diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6085df2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+* @aether-framework/maintainers
+
+/.github/workflows/ @aether-framework/maintainers
diff --git a/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/ideas.yml b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/ideas.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d3e2bae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/ideas.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+title: "Idea / RFC"
+labels: ["enhancement", "discussion"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Use this to propose new features or API changes before opening a PR.
+        The more concrete the use-case, the better.
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: motivation
+    attributes:
+      label: Motivation / Problem
+      placeholder: What problem does this solve?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: proposal
+    attributes:
+      label: Proposal
+      placeholder: Describe the proposed behavior and how users would use it.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: api
+    attributes:
+      label: API / Design Sketch (optional)
+      description: If you have a rough idea of the public API, put it here.
+      render: java
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: breaking
+    attributes:
+      label: Breaking Changes / Migration
+      description: Would this be breaking? If yes, what would migration look like?
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: priority
+    attributes:
+      label: Priority (estimate)
+      options:
+        - low
+        - medium
+        - high
+    validations:
+      required: true
diff --git a/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/q-a.yml b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/q-a.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..bf64eb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/q-a.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+title: "Q&A / Help"
+labels: ["question"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Use this for usage questions and help requests.
+        For reproducible bugs, please open an Issue instead.
+
+  - type: input
+    id: version
+    attributes:
+      label: Version
+      description: Which version are you using?
+      placeholder: e.g. 0.5.0 (or main @ <commit>)
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: module
+    attributes:
+      label: Module
+      options:
+        - api
+        - core
+        - codec
+        - testkit
+        - cli
+        - schema-tools
+        - spring-boot-starter
+        - other / unknown
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: goal
+    attributes:
+      label: Goal
+      description: What are you trying to accomplish?
+      placeholder: Be specific about the desired outcome.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: what_tried
+    attributes:
+      label: What did you try?
+      description: Include minimal code/config and what happened.
+      render: java
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: context
+    attributes:
+      label: Context
+      description: Anything else that helps (stacktraces, links, constraints).
+    validations:
+      required: false
diff --git a/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/show-and-tell.yml b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/show-and-tell.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5c3fbe2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/DISCUSSION_TEMPLATE/show-and-tell.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+title: "Show & Tell"
+labels: ["community"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Show what you built with this project!
+        Share links, screenshots, benchmarks, or lessons learned.
+
+  - type: input
+    id: project
+    attributes:
+      label: Project name
+      placeholder: e.g. MyGameSaveMigrator
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: input
+    id: link
+    attributes:
+      label: Link (optional)
+      placeholder: Repository / website / blog post
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: summary
+    attributes:
+      label: What did you build?
+      placeholder: Describe the project and how this library is used.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: learnings
+    attributes:
+      label: Learnings / Feedback
+      description: What worked well? What should be improved?
+    validations:
+      required: false
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..55944ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+name: 🐞 Bug Report
+description: Report a reproducible bug or unexpected behavior
+title: "[Bug]: "
+labels: ["bug", "needs-triage"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Thanks for the report! Please provide enough details so we can reproduce and fix the issue quickly.
+
+  - type: input
+    id: affected_version
+    attributes:
+      label: Affected Version
+      description: Which version(s) are affected?
+      placeholder: e.g. 0.5.0 (or main @ <commit>)
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: affected_module
+    attributes:
+      label: Affected Module
+      description: Which module is affected?
+      options:
+        - api
+        - core
+        - codec
+        - testkit
+        - cli
+        - schema-tools
+        - spring-boot-starter
+        - other / unknown
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: summary
+    attributes:
+      label: Summary
+      description: Short summary of what is wrong.
+      placeholder: One or two sentences.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Expected Behavior
+      description: What did you expect to happen?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: actual
+    attributes:
+      label: Actual Behavior
+      description: What happened instead?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: repro_steps
+    attributes:
+      label: Steps to Reproduce
+      description: Provide a minimal, complete, reproducible set of steps.
+      placeholder: |
+        1. ...
+        2. ...
+        3. ...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: minimal_example
+    attributes:
+      label: Minimal Reproducible Example (code/config)
+      description: If possible, paste a small snippet that reproduces the issue.
+      render: java
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: stacktrace
+    attributes:
+      label: Logs / Stacktrace
+      description: Paste relevant logs or the full stacktrace.
+      render: shell
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: regression
+    attributes:
+      label: Regression?
+      description: Did this work in a previous version?
+      options:
+        - "unknown"
+        - "yes"
+        - "no"
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: input
+    id: last_working_version
+    attributes:
+      label: Last Known Working Version (if regression)
+      placeholder: e.g. 0.4.0
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: input
+    id: environment
+    attributes:
+      label: Environment
+      description: Java version, OS, build tool, etc.
