diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..fded4435
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# Lines starting with '#' are comments.
+# Each line is a file pattern followed by one or more owners.
+
+# These owners will be the default owners for everything in the repo.
+* @Avijit-Microsoft @Roopan-Microsoft @Prajwal-Microsoft @dongbumlee
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..882ebd79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+---
+name: Bug report
+about: Create a report to help us improve
+title: ''
+labels: bug
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+# Describe the bug
+A clear and concise description of what the bug is.
+
+# Expected behavior
+A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.
+
+# How does this bug make you feel?
+_Share a gif from [giphy](https://giphy.com/) to tells us how you'd feel_
+
+---
+
+# Debugging information
+
+## Steps to reproduce
+Steps to reproduce the behavior:
+1. Go to '...'
+2. Click on '....'
+3. Scroll down to '....'
+4. See error
+
+## Screenshots
+If applicable, add screenshots to help explain your problem.
+
+## Logs
+
+If applicable, add logs to help the engineer debug the problem.
+
+---
+
+# Tasks
+
+_To be filled in by the engineer picking up the issue_
+
+- [ ] Task 1
+- [ ] Task 2
+- [ ] ...
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3496fc82
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.md
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+---
+name: Feature request
+about: Suggest an idea for this project
+title: ''
+labels: enhancement
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+# Motivation
+
+A clear and concise description of why this feature would be useful and the value it would bring.
+Explain any alternatives considered and why they are not sufficient.
+
+# How would you feel if this feature request was implemented?
+
+_Share a gif from [giphy](https://giphy.com/) to tells us how you'd feel. Format: ![alt_text](https://media.giphy.com/media/xxx/giphy.gif)_
+
+# Requirements
+
+A list of requirements to consider this feature delivered
+- Requirement 1
+- Requirement 2
+- ...
+
+# Tasks
+
+_To be filled in by the engineer picking up the issue_
+
+- [ ] Task 1
+- [ ] Task 2
+- [ ] ...
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/subtask.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/subtask.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9f86c843
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/subtask.md
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+name: Sub task
+about: A sub task
+title: ''
+labels: subtask
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+Required by <link to parent issue>
+
+# Description
+
+A clear and concise description of what this subtask is.
+
+# Tasks
+
+_To be filled in by the engineer picking up the subtask
+
+- [ ] Task 1
+- [ ] Task 2
+- [ ] ...
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..22b04b72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+## Purpose
+<!-- Describe the intention of the changes being proposed. What problem does it solve or functionality does it add? -->
+* ...
+
+## Does this introduce a breaking change?
+<!-- Mark one with an "x". -->
+
+- [ ] Yes
+- [ ] No
+
+<!-- Please prefix your PR title with one of the following:
+  * `feat`: A new feature
+  * `fix`: A bug fix
+  * `docs`: Documentation only changes
+  * `style`: Changes that do not affect the meaning of the code (white-space, formatting, missing semi-colons, etc)
+  * `refactor`: A code change that neither fixes a bug nor adds a feature
+  * `perf`: A code change that improves performance
+  * `test`: Adding missing tests or correcting existing tests
+  * `build`: Changes that affect the build system or external dependencies (example scopes: gulp, broccoli, npm)
+  * `ci`: Changes to our CI configuration files and scripts (example scopes: Travis, Circle, BrowserStack, SauceLabs)
+  * `chore`: Other changes that don't modify src or test files
+  * `revert`: Reverts a previous commit
+  * !: A breaking change is indicated with a `!` after the listed prefixes above, e.g. `feat!`, `fix!`, `refactor!`, etc.
+-->
+
+## Golden Path Validation
+- [ ] I have tested the primary workflows (the "golden path") to ensure they function correctly without errors.
+
+## Deployment Validation
+- [ ] I have validated the deployment process successfully and all services are running as expected with this change.
+
+## What to Check
+Verify that the following are valid
+* ...
