadmap.
+> New features generally won't be added upstream — the whole point is that you
+> take this code and build your own thing. If you have an idea, **fork it and
+> make it real.** That said, if you think something is broadly useful, open an
+> issue and let's talk.
+
+## The idea
+
+What would you like to see?
+
+## Why
+
+What does it enable for your build?
+
+## Are you forking?
+
+If you're building this yourself, link your fork — happy to point people at it.
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
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index 0000000..5d2b33c
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+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+## What this does
+
+Briefly describe the change.
+
+## Type
+
+- [ ] Fix (corrects broken or undocumented behavior)
+- [ ] Docs (README, comments, examples)
+- [ ] Other (please describe)
+
+## Checklist
+
+- [ ] I read [CONTRIBUTING.md](../CONTRIBUTING.md)
+- [ ] Firmware still builds (`pio run`)
+- [ ] No secrets, tokens, private IPs, or local file paths in the diff
diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
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index 0000000..ca79ca5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+version: 2
+updates:
+  - package-ecosystem: github-actions
+    directory: /
+    schedule:
+      interval: weekly
diff --git a/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md b/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
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--- /dev/null
+++ b/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# Code of Conduct
+
+This is a small reference-implementation project. The rule is simple: **be
+decent.**
+
+- Be respectful and constructive. Critique ideas, not people.
+- No harassment, personal attacks, discrimination, or sexualized language.
+- Assume good faith. Most disagreements are misunderstandings.
+- Keep it on-topic: this is a maker/firmware project, not a soapbox.
+
+Maintainers may edit, hide, or remove comments, commits, issues, and PRs that
+violate these expectations, and may block repeat offenders.
+
+## Reporting
+
+If someone is being a problem, reach out privately:
+
+- Email: michael.groberman@icloud.com
+- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-adam-groberman/
+
+Reports are handled discreetly.
+
+---
+
+Adapted in spirit from the [Contributor Covenant](https://www.contributor-covenant.org/).