+      placeholder: e.g. Java 21, Maven 3.9.x, Windows 11 / Ubuntu 24.04
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: checklist
+    attributes:
+      label: Checklist
+      options:
+        - label: I searched existing issues to avoid duplicates.
+          required: true
+        - label: I can reproduce this reliably.
+          required: false
+        - label: I included a minimal example or clear repro steps.
+          required: false
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b5ab110
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+blank_issues_enabled: true
+contact_links:
+  - name: 🔒 Security Policy
+    url: https://github.com/aether-framework/aether-datafixers/security/policy
+    about: Please report serious vulnerabilities via the security policy / advisories.
+  - name: 📖 Documentation
+    url: https://github.com/aether-framework/aether-datafixers
+    about: Check the README and docs first.
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0fed2a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/documentation.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+name: 📚 Documentation
+description: Report missing, unclear, or incorrect documentation
+title: "[Docs]: "
+labels: ["documentation"]
+body:
+  - type: input
+    id: location
+    attributes:
+      label: Location
+      description: Where is the docs issue? (URL, file path, section)
+      placeholder: e.g. docs/codec.md#json or README.md#usage
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: type
+    attributes:
+      label: Type
+      options:
+        - typo / wording
+        - unclear explanation
+        - missing section
+        - incorrect/outdated information
+        - broken link
+        - example does not work
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: current
+    attributes:
+      label: Current Content / Problem
+      description: What exactly is wrong right now?
+      placeholder: Paste the relevant snippet or describe the issue precisely.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Suggested Change
+      description: What should it say/do instead?
+      placeholder: Proposed wording, fixed link, corrected example, etc.
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: context
+    attributes:
+      label: Context (optional)
+      description: Why is it confusing? Who is the target audience?
+    validations:
+      required: false
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e080cb6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+name: ✨ Feature Request
+description: Suggest an idea or improvement
+title: "[Feature]: "
+labels: ["enhancement", "needs-triage"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Please describe the problem first, then the proposed solution.
+        Good feature requests include use-cases, constraints, and API impact.
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: problem
+    attributes:
+      label: Problem / Motivation
+      description: What are you trying to achieve? What is painful today?
+      placeholder: Describe the user story and why it matters.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: proposal
+    attributes:
+      label: Proposed Solution
+      description: Describe the solution you want to see.
+      placeholder: Describe expected behavior and how it should be used.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: api_design
+    attributes:
+      label: API / Design Sketch (optional)
+      description: If you have an idea for public API shape, describe it here.
+      render: java
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: alternatives
+    attributes:
+      label: Alternatives / Workarounds
+      description: What else did you consider? Any current workaround?
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: breaking_change
+    attributes:
+      label: Would this be a breaking change?
+      options:
+        - "unknown"
+        - "no"
+        - "yes"
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: priority
+    attributes:
+      label: Priority (reporter estimate)
+      options:
+        - low
+        - medium
+        - high
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: module
+    attributes:
+      label: Related Module
+      options:
+        - api
+        - core
+        - codec
+        - testkit
+        - cli
+        - schema-tools
+        - spring-boot-starter
+        - other / unknown
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: checklist
+    attributes:
+      label: Checklist
+      options:
+        - label: I checked existing issues and discussions for duplicates.
+          required: true
+        - label: This request is within the project's scope (not a support question).
+          required: false
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/performance.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/performance.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c9d8fd6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/performance.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+name: ⚡ Performance
+description: Report performance regressions, hotspots, or high resource usage
+title: "[Performance]: "
+labels: ["performance", "needs-triage"]
+body:
+  - type: input
+    id: version
+    attributes:
+      label: Affected Version
+      placeholder: e.g. 0.5.0 (or main @ <commit>)
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: category
+    attributes:
+      label: Category
+      options:
+        - regression (slower than before)
+        - slow operation (always slow)
+        - memory usage / allocations
+        - cpu usage
+        - startup time
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: workload
+    attributes:
+      label: Workload / Scenario
+      description: Describe the operation, input sizes, and typical usage pattern.
+      placeholder: Include data sizes (e.g. 10k entries), schema complexity, number of fixers, etc.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Expected Performance
+      description: What performance do you expect (baseline)?
+      placeholder: e.g. should complete under X ms for Y input size
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: measured
+    attributes:
+      label: Measured Performance
+      description: Provide numbers and how you measured them.
+      placeholder: |
+        - Before: ...
