CODEOWNERS File Generator
Build production-grade CODEOWNERS files for GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket with path rules and team handles — entirely on this device.
# CODEOWNERS file # Target platform: GITHUB # Rule order matters! Last matching pattern takes precedence for any given file. # Global default owners for everything not matched below * @org/core-engineers # Documentation changes require technical writer review /docs/ @docs-team # Backend Go services *.go @backend-leads # CI/CD pipelines and secrets access /.github/workflows/ @devops-leads @security-team
Do it offline:$
How to use it
- Select your target hosting platform: GitHub (.github/CODEOWNERS), GitLab (.gitlab/CODEOWNERS), or Bitbucket.
- Define a global fallback default owner (e.g. @org/core-team) to safeguard unmatched files.
- Add path patterns (/docs/, *.go, /src/auth/) and assign individual users (@username) or team handles (@org/team).
- Inspect the generated configuration file, check for lint warnings, and copy the snippet into your repository.
Generate production-ready CODEOWNERS files for GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket with pattern matching, team handles, syntax linting, and rule precedence validation.
How it works
CODEOWNERS files automate pull request review assignments by matching touched files against path patterns.
Order of definition matters! In GitHub and GitLab, the last matching pattern takes precedence over earlier patterns.
Teams must have write or maintain access to the repository for automated pull request review assignment to function.
This generator formats clean, commented rule sets entirely inside your browser with zero repository access or authentication tokens required.
Examples
Every example on this page is executed against the same engine that powers the tool, on every build.
Gotchas worth knowing
Common errors
FAQ
Where should the CODEOWNERS file be placed in a GitHub repository?
GitHub searches in three locations: the repository root (/CODEOWNERS), inside the docs/ directory (/docs/CODEOWNERS), or within the hidden .github/ folder (/.github/CODEOWNERS). The .github/ location is the community standard.
Why did a more specific rule not trigger on a pull request?
Because CODEOWNERS uses last-match-wins precedence! If you have a specific pattern defined near the top and a broader wildcard pattern lower down in the file, the lower wildcard overrides the higher rule. Always put general rules first and specific overrides last.
Can I use email addresses instead of GitHub usernames?
Yes! You can specify an email address associated with the user's GitHub account (e.g. developer@company.com), though team handles (@org/team) are generally preferred for organizations.