diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
index 164af9be..45845949 100644
--- a/.github/CODEOWNERS
+++ b/.github/CODEOWNERS
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 # branch rules must separately require code-owner review; this file alone is not a gate.
+# acceptance fixture: this unmerged comment must require owner review.
 /.github/ @bdsqqq
 /scripts/ci/ @bdsqqq
 **/AGENTS.md @bdsqqq
diff --git a/ci-gate-acceptance.md b/ci-gate-acceptance.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0cf95b9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ci-gate-acceptance.md
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+# CI gate acceptance fixture
+
+this unmerged fixture exercises the required check with a broken local link,
+then a repaired link. it is not production documentation.
+
+[repository documentation](README.md)