+        - After: ...
+        - Measurement method: JMH / integration benchmark / stopwatch
+        - Hardware: ...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: profiling
+    attributes:
+      label: Profiling Data (optional)
+      description: Attach or paste relevant profiler output (JFR, async-profiler, allocation trace).
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: input
+    id: environment
+    attributes:
+      label: Environment
+      placeholder: e.g. Java 21, OS, CPU model, RAM, Maven/Gradle
+    validations:
+      required: false
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/question.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/question.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49a9f36
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/question.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+name: ❓ Question
+description: Ask a usage question (not a bug report)
+title: "[Question]: "
+labels: ["question"]
+body:
+  - type: textarea
+    id: goal
+    attributes:
+      label: Goal
+      description: What are you trying to accomplish?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: context
+    attributes:
+      label: Context
+      description: Relevant details (versions, module, configuration, snippet).
+      placeholder: Paste minimal code/config if relevant.
+      render: java
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: what_tried
+    attributes:
+      label: What did you try?
+      description: What approaches did you already attempt?
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: module
+    attributes:
+      label: Related Module
+      options:
+        - api
+        - core
+        - codec
+        - testkit
+        - cli
+        - schema-tools
+        - spring-boot-starter
+        - other / unknown
+    validations:
+      required: false
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/security_report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/security_report.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6dfe62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/security_report.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+name: 🔒 Security Report
+description: Report a potential security issue (no sensitive details)
+title: "[Security]: "
+labels: ["security", "needs-triage"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        ⚠️ Do NOT include exploit details, credentials, tokens, private keys, or sensitive information.
+        If this is a serious vulnerability, please use GitHub Security Advisories or follow SECURITY.md.
+
+  - type: input
+    id: affected_versions
+    attributes:
+      label: Affected Version(s)
+      placeholder: e.g. 0.5.0, 0.4.0
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: severity
+    attributes:
+      label: Severity (reporter estimate)
+      options:
+        - low
+        - medium
+        - high
+        - critical
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: summary
+    attributes:
+      label: Summary (non-sensitive)
+      description: High-level description of the issue without exploitation steps.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: impact
+    attributes:
+      label: Potential Impact
+      description: What could happen if exploited?
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: mitigation
+    attributes:
+      label: Suggested Mitigation (optional)
+      description: Any ideas on how to fix or mitigate it?
+    validations:
+      required: false
+
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: confirmation
+    attributes:
+      label: Confirmation
+      options:
+        - label: I did not include sensitive exploit details in this public report.
+          required: true
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c02c4e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+## Summary
+Brief description of what this PR does and why.
+
+## Type of Change
+- [ ] Bug fix
+- [ ] New feature
+- [ ] Breaking change
+- [ ] Refactoring
+- [ ] Documentation
+- [ ] Build / CI
+
+## Related Issues
+Closes #…
+
+## Changes
+- …
+- …
+
+## Verification
+- [ ] Unit tests added/updated
+- [ ] Existing tests pass
+- [ ] Manual verification performed (if applicable)
+
+## Breaking Changes
+Describe any breaking changes or migration steps.
+
+## Checklist
+- [ ] Code follows project conventions
+- [ ] Public APIs are documented
+- [ ] Tests cover new behavior
+- [ ] No unnecessary dependencies added
diff --git a/.github/workflows/dependabot-retarget-to-develop.yml b/.github/workflows/dependabot-retarget-to-develop.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ef0d89d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/dependabot-retarget-to-develop.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+name: Retarget Dependabot PRs to develop
+
+on:
+  pull_request_target:
+    types: [opened, reopened, synchronize, ready_for_review]
+
+permissions:
+  pull-requests: write
+
+jobs:
+  retarget:
+    if: >
+      github.actor == 'dependabot[bot]' &&
+      github.event.pull_request.base.ref == 'main' &&
+      github.event.pull_request.state == 'open'
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: Change base branch to develop
+        uses: actions/github-script@v7
+        with:
+          script: |
+            const pr = context.payload.pull_request;
+
+            // Only retarget if it is still targeting main
+            if (pr.base.ref !== 'main') {
+              core.info(`PR base is already '${pr.base.ref}', nothing to do.`);
+              return;
+            }
+
+            core.info(`Retargeting PR #${pr.number} from '${pr.base.ref}' to 'develop'...`);
+
+            await github.rest.pulls.update({
+              owner: context.repo.owner,
+              repo: context.repo.repo,
+              pull_number: pr.number,
+              base: 'develop',
+            });
+
+            core.info(`Done. PR #${pr.number} now targets 'develop'.`);