+
+## Other Information
+<!-- Add any other helpful information that may be needed here. -->
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/.github/dependabot.yml b/.github/dependabot.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..18e88340
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/dependabot.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+# To get started with Dependabot version updates, you'll need to specify which
+# package ecosystems to update and where the package manifests are located.
+# For more details, refer to the documentation:
+# https://docs.github.com/github/administering-a-repository/configuration-options-for-dependency-updates
+version: 2
+updates:
+  # GitHub Actions dependencies
+  - package-ecosystem: "github-actions"
+    directory: "/"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "monthly"
+    commit-message:
+      prefix: "build"
+    target-branch: "dependabotchanges"
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 10
+
+  # .NET NuGet dependencies for Backend API (Multiple Projects)
+  - package-ecosystem: "nuget"
+    directory: "/App/backend-api/Microsoft.GS.DPS"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "monthly"
+    commit-message:
+      prefix: "build"
+    target-branch: "dependabotchanges"
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 30
+
+  - package-ecosystem: "nuget"
+    directory: "/App/backend-api/Microsoft.GS.DPS.Host"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "monthly"
+    commit-message:
+      prefix: "build"
+    target-branch: "dependabotchanges"
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 30
+
+  # .NET NuGet dependencies for Kernel Memory Clients
+  - package-ecosystem: "nuget"
+    directory: "/App/kernel-memory/clients/dotnet/SemanticKernelPlugin"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "monthly"
+    commit-message:
+      prefix: "build"
+    target-branch: "dependabotchanges"
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 30
+
+  - package-ecosystem: "nuget"
+    directory: "/App/kernel-memory/clients/dotnet/WebClient"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "monthly"
+    commit-message:
+      prefix: "build"
+    target-branch: "dependabotchanges"
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 30
+
+  # npm dependencies for Frontend App
+  - package-ecosystem: "npm"
+    directory: "/App/frontend-app"
+    schedule:
+      interval: "monthly"
+    commit-message:
+      prefix: "build"
+    target-branch: "dependabotchanges"
+    open-pull-requests-limit: 30
diff --git a/.github/workflows/stale-bot.yml b/.github/workflows/stale-bot.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e31059ab
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/stale-bot.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+name: 'Close stale issues and PRs'
+on:
+  schedule:
+    - cron: '30 1 * * *'
+
+permissions:
+  contents: write
+  issues: write
+  pull-requests: write
+
+jobs:
+  stale:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/stale@v9
+        with:
+          stale-issue-message: 'This issue is stale because it has been open 180 days with no activity. Remove stale label or comment or this will be closed in 30 days.'
+          days-before-stale: 180
+          days-before-close: 30
diff --git a/.github/workflows/sync-branches.yml b/.github/workflows/sync-branches.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7e4e8b45
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/sync-branches.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+name: Sync Main to dependabotchanges
+
+on:
+  # Schedule the sync job to run daily or customize as needed
+  schedule:
+    - cron: '0 1 * * *'  # Runs every day at 1 AM UTC
+  # Trigger the sync job on pushes to the main branch
+  push:
+    branches:
+      - main
+
+jobs:
+  sync:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+
+    steps:
+      - name: Checkout repository
+        uses: actions/checkout@v3
+        with:
+          fetch-depth: 0  # Fetch all history for accurate branch comparison
+
+      - name: Configure Git
+        run: |
+          git config user.name "github-actions[bot]"
+          git config user.email "github-actions[bot]@users.noreply.github.com"
+
+      - name: Sync main to dependabotchanges
+        run: |
+          # Ensure we're on the main branch
+          git checkout main
+          # Fetch the latest changes
+          git pull origin main
+
+          # Switch to dependabotchanges branch
+          git checkout dependabotchanges
+          # Merge main branch changes
+          git merge main --no-edit
+
+          # Push changes back to dependabotchanges1 branch
+          git push origin dependabotchanges
+
+      - name: Notify on Failure
+        if: failure()
+        run: echo "Sync from main to dependabotchanges failed!"